Jean Augustine

[Open Doors 2005, June 14th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to encourage residents of Etobicoke—Lakeshore to participate in Open Doors 2005. Open Doors is a wonderful opportunity for older Ontarians and their families to explore the various long term care facilities and residences that operate in the Etobicoke—Lakeshore community and throughout the province of Ontario.

Choosing a future residence is a very personal matter and this is an opportunity to ensure seniors of a potential residence that meets their specific needs.

This Saturday numerous long term care facilities and retirement homes will host seniors and their families in order to have them become familiar with the residences' amenities, staff and atmosphere.

I urge everyone considering retirement to take advantage of visiting some of our local long term residences such as the Versa Care Centre in Rexdale, the Highbourne Lifecare Centre and Lakeshore Lodge.

Congratulations to the sponsors and volunteers for--

[Environment Week, June 7th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians are the stewards of much of the planet's natural environment. Future generations in Canada and around the world are depending on our ability to preserve a natural heritage that includes healthy ecosystems with productive and protected habitats, clean air and water, and a wide variety of species.

The Government of Canada encourages the preservation of our natural environment. The habitat stewardship program for species at risk funds projects that support habitat conservation and fosters stewardship. The ecological gifts program provides tax incentives to citizens who wish to make gifts of ecologically sensitive lands.

In addition to these federal programs, local conservation organizations and people in the riding of Etobicoke--Lakeshore, like Christina Sharma, Dr. Fisenko, Carole Goyette and many others are leading stewardship efforts across the country. I encourage all Canadians to take action this Environment Week to protect our natural future.

[Interparliamentary Delegations, May 18th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 34(1) I have the honour to present to the House, in both official languages, the report of the Canadian delegation of the Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association, which visited South Africa from March 29 to April 1 on the occasion of the third session of the pan-African Parliament held in Midrand, South Africa.

[Etobicoke--Lakeshore, May 18th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, I am very proud to represent the people of Etobicoke--Lakeshore. They have an incredible sense of civic pride and every one of them contribute to making our community the great place that it is.

This weekend we planted flowers in Farrah's Garden. Farrah is a young girl whose life ended tragically at the hands of her father.

We watched the moving of the original Mimico train station, which represents a great part of our local heritage.

We participated in a local waterfront cleanup. So many people rallied together to pitch in and clean up our neighbourhood.

I joined with community members at the sixth annual Lori's Room Walkathon in the name of Lorna-Lynn Martin, a young a girl who battled with and succumbed to cancer.

The numerous local activities show the great spirit in Etobicoke--Lakeshore. Let us continue to make not only Etobicoke--Lakeshore a better place, but our entire country and the world a great place to live.

[Grenada, May 10th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, after almost eight months since hurricane Ivan devastated the island of Grenada, I wish to report to my colleagues that there are encouraging signs of recovery on the island state.

Grenadian Canadians, NGOs, and the Government of Canada responded to the emergency needs. They sent a tonne of relief materials and to date the Government of Canada has contributed $10.7 million.

As the Prime Minister's special adviser on Grenada, I visited Grenada to assess the status of the ongoing reconstruction efforts headed by the Agency for Reconstruction and Development.

Canadians have continued to show their desire to help, and I would like to thank all Canadians for their unrelenting support. There is still much work that needs to be done to rebuild the island to pre-Ivan conditions. I encourage all hon. members to help Grenadians “Build Back Better”, which is the theme of their rebuilding efforts.

[Toronto Police Service, May 3rd, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate Mr. William Blair on his appointment as Toronto's 20th chief of police.

With almost three decades of service with the Toronto Police Service, Chief Blair is a man of high calibre who will no doubt carry out his duties in a stalwart manner. He is a professional dedicated to bettering our community.

In his maiden speech, Chief Blair addressed some of the pressing issues that faced Toronto's diverse community. I was particularly pleased to hear Chief Blair's emphasis on policing with a community based approach to fight the perception that police treated some individuals differently based on their race. He stated, “There is no greater challenge to our relationship with diverse communities than the corrosive issues of racism and racial bias”.

Solving this overarching disconnect is one of our greatest challenges. I hope through increased community policing that we, as members of the Toronto community, will make our streets and neighbourhoods a safer place to live.

I congratulate and welcome the chief.

[Volunteerism, April 19th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the many volunteers in my riding of Etobicoke—Lakeshore. We should never take for granted those who dedicate their time and energy to the benefit of others. Volunteers, young and old, embody true Canadian values such as compassion, empathy and dedication. They are indeed fine examples among us.

Last Friday, April 15, I was honoured and pleased to recognize 45 outstanding volunteers from my riding. I commended them for their exemplary sense of duty. In particular I want to mention Ms. May Herron who is 94 years old and is still a dedicated volunteer at the Islington Seniors Centre.

To all volunteers not only in my riding but in all of Canada, keep up the great work. We in the House are so very proud of them.

[Etobicoke Business Excellence Awards, April 12th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the residents of Etobicoke—Lakeshore, I would like to congratulate those who were honoured last night at the eighth annual Etobicoke Business Excellence Awards gala.

The black tie event was co-hosted by the Etobicoke Chamber of Commerce and the Etobicoke Guardian to recognize businesses and business persons for their exemplary accomplishments in the Etobicoke community.

I wish to congratulate Gino Piscelli, Don Gain, Greg Flagler, Ron Crosby, Naresh Bangia, John Lyon, Ignacio Musalem, Gerry Vandergrift and Paul Floyd. Through their hard work, diligence and integrity, they have achieved excellence.

They and their employees and employers may all take great pride in their accomplishments. Congratulations to all of the Etobicoke Business Excellence Awards recipients.

[George Hull Centre, March 24th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to welcome a few of my young constituents and staff of the George Hull Centre for Children and Families of Etobicoke. They are: Shakib Gharibzada, Zachary Sobel, Brett Philp, Arthur Gallant, James Vivieros, Richard Gillingham and Stefan Naumouski.

I commend these young men for the great strides that they have made for themselves. I wish them continued success and all the best in their future endeavours. I would also like to congratulate the staff of the George Hull Centre for their continued dedication and involvement in the community.

To all of the people at the George Hull Centre, staff, volunteers, parents, keep up the good work. Our young people need your support.

[International Women's Day, March 8th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, International Women's Day gives us an opportunity to reflect on the progress women have made to date, to assess the present challenges and to chart a future course.

This morning I was co-host with my provincial colleague, Laurel Broten, at an International Women's Day breakfast with special guest, Lina Anani of Amnesty International Canada, and guest speaker, the hon. Minister of State for Public Health. It was an honour to have them join us at this event. It was an opportunity for the men and women of Etobicoke—Lakeshore to celebrate the accomplishments and progress of women in Canadian society.

The themes of International Women's Day challenge us as parliamentarians to work toward gender equality.

Happy International Women's Day to all of my colleagues.