Anna Terrana

[Black Achievement Awards, February 24th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, February is Black History Month. The black community has a long history in Canada during which, like many other immigrants, black people have substantially contributed to the life of this country with pride and determination.

Every February Pride magazine presents the Canadian Black Achievement Awards to members of the black community who have performed outstandingly in their field of expertise and in participating in the life of their communities. The awards recognize and honour the accomplishments, achievements and excellence of African Canadians in 16 different categories of endeavour.

This year Pride magazine has recognized and honoured three members of this House who are for the first time representing the constituents of their ridings in the Government of Canada.

The hon. member for Etobicoke-Lakeshore, the hon. member for Vancouver Quadra and the hon. member for Bruce-Grey were chosen for the work each of them did in their communities in their capacities as educator, medical doctor and mayor, respectively, while being active volunteers in many other endeavours.

I am sure all members of this House want to join me in recognizing the three hon. members and congratulating them for their achievements.

[Business Of Supply, February 16th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I come from Vancouver East which has some very poor areas. These people cannot afford a racing car. Neither can they afford a house or a place to live.

I understand there are about 8,000 people that do not have proper shelter. Some of these people live in shelters that in fact are like pig sties. I would like to add that we have probably the largest aboriginal population in my area.

We talked about dignity in our red book. There is no dignity without an address. It is true that we are in tough economic times. I understand that very well, but I feel that it is very important that we help those who need help.

We have talked about creativity and some very good programs that have been put in. I am glad about that. I think that creativity is what we have to concentrate on. What is being done by CMHC for instance with the aboriginal groups is in fact trying to get private capital and working together with governments.

We also talked about reallocation of resources. I think we have to concentrate on that. What the Liberal Party is trying to do now is go through a series of consultations, reviewing all of the social programs and I would invite everybody to participate. We are asking the people at large to participate, so parliamentarians in this House should be the first to participate. On that point, we can also establish where the priorities are.

It is very important that we look at the whole scene. I have different statistics than what the hon. member has just given. I have them here with me. If he wants to see them I am prepared to share them with him.

[Multicultural Week, February 15th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, this week in British Columbia we celebrate multicultural week. Multicultural week started in 1984 to celebrate our cultures and traditions. In British Columbia, where multiculturalism has played such an important role, all people come together to share and understand each other. Cross-cultural education has destroyed many barriers and is helping in the fight against racism. Multiculturalism teaches us about people and helps us all understand and appreciate each other.

Lectures, meetings and cross-cultural events will take place during the week, giving all people a chance to dismiss our biases and myths and to immerse in a wonderful world of differences and similarities.

Multiculturalism applies to all of us. We all have a culture, we all have ethnicity. Let us all celebrate in the spirit of understanding that permeates this week-long event and that will unite all people in British Columbia.

Happy multicultural week to our British Columbians and a vote of thanks to all those who have spent hours of volunteer work to promote and keep all cultures of Canada alive.

[Chinese New Year, February 10th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, today we celebrate Chinese New Year, a time to ensure good fortune for the future.

The year of the dog corresponds to year 4692 of the ancient Chinese lunar calendar which counts back to the first Emperor Huang. The year of the dog will be a prosperous year, provided harmony is maintained and conflict is avoided.

On his deathbed Buddha summoned all animals to visit him. Only 12 animals answered his plea. The dog was the 11th animal to visit, thus becoming one of the 12 animals to which Buddha assigned a year in which to rule as a reward.

My constituency of Vancouver East has a high percentage of people of Chinese origin. These people came as immigrants and have contributed significantly to the growth of this country. Through multiculturalism they have been able to retain their traditions and culture and to share them with all of us.

These days in Vancouver the Chinese community is celebrating in style. I would like to wish all of the Canadians of Chinese origin and all Chinese people a very happy New Year.

I am sure my colleagues want to join me in wishing all of them gung hey fat choy or sen nin fye lock.

[Bosnia, February 2nd, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, Martin H. Creegen of Kranj, Slovenia, sent the following letter to the European newspaper in January 1994:

The international community has created an impossible situation for itself in relation to Bosnia, especially when the presence of United Nations troops in the country is cited as the reason for not enforcing UN resolutions there. The need for a new approach could not be clearer-I suggest that the following provides the only basis for bringing peace to Bosnia.

Bosnia must be declared a UN protectorate for a specified period and administered by the UN.

All parties must immediately cease all military activity.

A large program for handing over arms and those accused of war crimes must be agreed and enforced.

A large scale program of civil reconstruction should be instituted immediately with the main emphasis being on cross cultural co-operation.

As soon as conditions allow, an all-Bosnia assembly must be elected under international supervision and on the basis of electoral units, not ethnic affiliation.

Pressure must be maintained on neighbouring countries, in particular Croatia and Serbia, to resolve inter-ethnic relations.

[Kemano Project, January 27th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans.

Many people in my riding, including representatives of environmental groups and First Nations, have voiced their concerns to me regarding the completion of the Kemano project.

Earlier this week the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans hinted that he might be able to shed some light on how and when the government intended to honour the commitment made by the Prime Minister to participate in the current British Columbia Utilities Commission review of the Kemano completion project.

Will the minister provide the House with some details today? If not, when will he be ready to do so?

[Salmon Fishery, January 20th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, this is my first intervention in the House. I would like to congratulate you for being elected Speaker of the House of Commons.

The balance of salmon interceptions under the Pacific Salmon Treaty has tipped significantly in U.S. favour since the treaty was signed in 1985. The imbalance is worsening. U.S. fishermen enjoy the benefits of increasing stocks of Canadian sockeye while Canada's interception of U.S. coho and chinook continues to decline.

In 1993 Canada and the United States failed to reach an agreement concerning long term salmon fishery management plans. The one year management plan that was accepted expired this year. So far negotiations have been long and protracted.

What is the status of these negotiations?