Spring  Mr. Speaker, Sunday was the first day of spring in Canada, or at least it was in my city of Vancouver. Today I have attempted to bring the sweet air of our west coast spring to Ottawa. In the lobbies outside this House are 295 daffodils for 295 members of Parliament. It is my wish that these daffodils like spring itself awaken the creative passions of members of the House of Commons.

Nutrition Month  Mr. Speaker, I take this opportunity to remind members of the House and all Canadians that March is national nutrition month. The theme for the Canadian Dietetic Association's 1994 national nutrition campaign is "Nourishing Our Children's Future". The goal of the campaign is to promote the importance of nutrition and healthy eating for children between the ages of four and 12.

International Women's Week  Mr. Speaker, in honour of International Women's Week I would like to recognize two extraordinary women in my riding, women who overcame great odds to achieve success. One is Barbara Binns, a black Jamaican born Canadian who has devoted the last 20 years of her life to improving the lives of women in developing countries and to combating racism in Canada.

Excise Act  Mr. Speaker, I rise to support Bill C-11. As members know, part of this bill deals with the Customs Act and the Excise Act and it therefore deals with issues such as seizure, enforcement, identifying smuggled goods and in fact with a lot of the law and order issues that pertain to smuggling.

Excise Act  Mr. Speaker, I want to comment in the absence of the Minister of Health that in fact the Minister of Health has been meeting with the lung association, the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Canadian Medical Association and all the anti-smoking groups to talk about new strategies.

Multiculturalism  Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize multiculturalism week in my home province of British Columbia, as proclaimed by the Hon. David Lam, Lieutenant Governor. From February 13 to February 19, British Columbians will take part in events and activities throughout the province, affirming the diverse cultural heritage that is integral to life in our province.

Prince Edward Island Fixed Link  Madam Speaker, the question as the hon. member has said is a very complex one and to try to boil it down to a simplistic answer is impossible. I will take on the issue first and foremost of the problem of tobacco smuggling. When the Prime Minister stood up in this House on February 8 and announced his national action plan on tobacco he said very clearly that smuggling is threatening the safety of our communities and the livelihood of law-abiding merchants.

Osteoporosis Menopause Education Project  Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to inform the House of the launching of a nation-wide osteoporosis menopause education project by the Osteoporosis Society of Canada. The project is organized through a partnership with the private and voluntary sectors and is directed primarily at Canadian women 35 to 55 years of age.

Social Security System  Mr. Speaker, I am afraid I do not understand the member's question very well. He said that the Liberal government has had nine years to consult. Is that the question? The Liberal government has been in opposition for the last nine years. It has not been a position to set the course for this country.

Social Security System  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to hear that the hon. member and I have much in common. I have a 25 year old who has a university education and not able to find work either. We have all come here with the same bottom line. We are all looking for the same things. I do take exception to the fact that the hon. member said the red book is long on rhetoric.

Social Security System  Mr. Speaker, this is my first time to rise and speak on the floor. I would like to congratulate you on your appointment. I look forward to working with you. I would like to congratulate everyone here for being elected. Obviously constituents felt that members were worthy of that trust and have sent them here.

Eating Disorders Awareness Week  Mr. Speaker, I take this opportunity to remind members of the House and all Canadians that February 1 to 7 marks Eating Disorders Awareness Week. The theme is: Breaking free-Celebrating our sizes. The National Eating Disorder Centre and support groups across Canada will address a key concern about weight obsession and negative body image particularly among women.

Alzheimer Awareness Month  Mr. Speaker, January is Alzheimer Awareness Month in Canada. All across the country organizations involved with Alzheimer's disease will undertake activities to raise awareness of this terrible illness. There is no known cause or cure for Alzheimer's disease. It not only affects the people who have it but it also affects the lives of their families and friends.

Victorian Order Of Nurses Week  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of all Canadians I would like to recognize this as Victorian Order of Nurses Week. For nearly 100 years the Victorian Order of Nurses has provided primary health care to Canadians in the home and the community. The Victorian Order of Nurses is a unique nursing agency in that it is national and a registered charitable organization.