Susan Whelan

[The Environment, May 9th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, in many areas the Great Lakes basin has experienced its greatest drop in water levels since records have been kept. Low water levels affect everyone one way or another. At this time it is especially true for marina operators.

In view of the tremendous economic activity which this industry generates and the communities that depend on it, and in view of the need for access to harbours of safe refuge on the lakes, how will the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans deal with the emergency situation in the Great Lakes?

[Health, April 14th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, the Canadian Cancer Society issued its 12th annual report entitled “Canadian Cancer Statistics 2000”. The report contains some positive news for the decline in the incidence of some types of cancer but reveals that areas such as breast cancer and tobacco related cancers need more attention.

Can the Minister of Health tell the House today what the government is doing to reduce the incidence of cancer?

[Waterways, April 12th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, the Great Lakes and Lake St. Clair water levels are at historical lows. A caution warning has been issued to mariners throughout the entire system. As well, internationally designated safe harbours are not accessible. Immediate dredging assistance is needed to assist the commercial and recreational industries that operate on these waterways. How will the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans assist all boaters on our lakes this spring?

[Committees Of The House, April 11th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present in both official languages the fourth report of the Standing Committee on Industry entitled “Productivity and Innovation: A Competitive and Prosperous Canada”.

The Standing Committee on Industry met with over 70 witnesses to discuss productivity, innovation and competitiveness. I would like to thank everyone who participated in our extensive hearings and for sharing their insights with us. I am confident that the public will agree that this report reflects both their concerns and common Canadian values and priorities in our ever evolving and productive economy.

On behalf of the committee I would also like to thank our clerk Richard Rumas, our researchers Daniel Shaw and Daniel Brassard and the interpreters and parliamentary staff for their assistance.

[Committees Of The House, April 10th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present in both official languages the third report of the Standing Committee on Industry on the subject matter of Bill C-229, an act to amend the Canada Post Corporation Act (letter that cannot be transmitted by post).

The committee would like to acknowledge the work of the member for Kitchener Centre on this issue and to thank the witnesses for participating in our discussions.

[Agriculture, March 21st, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday Nick Parsons arrived on Parliament Hill. He drove his combine all the way from Dawson Creek, British Columbia to Ottawa to bring attention to the problems that Canadian farmers are facing right across Canada.

Can the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food tell the House how the government recognized Mr. Parsons' efforts?

[The Environment, March 17th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, the International Joint Commission has released its final report on protecting the Great Lakes waters. It strongly recommends that governments should not permit the removal of water from the Great Lakes basin unless an extremely restrictive set of conditions can be met.

Can the Minister of the Environment assure the House today that this report will assist Canada in prohibiting the sale of bulk water?

[Black History Month, February 24th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, February is Black History Month. It is a time for all Canadians to cherish our country's history.

Yesterday the Reform member for Calgary East spoke and I could not agree with him more. The ancestors of Canada's black community have made a tremendous contribution building our great nation.

That is why the government, through HRDC and the jobs creation partnership program, invested in the Nazrey AME Church, the first black national historic site designated in Canada. Located in the town of Amherstburg, this architecturally distinctive stone chapel is an example of the small refugee churches from Ontario associated with the underground railroad.

For once I hope the Reform Party will recognize this useful spending.

It is a sad day for Canadians when the Reform Party extols the virtues of history in this country while at the same time trashing one of the very programs that preserved it.

[Committees Of The House, February 23rd, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the second report of the Standing Committee on Industry in relation to Bill C-276, an act to amend the Competition Act, 1998 (negative option marketing), with amendments.

[The Environment, February 14th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, air pollution contributes to the untimely death of more than 5,000 Canadians and sends thousands more to hospital each year. The city of Windsor and the county of Essex have some of the worst air pollution in Canada. This is a serious matter that requires immediate attention. This week Canada and the United States begin negotiations for an ozone annex to the Canada-U.S. air quality agreement. How will this help all Canadians including those from Windsor and Essex county?