House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2015, with 64% of the vote.
Citizenship and Immigration November 22nd, 2004
The government would not know accountable and transparent if it hit it between the eyes, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, during the election campaign the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration failed to report the presence of an illegal immigrant, encouraged others to jump the queue, and encouraged her staff to deal with immigration files while working in her campaign office.
Is the minister prepared to do the right thing and resign from cabinet until the Ethics Commissioner has ruled on the case?
Citizenship and Immigration November 22nd, 2004
Mr. Speaker, if the minister were concerned about the ethics, she would have asked the Ethics Commissioner before it appeared in the newspaper and was raised in the House of Commons.
The minister has been asked to explain why her staff was doing immigration business in her office. She can offer no answer to the House. If she has to wait for an answer, why does she not step aside until the Ethics Commissioner can answer the question for us?
Citizenship and Immigration November 22nd, 2004
Mr. Speaker, during the recent election campaign, word on the street was that one could jump the immigration queue by working on the minister's campaign. According to reports this past weekend, the minister's staff actually set up shop in her campaign office, files and all, and said that help could be had.
How can the minister justify having staff doing immigration department business in her campaign office in the middle of an election?
Citizenship and Immigration November 18th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, let me ask about a different set of allegations according to a report in the Toronto Star today. The Prime Minister's communications director has been aware for some time of the immigration minister's ethical lapses, including having dubious applicants for ministerial permits work on her election campaigns.
My question for the Prime Minister is simple. Given that there is obviously an ethical cloud here and this is under investigation, will the Prime Minister require the immigration minister to step aside until the investigation is completed?
Alfonso Gagliano November 18th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, I agree that we should gather the facts. The allegations are in the New York Daily News . According to FBI documents, they link former Liberal cabinet minister and ambassador Alfonso Gagliano to organized crime. The report claims that in the 1990s he was a “made” member of the Brooklyn based Bonanno crime family.
My question is simple. Since Mr. Gagliano was in cabinet and ambassador during this period, was the government aware of this information and when did it become aware of these allegations?
Alfonso Gagliano November 18th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, according to a report in today's New York Daily News , the FBI has linked former Liberal minister Alfonso Gagliano with the Bonanno crime family. According to the report, he was a “made” member of this criminal organization in the 1990s.
My question is very simple. When did the government find out about this?
Taxation November 17th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, only a Liberal caucus could cheer that kind of over-taxation.
Once again, Liberal promises have been broken, even though the surplus is more than four times larger than expected and even though they voted to reduce taxes.
Why does the Prime Minister refuse to respect the promise made in his throne speech?
Taxation November 17th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, the government already has four times more surplus than it said it needed to fulfill its commitments. It should give the money back to Canadians.
Taxation November 17th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, we would all like to look at it in its entirety but over here we are prepared to do something as opposed to doing nothing.
Yesterday the Prime Minister refused to give some money back to Canadian taxpayers. In doing so, he broke yet another promise. I remind the Prime Minister that it was only three weeks ago in the House that he stood on his feet and voted to reduce taxes for low and modest income Canadian families.
Will the Prime Minister keep his word, fulfill his commitment and execute the promise in the throne speech?
The Senate November 17th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, in less than a week, Albertans will choose the people they want to have as representatives in the Senate.
News reports today indicate that the Prime Minister may reverse his longstanding opposition and name some elected senators.
Will the Prime Minister confirm to the House that he will name the winners of the election to all three of Alberta's Senate vacancies?