Marlene Cowling

[Rail Strike, March 22nd, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, the rail line system in Canada is the prairie farmer's lifeline. Over the past week we have seen that lifeline severed by strikes and by the stalling tactics of the NDP and the Bloc.

I appeal to those parties to take a long hard look at what they have done to Canadian farmers. They have robbed farmers of $100 million in lost revenues this week. Neither farmers nor the Canadian economy can afford these losses.

This government has clearly demonstrated its commitment to prairie farmers by introducing back to work legislation. I commend the Minister of Labour for the leadership she has shown, for her dedication to ending this strike immediately, for doing everything within her power to get grain moving again. Madam minister, prairie farmers owe you a debt of gratitude.

I urge the NDP and the Bloc to co-operate in the process to let the government end the strike for the benefit of all Canadians who depend on the rail service.

[Petitions, March 17th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, the third petition is signed by 854 agricultural producers from the province of Manitoba that support the Canadian Wheat Board.

The petitioners draw the government's attention to the fact that a very vocal minority are requesting a dual marketing system for wheat and barley for export.

The petitioners therefore request that Parliament continue to give monopoly power to the Canadian Wheat Board for the export of wheat and barley.

[Petitions, March 17th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, the second petition I present to the House has 58 signatures and is on the subject of euthanasia and assisted suicide.

The petitioners pray that Parliament not repeal or amend section 241 of the Criminal Code of Canada and continue to disallow assisted suicide and euthanasia.

[Petitions, March 17th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I have three petitions to present to the House today.

The first petition is signed by 285 of my constituents who live the rural municipality and village of Rossburn.

The petitioners urge the government to take action on the early construction of an all weather road through the west end of the Riding Mountain National Park to connect the communities of Grandview and Rossburn. The hope is that this road will stimulate the stagnating agricultural economy by promoting trade, tourism, social and cultural exchanges.

[Rural Child Care, March 16th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, farming is not a nine to five business. It involves early mornings, late nights and weekends, which most child care operations do not accommodate. As a result parents are forced to leave their children alone or take them along when they work with heavy machinery or livestock.

For every six deaths resulting from farm accidents, one of those victims is a child. Fifteen per cent of those hospitalized as a result of farm accidents are children under 16 years of age.

Last week was National Farm Safety Week. I would like to recognize the people and organizations who are working to find flexible, accessible and affordable solutions for rural child care, namely: the National Coalition for Rural Child Care; the Women's Institute; the Rural Development Institute of Brandon, Manitoba; and many others. I applaud their commitment and dedication to the safety of farm children.

[Agriculture, February 28th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, this has been a tough budget but it had to be done. And true to our commitment it has been done fairly.

The best time to make cuts is during periods of growth. In the agricultural sector, prices are increasing, export markets are expanding and producers are in an excellent position to adapt to change.

The buyout of the Western Grain Transportation Act, the WGTA, with tax benefits, will put $2.2 billion in the hands of prairie farmers this year. We will ensure those dollars are paid out in a fair and equitable way.

I am confident that the men and women of Canadian agriculture will continue their proven track record of adapting to the constant changes of their industry to ensure that Canada remains a world leader in agricultural production.

[Women's Institutes, February 20th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, February 19, marked a very important day for rural women in Canada and around the world. It was on that date some 98 years ago that the women's institute was founded in Ontario by Mrs. Adelaide Hoodless, Mr. and Mrs. Erland Lee and 101 members.

Now associated women's institutes around the world provide nine million rural women in 70 countries with opportunities for personal growth, community service and equality.

As former national agriculture chair for the Federated Women's Institutes of Canada I know first hand the important work the women's institute does. Therefore, it gives me great pleasure to pay tribute to our founder, Mrs. Adelaide Hoodless, for her vision and to the countless women who throughout the years have worked tirelessly with the women's institute for the betterment of themselves, their families, their communities, their countries and the world.

[Petitions, February 10th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, the third petition with 25 signatures requests that Parliament not amend the Canadian Human Rights Act or the charter of rights and freedoms in any way that would indicate societal approval of same sex relationships or homosexuality including amending the Canadian Human Rights Act to include the undefined phrase "sexual orientation" in the prohibited grounds of discrimination.

[Petitions, February 10th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, the second petition I present to the House is on the subject of abortion with 28 signatures.

The petitioners pray that Parliament act immediately by amending the Criminal Code to extend to the unborn the same protection enjoyed by born human beings in Canada.

[Petitions, February 10th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I have three petitions to present today.

The first petition with 29 signatures requests that Parliament ensure that the present provisions of the Criminal Code of Canada prohibiting assisted suicide be vigorously enforced and that no changes are made in the law which would allow the aiding and abetting of suicide or active or passive euthanasia.