Raymond Simard

[Supply, February 8th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, earlier on, when we were listening to the minister responsible for economic development in Quebec, he indicated very clearly the importance of modernizing the garment industry and its technology, and of it being very specialized.

We have a company in Winnipeg that specializes in military garments and it has done a very good job of modernizing and specializing in that industry and is now one of the best in the world.

Could the member comment on that in terms of the importance of modernizing our technology and of specializing in certain fields? She probably recognizes the company to which I am referring. It is actually one of the best in the world.

[Supply, February 8th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for the extraordinary work she has done on this file since day one. I have been a member of Parliament for just over two years now and I remember at caucus she was bringing this up almost on a weekly basis.

I have been following this file very closely. I am from Winnipeg which has a very strong textile and apparel industry. I find it absurd when I hear from members opposite that the industry is not at all happy with this package. What I am hearing in Winnipeg from the people who are leaders in this industry is that it has been a very successful package.

Obviously, the government cannot resolve all the problems because we are dealing with an international issue and it is very complex, but the information that I have been getting is that it is a very good package.

I wonder if my hon. colleague could comment on that.

[Patent Act, December 13th, 2004]

Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order, I believe if you seek it, you would find unanimous consent to see the clock at 6:30 p.m.

[Rhodes Scholars, December 13th, 2004]

Madam Speaker, it is with great honour that I stand before the House to share the news about two students from the University of Manitoba who have received the prestigious Rhodes scholarship, which provides two to three years of study at Oxford University in England. The recipients are chosen on the basis of academic achievement, integrity of character, community service, leadership potential and physical ability.

The first student is Daniel Lussier from my riding of Saint Boniface, a fifth year mechanical and manufacturing engineering student. He is one of only three Rhodes scholarship recipients from the Prairies.

Graham Reynolds, the second recipient, a talented musician and an active volunteer with the Pro Bono Student Association, is currently studying at Dalhousie Law School. He was awarded a Leaders of Tomorrow scholarship in 1999 and earned the Gold Medal when he graduated from arts in 2002 from the University of Manitoba.

I am proud to say that my alma mater, the University of Manitoba, has produced more Rhodes scholars than any university in western Canada and places fourth among all Canadian universities in that category.

[Petitions, December 8th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to table a petition with 53 signatures from my riding of Saint Boniface.

The petitioners state that protecting the moral good of society is a natural and serious obligation of elected officials and that it cannot be left only to religious leaders and institutions. They say that the defence of traditional marriage as the bond between one man and one woman is a serious moral good and that marriage as a lasting union of a man and a woman to the exclusion of others cannot and should not be modified by a legislative act or a court of law.

They request that Parliament take whatever action is required to maintain the current definition of marriage in law in perpetuity and to prevent any court from overturning or amending that definition.

[Question No. 25, December 3rd, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, I ask that all the remaining questions be allowed to stand.

[Questions on the Order Paper, December 3rd, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, the following questions will be answered today: Nos. 24 and 25.

[Petitions, December 3rd, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, I rise to present this petition on behalf of the member for Peterborough. The petitioners, citizens of the Peterborough area, call on Parliament to release Mahmoud Jaballah or to give him his right to a fair trial with full disclosure of the so-called evidence against him.

[Government Response to Petition, December 3rd, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8), I have the honour to lay upon the table, in both official languages, the government responses to four petitions.

[Electoral Boundaries Commission, December 3rd, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to lay upon the table, in both official languages, the Preliminary Report of the Miramichi and Acadie-Bathurst Electoral Boundaries Commission.