House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2011, with 35% of the vote.
Medical Isotopes June 8th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, the minister states that the Dutch or the Australians or the Belgians will make up the isotope shortage across the world.
Is there any guarantee that any of those isotopes will end up in Canada? Can the government offer a guarantee to this House that any isotopes from any of those three countries will ever be guaranteed to come into Canada?
Medical Isotopes June 8th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives claim that the Dutch, the Australians and now the Belgians will make up for the isotope shortage. We know the Dutch reactor is leaking and it will be down next month for four weeks. The Australian processing plant will not be commissioned for at least 6 to 12 months, meaning no isotopes.
When will the Conservatives be honest with Canadians and admit that for at least the next several months there will be a continuing isotope shortage in and for Canada that is already adversely affecting the health care needs of at least 5,000 Canadians?
Employment Insurance June 1st, 2009
Mr. Speaker, the government's insensitivity never ceases to amaze me.
Premier Campbell called the EI rules discriminatory. Premier Stelmach said that he would expect to see some common ground in the coverage for the unemployed. Premier Wall has emphatically expressed similar sentiments in Saskatchewan. British Columbia's welfare rolls are up by 77% this year over last.
When will the government stop being insensitive to the suffering of Canadians, sit down with the provinces of this country and make the EI system fair and workable for all Canadians?
Employment Insurance June 1st, 2009
Mr. Speaker, the premiers of British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan have all called for reform of the EI system.
They have asked the federal government to ensure that Canadians living in their provinces do not have to work more hours to qualify for EI than Canadians in some other parts of the country. That makes three fiscally Conservative premiers in this country who are asking for the government to deal with the hurt and the suffering of Canadians.
When will the government respond to the suffering Canadians and make changes to the EI system so that everyone is treated fairly and equally?
British Columbia Election May 13th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, yesterday British Columbians re-elected Premier Gordon Campbell and his B.C. Liberals to a third term.
On behalf of the Liberal caucus and myself, I would like to extend congratulations to Premier Campbell for a hard-fought and successful campaign.
I want to applaud British Columbians for having exercised their democratic rights and obligations. Congratulations are also in order for Carole James, leader of the NDP, and her team for a hard-fought campaign.
British Columbians have re-elected Premier Campbell to a historic third term, something rarely seen in B.C. political history.
Once again, British Columbia has experienced politics and democracy at their best. Congratulations.
Air India May 11th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, what is gratuitous is that nonsensical answer that just came from the minister.
The Conservative government ought to have known what it had. It was withholding information about the single biggest act of terrorism in Canadian history. Instead, it covered up the cover-up.
The government has now provided this information to the Major inquiry behind closed doors. Why did the Conservatives hide this information from Canadians until after the public hearing phase of the inquiry was over?
Air India May 11th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, government documents of 24 years ago related to the Air India tragedy were recently provided to the Major inquiry while the public hearing phase of the Major inquiry wrapped up over a year ago. The government of the day did not provide all of the available evidence to the Kirpal Commission of India because of the potential for national embarrassment.
Why were these documents not provided to the Major inquiry during the public hearings so that Canadians could see how the government failed Canadians, the Canadian families and the victims?
Petitions May 6th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, the second petition is with respect to the genocide in Darfur. The petitioners ask us to take similar action.
Petitions May 6th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, I have two petitions, which I attempted to present yesterday, unsuccessfully. I am now properly certified.
The first petition is with respect to the issue of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The petitioners call upon the Government of Canada and all elected members of Parliament to take immediate action to provide relief to human suffering in the D.R.C. As Canadians, they implore us to fulfill our promise of “never again”.
Petitions May 4th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, the second petition is with respect to the situation in Darfur. The petitioners urge the government to take action to deal with the genocide and the situation of humanitarian relief.