House of Commons photo

Crucial Fact

  • His favourite word was countries.

Last in Parliament September 2021, as Liberal MP for Kitchener Centre (Ontario)

Lost his last election, in 2021, with 16% of the vote.

Statements in the House

HMCS Kitchener June 6th, 2019

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize the HMCS Kitchener, which was one of 123 corvettes, or escorts, built in Canada during the Second World War. Named after communities across the country, like my own, they were critical to maintaining supply lines during the Battle of the Atlantic.

On June 6, 1944, D-Day, the Kitchener was the sole Canadian corvette escorting landing craft to the beaches of Normandy. Some of those brave soldiers came from my community's Highland Light Infantry Regiment, which landed at Juno Beach as part of the 9th Canadian Infantry Brigade. As the Canadians pushed inland, the Kitchener returned to fight on the seas.

Let us remember the 14,000 Canadians who fought on the beaches that day to secure our freedom. On this, the 75th anniversary of D-Day, I encourage my colleagues and all Canadians to learn more about the corvettes named after their own communities.

Petitions June 3rd, 2019

Mr. Speaker, I have a petition signed by over 1,500 people from across the Kitchener-Waterloo region and from communities as far away as Vancouver and even Yellowknife.

The petitioners call upon the House to support Bill S-214 and ban the sale and manufacture of animal-tested cosmetics and their ingredients in Canada. They note that doing so would harmonize our cosmetic safety regulations with those of the EU and other nations that have already switched to using alternative safety tests, like India, Switzerland and New Zealand.

This petition has been duly certified and I am proud to affix my signature and endorse it.

The Environment May 30th, 2019

Mr. Speaker, my constituents in Kitchener Centre are deeply concerned about climate change. One young woman named Elizabeth Rose, age 15, wrote me a letter, expressing concern that inaction on climate change would keep her from celebrating her 75th birthday.

Our government believes that we are experiencing a national climate emergency. Unlike others in the House, we also know that a healthy economy and a healthy environment go hand in hand.

Could the Minister of Environment and Climate Change please highlight what our government is doing to transition to a clean economy so Elizabeth will celebrate her 75th birthday?

Loran Scholars Foundation May 29th, 2019

Mr. Speaker, the Loran Scholars Foundation awards outstanding young Canadians with a prestigious $100,000 scholarship for their post-secondary studies, helping them achieve their full potential.

Out of 5,000 talented applicants, only 35 high school students were successful after a rigorous selection process. One of these, Meena Waseem, is from my community and attends high school in my riding. She is not just the president of the Cameron Heights student council, but she is also a politically engaged youth who champions issues like mental health and diversity.

Meena immigrated to Canada from Pakistan only 10 years ago, yet through her hard work and strength of character, she has already had an incredible and lasting impact on our community.

I congratulate Meena and invite my colleagues to join me in wishing her well as she continues on her journey.

Astrophysics May 8th, 2019

Mr. Speaker, space: the final frontier. Thanks in part to Canada's own Captain Kirk, Professor Avery Broderick, a theoretical astrophysicist from the University of Waterloo, we are one step closer to where no one has gone before.

Using the event horizon telescope, a team of over 200 scientists were finally able to photograph a black hole. Black holes are so dense and have such strong gravity that anything that crosses their threshold is sucked in, never to return. The discovery allows us to test long-held theories about black holes and their effects on surrounding space.

Professor Broderick declares that we truly are standing at the threshold of a new era of astrophysics.

May the team behind this discovery live long and prosper.

Kitchener Rangers April 3rd, 2019

Mr. Speaker, the Kitchener Rangers hockey club has been a source of pride for my community since 1963. It has seen over 200 alumni go on to play in the NHL or the World Hockey Association. Players like Jonathan Yantsis, who finished this season with a league-leading 24 power play goals, give their all on and off the ice throughout the year.

Along with maintaining a gruelling training schedule, Rangers players also attend great educational institutions in my community, such as Grand River Collegiate Institute and the University of Waterloo. The Rangers maintain strong partnerships with numerous not-for-profits throughout the Waterloo region.

While my team won 34 of 69 games this year, it lost its spot in the OHL semi-finals to the Guelph Storm. Due to a wager I made with my hon. colleague from that city, I must temporarily don a Guelph Storm jersey. However, I look forward to standing in this House next year as I watch that same colleague don a Rangers jersey.

Nobel Laureate in Physics February 26th, 2019

Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure for me to rise today and welcome to Ottawa a very distinguished member of my Waterloo region community, Nobel laureate in physics Dr. Donna Strickland.

Last fall Professor Strickland, of the University of Waterloo, became the first Canadian woman and only the third woman in history to be awarded the Nobel Prize for physics.

Dr. Strickland was awarded the prize along with Dr. Gérard Mourou for her groundbreaking work as a Ph.D. student in developing chirped pulse amplification, a technique that allowed laser technology to surpass a fundamental barrier.

Dr. Strickland's work has paved the way toward the most intense laser pulses ever created. Most notably, it has corrected nearsightedness for millions of people through laser eye surgery.

She is an incredible role model for young people across the country, particularly young women who aspire to enter the STEM fields.

I ask all of my colleagues to join me in welcoming her here today.

Sports February 22nd, 2019

Madam Speaker, I hope that all members of the House saw the report last week indicating that in the past 20 years, more than 600 people, in 30 different sports, have been abused.

Now is the time that we need to stand up as a country, united in ending abuse, discrimination and harassment in sport.

Could the Minister of Science and Sport update the House on what our government is doing to stop this problem that affects so many Canadians?

Small Business January 28th, 2019

Mr. Speaker, our government has proven that it is a strong advocate for small businesses and is committed to helping them start up, scale up and access new markets. As a small business owner myself in my riding of Kitchener Centre, I know that small businesses employ so many of my constituents and keep our economy strong.

Could the Minister of Small Business and Export Promotion tell the House what our government has done to make it easier for our small businesses?

Christkindl Market December 6th, 2018

Mr. Speaker, it is the most wonderful time of the year in my community of Kitchener Centre. For over two decades, residents of the city of Kitchener have come together in the heart of our community to celebrate the spirit of Christmas and the holiday season.

The annual Christkindl Market celebrates Kitchener's German heritage and the very best of German cuisine, drink, arts, crafts and holiday cheer. Dozens of festive outdoor huts and food stands line our main street, treating residents and tourists to the sights and smells of the holiday season.

People can ring in their holidays with Christmas choirs, dance groups, live nativity scenes and a candlelight procession and help bring our community to life, as we welcome 40,000 visitors from across North America.

My staff and I invite all to join us this year, until December 9, to take part in this wonderful holiday tradition in the largest and oldest German community in the country.

Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all.