Reg Alcock

[Isis Canada, November 25th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, one of the untold stories of the University of Manitoba is the existence of ISIS Canada. Part of the Canadian network of Centres of Excellence, ISIS Canada technology works to develop solutions to Canada's infrastructure problems.

Headquartered at the University of Manitoba, the ISIS network brings together researchers from universities in every province of Canada who are designing the new composite materials which will build the smart structures of the future.

Using carbon fibre for reinforcement and optical fibres for sensing, they are creating structures which are stronger, lighter, which last longer and which monitor themselves.

Thanks to the ISIS network, Canada leads the world in the development of this technology, a fact which will allow Canadian businesses to become leaders in a $900 billion global market.

This is only one of the many stories which can be told about the University of Manitoba, one of Canada's great universities.

[Committees Of The House, November 20th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the third report of the Standing Committee on Transport with respect to Bill C-44, the Canada Marine Act.

Since this is the first bill I have tabled, I would like to thank members from all sides of the House who worked so hard to create the unanimity that supports the bill.

[Volunteers, November 18th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honour two constituents who through their actions have enriched the lives of many others both in Canada and abroad.

The first is Ms. Julie Huish, who was awarded a Canada Volunteer Award Certificate of Merit. Julie has been a volunteer physiotherapist with the Manitoba Riding for the Disabled Association for the past eight years.

The second is Mr. Tony Wagemaker, who has been recognized by CESO, Canadian Executive Services Overseas, for his volunteer efforts working with the Government of Thailand at its health system research institute. He has brought many delegates from Thailand to study hospitals and the health care system here in Canada as they attempt to model their health care system on our very excellent one.

Congratulations to both of them. They are enriching the lives of many people through their volunteer efforts.

[Postage Stamps, November 6th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of my four-year-old daughter, her friends and, indeed, all of the children of Winnipeg who are outraged by the unwarranted attack by the member for Regina-Qu'Appelle on Winnie the Pooh. The member charges that by profiling Winnie the Pooh on our stamps we are in danger of losing our identity as a nation.

Winnie the Pooh was born in White River, Ontario. He is named after the great city of Winnipeg. His origins have been celebrated for decades in Canada and there are statues to him in three Canadian cities.

Like a great many other Canadians, our Winnie has made it big on the international stage. He won an Oscar and has become one of the most popular children's entertainers in the world.

Contrary to the statement by the member that we are losing our identity, we are in fact enhancing it. We are celebrating a Canadian who brings joy to the hearts of children around the world.

[Health Care, May 31st, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians are proud of our national health care system. They become concerned when the five principles which guide its operation are threatened.

I understand that an agreement has been reached with the province of Alberta on the issue of user fees in private clinics. I would ask the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health to tell the House what this agreement will mean for Albertans.

[Human Rights, May 9th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday in this Chamber the member for Lisgar-Marquette said: "If we want to look at what homosexuality and permissiveness have done to some countries let us look at Africa and the problems it has run into". He went on to relate the civil war in Liberia to homosexuality and permissiveness.

What basis does he have for these statements? What proof is there that the troubles in Liberia are related to homosexuality?

The situation in Liberia is tragic. Many innocent people are losing their lives. Families are being literally destroyed. Children are being killed. It is an issue that all Canadians deplore and I am sure members opposite do also. To relate it to a permissive attitude

toward homosexuality is an insult to the suffering of the people of Liberia and it is an insult to the intelligence of Canadians.

The people of Lisgar-Marquette deserve better from that party-

[Committees Of The House, May 8th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present in both official languages the first report of the Standing Committee on Transport with respect to Bill C-20, an act respecting the commercialization of civil air navigation services.

[Human Rights, May 1st, 1996]

How are you going to vote? Are you going to vote for equality?

[Flooding, April 23rd, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, run-off from record winter snow levels and ice jams on the Red and surrounding rivers are causing severe flooding in many Manitoba communities.

St. Andrews, Montaclam, Tache, Morris, St. Clements and North Norfolk have declared themselves to be in a state of emergency, and many more communities are on flood alert as the water continues to rise. The flooding has caused a great deal of damage already and is expected to continue for several more days until the rivers crest.

The good news is that thanks to the foresight of a number of public officials and the hard work of thousands of volunteers the damage has been kept to a minimum. Whole communities began preparing sandbags early prompted by the advice of the Emergency Preparedness Organization.

In my riding city councillor John Angus ran sandbagging workshops and trained volunteers so that when the high water arrived we were able to respond immediately. City and provincial officials made sure the necessary supplies were available.

Volunteers from St. Norbert, Dakota and Fort Richmond Collegiates and the St. Norbert Foundation spent countless hours filling sandbags and building dykes. Local restaurants, churches and service clubs donated food for the volunteers, drivers and helped with child care.

I thank all of the volunteers who have worked-

[St. Norbert Arts And Cultural Centre, April 15th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize the efforts of a large number of volunteers who support the St. Norbert Arts and Cultural Centre.

The centre is built in an old Trappist monastery that was the centre of the Metis culture during the Red River rebellion. The centre has now been completely refurbished. Thanks to the activities of a large number of people in my riding, it has become home to an international arts and cultural centre. Artists from all over the world are invited to live in residence and work on projects that are enriching the cultural life of this country.

I simply wish to recognize the efforts of these many volunteers.