Lost his last election, in 1997, with 30% of the vote.
Petitions November 4th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, the second petition calls on Parliament to ensure that Parliament rigorously enforce provisions in the Criminal Code of Canada to prohibit assisted suicide.
The petitioners also call on Parliament to make no changes in the law which would allow the aiding or abetting of suicide or euthanasia.
Petitions November 4th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased rise today to present three petitions from constituents of Annapolis Valley-Hants.
The first petition calls on Parliament to extend protection to the unborn child by amending the Criminal Code to extend the same protection enjoyed by born human beings to unborn human beings.
Michael Smith Award November 4th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, earlier this week Acadia University's division of continuing education in my riding of Annapolis Valley-Hants was selected as the recipient of the 1994 Michael Smith award for science promotion.
This award is presented to individuals and groups that have demonstrated strong efforts to encourage young people's interest and abilities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Staff and students alike can take pride in being recommended by a jury of their peers in science promotion and education.
Acadia University and its division of continuing education have long been considered centres for science education.
I had the pleasure to attend this ceremony in Ottawa and I am proud of the accomplishments of this outstanding program.
I encourage all members of this House to join me in saluting this achievement by Acadia University.
Atlantic Theatre Festival October 31st, 1994
Mr. Speaker, a new and exciting artistic event in Atlantic Canada is being prepared for launching in June 1995.
The town of Wolfville, Nova Scotia, in my riding of Annapolis Valley-Hants will be host to the newly created Atlantic Theatre Festival.
Recently I had the chance to attend a fundraising event for the festival. I am confident it will be of great cultural benefit to the region while providing tremendous social and economic spinoffs.
The successful organization of the festival is an example of what can be achieved when all levels of government and community interest groups work in co-operation to achieve a common goal.
I offer my congratulations to all those involved and in particular to Michael Bawtree, the festival's founder. I know their hard work and dedication will lead to great success.
Social Security Programs October 6th, 1994
Madam Speaker, I will forward the member a document. It was a householder that I sent to every household in my riding, outlining what we are doing. They then have the opportunity to get the document from us now.
I will forward it to the member. I am pleased to hear him say that he trusts the people of Canada and their judgment.
Social Security Programs October 6th, 1994
Madam Speaker, I take note that my hon. colleague obviously does not have very much faith in people and people's abilities to make a contribution to the forum that is up and coming.
I have great support for the people of Atlantic Canada. We know the issues. We are putting forward ideas for debate to which I believe the people of Atlantic Canada will contribute heavily. They will help us make decisions in this Parliament.
The hon. member feels that the Canadian people do not have that kind of ingenuity, that kind of intelligence. I am insulted by that and I am insulted that he would put that on the people of Atlantic Canada. The people of Atlantic Canada and the people of Annapolis Valley-Hants will contribute to the debate. They will help us make the decisions that are needed to reform our system.
Social Security Programs October 6th, 1994
Madam Speaker, I am pleased to have the opportunity to take part in this very important debate. The revamping of our social security system is one of the most important issues facing our government and our people. By revitalizing these programs now we are investing in our long term economic and social well-being. If we work together to make positive change we can renew the country and prepare ourselves for new challenges.
When our government initiated this review last January, major emphasis was placed on the need for thorough nation-wide consultations. We realize the importance of listening to the concerns, the ideas and opinions of as many Canadians as possible.
Consultation is key to a successful social reform process, and that is what I want to talk about today. During the election campaign I heard very clearly from the people of my riding that they wanted a greater say in the decision making process. I am sure other hon. members heard the same message. People have grown cynical of governments who make decisions behind closed doors without input from the public. Instead people want their voices to be heard during the development process.
That is what the social security reform is all about. To a large extent, our social programs have been a defining feature of Canadian society, programs such as unemployment insurance, social assistance, post-secondary education and child tax benefits reflect our strong values of sharing and compassion.
Despite our commitment to social programs, we have over 1.6 million unemployed Canadians, over a million children living in poverty, thousands of young people who cannot get a start on their careers, and families who have fallen into poverty traps and see little hope for the future. Clearly we can do better.
In order to improve the system, however, we must consult and gain the support of members of Parliament, all of the provinces, various interest groups and most important, the Canadian public and the people of Annapolis Valley-Hants.
I believe there is a consensus among Canadians that we must improve and update the various programs that have helped make us the great nation that we are today.
An Angus Reid survey conducted earlier this year showed that fully 85 per cent of Canadians agreed there is a need to reform our many social programs. I know the people of Annapolis Valley-Hants will seize the opportunity to participate in this process in order to help map out the future of our social security system.
In the past few weeks I have heard from critics who have said on more than one occasion there is no need for consultations, that the decisions have already been made and that the government will go ahead and do what it wants regardless of public input. I heard it already from across the way.
As I look at this discussion paper and I read the options being put forward, I feel confident in categorically rejecting these arguments. The final decisions have not been made. This paper does not lay out government decisions. Instead this document outlines certain principles and it presents options for consideration. It is a catalyst for further debate.
As parliamentarians, we have a responsibility to facilitate this debate in our communities. Anyone who has not done this consultation and at the end of the day says that they have not been a part of the process, should be ashamed.
We must bring these options to the people in our own ridings, talk about how best to reform the system. We must ask what options are acceptable, what will work in our communities.
In my riding of Annapolis Valley-Hants this process has generated a great deal of interest. In a questionnaire that we distributed throughout the riding last spring, fully 77 per cent of respondents felt that Canada's social security system should be a top priority for reforming.
I have also received many phone calls and letters from people who have offered their opinions and ideas on what changes should be made to the network of our social programs. In response to this tremendous local interest on this issue, my team set up a committee of community people to help me design a process to consult the people of Annapolis Valley-Hants.
Through the diligent work of this group, a series of four consultation forums will be held throughout my riding within the next three weeks. The objectives of these consultations are straightforward. First, to stimulate a broad discussion among constituents about Canada's social policy programs. Second, to seek the views of the people of Annapolis Valley-Hants on the future direction of social policy in Canada and the kinds of programs that will be needed in the future. Last, to submit to the minister the views of the people of Annapolis Valley-Hants in order that the concerns that my constituency has put forward are a part of the decision making process.
As part of this process, the committee has developed a questionnaire which was distributed to every household in my constituency. This is the type of consultation process, in my
opinion, which will stimulate worthwhile discussion on our social security reform.
The dedication that this committee has shown in establishing a thorough, local consultation process clearly demonstrates the importance people have placed on the issue. While we still have a lot of work to do I want to thank the members of my local committee for their time and great effort. They have truly demonstrated their desire to work toward positive change.
It is this type of involvement which will bring about focused discussion and worthwhile recommendations as to how to improve our system. I would encourage all members of Parliament to follow the lead set by the committed volunteers of Annapolis Valley-Hants.
I would like to close my remarks today by reiterating the importance of public discussion and debate on the options that are before us. The decisions have not been made. I have not spoken for or against these proposals because the people of my riding of Annapolis Valley-Hants have not been heard. By communicating with our constituencies we can ensure that our programs reflect the concerns and interests of the people across the country.
Native Council Of Nova Scotia October 4th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, on Friday, September 30 I had the honour of attending the 20th Annual General Assembly of the Native Council of Nova Scotia. This three day conference offered an ideal opportunity for Nova Scotia's off reserve Mi'kmaq population to participate in discussions on how best to achieve aboriginal self-government.
In conjunction with this conference the province of Nova Scotia announced it has initiated a tripartite forum in order to examine major native issues. This is the first of its kind in Canada. I am proud of the role all parties are playing in order to find positive, proactive solutions.
I applaud the work being accomplished by this council in promoting positive change. We must now lend our support to the Mi'kmaq nation as it moves toward a more traditional role of governing itself.
Schizophrenia September 28th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, on Sunday, October 2, I will have the honour of taking part in
a walk for schizophrenia. This event which coincides with National Mental Illness Awareness Week has been organized by dedicated volunteers in my riding of Annapolis Valley-Hants.
The goal of this walk is to generate greater public awareness for schizophrenia, an illness that affects one in 100 people. I had the pleasure of working in the psychiatric mental health field for 27 years and am pleased to have the opportunity to extend my support to this worthwhile cause.
I ask all members of this House to join me in congratulating those who have made this event a reality. I urge all of my colleagues to work in their ridings to bring greater awareness to schizophrenia and to promote mental health issues.
Success Nova Scotia 2000 September 22nd, 1994
Mr. Speaker, on Friday, September 16 our government teamed up with the province of Nova Scotia to announce Success Nova Scotia 2000.
This five-year project under the strategic initiatives program will assist 3,000 young Nova Scotians gain valuable work experience in leading industries. The objective is to develop and implement new opportunities by promoting internships as an integral part of our learning culture. Success Nova Scotia 2000 is a reflection of our government's commitment to finding better ways to help young people secure jobs in their chosen field.
I am confident that the people of Annapolis Valley-Hants will seize upon the opportunity to make this program successful for our youth.
By providing leading edge job opportunities for our young people, we will enhance Nova Scotia's position as an economic leader in the years to come.