Nathan Cullen

[The Environment, October 20th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, in 1993 the Prime Minister promised to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2005. The reality is that we are dead last in the industrialized world even behind the likes of George W. Bush. So much for Liberal promises.

Now the Liberals are promising more far away action instead of action today. They are getting $2.6 billion from the sale of Petro-Canada. The clean technology that will cut pollution is already available in this country.

Will the environment minister stand up today and commit to investing 100% of these proceeds into Canada's green economy?

[Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply, October 19th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I was wondering, since we have the minister with us today, if we could extend this debate for five more minutes.

[Canada Education Savings Act, October 14th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, while I applaud the hon. member for his passion and exuberance over the generosity of the government, I have a couple of questions in particular.

One is, what is happening for students now? This is something that will be kicking in for students some time over the next 15 to 20 years. As a relatively recent graduate myself, the debt load which students in this country are carrying right now fills me with concern.

The other part is about the government's supposed generosity on the program. Checking with the current tuition fees and the skyrocketing prices for schooling which my hon. colleague mentioned earlier, how is it that the maximum total of $7,000 or thereabouts will actually help any low income families in their ambition to achieve the Canadian dream when it only barely covers perhaps a student's first semester of education? This is an important facet to the bill with which we remain unsatisfied. As well, the $100 a year contribution does not even cover the cost of text books these days.

While the generosity is questionable and the intention might be there, would the government be willing to do anything to address the size of the contribution toward the future of Canadian students?

[Alice Coppard, October 12th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, I rise for the first time in the House to honour a woman whose recent passing has been brought to my attention.

I wish to recognize the life of one of Canada's pioneer environmental and peace activists, Alice Coppard, who passed away peacefully in Vancouver last Thursday at the age of 98.

Alice came to Canada in 1959 and worked throughout the 1960s in Vancouver with the Voice of Women and the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, and helped organize Canada's first ban the bomb marches. She was keenly aware of the link between peace and environmental protection, and became an early member of SPEC, the Society Promoting Environmental Conservation.

One of Alice's most lasting legacies came about in 1971. At the age of 64 she and SPEC co-founder Gwen Mallard hitchhiked across Canada. A 64,000 name petition was the result calling for a moratorium on oil and gas exploration off the coast of British Columbia.

These two brave women then presented the petition to then energy minister Jack Davis before going on to Washington, D.C. The result of the trip was the establishment of the moratorium which I am proud to say is still in effect today. Alice remained active in the environmental and peace movements until the end as honorary president of SPEC, and one of the members of the infamous Raging Grannies.

As noted by Gerry Thorne, the current president of SPEC, her life was--