House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2015, with 31% of the vote.
The Environment November 21st, 2014
Mr. Speaker, our government has always said that climate change is a global issue that requires a global response.
The green climate fund should become one of the primary sources of multilateral financial support to help the world adapt to climate change.
Would the Minister of the Environment please update the House on the action we are taking to protect the environment?
Economic Action Plan 2014 Act, No. 2 October 30th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, yes, I am. I would like to advise my friend that I am trying to be attentive to what he says and he says that he is talking about something, but really he is yelling about it. I wonder if you could advise him that his microphone is working and he does not have to scream.
Points of Order October 30th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, during question period you were very generous in allowing the member for Ottawa South to ask two questions. When he asked his question in English, he was rather judicious in his choice of words.
However, when he started speaking French, he used unparliamentary language.
National War Memorial October 28th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, today the National War Memorial is a reflection not just of the first Great War but of all those wars where Canadians have laid down their lives.
It is truly our most sacred place of remembrance, which is why we gather each year to pay our respects to those who have fought for our values: freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. We also pay respect to those who have died protecting these values.
As a reflection of our respect for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and for each and every Canadian veteran who has laid down their lifes in the service of Canada, two soldiers stand guard. They do this to honour our fallen, to embody the values our fallen stood for.
After last week, it might be easy to stop this honour guard, but not here, not in Canada.
I am so proud of the Canadian service personnel who resumed their post, honouring what is and will always be our greatest place of remembrance.
Lest we forget.
Canadian Armed Forces October 24th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, for 200 years we have not had war on our soil. Without being a pacifist people, we have been a peaceful country.
People from all over the world come knocking on our door to become Canadian citizens.
However, in the past week, two radicalized young men born and raised in Canada violently denied our values and in separate incidents in two parts of our country cowardly mowed down Warrant Officer Vincent and Corporal Cirillo.
We sit in this chamber only temporarily and our merit is also limited. Rather, we owe this institution to selfless men and women in uniform who every day with vigour and determination put their lives in the line of fire in armed conflicts around the world and even in training.
Until this week, no one would have believed that someone standing guard over the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier or someone simply walking in a suburban parking lot would be at risk.
Let us honour those who courageously safeguard our freedom, democracy, human rights, and rule of law. That honour and support must persist for our veterans.
Petitions October 10th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, on the eve of the International Day of the Girl, we are reminded of the important role that girls and women play in our lives and in our society.
I am honoured to present to the House a petition signed by Canadians across the country condemning sex-selective abortion.
Thanksgiving October 10th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, Canadian families are getting ready for family gatherings over this Thanksgiving weekend, and I believe this is a good opportunity for us to humbly give thanks.
We give thanks for this opportunity we have of living in Canada, the best country in the world.
We give thanks for our brave airmen and women and humanitarian workers who are leaving for Iraq, risking their lives to help create a safer future for the Iraqi people and to protect us all from terrorists.
We give thanks for the farmers who make sure we have healthy food to eat.
We give thanks for the strong community spirit that exists in Canada and for Canadians’ willingness from coast to coast to work as volunteers to better people’s lives and help those who need it most.
In this spirit of giving, let us not forget the less fortunate or those who are left alone.
Military Contribution Against ISIL October 7th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, of course, a holistic approach is what the government is proposing. This is what I was promoting in the remarks I have just made.
Actually, Canadians from across the country seem to be approving of it, including many members who used to support the third party.
Our former colleague, Michelle Simson, who represented the Liberals in the House until the last election, just wrote that she is ashamed of the Liberal Party.
The hon. member for Westmount—Ville-Marie, who is likely going to vote against this tonight, said that after the vote is over, the Liberals will support it.
Members will remember Bob Rae. He said that there are some—
Military Contribution Against ISIL October 7th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for the tone of her question.
I want to advise her that I participated in the veterans affairs committee with members of all parties, including a representative from her party, on a unanimous report to the government in order to improve services to veterans.
I participated in that. The official opposition participated in that. So did the third party. We came to a unanimous recommendation, and the government has accepted it.
Quite frankly, a lot of these problems that our veterans have were caused in Afghanistan because the party she represents, when it was in government, sent them there poorly tooled, actually sending them to the desert with green uniforms.
Military Contribution Against ISIL October 7th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the tone of my colleague's question, but I have no illusions. I know he is an adversary.
The party he represents has always opposed Canada's involvement in defending this country. It was even opposed to defending Canada during the Second World War against the worst dictator in the history of humankind.
They are trying to make it sound as though we are attacking a country. We are not attacking a country. We are not attacking Iraq. What we are doing is responding, with the international coalition, to Iraq's invitation to protect the country and its people.