Maria Minna

[Spring Sprint, April 10th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, spring is in the air. One of the ways we know that spring has arrived is that the 10th annual Beaches Spring Sprint was held this past weekend in my Toronto riding. What better way to shake off the winter blues and enjoy some fresh air and exercise than a run along the shores of Lake Ontario?

A record 830 participants ran the five kilometre race along the boardwalk to raise $6,000 for the Beaches Recreation Centre which is celebrating its 25th anniversary. The runners were assisted by 130 volunteers who demonstrated good community spirit in organizing the race. They made sure everything went along smoothly.

I congratulate the runners and the volunteers on a job well done. The money raised will go to maintain various programs at the Beaches Recreation Centre and to purchase new equipment. Congratulations to all who were involved.

[Criminal Code, April 9th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, as the hon. member knows, the daily management of Canada's refugee status determination system is the responsibility of the chairperson of the immigration and refugee board.

It seems to me the hon. member is suggesting that we rush cases through in order to do away with this backlog. This is a reckless and irresponsible suggestion. There needs to be proper attention given to each and every case.

Every aspect of the board's work touches on the lives and liberties of the people who appear before it. We need to take the time required to ensure that people receive a fair and equitable hearing. Often people's safety and security depend on it.

This does not mean to say that the government is not dealing with this backlog. Measures have been taken to address the increase in workload and to improve the board's efficiency and speed. Both the IRB and citizenship and immigration have been working hard to improve the system.

Last December, for example, the Department of Citizenship and Immigration signed an administrative framework agreement with the board. This agreement is designed to increase co-operation and information sharing, which should assist greatly in the process. It also commits the two bodies to find ways to introduce and share advanced technologies which will enhance operational efficiency.

Bill C-49 is another example. The bill is currently before Parliament and contains two provisions which will reduce the refugee division panel from two members to one. This legislative change will improve the efficiency of the IRB while reducing the processing time required to identify refugees needing our protection.

There is a great deal being done. I appeal to hon. members of the House to support this bill. Its swift passage will help alleviate the backlog.

[Chinese Golden Age Society, March 11th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, this past Friday I had the honour of attending the 25th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Golden Age Society.

The volunteers of this organization organize outings, put together fundraisers and offer companionship as well as moral support to other seniors in the Chinese Canadian community.

Companionship and a sense of community are so important to us all, no matter what our age. At a time in all our lives when we may be less mobile than when we were younger, the Golden Age Society ensures that no one feels left out. The society also provides an excellent example of communities helping communities, of seniors helping seniors and is a model of success for any similar group.

I and the people of the Chinese Canadian community in Beaches-Woodbine congratulate and thank the Golden Age Society for 25 years of hard work and we look forward to another 25 years of success.

[Zaire, March 6th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, I have explained many times that the advisory committee is monitoring the situation. A decision will be made at the appropriate time if it is deemed to be necessary. At this time it is not but the situation is being monitored very closely.

[Zaire, March 6th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, as the hon. member knows, the Advisory Committee on Country Conditions for Removals monitors countries and decides and recommends to the government what action to take on different countries.

It recommended that there be some assistance with Algeria. That is why we requested that all removals to Algeria be suspended for a six-month period until CIC officials are in a position to assess more accurately the dangers.

Rwanda, Burundi and Afghanistan are three other countries which are covered in addition to Algeria. At this time Zaire is not a part of this list but it is being monitored very closely and the government will make a decision at the appropriate time.

[Citizenship And Immigration, March 5th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member has been requesting this kind of assistance for quite some time. There have been all kinds of requests.

All provinces have settlement programs. If the hon. member is suggesting we should not be increasing the settlement program to halt immigrants who come to this country to settle that is not acceptable.

The government is basically acceding to the demands of the provinces over the last several years. This is a positive thing for immigrants. The programs are needed and they will be implemented.

[Citizenship And Immigration, March 5th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, the department is responsible for the settlement of immigrants as they come to this country.

For some time there have been a great deal of discussions back and forth with the provinces with respect to settlement programs. That is where the majority of the increase has been coming from with respect to provincial allocations on settlement programs.

[Immigration, February 10th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, first of all, it is not true that the war criminals have not been identified. They have. That is why they are being removed from the country. As soon as they are identified and under which class they fall, they will be deported.

Second, with the backlog in refugees some measures have already been taken by the IRB which has total responsibility for administering the refugee system and addressing the issues.

Furthermore, Bill C-49 which is in front of the House and with which Parliament is dealing, contains provisions that will reduce the refugee division panels from two to one member. This legislation change will improve the efficiency of the IRB while realizing efficiencies in that kind of a system.

If the hon. member would assist us in passing this bill, it would go a long way in dealing with the issue.

[Immigration, February 10th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, Canada does not protect war criminals. In fact, Canada is not a safe haven for war criminals or persons who have committed heinous crimes.

As a matter of fact the CIC set up a specialized unit in April 1996 which is in the process of finalizing a report that contains the inventory of modern war criminals now in Canada to assist officials who are taking enforcement actions against them. Action is being taken. These people will be removed. They will not be allowed to stay in this country.

[National Forum On Health, February 10th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my congratulations to the National Forum on Health, which presented its report this week.

Our health care system is the pride of our country. The forum reaffirmed the belief of Canadians that the single tier, publicly funded health care system is the best model to deliver the best care for the best results for the best price.

The forum produced some excellent recommendations. Among some of the most interesting recommendations is that the government examine publicly funded home care and medication. The report also underlines the link between poverty and health, especially in children.

I support these recommendations, as they clearly indicate that health care as a prevention method is the best way to go.