House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2019, with 34% of the vote.
Agriculture and Agri-Food March 6th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, with respect to the grain crisis in western Canada, the Minister of Transport could act today under section 47 of the Canada Transportation Act to implement an emergency solution.
She could, in addition to that, seek unanimous consent for amendments to service level legislation to define service, to measure performance, and to pay damages to farmers when the railways fail. She could do those things.
Why is the minister failing in her responsibility to western Canadian farmers?
Agriculture and Agri-Food March 5th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, in other words: please the railways.
Beyond just today, the government's defective legislation on railway services has to be fixed.
More than a year ago, the current government was warned that its new law would not work because there was no clear definition of services, no objective way to measure success or failure, and no liquidated damages payable to farmers when the railways screw up.
The necessary amendments to fix this mess are already drafted.
Will the government bring them forward for unanimous consent before the House adjourns for two weeks, on Friday?
Agriculture and Agri-Food March 5th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Transport has no choice but to act, and fast, on the western grain transportation crisis. It is a $5-billion mess, caused by the way the current government designed the system, under the thumb of railways.
Farmers are demanding immediate action, and so are premiers Wall and Redford. The feds do have the necessary emergency powers under section 47 of the Canada Transportation Act.
Would the transport minister use them today to get prairie grain moving and to compensate farmers for their losses?
Foreign Affairs March 4th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, yesterday the People's Republic of China made an interesting statement indicating that it too supported the independence, the sovereignty, and the territorial integrity of Ukraine.
I wonder if the Prime Minister would indicate whether the government has been able to communicate with the Government of China, or any other country in the Asian sphere, to help reinforce that very vital message of what the world expects here, and that is the independence, the sovereignty, and the territorial integrity of Ukraine.
Foreign Affairs March 4th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, the government also withdrew the Canadian ambassador from Moscow to have consultations. That is a move that was supported by members of this House yesterday in a resolution.
I wonder if the Prime Minister would indicate his present plans with respect to our embassy in Moscow, and what instructions, at least to this present time, he has been able to give to the Canadian ambassador.
Foreign Affairs March 4th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, all Canadians are obviously deeply concerned about the situation unfolding in Ukraine, and we stand in absolute solidarity with the Ukrainian people at this very difficult hour.
I wonder if the Prime Minister could advise the House of the present status of the Canadian embassy in Kiev. Some time ago that embassy was closed, and I wonder about the present operations of the embassy in Kiev. It may be useful for Canada to have some diplomatic facilities and tools at its disposal.
What is the government's plan with respect to the embassy and our ambassador?
Infrastructure March 3rd, 2014
Mr. Speaker, municipalities across Canada are concerned about arbitrary new rules imposed by the Conservative government on community infrastructure, and even more so, municipalities are worried about the deep cuts in the building Canada fund over the next five years. At the end of this month, the building Canada budget is being slashed by close to 90%, and federal funding is not due to be replenished, even to this year's levels, until 2019. That means an immediate and lasting gap in federal infrastructure support of some $4 billion. Why?
Foreign Affairs March 3rd, 2014
Mr. Speaker, Canadians are deeply worried about the worsening situation in Ukraine. We all stand in solidarity with Ukraine's thirst for freedom, democracy, human rights, and the civilized rule of law, both domestically and internationally.
Given Russian actions and threats in relation to Ukraine, which clearly violate specific treaty obligations and multiple principles of international law, what is the exact current status today of Russia within the G8 group of countries? Does a G8 actually exist at this time?
Agriculture and Agri-Food February 25th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, the colossal failure in grain handling and transportation is hitting farmers with billions of dollars in higher costs, lower prices, and lost sales. There is not enough capacity; no one is coordinating what capacity there is among grain companies, railways, terminals, and ships; and no one in the system puts farmers first.
The system is five million tonnes behind. Fifty ships are waiting. Japan is buying from the U.S., not Canada.
Will farmers get liquidated damages for the massive losses caused by the way the current government has designed this failing system?
Taxation February 24th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, the current government's first official act in office was to increase personal income tax rates. Then it taxed out of existence $25 billion in middle-income savings. It has imposed higher taxes on consumer products, on credit unions, and on small business owners. It is imposing $5.2 billion in excessive job-killing Conservative payroll taxes.
The Conservatives brag about tax cuts for so-called typical families, but 70% of Canadian families do not fit their definition of “typical”. Why is the middle class on the Conservatives' enemies list?