Gérard Binet

[National Mining Week, May 12th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, Canada is one of the top mineral exporters in the world. These exports make up almost 12% of Canada's total exports and the mining and metals industries employ close to 400,000 Canadians.

National Mining Week is from May 12 to 18, and this year's theme is “Mining—An Innovative Industry for Canadians”. Innovation is the cornerstone of Canada's mining industry and the key to its current and future success.

The Government of Canada is committed to promoting a future marked by new technologies and practices, one that is mindful of environmental and social imperatives. Sustainable development is of the utmost importance, not only for the future of the mining industry, but also for the people and communities whose well-being depends on the mining industry, such as those in my beautiful area, Frontenac—Mégantic.

[National Hospice Palliative Care Week, May 8th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, palliative care is designed to alleviate suffering. It is specialized care for the seriously ill and their family. The basic idea is to ensure the comfort and dignity of terminally ill patients.

One Canadian in ten is caring for someone who is seriously ill. We know that 80% of Canadians in the last stages of their life would rather stay at home, surrounded by their relatives, to receive care. This means that, in 25 years, one labour force participant in two will be caring for a relative at home.

In response, the Liberal government has put in place special measures, such as the establishment, in budget 2003, of eternity leave and the development of a strategy to improve end of life care.

This week is National Hospice Palliative Care Week. This is a time to honour those who, through their dedication, care for the seriously ill till the end.

[Information Technology Week, May 6th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, May 2 to 11, 2003 marks Canada's third annual Information Technology Week. This joint initiative of Industry Canada and the Information Technology Association of Canada provides an opportunity to share achievements and best practices in this field.

During this 10-day event, communities, businesses, employees, teachers and students are encouraged to work together to find innovative ways of showcasing information technology accomplishments.

In a knowledge-based society, people are a country's greatest resource. It is therefore critical to demonstrate the need for partnerships between the private and public sectors in order to make Canada one of the most innovative countries in the world.

[Nicolas Macrozonaris, May 5th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today to salute Nicolas Macrozonaris of Laval, Quebec, who won the men's 100-metres on Saturday night, at the Mexican Grand Prix track meet held in the Mexico City Olympic Stadium.

With a time of 10.03 seconds in his first Grand Prix meet of the season, this victory is the biggest so far in his career, his personal best and second fastest time this year. Nicolas finished ahead of the record holder in this event, Tim Montgomery of the United States.

Nicolas Macrozonaris is trained by Daniel St-Hilaire, who worked for many years with Bruny Surin. Nicolas was first noticed by the track world during the 2000 Olympic trials, when he ran the 100 metres in 10.19 seconds.

With this significant victory come numerous invitations to prestigious meets on the international track calendar. Nicolas has become an athlete to watch in coming months, and we hope to see him race against the best in the world at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.

I know that all Canadians join with me in congratulating Nicolas on his remarkable performance and in wishing him many more in the coming months.

[Quebec General Election, April 28th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, my colleagues will be pleased to join me in congratulating the new Liberal MNAs elected in the provincial election held in Quebec two weeks ago.

Now there will be a changing of the guard, a new start toward actions that will prove that the Liberal Party is the party of all Quebeckers, that it is solidly rooted and that its characteristic values of freedom, justice and openness to a wider world will help to bring about the peace of mind that has been sought for so long.

The ambiguity is over. The recent majority win by the Quebec Liberal Party will at last make it possible for us to work in a spirit of collaboration and synergy for the greater good of all those who so proudly compose the population of that province.

I know my colleagues on this side of the floor are anxious to start working with the new premier and his team in achieving some realistic goals. My congratulations as well to the three Liberals who were elected in my riding.

[Democratic Republic of Congo, April 10th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, we were recently made aware of the terrible massacre of Congolese people in the eastern part of the country.

Could the Secretary of State for Latin America and Africa and the Francophonie tell the House how Canada is contributing to the peace process in the Democratic Republic of Congo?

[Salon international de l'alimentation, April 2nd, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I have been told that the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food will be speaking today at the Salon international de l'alimentation in Montreal.

Can the Parliamentary Secretary explain to the House the importance of this type of event for the agricultural sector?

[Journée de la Francophonie, March 25th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, on March 20, as part of the Journée internationale de la Francophonie, a ceremony was held on Parliament Hill in honour of His Excellency Boutros Boutros-Ghali.

Can the Secretary of State for Latin America, Africa and the Francophonie tell us what was done to promote the Journée internationale de la Francophonie with young Canadians?

[The Environment, March 24th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, the environment is an integral part of our life and affects many aspects of our health, work and leisure. To ensure a healthy environment for our children, it is imperative that we preserve our forests.

The Agence régionale de mise en valeur des forêts privées de la Chaudière fully understands this and has developed a project to identify exceptional forest ecosystems on the territory of the Agence Chaudière and to put in place a program of voluntary conservation agreements with the owners in question.

Through the Ecoaction financial assistance program, this project received $18,000 from the federal government and also received support from the Amiante RCM, the Government of Quebec, the Agence régionale de mise en valeur des forêts privées de la Chaudière and its accredited forestry advisers, including the Groupement forestier Beauce-Sud and the Groupe AgroForestier Lotbinière-Mégantic.

Cooperation between the three levels of government—federal, provincial and municipal—and of course the forest owners, is the key to success for any such project.

[La Semaine de la Francophonie, March 19th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, March 9 to 23 is La Semaine de la Francophonie organized by the Association canadienne d'éducation de langue française.

This event is designed to meet the specific needs of the francophone education community. It is part of Les Rendez-vous de la Francophonie, which are designed to bring together all Canadians.

The theme this year is “Des racines en partage”. This theme refers to history and solidarity, as well as the importance of sharing the French culture and language and passing it on from one generation to the next.

In their schools, young Canadians will have an opportunity to learn more about la Francophonie. This knowledge will in turn help them develop a sense of belonging; they will be proud of their roots. These feelings will remain with them throughout their lives.

Through initiatives like La Semaine de la Francophonie, francophones and francophiles preserve and ensure the future of their language and culture. I strongly urge Canadian schools to participate in these celebrations.