Liza Frulla

[Mental Health Week, May 7th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to inform the House that, in addition to May being Multiple Sclerosis Month, this is Mental Health Week. I take this opportunity to acknowledge the exceptional work accomplished by the professionals at the Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction at the Douglas Hospital in Verdun, in my riding, and in particular, the work of its scientific director, Dr. Rémi Quirion.

It is also worth mentioning that one Canadian in five will be personally affected by mental illness, and the costs of such illness are estimated at $14 billion. In order to mark the occasion, the Canadian Mental Health Association, the INMHA and the Canadian Institutes for Health Research have organized an art exhibition here, in Room 200 of the West Block.

This is a wonderful project and I invite all parliamentarians to support this exhibit.

[Quebec General Election, April 30th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to remind the House that Jean Charest officially became the Premier of Quebec yesterday, during a ceremony in the National Assembly's Red Room. The new premier then proceeded to introduce and administer the oath of office to the 25 members of his cabinet.

In the speech he made at the ceremony, he expressed his view that the red wave that swept across Quebec on April 14 signifies a new kind of government for Quebeckers.

In fact, I was pleasantly surprised to see that eight, or one third, of the new cabinet's members were women. This is the highest percentage in Quebec's history. It is not perfect, but it is a good start.

I want to single out Françoise Gauthier, the member for Jonquière, who is the first women in the history of Quebec to be named Minister of Agriculture.

I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Mr. Charest and his new government and wishing them good luck.

[Comité des jeunes de Rosemont, March 20th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, there is nothing fawning about my motion.

As the Liberal member responsible for the riding of Rosemont—Petite-Patrie, I am pleased today to highlight the 50th anniversary of the Comité des jeunes de Rosemont, a hockey organization that does exceptional work with young people.

For half a century, thousands of volunteers have allowed more than 15,000 young people to participate in their favourite sport. Indeed, these volunteers have allowed people to make their mark in national and international hockey. Pierre Lacroix, Michel Bergeron, Richard Sévigny, and even Caroline Ouellet, of the national women's hockey team, are but a few.

In closing, I cannot neglect to mention the involvement of the founding president, Mr. Jean Trottier, whose dedication has been an extraordinary source of inspiration for the next generation.

Thanks to all the volunteers, and long live the Comité des jeunes de Rosemont.

[Michaëlle Jean, February 14th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, February is Black History Month. It is a time for Canadians to become aware of an aspect of their history and familiar with some exemplary people.

In this respect, Michaëlle Jean, an award-winning reporter, host and energetic filmmaker, is a model for young women in the journalistic and cinematographic fields. She was the first Black woman to be appointed anchor at the Société Radio-Canada. Today, we can see her each week hosting The Passionate Eye , Rough Cuts and Grands reportages , among other things.

Ms. Jean joined Radio-Canada in 1988, serving as a reporter for Actuel , then the public affairs news show Montréal ce soir and Virages , and the national and international affairs program Le Point .

She has dealt with challenging themes and received many prizes for her efforts, including an Amnesty International Journalism Award in 1995 and a Galaxi Award for best information program host.

Michaëlle Jean is the kind of person who can truly inspire us as women.

[Marcel Desjardins, February 11th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I rise today to announce to the House that Marcel Desjardins, vice president and deputy editor of La Presse , died yesterday of a heart attack.

Over his career, Mr. Desjardins contributed to Le Droit , Radio-Canada, Montréal-Matin , and La Presse . Everyone agreed that he displayed exceptional skills that made him a key player on the team and also a role model for the entire journalism community.

The media world is in shock. My colleagues join me in offering our sincere condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.

[Violence Against Women, December 4th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, today is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women . This is, first of all, a day to commemorate an act of hate and violence against women. But violence against women did not start with the death of 14 women at École Polytechnique in Montreal, and unfortunately did not end there either.

Violence against women knows no boundaries and often deprives its victims of the ability to speak up or stand up for themselves. Some women experience it daily and fear for their lives and that of their children and family members. Others, like more than 60 women from Vancouver's downtown east side, have simply gone missing, because someone thought that they did not matter or would not be missed.

We are all human beings, regardless of our social standing, race, religion or gender, and all lives are precious. We must all ensure that women are never alone or forgotten, especially on this National Day—

[ADISQ Gala, October 28th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, last night, the 24th annual ADISQ Gala awards took place. Once again, the event was a great success. The audience and television viewers enjoyed the top-notch show masterfully hosted by Guy A. Lepage and the diverse talent being showcased by our artists.

Canada's French language recording industry is overflowing with talented performers and writers. This was clearly reflected in the calibre of the nominees. A few examples include Garou, Isabelle Boulay and Daniel Bélanger, who were chosen as performers of the year by the general public, not to mention the special tribute award that went to Plume Latraverse.

My colleagues join me in congratulating all of the artists who went home with a Félix, as well as all the nominees.

I would also like to highlight the excellent professional work done by the Association québécoise de l'industrie du disque, du spectacle et de la vidéo in putting the gala together.

The Government of Canada is proud of its contribution to the music industry, including establishing the Canada Music Fund, an initiative whereby the federal government will invest $81 million over three years and to strengthen the Canadian sound recording industry, “from creator to audience”. The fund—

[Health Care, June 11th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, let us talk about the number one priority of all Canadians, the health care system.

We know how the shortage of doctors is affecting the health system all across Canada, particularly in remote areas.

Obviously members opposite do not care.

Could the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration tell us what new measures were taken by the government to speed up the immigration process of new doctors who want to practice in Canada?