Rose-Marie Ur

[Petitions, April 24th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36 I rise to present a petition signed by constituents living in Grand Bend and Forest in the riding of Lambton--Kent--Middlesex. The petitioners call on parliament to protect the health of seniors and children and to save our environment by banning the additive MMT as it creates smog and enhances global warming.

[Business of the House, April 10th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order No. 36 I am honoured to present this petition on behalf of the citizens and constituents of Lambton--Kent--Middlesex.

The petitioners call on parliament to protect the health of seniors and children and save our environment by banning the disputed gas additive MMT as it creates smog and enhances global warming.

[Farm Safety Week, March 14th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, March 13 to March 20 is National Farm Safety Week and the theme for this year's event is “Safety While Handling Livestock”.

It is estimated that every year in Canada there are 130 farm related deaths, 1,200 people are hospitalized from farm related injuries and 50,000 people sustain farm related injuries requiring them to either seek medical attention or to take a day away from normal work activities. Of all agriculture related injuries, 65% of all fatal injuries and 50% of injuries requiring hospitalization are related to the use of agricultural machinery. The very young and the elderly are at greatest risk on the farm.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the Canadian Federation of Agriculture are urging farmers and their families to think about how they can protect themselves from the possible hazards of living and working on a farm.

I too would like to take this opportunity to urge all my constituents in Lambton--Kent--Middlesex and other farm families throughout Canada to participate in safe farming practices.

[Petitions, March 13th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36 I wish to present these petitions on behalf of constituents living in Lambton--Kent--Middlesex. The petitioners call upon parliament to take action by the end of this calendar year to monitor scenes of violence in movies, television and video games.

[Uncle Tom's Cabin, February 28th, 2002]

Madam Speaker, on the occasion of Black History Month I wish to pay tribute to a community that has made an invaluable contribution to the development of Canada and to recognize the efforts of individuals such as Josiah Henson who helped slaves escape the United States via the underground railroad to Canada.

Josiah Henson and his family escaped via the underground railroad after 41 years of slavery and came to Canada to start a new life. In 1841 he moved his family to Dresden and helped establish the Dawn Settlement to provide a refuge and a new beginning for former slaves. Josiah Henson's name became synonymous with the central character, Uncle Tom, in Harriet Beecher Stowe's famous novel,

Uncle Tom's Cabin.

This year is the 150th anniversary of that novel. In order to celebrate this momentous occasion special events are being arranged throughout the year at Uncle Tom's Cabin located in Dresden, Ontario in the riding of Lambton--Kent--Middlesex. This historical site provides visitors with known facts and education in the lives of fugitive slaves in the Dresden area.

I welcome all members of parliament and all Canadians to visit Uncle Tom's Cabin historic site to discover the history of African settlers in Canada.

[Agriculture, February 7th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, today, February 7, is Food Freedom Day. It is a day of celebration for those who eat at least once a day but it is not as happy for those who produce our food.

Today Canadians have earned enough money to pay for their entire year's food supply. It takes just 37 days out of the whole year for an average Canadian to pay for his or her groceries. In 1999 Canadians spent 10% of their personal disposable income on food. This compares to 13% in France, 15% in Germany and 33% in Mexico.

Farmers are earning just a fraction of the average Canadian food dollar. While Food Freedom Day is February 7, January 9 is the day on which we have paid for the farmers' amount. That is right. It is January 9. It takes only nine days to pay the farmers for a year's worth of food. Nine cents of a $1.50 loaf of bread is returned to the farmer. Sixteen cents goes to the dairy farmer for a $1.50 glass of milk. A waiter or waitress in a restaurant earns more in tips for serving the food than the farmer who produces it in the first place.

We need to recognize our primary producers so that Food Freedom Day can be a day that everyone can celebrate including our farmers.

[Petitions, January 30th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I have a second petition, pursuant to Standing Order 36, from constituents living in the riding of Lambton--Kent--Middlesex in the town of Strathroy who have signed a petition asking the Government of Canada to reinstate capital punishment.

The petitioners state that they are reaffirming the basic principles of criminal justice as given to them in God's word, thus making a richly blessed country safer.

[Petitions, January 30th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36 I am honoured to present a petition on behalf of constituents living in Grand Bend, Forest and Bedford in the riding of Lambton--Kent--Middlesex who call upon parliament to protect the health of seniors and children and the environment by banning the gas additive MMT.

The use of MMT in gasoline results in significantly higher smog producing hydrocarbon emissions and enhances global warming.

[Oil Museum of Canada, December 12th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, it may come as a surprise to some in the House of Commons as to where oil was first discovered in Canada. Some may think it was in western Canada but that is not the case. The truth is it was discovered in my riding of Lambton--Kent--Middlesex.

The North American oil industry began in Oil Springs in 1858. James Miller Williams, who was a coachmaker from Universal Exhibition in Paris, dug the first well in 1858. Although the original boom at Oil Springs was short lived, it had a dramatic impact on the fledgling oil exploration, production and refining industries.

In 1958, 100 years after oil was first discovered, Oil Springs became the home to the Oil Museum of Canada, which was designated an official oil heritage site. The museum was opened to the public on August 12, 1960, with over 7,000 people visiting it each year. Family members are pleased to donate old artifacts to the local museum to ensure history is preserved.

I welcome and encourage members in the House and visitors across Canada to visit this great landmark in my riding of Lambton--Kent--Middlesex.

[Petitions, November 29th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36 I am honoured to present a petition on behalf of the constituents living in the Grand Bend, Forest, London and Windsor area who call upon parliament to protect the health of seniors, children and the environment by banning the gas additive MMT.

The use of MMT in gasoline results in significantly higher smog producing hydrocarbon emissions and enhances global warming.