Beth Phinney

[Canada Labour Code, June 3rd, 2002]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-471, an act to amend the Canada Labour Code (defibrillators in the work place).

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to present my private member's bill, an act to amend the Canada Labour Code (defibrillators in the work place) to the House today, seconded by the hon. member for Pierrefonds--Dollard. The bill complements myprivate member's bill introduced last year, Bill C-215, dealing with defibrillators on airplanes.

A person suffering from sudden cardiac arrest has a 70% chance of survival if he or she can be treated within four minutes. The bill would ensure that all major public buildings would have defibrillators installed in them and staff trained in using them in the unfortunate case of someone suffering from a heart attack. I am pleased to state that the Greater Toronto Airports Authority has just announced the installation of 75 automated external defibrillators throughout the airport's three terminals.

Installation of defibrillators in all major public buildings has the potential of saving thousands of lives a year. I hope all members will support the bill when it comes to the House.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

[Hamilton Professional Firefighters Association, June 3rd, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I wish to congratulate the Hamilton Professional Firefighters Association. It has raised $7,000 toward the education of an eight year old girl in India, Soni Alam.

The firefighters first met Soni a year ago when she came from India for surgery and physiotherapy at Hamilton's St. Joseph's Hospital. Suffering from severe burns on her arms, chest and face, Soni had spent several months suffering from the effects of her injuries as there was no treatment available to her in her home village in India.

The firefighters association raised enough money to pay for her education at a private boarding school when she returned. She has completed seven months of her education and is doing very well.

I extend my thanks to our firefighters.

[Africa, May 7th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, last weekend in Montreal the Minister for International Cooperation hosted a forum on African development.

Could the minister inform us about what was discussed at the conference? What is Canada doing to ensure that all parties are given the opportunity to participate in the important development process of the new partnership for African development?

[Committees of the House, May 1st, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 17th report of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade. The Sub-committee on Human Rights and International Development held hearings on the human rights situation in Zimbabwe and prepared this resolution as a result of the testimony received.

[Look Good Feel Better, May 1st, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, last week was National Volunteer Week in Canada, a chance to recognize and honour those individuals whose contributions make our communities better places to live. Many volunteer organizations took this opportunity to honour their volunteers and highlight the good work they are doing.

Look Good Feel Better was one group in Hamilton which did exactly that. Celebrating its 10th anniversary nationally and 7 years of service locally, Look Good Feel Better provides a unique service to women in the acute stages of cancer therapy. Volunteer hair and wig specialists and cosmeticians give women practical advice and demonstrations on how to manage the appearance effects of radiation and chemotherapy treatments. Since 1992 Look Good Feel Better has assisted over 350,000 women suffering from cancer. The program operates on the philosophy that looking good on the outside can help cancer sufferers feel better on the inside.

On behalf of all the women they have helped and the residents of Hamilton Mountain, I thank the group and its volunteers for their time and service.

[Multiple Sclerosis, April 24th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate the citizens of Hamilton for raising $220,000 for the Multiple Sclerosis Society last weekend.

Last Saturday morning more than 1,300 people gathered at St. Thomas More High School in Hamilton and Salt Fleet High School in Stoney Creek for the 11th annual Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada super cities walk.

Multiple sclerosis is a disease which attacks the central nervous system, causing inflammation and destruction of the protective covering around the spinal cord and brain. Canada has one of the highest rates of MS in the world with one out of every 500 Canadians suffering from the disease. Every day three more people in Canada are diagnosed with MS.

We do not yet know what causes this unpredictable disease. The money raised this weekend by Hamiltonians as well as other Canadians in 140 communities across the country taking part in the super cities walk will go to research and support services for MS sufferers and their families.

I wish to thank all the participants of the walk for their contributions and help.

[International Development, April 23rd, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Finance.

Many less developed countries in the world are strapped with huge debts that they find themselves unable to repay.

Could the minister please comment on what Canada and the G-7 are doing to help eliminate third world debt?

[Christine Hamilton, March 18th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I want to pay tribute to Christine Hamilton, a dynamic woman and beloved resident of the city of Hamilton.

Christine passed away recently just a month shy of her 81st birthday. Working with senior citizens, she saw the good and the bad sides of growing old. However, she was convinced that old age did not mean the end of life. Beginning with the establishment of a senior's choir in 1979, Christine built her group into a musical comedy known as the Geritol Follies. Immensely popular in our city and far beyond, they have brought smiles and laughter everywhere they have gone.

Christine Hamilton was a bright spirit and an inspiration to many seniors and residents of the city of Hamilton. Her commitment, creativity and, most of all, sense of humour will be missed. We know that the Geritol Follies will continue performing and in doing so will honour her dream, her life and her contribution to the city and citizens of Hamilton.

[International Women's Day, March 1st, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, March 8 is International Women's Day. It is a day when women around the world, despite divisions of ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic and political issues, come together and celebrate. They celebrate women as makers of history and their achievements for women's equality worldwide.

Women who are single mothers, women who have chosen non-traditional careers, and women who inspire young girls to break gender stereotypes are being honoured. Theatre productions, art shows and musical presentations will showcase female Canadian talent from coast to coast to coast.

Many Canadians will celebrate International Women's Week at these and other unique and exciting venues. They will be showing how proud we are of women's achievements both present and past.

I strongly encourage my fellow hon. members to seek out and participate in these activities. We should take pride in the diversity of accomplishments big and small, national and international, that Canadian women have attained.

[Black History Month, February 21st, 2002]

Madam Speaker, the Reverend John C. Holland Awards were recently held in Hamilton to mark the beginning of Black History Month. I congratulate the recipients honoured at the awards dinner.

Both Norma Rookwood and the Stewart Memorial Church were recognized for their efforts in preserving and promoting black history in Hamilton. Brock University professor Dr. Sybil E. Wilson was honoured for professional achievement in her field of education.

Tanya Charles, concertmaster for the Hamilton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, received the Youth Achievement Award and Jeremy Shand was awarded the Educational Bursary of $1,000 toward his multimedia studies at Humber College.

I am sure all the hon. members will join me in congratulating the winners for their achievements and for their contribution to the Hamilton community.