House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2019, with 34% of the vote.
Textile and Clothing Industry October 29th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to have the hon. gentleman's representation. I will add it to the list that I have received directly from the industry and from members of Parliament.
I am pleased to report that members of the government caucus raised this with me two months ago.
Textile and Clothing Industry October 29th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to report that members of Parliament, including most particularly members on this side of the House, have been very aggressive in advancing their point of view.
The recommendations of the committee are under active consideration. I am pleased to say that in the company of our members of Parliament I was able to meet with a number of representatives yesterday about the textile and apparel industry. We want to achieve a result that works for it, and it is very much on the government's agenda right now.
Natural Resources October 29th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, first, I am very pleased to report to the hon. gentleman that because of the elimination of the clawback in fiscal 2004-05, which will provide a benefit to Saskatchewan of some $590 million, anything that was owed from a previous time has already been returned, as the province of Saskatchewan has acknowledged.
Indeed, Saskatchewan is on the cusp of becoming a have province within Confederation, and we are very proud of that in Saskatchewan.
Natural Resources October 29th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, I very much appreciate the remarks of Premier Hamm and Minister Clarke. They fairly reflect the rapport between Nova Scotia and the Government of Canada. We have been addressing serious issues in a serious way and trying to find real solutions that work.
We have also had the very helpful engagement of our national caucus. All of us want to get on with this and find the answers that will achieve the results in terms of future economic growth and development in Nova Scotia, which the province aspires to and that Canada supports.
Sponsorship Program October 29th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, again the hon. gentleman is drawing the wrong conclusion. The Prime Minister has clearly said that yes, members of the government, members of the opposition, and all members of Parliament knew that there was a sponsorship program. It was a public program of the Government of Canada.
Did members of the government, members of the opposition, and members of Parliament know that the rules of that program might have been violated? No. That is the salient point. That is what no one had knowledge of until the audits were made public.
Sponsorship Program October 29th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, once again let me make it very clear, and this has been said many times in the House, there was obviously knowledge on all sides of the House and by members of all parties about the existence of a sponsorship program.
Hon. members opposite say it was not true. Indeed, they made representations to the government to promote projects within the sponsorship program.
The issue here is, did members of Parliament know that there was a program? Yes. Did members of the government know that the rules of the program were being violated? No.
Natural Resources October 29th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, what the Government of Canada is doing today, yesterday, tomorrow, through the weekend and next week is working very hard with Nova Scotia and Newfoundland to arrive at a solution that works for them in terms of their offshore resources, so that together we can continue to build a stronger Canada.
Natural Resources October 29th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, there was no insult and no threat intended toward Newfoundland, the people of Newfoundland or the Premier of Newfoundland. The remark was inappropriate. The remark was withdrawn and apologized for very promptly.
Sponsorship Program October 29th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, the point has been made clear in the House many times. Were members of the government, members of the opposition, and all members of Parliament aware of the existence of a sponsorship program? Yes, indeed. Were we aware or did we authorize any violation of the rules? Emphatically, no.
Natural Resources October 29th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, this is an issue that has riveted the attention of the entire government. The Prime Minister is obviously in charge.
His ministers will work very hard on the mandate that we have been given to get a solution that works for Newfoundland, that works for Nova Scotia, and that works for Canada.The Minister of Natural Resources has been very much engaged in trying to get the very best result for his province.