House of Commons Hansard #124 of the 36th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was c-20.
The Speaker
As is our practice on Wednesday we will now sing O Canada, and we will be led by the hon. member for Fraser Valley.
Carmen Provenzano Liberal Sault Ste. Marie, ON
Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate FedNor, northern Ontario's regional economic development agency, on a highly successful youth internship program.
Designed to promote the employment of recent college and university graduates, FedNor's internship initiative gives participants a needed chance to gain valuable work experience in community economic development, market research and the application of new business technologies.
Industry Canada through FedNor has invested nearly $1.5 million this year in northern Ontario youth internships. In fact, an investment of over $69,000 in internship funding was announced in my riding just last week.
The best news of all is that FedNor's funding was stabilized in the 1998 federal budget, meaning young northern Ontarians will benefit from this internship program for years to come.
Myron Thompson Reform Wild Rose, AB
Mr. Speaker, everyone here in the House of Commons will be receiving a letter from Keith Addy who is with us today in the gallery. Keith was a security guard from Ottawa who was in a coma after a hit and run by young offenders. The accident left him unable to fulfil his dreams of becoming a police officer.
I hope that you all will take time to respond to this young man. I think he deserves more than just a form letter from the government benches.
The following are some excerpts from his letter: “I have become, due to the intentional actions of a group of young offenders in July 1996, a victim. I did not choose this notoriety, it was thrust upon me that morning and has changed my life forever.
“Will incidents like mine be properly dealt with by the law? I think not, so long as the government fails to punish young people in a meaningful way for their crimes. All we victims ask for is justice.
“Our Minister of Justice and the rest of the federal government need to hear that the public is calling out for the Young Offenders Act to be abolished. The present amendments made to the YOA are by no means sufficient and the time to act is long overdue”.
Claudette Bradshaw Liberal Moncton, NB
Mr. Speaker, on September 18, Michel Doucet, Dean of the Université de Moncton Law School, was on the merit list on the occasion of the national symposium on official languages.
Mr. Doucet has made a huge contribution to the advancement of language rights of the Acadian and francophone communities. He has always encouraged the promotion and development of the socio-legal aspects of official languages. As well, his ideas culminated in the creation of the Association des juristes d'expression française du Nouveau-Brunswick.
Mr. Doucet is an ardent supporter of the advancement of linguistic rights of Acadian and francophone communities.
I would like to congratulate him on being conferred an award of distinction, an honour he truly deserves.
My sincere congratulations to Mr. Doucet for this well-deserved honour.
Stan Dromisky Liberal Thunder Bay—Atikokan, ON
Mr. Speaker, Experience Canada is a national career development program designed to reduce youth unemployment and increase national unity by helping graduates gain the work experience they need to qualify for the modern workplace.
Eligible participants benefit from an all expenses paid, 24-week work experience in a province or territory other than their own. They emerge from the program with a better understanding of the country, greater confidence and real work experience.
This is a win-win program. Canada wins because young Canadians are made more productive. Participants win because they acquire new skills and confidence. Funding comes from the private sector and Human Resources Canada.
Here is another fine example of how this government is helping young Canadians.
Elsie Wayne Progressive Conservative Saint John, NB
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to once again address this government's lack of compassion.
Early this morning, merchant navy veterans began to arrive on the Hill and two of them are up here in the gallery today. They arrived to protest the absence of the minister's promised legislation. This legislation was to make these veterans equal with all veterans in Canada.
When the minister stopped this morning to speak to the veterans, he was asked about compensation. His reply was “We cannot turn back the clock”. Thank God these brave soldiers did not turn back in World War II. Instead, they fought for our freedom and were never given any meaningful recognition for their role. These men and women may perish on the steps of Parliament Hill but the freedom they gave to us will never die.
It is my hope that the government will show some compassion soon and not turn its back on these vets as it did on the innocent victims of hepatitis C.
Peter Adams Liberal Peterborough, ON
Mr. Speaker, everyone knows that oldtimers hockey began in Peterborough. However, some may have forgotten that the bible of the sport, the Oldtimers' Hockey News , was also conceived and born in Peterborough. It was first published in 1975 by Dave Tatham but it was stolen away by Ottawa.
I am pleased to announce that the Oldtimers' Hockey News is once again being published in Peterborough. It has been acquired by Peterborough This Week , one of our community newspapers. This means that 37,500 readers around the world will be hearing from Peterborough throughout the hockey season.
My congratulations to Peterborough This Week for bringing this important part of our local national heritage back to Peterborough. I urge all members to renew their subscriptions to the Oldtimers' Hockey News .
Gurmant Grewal Reform Surrey Central, BC
Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay homage to Yves de Roussan, one of the two Canadians killed on Swissair flight 111.
Mr. de Roussan was a regional adviser with UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund. His wife and four children survive him.
The Canadian and international aid community and the developing world will miss him.
He began working with UNICEF helping street kids in Brazil. He worked with children on the front line with issues like AIDS and drug abuse. In Madagascar and Angola he headed emergency programs under extremely difficult conditions.
He was appointed regional adviser for youth programs in the former Soviet Union and central Europe.
Mr. de Roussan left behind a legacy of hope for deprived children in the world.
We have lost a great Canadian and an aid worker who has done our country proud around the world helping people and children in particular.
Sarmite Bulte Liberal Parkdale—High Park, ON
Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to recognize and salute the city of Toronto's first annual Walk a Child to School Day.
Today parents from my riding and throughout the city of Toronto took the time to walk their children to school.
By supporting today's walk, parents, teachers and children are addressing many of the important issues that our society faces. Today parents and teachers are promoting safer streets, stronger communities, healthier students and a cleaner environment.
While this special day may have started in Toronto, the idea has already spread and has captured the imagination and interest of parents across our country. Schools in Vancouver, Calgary, Ottawa, Halifax and Surrey will also take part in this special day.
It gives me great pleasure to salute the organizers and the participants who today took the time and made the effort for our children and participated in the first annual Walk a Child to School Day.
Janko Peric Liberal Cambridge, ON
Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the Minister of Canadian Heritage for her vision and leadership in organizing an important international meeting on cultural policy this summer.
The goal of this meeting was to build alliances and promote international co-operation for enhancing cultural sovereignty and diversity in the face of globalization.
Discussions during the Ottawa meeting were built around three themes: cultural diversity; the role of culture in global relations; and culture and trade.
Through meetings such as these, the importance of protecting and enhancing Canadian and other cultures is brought front and centre on the world stage.
I urge the minister to continue to build on this success.
Peter Goldring Reform Edmonton East, AB
Mr. Speaker, Canada's merchant navy of World War II is proud of its contribution to a free world and should remain the recipient of the enduring respect of all Canadians.
Canadians must recognize fully that our existence and privileges enjoyed today are due not only to the efforts of our veterans but also to the efforts of their missing comrades around the world.
Few finer examples of Canadian wartime success and magnificent effort can be found than in the annals of the Battle of the Atlantic, where merchant seamen sailed the enemy infested sea in keeping allies supplied in World War II.
Now 55 years hence, three determined seamen, Pope, MacLean and MacArthur, await with resolve for a response to their grievances and hunger strike.
Why, Mr. Minister, are they driven to such dire straits? Please answer their call lest a tragedy occur at the very door of this House.
Michel Guimond Bloc Beauport—Montmorency—Orléans, QC
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to point out to you that my riding will now have a new name, one which will task your memory, but which better reflects the nature of the riding. That name is Beauport—Montmorency—Côte-de-Beaupré—île-d'Orléans.
I will explain the characteristics of this designation: Beauport refers to the city in the centre of the riding; Montmorency refers to the majestic Montmorency Falls, which I would remind you are higher than Niagara Falls; the name Beaupré refers to the magnificent landscapes along that part of the shores of the St Lawrence, and reminds us of the part it played in the first colonization by the French in America; finally, Île d'Orléans, immortalized by our famous poet Félix Leclerc, is where the highest concentration of 17th century houses and the best strawberries in America can be found.
From now on, whenever the name of my riding is heard in the House of Commons, I know that I shall be the envy of my distinguished colleagues.
I invite all members to come and see for themselves how true my claims for the riding are.
Angela Vautour NDP Beauséjour—Petitcodiac, NB
Mr. Speaker, women across this country have been waiting 14 years for government to recognize pay equity.
Federal employees have been waiting far too long. It is unacceptable.
Let me tell the House about one of these employees. For 25 years Marie Ann Wry from Sackville in my riding was a loyal federal employee working at the Dorchester Penitentiary. She strongly believed in pay equity.
In 1992, concerned about the Conservative stalling tactics to implement pay equity, she wrote to the leader of the opposition, now our Prime Minister. The leader of the opposition replied that a Liberal government would try to promote greater equality in the public service and Canadian society in general.
That letter was really important to Ms. Wry. She held on to this letter until her death last January. Until her last day she was hoping the Liberals would honour pay equity. It was in vain.
How many more women will have to die before this is settled?
George Proud Liberal Hillsborough, PE
Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure today to bring to the attention of this House the outstanding bravery of two members of the Canadian forces. On November 12, 1996 an individual on a Danish trawler near Resolution Island lay critically ill. To save his life two search and rescue technicians from Greenwood made a dangerous and unprecedented night parachute jump into freezing arctic waters.
They could easily have said no but Master Corporal Keith Mitchell and Master Corporal Brian Pierce made the daring decision to jump when bad weather forced the original rescue team to land their helicopter. They battled three-metre waves and high winds that carried them away from the vessel. Struggling to stay afloat, the two men fought off the beginnings of hypothermia until a Zodiac picked them up. After the harrowing experience they stabilized the critically ill man's condition, saving his life.
For their efforts each were awarded the Cross of Valour, Canada's highest decoration for bravery in peacetime. These two people represent the type of men and women who serve the Canadian forces and face adversity with courage. Congratulations to them both.
Carolyn Bennett Liberal St. Paul's, ON
Mr. Speaker, this past Saturday night marked the closing gala of the 23rd annual Toronto International Film Festival. The film festival, which is one of the most highly respected and renowned in the world, saw the presentation of 311 films from 53 countries over 10 days. I am most proud of the fact that 26 Canadian feature films and 42 Canadian shorts were screened at this festival.
I would like to extend my congratulations to Mr. Piers Handling, festival director, who was bestowed the insignia of Chevalier des Arts et Lettres by the French delegation at a ceremony held on September 15. Through the hard work of individuals such as Mr. Handling, the film festival has become a truly impressive showcase of talent to the world.
Canadian film making has always provided a lens through which to gain insight into our unique Canadian culture. The Toronto International Film Festival affords us an outstanding opportunity to present that to the world while at the same time it provides us with a forum to display our outstanding facilities, talented industry workers and extremely knowledgeable audience. I am delighted to rise today—
Toronto International Film FestivalStatements By Members
The Speaker
The hon. member for Portneuf.
Pierre De Savoye Bloc Portneuf, QC
Mr. Speaker, today I am pleased to honour a cheesemaker from my riding who was recently awarded the Dairy Farmers of Canada Grand Prix in Halifax. The jury also awarded him the trophy for Grand Champion, all categories.
This cheesemaker, Luc Mailloux, owns Piluma de Saint-Basile farm in Portneuf county, which produces Saint-Basile, Chevalier Mailloux, Sarah Brizou and Sainte-Angélique, which are all raw milk cheeses.
I would just like to point out that, had it not been for the Bloc Quebecois' initiative two years ago, raw milk cheeses would have been banned by the Government of Canada. Fortunately, Luc Mailloux and his wife Sarah Tristan have been able to continue to produce these excellent cheeses—
Cheesemaker Luc MaillouxStatements By Members
The Speaker
The hon. member for Langley—Abbotford.
Randy White Reform Langley—Abbotsford, BC
Mr. Speaker, members of the House of Commons and all Canadians, this summer Canadians watched a team of young men from Langley, British Columbia capture the Canadian Little League Championship. We then watched this outstanding team as they progressed to the semifinals of the Little League World Series.
This Langley, British Columbia team consisted of dedicated young men, coaches, a manager, parents and a caring community all contributing and striving to be the very best they can be. Langley in my riding is well known for its beautiful scenery, community involvement and strong family values. It is now also known as the place where the Canadian Little League champions reside.
We in this House of Commons and indeed we in Canada want these young ambassadors, their parents, supporters and sponsors to know that we are very very proud of their strength, dedication and achievements.
Yvon Charbonneau Liberal Anjou—Rivière-Des-Prairies, QC
Mr. Speaker, this is the week the UN has declared to be World Maritime Week. It gives us an opportunity to reflect on the contribution the seas have made to the development of mankind.
They are a source of inestimable wealth, and, over the centuries, have been indispensable to explorers seeking new vistas and adventures far from home.
Woven into our history and vital to our economic development, the seas remind us daily of our common duty to protect and develop them so that their wealth may continue to contribute to the development of all nations.
This duty is particularly compelling for us whose country they border to the east, the north and the west.
Preston Manning ReformLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, the greatest security risk at the APEC summit was not from peaceful protesters, it was from armed bodyguards surrounding dictator Suharto of Indonesia.
Some of these bodyguards even talked about shooting Canadians for carrying signs. Five of them became so violent they actually had to be arrested themselves.
What does it say about the Prime Minister's priorities when foreign hit men are allowed to do their own thing on Canadian streets but Canadian students are not?
