Paul Martin

[Election of Speaker, October 4th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, you preside now over the first minority Commons in 25 years. When you return to your office you will find an appropriate congratulatory gift. We have sent you an extra strength bottle of painkillers. I hope you use them well.

I believe it is more than symbolic that the first act of this 38th Parliament was to re-elect a Speaker who during his first term was recognized and praised for his impartiality and his constructive approach to resolving disputes.

The challenge that confronts all members of our minority in the Commons is straightforward. It is to make this Parliament work for Canadians and to do so we will need to be able to forge a consensus. We will need to be constructive.

Mr. Speaker, you will face new challenges in this Parliament, as will all of us in the House. Minority government means increased responsibilities for you and for those of us in the government caucus, and indeed for all members.

The government can no longer be certain that it will secure passage of legislation. The opposition parties can no longer simply vote against government bills without consequence.

The dynamic has changed but change is often invigorating. As we begin the work of the 38th Parliament, I want you and all Canadians to know that we as a government are committed to doing what it takes to achieve progress for the people of this country.

I congratulate you, Mr. Speaker, and I wish you sound judgment and ample patience as you again take up your important duties.

[Election of Speaker, October 4th, 2004]

Now I can.

Mr. Speaker, I was delighted to hear your speech of recognition and gratitude. All of us in the House would have liked to have heard your campaign speech. I would have liked to have known what your promises were going to be.

We are delighted that you acknowledged your family in the gallery. We all hope that you will give us the same privilege. I remember you called me out of order in the last House for that very thing.

[Election of Speaker, October 4th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, I know I speak for all the people in this caucus, in your riding and throughout the House when I say that your success today is well earned.

Would you tell me, Mr. Speaker, if I am allowed to speak?

[Electoral Reform, May 12th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, in terms of those who will be running for the Liberal Party in the next election, overwhelmingly the vast majority have won in nomination battles and nomination fights.

It is true that the leader of the Liberal Party does have the right to nominate certain candidates and in a very small minority of cases he has done so.

I would like to point out to the hon. member the presence in Liberal ranks of Chris Axworthy, Ujjal Dosanjh, Dave Haggard, and a number of NDPers who have seen the light, who understand that in fact--

[Gasoline Prices, May 12th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, the preamble of the hon. member's question is as vile as it possibly could be. Let me say very plainly that faith or religion has no room in politics; the fact is that this government would never allow that. For the hon. member to raise that kind of an issue in this room is the ultimate in prejudice and bigotry and he ought to be ashamed of himself--

[Infrastructure, May 12th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, I would be delighted to tell the parliamentary leader of the NDP about it. The fact is that Canada's major cities are suffering from urban gridlock. They are suffering from air that is not clean and water that is not clean. We intend to deal with it.

At the same time, we intend to deal with the problems of economic development and homelessness that are found in our smaller communities right across the country.

I am delighted to answer the hon. member's question, as I will many times over the course of the next period, and say we are here to defend Canada's cities and its smallest communities. That is part of our policy and we are going to bring it into being.

[Health, May 12th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, I have said in this House and I will repeat, the reason we want to have a meeting with the premiers this summer, the reason we want to essentially deal with the health care situation is so that more money will flow, that reform will take place, so that in fact the publicly funded, universally accessible health care system that was put in place by a Liberal government will continue and will strengthen.

[Sponsorship Program, May 12th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, I have made it clear since mid-February that I was prepared to go before the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, the Gomery commission, or anywhere else, and I am saying it again now.

[Sponsorship Program, May 12th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, the Public Accounts Committee was struck precisely to answer such questions, as was the Gomery Commission. This is also the reason Mr. Gauthier was asked to help, that is, to find the answer to these questions.

When the leader of the Bloc mentioned a visitor, I thought he was referring to Bono, who is here to celebrate an announcement with great significance for Canada concerning our lead role in connection with AIDS throughout the world.

[Gasoline Prices, May 12th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, before answering the Leader of the Opposition, allow me to say a few words about several interventions that have been made. I would like to thank the hon. members who will no longer be with us, should we have an election. On behalf of all Canadians, I would simply like to thank these members on both sides of the House.

Mr. Speaker, perhaps you will just allow me, given that a number of members have risen in the House to thank their colleagues on both sides of the House who have contributed so much, on behalf of all Canadians to thank those people who served with such distinction?

All members on this side of the House are obviously very concerned with the rising gas prices. It is for that reason that it has been referred to the Competition Bureau. The Competition Bureau is working with those agencies and the provinces which are concerned.

I can assure the House that the government will take every measure necessary to deal with this.