House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2008, with 46% of the vote.
Criminal Code March 12th, 2009
Madam Speaker, at first glance, I noticed two things about this new bill. It seems to me that several of the offences it would create are already in the Criminal Code. This bill covers more specific ways of committing crimes that are already prohibited. I may be making the same point.
There is something else of concern to those who think that minimum sentences are effective. Does he remember when there was a minimum sentence for importing marijuana, and what happened because of that?
Justice March 12th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, freedom of the press is recognized in the Charter. In the civilized countries that we like to compare ourselves to, freedom of the press includes protecting a journalist's confidential sources.
How can the Attorney General, the guardian of the Charter—and does the Minister of Justice want to live up to this title?—how can the Attorney General allow his lawyers to remain silent and indifferent in the face of an extraordinary procedure that would force Daniel Leblanc to reveal enough information that his source could be identified?
Justice March 12th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Justice told us that he was giving thought to the approach government lawyers should take in the case against Groupe Polygone, a key player in the sponsorship scandal. But while the minister is thinking, his lawyers are, through their silence, endorsing the extraordinary procedure the Groupe Polygone lawyers used to have journalist Daniel Leblanc subpoenaed to reveal his source.
My question is simple: does the minister approve of this manoeuvre?
Justice March 6th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, as I am sure you would agree, the excesses of demagoguery eventually end up looking foolish, pure and simple. Is the minister's representative trying to say that the millions of people and hundreds of countries around the world that have fought to abolish the death penalty did not have sympathy for the victims?
The government has 30 days to appeal the decision. Can the government give us the assurance here today that it will not appeal this decision—
Justice March 6th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, the Federal Court, in no uncertain terms, has denounced the Conservative government for its policy change pertaining to Canadian citizens sentenced to death abroad. The judge said, “Government policy cannot be created by a process as amorphous and unaccountable as the one followed here.”
Does the government plan to abide by the ruling, abandon its ideology-based policy and ask the American authorities to commute Ronald Smith's death sentence?
Business of Supply March 5th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, you were not here, but I think that the chair occupant before you appreciated the quality of the speech given by this new member who has recently joined us. It was one of her first speeches. She spoke seriously and it is obvious that she has studied the issue extensively.
She eloquently and precisely condemned a number of unfair aspects in the administration of the employment insurance system. He is one I found particularly spectacular. How can anyone sell insurance by telling people that they have to pay the premiums, but cannot receive any benefits?
This is a broad subject and the workforce is diverse. There are more and more self-employed workers in our society. It is probable that these people will be affected the most by the current crisis. Could she talk about them?
Canada Revenue Agency March 3rd, 2009
Mr. Speaker, in response to a question raised by the Bloc Québécois yesterday about a cigarette manufacturing permit given to a man now accused of drug trafficking, the Minister of National Revenue said that there were confidentiality issues to consider. But the court hearings are being held publicly and the story was published in a Quebec daily paper on Monday, so there is nothing confidential about it.
The minister has recognized that he has the power to act, so what is he waiting for? He should suspend the permit until the legal proceedings are done.
Access to Information February 27th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, that may be true, but processing times continue to increase.
The commissioner states that the Access to Information Act is in terrible shape because of a lack of leadership at the highest levels of government.
How can the government explain its lack of action after Judge Gomery and four commissioners have denounced Liberal secrecy and this government's lack of transparency?
Access to Information February 27th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, the conclusions in the Information Commissioner's report confirm this government's culture of secrecy. Processing times are increasing because the majority of access to information requests have to go through the Prime Minister's Office before being made public.
How can the Prime Minister, who promised transparency, justify putting his interests first and denying those of citizens wishing to have access to information?
Economic and Fiscal Statement December 3rd, 2008
Mr. Speaker, almost everyone in Canada recognizes that the government's economic update was bad. Consequently, it was likely that the opposition parties would vote against it. Fine.
We would have voted against it last Monday night. What situation would we have put the Governor General in if there had been no other choice?
If we had not participated in this choice, the only other option would have been an election. Does taking part in this choice mean that we want to destroy the country or, instead, does it mean that we are overcoming our ideological differences in Canada's best economic interest?