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Crucial Fact

  • His favourite word was respect.

Last in Parliament October 2019, as Liberal MP for Regina—Wascana (Saskatchewan)

Lost his last election, in 2019, with 34% of the vote.

Statements in the House

Candu Reactors December 4th, 1997

Mr. Speaker, rather than repeating the erroneous assertions of people in the United States who may be on sales missions in an effort to discredit the Canadian competition, the member might like to know that the Candu technology is robust, sound and secure. That is a finding not only by the Atomic Energy Control Board of Canada but also in fact by American consultants who examined Candu and found it to be just fine.

Sable Island Natural Gas December 4th, 1997

Mr. Speaker, a joint independent panel was established by the Government of Canada and the Government of Nova Scotia to conduct a review. That panel worked for 10 months. It held 20 information meetings and 56 days of public hearings. It heard from 125 different intervenors. It was open, transparent, balanced and fair, and I believe it did a very thorough job.

Sable Island Natural Gas December 4th, 1997

Mr. Speaker, the hon. gentleman should know that the regulatory process is not yet complete. There are some stages yet to go.

The Government of Canada is being absolutely meticulous in adhering to the spirit and the letter of the regulatory process, its integrity and its independence. When the final process is completed the appropriate decision will be taken. It is not done yet.

Questions On The Order Paper December 3rd, 1997

The Cassiar asbestos mine in British Columbia has not been reopened. The project mentioned is in fact a pilot project to reprocess waste from the old mine.

The Cassiar pilot project went into service on October 19, 1997 and is producing only for test purposes. To date, there has been no industrial production.

The pilot project is financed entirely by the private sector. Natural Resources Canada has not been involved in any way in the opening of the Cassiar pilot plant.

The Environment December 3rd, 1997

Mr. Speaker, all provinces are invited to take part in developing the Canadian implementation plan from Kyoto. The Government of Canada has stressed no unreasonable share of the burden for any region or sector, no carbon tax, deeper commitments by the private sector, greater energy efficiency, more renewable and alternative sources of energy, a powerful focus on research and development and the maximum use of international flexibility provisions. All of that is 100% consistent with what the provinces have suggested.

National Energy Board December 3rd, 1997

Mr. Speaker, inquiries by members of Parliament with respect to particular spending items are perfectly legitimate and the government should inquire into those items when they are raised.

However, I think it is going far beyond the bounds of reason and fair play for the hon. member to leave that kind of slur on the record without providing the official even an opportunity to respond.

National Energy Board December 3rd, 1997

Mr. Speaker, the National Energy Board is one of the most distinguished regulatory agencies in this country.

There has been nothing drawn to my attention that indicates any irregularity whatsoever. Because an hon. member has inquired, I too will inquire, but there is nothing on the record that is known to me that would justify that kind of slur.

The Environment December 2nd, 1997

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member I think misunderstands the legal process that is followed here.

First of all, the parties have to arrive at a consensus in Kyoto about the commitments to which they are prepared to make legal obligations. Then there is the signature process. Then there is a ratification process. Then there is a coming into force process.

So what the Minister of the Environment has said and what I have said are completely consistent. The hon. gentleman just does not understand the process.

The Environment December 1st, 1997

Mr. Speaker, all elements mentioned by the hon. gentleman may well be part of an implementation package.

We will work on that package immediately after Kyoto in consultation with provinces and otherwise. He should know that my department is already investing $70 million a year in efforts directed toward the climate change issue.

In the 1997 budget that was increased by a further $20 million a year. We are hopeful that innovations like the Ballard fuel cell, the separation of carbon dioxide, the deal between Petro-Canada and IOGEN, and all these new technology innovations will create jobs.

Kyoto Summit December 1st, 1997

Mr. Speaker, there will be a variety of means by which parliament and Canadians generally will be able to monitor progress toward the implementation of any agreement flowing out of Kyoto.

The hon. gentleman has made a suggestion that we should look at. I can also tell him that the Energy Council of Canada, the National Round Table on Environment and the Economy, and a whole variety of other groups and organizations are very anxious to participate in building the solutions and in monitoring the process.