Andrew Telegdi

[United Nations Human Rights Committee, June 10th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to respond to the hon. member.

Let me state that in November 1998 the Minister of Health asked the Standing Committee on Health to consult broadly, analyze and provide advice regarding the state of organ donations in Canada. He also asked that during the course of their deliberations committee members consider the appropriate federal government role in the development of the national safety, outcome and process standards to improve Canada's organ donation situation and save lives.

The committee consulted broadly with Canadians and has released a report suggesting a Canadian approach that will improve donation rates. This initiative is viewed as a strong regulatory approach and may well be used by other countries in developing their own risk management framework.

Organ and tissue donation is a critical and ongoing issue. We have heard witness after witness before the Standing Committee on Health state that what is needed for transplantation is not another committee report with a list of recommendations, but action.

Health Canada is committed to providing the leadership that is required and delivering to Canadians the action that is desired. Health Canada has demonstrated a leadership role in addressing the many issues surrounding transplantation and will continue to do so in its response to the standing committee's recommendations.

[Member For Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, June 9th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I have great news. Finally a member of the federal cabinet has earned a University of Waterloo degree. Joining 106,900 current University of Waterloo alumni, the hon. minister from Glengarry—Prescott—Russell will receive his BA in History on June 17, 1999.

John English, former member of parliament for Kitchener, and I, the first University of Waterloo grads to become MPs in 1993, although yet to become honourable, wish to congratulate the hon. minister and to welcome him to the club. This member has come a long way from bussing tables upstairs at the parliamentary restaurant. His regret of leaving school after grade 11 has been rectified. Next week, after 11 years of correspondence courses, all in relative secrecy, he will be convocating.

He exemplifies lifetime learning and stands as a symbol for adult and correspondence education.

We are all very proud of this first ever cabinet minister to graduate while serving in cabinet. I look forward to participating in his convocation ceremony next week.

Congratulations.

[Canadian Skills Competition, June 7th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, this past weekend Kitchener—Waterloo welcomed 600 young people from across Canada who have proven they have skills of the future. They were participants in the fifth annual Canadian skills competition which ran from last Wednesday until yesterday.

This national competition offers young Canadians the opportunity to showcase their skills and abilities in trades and disciplines ranging from architecture and cabinet making to fashion and culinary arts, computer animation and auto mechanics.

In addition, some 100 young Canadians competed to determine who will be part of team Canada at the upcoming 35th world skills competition to be held this November in Montreal.

I am proud that the Government of Canada is a major sponsor of the Canadian skills competition through Canada's youth employment strategy. This event celebrates the excellence of Canada's young people.

These young people know the economic opportunities of tomorrow will be available to people with the skills and dedication they are showing in Kitchener—Waterloo today. Congratulations to all the weekend's participants.

[Immigration, May 28th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, let me be clear. There is no head tax in Canada. The hon. member opposite trivializes a dark period of this country's history when a head tax was used to keep people out based on race, ethnicity and religion.

Having learned from history, we now have one of the best and most generous refugee immigration policies in the world. The hon. member opposite should applaud that and recognize that.

[Conestoga College Awards, May 25th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate this year's winners of the Conestoga College awards.

Andrea Bohoczki of Waterloo, a nursing student, was the winner of the Dr. Stanley F. Leavine memorial award which recognizes achievement in clinical practice, academic excellence and demonstration of personal and professional development.

The top winner in the broadcasting, radio and television program was Sarah Sherbourne of Waterloo. Sarah won or shared four of the 16 awards given out: the Q97.5FM telemedia award for broadcast management; the Betty Thompson broadcaster of the year award; the Christopher Allen Rawnsley—Sony of Canada award; and she shared the K.A. MacKenzie memorial award.

Carla Donnell of Kitchener won the CHYM announcing award.

Brian Gillespie also of Kitchener won the Pat Fitzgerald award from the staff of CKCO-TV.

Congratulations to Andrea, Sarah, Carla and Brian and to all winners of the 1998-99 Conestoga College awards.

[Immigration, May 11th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, the refugees are here on a minister's permit. Their intent is to return to Kosovo.

I can tell the hon. member if and when they decide to stay, then it becomes an issue we will have to answer. Most new Canadians coming to the country want to contribute and help pay their way. Furthermore, Mr. Speaker—

[Immigration, May 7th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member stands up and says these people have been charged. They have been charged because the government is very concerned about the integrity of the system and that member should be applauding us for it.

I reiterate that any allegation of wrongdoing is examined by the government. If we find anything underhanded, any illegal activity, charges are laid. The member sees the effect of our investigations.

[Immigration, May 7th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, let us turn from the comedy channel back to reality.

The integrity of the department lies at the very heart of what we do as a government. There is no question that any allegation of illegal activity is taken very seriously both by our government officials in CIC and the RCMP.

[University Of Waterloo, May 7th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate three students of the University of Waterloo who last month won the prestigious ACM International Collegiate Programming Contest in the Netherlands.

These world champions of computer programming, David Kennedy, Ondrej Lhotak and Viet-Trung Luu, beat out 61 teams from around the world.

This is the second time in 10 years that the University of Waterloo has won. Their record, consistently scoring in the top 10 with 2 wins, is the best record of any university in North America.

I join with my colleagues in congratulating these three young Canadians and wish them well in what I am certain will be their very successful futures.

[Budget Implementation Act, 1999, May 6th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, the Tories do not have any credibility when they talk about debt and deficit. They have left a record debt and a record deficit.

The hon. member used the example of Mike Harris. For the record, under Mike Harris we have sent thousands and thousands of nurses out of the province of Ontario. We have slashed spending on education and research. We have slashed the social programs. If the hon. member is going to hold that person up as an example of the kind of government he aspires to, I can only say that he is dead wrong.