Pensions  Mr. Speaker, Canadians are worried about their pensions. With more than a quarter million seniors living in poverty and countless workplace pensions failing, people want action now. Sarah Colquhuon, a constituent of mine, worked for an Ontario-based company which has since gone

Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act  moved for leave to introduce Bill C-496, An Act to change the name of the electoral district of New Westminster--Coquitlam. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to present a piece of legislation that is of concern to the people in my riding. Nestled between the Fraser River and the Pacif

The Budget  Madam Speaker, not only is there not a mention of salmon or action to be taken on salmon in the budget, there is no money in the budget to assist leaky condo owners with their huge repair bills and no money for extending the home renovation tax which was a popular program in my r

The Budget  Madam Speaker, the member mentions a number of very good issues: the pollock bycatch, the Japanese aquaculture and ocean warming. There are many issues that affect the west coast fishery. Unfortunately, Parliament was prorogued at the end of December and we have not, as a fisheri

The Budget  Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the member for Nanaimo—Cowichan for sharing her time with me this afternoon. As we know, today is International Women's Day, so I thought I would take a moment to tell the House about some of the incredible women in my riding. I am proud to s

Address in Reply  Mr. Speaker, the hon. member made some good points, however I find the lack of commitment to addressing seniors' poverty troubling. Since 1990, seniors' poverty in Canada has doubled and today nearly two million seniors live below the urban poverty line. Eight months ago hon. mem

Provincial Choice Tax Framework Act  Mr. Speaker, during the byelection, not only did I hear about the HST, I also heard about the collapse of the sockeye salmon and the call for a public inquiry into that matter. I welcome the judicial inquiry that has been called, however, there needs to be action on this importan

Provincial Choice Tax Framework Act  Mr. Speaker, this is a concern to all Canadians when decisions are made about harmonizing our tax and tax system. This question was brought up to me when I knocked on doors in New Westminster—Coquitlam and Port Moody. Where will this tax go and how will it help Canadians? I think

Provincial Choice Tax Framework Act  Mr. Speaker, this harmonized sales tax was not brought up during the provincial election at all. In fact, it was brought up months after the provincial election. There was absolutely no opportunity for people to provide their input. There was no consultation. However, in the loca

Provincial Choice Tax Framework Act  Mr. Speaker, I will be splitting my time with the member for Elmwood—Transcona. I rise today to speak against the HST. However, before I do, let me take a moment to say it is an honour for me to stand in the House of Commons, representing the communities of New Westminster, Coqu

The Environment  Mr. Speaker, this is a historic week in world history. Leaders from across the globe are converging on Copenhagen to discuss the state of our climate. The decisions we make today will be remembered, the impacts felt by generations to come. This government must step up and comm

Petitions  Madam Speaker, I rise today to present a petition that calls for an independent judicial inquiry into the salmon crisis. Nine million salmon disappeared this summer in the Fraser River. It is the lowest return in 50 years. Hundreds of people have spoken out and have signed this

Tax Harmonization  Mr. Speaker, why is the Conservative government trying to shut down debate on the HST? During the provincial election the Liberal government said it would not harmonize the provincial sales tax with the GST, and then months later did just that. Now the Conservative government wa

Salmon Fishery  Mr. Speaker, let us hope the government's promises on west coast salmon do not ring as hollow. Answering the call by New Democrats for an inquiry was a first good step, but we cannot just sit back and do nothing for the next 20 months. Problems with fish farms, sea lice and over

Tax Harmonization  Mr. Speaker, I just spent several months talking to seniors, students, families and small businesses. Their message was clear: tell the Conservative government that we do not want its HST. British Columbians, like all Canadians, are still trying to make their way through these to