House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2006, with 48% of the vote.
Supreme Court of Canada May 6th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member obviously did not listen to the House leader. Surely it is the essence of understanding the parliamentary deficit that one should follow the rules of the House and give the parliamentary committee the opportunity to submit its report.
If one is respectful of parliament, one allows the parliamentary committee to do its job. Why will the hon. member not?
Gasoline Prices May 6th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, there is no doubt that the suggestion of transferring part of the gas tax to our municipalities is an excellent one. It is one that really came from this party. The government has said that we want to sit down with the cities and the provinces, and deal with it immediately. We are certainly prepared to do that.
The fact is that lengthy negotiations must take place. Our commitment is that part of the gas tax is going to be transferred to the cities so that they can live up to their very important responsibilities along with all of the other communities in this country.
Standing Committee on Public Accounts May 6th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, I would simply remind the parliamentary leader for the NDP that the clerk is independent, KPMG is independent, the forensic accountants who are going to be coming in are independent, and the research branch of the Library of Parliament is independent. They are the ones who will be presenting the facts.
The issue really is, why is the NDP, along with the Alliance, afraid of the facts? Do they not realize that they are accountable to the people of Canada?
After this number of months the people of Canada are entitled to a report from the parliamentary committee which has been sitting. The people of Canada are entitled to know what the committee has found out.
Taxation May 6th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, I know Yves Séguin very well. He is the Minister of Finance of Quebec, and he is stuck with the financial difficulties that are the real legacy of the PQ government. He has problems because he has inherited them from the PQ.
Taxation May 6th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, as the health minister and the finance minister have both said on numerous occasions, the reason we asked for a meeting this summer with the premiers is to have a proper discussion on health, health reform, and the required increases in transfer payments.
We realize the provinces are under pressure. We are certainly prepared to sit down with them and to help them out.
Standing Committee on Public Accounts May 6th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, I have not ordered anything at all. The public accounts committee is the master of its own destiny.
However, why do the members of the opposition, who ought to recognize that they are ultimately accountable to the people of Canada, and given the fact that the public accounts committee has now been sitting for quite some time, think that the committee should not prepare a report so that the Canadian people will know what has taken place over the last number of months? What is the opposition afraid of?
Veterans Affairs May 6th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, I very much share the views that have been expressed. There is no doubt of the tremendous debt succeeding generations owe to the veterans of all our great wars. The fact is that I saw Mr. Melanson on television last night and he makes a very strong case.
We, as Canadians, owe a tremendous debt to those who gave their lives and those who fought for us, and the government certainly intends to recognize that. That is what, in fact, June 6 is all about.
Veterans Affairs May 6th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Veterans Affairs is already looking into ways in which we can augment the number and improve the situation. Obviously, that is a matter which the government takes very seriously.
Iraq May 5th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, the acting leader of the NDP does well to raise this issue. This is an issue which has horrified civilized people around the world. It is absolutely ghastly and is totally unacceptable.
I was delighted to see the statement by the President of the United States and his abhorrence of what happened. There is no doubt that in the fight against terrorism we have to remember that our values are why we are fighting terrorism and that this kind of thing just must not happen and that full investigations must take place.
Gasoline Prices May 5th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member should be aware that we, on this side of the House, are very concerned about exactly the same subject.
The hon. member must also know that the Competition Bureau will, as it has in the past, look into the situation, and if anything can be done, it will do it.