Rick Limoges

[Canadian National Soccer Team, February 28th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the Canadian National Soccer Team on its outstanding performance at the Gold Cup tournament held in Los Angeles over the past two weeks.

The players' determination led to their dramatic Gold Cup win with a 2-0 shutout of Colombia's national team. Ranked 85th going into this tournament, the Canadians also beat the 10th ranked Mexican team in the first playoff round. Its key victory in Los Angeles guarantees it a place in the prestigious Confederations Cup Tournament to be held in Japan and South Korea in 2001. This success also makes Canada's World Cup qualifying match, to be played this June, a lot more important.

All the players and coaches deserve a round of applause for their notable effort and win.

[The Environment, February 18th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, I understand that the Canadian government is launching negotiations with the United States on cross border smog. In Windsor and Tecumseh we are on the firing line.

I ask the minister: If Ontario is not yet keeping up with most U.S. states, how can Canada expect to gain the respect of the U.S. negotiators in these talks?

[Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences, February 17th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, allow me to congratulate all of the Canadians nominated this year by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Two films by the National Film Board of Canada were nominated for an Oscar in the short film, animated category. They are: When the Day Breaks , directed by Wendy Tilby and Amanda Forbis and produced by David Verrall; and My Grandmother Ironed the King's Shirts , directed by Torill Kove and produced by Marcy Page of the National Film Board and Lars Tommerbakke of Studio Magika in Norway.

Congratulations to the National Film Board for its 64th and 65th Oscar nominations.

Two other films in the same category have Canadian connections: The Old Man and the Sea , a Canada-Russia-Japan co-production, an IMAX animated film produced by La Maison de production Pascal Blais of Montreal; and 3 Misses , directed by Paul Driessen also of Montreal. The Red Violin , a Canada-Italy co-production that has received many awards in Canada and internationally, was also nominated for the work of composer John Corigliano for best original score.

[World Anti-Doping Agency, February 7th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to endorse the recent initiative by the hon. Secretary of State for Amateur Sport to bring to Canada the recently established World Anti-Doping Agency.

We recall the decision taken at the February 1999 conference hosted by the International Olympic Committee to establish the World Anti-Doping Agency in a major effort to eliminate drugs in sport. At its inaugural meeting the IOC announced its intent to conduct an open bidding process to find a permanent home for the new World Anti-Doping Agency.

It would be a distinction for Canada to house the new World Anti-Doping Agency. I offer my best wishes to the member of parliament, the Secretary of State for Amateur Sport, for his efforts in this regard.

[House Of Commons, December 16th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I am certain that all members of parliament will join with me in thanking all those hard-working people who dedicate themselves to making the House of Commons such an efficient institution.

It is no small feat to keep this place running. I extend my thanks to the pages who jump when we call, the clerks who record our every word, House of Commons staff who feed and clean up after us, and printing and post office staff who help us to get the word out.

Thanks as well to our security staff who protect us so that we can continue to say such outrageous things.

To all these heroes, who toil in the shadows, and whose fine work and devotion is too often left unsung, we offer our best wishes on the eve of the new millennium

[Ford Of Canada, November 25th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to inform the House that Ford of Canada's Windsor workforce reported a record donation to the United Way this year of almost $2.9 million. In one Ford plant, the Windsor engine plant, more than $1 million was raised this year for the United Way.

This new record surpasses the previous high of $2.4 million which was set last year by these same Ford workers. The amounts donated again demonstrate that these workers are the most generous people in North America. I know that all members will want to join me in congratulating Ford of Canada's Windsor's workforce for its exceptional generosity and sense of community.

This is yet another example of the tremendous sense of pride and community I see in Windsor and Essex County every day. The level of community participation and volunteerism is incredible. This is yet another example of how Windsor and Tecumseh represent the very best of what makes Canada such a great place to live.

[Cam Gardiner, November 18th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, on November 2 in Montreal I had the pleasure of presenting Cam Gardiner, morning show co-host at CKLW Windsor, with the prestigious Canadian Association of Broadcasters Gold Ribbon award for outstanding community service by an individual broadcaster.

Cam Gardiner has made a major contribution to the quality of life in our area. He has spent over 30 years volunteering his time in the community.

I am certain that all members of the House understand the significant contribution local private radio and television broadcasters have made through community participation and charitable efforts. It is for that reason this national recognition of Cam Gardiner and CKLW is indeed so special.

Congratulations to Cam Gardiner on his national recognition and thanks to the Canadian Association of Broadcasters for conferring this honour on one of our finest citizens. It is yet another example of how Windsor and Tecumseh represent the very best of what makes Canada such a great place to live.

[Byelections, November 16th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I know that members on this side of the House will be pleased to join me in congratulating the new members of parliament who won the byelections in York West, Mount Royal and Hull—Aylmer last night.

I know from personal experience the many challenges and interesting developments that face candidates for the government party in a byelection. I am pleased to see that my three new colleagues won their respective byelections with far more comfortable margins and enjoyed their victories much earlier in the evening than I did.

For those who may have lost track, these three byelection victories give the government 14 wins in 17 byelections since winning its first mandate in 1993.

The recent victories are an indication of the high level of Canadians' trust in and satisfaction with this government and our Prime Minister. I know that the members on this side look forward to working with the new members so as to continue to provide good government and improve the quality of life of all Canadians.

[Anthony Toldo Sr., October 27th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to inform the House that one our community's leading citizens, Mr. Anthony Toldo Sr., is being invested with the Order of Ontario on Monday, November 1, 1999.

Mr. Toldo is a philanthropist and industrialist who has made an enormous contribution to Windsor and Tecumseh. Over the years he has made many generous donations, the most notable of which was $1 million to the Windsor Regional Cancer Centre.

Tony Toldo is an example of the Canadian dream. He arrived in Canada as a poor young boy from Italy in 1934 and through hard work and determination built a business empire that employs over 1,100 people in three countries.

Tony Toldo represents the very best of what makes Windsor, Tecumseh and Canada such great places to live. I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Tony Toldo on being named to the Order of Ontario, an honour that is well deserved.

[Windsor Public Library, October 22nd, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to tell the House that the Windsor Public Library was awarded a gold medal at the Technology in Government Distinction Awards gala held in Ottawa on October 18, 1999. Distinction awards are designed to formally recognize leadership, innovation and excellence in the management and use of information technologies to improve service delivery.

WERLnet, the Windsor Essex Regional Library network project, implemented a state of the art library automation system shared by all partners and available over the Internet. WERLnet was one of 230 projects nominated from all three levels of government from coast to coast. It is the first gold medal winner in the newly created innovative service delivery in the municipalities awards category and was selected by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.

I congratulate all those who made this project possible, specifically Steve Salmons, Chief Executive Officer of the Windsor Public Library, who accepted the award on behalf of the WERLnet project and its partners. The city of—