House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2015, with 64% of the vote.
Minister of Public Works and Government Services October 24th, 2006
Mr. Speaker, it is quite obvious that the Liberal Party of Canada does not want Montreal to have representation in the federal cabinet.
We promised to ensure significant representation for Montreal and I can say to the Liberal Party that it will have its work cut out for it to find its own candidate for the byelection.
Minister of Public Works and Government Services October 24th, 2006
Mr. Speaker, Minister Fortier has promised to represent Montreal within cabinet and to run during the next general election. He will keep his promises.
Minister of Public Works and Government Services October 23rd, 2006
Mr. Speaker, again, the minister made a commitment to represent the region of Montreal within cabinet. He is doing a good job and he will keep his commitment.
Afghanistan October 23rd, 2006
Mr. Speaker, I just want to say that I think somebody must have been phoning the member of the NDP because the premise of his first question was wrong and they were trying to get him to change his supplementary.
The fact of the matter is this. As we know, our defence personnel, our diplomats and our development workers are engaged in difficult but very important work in Afghanistan. We support them in that work. We are constantly working with them to see ways that we can improve and be more effective. I would certainly call on all members of the House to put aside partisanship and support that important work.
Cultural Diversity October 23rd, 2006
Mr. Speaker, as I just mentioned, this government and the Government of Quebec will work on the international ratification of the convention on cultural diversity. We are examining all ideas put forward to promote this treaty.
UNESCO October 23rd, 2006
Mr. Speaker, this government signed a historic agreement with the Government of Quebec regarding its full participation in UNESCO.
I have been told that there is no holdup. It is up to the government to choose its own representative.
Decorum October 23rd, 2006
Mr. Speaker, I understand that you have already ruled on this matter and did not necessarily accept the preamble of the Leader of the Opposition.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs is conducting Canada's international relations with great effort, with dignity and with confidence, and we support him.
In terms of the comportment inside this House generally, I think we all recognize that all members in all parties could do a lot better job of conducting ourselves in the House as the public of Canada is watching.
Canadian Wheat Board October 18th, 2006
Mr. Speaker, the government will do what farmers have always wanted, which is to have a range of marketing choices, including the Wheat Board.
We are never going to be afraid to consult western farmers. The last time we did it, like so many times when we have done it, they did not return a single Liberal MP, and they never will.
The Environment October 18th, 2006
Mr. Speaker, the actions taken by this government will reduce pollution. This is the first plan that has been introduced in this Parliament to reduce pollutants in Canada.
The fact that the leader of the NDP is denouncing this bill before seeing it shows that we cannot have any faith in what he says.
The Environment October 18th, 2006
Mr. Speaker, of course I will not admit that.
I would urge the hon. member and leader of the NDP to actually wait and see the government's proposals to see that everything he said is completely wrong and without foundation.
The hon. member likes to talk about money slipping by him. As I recall, that is exactly what happened to the government's budget. It was a good budget and we are proud of it.