Judi Longfield

[Labour Force, April 29th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, the G-8 ministers of labour and employment met on the weekend in Montreal. Would the Minister of Human Resources Development tell us the purpose of the meeting and what was accomplished?

[Human Resources, April 25th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Secretary of State for International Financial Institutions.

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business reports that Canadian owners of small and medium sized businesses are experiencing persistent labour shortages. About 265,000 jobs are vacant in the small business sector and about 185,000 jobs have been unfilled for at least four months.

In a recent survey of its 102,000 members, the federation discovered that 26% reported that they had at least one job that was unfilled because the business was unable to find persons with skills.

What is the government doing to address the situation?

[Criminal Law Amendment Act, 2001, April 23rd, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I will be voting against the amendment.

[Age of Consent, April 22nd, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, since the recent court decisions relating to child pornography there has been much discussion about the age of consent for sexual activity. Can the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada clarify what the actual age of consent is in Canada?

[Committees of the House, March 21st, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I have honour to present, in both official languages, the seventh report of the Standing Committee on Human Resources Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities entitled “Getting It Right For Canadians: The Disability Tax Credit”.

Pursuant to Standing Order 109, your committee requests the government to table a comprehensive response to the report.

I want to take this opportunity to commend the member for St. Paul's, who chairs the Subcommittee on the Status of Persons with Disabilities, and those members of her committee who worked diligently on this report.

[2002 Winter Paralympic Games, March 14th, 2002]

Madam Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to stand today to acknowledge the accomplishment of Brian McKeever of Calgary, Alberta, one of Canada's outstanding paralympians.

On March 12 Mr. McKeever along with his guide and brother Robin McKeever brought home a gold medal Monday in the Men's Cross-Country Middle Distance (10 km) event. At 22 years old Brian has also had excellent results at the able bodied Canadian Cross Country Championships in 2001 where he had two 4th place finishes in the sprint and 15 km freestyle events. This is not the first experience for his brother Robin who also participated in the Olympics at Nagano in 1998.

Also on March 12, making her country proud, Shauna Maria Whyte of Hinton, Alberta placed 6th in the Women's Cross-Country Middle Distance (5 km) event at her second Paralympic Games.

At his second Paralympic Games Scott Patterson of British Columbia won his first Paralympic medal. Scott won the bronze yesterday in the Men's Giant Slalom with a combined time of 2:25:25 on a very difficult course. At 40, Scott is still considered one of the--

[Petitions, February 22nd, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36 it is my pleasure, on behalf of the member for Waterloo--Wellington, to present a petition signed by members of the Anglican Church of Canada resident in the Anglican Diocese of Huron who call upon the government to immediately act to resolve the issue of the residential school litigation, and I have signed it.

[Guide and Scout Week, February 22nd, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, this week Girl Guides and Boy Scouts from around the world celebrate guide and scout week. February 22 is Thinking Day, when scouts and guides celebrate international friendship. It is also the birthday of the founder of the movement, Robert Baden-Powell. During this week Girl Guides and Boy Scouts across Canada have celebrated joint events.

Girl Guides is the largest international organization for girls and women. Both guides and scouts celebrate the education of young people by helping them achieve self-fulfilment and build a better world.

Many Canadians, and indeed members of the House, have fond memories of a childhood in guides or scouts. I am sure they will join me in paying tribute to both organizations. Guides and scouts play an integral role in improving the lives of many children and youth across the world.

[Committees of the House, December 4th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the sixth report of the Standing Committee on Human Resources Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities entitled “The Guaranteed Income Supplement: The Duty to Reach All”. Pursuant to Standing Order 109, your committee requests the government to table a comprehensive response to the report.

The report contains seven recommendations that strive to address a longstanding problem that has adversely affected a sizeable number of low income seniors for too many years.

[Public Service Awards, October 22nd, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, in 1966 the Government of Canada introduced the Outstanding Achievement Award. This award, considered to be the most prestigious award in the public service, is presented annually as part of the Public Service Awards and Recognition Program managed by the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat.

On Tuesday, October 16, five senior public service employees were recognized for their exemplary accomplishments and their sustained commitment to excellence.

Cited for their outstanding achievements are: Peter M. Boehm, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade; Rachel Corneille Gravel, Veterans Affairs Canada; David A. Dodge, formerly with Health Canada and currently with the Bank of Canada; Warren Edmonson, Labour Program, Human Resources Development Canada; and Dr. John Brian Morrissey, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

I know all members of the House join me in congratulating these very worthy recipients.