Anna Terrana

[D-Day, June 9th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, the presence of the right hon. Prime Minister in Normandy for the D-Day ceremony has given Canada and Canadians a reason to reflect on the good deeds our people have accomplished in the world.

As a child living in Italy during the second world war, I was subjected to bombing in a big industrial city and to the absence of my father who had to go to war.

The landing of Canadian troops in Sicily in 1943 is still remembered with great affection by all Sicilians and those Sicilians who immigrated to Canada and live in Vancouver celebrated with me and the military in 1983.

The arrival of the Allies in Italy meant the end of a cruel, senseless war and a return to democracy and freedom to a whole continent and ultimately to the world.

I would like to thank our Prime Minister and our country for remembering with us and for being present at such an important event.

[Supply, June 8th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I listened with interest to the passionate speech of the hon. member. Much has been said about the Senate already.

During the election campaign, many people asked me to do something about the Senate. I believe we all have the same problem, we want to improve the Senate. My question is about the Senate. Most civilized countries have a Senate, but I heard the opposition party's members say that they want it abolished.

What kind of checks and balances do they think we should have for the House of Commons? Do they think we have to abolish the Senate to improve the system, or would they consider an improved Senate which would work the way it should?

[Supply, June 7th, 1994]

Madam Speaker, I would like to say that as surprising as it is coming from the Reform Party, I am glad to hear this debate on national unity. For 20 years I have been trying to keep Canada together, doing what I could from the other side of the country, from British Columbia.

I would also like to remind my colleagues that we are a democratic party. Our party is a democratic party so we vote by consensus and majority rule.

During the Charlottetown hearings, and I attended several of these hearings, there were several answers that came out. We heard what Canadians wanted. The referendum was an expensive one. Referenda are all expensive. I believe that an election is the time for us to vote on whether the work that the government has done is good or not.

I would also like to add that in all these discussions, and I have been listening all morning, I never heard where the Reform Party stands on inherent rights to aboriginal self-government. In fact, during the Charlottetown accord hearings one of the questions that came up constantly and one of the things that people seemed to be agreeing more on was in fact the inherent rights to self-government for the aboriginal people.

I would like to ask my hon. colleague where the Reform Party stands on the inherent right of aboriginal self-government?

[Environment Week, June 7th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I would like the opportunity to emphasize the fact that on the first day of Environment Week, Sunday, June 5, the federal government released its mid-term progress report on the Fraser River action plan.

The Fraser River is key to the present and future environmental, economic and social prosperity of Canadians in British Columbia. I am pleased to report that the action plan which focuses on sustaining this key ecosystem by cleaning up pollution, restoring productivity, and developing a government system that would ensure the long term environmental health of the Fraser basin is on track and demonstrating real progress in meeting its original objectives.

Nevertheless we must continue to strive for the realization of the goals laid out by the plan. This involves working with our stakeholders in the basin, including First Nations, provincial and local governments, industry and community groups.

[Vancouver Canucks, June 1st, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I take this opportunity to congratulate the 1993-94 NHL western conference champions, the Vancouver Canucks, for reaching the Stanley Cup finals for the second time in their history.

Coach Pat Quinn has done a remarkable job, as have the rest of the Vancouver organization and the players. In particular, goal tender "Captain" Kirk MacLean, Pavel "The Russian Rocket" Bure, and Captain Trevor Linden have shown great leadership and poise throughout the playoffs.

In getting to the finals, the Canucks upset their long time rivals, the Calgary Flames. They handily defeated the Dallas Stars and then beat the Toronto Maple Leafs. Last night they won their first game with the New York Rangers, the best team in the regular season.

With their talent, hard work, determination and the support of all Canadians, I know they will meet the challenge and ultimately succeed in keeping Lord Stanley's cup here in Canada.

On behalf of all Canadians, I would like again to wish the Vancouver Canucks, the players and the organization who play-

[Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Awareness Day, May 11th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to remind the House that tomorrow, May 12, is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Awareness Day.

As members may be aware, chronic fatigue is a clinical syndrome belonging to a group of severe chronic debilitating conditions of unknown cause. There are other related disorders, such as immune dysfunction syndrome. The syndrome is not transmissible or life threatening but diminishes the quality of life to its extreme. Although this affliction is not a notifiable disease, Canadian cases are estimated to be in the thousands.

Let me commend the many volunteers in self-help and mutual aid groups across the country for the information, advice and reassurance they provide to those afflicted by this syndrome.

Please join me in wishing them a very successful Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Awareness Day tomorrow.

[National Basketball Association, April 28th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the city of Vancouver and Arthur Griffiths in particular for their successful bid for a National Basketball Association franchise.

Vancouver joins an expanding and exciting league. Canadians have been eagerly anticipating this favourable decision for a long time and clearly it is much deserved. Much thanks must go to Arthur Griffiths for his dedication and outstanding commitment to realizing this goal.

The awarding of an NBA team demonstrates the significance of Vancouver, how it has grown and developed into a socially vibrant metropolis. There is a realization that Canadians have much to contribute to the sporting world. Canadians are recog-

nized as being among the most enthusiastic, passionate and committed of supporters.

The new basketball team will be sharing the yet to be completed GM Place with the Vancouver Canucks who, incidentally, will be playing the Calgary Flames tonight at the Pacific Coliseum.

I am confident the Canucks will handily even their series and I wish them and Vancouver's new basketball team the very best of luck.

[Citizenship Week, April 14th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, Canadian citizenship is a very important gift bestowed upon those who live in this country.

Many of us coming from different parts of the world chose to become Canadians and often lost their original citizenship because they felt that Canada had become their country. They wanted to be true citizens of this country. At times it is not easy to deny one's own citizenship but Canada is well worth it.

Canadian citizenship deserves to be celebrated. The week of April 17 to April 22 will be Citizenship Week in Canada. Events will occur all over the country.

I congratulate all those who chose to become Canadians over the years. I also thank all those people and organizations that will contribute to celebrating this important event. All Canadians should participate in the celebration of their own citizenship.

[Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, March 25th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, Ms. Dawn Gardner is a Saskatchewan health journalist who is concerned about alcohol abuse on the part of pregnant women.

Fetal alcohol syndrome is defined as a random pattern of mental, physical and behavioural defects which may develop in the unborn child when the mother consumes alcohol during the course of her pregnancy. A pregnant woman never drinks alone.

Canadian estimates of children affected by fetal alcohol syndrome are over 36,000 yearly. These statistics tell us that over 50 per cent of these children become wards of the state. The same percentage will need corrective surgeries while many will suffer from blindness, deafness, epilepsy and most frequently mental retardation.

The government must take some responsibility for this situation and make sure that measures are taken to educate people by labelling all bottles of alcohol, posting signs, introducing health programs in the schools, et cetera.

Our youth is our future. Our children are the leaders of tomorrow. Let us spare them.

A happy Easter to you, Mr. Speaker.

[Supply, March 22nd, 1994]

Thank you. I have a great social conscience because I come from a riding that needs to have a social conscience. I also see the need to find other sources.

I believe that we must redefine the question of work now. Work is no longer what we knew. Now we talk about technology and support. You are right. We also talked about child care, for which, as you know, the Liberal Party and the government promised to create 50,000 spaces when economic growth in Canada allows.

I believe that we must work together. For example, the private sector should support us in all this, the other governments too, as you said, and I believe that if all governments worked together, it would be easier.

Finally, there are all the consultations to find out what we really need. Of course I would like the situation to be otherwise but I also know that it is not possible.