Multiple Sclerosis  Mr. Speaker, the Multiple Sclerosis Society and those suffering from MS are calling for greater government support for research, including the CIHR, on the cause and cure for this debilitating disease, and help for those with MS. Why is this relevant to me as a member of Parliam

Criminal Code  Mr. Speaker, the member for Vancouver Kingsway made an incredibly cogent, thoughtful and fact-based speech. He certainly made a strong case as I know there were strong cases made during committee. Does the member think it is rather disrespectful that the bill was brought forwar

Petitions  Mr. Speaker, I am rising to present a petition from residents of British Columbia, Ontario and Alberta. They are calling for the members of the House to support Bill C-466. They are concerned that the rising use of vehicles is increasing climate change and reducing air quality i

Petitions  Mr. Speaker, I am tabling today in the House a petition from Canadians across the country asking the government to restore the funding for KAIROS. This is a Canadian ecumenical justice initiatives group that has done outstanding work for the last 40 years around the world, and th

Petitions  Mr. Speaker, the second petition calls for the ban of the cosmetic use of chemical pesticides. A number of members in the House have called for such action. The petitioners call on the House of Commons to enact legislation for an immediate federal moratorium on the cosmetic use o

Petitions  Mr. Speaker, my third petition is a call to enact a Canadian environmental bill of rights. This of course warms my heart because this is my bill. It will come up for debate this week in the House. In essence, the bill would make clear that the government has a responsibility to C

The Environment  Mr. Speaker, in the spring 2010 audit, the Auditor General criticized both INAC and Environment Canada for failing to deliver on their duties to monitor cumulative environmental impacts in the Northwest Territories. She also reported INAC's failure to monitor compliance with fede

Climate Change Accountability Act  Madam Speaker, first of all, I would like to congratulate the member for Thunder Bay—Superior North for his incredible persistence and his eloquence today in the House. I applaud him for his very cogent final speech on the bill. It certainly has touched me. He raised the issue t

Balanced Refugee Reform Act  Mr. Speaker, those are all excellent questions. I look forward to those issues being discussed during the review of the bill in committee. Indeed, I would welcome the minister bringing them to the international scene and coming to grip with the issue of environmental refugees.

Balanced Refugee Reform Act  Mr. Speaker, I always welcome comments by the member for Yukon. I look forward to getting back to his jurisdiction one day for a visit. It is a beautiful place. Process is everything. If there was a request for this bill to be fully reviewed, it is most regrettable that there ar

Balanced Refugee Reform Act  Mr. Speaker, I am looking forward to providing some brief comments on this bill, but I will be sharing my time with my colleague, the member for Sault Ste. Marie. I look forward to hearing his comments, which I know will be very cogent and critical to this debate. I have to say

Balanced Refugee Reform Act  Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the hon. member a specific question about section 109.1. We have discussed a fair bit in the House the fact that the definition of designated countries is to be determined by regulation. I read this provision backwards and forwards and I am still

Balanced Refugee Reform Act  Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the member for his very clear and cogent comments on this bill. I would like to ask the same question of the member that I have asked of other members who have spoken on this bill, and that is along the lines of the way the government has des

Balanced Refugee Reform Act  Madam Speaker, the member raised a very important point. I have worked with a number of countries helping them develop their regulatory regime, particularly in the environment field. One of the methods I have encouraged them to follow, which I found useful in a number of jurisdic

Balanced Refugee Reform Act  Madam Speaker, when the minister tabled his bill, he described how we needed to make these amendments to ensure the process was fast and fair. I would suggest that it is probably more appropriate to say that it would be timely and just. I wonder if the member could speak to that