Tony Tirabassi

[Volunteers, April 26th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, today marks the beginning of Global Youth Service Day celebrations. From April 26 to April 28 youth volunteers will be busy conducting food drives and car washes, among a wide range of other volunteer activities.

This day celebrates, recognizes and mobilizes youth volunteers and is celebrated by 32 international organizations in over 100 nations. It falls during Canada's National Volunteer Week which offers us a special opportunity to shine a spotlight on the spirit and energy of Canada's youth.

Of the 6.5 million volunteers in Canada 29% are youth between the ages of 15 and 24 who contribute an average of 130 hours each year to important causes like education, social services, arts, culture and recreation. Global Youth Service Day allows us to recognize these important contributions.

I invite the House to join me in applauding the efforts of our young people in making a difference in communities across Canada.

[Health, April 19th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, statistics released recently show that the need for organ transplants in Canada continues to grow. Almost 4,000 Canadians are currently waiting for an organ transplant and that is a 100% increase compared to a decade ago. While the need for organ and tissue donation has increased, the number of donors is simply not keeping pace.

Could the Minister of Health inform the House what steps are being taken to alter this trend and address the difficult issues surrounding organ and tissue donation?

[Canadian Heritage, April 12th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage.

Canada's paralympic and olympic athletes made all Canadians proud with their performances at the recent Paralympic and Olympic Games which were held in Salt Lake City. How does the Minister of Canadian Heritage plan to honour these fine Canadian athletes?

[Petitions, March 22nd, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present a petition signed by the residents of my riding of Niagara Centre as well as other areas in Ontario asking that the criminal code be amended to ensure that corporate executives and directors are held properly accountable for workplace safety so that needless work related deaths, illnesses and injuries are prevented.

The petitioners also point out that a number of workplace deaths and work related permanent disabilities among Canadian youth is alarmingly high and unacceptable.

[Literary Awards, March 12th, 2002]

Madam Speaker, on March 5 the Writers' Trust of Canada handed out more than $75,000 in prizes at the first Great Literary Awards. The Great Literary Awards is one of the richest awards galas in Canada with prizes ranging from $1,000 to $20,000. Established well known writers, those just starting out, and some not yet published were honoured.

Norman Levine received $20,000 for the Matt Cohen Award; Elizabeth Hay received $15,000 for the Marian Engel Award; Clark Blaise received $10,000 for the Pearson Writers' Trust Non-Fiction prize; Ken McGoogan received $10,000 for the Drainie Taylor Biography prize; Margaret Sweatman received $10,000 for the Rogers Writers' Trust Fiction prize; Kevin Armstrong received $10,000 for the Journey prize; and Alison Pick received $1,000 for the Bronwen Wallace Award.

I congratulate them and offer best wishes for their future literary works.

[Canadian Music Week, February 27th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I share in the celebration of our music industry. February 27 to March 3 is Canadian Music Week and every year the creators, broadcasters and entrepreneurs involved in our music industry get together to share visions, celebrate successes and lay the groundwork for addressing the new challenges they face.

For many, names like Alanis Morissette, Marie-Jo Thério, Barenaked Ladies, Céline Dion, Nickelback, Sarah McLachlan, Garou and other superstars define Canadian music. Canadian music as a whole is a great success story with Canadian songwriters and musicians from all corners of the country playing an important role capturing and reflecting the diverse Canadian experience.

I congratulate all participants in Canadian Music Week. Let us not forget that now more than ever it is important that all Canadians support our Canadian musicians by enjoying their music.

[Veterans Affairs, February 22nd, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, in the government's ongoing recognition of the invaluable role made by Canada's armed forces personnel, will the Minister of Veterans Affairs tell the House what Veterans Affairs Canada has done to address the needs of its Canadian forces' clients and their families, particularly those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder as outlined in the military ombudsman's report on PTSD?

[Health, February 18th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Health. As we all know, smoking is addictive and can result in serious health problems. Among young adult university and college students 40% are smokers and up to 19% of current smokers begin smoking regularly after arriving on campus. One in ten post-secondary students smoke their first cigarette after the age of 19.

Could the minister advise the House of what action her department is taking to assist these young adult smokers?

[Canadian Heritage, February 5th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, February 15 is national flag day of Canada, the day on which we celebrate the adoption of the Canadian maple leaf as our national flag. It presents itself as an opportunity for Canadians to celebrate our identity, our heritage and our symbols.

Since 2002 is the 37th anniversary of the maple leaf flag, could the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage tell the House what the department will do to promote national flag day of Canada?

[Frank Shuster, January 29th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, it is with regret that we learned of the death of Canada's pioneer comedian, Frank Shuster, at the age of 85 on Sunday, January 13.

Frank Shuster's stellar career in comedy spanned six decades, from high school in Toronto where he met his sidekick John Wayne to entertaining the troops during World War II and on to radio and television.

Who but the very young cannot recall watching a Wayne and Shuster special, laughing with delight as they gave us snippets of Shakespeare, tips on home management, literary slapstick, or that the world would end at midnight, half an hour later in Newfoundland?

Often scholarly, always zany, Frank Shuster and John Wayne paved the way for a uniquely Canadian brand of humour and a place for sketch comedy in radio and television. They celebrated their Canadian identity, received critical and popular acclaim and received many awards in Canada, the U.S. and abroad.

On behalf of the Government of Canada I thank Frank Shuster for helping to make the Canadian comedic genius known around the world. I offer my sincere condolences to his loved ones.