Mr. Speaker, in these days of technological achievement countries are racing to open new frontiers. The sky is no longer the limit. Thousands of satellites circulate around our planet and thousands of others are lost in space. Since the 1960s there have been many space missions, some of which were not completed.
Members may remember in 1978 when a Russian spy satellite containing 100 pounds of uranium plunged through the atmosphere over the Northwest Territories. Members may also remember in 1996 when part of a Russian space probe plunged into the Pacific ocean. At this very moment thousands of pieces of broken space equipment are circulating above us with many more to come.
With 434 days to the new millennium Canada should take the lead and co-ordinate efforts with other interested countries to clean up space. We have over 5,000 intelligent experts who work in space and related industries. These men and women are the best in the world. With their support I am confident we can pass on to our children an even better future.