Health Canada: getting out of the business of health protection?
As a member of the House of Commons Health Committee, I have often marvelled at the sheer weight of lobbying and political influence that gets mounted by very powerful interests in the healthcare industry. There is simply no equal to the pharmaceutical industry in the scope of its activity and the depth of its pockets […]
The lost decade: Paul Martin’s record on the environment
Prime Minister Paul Martin, who is proudly trying to present to Canadians a “new agenda of change and achievement,” seems to be suffering from an acute case of selective amnesia. Although he presents his government as new, his environmental agenda and achievements are old and tired. If actions speak louder than words, Paul Martin’s actions […]
Kyoto Protocol is dead in 2004: Conservative MP Bob Mills
Anyone who thinks the Kyoto Accord still matters in 2004 is dreaming. The treaty is dying before our eyes, which is exactly the fate it deserves. And no matter what he says, Paul Martin knows it too. Not convinced? Consider some of the recent Kyoto news. The European Union, Kyoto’s biggest supporter, admitted in December […]
New government should pull fiscal levers to safeguard Canada’s natural capital, the foundation of our prosperity: NRTEE
New Prime Minister, new Cabinet, new priorities — this is an excellent opportunity to finally recognize that the environment — our natural capital — should be nurtured in the coming federal budget as surely as we use the annual financial plan to strengthen the other pillars of our economy. Natural capital consists of the environmental […]
New PM Martin has ‘dramatically’ expanded environment portfolio, says Environment Minister David Anderson
Prime Minister Paul Martin has “dramatically” expanded the environment portfolio to include Parks Canada, the Minister of State for Infrastructure, the Canada Lands Company, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, and Queen’s Quay, says Environment Minister David Anderson, who points out that he will also be working more closely with Scott Brison, the new Parliamentary […]
Large innovation gap persists between Canada and U.S.
Though the Canadian economy remains one of the fastest-growing in the G8, a large “innovation gap” continues to exist between Canada and its biggest trading partner south of the border, says Canada’s new Industry Minister Lucienne Robillard. The new minister, who last month replaced Allan Rock who was appointed Canada’s ambassador to the United Nations, […]
An open letter to new Industry Minister Robillard
Dear Madame Minister: Congratulations on your appointment as the Minister of Industry. You should be especially proud to be the first woman to hold the position. I would like to take this opportunity to offer you some thoughts concerning your new portfolio. Outstanding House Business There are currently three bills in the mix. The first […]
Justice system contributes to new confidence: Minister Cauchon
Recently, a reporter asked me a simple question: What was the most important issue that I had dealt with since I had the honour of becoming Justice Minister and Attorney-General in January of 2002. The answer is far from easy. I may be tempted to respond with the obvious. After all, the government’s decision to […]
Paul Martin, architect of social inequality? Yes, says MP Davies
VANCOUVER EAST, B.C.–The same day Paul Martin became leader of the Liberal Party of Canada and the next Prime Minister, I held a townhall meeting in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside in my riding of Vancouver East to discuss the looming impacts of some very nasty welfare cuts in B.C. Paul Martin was very much on our […]
Canadian taxpayers deserve fair and honest EI program
PORTAGE-LISGAR, MAN.–The new Liberal leader owes a lot to working Canadians; modest calculations put the bill up around $45-billion. As finance minister, Paul Martin kept EI premiums unnecessarily high and used the excess to create the false impression of balancing the books. In fact, 70 per cent of the so-called budgetary surplus in the past […]
