Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, with all due respect, I think the point about hierarchy has been misunderstood by the hon. member. I simply raise it as a way to point him to the logical conclusion of where the motion would lead. Certainly the promotion of religious freedom is important. I do not

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, there is an interesting editorial piece in one of the national papers today. It is written by Bruce Ryder and Luka Ryder-Bunting. Bruce Ryder is an associate professor at Osgoode Hall Law School. He is a noted authority on such issues. Let me point to what he says. H

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak to this government's commitment to human rights. The promotion and protection of human rights is central to our government's foreign policy. Canada's fundamental approach to human rights is that all human rights are interdependent, universal, an

Greek Independence Day  Mr. Speaker, today I am pleased to stand to recognize Greek Independence Day, which takes place on March 25. Canada is home to more than 250,000 Canadians of Greek heritage. As the son of Greek immigrants, I am extremely proud to call myself a member of this vibrant community.

Citizenship Act  Mr. Speaker, the member ought to look again, because the Prime Minister has said that Canadian identity is based around fundamental values: freedom, tolerance, and democracy. This is what Canada is about. I would go one step further and remind my hon. colleague, since he is app

Citizenship Act  Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity, and I thank my hon. colleague. My private member's bill, Bill C-242, proposes an addition to the Criminal Code of a charge of inflicting torture. We do have a charge on the books now as it stands in our Criminal Code, which is a torture

Citizenship Act  Mr. Speaker, in this party we believe in public consultation. The Minister of Finance, along with the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance carried out many consultations throughout the country. Individual MPs, including me and my colleagues around me, carried out th

Citizenship Act  Mr. Speaker, it is a great honour and pleasure to rise in the House today to speak about the government's plan to repeal provisions in the Citizenship Act. As this is a concern relating to citizenship, which is so central to Canadian identity, and matters of immigration, which ar

Criminal Code  moved for leave to introduce Bill C-242, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (inflicting torture). Mr. Speaker, today I rise to table my private member's bill, an act to amend the Criminal Code, inflicting torture. Article 5 of the UN Declaration of Human Rights states, “No one

Joan Smith  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a remarkable woman, Mrs. Joan Smith, a political and philanthropic trailblazer and a London, Ontario icon, who passed away earlier this month at the age of 88. Joan was a former Ontario MPP and the first female solicitor in the provinc

Small Business  Mr. Speaker, in my riding of London North Centre, small businesses are central to the economy. Many small business owners tell me it is very difficult to be competitive as unlocking new markets to move their goods and services is not an easy task. Would the Minister of Internati

Bethanys Hope Foundation  Mr. Speaker, as I rise to address the House for the first time, I must express my sincere gratitude to the residents of London North Centre. I am extremely humbled that they have entrusted me to be their member of Parliament. In my riding, the Bethanys Hope Foundation is celebra