Joe Jordan

[The Environment, November 26th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, there is so much here I am going to have to try to take an nanosecond and sort through it.

The member I guess is suggesting there is absolutely no damage that the human race can do on the earth that is not irreversible or will not have any sort of significant effect.

I really take exception to that. I suggest that as technology advances, our capacity to degrade the environment in significant and irreversible ways is increasing.

Having said that, back to the issue of global warming and specifically the globe, the member took us down memory lane here. I am just wondering, in the historical context is the member prepared to admit that the earth is round or does he still think it is flat?

[The Environment, November 26th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, I will preface my question by saying that I am in the back row over here and the hon. member is in the back row over there and we really did not have much to do with the Kyoto process. So let us take that out of the loop. Let us pretend Kyoto is not going to happen.

I am curious as to what the hon. member thinks independent of that process. I agree that the correlation between what happens there and the reduction of greenhouse gases is a subject of debate. So let us take that out of the way.

What course of action in very general terms does the hon. member think Canada should take just to handle the problem independent of the Kyoto process because I realize it is a bone of contention.

[The Environment, November 26th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, the member makes an interesting point. I would like to congratulate him by pointing out that we should not point fingers at regions of the country. Very clearly, this is an issue for all Canadians and the solutions and the benefits of solving this problem are going to be realized by all Canadians. Acceptable and workable solution strategies will have to very clearly recognize that particular point.

The member talked about the commercial viability of adjusting technologies and he touched very briefly in the area of cogeneration. Does he see cogeneration as a commercially viable option?

[Points Of Order, November 21st, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, on a point of order.

Yesterday, in response to a statement by the member for Edmonton North that I took to be an accusation about my staff who were not here to defend themselves, I still feel very strongly about that. As a result of subsequent discussions with the member, I am convinced that it was not her intention to give that impression and I would like to withdraw my comments from yesterday.

[Rights Of Children, November 21st, 1997]

This may not be important to the Reform Party but it is important to Liberals.

Could the minister outline to the House and indeed all Canadians, because I think Canadians care, what programs—

[Rights Of Children, November 21st, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday was National Child Day. Upon reflection this may explain some of the actions in the House yesterday.

Research clearly shows that early and aggressive intervention to improve the quality of life of our young people pays huge dividends for the children, their families and society.

[Privilege, November 20th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of personal privilege. I must say that in between the tributes that we are about to pay I am troubled that I should even have to say this because this is a very honourable place in which we work, and I think everybody realizes that.

During question period the member for Edmonton North saw fit to refer to some sort of clandestine operation she undertook and then alluded to comments that one of the people who worked on my staff said. That person is not here to defend themselves.

I fall short of saying that this is McCarthyism but—

[Reform Party Of Canada, November 17th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring to the attention of the House an impending tragedy.

The grassroots movement known to us affectionately as the Reform Party is undergoing a major transition. Armed with a newly renovated house, designer suits and hair styles that change shade more often than mood rings, the Reform Party is quickly becoming the very demon it was created to slay.

The Reform leader now has an insulated work boot planted firmly in the oil patch and is attempting to stretch a Gucci shoe to the boardrooms of Toronto.

I suggest that we put the Commons health services on full alert because there is not enough A535 on the planet to soothe the ideological groin pull that is going to result from this, not to mention the ankle sprain as they fall off their soap box.

[Brockville Rowing Club, October 30th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, this past summer five young women from the Brockville Rowing Club took on the world and won at the prestigious women's Henly Regatta in England. In the gallery today is the junior women's coxed four crew of Jocelyn Swift, Caroline Vavro, Danielle Ker, Tami McBratney the coxswain Crystal Bois D'Enghien, along with their coach Mr. Chris Marshall.

This championship crew not only carried on the proud and successful tradition of the Brockville Rowing Club, but also brought honour to the city of Brockville, the riding of Leeds-Grenville and to the sport of rowing in Canada.

These young women can serve as an excellent example of team work to all youth. It is an honour to congratulate these fine young athletes and wish them well in future competitions, as well as any other challenges they choose to take on.

[Newfoundland School System, October 27th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to touch on the question by the hon. member's colleague on the use of a voucher system or an educational system that makes use of empowering the user and the inherent logic in that.

I wonder, as a former educator though I may be engaged at that at the moment, does he not think or not recognize that there is a danger that the education system, by engaging in a bidding war and the marketing activities necessary to attract vouchers, might take resources away from the fundamental reason that these systems exist? I do not see this type of activity aligning itself too closely with what is going on in the classroom. If resources are scarce, is there not a danger that we might, through the funding mechanism, be forcing education systems into activities that are not in the best interests of the students?