Nelson Riis

[Fresh Water, May 5th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, the Ontario government has recently indicated that it supports a private company's application to sell Ontario fresh water for export to Asia.

This is the beginning of a host of private entrepreneurs applying to export and sell fresh Canadian water in bulk. They view water as a commodity to be exported just like oil or timber.

Fresh water is different. It is the nation's lifeblood. It is part of life itself. Proponents of bulk water exports view Canada as having a fresh water surplus. This is simply not so. Water plays a crucial role in our nation's ecosystems and is there for a reason. It is not a surplus commodity to be sold to the highest bidder.

NAFTA poses a threat to our ability to stop this sale. A good first step would be for Canada's Minister for International Trade to say simply no to any future bulk sale of Canada's fresh water.

[Petitions, April 29th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, the last petition I have to present is on the issue of the MAI.

The petitioners recognize that it is on hold until October. They point out a whole number of reasons why they do not like the MAI as they understand it.

They are calling upon parliament to reject the current framework and to instruct the government to seek an entirely different agreement by which the world might achieve a rules based global trading regime that protects workers, the environment and the ability of governments to act in the public interest, something rather unusual.

[Petitions, April 29th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I have a petition on another issue. It is from a number of people from Kamloops who I suspect have been filling out their tax returns and feel they are getting gouged by the tax system.

They are calling upon parliament to undertake a fair tax reform process.

[Petitions, April 29th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, it is my honour to present a petition on behalf of a number of constituents who are in their 50s and are completely freaked out by the rumours we are hearing about the seniors benefit package.

They have a whole number of concerns which I will not read. They are simply saying “Forget it. Don't proceed with any changes without complete consultation”, which is highly doubtful.

[Petitions, April 23rd, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I suppose because it is tax filing time this is what initiated this last petition. A whole number of people feel that our present tax system is unfair, unjust and biased in favour of certain Canadians at the expense of others. They are simply asking for comprehensive tax reform.

[Petitions, April 23rd, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, the second petition is from a number of residents in communities throughout British Columbia who are hearing rumours about the government's intention to introduce a seniors benefit package. Knowing what the provisions were for the last package they are totally panicked.

They believe there are all sorts of hidden agendas here and are simply worried that the government is up to no good basically.

[Petitions, April 23rd, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, just as the Minister for International Trade is about to fly off to Paris to meet with his OECD compatriots to work hard in the next few days on the signing of the multilateral agreement on investment, I am presenting a petition on behalf of a number of my constituents who are adamantly opposed to the MAI as they presently understand it.

They believe that it is an attack on Canadian sovereignty. They believe that it will expand and entrench unprecedented rights to transnational corporations and that it will severely limit our government's ability to promote economic growth and job creation strategies. They speak to the fact that we are now in court with Ethyl Corporation of the U.S. over the fact that we tried to improve the environment of Canada and we are being sued over that.

They also mention the fact that certain clauses will be locked in for 20 years. I could read a long list, but I will not.

I believe the point is well taken that these folks do not like the MAI as they know it and are asking parliament never to sign the multilateral agreement on investment in spite of the minister's best efforts.

[Petitions, April 22nd, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, people have been hearing all kinds of concerns and rumours about the government's intention regarding the pension plan revisions. The petitioners simply ask that before any changes are made to our retirement system an adequate period of consultation occur across the country so every Canadian can have the chance to examine the implications. They are asking for a national referendum on this issue.

[Petitions, April 22nd, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, the second petition is from petitioners mostly in the Kamloops region. They have been filling out their tax returns and are upset with the tax system. They feel it is biased, unfair and unjust. They feel it favours large corporations over small business and wealthy Canadians over average working Canadians.

The petitioners simply urge the government to undertake a fair tax reform so that personal consumers not suffer any further financial insecurity and unfair costs at this critical time of tax filing.

[Petitions, April 22nd, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I have three petitions. I will present them quickly to allow others the opportunity to present theirs as well.

The first petition is from a number of constituents who are very concerned about the government's intention to impose the MAI on Canadians without anybody really knowing what it is all about and without holding proper consultations, et cetera.

They point out dozens of reasons why they oppose the MAI and simply ask the Parliament of Canada never to sign such an agreement.