Karen Redman

[Mental Health, May 10th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, last week was Mental Health Week in Canada. As part of that week I had the opportunity to visit the Kitchener-Waterloo regional office for the Canadian Mental Health Association.

The federal government under the national strategy on community safety and crime prevention has provided $48,000 to the CMHA to run a project called the diversion protocol. This project will assist and support members of the Kitchener community who have mental health problems and who have been involved in the criminal justice system. The objective of the diversion protocol is to assist individuals and provide them with the necessary resources for managing their mental illness and ensure they do not become involved in a cycle of crime.

Mental health problems affect more Canadians than does any other illness. In Ontario approximately 1.5 million people have some form of mental illness. It is therefore important that this government continue to work in partnership with community organizations to ensure that Canadians with a mental illness have access to the programs and services they require.

I commend the CMHA of Waterloo region for its dedication and commitment to the community.

[Multiple Sclerosis Society, May 5th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, the MS Society is the foremost voluntary agency in Canada that provides services to people with MS and their families, and supports an extensive research program.

Progress in the treatment of multiple sclerosis continues to expand with new drugs which modify the course of the disease and allow better management of the symptoms. Two recently approved treatments reduce the frequency and severity of MS attacks. The search for better treatment continues.

During the month of May, volunteers across the country will be taking part in fundraising and awareness campaigns. Please join me in urging all Canadians to join in this effort.

[Youth Entrepreneurship, April 29th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I recently hosted the Prime Minister's caucus task force on youth entrepreneurship along with my colleagues from the Kitchener-Waterloo region.

The task force spent its time in Kitchener speaking with young entrepreneurs, their mentors, service providers and members of the private sector. Topics such as education, finances, resources and government support were all discussed.

Task force members visited a number of companies run by young entrepreneurs from the Kitchener-Waterloo area. We visited Joe Merlihan of the Woolwich Observer , Jen Herzog of Distinctive Stamp Design and John Rochetta of The Beat Goes On. In addition, some members dropped by the Business Enterprise Centre and Kor Gallery and Studios.

The young entrepreneurs we met were dynamic, intelligent individuals who have used their talents in creative and unique ways.

I commend the many young entrepreneurs from across the country who are working hard to make their dreams come true.

[Hospice Of Waterloo Region, April 26th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honour the 142 trained volunteers of the Hospice of Waterloo Region.

The hospice is committed to preserving the dignity, autonomy, self-esteem and privacy of individuals facing life-threatening illness. The friends and family of the 1,194 clients from the Kitchener-Waterloo area who have used the hospice will tell you that the palliative care volunteers make a remarkable difference in the lives of the terminally ill.

Recently Lucille Mitchell, the founder of Hospice of Waterloo Region, was honoured at the annual mayor's dinner. In 1994 Lucille recognized the need for a volunteer based organization that would assist the ill with their physical and emotional needs. Hospice volunteers under Lucille's direction have given 27,548 hours to assisting the terminally ill.

Last week the hospice held its annual fundraiser. I would like to extend my congratulations to an excellent event. I commend the Hospice of Waterloo Region and all its dedicated volunteers. They are—

[National Organ Donor Week, April 21st, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, this is Organ Donation Awareness Week and tomorrow is National Organ Discussion Day. As a member of the Standing Committee on Health, I have had the opportunity to learn a great deal about organ and tissue donation in our country.

Each year in Canada, approximately 1,500 people die who could be potential donors, yet only 400 individuals actually donate. These statistics are startling.

In Kitchener Centre companies such as the Mutual Group and organizations such as the Kidney Foundation regularly work to raise awareness about donation and transplantation.

While the word is spreading about the importance of organ donation, more needs to be done. In 1996 a Mutual Group survey showed 54% of Canadians did not know if their family members wished to donate their organs.

I am pleased to be able to participate in the Kidney Foundation's Celebration of Life event tomorrow. This event will not only help raise awareness, but honour local recipients and donors.

I encourage all members of the House to participate in this meaningful week and raise awareness on this important matter.

[Canada Pension Plan, April 20th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, my office in Kitchener gets many inquiries about the Canadian pension plan.

Several months ago a panel of actuaries was retained to examine Mr. Michael Hafeman's report which stated that CPP was safe and secure. Could the Minister of Finance advise the House what these actuaries have determined about the Canada pension plan?

[Foreign Affairs, April 14th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, Canada's Cyprus group met today with the new High Commissioner for Cyprus to Canada.

As a result of that discussion I ask the Minister of Foreign Affairs if Canada will continue to support international efforts to maintain peace in Cyprus.

[Elimination Of Racism, March 24th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, this past Sunday Canadians recognized the International Day for the Elimination of Racism. To mark this important occasion, grade 6 students in Kitchener Waterloo were invited to design a brochure on the effects of racism.

This contest is sponsored by the Kitchener Waterloo Multicultural Centre. It has been funded in part by the multiculturalism sector of the Department of Canadian Heritage. The winning brochure will be printed and distributed across the Waterloo region. The best five entries will be posted on the multicultural centre's website. The grand prize is a brand new computer.

This competition allows young Canadians to articulate their thoughts and feelings about racism, as well as encouraging them to work with their peers in the fight against racism.

Some of the slogans that have been submitted include “Be smart, don't start”, “Racism is for fools”, and “Racism is like a computer virus, shut it down” .

I am pleased to be a judge for this project and I look forward to reviewing the entries of the 15 finalists who have been chosen by the women of the—

[World Water Day, March 22nd, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, today is World Water Day.

In 1993 the United Nations called upon all nations to promote the conservation and protection of water resources in a sustainable manner. For Canadians, freshwater has an important real and symbolic value. This is why in 1997 we participated in the Global Forum on Water Resources.

Nine per cent of the world's renewable freshwater is found within Canada. We must do everything we can to protect it. Freshwater sustains our life and health on a daily basis. It is a commodity worth preserving.

Our government is leading initiatives to restore, conserve and protect major Canadian watersheds. We are working on the prohibition of the bulk removal of water, including water for export. This is the first issue being addressed nationally as part of the federal freshwater strategy which is presently under development.

On this important day I would encourage all members of parliament to consider the growing global concerns for water quality and quantity.

[An Act To Amend The Act Of Incorporation Of The Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation Of Mackenzie, March 18th, 1999]

moved that Bill S-20, an act to amend the act of incorporation of the Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation of Mackenzie, be read the second time and, by unanimous consent, referred to committee of the whole.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to speak to Bill S-20. By way of background, the corporation of Mackenzie was created in 1913 by an act of parliament. The corporation takes in 38 Roman Catholic churches in the Northwest Territories, northern Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Since 1913 the vicar and eventually the bishop have continued to serve the social as well as the spiritual needs of Canada's northern peoples. The presence of the Catholic church in the western Arctic for over a century has contributed a visible and important presence in the Canadian north that has significantly served Canada's Arctic sovereignty.

In 1913 when the act of parliament was passed sections 4 and 6 placed certain restrictions upon the corporation including limiting the value of the property and assets of the corporation to $50,000 and the length of time the corporation may own land. These limitations were no doubt at the time sensible and appropriate. In the decades since that time, however, the corporation has invested wisely and has received considerable support from various benefactors resulting in holdings in today's market which are considerably more than the legislated limit.

It is important to the continuing work of the corporation and the financial well-being of the diocese that the limits upon its holdings be removed so it may continue with its worthwhile service to the northern community. I am pleased that Bill S-20 will bring the act into line with the modern reality of the corporation.

There is also a proposed technical amendment to the French name of the corporation. The amendment to the French name of the corporation better translates the intention and context of the English name of the corporation and brings the act into line with current French drafting terminology.

I am confident that this bill will ensure that the Corporation of Mackenzie is well managed and ready for the next century. It is with great pleasure that I support the bill in the hope that it will be passed in an expeditious manner.