Rodger Cuzner

[Supply, March 1st, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, the member suggested that unanimous consent would be garnered by the entire opposition party. During the his speech he did not allude to any of the barriers that pertain to this matter.

The motion states:

That this House call upon the government to eliminate the barriers in the Letter of Interest to the aerospace industry, which impede a fair and open Maritime Helicopter Project, and that maritime procurement be conducted on a “best value to the Canadian taxpayers” basis, in accordance with Treasury Board guidelines.

Could the member expand on what the barriers are as they apply in this situation?

[Natalie Macmaster, February 23rd, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, as the member of parliament for Bras d'Or—Cape Breton it is a great pleasure to stand in the House today and offer congratulations to a constituent of mine, Natalie MacMaster, on her recent Grammy nomination for best traditional folk album.

The fiddling sensation from Troy, Inverness County, has dazzled audiences in community halls from Judique to Glencoe to sold out performances on the world stage. Earlier this month she was named instrumental artist of the year at the East Coast Music Awards and her latest CD In My Hands won a Juno award for best instrumental album in 2000.

Her energy and ability are matched only by the passion she demonstrates for her musical roots. Natalie MacMaster is truly a remarkable young woman and has emerged as a wonderful ambassador for Cape Breton Island. We wish her continued success in her future endeavours.

[Hockey, February 22nd, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, we are all well aware of the national institution called Hockey Night in Canada , brought to us every Saturday evening during our winters on CBC television and on Radio-Canada.

This coming Saturday, Hockey Night in Canada will celebrate the true spirit of the game with a 13 hour extravaganza, programming from coast to coast to coast. Canadians from Yellowknife, Sydney, Powell River, Fox Valley, Rankin Inlet, Glace Bay and many other communities will share their experience and love of the game. Through those stories we will share hockey's place in the hearts and heartland of Canada.

To draw attention to this celebration, I have the pleasure of proclaiming Saturday February 24 Hockey Day in Canada.

[Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, February 12th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, in my riding of Bras d'Or—Cape Breton, and indeed throughout all of Cape Breton, we see evidence of good work being done by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and its sister agency of Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation. However the official opposition has stated that regional development agencies such as ACOA will be abolished.

My question is for the minister of state responsible for ACOA. Given the recent tabling of ACOA's departmental performance report and the auditor general's report, could the minister tell the House about ACOA's effectiveness throughout Atlantic Canada?

[Bras D'Or—Cape Breton, February 8th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise in the House today to thank the people of Bras d'Or—Cape Breton for electing me as their member of parliament. I extend a special thanks to my family for their love and support and to all those committed individuals who worked countless hours on my election campaign.

As the member for Bras d'Or—Cape Breton I will work to represent the needs of my constituents. I will be a strong voice on the issues of employment insurance and job creation. I will work toward a strong, thriving economy to ensure that our young people have a future on Cape Breton Island.

I look forward to working with and serving the people of Bras d'Or—Cape Breton and once again thank them for their support.