Walt Lastewka

[St. Catharines' Oktoberfest, October 7th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, the fall season is upon us and in St. Catharines fall means Oktoberfest.

This year Oktoberfest will be held from October 15 to 23. It features special events at local clubs, pubs, city hall, the St. Catharines centennial library and much more. The festival means music, food and the occasional beer, a nine-day celebration of Bavarian fun.

As Canada's oldest Oktoberfest, St. Catharines is very proud on this its 34th annual festival.

Special thanks and congratulations to the St. Catharines Oktoberfest-Pumpkinfest committee and to the many volunteers who will make this event great.

I encourage everyone to visit St. Catharines next week. As president Stephen Ruf and CHSC Morning Mayor John Larocque say, come for the friendship, come for the music, come for the food and come for the fun.

[Wine And Grape Festival, September 27th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, from September 16 to September 25, St. Catharines celebrated the grapes and wines of the Niagara region.

My riding of St. Catharines hosted the 43rd annual wine and grape festival. The festival is an annual harvest tradition of elegant gourmet dinners, outdoor events, concerts, winery tours, parades, children's events, a royal ball and a wide variety of winery hosted events.

The grape, wine and juice industry in Canada is a vital part of our economy. In Ontario alone the industry represents thousands of full time and seasonal jobs. Canadian wines with its VQA, vintage quality alliance, have won many international awards for excellence.

I would like to take the opportunity to honour the excellent wines of the Niagara region and of Canada, and congratulate this year's grape and wine king, Dr. Clair Wiley.

[Petitions, September 20th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to place before the House a petition signed by over 1,000 people from St. Catharines and surrounding area.

The petitioners state that they abhor crimes of violence against persons. We believe that killer trading cards offer nothing positive for children or adults to admire or emulate but rather contribute to violence.

The petitioners ask Parliament to amend the laws of Canada to prohibit the importation, distribution, sale and manufacture of killer cards in law and to advise producers of killer cards that their product, if destined for Canada, will be seized and destroyed.

I have spoken in the House before about the harm to society of serial killer cards. I would like to reiterate my support for this petition.

[Folk Arts, June 20th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, last month St. Catharines celebrated its 26th Annual Folk Arts Festival.

Some 35 local ethnic organizations participated in the festivities held in the last two weeks of May. The folk arts festival welcomes visitors to see the world from its doorstep. Indeed the organizations that participated in the festival's activities brought the food, the culture and the multitude of ethnic festivities and activities from around the world to the city of St. Catharines.

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the organizers of the folk arts festival, the president, Ann Stavina, and all those who participated. Their tireless efforts ensured the success of the festival this year.

[Ukrainian Catholic Women's League Of Canada, June 15th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, the member for Welland-St. Catharines-Thorold joins me in extending warmest congratulations to the Ukrainian Catholic Women's League of Canada which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.

The UCWLC has a membership of over 6,300 and takes a strong interest in today's social issues such as the family and child violence, to name only two. It has made a major contribution to many communities across Canada and today we wish to recognize its contribution to the well-being of our communities.

[Youth, June 10th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Secretary State for Training and Youth. A few weeks ago the secretary of state and the Minister of Human Resources Development announced some 37 youth services corps lead sites, including one for my own riding with the Institute for Enterprise Education which will help young people obtain entrepreneurial skills.

Given the great enthusiasm expressed by young Canadians for the program, could the secretary of state report to the House on the progress being made in its implementation? Could she also give us an indication when other lead sites might be announced?

[Bangladesh, May 3rd, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, in the wake of the severe cyclone which battered the Bangladesh coast and offshore islands yesterday I would like to extend sincere condolences to the people of Bangladesh.

Winds of over 200 kilometres per hour and heavy rains swept over the area bringing widespread damage to crops and property. The Canadian High Commission in Bangladesh has confirmed that there have been many casualties from this storm.

I know all members of the House join me in mourning this terrible loss of life and property.

Our condolences are also extended to the members of the Bangladesh community in Canada. We join with them in mourning the passing of their friends and loved ones.

[Club Roma, April 28th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Club Roma on its

recent 33rd anniversary celebrations. Club Roma is an important Italian organization in the city of St. Catharines. As Club Roma begins its 34th year, it is launching the greatest expansion and fund raising project in its history.

The ambitious project has been aptly kicked off with the Club Roma dream house raffle. The new expansion project is evidence of the important role that Club Roma plays in the community. Many organizations in St. Catharines have benefited from the club's generosity, including every hospital in St. Catharines.

Club Roma is also an integral part of the rich multicultural heritage of St. Catharines. The club's success in the preservation and promotion of the diverse heritage of our community has contributed immensely to the city of St. Catharines and the greater Niagara region.

I extend congratulations and good wishes to the president, Angelo Mirabella, and to Club Roma for a successful campaign and a successful 1994.

[Ukraine, April 18th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Now that Ukraine has voted in a new Parliament and is searching for means to strengthen its infrastructure and its economy, what role will the Canadian government play in its foreign policy relations with Ukraine?

[Petitions, April 15th, 1994]

Madam Speaker, I rise today to place before the House a petition signed by some 700 Canadians from the Niagara-Hamilton area.

As you know, Madam Speaker, I have spoken in the House before about the harm to society of serial killer cards. The petitioners state that they support the efforts of Debbie Mahaffy in her quest to have the killer cards seized at the Canada-U.S. border to stop their distribution in Canada.

The cards published by Eclipse Comic Books, True Crime Trading Cards and other publishers feature the crimes of serial killers, mass murderers and gangsters. We do not want these cards in our community.

The petition goes on to state: "We abhor crimes of violence against persons and we believe that killer trading cards offer nothing positive for children or adults to admire or emulate but rather contribute to violence. Therefore, the undersigned your petitioners, humbly pray and call upon the Parliament of Canada to amend the laws of Canada to prohibit the importation, distribution, sale and manufacture of killer cards in law and to advise producers of killer cards that their products, if destined for Canada, will be seized and destroyed".

I reiterate my support for this petition which I table in the House today.