Ivan Grose

[Committees Of The House, June 9th, 2000]

Madam Speaker, I have the honour and, I might add, a little surprised, to present in both official languages the sixth report of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights.

Pursuant to the order of reference of Tuesday, May 16, 2000, your committee has considered Bill C-18, an act to amend the criminal code (impaired driving causing death and other matters), and has agreed to report it without amendment.

[Cadets In Canada, June 9th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, today I am going to reveal one of Canada's best kept secrets. For those of you who despair of the behaviour of our youth, I have good news.

This being spring in Canada, that means cadet inspection time. Although I am a director of the Air Cadet League of Canada and past member of the RCAF, all cadet corps, land, sea and air invite me to attend their annual inspections. To see these well turned out young men and women with their pressed uniforms, neat hair, shined shoes and pride in themselves, their country and units, is to restore confidence in the future leaders of our country.

These young people have no idea what the Young Offenders Act is all about. To the parents of these young people, I ask you to share my pride in them. Give them a hug and tell them you are proud of them. I ask all members of the House to join with me in a heartfelt “well done”.

[Aboriginal Affairs, May 5th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, as you know, I seldom rise in the House because I think we tend to say too much about too little. That having been said, I have a statement today that passes my quality test.

On April 27 Canada signed a political accord with British Columbia and Wet'suwet'en First Nation. The three parties have committed to work together to identify and increase opportunities for economic development in the Wet'suwet'en community.

The first nation is currently in negotiation of an agreement in principle for a treaty with Canada and British Columbia. As the House is aware, treaty negotiations offer one of the best ways to settle unfinished business and build partnership in B.C.

The Wet'suwet'en have already started speaking to local industries, including the forestry industry, to discover how this accord might involve them as third parties. The accord will also strengthen the already good relations the Wet'suwet'en have forged with their neighbours.

Strengthened economic viability benefits not just the first nations but its neighbours. This accord is a stellar example of how Canada, the provinces and first nations are establishing forward-looking, effective relationships.

[Committees Of The House, March 24th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour, and believe me in this case it is a great honour, to present in both official languages the second report of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights.

Pursuant to the order of reference of Monday, February 21, 2000, your committee has considered Bill C-23, an act to modernize the statutes of Canada in relation to benefits and obligations, and has agreed to report it with amendments.

[Oshawa Harbour, March 24th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, today I would like to talk about Oshawa Harbour, which has just been granted Canadian port authority status.

Oshawa city council lobbied vigorously to take over the harbour. I opposed city council's bid because I felt that city council was not competent to run the harbour as its track record on running the airport leaves something to be desired.

Be that as it may, under control of the Oshawa Harbour Commission, traffic and profit have increased year after year.

I have been accused of seeing my city through rose coloured glasses. I plead guilty to this charge. I look at my city and say “Why not?” For a first class city, why not a first class harbour?

Just watch us. We can and we will add to the pride which all of us have in my city.

[Michael Starr, March 20th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, today I wish to recognize the contribution to the city of Oshawa by one of my predecessors, Colonel, the Hon. Michael Starr, who passed away on Thursday.

Mike was extremely proud of his heritage, just as Oshawa's sizeable Ukrainian population was proud of their Mike.

Michael Starr was elected as an alderman in 1944 and then mayor. Mike was the mayor of Oshawa until 1952 when he won an election as a Conservative member of parliament. In 1957 Michael Starr was named Minister of Labour. This appointment made Mike the first Canadian of Ukrainian descent to be appointed to the federal cabinet. In 1957 Mike was named Ukrainian of the Year for North America. He was appointed as a citizenship court judge and served on several important provincial boards. He also served as honorary colonel of the Ontario Regiment.

Michael Starr's name is remembered on a provincial government building in Oshawa and also by his contributions to Oshawa and his country. He will not be forgotten.

Thank you Mike. See ya around.

[Rural Development, November 26th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a rural question, although the closest thing to a farm in my riding is the vegetable garden in my backyard. I had a good crop this year. No need for assistance.

My people in Oshawa make the best cars and trucks in North America and their best customers are rural customers. What is the Secretary of State for Rural Development doing to ensure that rural Canadians are playing an active role in charting their own social and economic course?

[Division No. 541, May 31st, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, due to a temporary lapse of attention my vote was not recorded on the last vote. I would like to be recorded as voting nay.

[Aircraft, October 30th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, our Labrador search and rescue helicopters came into service between 1963 and 1967, and the Sea Kings between 1963 and 1969. Old aircraft to be sure, but what the opposition does not seem to understand is that this is not that unusual a situation in aviation.

For example, the venerable DC-3 which was built over 60 years ago is still in passenger service around the world. As a member of the Canadian Warplane Heritage, my colleagues and I routinely flew in aircraft over twice the age of our helicopter fleet.

It is a sad fact of life that aircraft, whether new or old, sometimes fall out of the sky. The age of the aircraft is seldom a major contributing factor. It all comes down to maintenance. Properly maintained aircraft can last virtually indefinitely.

These aircraft are becoming too expensive to maintain and must be replaced. In the meantime, I am confident that they remain safe because they are properly maintained by the best air maintenance people on the planet, the members of the Canadian Armed Forces.

[Committees Of The House, October 21st, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present the 17th and 18th reports of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts respecting chapters 3, 4 and 7 of the April 1998 report of the Auditor General.

I might say that any constituents who are interested in the armed forces should read chapters 3 and 4 which are involved with equipping and modernizing the Canadian forces and buying major capital equipment. I would invite them to call either my office or the office of their member of parliament.

Pursuant to Standing Order 109 of the House of Commons, the committee requests the government to table comprehensive responses to these reports.