House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2015, with 64% of the vote.
Sponsorship Program January 31st, 2005
Mr. Speaker, I will be happy to acknowledge that the government set up the commission as long as it acknowledges that it shut down all the previous ones.
I am looking for the Prime Minister to be more categorical in leadership in telling Mr. Chrétien that his actions are unacceptable, but on top of that, can the Prime Minister explain why the Liberal Party's own lawyers did not appear before the commission today to make this argument?
Sponsorship Program January 31st, 2005
Speaking of democracy, whenever a public inquiry gets close to the truth, the Liberals shut it down. That is what they did with Somalia and APEC and they tried the same thing with Krever.
Now that the former Liberal leader is trying to have Justice Gomery removed, the Prime Minister has suddenly become very silent. Has the Prime Minister told Mr. Chrétien in no uncertain terms that his actions are inappropriate and unacceptable?
Sponsorship Program January 31st, 2005
Mr. Speaker, on a happier note, I am sure that all of the House will want to join with us in congratulating the brave people of Iraq in standing up to tyranny and terrorism and advancing the cause of democracy.
Citizenship and Immigration December 14th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, I am listening very carefully but I am not hearing any dates in any of the replies.
The Prime Minister promised that in his era, scandal would be ancient history, but the immigration minister is up to her neck in enough scandals for the entire cabinet alone. Since I am in a rather charitable mood, I will not get into the latest today, but could the Prime Minister tell us with certainty that the immigration minister will still be in her post when the House returns?
National Defence December 14th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, as I listen to the Prime Minister, I am reminded of my lawyer who told me that the less he has to say, the more he talks.
The Prime Minister had promised to increase the size of the Canadian armed forces by 5,000 personnel. Now, the vice chief of the defence staff is saying that it will take several years to achieve that objective.
By what date can our armed forces expect the promised recruitment process to be completed?
Natural Resources December 14th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, I think I heard at least one person who did not believe it.
Six months ago the Prime Minister promised 100% of the offshore to Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia. The provinces of course are still waiting for him to keep his word, so once again, will the Prime Minister tell us what date he has in mind for actually signing a deal?
Infrastructure December 14th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, I was worried when I did that, that I would give the Prime Minister the opportunity to talk about something other than his precise plans.
The Prime Minister also promised a national infrastructure program for cities. Gas tax revenues, he said, would be shared with the cities without delay or equivocation. Yet cities, provinces, municipalities, whatever, have not seen a cent in gas taxes.
Could the Prime Minister tell us on this one, on what date he plans to implement his policy?
Child Care December 14th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, this is the last day the House will sit before Christmas. My family and I wish to convey our best wishes for the season to the Prime Minister and his family, but before I do so, I have other business.
Canadian children can only hope that Santa Claus is better and more able and willing to fulfill his promises than is the Prime Minister. During the election he promised a universal national child care program for all Canadian children and later it became more precisely the creation of a limited number of spaces.
Whatever it is, could the Prime Minister tell us on what date he will be implementing his child care proposals?
Natural Resources December 13th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, that might be his intention but he is clearly incapable of making a decision. He knows how to make a promise. He just does not know how to keep a promise.
It has been six months since he went down to Atlantic Canada, got on bended knee and made this promise. Ever since they have been good, for goodness' sake.
Will the Prime Minister now assure Atlantic Canadians that he will keep this promise and they will finally get what he promised them last June?
Natural Resources December 13th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, if the government's objective is to create a have status in Atlantic Canada, it has failed and continues to fail in that area.
Last week Atlantic ministers were here in Ottawa being stonewalled by federal officials. In Halifax the Atlantic premiers were being stalled by the Clerk of the Privy Council. Surprise, the Prime Minister was nowhere to be found.
This is a promise for the Prime Minister, not for his officials, to keep. My question again is for the Prime Minister. Will he show some leadership, not play Scrooge, and get this deal done before Christmas?