Conservative Party of Canada  Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives came here promising to clean up Ottawa, but we can see now that unethical behaviour has become too tempting for them to avoid. We have seen the industry minister violate the conflict of interest law by going on hunting trips with his lobbyist frien

Protecting Canada's Immigration System Act  Mr. Speaker, Conservatives like to talk about their support for families. In this bill, the section allowing designated people as irregular arrivals would have some very severe impacts on families. The first is the question of detention. If the parents were detained, what would h

Foreign Affairs  Mr. Speaker, this week St. Petersburg adopted regressive legislation, outlawing any public discussion of homosexuality. Since St. Petersburg is Russia's number one travel destination and many Canadians travel there each year, including many gays and lesbians, will the minister i

Foreign Affairs  Mr. Speaker, I thank the minister for his quick action. Given that many countries fail to recognize lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights and therefore the ongoing threats to safety of lesbian and gay travellers in those countries, it is clear more needs to be done both

Protecting Canada’s Immigration System Act  Mr. Speaker, if what the minister says is true, then I am not sure why we have the bill in front of us if it does not change anything. He says that the 15-day deadline for filing a claim will not have any application, that people can wait as long as they like before they file a

Protecting Canada’s Immigration System Act  Mr. Speaker, I often know how women feel when their arguments are described as incoherent, irrational and hysterical, because that is what the minister has just said. However, it really does not catch the absolute danger that many lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people

Protecting Canada’s Immigration System Act  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak very strongly in opposition to Bill C-31, which has been given another one of those new-speak titles, protecting Canada's immigration system act. It is really a reincarnation of the previous Bill C-4, which I spoke against on second reading, so

Safer Railways Act  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of this side of the House, we certainly do welcome this long overdue legislation. We will be hearing more from our critic from Trinity—Spadina in a few minutes. However, I would like to take this opportunity to ask the minister a question I have asked him

Protecting Canada's Immigration System Act  Mr. Speaker, why does the hon. member, who spoke so passionately, think it takes four and a half years? It is not because of delays by refugees who are trying to establish their status and get re-established in a new life after fleeing. It seems to me it is because of a lack of g

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, the note I would like to end this on is to also think about the families of veterans. I think about 10 days ago, when I stood on the docks when the HMCS Vancouver came back. I think of 200 or 300 family members who were there and who had also made sacrifices while th

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, it is very important that reservists get the same kinds of benefits and treatment, especially when they have served overseas with the Canadian Forces, as other members of the forces get. We have to provide full recognition for that. However, as I said in my speech,

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, as I said, there is a regrettable pattern starting to occur on the other side of the House, where all seniors, whether veterans or not, are somehow seen as a burden on our society and the idea that families and people should take care of themselves. The question I wo

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, I will I am splitting my time with the member for Abitibi—Témiscamingue. It is a great pleasure today to speak to the opposition day motion put forward by the member for Sackville—Eastern Shore. I want to start by recognizing the fact that the member has been a tire

Income Tax Act  moved for leave to introduce Bill C-397, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (golfing expenses). Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce a bill entitled “an act to amend the Income Tax Act (golfing expenses)”. Most golf courses are small businesses that are struggling in the cur

Transport  Mr. Speaker, while greater Victoria is still waiting for Transport Canada's decision on whether to allow a mega yacht marina in the harbour, the developer is already moving ahead. This is despite serious aviation safety issues with float planes landing in what is already a very b