Janko Peric

[Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada Inc., February 10th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada of Cambridge, a leading North American auto manufacturer, recently received the Most Supportive Employer for Ontario award from the Canadian Forces Liaison Council.

As stated by the Minister of National Defence, Toyota was recognized for “performing an important act of patriotism” by supporting its employee reservists who serve with dedication in Canada's Armed Forces.

Toyota has invested $2.2 billion in a state of the art automotive plant in Cambridge, provided 2,700 quality jobs to Canadians and has generously supported local charities and community organizations.

I know that the people of Cambridge and all members will join me in offering Toyota our heartfelt congratulations.

[Railways, February 1st, 1999]

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

The railways tell me that the law required them to blow a train whistle each time they approach a crossing. My constituents tell me they do not appreciate that annoying noise at 3 a.m.

What can be done to reduce loud and annoying train whistles without jeopardizing public safety?

[Rick Chaplin, December 8th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, Cambridge's native Rick Chaplin was recently awarded the United Kingdom's prestigious Association of MBA's Independent MBA Student of the Year Award.

A professional management recruiter with Canadian General Tower of Cambridge for 13 years, Rick returned to school at age 38 and attended the MBA program at the University of Bath, England.

One of only five award winners in all of the United Kingdom, Rick was recognized for his contributions to the staff-student liaison committee and his exceptional mentoring skills.

Cambridge has long been proud of Rick's ongoing contribution to making our community a better place and we are all proud of his achievements.

I know the people of Cambridge and members will join me in offering Rick our congratulations.

[Women's Crisis Services Of Cambridge, December 2nd, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, the Women's Crisis Services of Cambridge and North Dumfries, formerly known as the Family Crisis Shelter of Cambridge, was recently awarded $5,000 from the Donner Canadian Foundation Awards for Excellence in the delivery of social services.

This national award is a testament to the innovation and high quality of service provided to women and children in our community who are victims of abuse. The Women's Crisis Services provides a safe environment for those escaping violence in the home, as well as counselling, legal advocacy, public education, peer support and crisis intervention programs.

I congratulate all the volunteers and staff for their ongoing dedication and achievements. I wish them continued success under the new name.

[Access To Information Act, November 6th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to speak this afternoon at report stage of Bill C-208, an act to amend the Access to Information Act.

I wish to begin by commending the bill. I would also like to commend my colleague from Brampton West—Mississauga for working hard in introducing this bill and all parties for supporting Bill C-208.

The time has arrived for parliament to ensure that actions with the intent to deny access to information through destruction, falsification or concealment of records are penalized. Clearly, manipulation of documents in this manner is not an acceptable operating principle. The issue of increasing the accountability of those denying access to information through the behaviour outlined in Bill C-208 is essential. Accountability is the essence of Bill C-208.

In Bill C-208, this parliament has before it an important private member's bill. The fact that Bill C-208, a private member's bill, has come this far is a testament to the worthiness of its content and intent.

I believe most Canadians want record abusers stopped and penalties enacted for abusers that include fines and jail terms. Bill C-208 ensures this outcome. As a consequence of ensuring accountability, this bill will forge better public trust and assurance. I urge this House not to let the opportunity provided for in Bill C-208 to pass by.

As we know, Canada is one of only a dozen countries throughout the world with access to information legislation. Bill C-208 demonstrates the Canadian resolve to offer access to information in an accountable and open manner. Strengthening the Access to Information Act through Bill C-208 illustrates Canada's approach that is unique to most of the world.

Bill C-208 provides for prosecution of an individual by way of indictment or summary conviction. This legal flexibility permits greater possibilities for prosecution thereby making the Access to Information Act more effective.

In strengthening the Access to Information Act, Bill C-208 strengthens democracy in Canada. Individuals scheming to manipulate records from public access need to be called to account for their actions. This is the basis of Bill C-208.

Passage of this legislation will be to this parliament's credit. It will be remembered as yet another instance when parliament endeavoured to protect and benefit Canadians.

I strongly support this bill. I urge all colleagues in the House to do the same.

[Unemployment, November 6th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, this morning Statistics Canada issued its labour force survey for October, showing a 2.3% increase in employment. This brings the unemployment rate down to 8.1%, its lowest level in eight years.

New jobs were created in the manufacturing, construction, health and social services, financial, insurance, real estate, transportation, storage and communications sectors.

These latest numbers prove that the Liberal government's fiscal and economic policies are working for the benefit of all Canadians.

[Veterans, November 2nd, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to pay tribute to the thousands of Canadian men and women who risked their lives to secure our freedom.

Veterans continue to help improve the quality of life of Canadians. In my riding of Cambridge, the Preston, Galt, Hespeler and Ayr legions donate thousands of dollars and hundreds of volunteer hours to our community each year.

As Remembrance Day approaches, I would ask all Canadians to reflect on the sacrifices of Canadian veterans and thank them for their continued contribution to our daily lives.

To all of those men and women, thank you for your courage, dedication and love of country. God bless you all.

[Petitions, October 26th, 1998]

The last petition, Mr. Speaker, is signed by some 300 residents of my riding of Cambridge who wish to draw to the attention of the House that the majority of Canadians understand a marriage to be the union of a single unmarried male and a single unmarried female.

The petitioners pray and request that parliament enact Bill C-225 so as to entrench this definition and understanding in statute and preserve and protect the institution of marriage in the way it has always been known.

[Petitions, October 26th, 1998]

In the second petition, Mr. Speaker, some 40 constituents draw attention to their concerns about the impact of the multilateral agreement on investment.

[Petitions, October 26th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I have three petitions. In the first, over 50 petitioners wish to draw to the attention of the House their concerns for the sanctity of life. The petitioners pray and request that parliament retain the current provisions of the Criminal Code prohibiting assisted suicide and that parliament not sanction the aiding of assisted suicide or euthanasia.