House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2019, with 34% of the vote.
Speech from the Throne February 3rd, 2004
Mr. Speaker, there are a variety of measures that I am examining now as we prepare for the 2004 budget, measures that will improve the fairness and the integrity of our taxation system, both as it applies within the country and as it relates to external tax treaties. I will take the hon. gentleman's question as a sincere representation that this is one area that we should look at, and I undertake to do that.
Municipalities February 3rd, 2004
Mr. Speaker, there is absolutely no betrayal. In fact, exactly the opposite.
We have made a very substantial down payment on the commitments that were made over 10 years. That down payment will add up to $7 billion.
On top of that, we are prepared to sit down, and talk to the provinces and the municipalities about how to properly deal with the fuel tax or to find some other mechanism that accomplishes the objectives that the municipalities of this country have set. We have said that city hall will have a place at the national table.
Municipalities February 3rd, 2004
Mr. Speaker, it is a very substantial down payment
I quote the President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, “It's a big shining light at the end of the tunnel”. I quote David Miller, the Mayor of Toronto, “This is the beginning of a beautiful friendship”. I quote Mayor Pat Fiacco of Regina, “It's exactly what we asked for”. I could quote Bob Chiarelli of Ottawa, Gérald Tremblay of Montreal, Glen Murray of Winnipeg, Gilles Vaillancourt of Laval, and Hazel MacCallion of Mississauga. What more does the hon. member want?
Question No. 262 November 5th, 2003
In regard to the Ministers’ Regional Offices, MRO, Program, as of January 1, 1994, there were seven offices with two PWGSC employees in each, a manager and an administrative assistant. All other staff is resident staff that is either federal government employees other than PWGSC, but in most cases, exempt staff from the ministers’ offices.
As of October 2, 2003, there were eleven offices with two PWGSC employees in each, a manager and an administrative assistant. All other staff is resident staff that is either federal government employees other than PWGSC, but in most cases, exempt staff from the ministers’ offices.
Natural Resources November 5th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, I think what the hon. member may be misunderstanding is the fact that this is a formal request for proposal process. It does have some legal requirements around it. The language that is used is the typical language that is used when we are soliciting proposals from the public which will then have to be adjudicated upon in a competitive fashion.
There is certainly no intention and no requirement to restrict people from talking with their members of Parliament.
Agriculture November 4th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, the Canadian Wheat Board is established under Canadian federal law. The control of the Wheat Board is vested in the hands of its board of directors. That board of directors consists of 15 members, two-thirds of whom are directly elected by farmers themselves. I am quite content to trust the judgment of farmers.
National Defence November 4th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, I can assure you and I can assure the hon. gentleman that the Minister of National Defence and I have bent no rules for any contractor. We want a fair process that gets the right aircraft at the most economical price and as rapidly as possible.
Ethics October 31st, 2003
Mr. Speaker, not at all. The hon. member is quite mistaken in her facts. If she would check the record, she would find out that this trip to a meeting in fact occurred after the transaction, not before.
Ethics October 31st, 2003
Mr. Speaker, it is obviously not appropriate for government employees to accept free flights from suppliers.
The officials took the most expeditious and reliable way to meet the commitments they had at a meeting. They in fact negotiated a price for the travel that was in the same range as normal commercial travel at economy rate, and they did so at a bargain rate for taxpayers.
Government Contracts October 29th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate the member for Parkdale—High Park and other colleagues, including the member for Vancouver Centre, for their very hard work on the needs of women entrepreneurs and the report of the recent task force. The advice that they have had to offer is extremely valuable.
For my part, and on behalf of the Department of Public Works and Government Services, I can assure the members of the task force that we intend to take their recommendations and put them to work.