House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2008, with 50% of the vote.
Committees of the House June 10th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 13th report of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, on the 2009-10 supplementary estimates A, vote 15a under Finance, Auditor General.
Furthermore, I present the 14th report on “Chapter 2, Governance of Small Federal Entities” of the December 2008 report of the Auditor General of Canada.
Canada Games June 9th, 2009
Madam Speaker, I am pleased to remind you and my colleagues in the House that Prince Edward Island will host the 2009 Canada Games from August 15-29. Over these two weeks, athletes from across Canada will compete in 18 sports staged in multiple venues throughout the province.
Our province has a successful history in hosting large sporting events because of a tremendous volunteer base. As one who has organized sporting events in the past, it is volunteers who make this whole thing happen.
The Canada Games extend over two weeks with over 2,200 athletes, coaches and managers in attendance each week. Week one events are focused in the western region and feature sports such as basketball, rugby, tennis and cycling. The eastern region will be the focus of week two which will include golf, volleyball, swimming and other sports.
In closing, I would like to extend an invitation to my colleagues in Parliament and all Canadians to come to Prince Edward Island this summer to experience these Canada Games. I wish all athletes, organizers and volunteers all the best.
Questions on the Order Paper June 1st, 2009
With regard to the 16th Annual Report to the Prime Minister on the Public Service of Canada, which reported that a total of 4,200 individuals were recruited from Canadian universities by the various departments and agencies of the government during the fiscal year 2008-2009, what is the detailed breakdown as to which universities each of the 4,200 students came from?
World Autism Awareness Day Act May 27th, 2009
moved that Bill S-210, An Act respecting World Autism Awareness Day, be read the first time.
Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to rise in the House today to sponsor the private member's bill, an act respecting World Autism Awareness Day, which was introduced in the Senate by the Hon. Senator Jim Munson.
In 2007, the United Nations General Assembly recognized the second day of April in every year as World Autism Awareness Day. With 1 in every 165 Canadian families now being affected by autism spectrum disorder, I believe now it is imperative and timely that the federal government follow the United Nations and declare April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day in Canada.
I encourage my hon. colleagues in the House to support this very important bill.
(Motion agreed to and bill read the first time)
Committees of the House May 27th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the following reports of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts: report 11, on Chapter 1, A Study of Federal Transfers to Provinces and Territories of the December 2008 Report of the Auditor General of Canada; and report 12, on Chapter 5, Surveillance of Infectious Diseases, Public Health Agency of Canada of the May 2008 report of the Auditor General of Canada.
Canadian Skills Competition May 15th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, today I would like to highlight the 15th annual Canadian Skills Competition that will happen in Charlottetown from May 23 to 30.
This competition for young students and apprentices will bring together approximately 500 young people from all regions of Canada to compete in over 40 areas of trade and technology.
The competition allows these students to be tested against exacting standards and their peers from across the nation for the honour of being crowned the best in their chosen discipline.
I feel it is important that we recognize and honour those in our society who have such exceptional skills in these fields. Businesses in Prince Edward Island and across Canada need more skilled tradespeople, and this event will showcase them.
I welcome all competitors, their families and friends to Charlottetown and I invite all Prince Edward Islanders to come out and observe the talented competitors in the Canadian Skills Competition next week.
Business of Supply May 14th, 2009
Mr. Chair, I did not detect an answer there, but I will go to the regulations. There has been talk for a number of years on these regulations that are supposed to come forward. Can the minister indicate where they stand right now?
Business of Supply May 14th, 2009
Mr. Chair, the minister is responsible for the Canadian Pari-Mutual Agency. There has been some concern that this agency does not have the capacity to deal with emerging drugs and technologies. That is of some concern in the industry. Does the minister agree with that concern?
Business of Supply May 14th, 2009
Mr. Chair, my point is that it is not discernible for any member of Parliament reading the estimates. Can the minister provide us with some undertaking that he will get back to us with the averages? I am not looking for individual payments. I am looking for what the average is and the percentage that get it.
Business of Supply May 14th, 2009
Mr. Chair, one of the issues that I have always been concerned about is this at-risk or performance pay for senior executives. It is hard to determine in the estimates where it is and how much it is? Could you tell us for the record just what percentage of your senior executives get this at-risk or performance pay and what is the average payment? It is not disclosed anywhere I can see.