The Budget  Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the member for Newmarket—Aurora for sharing her time with me this morning. This is my first opportunity to speak to my fellow Canadians, the citizens of Alberta, and the great people of my riding of Red Deer. I want to thank my constituents f

The Budget  Madam Speaker, with respect to the RCMP, I have had opportunities to speak with members from my own riding. They are concerned but I believe they also recognize that they have to be part of the solution. When it comes to the restrictions about which we as those responsible for pu

The Budget  Madam Speaker, in talking with members of my riding, a lot of things were mentioned, but certainly my constituents do not want to go back into another election. They were looking at some of the situations that were important to them. One of those issues had to do with credit for

Petitions  Madam Speaker, I rise today to present a petition signed by 190 people of my riding of Red Deer, Alberta. The petitioners believe that, with the recent federal election results, Canadians provided the present government with a clear and strengthened mandate. They also believe tha

Retirement of Red Deer College President  Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to rise today to highlight one of the real treasures in my riding of Red Deer. There are members in the House who have either taught at or were enrolled at Red Deer College. They know that Red Deer College is a jewel in Alberta's crown. RDC is a s

Liberal Party of Canada  Mr. Speaker, our Conservative government is taking action during this global recession. With our economic action plan, we are reducing taxes on Canadian families, creating jobs and helping Canadians who are hardest hit by the global recession. We have a plan and that is what Cana

Committees of the House  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise to speak to the motion of the hon. member for Trinity—Spadina. The motion we are debating today has two parts: allowing applicants who have filed their first in Canada spousal or common-law sponsorship application temporary work permits and enti

Committees of the House  Mr. Speaker, one of the important things that we have to consider here is that when it comes to family reunification, we have to recognize that our government has been supportive of measures that increase the possibility that if there are marriages of convenience, they are dealt

Committees of the House  Mr. Speaker, spouses and common-law partners already living in Canada may also apply for permanent residence in the spouse or common-law partner in Canada class. Further, applicants in the spouse or common-law partner class can stay here and apply for open work permits once they

Committees of the House  Mr. Speaker, with regard to family class applications, one of the things the hon. member mentioned earlier was that there could be some i's not dotted and t's not crossed and this is the reason why these particular concerns could last as long as four years. As I mentioned, I do n

Committees of the House  Mr. Speaker, I do not know all of the details about the specific case. She mentioned what she discussed earlier in the day. I cannot really speak to what occurred, but I know that everything that can be done in these situations is being done. If there are situations that people n

Committees of the House  Mr. Speaker, with regard to deportation and situations that are that serious, there are immigration officers who are trained to be vigilant in watching for inconsistencies that may indicate that a relationship is not bona fide. We have to ensure genuine applicants are granted the

Petitions  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to present a petition signed by 126 people of my riding of Red Deer, Alberta. The petitioners believe that all efforts should be made to prevent animal cruelty and reduce animal suffering. Therefore, the petitioners call upon Parliament to support a univ

Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada  Mr. Speaker, the leader of the Liberal Party must be living on another planet or perhaps he is out of touch with reality because of his lengthy absence from Canada. The leader of the Liberal Party recently said, “We will have to raise taxes”. How does the leader of the Liberal

Rodeo Builder  Mr. Speaker, it is my honour today to pay tribute to Jack Daines, who was honoured May 29 with an induction into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame as a rodeo builder. When we think of Alberta and rodeo, we think Jack Daines. He won Canadian saddle bronc titles in 1956 and 1957.