National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians Act  Madam Speaker, it is a great honour to rise today in support of Bill C-22, an act to establish the national security and intelligence committee of parliamentarians. The proposed legislation fulfills a key campaign promise of the 2015 election, and represents a thoughtful and lon

National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians Act  Madam Speaker, first of all, I would like to thank the member opposite for raising this significant issue. It is interesting to note that he is acknowledging that there was an absence of a framework in Canada previously. To rectify the situation, we looked at models adopted by o

National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians Act  Thank you, Madam Speaker. The member opposite has raised the issue of accountability. I would like to remind the member that in making appointments to this committee the Prime Minister is obliged to both consult with the leaders of the opposition as well as the Senate. In so doi

National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians Act  Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the member opposite for raising that critical issue. We think it is imperative that the Canadian public has confidence in this committee. It is significant that the Prime Minister will only make appointments to this committee after consulting

Chung Yeung Festival  Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to rise today and join Chinese Canadians in my riding of Willowdale, and indeed from coast to shining coast, in celebrating the upcoming Chung Yeung Festival. Also known as the Double 9 Festival, Chung Yeung provides the cherished opportunity to gath

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, I will be sharing my time with the hon. member for Scarborough—Guildwood. In my office, there are two large photographs I see every day, one of former prime minister Lester B. Pearson, a former resident of my riding of Willowdale and a recipient of the Nobel Peace P

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, I thank the member opposite for her question. Of course, as you know full well, the government is committed to taking action on this very critical issue. Having said that, as you can imagine we would like to act responsibly, and acting responsibly will require some t

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, as I understand it, listening to the debate as it has unfolded in this House today and to the Minister of Immigration, the government actually is discussing these issues with other countries that are acting on the ground in Iraq.

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, of course, we appreciate that the Yazidis are facing terrible circumstances in Iraq. However, it is good to bear in mind that they live in inaccessible regions of Iraq. In addition to that, any assistance we do provide could make them more vulnerable within that coun

Futurpreneur  Mr. Speaker, today I had the pleasure of joining many colleagues at a reception in honour of Futurpreneur, a truly remarkable Toronto-based non-profit organization dedicated to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship among Canadian youth. For 20 years, Futurpreneur has provid

Wilfrid Laurier  Mr. Speaker, 175 years ago yesterday in what is now Saint-Lin–Laurentides, Quebec, Henri Charles Wilfrid Laurier was born and Canadian history was inexorably changed as a result. I rise today to join all Canadians in celebrating a Canadian icon and statesman. Sir Laurier willed

Prevention of Genocide  Mr. Speaker, 68 years ago today, the United Nations officially adopted the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. To honour this momentous occasion, I ask all members of this esteemed House to join me today to mark the second annual International Da

Petitions  Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to rise today to present a petition signed by some of my constituents in Willowdale and, indeed, by other Canadians from coast to coast to coast. The petitioners request that our government modernize our laws regarding blasphemous libel, the repeal of

U.S. Decision Regarding Travel Ban  Mr. Speaker, I will be sharing my time with the member for Fredericton. Much like other members here, I would like to take a moment to honour the victims of this weekend's attack. Cowardly hate crimes such as the one we witnessed in Quebec City on Sunday have no place in our soc

U.S. Decision Regarding Travel Ban  Mr. Speaker, when we see issues such as the one before us tonight, where Canadians from coast to coast to coast have demonstrated that this is an issue of great concern, of course we would all benefit greatly from understanding the views of the members here and the government wou