Federal Accountability Act  Mr. Speaker, my comments are that the bill comes from a minister who himself was responsible for $500 million of boondoggle. He brings in an accountability act, which is very selective and does not have enough teeth. If it goes to committee and comes forth with definite changes i

Federal Accountability Act  Mr. Speaker, when anyone says that accountability comes to an end when the context is not there, it is not fair. Basically nothing ends; it is an evolving process. We put in many measures, and we will work with the government on those measures that will extend, for example, the

Federal Accountability Act  Mr. Speaker, I wish to address the government's first bill introduced in the 39th Parliament, Bill C-2, the federal accountability act. It is in the interests of all Canadians to ensure that the federal government is accountable. As an accountant by trade, the people of Don Valle

2006 Commonwealth Games  Mr. Speaker, I would like to pay a special tribute to a young athlete who lives in my riding of Don Valley East. Ms. Brittnee Habbib is a senior high performance gymnast who, at the age of 17, has already compiled a long list of impressive accomplishments. Brittnee trains six ho

Resumption of debate on Address in Reply  Mr. Speaker, when the Liberal government took power, it inherited a bankrupt country because, in good fiscal times, the Conservatives did not know how to manage the economy. People were desperate. Interest rates were at their highest. There were 20% interest rates and unemploymen

Resumption of debate on Address in Reply  Mr. Speaker, I will reiterate that when a country is bankrupt, it has to look at what is important for the people. The social welfare of the people is extremely important. The Liberals inherited a bankrupt country. The World Bank and everyone else said that we were a third world

Resumption of debate on Address in Reply  Mr. Speaker, as this is my first opportunity to speak in this new session of Parliament, I would like to begin by expressing my gratitude to my constituents of Don Valley East for re-electing me as their federal representative in Ottawa. I also ask my volunteers to please accept

Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply  Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate you on your new position. I would like to thank my esteemed colleague for his insight into how thin the Speech from the Throne is and how it does not really have any new ideas. However, I would like to focus on accountability. How can a

Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply  My question for the member is this. What were the things that were put in by the previous government on which the new government can capitalize?

Resumption of debate on Address in Reply  Mr. Speaker, I welcome the hon. member into this august House. It is interesting to note that he talked about accountability, yet in the accountability act proposed by the Prime Minister, in fact the Auditor General has the most powers and the crown corporations too. It is ver

Resumption of debate on Address in Reply  Yes, to feather his own nest, Mr. Speaker. He appointed him to the Senate and then lo and behold appointed him as the Minister of Public Works. He has allowed his previous MPs--

Resumption of debate on Address in Reply  A lack of accountability, Mr. Speaker. He has allowed his previous MPs to become members of the Privy Council and lobbyists. He has allowed former employees of the Conservative caucus to become lobbyists. How does he justify to his constituents that accountability on that side o

Resumption of debate on Address in Reply  Mr. Speaker, congratulations on your new position. I would like to thank my hon. colleague for her very insightful review of the Speech from the Throne and for noting that there is a total lack of vision, that there is no protection for the low and the middle income and that it

Resumption of debate on Address in Reply  Mr. Speaker, I congratulate you on your appointment. The throne speech, as the hon. member has said, was very light. It was light on details, light on vision and light considering that only one-third of Canadians voted for the Conservative government. Perhaps that is the reason

Association of Women of India in Canada  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in this House today to recognize a very special organization that has made a tremendous impact on the local community in my riding of Don Valley East. For almost 30 years, AWIC Community and Social Services has provided support to families who h