Ivan Grose

[Remembrance Day, November 7th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, this coming Monday at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, Canadians across the country will pause to remember the sacrifice of Canada's soldiers, sailors, airmen and merchant mariners who died for them in the cause of world peace.

While the deaths of our friends and family members are very real and personal to those of us who have experienced them first hand, to most Canadians alive today this is simply a matter of history.

I want to remind all Canadians, especially the young who are our future, of the sacrifices made on their behalf so that they might

enjoy the freedom that was a gift to them from Canadian patriots. We must all work to ensure that their gift to us is not forgotten. We must and we will remember them.

[Karl Burkhart, May 7th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, I wish to recognize the outstanding volunteer contribution to third world development of one of my constituents, Mr. Karl Burkhart.

Mr. Burkhart, accompanied by his wife Elizabeth, went to Sri Lanka as a member of CESO, the Canadian volunteer advisers to business. He offered his expertise in computers, his knowledge of machine maintenance and his translation abilities to assist two Sri Lankan textile manufacturers.

CESO volunteers are professionally skilled men and women, usually retired, who are willing to share their years of experience with needy businesses and organizations in developing nations and Canadian aboriginal communities. Since 1967 some 7,000 CESO volunteers have completed more than 30,000 assignments in over 100 countries and in every province in Canada.

I ask that the House join me in congratulating Karl Burkhart. He is a credit to the CESO motto of sharing a lifetime of experience.

[Sevec, November 30th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I wish today to recognize the achievement of one of my constituents, Miss Amy Kaufman. Tomorrow Miss Kaufman and five others from across Canada will present themselves at Government House to receive the 60th Anniversary Award of the Society for Educational Visits and Exchanges in Canada.

SEVEC is a not for profit association run by teachers that organizes educational visits and exchanges. Its aim is to create and promote enriching educational opportunities within Canada for the development of mutual respect and understanding.

Miss Kaufman spent two weeks in Quebec last year as a participant in a SEVEC program. She was struck by both the similarities and the differences between our two peoples. She was

especially impressed by the depth of friendship and understanding that can be achieved in so short a time, an interesting observation.

I ask all members to join me in recognizing Miss Kaufman, a proud Canadian.

[Antique Cars, June 22nd, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, the Canadian Automotive Museum in Oshawa will be hosting for the next year the McDougall collection of 21 antique cars. This collection has been declared Canadian cultural property by the Canadian Property Export Review Board.

It includes a rare supercharged 1928 Mercedes-Benz, the same year as the first car I had only it was a Ford which went for $15 scrap. I always buy the wrong model. Also included is an Issotta Fraschini once owned by the King of Spain.

For car buffs this provides a rare opportunity to see a priceless collection. For everyone else, come see us in beautiful Oshawa, the city that "motovates" Canada.

[Royal Canadian Air Force Association, May 18th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, it seems to me that everyone from Oshawa is in the nation's capital. It makes me wonder who is minding the store.

I am proud to acknowledge the presence in the nation's capital today of members of 420 Wing, the Royal Canadian Air Force Association from Oshawa, an organization of which I am a proud member.

Some of the members here today have just returned from V-E Day ceremonies in Europe. Incidentally they tell me that our Prime Minister was the hit of the show in Holland and literally moved everyone to tears. These are the men and women of Canada whose sense of duty, dedication and love of their country made that long ago victory possible.

We in the House would do well to exhibit the same patriotism and loyalty to this country that my friends and comrades showed in their youth and in truth to this day.

I will close with an admonition to all of us that was given to the airman son by his anxious mother: "My son, fly low and slow".

[Rail Strike, March 21st, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I will address the national transportation stoppage, not exactly a unique idea today.

In my constituency 14,000 General Motors union workers will be idle soon. I do not want to speak only on their behalf, as I feel I represent not only the people who specifically elected me but also the interests of all my fellow Canadians.

My union constituents will not suffer due to their hard won union contract. However, we must realize that their continuing benefits while they are not producing diminishes their sub-fund and also draws on the UIC fund. This is a cost which must be borne by all Canadians through higher prices and increased taxes.

We also must consider the workers in supplier plants who do not have the good contracts auto workers enjoy.

In short, this transportation tie-up transcends the interests of any group, province or party. All Canadians deserve relief from this problem and at this time that can only be provided by people of courage in the House.

[The Poppy, November 1st, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, at this time of year when most of us are wearing the symbol of supreme sacrifice, the poppy, a question nevertheless is sometimes asked: Did the young Canadians who made this sacrifice die in vain?

Yesterday in a citizenship court in Oshawa this question was answered eloquently by 54 people of 17 different countries. These people had decided that the country bequeathed to us by the total sacrifice of too many young Canadians was, to use the words often quoted by a prominent member of the House, "the best country in the world".

I say to those who may oppose this comment that the evidence suggests they are mistaken. Being a long time gambler I will go with the odds. Fifty-four people from seventeen cultures say they are wrong. Come join with us and make it 18 different cultures working to enhance that which was so dearly bought.

I would also like to point out to all hon. members wearing a poppy that as a symbol of the supreme sacrifice it should be worn above all other symbols and decorations including the parliamentary pin.

[National Debt, October 7th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, today I address an annoying action being taken regularly by some hon. members opposite. Each day they list the current amount of national debt, down to the last penny.

What they fail to do is list the assets balancing the debt. I have no doubt that if they were asked to list their personal net worth they would declare their property mortgage, car loan, credit card balance and maybe even the balance owing to their tailors for the suits they are wearing. I have no doubt hon. members would then list their property, cars, et cetera, as assets, pointing out the equity they had in the items.

In the interest of fairness, if they persist in these statements I will at every opportunity list the assets of our country from each plane, train and ship, down to the last public toilet, bus and buffalo.

We could start with the building in which we stand. I trust it is paid for by this time.

[Battle Of Normandy, June 22nd, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, this is from one generation to another. Fifty years ago a battle of unimaginable ferocity was fought on the beaches of Normandy, a battle that will be talked about for a thousand years to come, one which will be known as the bravest day.

We live in freedom and prosperity today as a generation of ordinary Canadians who have never known the anguish of war and separation wish to say something to that generation who were there. We wish to say that we remember. We wish to thank them for their courage, their sacrifice and their deed.

This message of gratitude comes from ordinary people who have realized that to let this occasion pass without a salute to them would be a sad oversight which would surely bewilder generations to come. Whatever battles are left to be fought, let us all hope that the greatest one is now behind us.

This was written by Gary Hesketh to his father, a veteran and my friend, Red Hesketh, and inserted as a full page ad in the Toronto Star on June 6, 1994.

[Petitions, June 21st, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to present a petition on behalf of the people of southern Ontario pursuant to Standing Order 36. This petition brings the total number of names over the past few months to over 10,000, an incredible show of support for this program.

They urge the government to support a domestic ethanol industry. Inasmuch as my constituents are the people who manufacture the vehicles to use this fuel, I think it indicates the broad base support for this program.