Raymond Bonin

[Semaine Nationale De La Francophonie, March 16th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, today the Government of Canada is inaugurating the Semaine nationale de la francophonie.

We affirm Canada's linguistic duality and note that there are over one million francophones living in provinces other than Quebec.

The Semaine nationale de la francophonie is also an occasion to reaffirm that the Canadian government has primary responsibility for promoting the official languages in its points of service throughout Canada.

Canada plays a major role in the French-speaking world, taking part in the decisions of institutions as important as the Francophone Summit, including the one to be held in Moncton in 1999.

Canada will continue to assume its leadership role with respect to la francophonie internationally. It is well aware of the challenges awaiting us in the new millennium with respect to the principle of freedom to express oneself in both official languages in Canada.

[The Budget, February 25th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, the Canadian government wants to create jobs for young people.

The finance minister's budget announced tax relief for those hiring young people. This measure was favourably received by young people looking for a job and wanting to get off to a good start in life.

This measure is part of a strategy to support youth employment. It consists of eliminating employment insurance premiums for employers who hire young people between the ages of 18 and 24, effective January 1999.

This age group is particularly vulnerable to more difficult economic situations. We hope this measure will put an end to the vicious cycle of young people unable to find work because they lack experience that they cannot acquire until they find work.

[Mining, October 23rd, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the mining industry's continued support to community development throughout Canada.

Last week Falconbridge Limited pledged a $360,000 donation to the Cambrian College Special Needs Regional Resource Centre in the region of Sudbury. In turn, the membership of Mine, Mill and Smelter Workers CAW Local 598 pledged an additional $10,000 and the United Steel Workers of America Local 6855 pledged $3,000 to the centre.

The special needs centre is a world class institution that provides students with disabilities the tools and skills to reach their full academic and employment potential.

The generosity of the Falconbridge nickel mines and its employees clearly demonstrates their commitment to the community. We thank them and applaud them.

[Petitions, October 10th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, I have two petitions from my constituents asking the minister responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation to immediately suspend negotiations on social housing with the province of Ontario and to resume negotiations only if the minister proceeds under publicly declared principles established with the input of co-operative housing stakeholders.

[Committees Of The House, April 8th, 1997]

Madam Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the seventh report of the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development.

Pursuant to its order of reference dated February 19, 1997, your committee has adopted Bill C-79, an act to permit certain modifications to the application of the Indian Act to bands that desire them and has agreed to report it as amended.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank and commend all members from all sides for the work they have done on that committee.

[Petitions, March 21st, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, I have a petition to remove the federal sales tax from books, magazines and newspapers.

[Petitions, March 21st, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, I have a petition to make our national highway system upgrading possible beginning in 1997.

[Petitions, March 21st, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, I have a petition in which the petitioners request that Parliament not increase the federal excise tax on gasoline.

[Petitions, March 21st, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, I have the privilege of presenting petitions on behalf of my electorate. In the first petition the petitioners request that Parliament change the law to make the purchasing of airbags optional when purchasing a new automobile or truck.

[Hockey, March 21st, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, on last Wednesday we fought the annual page-MP hockey challenge. I wish to announce that the MPs have dropped their protest and assault charges against the pages. The MP team concedes that the winners of the game are the pages. The score was pages 7 andMPs 6.

We congratulate the pages and we thank them for organizing a fun evening. We also thank the fans who provided the moral support and entertainment between periods.

I would not want to end this statement before recognizing a key figure in the page victory, the referee, our hon. colleague, the government whip.