Madam Speaker, I would like to present a petition in opposition to euthanasia or person assisted suicide.
Lost his last election, in 1997, with 27% of the vote.
Petitions December 5th, 1994
Madam Speaker, I would like to present a petition in opposition to euthanasia or person assisted suicide.
Petitions December 5th, 1994
Madam Speaker, I have a number of petitions that I have the pleasure of putting forth this afternoon. One petition deals with gun control.
Last Mountain Lake November 24th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, in September an agreement was signed by the Government of Canada, Saskatchewan Wetlands Conservation Corporation, Ducks Unlimited Canada and Wetlands for the Americas to work with one another and other organizations and individuals. They will maintain and enhance the Last Mountain Lake Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network Regional Site as a critical habitat for shorebirds.
Last Mountain Lake is the 25th site to be dedicated as a shorebird reserve in the western hemisphere and the third site in Canada. The two other sites are the Bay of Fundy in Atlantic Canada and Quill Lakes, Saskatchewan.
This action will contribute to the maintenance of the hemisphere's biological diversity and further educate people of the internationally significant natural resources Canada possesses to protect for future generations.
Department Of Canadian Heritage Act November 16th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, it gives me much pleasure to take part in the debate concerning legislation that will establish in law the Department of Canadian Heritage.
As an opening comment I must say I am astounded by the determined attempts to turn a transactional piece of legislation into a seemingly complicated bill. The legislation before us is simply intended to give legal effect to a department that has been in effect for well over a year.
The Department of Canadian Heritage brings together the various elements that define us as a diverse and vibrant nation with a rich and bounteous cultural and natural heritage. The department's activities range from cultural development to arts, broadcasting, national parks, historic sites, amateur sport and multiculturalism. The department also administers social languages, state ceremonial and native programs, all of which contribute in a significant way to what makes uniquely Canadian.
The mission of the Department of Canadian Heritage which states "building our future together: strengthening a shared sense of Canadian identity which respects the diversity of the land and the people" reflects the broad range of activities that define the Canadian society. Direct support to our cultural industries, protection and preservation of our national parks and historic sites and the promotion of Canadian excellence in sports and culture are just a few examples.
Each and every part of the department is connected in some way to what we could refer to as the spirit and soul of Canada. Together these units form a striking panorama of our past accomplishments, our current reality and our aspirations for the future.
As the chief custodian of natural and physical heritage, Parks Canada commemorates, protects and presents both directly and indirectly places of significance to Canadian cultural and natural heritage as a means of encouraging public understanding, appreciation and enjoyment. The economic activity and tourism, generated by the department's operations make a substantial impact on the growth of many local economies. As well the parks service is setting new trends in its approach to the forging of innovative partnership arrangements with private and not for profit enterprises as a means of carrying out the responsibilities that fall within its mandate.
The Department of Canadian Heritage also plays a key role in the enhancement and development of English and French linguistic minority communities. Respect for Canada's two official languages, for the traditions and contributions of our aboriginal peoples, for our cultural diversity and for basic human rights makes Canada stand out among other countries as a nation that truly values and appreciates its diversity.
Multiculturalism is essential to Canadian society. Countries throughout the world are trying to find the formula that will allow them to create a real sense of national identity among groups of different ethnic, cultural, linguistic and racial backgrounds. Many of these countries are now taking a serious interest in the 100 per cent Canadian model we have created.
Members will note that in the act creating the Department of Canadian Heritage the government undertakes to advance the equality of all Canadians in their country's social, economic and cultural life. It recognizes the need to eliminate obstacles that divide Canadians and to forge bonds based on confidence and respect. The goal of multiculturalism is after all to create social cohesion and to strengthen national identity.
The Department of Canadian Heritage also focuses its efforts on the enhancement of culture and the development in Canada of a means of communication. Both are crucial to the future of our country not only in maintaining the uniqueness of Canada but also in acting as a powerful instrument of economic development.
No one will argue that we live in challenging times. At this particular juncture in our country's history unfortunately there are forces working to dismantle the entity that is Canada. Within this context it is imperative that government foster an environment in which Canada's rich cultural heritage can flourish and that all Canadians have access to their own products.
Moreover the march of technology is relentless, changing and in many cases erasing traditional borders. We are also witnessing changes which are taking place on a dramatic scale and are affecting the economies of our established trading partners throughout the world.
Within this backdrop and keeping it in mind now more than ever Canadians will benefit from the creation of a department such as Canadian heritage. I believe that the minister of the department has the privilege to direct one of the government's most exciting and challenging portfolios.
The legislation to create the department presents a far sighted and enlightened step by our government. This department will help ensure that Canada remains a country others look to as an example. It is a nation that is confident enough in its identity to embrace peoples of the world not only accepting their cultural differences but welcoming and acknowledging them for what they are: Living examples of human expression that link us to the past and provide us with the foundation and certainty necessary to face the future.
I believe that as a nation we need a Department of Canadian Heritage. I hope that the bill will receive speedy passage.
Regina Rams Football Team November 16th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, I am proud to bring this news to the attention of the House of Commons.
The news is that the Regina Rams, our Canadian junior football league team, has captured their 12th Canadian title by a 52 to 6 victory in Saturday's Canada bowl in Montreal. This is the second straight Canadian junior football league title for the Rams who won their first national crown in 1966.
Special recognition should go to coach Frank McCrystal. He has been a part of nine championships, four as head coach, two as an assistant coach, and three as a player.
This team of energetic young Canadians has been outstanding and hard working all season. The fans in Saskatchewan are very proud. I want to congratulate the team and wish them well in their next season as well.
Department Of Public Works And Government Services Act October 26th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, as stated in the red book our challenge is and always will be to do more with what we have. Governments everywhere are striving to maintain and to improve service levels to growing populations and to public demands that we do more and be efficient, more open and responsive in the delivery of services in communication with our citizens.
At the same time governments face equally challenging tasks of making their operations more cost effective, reducing expenditures and easing the financial burden that must be shouldered by the people. This is a universal challenge and one that must be met by this government and by all levels of government in Canada, the United States, Japan, Europe, and indeed the world.
The experience of the past decade indicates that one of the most effective ways of meeting the seemingly conflicting goals of better service at lower cost is through the development and application of advanced technology to the operation of government. The Department of Public Works and Government Services has made considerable progress in applying automated systems in delivery programs and services.
A new and advanced communications technology has helped to become more efficient in all aspects of communication within government, within communications and with the Canadian public. The technologies in this field are evolving rapidly. It is vitally important that the federal government keep pace with change, make maximum use of emerging technologies and make our operations more efficient and more cost effective. For this reason I believe the changes embodied in the creation of the Department of Public Works and Government Services represent that positive step.
I refer specifically to the decision to merge the government telecommunications agency, formerly the department of communications, with those portions of former public works and supply and services that dealt with informatics to a new a stronger unit known as government telecommunications and informatics service, or GTIS for short.
An amalgamation of the units will eliminate some duplication of function and will result in cost savings. More important, it creates a comprehensive centre of knowledge and expertise on all aspects of advanced telecommunications and informatics technology. Further, it recognizes the trend in the industrial sector toward convergence of computing and communications technologies.
By locating the agency within the Department of Public Works and Government Services at the very heart of government, it will be in a stronger and more central position. This will benefit the government chief informatics officer, the scores of federal departments and agencies for which PWGSC provides common administrative services, and its home department.
The new GTIS provides information management and information technology to assist in the automation of government administration and provides the common infrastructure for program delivery. GTIS is committed to constructing an information management and information technology infrastructure to support both central responsibilities such as the Receiver General and common services such as procurement and realty management.
It also is the functional and technical authority within the Department of Public Works and Government Services for information management and information technology architecture, standards, policies, practices and guidelines. Generally GTIS is working to develop open and standards based government-wide information management and information technology architecture and infrastucture.
The importance of applying these new technologies to government operations cannot be underestimated. To take just one example, the electronic procurement and settlement system which is being designed by PWGSC will when it has government-wide application offer annual cost saving methods of several hundred million dollars to government and suppliers.
This system, known as EPS, unites the traditionally separate functions of procurement and finance into a single process. EPS will link client departments, suppliers and central common settlement systems allowing them to do business electronically. It will achieve improved service and reduction in related overhead costs. It will put control of procurement in the hands of users without burdening them with the details of process. By next year it is expected that widespread use of EPS by suppliers and departments throughout government will begin.
EPS is a flexible system and one that is workable. The electronic procurement settlement system is but one example of the many applications designed to streamline the operations of government that are being designed with PWGSC and within the government telecommunications and informatics service. Others include the new public service compensation system, the standard payment system, the common departmental financial system, and the government message handling service.
The amalgamation of government expertise and capabilities in this important field through the creation of the government telecommunications and informatics service, GTIS, makes eminent good sense. It will continue to pay off down the road in the form of more effective service delivery and lower administrative costs throughout government. It is one more reason to support this measure to give legislative force to the Department of Public Works and Government Services.
Petitions October 26th, 1994
I have a petition which I support with regard to abortion.
Petitions October 26th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, I have a petition in support of human life.
Petitions October 26th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, I have another petition on behalf of those opposed to assisted suicide. There are a number of petitioners who are making that request.
Petitions October 26th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, I have a petition on behalf of a number of petitioners with regard to the human rights code.