Lost her last election, in 2004, with 26% of the vote.
Agriculture April 25th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, as a rural member of the House, I have often heard the minister of agriculture state that he has set goals in conjunction with the provincial ministers of agriculture for greater exports in agriculture products and agri-food.
The minister has set that goal at $20 billion of exports by the turn of the century. How well are we doing in reaching that goal and what strategies are in place to serve agriculture in this area?
Farm Debt Mediation Act April 17th, 1997
Madam Speaker, I enjoyed listening to the hon. member for Lisgar-Marquette commenting on Agriculture and Agri-food Canada since it is a very significant portion of our economy.
We are second in the world with the lowest cost of food. We have 29 million people in Canada, an economy of more than $700 billion, an export industry of $17 billion and quite a phenomenal growth rate.
With this bill and others the government has focused on the Farm Credit Corporation by providing extended finances, guaranteed loans, long term mortgage programs, vendor loan guarantee programs and agricultural equity development programs.
The hon. member talks about Bill C-38 as putting farmers under faster. The bill is actually a review process if a farmer becomes insolvent. If he gets into financial difficulty it is a process to assist him to go through mediation, to go through review, and to have a stay of proceedings if there is action taken on his assets.
If the hon. member's party formed the government and offered new policies to the public, would he repeal Bill C-38?
Youth Volunteers April 17th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, our youth volunteers will shape the next millennium.
Today I rise to salute a young man from Tatamagouche, Angus Bonnyman, who is being honoured this week as the youth volunteer of the year for the province of Nova Scotia. Angus has volunteered at the seniors nursing home, the school cafeteria, student organizations and has organized environmental clean-ups. He was the Truro Rotary Club delegate last year to Ottawa for Adventures in Canadian Citizenship.
This is the second year that a student from North Colchester High School has won this prestigious award and I would like to congratulate the principal and staff for their leadership and community spirit which they continue to demonstrate to their students.
Congratulations to Angus and to all volunteers who so generously serve their communities across Canada.
Committees Of The House April 11th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, the Standing Committee on Finance has the honour to present its 10th report.
In accordance with its order of reference of Monday, June 17, 1996, your committee has considered Bill C-37, an act to implement an agreement between Canada and the Russian Federation, a convention between Canada and the Republic of South Africa, an agreement between Canada and the United Republic of Tanzania, an agreement between Canada and the Republic of India, and a convention between Canada and Ukraine for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income, and has agreed to report it without amendment.
A copy of the minutes of proceedings related to this bill is tabled.
Meredith Doyle Rink April 11th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, the Meredith Doyle Rink arrived home in Truro last week boasting a bronze medal from the World Junior Curling Championships in Japan. Every country set their sights on Canada. The Canadian team was the team to beat. Although Canada lost to Scotland in the semifinals, the girls played extremely well and defeated the United States team five to two to bring home the bronze.
The team produced a number of all star players and was considered a model of youth sportsmanship on and off the ice. Members of the Meredith Doyle Rink served as excellent ambassadors for Canada.
I ask all members of the House to join with me in thanking and congratulating the team on its excellent performance and its awesome world victory.
Taxation March 13th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, on April 1, three provinces in Atlantic Canada will implement a harmonized sales tax which will simplify tax collection, provide a greater input tax credit for business and thereby stimulate the Atlantic economy.
The blended rate of 15 per cent will effectively reduce the tax rate by nearly four percentage points in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick and nearly five percentage points in Newfoundland.
The harmonized sales tax will finally put an end to consumers paying tax on tax. Books will be exempt from the provincial portion of the tax, as they have always been, and books for public schools, colleges and university libraries will be tax free.
A harmonized sales tax will not only benefit Atlantic Canada; it will benefit the entire country. I sincerely hope that as other Canadian provinces realize the value of a single national sales tax system they too will sign on very quickly and then we will have a tax-
International Co-Operation March 10th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister for International Co-operation.
Daily we see the plight of women throughout the world who are living in poverty with their children, in abject poverty and in horrible conditions.
Saturday marked International Women's Day. What is our government doing to improve the standard of living of women and their children to ensure a brighter future?
Employment Insurance March 6th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, Canadians have told the government that the new EI legislation is a disincentive to accept small weeks of work. Both employers and employees from all regions have identified this problem.
Under the leadership of the Minister of Human Resources Development we have taken swift action to solve this problem as quickly as possible.
In Cumberland-Colchester where unemployment is greater than 10 per cent and long term jobs are difficult to find, the new adjustment project will enable workers to bundle small weeks.
In other areas workers will be able to exclude small weeks from their calculation of benefits. This will ensure that workers in every region of the country are able to take full advantage of all available work without having their benefits lowered.
I am pleased the government has responded to the needs of part time and seasonal workers. It has ensured that every hour of work counts and that small weeks will no longer result in lower benefits to Canadians.
Curling February 20th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in this House today to congratulate the Meredith Doyle Junior Ladies Curling Team from Truro, Nova Scotia which became the national champions of junior ladies curling last Sunday in Manitoba.
I salute Meredith Doyle, Beth Roach, Candace MacLean and Tara Hamer for a terrific win against the Quebec team in the nationally televised games. Their competitive spirit, determination and commitment to excellence demonstrated their worthiness to advance to the world junior championships. They will be great ambassadors for Canada.
I invite all members of this House to join me in wishing our national champions the best of luck as they travel to Japan for the world junior competition next month.
Ovarian Cancer February 12th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House to draw attention to the 4.2 Canadian women who die each day from a silent killer. I speak of ovarian cancer, which is fatal for 70 per cent of its victims. This mortality
rate has not improved in over 30 years. There is no known cure, yet less than .2 per cent of basic cancer research goes to ovarian cancer.
Corinne Boyer was a victim of this silent killer. Her dream was to raise funds for ovarian cancer research, to find a cure and to change these fatal statistics. I am proud and pleased to tell the House that Corinne's husband, Patrick Boyer, took up her cause and today launched the Corinne Boyer Fund for Ovarian Cancer Research.
On behalf of women globally, I thank you Patrick for your commitment to fight this disease and your leadership in raising the profile of women's health. Together we will find a cure for ovarian cancer. Together we will fulfil Corinne's dream.