Mark Assad

[Gaspé, May 15th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, given the difficult economic times buffeting the Gaspé, the Government of Canada has announced it will contribute $1 million to a project to invest in the rail link between Matapédia and Chandler. This will mean the improvement of much of the rail line and railway bridges.

This long expected news was well received by the people of the Gaspé, as was the news of two weeks ago on the division of the Lower St. Lawrence and Gaspé regions for employment insurance calculation purposes.

The Government of Canada is there as well for the Gaspé region in Quebec.

[Petitions, March 24th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, I would like to present a petition from people in my riding who are concerned about the increase in the incidence of breast cancer.

They call upon parliament to strike an independent committee that would be responsible for developing, implementing and maintaining control and quality standards for mammography in Canada.

[Lebanon, February 18th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, the Canada-Lebanon Parliamentary Friendship Group wants to strongly condemn the most recent bombing of Lebanon by Israel.

It is understandable that Israel is angered by the loss of life suffered by its occupational force in South Lebanon where the Hezbollah make attacks on the Israeli occupational forces. The adherence by Israel to United Nations resolution 425 to withdraw from Lebanon would reduce tensions considerably in the Middle East.

We want the establishment of a lasting and fair peace between Israel and its neighbours. The destruction of Lebanese infrastructure by Israel was an act of confrontation that threatened innocent lives, and it goes against regional peace and stability.

Because we care about the establishment of a lasting and equitable peace in the Middle East, we call upon the world's democracies to ensure that all parties return to the path of respect for international law.

[Thérèse Perrier, December 13th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate Thérèse Perrier, a resident of Masson-Angers in my riding of Gatineau, for her volunteer work in a medical school located in Ishevsk, Russia.

As a professor of health sciences, Mrs. Perrier helped train the staff in administrative and organizational methods. She visited medical schools and hospitals to show how similar methods work in Canada.

Mrs. Perrier made presentations to medical school students on nursing techniques relating to pediatrics and gynecology. She also made recommendations to improve the health care system.

Congratulations to you, Mrs. Perrier, for your dedication, and good luck in your future endeavours.

[Regional Development, November 26th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, a few days ago, the Government of Canada took part in the inauguration of La Vérendrye boulevard west in the city of Gatineau.

This new section, between autoroute 50 and highway 307, was funded by the Quebec department of transport and the Canadian department of transport, which shared the total cost of $14 million jointly.

This achievement is tangible evidence of the possible, desirable and vital co-operation between the two levels of government to consolidate regional development here and in all regions of Quebec.

That is an example of co-operation which will be of benefit to everyone in our community.

[Pay Equity, November 18th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the President of the Treasury Board.

Two weeks ago, an agreement was reached between the Treasury Board and federal public servants on the pay equity issue. Since then, I have received several calls from those affected by the agreement. They want to know what happens next.

Can the minister tell the House what the next steps will be and when these people can expect to receive their first cheque?

[Du Vallon School, October 20th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, in Gatineau, a group of parent volunteers and the staff of the Du Vallon school have come up with a plan to make the schoolyard more natural.

The school is asking for $15 from each parent sponsoring a tree to cover the cost of its planting. On Saturday, Oct. 16, teachers, students and parents from the school spent the day planting trees—a total of 120 new trees and bushes—in the schoolyard.

I would like to pay tribute to the work done by students, parents and staff of the Du Vallon school in the hopes that this sort of project may be repeated in other schools in Quebec and in Canada.

[Health Research, October 15th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Health.

The government recently made some interesting announcements in the area of research. I am thinking in particular of the Canadian institutes of health research mentioned in the budget, and of the announcement made yesterday by the Prime Minister concerning university chairs.

Could the minister give us an example of funding for university research?

[Ecoaction Program, May 14th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, this week, the Government of Canada allocated $2.75 million for the implementation of 116 projects, as part of the Ecoaction 2000 program.

The federal government feels that the best way to improve the environment and the health of our communities is to encourage local communities to identify the problems and to propose appropriate solutions for their environment.

This initiative is another example of how the Canadian government, in co-operation with local organizations, is always striving to improve our quality of life.

[Air Safety, April 20th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, could the Minister of Transport tell the House if his department has made good on his commitment to air safety in reference to his declaration of February 1988 to ensure appropriate levels of aircraft firefighting and emergency response services for the flying public?