Beth Phinney

[Cancer Awareness Month, April 4th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, April is Cancer Awareness Month.

Every year cancer kills millions of people worldwide and over 65,000 people here in Canada. It is estimated that a third of Canadians will develop cancer at some point in their lives. The disease has many faces, causes and is a challenge to treat and control. Therefore it is critical that cancer research continues.

Health Canada joins the Canadian Cancer Society in kick-starting this month with daffodil days. This is a time for Canadians to display our spirit of generosity.

I encourage people to give of their time and money in order to fund the fight against this deadly adversary. Money raised from this initiative will go toward cancer awareness, research, treatment and support for those affected.

I applaud all the volunteers and donors who strive to make a difference.

[Cornerstone Award, March 23rd, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, Hamilton Health Sciences and the Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation has recognized three individuals as the 2005 Cornerstone Award recipients. These winners display tremendous leadership and commitment in the field of health care.

An orthopedic surgeon and a leader in his field, Dr. de Beer is dedicated to the research and learning of joint replacement and is also an assistant professor at McMaster University. One of his initiatives, the event “A Day in Arthroplasty”, encourages patients to learn more about their upcoming surgical procedures.

Social worker Diana Tikasz is the coordinator of the Hamilton Health Sciences Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Care Centre. She works tirelessly to raise awareness of sexual assault and provides necessary and crucial support to those who have been victimized.

Bruce Wilson, a volunteer at Hamilton Health Sciences, has Lou Gehrig's disease. He is an activist and a counsellor for the physically challenged. Bruce is determined to find a cure for his disease and is involved with several community fundraisers.

I congratulate these 2005 Cornerstone Award winners.

[Hamilton Firefighters, March 9th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday in my riding of Hamilton Mountain a memorial service recognized nine fallen firefighters: Wayne H. Murray, Charles Waterman, Alexander Maxwell, Joseph Cheeseman, William Cooke, William Carson, Milton Kindree, Ian Gray and Neil McFadyen. These courageous professionals chose to regularly risk their own lives to save the lives of others.

Unfortunately, they contracted occupational diseases and succumbed to their illnesses during retirement. It is important to recognize that while there is an immediate risk of death in every blaze that is fought, occupational disease is the number one killer of firefighters in Ontario.

The deaths of these fallen firefighters were not in vain and compensation is fortunately now available for many. These nine individuals will forever be remembered for their service and dedication to the Hamilton community.

[Heart and Stroke Foundation, February 22nd, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, as the hon. member just mentioned, February is heart month. It is the time of year when thousands of people on behalf of the Heart and Stroke Foundation donate generously of their time and money. The funds go directly toward continued research.

Heart disease and stroke continue to be the number one killer of both men and women in Canada each year. It is likely that each one of us will be directly or indirectly touched by heart disease or stroke at some time in our lives. It is important for Canadians to know that they can make a difference.

I applaud the efforts of those who have joined in the fight. Again, it is because of the thousands of volunteers, canvassers, donors and countless others that important advancements in medical research can be made.

[Tim Hortons, February 14th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, Tim Hortons was recently named winner of Marketing magazine's Marketer of the Year award.

Founded in Hamilton, Ontario in 1964, Tim Hortons has become a local cultural landmark and a visible symbol of Canada. Tim Hortons has grown to become one of Canada's largest chains of coffee and doughnut shops. With over 2,500 operations, it is firmly entrenched in our society.

The marketing award recognizes the company for its effective branding as a distinctly Canadian product. As Tim Hortons expands into the United States market, it remains grounded in its roots. Among many local initiatives, the Tim Hortons Children's Foundation provides thousands of underprivileged children the opportunity to attend summer camp each year.

On the eve of National Flag Day, let us celebrate all the things, such as Tim Hortons, that are authentically Canadian.

[Reverend John C. Holland Awards, February 11th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, I recently had the pleasure of attending the Reverend John C. Holland Awards dinner. This annual event held in his honour recognizes the accomplishments made by members of the black community.

The son of a runaway slave, Reverend Holland persevered the racist times he lived in and realized his dream of becoming a United Church minister. He was eventually recognized and honoured as a distinguished citizen of Hamilton.

At this year's dinner Dr. Ray Johnson received the Black History Award of Merit. Aminah Rock received the Youth Achievement award. Dr. Juliet Daniel received the Professional Achievement award. George Kerr received the Ray Lewis Sport Achievement award. Lloyd Turner received the Community Service award. Four Youth Scholarship awards were also presented to Nicole Williams, Nailah Gordon-Decicieo, Jairus Goodridge and Jelaine Foster.

Congratulations to all the award winners for their outstanding contributions to the community.

[Department of International Trade Act, February 9th, 2005]

That was outsourcing. We did not know that was going to happen.

[Youth Volunteer Award, February 7th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, Matthew Mitterling was recently chosen the Hamilton Spectator Youth Volunteer of the Year for 2004.

Matthew is a typical teenager, involved in various extracurricular school activities at Hillfield-Strathallan School. However this student is anything but typical. He proves that it is possible to change the world, one person at a time. For example, one of his volunteer and fundraising initiatives resulted in a well that provides clean water to a village in Zambia.

There were five other outstanding nominees for the Hamilton Spectator Youth Award, including Brian Hua, Amanda Lammers, Jessica McPhee, Carla Tancredi and Madeline Wilson.

I ask all members to join me in congratulating the recipient of the award, Matthew Mitterling, as well as the other nominees for their achievements and contributions to their community.

[Hamilton Gallery of Distinction, November 29th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, on November 10, six outstanding citizens of Hamilton were recognized at the annual Hamilton Gallery of Distinction awards banquet. These citizens have positively affected the lives of others through their volunteering, business and philanthropic activities and have made Hamilton a better place to live.

The 2004 inductees into the Hamilton Gallery of Distinction are: Ron Foxcroft, inventor and entrepreneur; Peter George, president and vice-chancellor of McMaster University; Ray Johnson, dedicated volunteer and member of various community boards and organizations; Ron Joyce, entrepreneur and youth advocate; Jill Rumble, former CEO of the Hamilton YWCA and the first female president of the Hamilton Rotary Club; and Arthur Weisz, businessman and community volunteer.

I ask members to please join me in congratulating the inductees.

[Health, November 17th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, there has been considerable talk recently about the risk of a worldwide pandemic and the preparedness of different countries in dealing with such a problem.

Would the Minister of State for Public Health please explain to the House what steps the government is taking to protect Canadians against a potential pandemic?