Carmen Provenzano

[Employment Insurance Program, March 31st, 2004]

I wish to be recorded in favour of the motion.

(The House divided on the motion, which was defeated on the following division:)

[Algoma Steel, February 16th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, there are not many good news stories in the Canadian steel industry. However, I am happy to report to the House that Algoma Steel Inc., which was recently restructured with the help of $50 million in loan guarantees from the federal government, is just that: a good news story.

The largest employer in the Soo, Algoma Steel Inc. reported this month a net income of $10.1 million for the three months ending December 31, 2003, or 33¢ per share. Algoma Steel is now on its way to sustained profitability.

On another high note, the share value of Algoma Steel on the Toronto Stock Exchange has grown to more than eight times its share value in June 2003. This latest financial news for Algoma has uplifted the spirits of our community, which is grateful for our government's participation in the restructuring of Sault Ste. Marie's main economic engine.

I would like to congratulate the board of directors for Algoma Steel Inc., its president, Denis Turcotte, and all of Algoma's employees for this amazing turn of events at one of Canada's largest steelmakers.

[Raymond Schryer, November 3rd, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, Raymond Schryer is a violin maker par excellence. His shop is on St. Joseph Island near Sault Ste. Marie.

On October 5, 2003, a cello crafted by him won the gold medal at the Antonio Stradivari International Competition in Cremona, Italy. The medal carries with it a prize of 15,000 Euro and the honour of having the cello on permanent exhibition.

To appreciate the significance of this award, we should understand Cremona's important place in the history of violin making. This city is the birthplace of renowned violin maker Antonio Stradivari and is known worldwide as the “City of Violins”.

Raymond Schryer is the very first Canadian to win a gold medal at this very prestigious competition. It is his second international gold medal win for cello within the past year and only some of a long list of his achievements in violin making.

My colleague, the member of Parliament for Algoma--Manitoulin, joins me with enthusiasm in this tribute to Raymond Schryer for his award winning achievements.

We say bravo to Raymond.

[Aboriginal Affairs, October 3rd, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, we know that skills development and learning are crucial to an individual's success and to Canada's labour market and economy as a whole.

The government has made skills and learning a priority and Canada's labour market performance shows the positive results of this approach.

However, aboriginal people, especially in remote and northern regions, do not have the same opportunities for skills development or employment as other Canadians.

Will the Minister of Human Resources Development tell the House what the government is doing to help aboriginal Canadians develop the skills they need for the workforce and to participate in economic opportunities?

[Government of Ontario, October 3rd, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, it has been 67 years since a Liberal was elected to represent my riding of Sault Ste. Marie in the Ontario legislature. Yesterday history was made in Sault Ste. Marie when David Orazietti, the Liberal candidate, won a decisive victory over his NDP rival.

I wish to offer my congratulations to David Orazietti, the new MPP for Sault Ste. Marie, and Dalton McGuinty, our new premier, and to the Ontario Liberal Party for these landslide victories. The citizens of the Soo and across Ontario have chosen change. They have chosen a path to better health care and better education. In Sault Ste. Marie they have rejected the politics of negativism and fear.

I look forward with enthusiasm to working with David Orazietti, Dalton McGuinty and our new Liberal government for the betterment of our province and particularly for the betterment of our fine community of Sault Ste. Marie.

[Algoma Steel Inc., October 1st, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, in December 2001 the Government of Canada contributed $50 million in loan guarantees as part of the financial restructuring of Algoma Steel in my riding of Sault Ste. Marie.

Will the Secretary of State for Rural Development and Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario confirm that Algoma Steel has satisfied all of the conditions of this guarantee and any obligations of the Canadian government respecting this guarantee have now expired?

[National day of mourning, April 29th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, each year many Canadian workers are killed or injured on the job.

I know I express the sentiments of the House in extending our deepest sympathies to all those workers who are victims of workplace accidents, and to their families and friends.

In 1990 the Government of Canada passed the Workers Mourning Day Act which established an official day observed each year to commemorate the victims of workplace accidents. The intent of the legislation is to make all Canadians aware of the importance of workplace safety and to underline the necessity of taking all measures to prevent workplace injury and death.

Yesterday, April 28, representatives of labour and employee unions and groups, employers and community leaders gathered on the grounds of the United Steelworkers Hall on Denis Street in my riding of Sault Ste. Marie and in locations all across the country to commemorate Canada's National Day of Mourning.

I say to my colleagues and fellow Canadians that we must always be mindful of our collective responsibilities regarding the safety and health of Canadian workers.

[Steel Industry, April 11th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, our government has long been a strong supporter of the Canadian steel industry. That is why the government, with the support of the industry, initiated action before the Canadian International Trade Tribunal for safeguards to protect Canadian steel producers and steelworkers from the market distorting effects of unfairly traded offshore steel.

The government is well aware of the serious damage caused to the Canadian steel industry by these distortions. The government is also aware of even greater surges in recent months of offshore steel imports which are now at critical levels.

Representatives of the United Steelworkers of America are in Ottawa this week to add their voice to the call of the Canadian steel producers for immediate government action in the form of imposition of adequate tariffs on a wide range of steel products against a number of offending countries, specifically excluding United States steel producers.

We stress the need for the government to continue its strong support of the industry and for this action to be taken now.

[Agriculture, March 28th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. In light of the release of the Harbinson report, will the minister please inform the House what Canada's position is with respect to supply management?

[Budget 2003, February 26th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, there is so much good news in budget 2003. Billions of dollars have been committed to increased spending in health care, social programs, municipal infrastructure and other important areas, all within the framework of a balanced budget.

What is amazing is that this new spending is occurring at the same time as the largest tax cut in Canada's history. The $100 billion five year reduction plan is being implemented. By the end of 2005 the average income Canadian will enjoy a 21% reduction in personal income taxes.

When this budget is considered in light of the government's firm commitments to balanced budgets and debt reduction, and the unprecedented cuts to personal income taxes, Canadians should view the future with optimism.

When the response to a new budget is delivered to an equal chorus of too much and not enough, the government has probably achieved the balance it seeks in its fiscal programs.

I congratulate the Prime Minister, the Minister of Finance, the former minister of finance and the entire cabinet for this historic achievement.