Rose-Marie Ur

[Canada Sports Friendship Exchange Program, November 30th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, what a fantastic experience for 30 young hockey players from the town of Wallaceburg in my riding. They are taking part this week in the Canada Sports Friendship Exchange Program with a team from Gatineau, Quebec.

Funded in part by the Department of Canadian Heritage, the principal aim of this hockey exchange for these 14 to 16 year olds is to foster friendship and a better understanding between our Canadian francophone and anglophone youths and their families.

It will also enhance their knowledge of our great nation's history and geography. The big highlight for the kids was a visit to the Corel Centre today to watch the Ottawa Senators practise, followed by a friendly non-competitive game on the NHL ice with free tickets to tonight's game with the Chicago Blackhawks.

The team from Quebec will go to southwestern Ontario in the near future. It also shows that on or off the ice our Canadian youth, French and English, are united in friendship.

[Petitions, November 24th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, I am pleased to present a petition signed by residents of Grand Bend, Forest and Parkhill.

The petition states that the use of the additive MMT in Canadian gasoline presents an environmental problem affecting every man, woman and child in Canada. The petitioners call upon parliament to set by the end of this calendar year national clean fuel standards for gasoline with zero MMT and low sulphur content.

[Petitions, November 22nd, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, I am pleased to present a petition signed by residents of the Grand Bend, Lucan and Dorchester areas. The petition states that the use of the additive MMT in Canadian gasoline presents an environmental problem which affects every man, woman and child in Canada.

The petitioners call upon parliament to set, by the end of this calendar year, national clean fuel standards for gasoline with zero MMT and low sulphur content.

[Un Convention On The Rights Of The Child, November 18th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child was adopted by the UN General Assembly in November 1989 on the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the UN Declaration of the Rights of the Child. Its drafting began in 1979, the International Year of the Child. Canada is proud to have played an active role in drafting this treaty.

Canada is also proud to have been in the first group of countries to ratify the convention in December 1991, after consultation with provinces, territories and national aboriginal organizations. The convention now has the highest number of states parties, 191, making it the mostly widely accepted human rights treaty in history.

The convention has become the rallying point for children's rights, mobilizing not only governments and UN agencies, but civil society, including NGOs, academics, professionals, and more important, children and youth and their families.

The adoption of the convention has created momentum for strengthening international standards, for instance with new agreements. However much we have accomplished 10 years after the adoption of the convention, we all recognize the tremendous efforts that are still required. Too many of the world's children still face daily hardships and fear.

[Petitions, November 18th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, I wish to present a petition signed by constituents who live in the village of Wyoming. Their petition draws the attention of the House to the following recommendations: to charge young offenders who commit serious crimes, for example assault, sexual assault, aggravated assault, murder, attempted murder, manslaughter, aggravated sexual assault and crimes against seniors, in an adult court; to not allow Young Offenders Act protection to repeat offenders; the Young Offenders Act should protect one-time offenders only; to notify the victim and the public about the release of a serious crime young offender; and to change the Young Offenders Act to apply only to children between the ages of 10 and 15.

They request that parliament hear their prayer that victims of young offenders should have some of their rights as law-abiding people protected and that the abuse of the legal system by young people be stopped.

[Petitions, November 17th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, I am honoured to present a petition signed by residents of Ottawa, Nepean, Kanata and Manotick.

They urge the government to support the auto industry in its clean fuel program and to implement new fuel standards for gasoline with zero MMT.

[Agriculture, November 4th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I know the farmers in the affected areas will be pleased with the announcement the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food made in the House today.

As late as last week we met with several farm groups and representatives from out west. They outlined most compassionately the struggles that farmers are experiencing.

With that in mind, I want to know, with the dollars that have been allocated by the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food today, how exactly those new dollars will help the farmers get through this most tough, tough time.

[Petitions, October 27th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, I am honoured to present a petition signed by 1,000 residents of Bosanquet and Ipperwash Beach. They urge the government to complete the Camp Ipperwash army base transfer to the Kettle and Stoney Point first nations.

An agreement in principle was signed by the chief and minister of Indian affairs in June 1998 with little progress to date. Residents want this completed so that the native and non-native communities alike can build their community and their economy together.

[Canadian Psoriasis Foundation, October 25th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, October is Psoriasis Awareness Month.

One million Canadians suffer from this non-contagious skin disorder. It is an unpredictable disease affecting both men and women of all ages. Psoriasis can have a devastating impact on a person's life, both physically and emotionally. One in five are hospitalized frequently.

The Canadian Psoriasis Foundation is helping by providing support and teaching those affected valuable coping skills. The foundation supports and encourages research activities to find a cure while also promoting public awareness of the disease.

I encourage all members of the House and all Canadians to support the work of the Canadian Psoriasis Foundation and to wish it a successful awareness month.

[Petitions, October 20th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, I am pleased to present a petition that has been certified correct as to form and content. Petitioners from the Grand Bend, Lucan and Strathroy areas have signed the said petition.

The petition states that the use of the additive MMT in Canadian gasoline presents an environmental problem affecting every man, woman and child in Canada.

The petitioners call upon parliament to set by the end of this calendar year national clean fuel standards for gasoline with zero MMT and low sulphur content.