House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2011, with 43% of the vote.
Tax Conventions Implementation Act, 2013 June 10th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his speech.
How can the government explain the $29 billion in uncollected tax debt reported by the Auditor General?
In other words, how can the government reconcile this tax mismanagement on one hand with its inaction on tax evasion on the other, as 24% of foreign investments are lost to offshore tax havens?
Tax Conventions Implementation Act, 2013 June 10th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his speech.
I would like to ask him why the Conservatives keep refusing to estimate how much money Canada is losing to tax havens and tax evasion. The United Kingdom, the United States and even Australia have all produced estimates of their tax gap.
Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Act June 6th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, I would like to quote a former member of the expert panel on safe drinking water, Steve Hrudey, who testified in committee on May 23, 2013. He said:
If those responsible for Walkerton's drinking water had simply satisfied the very limited guidance that was in place for treating Walkerton's water, that tragedy could have been averted. This disaster arose from a failure to do what needed to be done operationally...
What is the minister going to do to prevent a Walkerton-like disaster from occurring in first nations communities?
Family Homes on Reserves and Matrimonial Interests or Rights Act June 4th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for Sherbrooke who, with calm strength, gave a great speech.
The member opposite spoke about witnesses in committee. I would like the member for Sherbrooke to comment on this short quote from a specific witness, namely David Langtry, the acting chief commissioner of the Canadian Human Rights Commission. He said:
Although the measure is meant to be temporary [of course], many first nations lack the financial and human resources to develop effective dispute resolution systems. This is part of a larger issue.
Family Homes on Reserves and Matrimonial Interests or Rights Act June 4th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, Bill S-2 is the fourth iteration of a bad piece of legislation. Will the Conservatives sit down with the first nations once and for all and address concerns regarding the recognition of first nations jurisdiction, access to justice and conflict resolution, for example?
Expansion and Conservation of Canada's National Parks Act May 31st, 2013
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague from Rivière-des-Mille-Îles for her speech, which was excellent as usual.
As she pointed out, the Conservative government committed to achieving the conservation targets in the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity. It committed to protecting at least 17% of land habitat and 10% of marine areas by 2020. However, the government is seriously behind schedule, because only 10% of land areas and 1% of marine areas are protected.
I would like my colleague to explain why it is very important, even crucial, that these targets be met.
Public Safety May 31st, 2013
Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives want to replace customs officers at Morses Line border crossing in Saint-Armand with a remote monitoring centre based in Ontario.
It is about time the government realized that a border crossing open only from eight to four is not good for the economy. Still, I am worried about the implications for public safety.
What if a vehicle needs to be searched? What if somebody manages to cross the border illegally? Why does the minister want to subcontract public safety to robots instead of humans?
Safer Witnesses Act May 31st, 2013
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his excellent speech. I would like to hear what he thinks about the comments made by Commissioner Micki Ruth, who testified in committee on March 7, 2013. She is a member of the Policing and Justice Committee of the Canadian Association of Police Boards. She said:
Therefore we urge you to appreciate our position that unless the issue of adequate funding is addressed, the legislation will not produce the result that is intended.
Safer Witnesses Act May 30th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for his very thoughtful and always pertinent speech.
Since the Liberals are saying that this debate is not important, I would like to ask my colleague a question about the criticisms related to eligibility and the lack of funding. This is nothing new.
Why did the Liberals not respond to criticism of the witness protection program when they had the chance a long time ago, namely, when they were in power?
Safer Witnesses Act May 30th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for giving us one of his typically passionate speeches.
I would like to quote Clayton Pecknold, assistant deputy minister and director, Police Services, Policing and Security Programs Branch, British Columbia Ministry of Justice. He appeared before the committee on March 19, 2013, and said:
It's important from my perspective that the program be adequately funded and effectively and efficiently administered. The cost of major investigations is a concern to municipalities. As a consequence, whether it's the cost of actually conducting the extraordinary investigative measures that are necessary or managing the file from a witness protection or witness management perspective, it will indeed be a concern for municipalities.
What does my colleague think about that statement?