House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2011, with 57% of the vote.
Rcmp November 22nd, 1999
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the solicitor general, who has constantly reminded the House that his department has an arm's length relationship with the RCMP.
Can he advise us why a recent phone inquiry from my office to the RCMP communications branch was responded to by his political office staff?
Csis November 22nd, 1999
Mr. Speaker, the solicitor general continues to dodge the issue of CSIS security breaches. He tells Canadians it is a serious matter, to be patient and wait for a SIRC report. That is cold comfort when we know that the tensions between CSIS, SIRC and the RCMP are causing enormous delays.
Director Elcock's stall tactics and the most recent CSIS fiasco kept the report from SIRC's watchful eye for three weeks. The infamous telephone booth security breach was not reported to parliament for three years.
When will the solicitor general show some semblance of leadership over his department and get rid of the director or at least suspend him?
Human Resources Development November 22nd, 1999
Mr. Speaker, community dollars and staff resources in local employment centres are being shifted to higher populated areas as a result of the new funding formula adopted by HRDC. As a result, communities such as Antigonish and Guysborough in Nova Scotia will be negatively affected.
These new formulas will reduce funding to the very programs that assist individuals, youth, employers and communities in rural Canada. Rural residents will be left with no option but to use electronic communication to access services currently delivered at the local offices. This will result in further delays and complications. The loss of revenues will be felt very severely by the poorest of the poor. Mildly put, this is Robin Hood in reverse.
Clearly the government did not consider the ramifications of its decision and the negative impact it would have on hundreds of rural citizens struggling just to get by. Reallocating government services and resources from rural areas to more populated areas threatens the survival of many communities.
I ask the Liberal government to reconsider its position with regard to its restructuring plans. This is a huge concern to many rural citizens and ignoring the seriousness of this problem will prove that the government cares little and consults less.
Csis November 18th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, it took three years for the solicitor general to table that document. That is hardly a smooth, well working process.
CSIS is investigating itself. A newly appointed inspector general will report to him. The director who initially failed to notify the appropriate watchdog, SIRC, and covered the tracks of the agent will be trusted to provide co-operation throughout the investigation.
Does the solicitor general really believe that this in-house exercise of spy versus spy should give Canadians confidence and will truly expose the failings of his department?
Csis November 18th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, while the director of CSIS continues to give the solicitor general and parliament the gold finger, it has come to light that this is not the first reckless handling of confidential information by CSIS. More shortcomings of CSIS senior managers are being exposed with each passing day.
In 1996 a CSIS diskette was left in a Toronto phone booth. It included sensitive documents including names of targets. Further evidence that CSIS is in crisis is the cancellation of the sidewinder investigation. Stay tuned.
The solicitor general states repeatedly that this is a serious matter, but then he shrugs and says that these things happen. When will the solicitor general show some leadership and suspend the director?
Csis November 17th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, we know it is a serious matter, but when will the minister get smart? He refuses to take any responsibility for what has taken place, for himself or his employees. The CSIS board has had vacancies since this summer and the inspector general's role was only filled days before this fiasco at the Leaf's game.
Has the solicitor general given any instructions to the director to remedy this complete breakdown in communication within his department?
Csis November 17th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, the solicitor general says that he does not micromanage CSIS and he hides behind a technicality that he is under no obligation to contact the head of SIRC when a breach of national security occurs. CSIS director Ward Elcock obviously has no respect for SIRC at all or for any parliamentarians or even for the minister. The director, aided by the minister, has undermined the role of SIRC and it appears that he deliberately covered up the theft of the CSIS plan.
When will the solicitor general advise us of whether he or the director of CSIS informed the adviser of security and intelligence review for the PCO of this breach of national security?
Municipal Grants Act November 16th, 1999
Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order to ask the Chair to seek unanimous consent that we return to the supply day motion that was originally before the House. There was an attempt made by the government House leader to do so at the close of question period.
I would ask that the Chair consider putting that motion again.
Solicitor General Of Canada November 16th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, it appears the solicitor general's department is now on autopilot. This incident has been described by many as the most serious breach of national security in years.
Canadians have suffered through a solicitor general that talked too much. Now we have a solicitor general who does not talk to the PMO or the heads of his own department. Who is minding the shop in this ministry?
Csis November 16th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, this is sounding more and more like an Austin Powers episode, The Spy Who Shagged Us .
We need truth or consequences from the minister. When will he tell us about the status of the search for the missing CSIS documents? Just how many CSIS agents are out there now engaging in a search and destroy mission on a Toronto metropolitan dump?