Paddy Torsney

[Endangered Species, April 5th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, perhaps the member opposite believes he is clairvoyant, but the bill has not been tabled so I do not know how he is managing to presuppose the outcome of what the government is planning to do.

It will be individuals and it will be stewardship right across the country that make the difference—people taking voluntary action. The last budget from the finance minister will encourage that process.

The bill will be tabled in a short time. I think he should wait and actually see what is being proposed.

[Endangered Species, April 5th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, my colleagues have suggested that was the voice of an endangered species.

This government fully intends to bring in a holistic approach to protecting our species at risk in Canada. We have a solid approach and that member and all members of the House will know about that plan very shortly.

[The Environment, March 27th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, I am not sure where the hon. member has been but perhaps he has been dreaming in technicolour in the interim.

We passed environmental assessment legislation and environmental protection legislation. We are doing a lot of things in this government, whether it be the budget or it be legislation, to ensure that we are meeting the challenges of the new millennium.

The reality is that the minister will introduce species at risk legislation. He has been working very hard on it and it will be a good bill.

[The Environment, March 24th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, actually the government has been working with governments at the provincial and territorial levels and with experts across the country to put in place an action plan that will see us meet our Kyoto target.

On Monday and Tuesday the Minister of Natural Resources and the Minister of the Environment will be meeting with their provincial and territorial colleagues to get that agreement battened down and to make sure that we are getting things in place, because we have a huge responsibility to Canadians and to people across the world.

Voluntary action is important. It is not the only thing. We have to do other things, but it is a critical component.

[The Environment, March 23rd, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, Globe 2000 provides a unique opportunity for Canadian governments and businesses to showcase their initiatives in the area of climate change particularly to demonstrate that Canada is taking a lead role in meeting the challenges with climate change technologies.

We have talented individuals who are meeting that challenge. Canada is taking the lead to create solutions to meet the diversity of challenges in achieving economic growth and the long term environmental health of the whole world.

[The Environment, March 22nd, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, although members opposite did not seem to notice, the most recent budget included an extra $133 million to ensure we meet our target, to ensure that we have a cleaner environment for all Canadians.

[The Environment, March 22nd, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, the government is leading the way with initiatives to restore, to conserve and to protect major Canadian watersheds and ecosystems, to clean up our water and to protect this most precious resource.

It is the Minister of the Environment who is working with his provincial and territorial colleagues, leading the way on a Canada-wide strategy and accord by prohibiting bulk water removals. Furthermore—

[International Women's Day, March 3rd, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, Wednesday, March 8 is International Women's Day, a day for all of us to celebrate women's talents and accomplishments. It is also a day to take stock of the tremendous amount of work that needs to take place in Canada and around the world to ensure that women really do achieve equality.

Domestically the theme “Canadian Women Taking Action To Make a Difference” provides a broad opportunity for all of us to encourage our youngest women to pursue their dreams.

In Burlington our fourth annual International Women's Day breakfast will be our biggest ever. Maureen Kempston Darkes, president of General Motors, will be sure to inspire and encourage all in attendance to continue to work hard. Thank you, Ms. Darkes for your generous offer to get the message out, to mentor others and to be living proof that women do make a difference and they do take action.

Thank you to the people in my community for allowing me to represent them in a place that used to keep women out.

[The Environment, February 29th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday's budget was great news for all Canadians. Significant investments will help develop new technologies to meet the challenges of global warming, creating competitive advantages for Canadian companies. New dollars will enable the government to protect species at risk, to enforce tough new environmental standards and to expand the Great Lakes action program.

The environmental investment provides Canadians with creative, innovative ways to build capacity and generate new incentives to protect our precious environment for all Canadians.

[Senate, February 24th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to rise in response to the question posed by the hon. member for Halifax West. This is an issue that has been near and dear to my heart in all my life and in all my career.

As the President of the Treasury Board has already pointed out, the government is working to increase the number of people in a visible minority in the federal public service. It is important to recognize that during fiscal year 1998—99 there were a total of 14,338 indeterminate departures from the federal public service, of which 3.7% were visible minority employees. During the same period we recruited 2,533 new indeterminate employees, of which 6.9% were persons in a visible minority. While we recognize that 6.9% does not meet the labour market availability of 8.7%, we are continuing to make progress toward a representative public service.

During fiscal year 1998—99, 38 executives were hired from outside the public service, of which 10.5% were persons in a visible minority. We are demonstrating our commitment to increased representation of persons in a visible minority in the executive ranks.

A task force on the participation of visible minorities in the federal public service was established in April last year, as the member opposite recognized. The task force is examining the situation of visible minorities, building on previous studies and developing a government-wide action plan with concrete strategies to address the issues and improvement of the situation of visible minorities in the federal public service.

We expect the action plan, as the member recognized, to come in the coming months. The government is committed to making the Public Service of Canada better reflect the diversity, the strength and the growth of the Canadian society. I join the member opposite in encouraging the President of the Treasury Board and all hon. members, in making their suggestions for concrete action, to come forward and see that plan implemented. It is important for all Canadians.