Member for Surrey Central  Mr. Speaker, all of us in this Chamber work very hard but I want to mention something special about our colleague, the member for Surrey Central. He became an MP in five years and eight months after immigrating to Canada, 2,005 days, a record in Canadian history. Today he has been an MP for exactly the same period of time.

Ethics  Mr. Speaker, I want to ask questions about the operation of the government's ethics code and so-called blind trusts. The former finance minister's company was caught and charged with dumping oil into Halifax harbour last March. The former finance minister then received special briefings on the incident.

Ethics  Mr. Speaker, the former finance minister's company was charged last March. In November, CSL reached a plea bargain arrangement with the government. We now know that the former minister was briefed twice during this period. Under the ethics code, why was the public not informed of this as openly as the minister was?

Ethics  Mr. Speaker, if the minister could have been told about these charges against his company the public should have been told as well. To recap, the former finance minister knew about the dumping charge in March, he was briefed on it twice and settled for a guilty plea in November.

CANADA NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATIONS ACT  Through years of consultations, including the voluntary sector initiative and its government counterpart, groups in the sector have made it very clear that they want and need the following: clarification and improvements in the charitable status process, help to secure stable and long-term financing and help to address advocacy needs.

Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act  Whether on matters of classification or the jurisdictions of each level of government, we believe that the committee must provide clear answers. The representatives of not-for-profit corporations deserve to be able to work with a Canada Corporations Act that effectively meets their needs.

Ethics  Mr. Speaker, I want to follow up with the Prime Minister on the sweetheart deal he gave the former finance minister which allowed him to run Canada Steamship Lines while he was writing Canada's tax laws. The only answer the Prime Minister has given us is that “if it was good enough for Sinc Stevens it is good enough for me”.

Foreign Affairs  Mr. Speaker, today the United Nations Security Council will be discussing what to do about Iraq. Some nations, France, Germany and, reportedly, Canada as well, believe in a timeline of some months. Others, the Americans and British, apparently believe a deadline of a matter of weeks should be set, perhaps as little as two weeks.

Foreign Affairs  Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister said weeks rather than months, I suppose so we are creeping toward a position here. Resolution 1441 states that there must be full compliance or Saddam Hussein will face serious consequences. The common interpretation of these consequences is military action.

Foreign Affairs  Mr. Speaker, I would like to move to the question of military action. The HMCS Iroquois has been sent to the Persian Gulf to join other Canadian ships. The defence minister admitted yesterday that these ships could be double hatted for both the war on terrorism and operations in Iraq.

Judges Act  I had occasion to be in Alberta a month and a half ago trying to get a line on the case that is before the Alberta courts involving Mr. Stephen Harper and the crown. It deals with a charter challenge of the Canada Elections Act pertaining to certain aspects of third party advertising that is in the current legislation. I was amazed to discover that I could not get court transcripts.

Supply  This is fairly typical of the government and on this particular question it is totally irresponsible. Let me make that absolutely clear. The motion states that the House recognize or adopt as its own the statement by the Prime Minister in 1985: "If we do not win, I will respect the wishes of Quebecers and let them separate".

Foreign Affairs  Mr. Speaker, there is increasing confusion about the government's position on Iraq. I offer the following chronology of confusion. In December the Prime Minister said that there could be no action without the approval of the United Nations. On January 23 he said that with evidence from the allies he would support action.

Foreign Affairs  Mr. Speaker, if the British government is not confused, that is not what it is saying at the United Nations. So far, the Prime Minister has a history of flip-flopping on this matter. On January 25, the Prime Minister did not know if a second resolution was needed. Four days later, he said the first resolution was enough.

Foreign Affairs  Mr. Speaker, I can assure you that confusion is not just among all opposition parties, but Canadians and foreign governments around the world as well. I go back to January when the French and German governments were already complaining and calling on Canada to take some kind of a position.