Walt Lastewka

[Ukrainian Elections, April 15th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, Ukraine has just completed the first and second rounds of its first democratic elections.

It has been more than 70 years since Ukraine has had democratic elections, but its people are rich in patience and tolerance.

They have waited very long for this day and they have worked hard to ensure the success of their democracy. They are proud to have achieved a Parliament without bloodshed and extremism during the election process.

I would like to extend congratulations to Elections Canada, especially to Andre Bouchard and Ambassador Francois Mathys for their excellent work in assisting the Ukrainian election committee during the past several months.

The Canadian government and the Canadian people have played a very significant role in Ukraine's search for democracy, its search for hope and its search for peace and a better way of life.

I congratulate Ukraine for having earned the respect of people throughout the world. May Canada and Ukraine continue to work together to make both countries prosperous.

[Walter Ostanek, March 9th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today to congratulate a great Canadian and a member of my St. Catharines constituency, Mr. Walter Ostanek.

Walter Ostanek, better known as the polka king, received a second Grammy Award in New York last week. Walter Ostanek and his band won best polka album for Accordionally Yours .

As the member of Parliament for St. Catharines, I am pleased and proud to congratulate Mr. Ostanek on his success at the Grammys. Those of us from St. Catharines have known of Mr. Ostanek's talent for many years. His dedication to the pursuit of excellence is exemplified by this most recent achievement in the international music industry.

Congratulations to Walter Ostanek and his band.

[Petitions, February 25th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to place before this House a petition co-ordinated by Holy Cross High School in St. Catharines and signed by almost 3,000 of my constituents in the surrounding areas.

As you know, Mr. 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 Mrs. Debbie Mahaffy in her quest to have the importation of killer cards seized at the Canada-U.S. border to stop their distribution in Canada.

The cards published by Eclipse Comic Books, the 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 communities.

The petition continues: 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 this 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 product if destined for Canada will be seized and destroyed.

May I reiterate my support for this petition which I table in the House today and thank the member for Glengarry-Prescott-Russell for his assistance and support.

[Brock University, February 25th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today to congratulate Brock University on its 30th anniversary. The university is central to the Niagara Peninsula and is an excellent centre of higher learning.

The theme for Brock University's 30th anniversary is: "Big enough to matter and small enough to care". The university certainly lives up to this theme. The business, the arts and teacher education programs have excellent national reputations. The new school of entrepreneurship is a unique, progressive, small business initiative. The university remains small enough to provide personal time and attention to students throughout their important education years.

I welcome all members of the House and all Canadians to visit Brock University for its open house on Sunday, March 6. Special mini workshops, demonstrations and other events will take place at the university that day.

Again I congratulate Brock University on its 30th anniversary.

[Justice, February 14th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Justice.

The importation and sale of serial killer cards and serial killer board games is harming the fabric of our society. This offensive material is particularly harmful to young people and children.

The Minister of Justice has indicated he will take steps to modernize Canadian laws. This harmful material is already in Canada with more on the way. When will the minister introduce measures to ensure that this harmful material is kept out of Canadian society.

[Violence, February 11th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to join my colleagues in condemning violence in society.

Members on both sides of the House have indicated their concerns and those of their constituents over violence in society and the need for reform of our criminal justice system.

In this year, the year of the family, violence in the home is particularly intolerable. The Statistics Canada survey released last fall revealed that one-quarter of all women have experienced violence by a spouse or former spouse. Urgent steps must be taken to increase public awareness, to provide refuge and protection for abused women and children and to ensure offenders are penalized.

The Minister of Justice stated he will introduce measures to deal with violence, particularly violence against women and children. I am pleased the minister has seen the urgent need for action on this issue. I encourage him to bring forward these measures as soon as possible.

[Serial Killer Cards, February 10th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to state my concerns and those of my constituents over the importation and sale of serial killer cards in Canada.

For many years trading cards have been a fun and entertaining pastime for our children. However, the introduction of serial killer cards has turned a children's hobby into the glorification of violent criminals.

Serial killer cards are offensive and harmful and to many parents a great source of concern. We have a right to protect ourselves and our children from this obscene material. The rights of law abiding Canadian citizens must come before the rights of those who bring this material into our neighbourhoods.

In his address in reply to the speech from the throne the Minister of Justice indicated he would take steps to modernize our laws to reflect current values.

The constituents in my riding of St. Catharines feel these cards are obscene. I ask the minister to review the current definition of obscenity and make appropriate amendments to ensure that the definition reflects our society's values.

[Supply, February 10th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the member for Châteauguay for his first speech in the House. When he was first describing his riding, I thought he was talking about mine.

We do have many standing committees in the House. Maybe the standing committees did not work like they should have in the past. My lesson in life is not to look too far back but try to go forward. There are over 200 new members in the House. Coincidentally it is almost half and half on either side of the House. Although some members might have been affiliated with the previous government they are not here in great numbers any more.

I think the hon. member used the words "if we act intelligently". I would ask the member if we all act intelligently on all our standing committees and are very cognizant of the fact that we have a mandate and a budget in each of the committees, would that not enable us to take a better look at how we are spending our moneys?

Also, with respect to the public accounts committee the chairman is a member of the opposition as has been mentioned over and over again. The committee's effectiveness and whether or not things are done properly over the next 12 months will be recorded in the next Auditor General's report. Is that not the challenge we have now with the public accounts committee as chaired by the opposition, to perform better than in the past especially since we have 200 new members in the House?

[Petitions, February 10th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, it is my duty to present a petition on behalf of my constituents, although in some cases it does not reflect the opinion of this member.

I present this petition to the House dated November 1993 on behalf of 37 constituents concerning a review of legislation providing for two official languages in Canada.

[Social Security System, February 2nd, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the questioner. I think all Canadians have come to the point where they have had enough of paying taxes. I agree that we need to take a look at the various systems and the waste in the systems. However, we cannot forget about the important item of trying to improve the system. We need information and consultation from all parties and from all Canadians.

This a process the minister has started. I think it is important for us and for Canada that we continue to have debates and consult back and forth and that the people of Canada have an opportunity to provide input. Let us not forget that I am here representing St. Catharines and Canadians. Canadians feel it is important that we do something, that we eliminate the waste right across Canada.

I agree with that. However I have to do it for the good of all Canadians, no matter what province they live in. I am proud of my province of Ontario, but I am also proud of Canada. It is important, as we consult and debate, that we get input from coast to coast and that we make a better system for Canada on a continuous basis.

Let us not be afraid. For the next two or three years, let us make continued improvements for Canada.