Joe Fontana

[Committees of the House, May 26th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the fourth report of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration, main estimates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2004, reporting the same less the amount granted in interim supply.

[Committees of the House, May 7th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the unanimous third report of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration regarding our provincial nominee agreements.

I want to thank the witnesses and the hard work of the committee as we travelled across the country to ensure that immigration benefits all parts of the country, small town Canada as well as urban centres. We look forward to working with the provincial governments and other communities to ensure that this objective can be reached.

[Petitions, November 7th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, I would like to present the other three petitions to the House. These petitions are signed by more than 200 constituents from London. The petitioners call upon Parliament to protect our children and to condemn child pornography.

[Petitions, November 7th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, it is my honour to present, pursuant to Standing Order 36, four petitions.

The first petition concerns the case of Mr. Steven Truscott. My constituents are asking the Minister of Justice to re-examine the case and to ensure that justice is being restored to Mr. Truscott.

[ALS Society of Canada, October 8th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge today the important contribution of the ALS Society of Canada and to offer my congratulations for its very successful second annual Walk to D'Feet ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

Over 7,000 individuals, families and friends in 27 communities all across this great country participated in a walk in September and raised more than $1 million. In my community of London, Ontario, over 800 people walked and raised over $160,000. My thanks go out to Dora Redman and Jane Engels.

ALS is a rapidly degenerative neuromuscular disease that kills two or three Canadians a day. Approximately 2,000 Canadians suffer from this illness. The ALS Society provides support for research and support to ALS partners to help them provide quality care for those affected by ALS.

I would like to congratulate all those people associated with the ALS Society for their hard work and contribution to our nation.

[Petitions, June 11th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour and privilege to present, with a heavy heart, a petition on behalf of thousands of Londoners who are petitioning the House of Commons and the government to bring peace, security and tranquility to the Middle East region for both the Palestinians and Israelis.

The petitioners request that the Parliament of Canada take full cognizance of the crisis in the Holy Land of Palestine and Israel. In acknowledging that the cause of peace and justice in the Middle East for Christians, Jews and Muslims is inseparable from the fundamental interest of Canada to secure peace and justice at home and abroad, that it resolve to remain fully apprised of the situation and assist in every way possible to bring peace, restore justice and establish security for all people in the land where Jesus, may peace be upon Him, was born, preached and risen to the heavenly kingdom above.

[Committees of the House, June 11th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the fourth report of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration entitled “Competing for Immigrants”. We have received virtual unanimity on all four of our reports. Therefore I want to thank the members of the standing committee, the minister and his staff, the Canadians who are working abroad and the locally engaged staff who serve our country well.

For over 134 years, Canada has been competing for immigrants and we have some of the best people in the world. We want to continue this tradition of inviting people from all over the world to come and help the greatest nation on earth.

Therefore, I table this report on behalf of our committee and hope that the House of Commons and the Canadian government move forward to ensure that we can process quickly the best, the brightest and the skilled workers that we need to help build our economy and our nation.

[Excise Tax, 2001, May 1st, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I cannot see you, Mr. Speaker, and I do not know if you can see me. I want to make sure my vote has been recorded.

[Committees of the House, March 21st, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the third report of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration, a report entitled “Building a Nation”. This is a precedent setting review of the regulations of the Immigration Act.

I want to thank, on my behalf, all the members of the committee, the minister, the department and all those Canadians who have made it possible to bring their views forward to this parliament.

Pursuant to Standing Order 109, your committee requests the government to table a comprehensive response to this report.

[Sudan, March 18th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, almost a month ago a ceasefire was called in the long protracted civil war in the Sudan. A major concern however is that the government of President Umar al-Bashir insists that it must continue to bomb the southern part of the country. He has accused the Sudanese People's Liberation Army of continuing to blow up oil pipelines. Sudan is a nation marked by factionalism, distrust, failed agreements, death and destruction.

My question is for the Secretary of State for Africa and Latin America. What steps are Canada taking to facilitate, in co-operation with our allies, a lasting peace with the aim of creating humanitarian economic stability in Sudan?