Janko Peric

[Supply, June 8th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I listened very carefully to the member's excellent speech. In my point of view, marriage is not just a contract between a man and a woman, it is more than that.

I have been married for 29 years. When my wife and I entered into our marriage, we made a commitment to each other that we would share good and bad things for the rest of our lives. More than that, to me as a Roman Catholic, marriage is a holy sacrament.

I ask my hon. colleague, how has marriage expanded in his view, not only as a contract, but from the spiritual side? How would he look at it?

[Information Highway, June 7th, 1999]

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

Canadians often hear the words knowledge based economy. My constituents and all Canadians need to be reassured that their hard earned tax dollars are well spent by the government. What are the real benefits of the government's investment in knowledge based programs such as smart communities?

[Fred Sabatine, May 27th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, Cambridge's only known surviving first world war veteran, Mr. Fred Sabatine, will be celebrating his 100th birthday on May 28.

Mr. Sabatine enlisted at the age of 15 and served with the 43rd Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force in France and Belgium. He fought at the Battle of Vimy Ridge, regarded by many historians as a defining event in the making of our nation, and went on to earn the British War and Victory medals.

Mr. Sabatine experienced all the horrors and hardships associated with the Great War, including direct exposure to mustard gas which damaged his lungs. The sacrifices made for Canada's freedom by Mr. Sabatine's generation are beyond description.

I am honoured and privileged to express my deepest thanks on behalf of all Canadians to Mr. Sabatine and wish him a happy birthday. God bless you, Fred.

[Competition Act, May 26th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I strongly support Bill C-235. Those who oppose the bill argue that it will lead to higher prices for consumers. That is completely false and misleading.

Under this bill vertically integrated suppliers can still charge whatever retail price they want for a product. The bill only seeks to create a level playing field by providing wholesale consumers with an opportunity to purchase product from a supplier at a price that allows them to compete at the retail level.

This bill is not an attack on big business. It comes out of the clear evidence that predator pricing does occur, which lessens competition and costs consumers.

Bill C-235 seeks to protect free, open and true competition. Without a level playing field in which to conduct business Canada will have only a few large companies controlling an entire market with no true competition.

On that note, I move:

That Motion No. 2 be amended

(a) by replacing paragraph 50.1(2)(a) with the following:

“(a) the vertically integrated supplier's own retail price in the same market area or”

(b) by deleting subsection 50.1(3).

[Chronic Immunological And Neurological Diseases, May 12th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, May 12 is International Awareness Day for Chronic Immunological and Neurological Diseases such as chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, gulf war and multiple chemical sensitivity syndromes.

These devastating illnesses are striking a growing number of Canadians who suffer from cognitive problems, chronic muscle and joint pain, extremely reduced stamina and numerous other symptoms which leave sufferers ill and bedridden for years at a time. Most sufferers are unable to work because of their pain. However, their suffering is not only physical. A lack of public knowledge about these disorders often causes sufferers their jobs and disability benefits.

A constituent, mother and very close friend of mine, Leni Spooner, suffers from fibromyalgia syndrome. She will live with this condition for the rest of her life. Her 16 year old daughter was also recently diagnosed with the same disorder.

I urge all members of parliament to spread the word about these devastating conditions so that people like Leni and her daughter may suffer a little less.

[Wegener's Granulomatosis, May 10th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, Wegener's Granulomatosis is an uncommon disease where the body's immune system attacks its own body tissues leading to the inflammation of the blood vessels.

Primarily affecting people in mid-life, this disease affects their respiratory system and may involve the kidneys, eyes, throat, skin and other body organs. With no known cure, early diagnosis and proper treatment are essential to bring the disease into remission.

I congratulate the Wegener's Granulomatosis Support Group of Canada for increasing public awareness about this disease and for the ongoing support it provides to those with the disease and their families.

[Alzheimer Society Of Cambridge, April 26th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the dedication and hard work of the many volunteers and supporters of the Alzheimer Society of Cambridge.

Alzheimer disease is a degenerative brain disorder that affects more than 250,000 Canadians. By 2030 it is estimated that over 750,000 Canadians will have this terrible disease. The economic cost of Alzheimer disease is estimated at $4 billion per year.

Through its resource centre, public education initiatives and support groups, the Alzheimer Society of Cambridge plays an important role in the community. Please join me in wishing the Alzheimer Society of Cambridge and its many volunteers continued success.

[Forum For Young Canadians, April 21st, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, each year the Forum for Young Canadians brings more than 500 high school students from across Canada to learn first-hand how government works.

Through presentations on the role of MPs and cabinet and simulations of an election, a cabinet committee, a question period and a federal-provincial conference, these future leaders gain a deeper insight into governance in Canada.

This year Andrew Rennie, Kathy Swan and Kneale Turner from my riding of Cambridge are taking part in this important learning experience.

I join all members in welcoming these young Canadians to our nation's capital and I wish them success as they discuss and debate our system of government.

[Grand River, April 12th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, this year marks the fifth anniversary that the Grand River was named a Canadian heritage river.

Community efforts under the guidance of the Grand River Conservation Authority have improved the health of the Grand River watershed, increased heritage awareness and fostered a greater understanding of ecotourism.

The GRCA provides technical assistance to landowners, community groups, schools and municipalities through workshops, volunteer events, information products and logistics.

Since 1990 visits to the Grand River have increased 30% with 1.1 million visitors in 1998 alone. This has led to new jobs and economic benefits to communities all along the Grand River, including my riding of Cambridge.

I congratulate the GRCA on its ongoing success.

[Royal Canadian Air Cadets, March 19th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I rise to welcome the 85 member 296th Royal Canadian Air Cadets Cambridge Squadron who are visiting from my riding.

Formed in 1943 as the Galt Squadron, this select group of youth originally devoted their time to preparing for the day when they would serve as aircrew members of the Royal Canadian Air Force.

Fostering leadership, responsibility, discipline, good citizenship and loyalty to country, today's cadets train weekly and participate in special training sessions at Canadian forces bases during the summer.

The Royal Canadian Air Cadets are supported through a partnership between the Canadian forces and the Air Cadet League of Canada.

I join all members in welcoming the 296th Squadron to our nation's capital.