House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2006, with 48% of the vote.
Parental Leave November 2nd, 2004
Mr. Speaker, the leader of the Bloc must know that we appealed because the scope of the decision goes far beyond simple negotiations on parental leave between governments. That is why the government appealed, because the scope goes much farther than the discussions between the two governments.
Natural Resources November 2nd, 2004
Mr. Speaker, one of the great contributions that Newfoundland and Labrador has made to public life in Canada is the men and women it has sent to the House of Commons. I am very proud to stand in the House, refer to the hon. member and say that the contribution he is making as the minister of energy and the contribution that he is making in terms of his broader vision is not only benefiting Canada, but it is of direct benefit to Newfoundland and Labrador.
Natural Resources November 2nd, 2004
Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to live up to the undertakings that I made under these circumstances and fully intend to do so.
It is somewhat ironic that the member of Parliament, who has condemned Atlantic Canada to defeatism, would stand up here now and try to defend Atlantic Canada when his entire public service record has been against Atlantic Canada.
Natural Resources November 2nd, 2004
Mr. Speaker, I will not get into disagreeing with the terms of the deal. I am prepared to stand behind my undertakings on this, and I want to because I believe this is very important for Newfoundland and Labrador.
Fundamentally, in terms of why the reply, it simply occurred. I said to the premier that because we would be having the health conference with the premiers, this was where the principal focus had to lie. Immediately after that we began the discussion on this.
Natural Resources October 28th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, as I have already stated in this House, those remarks were unfortunate. The director of communications has apologized for them, and I have discussed it with the Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Natural Resources October 28th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, I can assure the hon. member that what I said to the Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador is exactly the commitment that I am prepared to carry through with and have set out.
Sponsorship Program October 28th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, once again, this shows that we should not comment here, in the House, on day to day testimony before the Gomery commission.
Today, Mrs. Larose's testimony clearly indicated that there was no interference or intervention on the part of a minister in this issue.
Sponsorship Program October 28th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, what the Leader of the Opposition is stating was said is simply not the case. This demonstrates once again the folly of commenting on day to day testimony or things that occur in the Gomery commission. He stood up yesterday and said that there had been interference in the allocation of a contract. Testimony this morning proved that there was no such interference. What that demonstrates is that the Gomery commission should be allowed to do its work and the Leader of the Opposition should not attempt to subvert it.
Natural Resources October 28th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition's words have not been distorted. The problem with the Leader of the Opposition is that he cannot stand it when his own words are quoted to him exactly. I would simply ask him if he would ask his seatmate from Nova Scotia as to what he said about the Leader of the Opposition. Cultural defeatism is exactly what he said about Atlantic Canadians. He was wrong then and he is wrong now.
Natural Resources October 28th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition is the very same person who has consistently accused Atlantic Canadians of a culture of defeatism. He is the very same person who basically has said that Atlantic Canadians are not prepared to work to get the type of prosperity they need. The Leader of the Opposition will not make anything happen.