House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2015, with 31% of the vote.
OC Transpo Strike January 30th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, last night the City of Ottawa and the Amalgamated Transit Union reached an agreement to finally end the strike and submit to arbitration.
Would the Minister of Transport and member for Ottawa West—Nepean please inform the House of the actions taken by parliamentarians to encourage an end to this crisis?
The Budget January 28th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, I want to raise a point of order.
I am sorry to have to interrupt the House, but the hon. leader of the Bloc Québécois just called the Prime Minister by his last name. He has more experience here than I and should know he is not allowed to do that.
Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada December 3rd, 2008
Mr. Speaker, a decade ago he was brought to Ottawa to save Canada. Now, due to political expediency and his impending demise as leader of the Liberal Party, he has made it his mission to destroy Canada and the province of Quebec.
Not only has he made a pact with the secessionists—whose sole goal is to weaken Canada—but he has also turned his back on the remains of his reputation as a defender of Canadian unity.
Why does the leader of the Liberal Party no longer believe in Canadian unity and a proud and strong Quebec within a united and vibrant Canada?
The leader of the Liberal Party does not believe that Canada should come before the entitlement of a party that won only one in four votes. The separatist Liberals should not try to impose their anti-Canada agenda on this country.
If he truly believes in his separatist pact, he should show the courage of his convictions and take it to the people.
Economic and Fiscal Statement November 28th, 2008
Mr. Speaker, fair-minded people understand that the agreement we are proposing will only limit salary increases. In any event, the unions have already agreed to these salary increases.
Economic and Fiscal Statement November 28th, 2008
Mr. Speaker, I must say that I have heard from the public servants of Ottawa--Orléans and from the greater national capital region, and they are willing to do their share, but not if we do not. They expect us to do our share first, and if we do, they will pull along.
Economic and Fiscal Statement November 28th, 2008
Mr. Speaker, I would like to welcome the hon. member for Churchill to this House. I appreciate her passion for these issues. As she gets to know me, she will understand that so do I.
This government is doing things for women and we are doing things at a rapid pace instead of getting them entangled in years and decades of litigation.
Economic and Fiscal Statement November 28th, 2008
Mr. Speaker, first allow me to congratulate you on your election as a chair occupant in this 40th Parliament. I know the experience will be rewarding and you will find table officers to be of great help, especially those two, and the people of Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock are proud of you.
I also wish to thank the hon. member for Northumberland—Quinte West for sharing his time with me. I am proud to have this opportunity to speak on behalf of the people of Ottawa—Orléans, whose servant I am, in support of the government's economic fiscal update.
This government believes in Canadians and their ability to succeed. We believe in removing barriers to prosperity and success by making government more efficient and more effective. We believe in providing taxpayers with programs and services that give them value for money.
In the throne speech, which the House passed yesterday evening, we sketched a broad outline of our strategy to protect the financial security of Canadian families and businesses during this period of global economic instability. Our program is very objective. Fiscal restraint and good government are just two ways we can support our economy during these uncertain times. We have committed to ensuring responsible spending during this fiscal year and those to come.
We promise to continue to keep spending in check, to practise restraint and to look at every dollar we spend with a critical eye.
As the finance minister told us, we will not spend now to tax our children and grandchildren later.
The current economic situation has also heightened Canadians' appreciate for what is required. They see that we need a fiscally responsible government and a competitive economy to protect our families and our communities. They expect us to be prudent in spending their tax dollars and they are looking for us to deliver.
Canadians understand the need for belt-tightening in tough economic times. They see that taking a responsible approach to public sector compensation is even more critical during a time of economic uncertainty and tight fiscal circumstances. They understand that this economic crisis, which has come to us from beyond our shores, will require sacrifices close to home.
As part of our government's plan to stabilize the economy, we have said that grants, contributions, capital, wages and other operating expenses all will be placed under the microscope of responsible spending. Indeed, we have delivered.
Last week, in response to a question I asked, the President of the Treasury Board announced that we had reached an agreement in principle on compensation with the Public Service Alliance of Canada, which represents over 100,000 federal public service employees.
Shortly after that, we reached two compensation agreements with the Canadian Association of Professional Employees, one for the translation group and the other for the economics group.
All of these agreements include pay increases of 6.8% over four years, which is reasonable during these difficult times. These agreements are in line with our financial framework and our policies.
The public sector unions have recognized that we are in difficult economic times. I am confident that we soon will be able to put the negotiations behind us and face our economic challenges united.
However, given the urgent need to ensure predictability in public sector compensation overall, it is reasonable and responsible for the government to consider all options in order to achieve this. We need as much predictability in our compensation structure as possible during the current uncertainty. That is why we will be tabling legislation to set future increases in rates of pay in the public sector. By this, I mean the entire federal public sector, senior public servants and parliamentarians included. This means us.
This legislation will control increases in rates of pay across the federal public service and limit the growth of the public sector payroll.
We are demonstrating clarity and foresight by adopting this approach to government payroll management. Taken together, these agreements in principle and our legislation are examples of responsible outcomes in public sector compensation. They are fair to employees and affordable for Canadian taxpayers. They will serve Canada well as we face uncertain economic times.
This approach is about sharing the load. It is about balancing recognition for our highly respected public sector employees and the valuable jobs they do to serve Canadians from coast to coast to coast. The government understands the significant contribution that these employees make every day to the high quality of life in our families, in our communities, and so do I.
Our approach to controlling the growth of public sector compensation is about making the government more effective by spending responsibly on the right priorities. It is about practising restraint, just like any household would do in tough economic times, and reaping the rewards later. It is about compensation that is fair to employees and fair to taxpayers. That is good for the government, good for taxpayers and good for Canada.
All government members understand that Canadians are going through tough economic times.
Parliamentarians, public servants and public service unions all have a role to play in ensuring fiscal restraint during these difficult economic circumstances.
Our disciplined approach recognizes the urgent need for predictability in terms of compensation costs across the federal public sector. During this time of global economic uncertainty, it is important that all governments start at home and tighten their own belts. Our government is leading by example, something that the opposition clearly does not understand.
I hope the opposition will stop with its heightened rhetoric and partisan games. Canadians expect us to work together to get them through this storm.
These measures are responsible and prudent. They are what Canadians expect from their government. They are what Canadians expect from us. It is my hope that the opposition will come to its senses and support these important actions.
Terrorism November 28th, 2008
Mr. Speaker, this week Canadians have watched with horror the terrible events unfolding in Mumbai, India. These appalling terrorist attacks have killed well over 100 people, with hundreds more injured.
We stand behind the people and the government of India against those who have decided to terrorize the people and violate fundamental values such as freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law.
Many Canadians are deeply worried about family and friends in India. Could the Minister of Foreign Affairs update us on the situation in Mumbai and what the government is doing to assist during this extremely difficult period?
Public Service November 25th, 2008
Mr. Speaker, we know that public servants and the government are currently negotiating new collective agreements.
They are attempting to reach wage settlements that reflect the value of the work they do but also protect the interests of taxpayers in uncertain economic times.
Could the President of the Treasury Board update the House on the status of negotiations with public service unions?
Election of Speaker November 18th, 2008
Mr. Chair, allow me to congratulate the people of the Richelieu valley on expressing their continued confidence in you for the eighth time. Thanks to them, you are the dean of the House of Commons.
I am honoured by the continuing confidence of the good and wise people of Ottawa—Orléans who have returned me to this House. This is the first time in 136 years that they have re-elected a Conservative MP.
We are all political creatures here and most of us enjoy campaigning. That is the process that brought us here. This morning seven of us are facing the rest of you, the most astute electors in the country.
Quite honestly, I stand before you in the spirit of modesty, not ambition.
I am keenly aware that 181 of you have more experience in this House than I do. I have followed with keen interest the intense campaigns for the speakership, and I note the value now given to decorum. I, too, endorse the concept. I agree that the lack of decorum in the 38th and 39th Parliaments did not inspire Canadians. One evening from that chair, I reminded the House that Boy Scouts were in the gallery. They look to us as role models. “Decorum” may rhyme with “vacuum”, but it does not thrive in one.
Respect for the Standing Orders is very important; so are the traditions. Yet, the Speaker does not make the rules; the House does. The Speaker is simply a servant of the House.
How can the Speaker enforce the Standing Orders? He cannot. Rather, he must inspire all of his colleagues and tell them that proper conduct is in their best interest.
Canada has had 34 Speakers since Confederation. I have known 11 of them. I worked for the 27th and the 30th, and worked with the 34th.
The most adept of them all was the late Lucien Lamoureux, who presided over the acrimonious debates of the 26th, 27th and 29th Parliaments, all of which were minority Parliaments.
What was special about Speaker Lamoureux? First he served as Deputy Speaker, so he knew the Standing Orders and he understood our traditions. He was rigorously impartial.
He possessed a fine command of the nuances of both French and English.
Above all, he graciously imposed his authority with humour often of the self-deprecating kind.
What do I offer? A small measure of the same, I hope.
In the last Parliament, 235 of you participated in my election as a deputy Speaker. You then witnessed decorum first hand. You witnessed the straight application of the rules, but with a light touch. You never saw me embarrass a rookie MP with the rule book.
Rather, I invited members who needed guidance to speak to me while the camera was pointed elsewhere. Above all, while members were speaking, I gave them my full attention. Occasionally, I asked others to do the same.
The oldest tradition tied to the speakership is that the likely Speaker resists the invitation. As much as we must respect our traditions, we also must understand them.
The first tradition that those of us who seek your confidence should respect is that we should not covet the office. You will understand, therefore, that I did not campaign for it. My respect of this tradition is paramount, perhaps at my own peril.
I hope that my affection and utmost respect for this place provides you with a certain measure of assurance that I do understand my responsibilities as your servant.
Those hoping for decorum may take comfort in that.