Beth Phinney

[Diabetes, November 16th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, November is Diabetes Awareness Month. Approximately two million people in Canada are afflicted with diabetes. The majority of these people have type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes, where one's body does not know how to use the insulin it produces, is preventable. Despite this fact, it is one of the fastest growing diseases here at home and around the world. This is unacceptable.

This year the Government of Canada will be spending $30 million on a Canadian diabetes strategy. People need to be educated and aware of the things they can do today, right now, to prevent type 2 diabetes. Preventable measures include regular exercise and incorporating healthier food choices into one's diet. While these choices seem simple, thousands of people do not make them.

This month, I would like to encourage and challenge all Canadians, myself included, to integrate these measures into our daily lives. The small changes we make today can have dramatic and positive impacts on the future.

[Osteoporosis, November 5th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, November is Osteoporosis Awareness Month. Osteoporosis, currently affecting 1.4 million Canadians, is a disease that makes bones fragile and more likely to fracture. These fractures most commonly occur in the spine, hip and wrist. As a result, people affected by osteoporosis often require hospitalization and surgery.

Osteoporosis is referred to as the silent thief because no symptoms are apparent until a fracture occurs. Luckily, once diagnosed, there is a variety of drug treatments that will help prevent further loss of bone density. A diet rich in calcium and vitamin D is also recommended for treatment and prevention of this disease.

I would like to recognize the contribution of many charities including the Osteoporosis Society of Canada. These organizations strive to educate the public about the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, and to support individuals affected by this disease.

[Palliative Care, October 26th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to announce that the Dr. Bob Kemp Hospice of Hamilton is working to bring the first centre for hospice palliative care to the city of Hamilton. This will be the first such centre not only for my riding of Hamilton Mountain, but for the entire province of Ontario.

This centre will provide terminally ill individuals with emotional and spiritual support. By also providing hospice residential beds, it will make more hospital beds available to patients requiring active treatment. A bereavement program at the centre will help the family and friends of terminally ill individuals to cope with the loss and grief they experience.

I would also like to recognize the generosity of Iris Berryman of my riding of Hamilton Mountain for donating the land upon which this centre will be located. I wish the Dr. Bob Kemp Hospice of Hamilton good luck in completing this admirable project.

[Youth Justice, October 15th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, could the justice minister tell Canadians and this House the results of the most recent report on youth custody and community services?

[Millennium Excellence Award, October 15th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate three outstanding young Canadians from my riding of Hamilton Mountain, Carolyn Charters, Larissa Moscu and Meaghan Toth, for being awarded the millennium excellence award for the 2004-05 academic year.

The millennium excellence award program was designed to recognize the achievements of students entering college or university and to encourage academic excellence.

Carolyn, Larissa and Meaghan join another 913 students from across Canada who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in the areas of academics, community service, leadership and innovation.

I would like to wish all of these students the best of luck as they undertake their college and university studies. We look forward to hearing about their future accomplishments.

[Lupus Awareness Month, October 7th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, October is National Lupus Awareness Month. In recognition of this, I would like to remind the public and the members of this House of the devastating nature of this disease.

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that prompts the body to attack its own muscles, kidneys, joints, skin, brain, lungs or heart. Lupus is a potentially fatal disease for which no good diagnostic test exists.

It is estimated that lupus affects more than 50,000 Canadians, of which 90% are women and 20% are children.

I also want to recognize the courage of people with lupus, who must struggle with this disease, and the help provided by their families and friends as they do so.

Finally, I would like to thank the countless individuals and organizations that work toward improving the quality of life for those affected by lupus.

[McMaster Children's Hospital, May 11th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, on May 2 I had the pleasure of taking part in McMaster Children's Hospital Celebration 2004 in Hamilton.

McMaster Children's Hospital provides outstanding service and care for approximately 150,000 children every year. The 12th annual telethon raised $3.8 million that will be used toward establishing a neuromuscular and neurometabolic disease clinic. The funds raised will also provide the hospital with a neonatal echocardiography machine and ventilator.

This event would not have been realized without the support and involvement of those who generously donated their time and money. All participants should be proud of what they have accomplished.

I know that all the members will join me in applauding the efforts of the patients, staff, volunteers, corporations, and the Hamilton community for a successful telethon and celebration.

[Spirit of the Community Award, May 4th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate Jagoda Pike on being named this year's CH--Safe Communities “Spirit of the Community” award winner.

The Safe Communities Foundation is a national non-profit organization that strives to make Canada the safest country in the world in which to live, work, learn and play. The Hamilton Safe Communities Coalition works with the community in order to develop and implement health and safety programs.

Among her many contributions, Jagoda was chair and president of the Bid Corporation that worked hard to bring the 2010 Commonwealth Games to Hamilton. She is also the current publisher of the Hamilton Spectator newspaper.

I am proud to acknowledge and congratulate the CH--Safe Communities “Spirit of the Community Award” winner, Jagoda Pike.

[Mohawk College, March 30th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, recently Mohawk College, on Hamilton Mountain, officially installed MaryLynn West-Moynes as the school's sixth president.

Ms. West-Moynes is focused, committed and forward thinking. She believes in the excellence and growth of Mohawk College, its academic programs and its students.

Mohawk College employs 814 full time staff that facilitate the 9,600 full time post-secondary students and 40,000 continuing education students enrolled. Mohawk College is the largest in-school apprenticeship trainer in the province, with more than 3,000 registered in skilled trades programs.

I wish to extend to Ms. West-Moynes best wishes for success in her role as president and to offer her our continuing support for the next few years.

[Contraventions Act, February 24th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, I will be voting against this motion.