Beth Phinney

[Foreign Aid, March 17th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, in the past Canada has been a strong supporter of emergency relief and reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan.

Given the current focus in Iraq, could the Minister for International Cooperation inform the House if the government plans to continue to support the people of Afghanistan?

[Arts and Culture, February 24th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, last week the Art Gallery of Hamilton made an important leap forward in its collection of 19th century European art. Joey Tanenbaum, art collector and philanthropist, and his wife Toby, gave the art gallery 211 works, which they have spent decades collecting. This gift to the Art Gallery of Hamilton, Canada's third largest gallery, is worth between $75 million and $90 million.

Mr. Tanenbaum remembers the generosity of the first city his family called home. His father, a Polish immigrant, received his first line of credit in 1917 from Dofasco in Hamilton. This led to his family's successful scrap metal empire, Runnymede Iron & Steel.

I am sure all members of the House will join me in congratulating the Art Gallery of Hamilton and thanking Mr. Joey Tanenbaum for his generous donation to the cultural depth of the City of Hamilton.

[Iraq, January 28th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, many of my constituents in the riding of Hamilton Mountain are concerned about Canada's involvement in any conflict with Iraq.

As this volatile situation continues to dominate the news and the minds of Canadians, I feel it is important to speak out on behalf of my constituents on this issue.

I would just like to state categorically that I am against Canada's involvement in a war with Iraq. War must be a last resort. I share Canada's view that on matters of peace and security the international community must speak and act through the United Nations Security Council. The stakes in this situation are simply too high.

As the member of Parliament for Hamilton Mountain and speaking for the thousands of my constituents, I wish to express my strong opposition to Canada's involvement in any conflict with Iraq, except through a clear mandate of the United Nations.

[Airline Industry, December 3rd, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I recently submitted for the third year my private member's bill requiring automatic defibrillators on all commercial air flights in Canada over two hours.

Many international airlines, such as Qantas, British Airways and American, already carry automatic defibrillators on board their flights. This technology is important as an individual suffering from sudden cardiac arrest has a 70% greater chance of survival if he or she is treated within four minutes.

The Minister of Transport has been overseeing a voluntary process for installation of these machines in Canadian airlines for several years now. Could the minister please update us on where this process stands and when we can expect all--

[International Aid, November 19th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister pledged at the G-8 summit in Kananaskis to increase Canada's investment in basic education in Africa. The international community also pledged to achieve by 2015 the six objectives of Education for All agreed to in Dakar in 2000. The Minister for International Cooperation is currently participating in the high level group meeting on Education for All in Abuja, Nigeria.

What concrete measures is Canada taking to support education in developing countries?

[World Road Cycling, November 19th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, on November 18 the 2003 World Road Cycling Championship Organizing Committee launched the countdown for the 2003 World Road Cycling Championships scheduled for Hamilton in October 2003.

The Minister of Canadian Heritage announced that the Government of Canada will contribute $10 million to the event. This event will be an opportunity for Canadian athletes to compete against the world's best cyclists right here in Canada.

This event will involve some 800 athletes, over 50 countries, nearly 1,000 coaches and officials, over 1,000 volunteers and approximately 500 journalists. More than 500 million viewers from all over the world are expected to tune in.

The Championships are a great example of the partnership between federal, provincial and municipal governments, the private sector and the volunteer sector.

All the best to those involved with the 2003 World Road Cycling Championships taking place in Hamilton next October.

[Education, November 7th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, last week the Hamilton Training Advisory Board hosted Tech 2002: Women at Work. The forum on skilled trades and technologies is designed to encourage young women to enter non-traditional trades. This initiative brings together established women in the field with high school students considering entering a skilled trade.

The Hamilton Training Advisory Board was formed in 1996 and works to build partnerships within the City of Hamilton to promote and meet the city's skills and training needs. The advisory board is partially funded by Human Resources Development Canada and is just one more example of how the government is working to develop the skills of our future workforce.

[Africa, November 6th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, southern Africa is currently facing a major humanitarian crisis. The governments of several southern African countries have declared national disasters due to actual and anticipated food shortages.

This year, people in a number of countries in Africa, including refugees and internally displaced people, still have great unmet needs, with several million children going hungry.

Could the Minister for International Cooperation please inform the House of what the government is doing to address these very urgent needs?

[Canada Labour Code, November 4th, 2002]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-288, an act to amend the Canada Labour Code (defibrillators in the workplace).

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to reintroduce a private member's bill, an act to amend the Canada Labour Code, seconded by hon. colleague from Thunder Bay—Superior North.

As everyone knows, when a person suffers cardiac arrest, time is of the essence. A person suffering from sudden cardiac arrest has a 70% chance of survival if he or she can be treated within four minutes.

My bill to amend the Canada Labour Code would ensure that all major public buildings would have defibrillators installed and have staff trained in using them in the unfortunate case that someone suffers a heart attack. This requirement has the potential to save lives. If even one life is saved due to the nearby presence of automatic defibrillator units, the bill should be passed.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

[Aeronautics Act, November 4th, 2002]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-287, an act to amend the Aeronautics Act (automatic defibrillators).

Mr. Speaker, I would like to reintroduce, seconded by my hon. colleague from Thunder Bay—Superior North, my bill to amend the Aeronautics Act, which would require all commercial passenger services in Canada with flights over one hour to carry automated external defibrillators providing passengers and crew with lifesaving technology.

Many airlines, such as American, Qantas and British Airways, already carry automated defibrillators on board. This enables trained staff to immediately treat passengers suffering from cardiac arrest rather than delaying treatment until the plane reaches its destination or is forced to land.

I hope all members will support the bill when it comes before the House.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)