Over 3 million Canadian men, women and children suffer from the pain of migraine, a debilitating neurological disorder which costs the Canadian economy an estimated half billion dollars a year.

The Migraine Association of Canada provides information and compassionate telephone support to help sufferers manage this disorder. The association is launching its third annual campaign to increase awareness of the serious nature of migraine. Volunteers across Canada will display information in workplaces, community centres and schools to foster a greater understanding of the symptoms of migraine and their effects on the sufferer.

Please join me in wishing the Migraine Association of Canada and its volunteers a very successful migraine awareness week.

Headstart ProgramsStatements By Members

1:55 p.m.

Reform

Keith Martin Reform Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca, BC

Mr. Speaker, one year ago 14 year old Reena Virk was brutally beaten to death in my riding by a group of teenage girls.

The Virk family, displaying enormous courage, turned its pain into positive action supporting effective crime prevention tools such as my private member's Motion No. 261 which passed in the House of Commons in May and calls for a national headstart program.

It focuses on strengthening the bond between parents and children, particularly those between the ages of zero and eight, so that children will have their basic needs met.

Headstart programs have decreased child abuse by 99%, youth crime by 60%, teen pregnancies by 50% and saved $30,000 a child. Headstart programs have also decreased the single leading cause of preventable and irreversible brain damage, fetal alcohol syndrome which plagues one-third of the people in jail.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of care and I call on the government to act on the contents of Motion No. 261 and work with the provinces to implement a national headstart program so we will not see more deaths like Reena Virk's.

Guelph—Wellington Community RadioStatements By Members

1:55 p.m.

Liberal

Brenda Chamberlain Liberal Guelph—Wellington, ON

Mr. Speaker, when most people want local, up to date news they tune in to their community radio station. But the community radio stations in my riding of Guelph—Wellington, CJOY and Magic 106.1, provide so much more than this. They play a crucial role in building community spirit by promoting local events and encouraging people to support local charities.

During last year's ice storm and again in the aftermath of hurricane Mitch, CJOY and Magic helped to co-ordinate our community's response, keeping us informed and telling us how we could help. These are just two examples of the important role local radio plays in my riding.

I thank CJOY and Magic for their dedication to our community and for their generosity in donating free air time to local organizations and charities. They are a big part of what makes Guelph—Wellington the best place to live in Canada.

1998 Governor General's Literary AwardsStatements By Members

1:55 p.m.

Liberal

Peter Adams Liberal Peterborough, ON

Mr. Speaker, the 1998 Governor General's Literary Awards were presented today. These awards are given to the best English and French language work in seven categories.

This year's winners are Diane Schoemperlen, Christiane Frenette, Stephanie Bolster, Suzanne Jacob, Djanet Sears, François Archambault, David Adams, Pierre Nepveu, Janet Lunn, Angèle Delaunois, Kady MacDonald Denton, Pierre Pratt, Sheila Fischman and Charlotte Melançon.

Our thanks to the Canada Council for the Arts which administers the awards and provides invaluable support to Canada's writers and artists all year long.

I congratulate today's winners. All Canadians should be immensely proud of the extraordinary wealth of literary achievement and promise that exists in Canada today.

Canada-France Interparliamentary AssociationStatements By Members