Lost her last election, in 2004, with 37% of the vote.
Official Languages May 31st, 2002
Mr. Speaker, it is vital that Canada's minority language communities have access to all services of the Canadian government in the language of their choice. Only then will all Canadians be able to contribute fully to Canadian society.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Human Resources Development tell the House what measures she has taken recently to help ensure that the language rights of the English speaking community in Quebec are respected?
Centre d'action bénévole de Saint-Hubert May 1st, 2002
Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate the Centre d'action bénévole de Saint Hubert, in the riding of Saint-Bruno--Saint-Hubert, which encourages exchanges between organizations and business people.
Last Tuesday evening, a meeting was held in order to encourage exchanges and co-operation between the various organizations and th business community in Saint-Hubert. They took advantage of this opportunity to issue an official invitation to take part in Volunteer Week from May 1 to 5.
Rollande DiLalla, honourary Volunteer Week chairperson, and Henriette Lemire, director of the centre, are already delighted with the prospects for exchanges and partnerships.
My congratulations to these people of Saint-Hubert. I encourage everyone to take part in Volunteer Week.
Parkinson's Awareness Month April 24th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, I would like to inform hon. members and the Canadian public that the month of April has been designated Parkinson's Awareness Month by the Parkinson's Society of Canada.
Parkinson's disease is a slowly progressive neurodegenerative illness characterized by tremor, trouble speaking and difficulty with walking and balance.
Today in Canada, there are approximately 100,000 people suffering with Parkinson's, mainly older adults. Although there is no cure at present, researchers are working to develop treatments that will slow down the disease's progression, and one day they will be successful.
The Parkinson's Society of Canada and its regional partners have been involved for the past 37 years in lessening the burden of people with Parkinson's and working toward a cure, through research, education, advocacy and support services.
I invite hon. members to join with me in supporting the Parkinson's Society of Canada and the thousands of Canadians with this disease.
Cultural Communities April 19th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in the House today to talk about an issue that is close to my heart. Canada is a country that promotes rights and freedoms.
Unfortunately, because of a sensitive international context, some unfortunate incidents may occur between various cultural communities.
I deplore demonstrations of violence between citizens of our country. The openness and tolerance, for which Canada is well known, must continue to inform our actions.
I call on all Canadians to remain vigilant and respectful toward each other. There is an impressive number of cultural communities in Canada. Each one contributes to our society. Together, we can preserve the wealth that results from these contributions.
Committees of the House April 18th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the eighth report of the Standing Joint Committee on Official Languages.
This report is a summary of the consultations that we had with officials from organizations representing minority official language communities. It is our hope that this document will help the President of the Treasury Board and minister responsible for co-ordinating issues relating to official languages in the drafting of his comprehensive action plan.
The committee wishes to underline the outstanding collaboration and support of the people who appeared before the committee and the people who served the committee.
We wish to thank researcher Françoise Coulombe, from the Parliamentary Research Branch of the Library of Parliament, as well as co-clerks Tonu Onu and Jean-François Pagé and their support staff for their invaluable contributions, which have enabled us to table this eighth report.
Landmines March 1st, 2002
Mr. Speaker, Canadians are celebrating the 5th anniversary of the Ottawa convention banning landmines.
Mines Action Canada is organizing a number of activities across the country to mark Canadian Landmine Awareness Week. These activities are aimed at informing the public on the importance of this issue. The week also celebrates the central role played by Canada in eliminating these terrible weapons from the surface of our planet.
Landmines continue to wreak havoc long after conflicts are ended. Towns and villages become the battleground when the war is over. They kill or maim innocent people going about their day to day activities, including children.
The Ottawa Treaty is evidence that individuals joining together toward a shared goal can make a difference. I invite my colleagues to take part in these celebrations.
Pierre Deutsch February 28th, 2002
Madam Speaker, I wish to bring to the House's attention today the extraordinary volunteer contribution made by a man in the riding of Saint-Lambert, Mr. Pierre Deutsch. He was recently on a volunteer assignment to Poland under the auspices of the Canadian Executive Service Organization to help a company examine the advisability of expanding its facilities.
During that assignment, he reworked their financial controls, reviewed quality control and helped in the hiring of new employees who had been through a retraining program. The outcome: tests proved that the products manufactured by the company rated higher than those of its competitors. The company's relationship with its main client was thus improved.
Mr. Deutsch is highly qualified to take an active part in Canada's efforts to encourage the development of disadvantaged economies. He has been doing so for a number of years.
Congratulations to this exceptional volunteer.
Petitions February 20th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, I have the honour today to present a petition signed by over 80 individuals in my riding of Saint-Lambert.
The petitioners, residents of Longueuil, while deploring the terrorist acts of September 11 perpetrated in New York City and Washington, respectfully call upon Parliament and all heads of state to follow the path of active non-violence.
Christmas Lights Across Canada Program December 7th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, last night we watched Parliament Hill and the surrounding area light up. A luminous ceremony took place for the launch of the 2001-2002 Christmas Lights Across Canada program.
Until January 13, 250,000 lights will illuminate more than 60 landmarks in Ottawa, starting at 4 p.m. everyday.
The Christmas Lights Across Canada program is an initiative of the National Capital Commission. All 13 provinces and territories take part in the program. Each year, as the holidays approach, the country lights up from east to west.
This festival awakens the magic of the Christmas season in the hearts of Canadians everywhere. It brings us in touch with our values and with who we are.
May this marvellous sight sweep us all off our feet.
Pyrite October 31st, 2001
Mr. Speaker, on behalf of myself and the hon. member for Brossard--Laprairie, I want to ask the minister responsible for the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation to inform this House on the progress of the negotiations with the province of Quebec regarding the assistance to be provided to homeowners whose property was damaged by pyrite.