House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2015, with 64% of the vote.
Canadian Wheat Board December 6th, 2006
Mr. Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition says to not politically interfere. He has a political press conference with the president of the Wheat Board. We want the Wheat Board to get on with selling grain.
This party has long listened to western Canadian farmers. That is why it was elected by western Canadian farmers in almost every riding. I would urge the leader of the Liberal Party to get out west and actually meet some Canadian farmers.
RCMP Commissioner December 6th, 2006
Mr. Speaker, once again, the Commissioner of the RCMP has accepted his responsibilities and taken appropriate action. We have accepted that action, and I would call on the opposition to do the same thing.
As for taking responsibility, it is a matter of record that Mr. Arar and other Canadians went to prison internationally, and the Liberal Party opposite never raised a peep about it.
Right now we have a Canadian citizen jailed in China. That is why this government has taken action, whether Mr. Chrétien likes it or not.
Status of Women December 6th, 2006
Mr. Speaker, this government has made no cuts to women's programs. On the contrary, this government will provide more money for programs and less for bureaucracy.
We have taken a number of measures to deal directly with violence against women. We have increased funding to on reserve family violence shelters, for example. We have increased funding for immigrant settlement services for women. We have a range of measures to deal with sexual predators, repeat offenders, those who use guns to commit crimes against women and other citizens.
We hope the NDP will pass from talk to action and support these things.
Status of Women December 6th, 2006
Mr. Speaker, as the leader of the NDP knows well, the Minister of Status of Women has committed to ensuring that funding in the program is more effective, that it goes directly into programs instead of into bureaucracy. This is real action. Likewise, it is the real action this government has taken on a range of anti-crime and anti-violence measures. We hope we will have the support of the NDP for those things.
Firearms Registry December 6th, 2006
Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, the current registry did not prevent the incident at Dawson College. Ideology is refusing to change things when faced with the facts.
Let me say again that this government is committed to having a registry that is less expensive and more effective than the current one. We have also proposed important measures against crime, violence, gun violence and violence against women. I hope we can count on the Bloc Québécois' support.
Firearms Registry December 6th, 2006
Mr. Speaker, I think everyone knows that the incident at École Polytechnique is one of the worst incidents in the history of this country. We remember today the victims of that day and the victims of other incidents, such as the one at Dawson College.
This government is committed to having a firearms registry that is less expensive and more effective than the current one.
RCMP Commissioner December 6th, 2006
Mr. Speaker, everyone knows that the apparent contradictions in the testimony came out yesterday. Once again, the RCMP commissioner has submitted his resignation to me, I have accepted it and thanked the commissioner for his service to the country and to the RCMP.
RCMP Commissioner December 6th, 2006
Mr. Speaker, I became aware of the differences in the story when everybody else did and that was when the commissioner made his comments on Monday and yesterday.
However, let me just say that the RCMP is one of the most respected and important institutions in the country and I hope all members of the House understand that.
Today, Commissioner Zaccardelli submitted his resignation to me and I have accepted it. The commissioner has indicated to me that it would be in the best interests of the RCMP to have new leadership in that this great organization faces challenges in the future.
I would like to thank the commissioner for his long and dedicated service to the RCMP and to the country.
I am prepared to table the letter and my response in the House right now.
Canadian Heritage December 5th, 2006
Mr. Speaker, while I appreciate the suggestion, I have absolutely no plans at the moment for moving my office. In fact, with the support of the people of Canada, I hope to stay there awhile.
Marriage December 5th, 2006
Mr. Speaker, as the former leader of the opposition knows, this government promised to have a free vote on the subject of marriage during the life of this Parliament and I expect everyone to vote.
The first time we had a vote here, the current leader of the Liberal Party voted against same-sex marriage.
The leader of the Liberal Party, the first time we voted, voted against same sex marriage. Now he wants to vote for it. I do not understand why he thinks he should be able to impose his flip-flop on all of his members.