House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2006, with 48% of the vote.
Sponsorship Program November 4th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, once again, I repeat, what happened is that the Department of Finance wanted a more open process, a more transparent process, with far more competition. That was the Department of Finance's position, and that is what it ought to have been.
Sponsorship Program November 4th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, consistently the Leader of the Opposition and his colleagues have stood up, have made mistakes and they have had to swallow themselves whole the next day.
That is why the hon. member should not try to subvert the Gomery commission, but let the Gomery commission do its work.
Sponsorship Program November 4th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, when we examine the letters and testimony, it is very obvious that what the Department of Finance wanted was to have a genuinely open and transparent system, and that is where the difference lies.
We are still in favour of an open and transparent system.
Canada-U.S. Relations November 4th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member's statements were unacceptable. Those statements are not reflective of the government's position, nor are they statements that are acceptable to our caucus.
I would simply ask the hon. member opposite about the comments his members have made about the Charter of Rights, bilingualism and a vast number of Canadian values.
National Defence November 3rd, 2004
Mr. Speaker, the Government of Canada will work with the U.S. administration on a vast multitude of files. We will certainly reflect our values; our values which are being reflected in Haiti at this very moment; our values which are being reflected in Afghanistan at this moment; our values which are being reflected in Africa; and our values on a multitude of files as we work to alleviate poverty.
Those are Canadian values and we will continue to push our value system wherever we are.
National Defence November 3rd, 2004
Mr. Speaker, the American people have chosen their president. We on this side of the House, we as the government will work with the administration as we have worked with it in the past.
If I could just take this occasion, I would like to say to the member for Elmwood—Transcona that I congratulate him on his 25 years of parliamentary endeavour. He is known in this House as the member for Elmwood—Transcona. In my family he is known as the father of the very dynamic NDP candidate who ran in the riding of LaSalle—Émard.
Child Care November 3rd, 2004
Mr. Speaker, first of all, I would like to congratulate the minister and the provincial ministers who have been working for the past two days on this issue.
I must also say that Quebec's Minister Béchard said that this was a start. It is very important to truly understand the goals we want to reach.
I would also like to tell the leader of the Bloc Québécois that the model we will be using is the Quebec model.
Natural Resources November 3rd, 2004
Mr. Speaker, let me deal with the preamble to the Leader of the Opposition's question. The fact is that we are not anti-American. Canadians are not anti-American. We are pro-Canadian.
I will tell the House what being pro-Canadian means. It means that we would not go down to the United States and use an American television network to slam Canada. It means that we would not write articles in the Wall Street Journal criticizing our country. We will have our debates within Canada.
Canada-U.S. Relations November 3rd, 2004
Mr. Speaker, at this very important juncture in history it would be far better for the Leader of the Opposition to join with the government that has been unequivocal in its fight against global terrorism.
We have made it very clear, whether it be on the strength of our borders or the ability of our borders, and at meetings that the Deputy Prime Minister has had with Secretary Ridge, that we will stand side by side with the Americans to make sure that those who would inflict terrorism upon the world will be found and punished.
Canada-U.S. Relations November 3rd, 2004
Mr. Speaker, I already have expressed my congratulations to President Bush on his re-election, as I have expressed to Senator Kerry my congratulations for his campaign. I also said that publicly after caucus this morning.
I also said that I look forward to sitting down with the President to deal with very important issues, from mad cow to softwood lumber to wheat, that we in this country have with the United States. I look forward to doing that forthwith.