House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2006, with 48% of the vote.
Softwood Lumber October 26th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, as I said yesterday, the government is currently examining all its options. We are in the midst of tough negotiations with the Americans. The government certainly intends to support our communities. We already have. The government, along with the Canadian industry, has already taken action in this fight with the Americans, made necessary by their completely unacceptable refusal to comply with the NAFTA rulings.
Public Safety October 26th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, not only did I not contradict the Deputy Prime Minister but I supported the position she took. I supported the position she took at the dinner in the discussion we had on the importance of stopping gun smuggling and the importance of governments on both sides of the border working to ensure smuggled guns do not come into this country and are not part of these kinds of problems. I have to say that the Deputy Prime Minister argued the case very forcefully and successfully.
Justice October 26th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, the Deputy Prime Minister, the Minister of Justice and I met with the families and listened to their issues.
I have to say that it is impossible to meet with these families and not be totally cognizant of the terrible tragedy they have undergone and to really want to applaud them for their courage in now seeking, despite that tragedy, to basically ensure this kind of tragedy never happens again.
Under those circumstances, not only did the Minister of Justice, the Deputy Prime MInister and I discuss all the issues they raised, but both ministers gave an answer in terms of how they are approaching those issues and--
Aboriginal Affairs October 26th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, first, the Minister of Indian Affairs was at the reservation in northern Ontario last week to deal with it.
Second, under an arrangement that was signed almost a decade ago with the Province of Ontario in terms of evacuation that is handled by the province, it is the responsibility of and is being paid for by the federal government. We are assuming our responsibilities, we are dealing with the situation and we will do so.
Softwood Lumber October 25th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, what the Deputy Prime Minister said is that we insist that the Americans accept and recognize NAFTA rules. She described them. We continue to insist that the Americans accept the NAFTA rules and deadline as negotiated 15 years ago.
Softwood Lumber October 25th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, the hon. leader of the party opposite is making a fundamental mistake. We have never pressured any province whatsoever to negotiate a watered-down agreement.
Moreover, it is the Government of Canada that has insisted from the start, and continues to insist, that the Americans accept the victories we have won. We have no intention whatsoever of reaching some meaningless agreement just because someone does not accept the dispute resolution mechanisms.
Softwood Lumber October 25th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, first of all, the Minister of International Trade is absolutely correct in saying we have no intention whatsoever of negotiating what we have already won. We will keep what we have gained.
As for the negotiations on other NAFTA-related matters, we will certainly be insisting on fair and equitable free trade.
The Environment October 25th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, the government today, through the Minister of the Environment, had extensive discussions with the United States on a wide range of environmental issues, pointing out very clearly that we share a continent and that we have a responsibility to our respective populations to ensure that the environment of North America is protected and is as clean as it possibly can be.
The Environment October 25th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, if I could beg your indulgence, given the tremendous exhibition of parliamentary decorum by the opposition, I was totally unable to hear the hon. member's question. Perhaps if his members could soften it a bit, we might well hear the question, if in fact one should hear it.
Softwood Lumber October 25th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, first, the Minister of Industry already has indicated to the House that he is working on a package to help the industry, and we understand just how important that is. The real issue is the inability of the Leader of the Opposition to understand the file.
We have taken a position of principle in terms of recognizing the importance of NAFTA . What the Leader of the Opposition should be doing is standing up in the House and supporting the Canadian government when it says NAFTA must be respected.