Deborah Grey

[Petitions, September 17th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, my second petition is signed by hundreds of people from my constituency and the city of Edmonton. The petitioners are concerned about religious freedom and the addition of sexual orientation to Criminal Code sections 318 and 319, hate propaganda. The petitioners are concerned. They want to make sure that individuals are able to exercise their religious freedom as protected under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and to express their moral and religious doctrines regarding homosexuality without fear of criminal prosecution.

These petitioners wish to be heard. They are petitioning Parliament and they are probably not convinced that a little amendment to this legislation is really going to help them out.

[Petitions, September 17th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I have a couple of petitions today in accordance with Standing Order 36. We know that the same sex marriage issue just continues to go along in our country. These petitioners are very concerned about it. They think traditional marriage is the best foundation for families and the raising of children, the institution of marriage being between a man and a woman. The petitioners certainly feel this is being challenged. These petitioners from Edmonton, Alberta, are very concerned and humbly pray that Parliament would continue to believe in traditional marriage.

[Voyageur Colonial Pension Fund, September 17th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, that is nonsense. These bus drivers deserve a pension and the government just laughs them off.

Here is a little riddle. Let us try this one on. When is an audit not quite an audit? When it is altered by OSFI of course, Mr. Speaker. It had no business letting minister's staff in on these meetings and then tinkering with an official audit. But it is just another Liberal scandal. Hardly anyone notices it is happening.

Voyageur's bus drivers and employees got nothing more than a ticket to ride. When will the government stand up and announce new investigations and get to the bottom of this and help these drivers?

[Voyageur Colonial Pension Fund, September 17th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, the member for LaSalle—Émard is on a bumpy road to 24 Sussex.

Voyageur Colonial bus lines, in which he had a 50% share, shortchanged its employees' pension fund by $2.4 million. Meanwhile, the member across the way received a windfall of a pension surplus from Canada Steamship Lines for $82.5 million.

You can call me a “Greyhound” if you like, Mr. Speaker, but I want to know, when will these people be compensated for their fair share of what is owed them?

[Committees of the House, June 12th, 2003]

It feels like an hour and a half.

[National Defence, June 3rd, 2003]

That is glacial speed, Mr. Speaker. He talked about overstretched and under equipped. I do have to agree with him there, that is for sure.

It is the 40th anniversary of the Sea Kings but our troops certainly are not breaking out any party hats. The Prime Minister cancelled the replacement contract 10 years ago, and he has waffled on new procurements since a long time. When it comes to making his decision, he is either unwilling or incapable.

Why will the government and the Prime Minister not just admit that he is leaving this whole mess to the next prime minister?

[National Defence, June 3rd, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, we have just passed the 40th anniversary of the first delivery of the Sea King helicopters. That same year President Kennedy was shot, the Beatles released their first album, our present Prime Minister was elected to Parliament for his first time and I turned 11.

We have all aged since then, some less gracefully than others, that is for sure. After 10 years of promised replacements that never show, our troops are still flying those same Sea King helicopters from 1963.

How much longer does this Prime Minister intend to keep the procurement of new choppers up in the air?

[Canadian Forces Day, May 28th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today to honour the brave men and women of our Canadian military.

This Sunday, June 1, is Canadian Forces Day, an opportunity to celebrate the work that our military does on our behalf. Whether responding to domestic crises or international conflicts, these men and women serve our country with pride. Every day these dedicated and disciplined individuals put their lives on the line for the benefit of all Canadians.

On Sunday I ask the House and Canadians everywhere to think about the contributions that our military personnel make to our safety, security and sovereignty. We remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice as part of their jobs, those killed and injured in combat, on peacekeeping missions, in accidents or in training.

Especially at this time, our hearts go out to the family, friends and colleagues of Capt. Kevin Naismith who was tragically killed in an CF-18 crash in northern Alberta on Monday.

We salute him and all members of the Canadian Forces and thank them for their commitment to our nation.

[Foreign Affairs, May 16th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, in fact, the minister admits it. Maybe he is capable of walking and chewing gum at the same time. The government has been muddling around for months. At least the government now seems prepared to have discussions with the Americans.

The Americans plan on having the program up and running by 2004. That is just seven months away. Norad has been in place for six decades and if we do not get involved in missile defence, even Norad is at risk. That means if we lose that, we are wide open to air attack.

When will the government act on what we have been saying all along for years, that the best offence is a good defence?

[Foreign Affairs, May 16th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberals say they have to start someplace. They have been dithering and delaying on so many important issues, the sex offender registry for one and marijuana is another.

Look at their stance on missile defence. It is also unclear. The cabinet is divided. The Prime Minister is equivocating and asleep at the switch again. The Americans are trying to figure out where we stand on this issue. The defence minister says it will be an “insurance policy”, but the government is not prepared and it cannot even figure out how to pay the premiums.

When will the government assure us and our closest ally that we will not leave them in the lurch again?