Marlene Cowling

[Port Of Churchill, February 10th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, the port of Churchill is the prairie's own grain outlet and an integral component of Canada's transportation system. Therefore it is essential that prairie farmers continue to have access to this cost effective outlet for their grain and that the port is used to the best advantage of prairie farmers.

A recent report released by the Churchill task force demonstrates the enormous potential of the port and the benefits of a rational, long term approach to the revitalization of the port and bayline.

As the report noted, it would be irresponsible to allow these facilities to deteriorate from neglect when they could continue to make an important contribution to the Canadian economy.

An investment in Churchill is an investment in northern Manitoba, in the Spaceport Canada project, in tourism, in jobs in an area of chronic high unemployment and in the future of prairie agriculture.

[Petitions, February 7th, 1995]

Madam Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, I am presenting a petition today signed by 400 residents of my constituency of Dauphin-Swan River.

The petitioners believe that the proposed changes to Canada's existing gun laws are unfair to law-abiding gun owners. They believe the changes will have a detrimental effect on specialized business, will impose unrealistic restrictions on responsible, recreational firearms use and will have no effect in reducing the criminal use of firearms.

The petitioners call upon Parliament to refrain from passing any changes and amendments that further restrict the law-abiding gun owner.

[Friendship Centres, December 15th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the contribution of the 114 friendship centres across Canada.

These centres provide vital services to aboriginal peoples, including job training and placement, literacy, advanced education, child care and substance abuse counselling.

Forty years of experience and a large volunteer base provide friendship programs with the ability to address aboriginal needs in a culturally relevant and fiscally responsible way.

It is important that we continue to support our nation's friendship centres. We need to help strengthen the network of support services they have built. We need to ensure that friendship centres can continue to offer their important services to aboriginal Canadians now and tomorrow.

[First Nations Self-Government, December 9th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, Wednesday, December 7 was an important day in the history of Canada and our relationship with the First Nations people.

It was on this day that the dismantling agreement was signed by the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Grand Chief Phil Fontaine that heralds the beginning of self-government. I am pleased this initiative is taking place in my home province of Manitoba.

This agreement will give the First Nations the authority, the responsibility, and the accountability to govern their own affairs.

I was proud to attend this historical event, proud to be part of an initiative that represents co-operation, mutual respect and trust between the government and the First Nations of Canada.

I applaud the minister and the First Nations for their commitment to finding common ground on which self-government can be built in Manitoba and ultimately in Canada.

[Violence Against Women, December 6th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, today is the national day of remembrance and action to end violence against women.

We remember the 14 women who lost their lives at l'École polytechnique de Montreal. We remember all Canadian women whose lives were ended by senseless acts of violence, who were taken away from family and friends.

This year 15 women lost their lives to violence in my home province of Manitoba. These women are more than statistics; they are mothers, daughters, sisters, friends and neighbours.

As a nation we mourn their loss and the tomorrows they will never see. We as legislators mourn but remember that we also must act today to educate, to support and to protect. We must make a commitment to the women of Canada, to all Canadians and to ourselves to stop violence.

[Canadian Wheat Board, December 5th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, the Canadian Wheat Board is a winner.

Prairie farmers have overwhelmingly demonstrated their confidence in the Canadian Wheat Board by electing 10 strong supporters of the agency to its 11 member advisory board. They have rejected the efforts of a small but vocal group that wanted to weaken the board and implement a dual marketing system. Their vote was a sweeping endorsement of the board and single desk selling.

It is a recognition of the outstanding job that the wheat board has done selling Canadian grain, expanding export markets and working with farmers to make Canada a world leader in agricultural production.

The message from farmers is clear. The future of Canadian agriculture must include a strong Canadian Wheat Board.

[Petitions, December 2nd, 1994]

The third petition, Mr. Speaker, has 350 signatures. It draws the attention of the House of Commons to the following. There is a remarkable increase in beaver numbers in the Riding Mountain National Park. These beaver are causing extensive damage to land which is located near the park.

My constituents ask this Parliament to urge the government to take action toward developing beaver control methods within the Riding Mountain National Park.

[Petitions, December 2nd, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, the second petition has 138 signatures. It is asking, first, that Parliament continues to reject euthanasia and physician assisted suicide; second, that the present provisions of section 241 of the Criminal Code of Canada which forbids the counselling, procuring, aiding or abetting of a person to commit suicide be enforced vigorously, and, third, that Parliament consider expanding palliative care that would be accessible to all dying persons in Canada.

[Petitions, December 2nd, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to present three petitions today on behalf of my constituents of Dauphin-Swan River.

The first petition containing 451 signatures is from the RMs and towns of Grandview and Gilbert Plains calling upon Parliament to urge the government to take action on construction of an all-weather gravel road through the west end of the Riding Mountain National Park. This road connects the communities of Grandview, which is my home town, and Rossburn and contributes to stimulating a stagnating agricultural economy by promoting trade, tourism, social and cultural exchanges.

[Social Programs Review, December 2nd, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, in October the Minister of Human Resources Development released a discussion paper entitled: "Improving Social Security in Canada". This document outlined the government's options for improving Canada's social programs.

To ensure that the people of my Dauphin-Swan River riding had input into the changes being made, I sponsored four public forums as part of the public consultation process. I am pleased to report that the forums were a complete success.

The participants represented a cross-section of the riding. The discussions were thoughtful and constructive. A variety of very good ideas were brought to the table. Today I will be providing the minister and the standing committee with the report that summarizes these very valuable ideas.

I strongly recommend to all members of this House who have not yet met with their constituents about this important issue to do so.