Scott Brison

[Justice, June 13th, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, what about the victims of Conservative hate-filled remarks against gays and lesbians and against aboriginals?

Former Progressive Conservative cabinet minister, John Crosbie once said that the problem with the Reform Party was that 90% of its members gave the other 10% a bad name.

The Conservatives failure to punish intolerance makes the entire Conservative government look intolerant. When Conservative parliamentary secretaries utter hatred against gays and aboriginals, they face no punishment whatsoever.

Why are the Conservatives so soft on hate?

[Justice, June 13th, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, that parliamentary secretary continues to speak on behalf of the government. He is a major spokesperson who answers more questions on behalf of the government than most of the cabinet ministers. Now he is the poster child for Conservative intolerance.

The Conservatives believe that young offenders cannot be rehabilitated, that they should be punished as adults. Why is it that adult Conservative government members pay no price for their intolerant and hateful remarks?

[New Minas, June 9th, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, the village of New Minas in the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.

New Minas is the soccer capital of Atlantic Canada and the shopping capital of the valley, with over 300 commercial outlets.

Its motto, “A Good Place to Live”, explains why it continues to grow and expand.

The chairman of the village commission, Dave Chaulk, and commissioners Maynard Stevens, Dean Hatt, Les Barrett, Dale Pineo and recreation director Vince Forrestall and all the village staff and the events sponsors are to be congratulated for planning and supporting a tremendous year round celebration.

A 40th anniversary New Year's levee kicked off the festivities. Last Saturday we had a “Marathon of Memories” family fun day celebrating Terry Fox and his “Marathon of Hope”. I was proud to join Fred Fox and New Minas citizens in celebrating New Minas on Saturday.

I wish New Minas continued success and prosperity.

[Automotive Industry, June 6th, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, the government's reputation as an environmental dinosaur is helping to make Canadian manufacturing jobs extinct. When manufacturers want to go green, the government sends the message that Canada is no place to invest.

The government's lack of leadership on the environment is hurting Canada's brand internationally and is killing Canadian jobs.

Does the government not realize that its bad environmental policy is bad for business?

[Automotive Industry, June 6th, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, the government's--

[Automotive Industry, June 6th, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, the finance minister told business not to invest in Ontario. General Motors listened and closed its Oshawa plant. The Prime Minister has actually dismissed the plant closure saying that times have changed and people do not buy those kinds of vehicles anymore.

Why will the government not partner with General Motors and other manufacturers to help them garner the investment they need to green their operations, to build the kinds of green products that the international community really wants today?

[Foreign Affairs, June 2nd, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister certainly has brought Canada back--to international headlines.

In Germany, the headline is “Canada's foreign minister must go”. In Italy, it is “--minister loses his head and his documents”. French newspapers read, “The red hot affair of the Canadian foreign affairs minister”. In England, the headlines read, “The minister, the classified papers and a lover linked to Hells Angels”.

As well, the Conservatives promised to improve our relationship with the United States. The New York Times, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune and Los Angeles Times are helping out with headlines like this: “A lover, lowlifes and strange bedfellows”.

They even get it in China, where the headlines read: “Ex-Foreign Minister['s]...gaffe could harm Canada's reputation”.

When editorialists in China understand how serious this issue is, why does the Prime Minister not?

[Howard Dill, May 29th, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, last week Canada lost an extraordinary citizen with the passing of Howard Dill of Windsor, Nova Scotia.

Howard was a giant, and not just for the breeding of his Atlantic giant pumpkin. His community spirit, his kind heart, and his immense passion to make a difference made him a true leader.

Howard held the title of the grower of the world's largest pumpkin from 1979 to 1982, and today pumpkins grown from his Dill Atlantic Giant seed win competitions around the world. Howard and his pumpkins have been featured on the Martha Stewart show and inspired the Windsor--West Hants Pumpkin Regatta, where pumpkin paddlers race across Lake Pesaquid every fall.

Howard's passion for and encyclopedic knowledge of hockey helped install Windsor in the history books as the birthplace of hockey.

Howard was an icon who served his community, province and country with distinction. To his loving wife Hilda and their children Danny, Andrew, Maureen and Diana, our thoughts and prayers are with them.

[Arthur Mutambara, May 5th, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honour Arthur Mutambara, a World Economic Forum young global leader, who has fought courageously for freedom and democracy in Zimbabwe.

As a student, Mr. Mutambara led anti-government protests for which he was arrested and imprisoned. After establishing himself as a leading scientist at Oxford, MIT and NASA, he returned to Africa to continue his efforts for democracy in Zimbabwe.

As leader of one of Zimbabwe's two MDC formations, Mr. Mutambara has been harassed, injured and imprisoned without charges by state authorities. Despite the risks, he remains a strong voice for unity and cooperation in Zimbabwe's pro-democracy effort.

I urge Canada and the entire global community to recognize and support his efforts.

We must condemn ZANU-PF's campaign of terror against opposition supporters. We must support democratic efforts in Zimbabwe, so that peace and security may be enjoyed by all Zimbabweans, regardless of their racial, tribal or political background.

[Ethics, May 2nd, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, the Ethics Commissioner writes a letter to every member of Parliament. The letter clearly states:

...should there be any matters before the House...that may potentially conflict with your private interests...you consult with my Office in order that we may advise you of what measures...may be required...to satisfy the requirements of the Code.

Did the minister respect the rules clearly stated by the Ethics Commissioner and consult her on his decision?