House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2011, with 33% of the vote.
Health November 28th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, the Romanow report opens the door to dozens of federal interventions in health.
Does the Deputy Prime Minister realize that the burden of proof rests with this government? It must demonstrate how the health system will work better with more structures, more bureaucracy, more reports, more statistics and more conflicts with those who already manage it in the provinces and in Quebec.
Health November 28th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, when the Liberal government took office, it made drastic cuts in health funding. We can now see the results of this measure. The whole health system is suffering from chronic underfunding.
Could the Deputy Prime Minister tell us why it was so simple and quick to make cuts in health funding, but now, in order to correct this government's mistake, it would take structures, bureaucracy and the federal government's involvement, when its sole responsibility is to put money back into the system to make it work better?
Securities November 22nd, 2002
Mr. Speaker, not only have the minister's statements damaged provincial harmonization efforts, but they are against the interests of small investor.
Will the government acknowledge that the sole purpose of its project is to satisfy the Toronto business world, which would like to control the financial markets?
Securities November 22nd, 2002
Mr. Speaker, in its response to the MacKay report, the government considered establishing a centralized Canadian securities commission, thereby confirming its intention to interfere in an area of exclusive provincial jurisdiction.
However, the Minister of Finance is creating confusion by stating that he will not force the provinces into anything and that they will be free to decide whether or not they wish to join.
Is the Minister of Finance aware that his statement is causing confusion and uncertainty on stock markets and among investors?
Petitions November 21st, 2002
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to table a petition calling on the government to ban the patenting of life forms, especially seeds. The international development agency Development and Peace organized a campaign and collected 180,000 signatures across Canada.
The Minister for International Trade will therefore be receiving today 63 boxes containing signed petitions urging him to ban the patenting of life forms. I am tabling a few of these petitions in the House.
Canada-Israel Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act November 20th, 2002
moved for leave to introduce C-308, An Act to amend the Canada-Israel Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act.
Mr. Speaker, the dramatic situation that exists right now in the Middle East prompts me to introduce a bill entitled An Act to amend the Canada-Israel Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act.
Through this bill, I am asking Canada to act in a way that is consistent with its policy of not recognizing the military occupation of Palestinian territories by Israel since 1967.
The urgency of the situation calls for immediate action. This bill would ensure that goods originating from settlements under Israeli administration would be subject to the full rate of customs duties rather than duties at the preferential tariff treatment accorded by the agreement.
Canada would thus send a clear message to the international community. A year ago, the European Union adopted a similar trade measure and the European parliament went even further by asking the European Union to suspend its association agreement with Israel.
I would like to point out to the House that I wrote a letter to the Minister for International Trade on this subject last spring and I have yet to receive an answer from him.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Taxation November 20th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, it is easy to see: the federal government has made no effort in terms of management. The federal machine has a life of its own and the only real effort it has made has been to cut transfers to the provinces and to cut benefits for the unemployed, while the government keeps on raking in the money.
Will the government admit that, in this context, anyone can claim to have a good balance sheet and to be a good manager?
Taxation November 20th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, during the same period, the expenditures of the federal departments increased by 21.7%, while those of the Quebec government, with the exception of health, increased by only 7.3%. When we compare the results of the two levels of governments, we can see which one really made an effort to manage properly.
Will the federal government admit that, by letting its departments' expenditures increase by 21.7%, it is obviously not, in spite of its claims to the contrary, the one that really made an effort?
Question No. 16 November 18th, 2002
What are the amounts and contributions from the different federal government organizations and departments that have been directed to the Inter-Parliamentary Forum of the Americas (FIPA) since 2000?
Budget Surpluses November 5th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, I think many of us did not hear the minister's answer. I will therefore put exactly the same question to him.
What is the difference between a contingency reserve and a prudence reserve?