House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2019, with 40% of the vote.
Questions Passed as Orders for Returns April 26th, 2021
With regard to the government’s announcement of $2.75 billion to purchase zero emission buses: (a) what is the estimated median and average amount each bus will cost; (b) in what municipalities will the buses be located; and (c) how many buses will be located in each of the municipalities in (b), broken down by year for each of the next five years?
Questions Passed as Orders for Returns April 26th, 2021
With regard to Canada’s relationship with the Government of China, since October 21, 2019: (a) what is the total amount of official development assistance that has been provided to the People’s Republic of China; (b) what are the details of each project in (a), including the (i) amount, (ii) description of the project, (iii) goal of the project, (iv) rationale for funding the project; (c) what is Global Affairs Canada’s (GAC) best estimate of China’s current annual military budget; and (d) what is GAC’s best estimate of the total annual budget of China’s Belt and Road Initiative?
Questions on the Order Paper April 26th, 2021
With regard to security equipment currently being used in Canada’s diplomatic missions, broken down by location: (a) which brands of security equipment, including closed-circuit television cameras and X-ray scanners, are currently in use; and (b) for each location, what are the (i) brands used, (ii) type and quantities of equipment, broken down by brand?
Questions on the Order Paper April 26th, 2021
With regard to the Department of Justice’s use of outsourced legal agents, since October 21, 2019: (a) how many times has the Department of Justice retained outsourced legal agents; (b) when were said these contracts awarded; (c) what was the value of each contract; (d) for which cases or other matters were these contracts awarded; (e) to which firms or legal agents were these contracts awarded; and (f) who approved the awarding of these contracts?
Walter Gretzky March 9th, 2021
Mr. Speaker, Walter Gretzky, a national treasure, left us last Thursday to be with his beloved wife Phyllis in heaven. His life was pure authenticity. Gratefulness and humility were his strengths. He touched the lives of millions, cheering on everyone equally. He was the world's greatest hockey dad and one of the greatest patriots of our time. Born of European immigrants in Canning, Ontario, his life was not easy and was full of adversity.
To Wayne, Kim, Keith, Brent, Glen and his grandchildren, the nation mourns with them and celebrates his life with them.
He would often say Brantford is the centre of the universe. If someone was in his company, he would lean over and quietly say in the person's ear, “You are the best.” We can debate the centre of the universe, but there is no debate about who was the best: Walter Gretzky was and will remain the best of the best of the best.
Rest in peace, my friend.
Criminal Code February 23rd, 2021
Madam Speaker, I am really confused by that question. It seems he is trying to interweave a lot of other social issues with this debate on life and death. Frankly, I do not see the connections.
Criminal Code February 23rd, 2021
Mr. Speaker, that is an easy answer, absolutely not. A court such as this should not dictate to the House of Commons on a matter so important. I characterize it as the most important matter in my 13 years in Parliament. There has not been an issue that is more important than this.
Yes, let us make time of the essence at one level, but let us not bend to a Quebec court and one judge who says we must have it done on a certain time frame. We need time. Canadians need to be involved in the discussion.
Although the member says that we have had enough time, we have not had enough. In fact, I could go on about prorogation and other things his government did to delay the debate on this, but I will not. Suffice it to say, time needs to be given to this issue.
Criminal Code February 23rd, 2021
Madam Speaker, again, I will relate a personal story. A very close friend chose to end her life after a terminal diagnosis. I had a very long discussion with her about MAID and about my views on it, which I have shared with the House today.
We must have compassion for individuals, but let us not go down the road of what the advocates are doing, which is setting up that situation where all protections are lost. Let us not go down the road of the most vulnerable, those who are some of the people whom we must care for in this society.
Criminal Code February 23rd, 2021
Madam Speaker, when we had to stop, I was addressing the views of the indigenous community across Canada. There were 15 first nations represented in my comments. They addressed the senators, federal and provincial politicians and health care regulators at the federal level and signed the letter. I can provide those names to anyone who would like to have them.
In the earlier speeches and debate, many members on both sides of the House felt that this moment in time was of critical importance for our country. I hear the emotion on both sides, and we must have compassion on both sides. However, when we come to make this decision, let us make it based on the balance of protection for the most vulnerable in our society. Let us make it, with clear minds, about the slippery slope that is proven internationally to be happening and in existence today. We do not wish to go there.
Criminal Code February 23rd, 2021
Madam Speaker, that is a major deflection of the momentum that I was trying to create.