Pat O'Brien

[Ireland, October 26th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, during the past months a frustrating stalemate has stalled the peace process in Northern Ireland. Indeed, it threatens to destroy it and the peace process there is at a critical stage right now.

Would the Minister of Foreign Affairs tell the House what actions the Government of Canada has taken to help ensure that the peace process will ultimately be successful?

[Committees Of The House, June 9th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the fifth report of the Standing Committee on National Defence and Veterans Affairs.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Standing Committee on National Defence and Veterans Affairs proceeded to the consideration of a study on veterans' issues and the merchant marine. The committee has agreed to report to the House with three specific recommendations. Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests a government response.

For many months our committee studied what was an emotional and complex issue. We had very full and fair hearings. Anyone who wished to give any type of testimony whatsoever was welcome. There were no remaining witnesses and the committee was seized with the report.

The three specific recommendations which the committee proposes to the government, if followed, would go a long way toward righting the wrong for the merchant marines collectively in terms of their contribution to winning the second world war.

The title of the report is “A Story That Must Be Told: The Canadian Merchant Navy and Its Veterans”. If these recommendations are followed there will be a much more comprehensive and accurate understanding of the very vital role played by the merchant navy in winning the second world war.

[Speech And Hearing Awareness Month, May 6th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to inform the House that May is speech and hearing awareness month.

This is an opportunity to promote public understanding and to educate Canadians about the challenges faced by the deaf and hard of hearing. An estimated one in ten Canadians is deaf or has some degree of hearing loss. Those most likely to be afflicted are seniors. We need to recognize the importance of improving the situation for those with hearing related communication disorders.

Speech and Hearing Awareness month is recognized by voluntary and professional organizations which provide ongoing services to deaf and hard of hearing individuals.

Please join me in congratulating all organizations, service agencies, professionals and volunteers who help improve the quality of life for the deaf and hard of hearing.

[The Irish, March 17th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, as you know, the Irish were one of the four founding cultures of Canada in 1867; not two but four. This historical fact is clearly symbolized on Canada's coat of arms, which includes the Royal Harp of Tara and the Shamrock.

Indeed, the very ceiling of the House of Commons is fine hand-painted Irish linen.

Several million Canadians proudly claim some Irish ancestry, including 40% of Quebecers. Clearly Irish Canadians have made and continue to make important contributions in every field of endeavour in Canadian society.

To the wonderful people of Ireland we send our prayers for a true and lasting peace with equality and justice for all. To the people of Ireland and Canada, may I say a Happy St. Patrick's Day, Joyeuse Saint-Patrice, Bannocktu Na Failee Padriq Oriv Gu Layer.

[Petitions, March 9th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to present the final two petitions which call for amendments to the marriage act to clearly define marriage as a contract between a single male and a single female.

[Petitions, March 9th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, the second petition addresses the question of public nudity and requests certain amendments to legislation dealing with nudity.

[Petitions, March 9th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, as the member of parliament for London—Fanshawe, it is a pleasure, pursuant to Standing Order 36, to present several petitions from my constituents and other people from the London area and district.

The first two petitions speak to divorce and to the call for amendments to legislation to better respect the rights of non-custodial parents and grandparents.

[The Budget, March 3rd, 1999]

Madam Speaker, it is really quite simple for the member. The first tax cuts this government brought in since being in power were aimed at low and middle income Canadians. Four hundred thousand low income Canadians were removed from the tax rolls in the 1998 budget. Two hundred thousand more low income Canadians were removed from the tax rolls this budget.

This government understands that to be a Liberal is to help those who cannot help themselves. We are not the Reform Party. We believe in targeted tax cuts, which is exactly what we will continue to do in future budgets.

[The Budget, March 3rd, 1999]

Madam Speaker, she is a new member but she is not going to intimidate me with that kind of nonsense. Maybe that would please her, I do not know.

She speaks about the problem with EI. Let me address that. We do not need any lectures from the NDP on the fact that we understand there are some valid concerns about EI. We on this side share them as well. We have a concern about the intensity rule. We have a concern about the clawback.

Come to London—Fanshawe, come and meet with me and the labour leaders in London, Ontario. They know we have those concerns. They know we are fighting for them on those issues. We have no lessons to learn from the NDP on that score.

[The Budget, March 3rd, 1999]

I guess she cannot resist the heckling. Ask the CAW why it is not supporting the NDP in the upcoming Ontario election. It is fascinating to hear.