Eleni Bakopanos

[The Family, May 16th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to call attention to International Day of Families celebrated yesterday, May 15.

Families are found at the heart of our society. Our children, who are the future of our country and of the world, develop within the family. It is vital to provide and maintain a stable, balanced and durable foundation so that our children can make a contribution to society.

The government through budget 2000 and other initiatives has placed an importance on bettering the lives of children and their families, but we still have more to do.

I take this occasion to thank my family, especially my daughters and my husband, for their love and support, especially in the hard times many of us often face in this privileged institution to which we have been elected by all Canadians.

[Armenian People, April 12th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to draw hon. member's attention to an atrocity committed against the Armenian people on April 24, 1915.

A total of 1.5 million Armenians lost their lives at the hands of the Ottoman Empire. This year marks the 85th anniversary of the Armenian genocide.

The Hellenic Republic was the first NATO member to denounce this crime against humanity, followed by Belgium, which passed a resolution acknowledging the Armenian genocide in 1998. A number of other nations have followed their lead and I trust that my government will soon do the same.

This coming Saturday in Montreal I will have the honour to represent the Prime Minister at a ceremony organized by the Armenian National Committee commemorating the victims of 1915.

Whether we choose to name it a tragedy, a massacre, an ethnic cleansing or a crime against humanity, it remains an historical event that today would be described by the United Nations as genocide.

I invite all my colleagues to join Canadians of Armenian origin in remembering the victims of the first genocide of the 20th century.

[Immigration, April 6th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, Canada has a long tradition of solidarity and openness. We cherish these values. This is why, in budget 2000, the government included an important measure affecting all new refugees.

Effective February 28, the landing fee has been eliminated for refugees. That fee, which was introduced in 1995, was designed to have those who benefit from social programs shoulder a share of the costs. This $975 fee had to be paid by all immigrants and refugees aged 19 and over.

The government is aware that refugees arriving in Canada have limited funds and face many obstacles, so it has decided that it is time to exempt refugees from the landing fee. I would like to congratulate the government.

This exemption will certainly alleviate their financial situation and help them in rebuilding their lives in Canada. The Liberal government listens to all people and promotes access to enrich our Canadian diverse culture.

[Canadian Cancer Society, March 28th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, today, from sea to sea, the Canadian Cancer Society will start knocking on the nation's doors.

Thousands of volunteers will be out in all of Canada's residential neighbourhoods collecting donations for the Canadian Cancer Society.

Each year, the campaign starts with Daffodil Day, which is held on different dates in different regions.

Daffodils are flowers of joy. They symbolize our hope to find a cure to this devastating disease that affects so many Canadians. Daffodils show cancer patients and their loved ones that we care and we are all fighting for a cure.

The Canadian Cancer Society is a national volunteer organization. I congratulate all volunteers and members of this community-based organization whose mission is to eliminate cancer and also to improve the quality of life of people with cancer and their family members.

I ask all parliamentarians and all Canadians to support the efforts of the Canadian Cancer Society. Together let us find a cure.

[Greek Independence Day, March 22nd, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, March 25 is Greek Independence Day. For all Canadians of Hellenic origin, and all Hellenes throughout the world, this national holiday commemorates the most significant day in our history.

March 25 reunites all Hellenes around the world, including the 300,000 living in Canada, reminding us that we should be proud of our heritage and of our ancestors.

Our Hellenic ancestors fought for justice, for liberty, for democracy and for freedom of a nation, the same rights guaranteed by Canada's charter of rights and freedoms. They found the courage and the strength to say “Enough. We will free our spirits, our children and the memory of all our brothers and sisters who did not survive to see an independent Greece”.

I invite all parliamentarians and all Canadians to celebrate with Canadians of Hellenic origin.

[Juno Awards, March 13th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, last night we all celebrated with Canada's best at the 29th annual Juno Awards in Toronto. The quality and diversity of Canadian artists nominated at these awards reflects the excellence of our country's musical creators and performers. The awards they won are a prestigious national recognition of their talent.

Congratulations to Bryan Adams and Chantal Kreviazuk, for winning best male and female artists of the year.

Let me congratulate Paul Brandt for winning best country male artist and Shania Twain for best songwriter. Let me also congratulate SKY for winning best new group and Sarah McLachlan for winning the international achievement award.

I also want to congratulate Diana Krall—she is my favourite—for winning best vocal jazz album, the Quebec group La Chicane, for winning best-selling francophone album, and all the other Juno winners. We cannot name them all today, because we do not have time.

Canada can be proud of its musical talent and of the recognition it receives from both Canadian and international audiences.

[International Cooperation, February 28th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, three weeks after the start of the torrential rains and four days after the passage of cyclone Éline, Mozambique appears on the verge of a humanitarian disaster, with 300 people having lost their lives.

Could the Minister for International Cooperation tell the House how Canada will help these victims?

[Heritage Day, February 21st, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, today we are celebrating Heritage Day. Our Canadian heritage is a reflection of our pride as Canadians, our loyalty to our country, our feeling that we are honoured to be citizens of the best country in the world.

Our Canadian heritage is the link between our people from coast to coast to coast, regardless of sex, race or religious belief. Our heritage explains our past, creates our present and paves the way to our future.

I urge all Canadians to take the time to explore this great country which I and my family have adopted.

Let us all take time to visit our national historical sites and monuments. Let us take time to introduce our children to their country in all of its beauty.

Let us protect our heritage for the future of all of our children.

[National Flag Of Canada Day, February 15th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, every year since 1996 we have been celebrating National Flag Day on February 15. The Canadian flag is a symbol of pride, loyalty, democracy, honour and respect.

We are truly privileged to live in the best country in the world.

We are privileged to live in a country that allows all Canadians, regardless of sex, race, religious belief or linguistic preferences to strive and realize their dreams and aspirations.

Mr. Alexandre Cyr, member of parliament for Gaspé until 1965, proposed this form of pledge to the Canadian flag. I invite all parliamentarians to please rise and give pledge to our flag today.

“To my flag and to the country it represents I pledge respect and loyalty. Wave with pride from sea to sea and within your fold keep us ever united.

Be for all a symbol of love, freedom and justice. God keep our flag. God protect our Canada.”

[Human Resources Development Canada, February 9th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to point out how great a need there is for Human Resources Development Canada's programs, including the Canada jobs fund.

It must be made clear that the mandate of this fund is to create jobs and provide financial support to private sector industry to enable it to compete with businesses internationally.

Since our government has been in power, over 1.7 million jobs have been created. In my riding, textile manufacturers such as Christina Canada, Tricot Exclusive and Heritage Decoys have created 239 jobs. In 1998-99 my riding was able to create a total of 291 jobs.

This is just one program in one riding but I can speak about all the HRDC programs which help Canadians find jobs, school help dropouts learn skills and find employment, help the disabled and illiterate become productive members of society. So why are the opposition members attacking a program that does so much good for so many Canadians?