1994 Winter Olympic Games  Speaker, on behalf of my constituents in Thunder Bay-Atikokan and all the young Canadians who aspire to achieve levels of superior performance in their respective athletic endeavours, I wish to congratulate Thunder Bay's John Lockyer on becoming Canada's champion ski jumper, an outstanding athlete who has earned international respect and acclaim. However as the only member of Canada's national ski jumping A-team John will not be competing in the winter Olympics in Lillehammer, the first time in winter Olympic history that Canadian ski jumpers will not be participating.

Budget Implementation Act, 1995  Mr. Speaker, this debate is about the implementation of the federal budget. However I would like to take advantage of the occasion to pick up on a point made by the hon. member in the closing passage of his speech and look beyond the budget to examine the whole question of Canada's national debt; that constantly growing monster which requires $44 billion annually simply to feed.

Witness Protection Act  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak on Bill C-206, an act to provide for the relocation and protection of witnesses. The hon. member for Scarborough West, the sponsor of the bill, deserves credit for bringing before the House an issue that occupies the attention not just of Canadian law enforcement agencies but of law enforcement agencies around the world.

Speech From The Throne  Madam Speaker, I would like to start by congratulating you on your election to the Chair of this honourable House. I presume that while you waited with bated breath, while your colleagues took a second look before firmly ensconcing you in the Chair, but I have no doubt whatsoever in your ability to lead us in our deliberations with decorum and respect.

Firearms Act  Mr. Speaker, in Dartmouth last September NAFO established a total allowable catch of 27,000 tonnes of turbot for 1995. In announcing the NAFO agreement, the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans assured Parliament that "Canada will have for the first time the right to board and inspect the vessels catching turbot and to ensure that the proper rules are being followed to conserve this important stock," something he has failed to do.

Maintenance Of Railway Operations Act, 1995  Madam Speaker, first of all, I welcome this opportunity to mention that our new Minister of Labour has done an outstanding job regarding this strike. It is not often that a new minister finds herself or himself with such a heavy agenda so soon after being made a member of the government.

Grain Export Protection Act  Mr. Speaker, I have the honour and privilege today to speak to a bill introduced by the member for Lethbridge. The bill seeks to make it illegal for anyone, employee or employer, to cause any cessation of work at any stage of the progress of grain from the premises of the producer of the grain to export.

Borrowing Authority Act, 1994-95  Mr. Speaker, I commend the previous speaker from London West for her fine maiden speech. I enjoyed it thoroughly. Today I ask my fellow Canadians, one and all, to think calmly and clearly upon the budget that has been placed before this House. We are indeed fortunate to have such a well thought-out and balanced financial plan presented to us as the basis of our operations the next fiscal year.

Canada Petroleum Resources Act  Mr. Speaker, I rise to address the House on Bill C-25, an act to amend the Canada Petroleum Resources Act. I want to join my colleague, the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, in urging hon. members to support this minor administrative change to the act. Bill C-25 will permit extending the duration of production from Norman Wells oil field probably to the year 2020 thereby continuing an important source of income from which northern families have benefited for the past five decades.

The Budget  Over the last few days a great deal of speculation about the budget has been replaced by some pretty confident and solid comments about the Canadian economy. They have been addressing the positives in terms of what we have seen in the budget. Mr. John Bulloch, president of the Canadian Federation of Business, said that it was very believable and very credible. The powerful Canadian Manufacturers Association called the budget the first serious attempt at resolving Canada's books and balancing them properly.

Main Estimates, 1995-96  Mr. Speaker, I noted in the statement by the President of the Treasury Board that he says: "What I have just said shows that we didn't shy away from tough decisions" and "this government is committed to fiscal responsibility". The government thinks it is just a case of more taxes, more taxes, more taxes.

Supply  Mr. Speaker, I have three children at home. I am used to talking when others are talking, so it is not really a problem for me and there are children here too. The other comment I make arising out of the remarks of the member for Hochelaga-Maisonneuve is the notion which appears to underlie his basic thesis which is that we should give money to individual firms in order to assist them in converting.

Canada Oil And Gas Operations Act  Speaker, Bill C-6 before the House today is in fact a piece of legislation the previous government did not have time to pass and which died several times on the Order Paper. Essentially, this bill only gives legal basis to the role currently played by the National Energy Board ever since its merger with the Canada Oil and Gas Lands Administration in 1991. As my colleague from Matapédia-Matane said earlier, the Bloc Quebecois approves the principle of the bill and will vote for it at the second reading stage.

Borrowing Authority Act, 1994-95  I came to this country at the age of 5, having been born on the beautiful Mediterranean island of Malta. I am the first Maltese born Canadian to sit as a member in the House. I am very proud and thankful to be a Canadian. At the commencement of the 35th Parliament each of us brings along an agenda that embodies a vision of Canada.

Supply  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the whip of the Reform Party I would like to advise the House that pursuant to Standing Order 43(2) our speakers on the motion will be dividing their time. First my congratulations to the Bloc for introducing a motion that deals with trying to come to terms with the problems of money and lack of money in the country.