Dianne Brushett

[International Women's Week, March 3rd, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, March 6 to March 10 is International Women's Week, a time set aside to honour the contributions of women in our society.

My riding of Cumberland-Colchester is replete with women who have made outstanding contributions, not only in their communities but in Canada and the world beyond.

The Colchester Historical Society in its recent edition of Colchester Women has recognized the contributions made by outstanding leaders like Abbie Gray, Dr. Janet Baker, Rev. Wilena Brown, and Dr. Annie Dickson. The legacy of such women is an inspiration to those who follow in their footsteps.

Studies indicate that the higher the education of the mother of the family, the more likely the success of the children. As we head into International Women's Week, I encourage women everywhere to build the future of this country by striving to attain their educational goals. The hand that rocks the cradle is truly the hand that rules the world.

[Decade Of Literacy, February 16th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, this decade of the 20th century has been declared by the United Nations as the Decade of Literacy. This is a time to raise our awareness of those Canadians who can neither read nor write.

It is a disturbing fact that nearly three million Canadians are unable to function with basic literary skills. We are now halfway through the Decade of Literacy and inroads are being made by groups like the Movement for Canadian Literacy and ABC Canada.

Learning to read is a golden key which unlocks the door to creativity and independence. One of the greatest satisfactions of my entire life was teaching an adult male to read. He trusted me enough to share his dark secret that he had been faking it. Privately we persisted and a few months later he was on his own, actually reading the daily newspaper. The joy was like the miracle of restoring sight to the blind.

I encourage anyone hearing my voice today who cannot read to take action to seek the help in learning the greatest joy in life, the joy of reading.

[Agriculture And Agri-Food Administrative Monetary Penalties Act, February 13th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, as we discussed the bill in the House today, on repeated occasions the hon. member referred to interference by the minister: "What protection does the bill give us that there will not be interference?"

I would like to suggest that hon. members are talking out of both sides of their mouths. On one question they want no interference. On the next question the hon. member asks why the minister does not take full responsibility and interfere. They cannot have it both ways.

I have a question for the hon. member. There has been reference to the parole board and the Solicitor General repeatedly today. How many times has the hon. member heard of interference by the Solicitor General of Canada in the parole board?

[Agriculture And Agri-Food Administrative Monetary Penalties Act, February 13th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I have one brief comment. I believe it is an insult to the integrity of the Canadian people. If their names are put forward at any level of government, they should participate in the democracy of the country.

It has been in our interest throughout the history of this government to listen to those names.

[Agriculture And Agri-Food Administrative Monetary Penalties Act, February 13th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, again as I reiterated prior to question period, it is my understanding that many Canadians desire to serve in the public domain of Canada. They are sincere when taking on the responsibility of serving their communities, municipally, provincially and federally.

It is a grave responsibility but the people appointed desire to serve. It is to the benefit of the public. Canadians are responsible people. Look at volunteerism, the responsibility that they take for their communities. It would be a great burden to the country to pay for the work done through volunteerism.

I believe the government is willing to listen to any name coming from any party as to who may be a responsible serving citizen.

[Agriculture And Agri-Food Administrative Monetary Penalties Act, February 13th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, in response to the question that was put before question period by the hon. member concerning the regulatory process, it is the hope and expectation of the government that after consulting with industry the regulations would be designated as infractions, whether they were an offence of a minor nature, a more serious nature or a very serious nature. Those would be decided on in combination with the private sector of the resource that we are referring to, as well as government regulators. It would be dealt with in a very fair and reasonable manner and, as indicated earlier, would prohibit taking every single infraction to the courts, thus saving time and money.

In response to the hon. member's second question regarding how regulators will be kept fair and honest, it is my assumption that public servants try to put in a fair day's work for a fair day's pay. In no way would they look aside or turn a blind eye when there may be infractions such as unsanitary conditions in a meat inspection plant, for example. In no way would they disregard that infraction when tainted meat could appear on supermarket shelves, which in turn might land on their own family's supper plate.

I have every hope and expectation that the regulators of the Canadian public service will pursue this with all sincerity to ensure that we have a safe and quality food supply for all Canadians.

[Petitions, February 13th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today pursuant to Standing Order 36 on a petition with 44 signatures from my riding.

The petitioners in my riding request that under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms we guarantee that everyone has the right to protection against discrimination and that the Government of Canada has recognized this including discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

[Vera Clyke, February 13th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, in honouring Black History Month and the contribution made by blacks in Nova Scotia, I wish to bring to the attention of this honourable House the name Vera Clyke. Mrs. Clyke's family came to Canada from the United States in 1860, seeking freedom from slavery and discrimination.

As choir director and organist for Zion Baptist Church in Truro, she has served faithfully since 1927, some 68 years. In 1965 she represented Nova Scotia in the Dominion Day celebrations on Parliament Hill.

On February 4 Vera Clyke was honoured by her church and community and I presented certificates on behalf of the Prime Minister, the hon. Secretary of State for Multiculturalism and the Status of Women, the hon. Minister of Citizenship and Immigration and myself, duly recognizing her leadership, her community participation and model citizenship.

By all community standards Vera Clyke is an outstanding Canadian, and at the age of 86 she continues to play the church organ.

Today I salute Vera Clyke and other Canadians like her who have laboured a lifetime to make their community richer just for living there.

[Agriculture And Agri-Food Administrative Monetary Penalties Act, February 13th, 1995]

Yes, Mr. Speaker.

[Agriculture And Agri-Food Administrative Monetary Penalties Act, February 13th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I believe the hon. member is missing a fundamental point in the bill. The bill is classified in specific violations: a minor violation, a serious violation or a very serious violation. These violations will be classified according to regulatory personnel, the public servants of Canada. The minister, the bill and the process today which you are part of-