Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 34, I have the honour to present to the House the report from the Canadian branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association concerning the ninth Commonwealth Women's Affairs Ministers Meeting.
House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2011, with 55% of the vote.
Interparliamentary Delegations October 27th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 34, I have the honour to present to the House the report from the Canadian branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association concerning the ninth Commonwealth Women's Affairs Ministers Meeting.
Petitions June 11th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, the second petition is put forward by constituents and Canadians who are concerned about child pornography and victimization. They call upon Parliament to protect our children by taking all necessary steps to stop the Internet being a medium for the distribution of child victimization.
Petitions June 11th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, I have two petitions to present today. The first is from those condemning the Chinese Communist regime for organ harvesting from Falun Gong practitioners. They call upon the government to help stop these atrocities. They urge the Chinese regime to end the prosecution of Falun Gong and to release all Falun Gong practitioners immediately. They also ask for active measures to help stop the mass killing of and organ harvesting from Falun Gong practitioners.
Business of Supply May 31st, 2010
Mr. Chair, I will be sharing my time with the member for Lethbridge.
The matters we are discussing this evening are of real importance to Canadians. Canada is a natural resources powerhouse, an abundance that continues to make a tremendous contribution to our economy and to the quality of life we enjoy in this country.
Although members on opposite sides of the House may not always agree on some issues, I am confident there is unanimous support for a Canadian natural resources sector that is both economically competitive and environmentally sustainable. In that regard, I would like to take this opportunity to draw hon. members' attention to the valuable and ongoing contributions of the House Standing Committee on Natural Resources.
Although there will always be healthy debate and dissenting opinions, members of the committee show a consistent ability to set aside partisan differences in order to do what is best for Canada and to better inform government decision making. The committee's 2009 report on integrated community energy systems, for example, known as ICES, continues to play an important role in guiding the government's strategy for advancing the implementation of this innovative approach to energy production and use at the community level.
As the Minister of Natural Resources stated in the government's response to the committee, the “report does an excellent job of framing the issue and rightly points out the importance of cross-jurisdictional collaboration that respects each jurisdiction's responsibilities”. The government has taken this advice to heart and continues to explore ways to co-operate and collaborate with the provinces and territories, as well as the large number of stakeholders that have essential roles to play.
With support from the committee, the government moved forward quickly with the modernization of the Energy Efficiency Act. Important amendments to the act set the standards for additional products that affect energy consumption, including windows and doors, and thermostats and other devices that control energy systems.
The changes also allow the government to proceed with standards for so-called standby power, the energy used by everything from televisions to computers even when they are turned off, further helping Canadians reduce their energy consumption, reduce harmful emissions and control their energy costs.
The standing committee also continues to play a key role in building awareness and understanding among parliamentarians and Canadians alike of the complex issues of the day. Its examination of the situation surrounding the supply of medical isotopes is an excellent example. By hearing from a wide variety of witnesses representing a broad cross-section of views and expert opinion, the committee's work allowed Canadians greater insight into the issue, in particular the understanding that assuring a reliable, long-term supply of medical isotopes is indeed a global issue that requires a global solution.
The committee has also provided valuable input into the government's effort to modernize Canada's nuclear liability legislation. The committee's June 2008 report on Canada's forestry industry gave new insight into the challenges and opportunities facing a sector that is so important to thousands of Canadians in hundreds of communities across the country.
The government has already implemented many of the committee's recommendations to improve the sector's economic and environmental performance. In budget 2010, for example, the government announced an investment of $100 million over four years to support the development, commercialization and implementation of advanced clean energy technologies in the forest sector.
The government has also endorsed the committee's recommendations on the importance of good marketing to the future prosperity of Canada's forest sector, launching and extending key programs that help to raise the industry's profile in both traditional and emerging markets.
There are many more examples of the excellent work and commitment shown by the members of the House Standing Committee on Natural Resources, but I would like to pose a question to the minister. What assurance can he offer that he will continue to work closely with the committee to ensure Canada remains a natural resources powerhouse?
Arctic Sovereignty April 28th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, Canadians are rightfully proud of our beautiful Arctic, the true north strong and free. Our government made a commitment to protect our sovereignty in the Arctic.
Could the Minister of National Defence tell us what our government is doing to protect our ability to operate and protect our most northern territory?
Interparliamentary Delegations April 23rd, 2010
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 34 I have the honour to present, in both official languages, two reports from the Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association concerning a bilateral visit to New Zealand in December 2009 and a conference in the United Kingdom in February 2010.
Committees of the House April 23rd, 2010
Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I seek unanimous consent to revert to presenting reports for interparliamentary delegations.
Justice April 23rd, 2010
Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Liberal member for Ajax—Pickering said that he would oppose the government's legislation that would make it clear to the courts that house arrest would no longer be available to those who commit serious and violent crimes such as aggravated assault, human trafficking, luring a child, and arson.
Could the Minister of Justice please inform this House what failing to pass this important legislation could mean for the law-abiding citizens of Canada?
Petitions April 13th, 2010
Madam Speaker, on behalf of a number of constituents, I present a petition related to Bill C-474, an act respecting seeds regulations. The petitioners call upon Parliament to amend seeds regulations legislation to require that an analysis of potential harm to export markets be conducted before the sale of any new genetically engineered seed is permitted.
Pensions March 26th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, Canadians from across Canada and constituents from my riding of South Surrey—White Rock—Cloverdale were shocked and disturbed to discover that criminals, like Clifford Olson, are receiving taxpayer-funded seniors benefits.
Yesterday, the leader of the Bloc showed how out of touch he was by saying that he does not want to stop sending tax dollars from law-abiding Canadians from going to murderers.
Could the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development please inform the House what our Conservative government's position is on this very important issue?