Janko Peric

[Petitions, June 10th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36 I have the privilege to present to the House a petition with some 30 signatures from concerned citizens.

The petition draws to the attention of parliament that rural route mail couriers have not been allowed to bargain collectively to improve their wages and working conditions. Since other workers who deliver mail in cities and rural areas have collective bargaining rights, the petition requests that parliament repeal section 13(5) of the Canada Post Corporation Act to permit rural route mail couriers to bargain collectively.

[Portugal Day, June 10th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, today many of my constituents and others across Canada will be celebrating Portugal Day.

The Portuguese presence in Canada extends back 500 years when they braved the Atlantic to reach our shores. Portuguese sailors fishing off the Grand Banks helped lay the foundations of the cod fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Waterloo region has the highest percentage of Portuguese in Canada, with my riding of Cambridge being home to over 20,000 Portuguese Canadians. Portuguese Canadians have helped to build our great nation. Today they are contributing to every occupation and profession. Their contributions to Canada and my riding of Cambridge are immense.

As they reflect with pride on their heritage and their accomplishments, I wish to extend a happy Portugal Day to all Portuguese Canadians. I wish to say Viva Portugal, especially after it won 4-0 against Poland.

[Infrastructure, June 5th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Deputy Prime Minister.

The last federal budget announced the creation of the $2 billion Strategic Infrastructure Foundation. Can the minister please advise what the process will be for accepting applications for funding and what types of projects will be given the greatest consideration?

[Cambridge Memorial Hospital, May 29th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, Cambridge Memorial Hospital recently received the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment's 2001 CCME Pollution Prevention Award. Cambridge Memorial Hospital is the first hospital to win this award recognizing companies and organizations showing leadership in pollution prevention.

With support from Natural Resources Canada and through strategic investments, Cambridge Memorial Hospital continues to raise its energy efficiency. For the third year in a row CMH also received the Recycling Council of Ontario's Institution Award for its waste reduction.

I join the House in recognizing the environmental commitment of staff and volunteers at Cambridge Memorial Hospital and the exceptional leadership and vision of Helen Wright, CEO of Cambridge Memorial Hospital.

[Health, May 28th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Health. With the current pace of life and rising demands on workers in our knowledge based economy, mental illness is expected to rise sharply.

What is the minister doing to bolster mental health research and treatment efforts?

[National Defence, May 27th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to welcome the 136 Kiowa air cadet squadron from Ayr and the 21 Royal Highland Fusiliers of Canada army cadets from Cambridge.

Founded two years ago, the 136 Kiowa is Canada's newest air cadet squadron while the 21 army cadet corps was formed in 1887. The 121 Galt branch of the Royal Canadian Legion sponsors both groups.

The national cadet organization promotes leadership, responsibility, discipline, good citizenship, physical fitness, communication skills and an interest in the Canadian forces. Cadets receive hands on training that complements school studies with some education boards accepting cadet subjects for school credits.

My riding of Cambridge has a long and proud history of involvement with the national cadet program and I welcome these cadets to Ottawa as they learn about parliament and our federal institutions.

[Landmines, May 21st, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, several guests are here today to open a Croatian art exhibit in support of child mine victims. The event is hosted by the Croatian embassy and Lodge 2000 of the Croatian Fraternal Union of America.

Croatia was among the first countries to sign the Ottawa convention banning anti-personnel landmines and the 12th to ratify it. Some three million landmines litter the country blocking refugee returns, reconstruction efforts and economic development.

Canadian technology has been used in the removal of landmines in Croatia, and last month Canada donated $3.5 million for several programs including de-mining.

I join members of the House in welcoming CFU national president Bernard Luketich, and I commend Lodge 2000 for its efforts to support child mine victims.

[Mental Health, May 8th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, as this is mental health week I want to draw attention to the terrible cost of depression. Depression is the leading mental health illness, costing our economy over $13 billion a year. Some one million Canadians suffer from depression. This illness is devastating to individuals, families and society.

With the current pace of life and rising demands on workers in our knowledge based economy, depression is expected to rise. The WTO estimates that in 20 years depression will be the second leading cause of disability behind heart disease.

It is time corporate Canada and governments recognized the impact of depression on the domestic and global economy. We must all work to intensify research and treatment efforts to better reflect the impact of this debilitating illness.

[Ralph Walker, April 29th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, my riding recently lost a passionate volunteer and founder of the Huntington Society of Canada.

Ralph Walker worked non-stop to help thousands of Canadian families affected by Huntington's disease, a brain disorder that can cause total disability and even death. This organization now has 50 branches throughout Canada. In 1974 Ralph helped found the International Huntington Association with chapters in 27 countries.

For his dedicated community service he received the Canada Volunteer Award, was named Cambridge's Citizen of the Year and was inducted into the Cambridge Hall of Fame. Ralph always had time to assist those in need and volunteered at the local food bank and in schools. Despite an all-consuming dedication to community he always found time for his family.

Our community has lost a rare individual who touched many lives.

[Organ Donor Awareness, April 22nd, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, this week has been designated National Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Week. Today 4,000 Canadians are on waiting lists for organs and tissues. Many will die unless we take the time to sign our donation cards and inform our families.

One donor can save the lives of nine people, while tissues from one donor can help up to 40 people improve the quality of their life. Ninety per cent of Canadians support the idea of organ and tissue donation, yet less than half have signed up to be donors. At the same time, the need for organs and tissues continues to rise.

I encourage all Canadians to discuss this important issue with their loved ones and to sign their donor cards.