Mr. Speaker, we are all concerned about the situation in Zimbabwe. Is there anything new? What is Canada's position? Could the Prime Minister update us on the situation in Zimbabwe?
House of Commons photoWon her last election, in 2004, with 50% of the vote.
Zimbabwe March 19th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, we are all concerned about the situation in Zimbabwe. Is there anything new? What is Canada's position? Could the Prime Minister update us on the situation in Zimbabwe?
Petitions February 6th, 2002
My second petition is in reference to protecting people with disabilities. The petitioners ask that parliament, under section 15(1) of the charter, uphold the Latimer decision of the Supreme Court of Canada.
Petitions February 6th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36 it is my pleasure to present two petitions, the first on the issue of child pornography. The petitioners call upon parliament to take all measures necessary to ensure that possession of child pornography remains a serious criminal offence and that federal police forces be directed to give priority to enforcing laws for the protection of children.
Black History Month January 31st, 2002
Mr. Speaker, February 1 is the beginning of Black History Month.
Black History Month was born out of the work of Carter G. Woodson, a black historian who in 1926 launched Negro History Week in the U.S. as an initiative to bring attention to the contribution of black people throughout American history.
In 1995 the Parliament of Canada unanimously adopted a motion declaring February Black History Month and therefore giving recognition to the African experience in Canadian society.
From Mathieu Da Costa, the first recorded black man to set foot on Canadian soil, to the slaves of the underground railroad, the United Empire Loyalists and the newcomers of today, men and women of African heritage have pioneered in many sectors of our society including medicine, law, politics, education, science and the arts. Recognizing the contributions of blacks to Canadian society is of special importance to all of our young people.
On this occasion I congratulate Robert Small on the creation of a poster, the 2002 official Black History Month poster, which speaks to the African saying: “Know your history and you will always be wise”.
Let us celebrate Black History Month.
The Budget December 11th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, I think that question has been addressed several times in the House by this member and others to the minister, who has responded in terms of what needs to be done and what is being done in HRDC to make sure that at this time of the year the constituents who are looking to HRDC for their cheques will get them. He knows this is happening.
The Budget December 11th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, one thing about a debate in the House is that it gives the questioners the opportunity to put their concerns on the record, regardless of the fact that my speech addressed some crucial issues and some crucial areas that I was hoping the member may have focused on.
To respond to the fact that we as Liberals are looking to the long term, I think the member would want us to be strategic and to look to the long term. I think he would want us to live longer than today. The budget addresses not only today but it looks at where we came from and where we are going with the hope that with good, strong fiscal management and with changes in the economic situation we will be able to meet all the requirements that are asked and demanded of us at this time.
The budget responds to a whole series of issues that the member has overlooked. When the member talks about Liberal arrogance, that terminology should be used in some other forum outside the debate and outside the remarks I made around the budget we presented, which is a reasonable sound budget and one that meets the demands that have been placed on us as a result of September 11. It also meets the requirements of the issues that face us.
Members asked us for a budget over and over again in the House. I heard members ask when we would have a budget and why the finance minister was not bringing in a budget. We have done what is possible to do at this point in time.
I hope the member will settle down, reread, see the direction in which the budget is taking us and see that we are not shortsighted but that we can look beyond today.
The Budget December 11th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join in the debate on Budget 2001. I congratulate the Minister of Finance for bringing down this balanced and timely budget. I also thank all Canadians, in particular my constituents in Etobicoke--Lakeshore, who participated in prebudget consultations and offered advice to the process.
The budget is a good one. We have heard comments about the recommendations of the finance committee. I think we gleaned the best of the suggestions and recommendations from the committee.
Budget 2001 responds to the realities of the uncertain times in which we are living. There is much concern in the public about economic uncertainty and personal security. The horrific events of September 11 have touched our shared sense of security and put additional stress on the already ailing global economy.
In the aftermath of the tragic events of September 11, I have heard from many of my constituents through correspondence, e-mails and meetings all expressing their thoughts and feelings about the threat of terrorism, their personal security and the impact of the events on their jobs and the Canadian economy as a whole. They have told me they want the federal government to ensure the safety of our communities and society. They want the government to take steps to keep terrorists out of Canada and to stimulate the Canadian economy.
In the budget the Liberal government identified national security as an area of high priority. It is committed to providing the financial resources necessary to protect Canadians. Though we are in a difficult economic period the measured and balanced approach taken in Budget 2001 will serve to restore confidence in our economy and the confidence of Canadians in their personal safety.
Ensuring the security of Canadians in the fight against terrorism cannot be done without making sound and solid investments where they are most needed. That is why the budget has committed a total of $7.7 billion over the next five years to enhance the security of Canadians. This investment is based on a plan to increase resources to Canada's intelligence and policing agencies, to enhance screening of new entrants to Canada both at our borders and abroad, and to enhance faster and more thorough screening of refugee claimants.
Providing better emergency preparedness and military deployment, Budget 2001 provides $1.6 billion to support Canadian military participation in the international war against terrorism, to fund military equipment purchases and to double the capacity of joint efforts to make air travel more secure by creating a new air security authority, providing armed undercover police officers on Canadian aircraft and providing better trained personnel to screen passengers and carry-on baggage.
We heard today the Minister of Transport as well as the Minister of National Defence speak to the support they are giving to the various programs. The measures address pressing concerns and are in line with Canada's international obligations in fighting terrorism.
Newcomers to Canada choose this country as their home because we put a high premium on the values of tolerance, respect and diversity. We are a nation that cherishes the values of freedom, equality and democracy. Like many of my constituents I was saddened in the wake of September 11 to read about attacks made on individuals in various communities who have been the target of intolerance owing to their country of origin, their ethnicity and their religion.
It is in times of crisis that we need to stand united as a country. We do not need to make scapegoats of each other. We need to pull together and draw on the strength of our diversity. The $9 million in funding provided by the budget aims to foster, respect and promote values which demonstrate that the federal government is conscious that divided communities are not in the best interest of Canada's social development. The new funding will be used to support the multiculturalism action plan put forward by the minister for Multiculturalism.
Core elements of the plan include: working in partnership with relevant federal departments to develop the intercultural training and tools to strengthen community relationship and trust; developing broad based educational tools, public awareness and Internet based information tools; working in partnership with community and voluntary organizations to build capacity, strengthen community cohesion and enhance intercultural and interfaith understanding; and partnering with local police and municipalities to assist with the development of strategies and programs to enhance outreach and to develop social cohesion.
As the finance minister stated in the House yesterday, personal and economic security go hand in hand. We cannot move forward as a country without sticking to sound fiscal management and making investments in Canada's human resources.
Budget 2001 is the government's fifth consecutive balanced budget in five years. This is a record, the first in 50 years, making us the only G-7 country to balance its books this year. This is something we as Canadians need to be proud of. As a result of the government's strong and prudent fiscal management Canada's debt to GDP ratio will fall below 50% next year for the first time in 17 years. I know our opposition is pleased about that.
My constituents and all Canadians can take pride in the fact that the sacrifices we have all made to put the country together are paying off and putting us on a strong financial footing. With the budget the federal government reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing the quality of life of all Canadians. We live in an era where technical skills are driving the engines of economies. Investing in Canadians will ensure they have the skills and tools to participate in a competitive and technologically driven global economy.
Canada must have a highly skilled and educated labour force to lead the way. Our long term prosperity depends on these factors. That is why the budget follows up on the Canada opportunities strategy, the Canada millennium scholarship and Canadian education grants with $10 million over two years to improve supports for persons with disabilities to obtain higher education, $15 million a year to encourage the acquisition of trade skills by changing the provisions of the EI program so apprentices in approved programs are subject to only one week waiting period before they start receiving EI benefits, and another $5 million a year to exempt from income tax any tuition assistance for adult based education provided under certain government programs including EI.
Canada is a generous nation. We can take pride in knowing that when individuals are fleeing persecution in various regions of the world we will not abandon our humanitarian tradition. The people of Afghanistan and those who receive our international assistance will know that what we have put in the envelope will be providing some support for them.
Since the Prime Minister has restated his commitment that development in Africa will be the main theme of the G-8 summit, I am pleased that the trust fund to assist Africa to the tune of $500 million will create a partnership so we can work with institutions in the international sphere to promote sustainable development in Africa.
This is a good direction, a good budget. I call on all my colleagues to see the spirit, the sense and the commitment that there is to move our country forward.
Committees of the House December 10th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 15th report of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade, entitled “Canada and the North American Challenge”.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee considered the issue of North American integration and Canada's role in the light of the new security challenges and is pleased to table this report and to offer thanks to all those who participated as witnesses.
Foreign Affairs December 10th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, often as we focus on one conflict others fall off our radar screen.
Could the Secretary of State for Latin America and Africa update us on the situation on the Eritrea-Ethiopia border and on how that conflict is being resolved? What is the peace process at this time?
Violence Against Women December 6th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, for the last 10 years the Government of Canada has had a family violence strategy.
On this national day of remembrance and action on violence against women, I would like to ask the Secretary of State for the Status of Women, has anything changed? Is anything new? Are there any innovative ways in which the government is dealing with the issue of violence against women?