John Murphy

[Eastern Kings Memorial Hospital, April 19th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, on March 30 I had the honour of attending the official opening of the Eastern Kings Memorial Community Health Centre in my riding of Annapolis Valley-Hants.

This hospital has worked hard to ensure that its doors remained open during the province's health care reform exercise. Due to the tenacity and the strong will of the people of Wolfville and the surrounding area, this centre will stay open. In fact, it has become the first community health centre to open under Nova Scotia's reformed health system. It will continue to deliver first class primary health care to the people of Eastern Kings county.

I would like all members of Parliament to join me in congratulating all of the volunteers and the staff who have worked so hard to make this happen. They have truly made their community a better place.

[Valley Regional Hospital, March 27th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce that the Valley Regional Hospital in my riding of Annapolis Valley-Hants is leading the way in health care reform in Nova Scotia.

The Valley Regional Hospital will be the first in the province to come under the jurisdiction of one of our four new regional health boards. These boards were established as part of last year's provincial health reforms.

Since its inception in 1904, the Valley Regional Hospital has had a distinguished history. This new designation does not represent the end of an era but is one more example of how the hospital has always responded positively to change.

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the tremendous contribution of retiring director Peter Mosher, to Betty Mattson, the hospital's new acting general manager, the staff and many volunteers for their efforts to lead Nova Scotia's health care system into the future.

[Learning Disabilities, March 18th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, March is Learning Disabilities Month. This year the Learning Disabilities Association of Canada is celebrating its silver anniversary.

Across Canada learning disability associations and schools perform vital work. The many hours offered by committed volunteers and staff have made a tremendous difference in the lives of those who live with learning disabilities. Their success in generating greater public awareness as well as their preventive efforts to diagnose and assist those with learning disabilities have touched the lives of many people.

I am pleased today to rise and offer my congratulations to the association for its 25 years of service to Canadians. In particular, I would like to recognize the Learning Disability Association of Nova Scotia.

I urge all members of Parliament to join me in pledging our support to Canadians who live with learning disabilities and to all those volunteering in the field.

[Acadia Axemen, March 11th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, the Acadia Axemen from my riding of Annapolis Valley-Hants are once again the national champions.

Last night in Toronto the Acadia men's hockey team showed tremendous determination in the CIAU final against Waterloo and came away with a thrilling 3-2 victory. Combining their speed and quickness with a total team effort, Acadia was unstoppable in its quest for its second national title in four years.

Goals from Paul Doherty, Wade Whitten and Christian Skoryna, combined with a stellar goaltending performance from rookie Trevor Amundrud, proved to be the difference in this game.

I want to pass on my congratulations to the players, the coaching staff, Acadia University, and, of course, the hundreds of fans who travelled to Toronto to cheer Acadia to victory.

Last night the Acadia Axemen proved that they are truly a cut above the rest.

[Agriculture, March 4th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.

During the last year the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture has expressed serious concerns over how the feed freight assistance transition fund would be paid out. The federation has identified direct payments to producers would be the most useful option to help the industry adapt during this transition period.

Can the minister assure the members of the House that the concerns of the Nova Scotia producers have been listened to and when can we expect a final decision on this matter?

[Speech From The Throne, February 29th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today to participate in this important debate.

The throne speech is a blueprint for the federal government. We have reached the midpoint of our first term. Now is the time to evaluate our successes, build on our achievements and prepare for the new challenges we will face.

Today I will focus my remarks on Canada's youth. When I was elected to represent the people of Annapolis Valley-Hants, I made a commitment to work with the local youth. I promised the people of Annapolis Valley-Hants that I would do everything I could to ensure that young people had every opportunity to reach their full potential to learn, adapt and succeed in the job market and in our society. This has continued to be a key priority for me over the last 28 months. I will continue to make this a priority in my work both in Annapolis Valley-Hants and here in Ottawa.

Our future depends on our youth. If we can ensure they are provided with the tools and the opportunities to gain education and experience now, we can help ensure a healthy future for Canada. I was therefore very pleased to see the focus on youth in Tuesday's throne speech.

During our first two years we have introduced a number of important initiatives to help achieve this goal. One such program, Youth Service Canada, has had an extremely positive impact in Annapolis Valley-Hants. I have seen firsthand how local youth have benefited from the Youth Service Canada program.

In April 1995, under this initiative a program entitled "Hants County youth for youth" was established with my co-ordinating efforts and with the help of a number of local partners. This project is serving 20 unemployed youth between the ages of 18 and 24. What has made this program so unique is that it is designed by youth for youth.

This group has identified a number of local priorities and areas where they can make a difference in the community. The participants are providing community related work through the development of a youth oriented newsletter, tourism development and the operation of a youth centre. Through Youth Service Canada they are truly making a difference. As a result of their success, this program has been extended with the support of the federal government and our community education partners.

My riding has also been fortunate to host a group of young people involved with Katimavik. This nationally based program which is being funded through Youth Service Canada has allowed young Canadians from all over the country to come together to gain work experience, to travel and to learn about the regions of our wonderful country. I have been truly impressed with just how successful this program has been in terms of building a sense of accomplishment, a sense of self-reliance and self-esteem.

I have also seen firsthand the success of the youth internship program. The youth unemployment rate is far too high and every year thousands of young Canadians cannot find work. At the same time, half of Canada's software product companies were unable to fill jobs in 1994. Seven thousand jobs went unfilled and this is just one sector. In order to help bridge this school to work transition, our government with the co-operation of educators, non-profit organizations and the private sector developed the youth internship program.

In my riding of Annapolis Valley-Hants there are currently two internship programs up and running. In January 1995 our government approved a proposal for the Hants West District School Board. This program involves 80 students between the ages of 16 and 24. The participants are all associated with the adult high school program. They are combining classroom learning with valuable on the job training.

Similarly, an internship proposal was developed by the Kings County District School Board and has recently got under way. This project involves 200 students. Participants are gaining valuable educational skills and training in occupations with job potential.

Clearly, if we want to use the constituency of Annapolis Valley-Hants as an example, we are making a difference for local youth. However, our efforts do not stop there. Our government recognizes that an important part of education and learning is through summer employment. Not only does it provide valuable income to allow students to further their education, but it allows our young people to gain experience they can take into the workforce in later years.

I was pleased therefore to see the commitment in the throne speech to introduce measures to double the number of federal summer student jobs this coming year. However, measures to promote education and employment are not enough. We must build on these programs. I propose that we explore ways to partner these existing programs with the private sector in order to double the benefits for youth and create economic growth. In that regard I will

be exploring new partnerships in my riding of Annapolis Valley-Hants.

Last June I had the opportunity to participate in an international symposium on education and the economy at Acadia University. This conference brought business leaders, educators and youth together to discuss new partnerships and ways to forge closer links between education and business.

I will be working with the mayor's committee on youth in the town of Kentville in my province of Nova Scotia. This committee intends to explore new ways to find opportunities for local young people.

In recent years we have seen disturbing statistics with regard to the levels of child poverty in Canada. Canada is consistently rated as the number one country in the world in which to live. We are envied by other countries and yet one in five children still lives in poverty. These children often live extremely disadvantaged lives. They often live in poor housing conditions. They have a greater likelihood of experiencing unemployment in their families and they are more likely to drop out of school.

What is even more telling, however, is that close to 60 per cent of all female single parents live in poverty. In March 1994, I had the opportunity to speak to this issue in the House of Commons. I called on the government to re-evaluate how we tax child support payments in order to ensure more money was reaching the children of separated families. All too often our current child support provisions have produced awards that are varied, unpredictable, sometimes inadequate and often unpaid.

I said in my speech, which I will reiterate now, we must ensure that children are not unfairly targeted by a system that no longer works the way it should. I was pleased to see entrenched in the throne speech a commitment to change the rules governing child support payments. As the governor general stated in his remarks, equality of opportunity is a basic value in Canada and begins with children.

I will touch on the important role young people can play in bringing Canadians together and promoting national unity. Although we sometimes forget, our similarities as Canadians far outnumber our differences. We have a common history and we share a common collective experience. It is important to dispel the regional misconceptions that sometimes divide us. In order to do that we must promote greater dialogue between all of our regions and in particular with the people of Quebec.

I strongly believe the government can play an active role in helping achieve this through the promotion of exchanges among students and young people. In doing so, we can help ensure that future generations will have an opportunity to build ties that are based not solely on national politics but on friendship and on the understanding of our differences and, more important, our many similarities.

This is an idea that I have actively promoted among constituents in my riding. I have been meeting with local educators, business organizations, school groups, government officials, and we are looking at ways of funding and making this idea work. I am pleased to say that one school in my riding, Horton high school, is now preparing to participate in such a venture in Quebec. I believe we have made some important inroads in the last two years. I am also pleased that focus is given to youth in the throne speech.

It is certainly the time to build on our accomplishments and to construct partnerships to ensure that all of our young people have the opportunity to reach their potential and contribute fully to our society.

[Supply, December 8th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I have great difficulty understanding why the Bloc does not want to look at the initiatives surrounding employment which are being brought forward by these reforms.

Are the Bloc members aware that the insurance program will cover 500,000 more people? Are they aware that the family income supplement will go to 350,000 low income families? Are they aware that 380,000 workers will have their premiums refunded? Some 2,700 workers will eligible for two additional weeks of benefit. About 45,000 seasonal workers who currently are not eligible for UI will, despite making payments, become eligible under this new act.

Are they are not interested in putting people back to work? Do they not see that this reform of ours on the employment side is doing just that? I ask the hon. member to tell me and tell the House why he and his party cannot see that these changes on the employment side will be very beneficial for the whole country.

[Petitions, December 8th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, the second petition is signed by 211 constituents calling upon Parliament to take steps to keep the synthetic bovine growth hormone out of Canada through legislating a moratorium or a stoppage of the BGH use and sale until the year 2000. These

constituents further call for an examination of the outstanding health and economic questions through an independent and transparent review.

[Petitions, December 8th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to present two petitions from my constituents of Annapolis Valley-Hants.

The first petition signed by 30 of my constituents deals with the government household moving service and the need to continue with a policy of dividing the furniture moving business between independent movers on an equitable basis.

The petitioners call upon Parliament to resolve to veto any proposed change to the tendering process of the Department of National Defence and to support the present system of tendering.

[Constitutional Amendments Act, November 30th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today to participate in this important debate. Bill C-110 may be one of the smaller bills we will debate in the House. Although it is only comprised of one clause it is certainly one of the most important.

This past Monday the Prime Minister announced three key initiatives: first, to recognize that Quebec forms a distinct society within Canada; second, to undertake changes to bring government services and decision making closer to citizens; and, third, to ensure that we do not make any constitutional changes that affect Quebec without the consent of the Quebec people.

Bill C-110 is an important component of our commitment to a united Canada. It is also proof of our government's willingness to make positive and substantial changes to the way Canada works. As the Prime Minister and the government have proven time and time again, when we make a promise we keep it.

Liberal governments in the past have offered strong support for regional vetoes. The action we are taking now transforms the principle we have long supported into reality.

I will take a few moments to go through some of the specifics of the bill. As it currently stands in Canada's Constitution, only the federal government has the specific veto over constitutional change. This legislation will change that.

By implementing Bill C-110 we will now require consent of all Canada's regions, Quebec, Ontario, Atlantic Canada and the west, before any constitutional amendments that affect them can be proposed in Parliament. In the case of Atlantic Canada and the west, consensus much be reached by two or more of the affected

provinces representing more than 50 per cent of the region as a whole.

In tabling the bill our government is keeping a commitment we made to the people of Quebec. We also recognize that the constitutional amendment process is of interest to all parts of the country. That is why we are lending our veto to Canada's four regions.

The one clear message we heard on October 30 was that the status quo was no longer acceptable. I have also heard this message from my constituents in Annapolis Valley-Hants. During the referendum campaign and in recent weeks I have spoken with many people on the issue. I have received numerous telephone calls and letters from constituents who have offered many valuable ideas and suggestions. I have moved those suggestions on to the appropriate people.

In Annapolis Valley-Hants people have said clearly that they want Quebec to stay. They have also clearly expressed their desire to be heard on any future constitutional issues. The implementation of a regional veto will achieve both these goals.

It responds to the concerns of Quebecers. For many years Quebec has called for a veto on amendments to the Canadian Constitution. By implementing Bill C-110 we are saying that we want Quebec to be an active participant in the evolution of the Canadian Constitution.

The bill will also protect Quebec against amendments that could diminish its powers, rights and privileges. The government recognizes the legitimacy of Quebec's concerns. Bill C-110 offers strong recognition of the fact that as the nation evolves we must work to ensure constitutional changes are acceptable to all Canada's regions. We also recognize that constitutional change cannot and should not be made if a substantial portion of Canada's population does not approve.

In the final days leading up to the no vote the nationwide grassroots outpouring of public sentiment was a significant factor in the no victory. The giant 150,000-person pro-Canada rally in Montreal was an emotional watershed in Canadian history. Tens of thousands of Quebecers came out and declared their desire to remain in Canada. Canadians from every province came to Quebec to say loud and clear: "We want you to stay".

I was fortunate, along with other members, to have the opportunity to be at that rally. That morning I was in Dorval airport waiting for the unity plane to arrive from Halifax to join with my fellow Nova Scotians and Atlantic Canadians in delivering a message of unity. It gave me the opportunity to share their deep affection for the country. I never felt more proud to be a Canadian.

Some people say that Canadians do not wear their flag on their sleeves and do not show their national pride. When the chips are down Canadians are the proudest people of any nation on earth. Now is the time for us to repay the confidence the people of Quebec have shown in us. It is time to prove to Quebecers that their trust is not misplaced.

It is true the initiatives we are now debating will not satisfy leaders of the separatist government in Quebec or separatist members in the House. Quebec leaders have been very vocal in their refusal to negotiate with the federal government. However in so doing they are doing a disservice to their constituents. The people of Quebec are more reasonable than the extremist leaders of the yes camp. These changes will help to restore their faith in Canada.

I support the bill because it addresses the concerns in Quebec and the desire of citizens in all Canada's regions to be heard on constitutional issues. This initiative shows that we have listened to the call for change. We have listened to the people of Quebec and we have listened to our constituents. Now is the time to move forward.

Canada is a continuously changing and evolving federation. By supporting Bill C-110 we can be sure future change will be beneficial to Quebec and all other Canadian regions.