Sophia Leung

[Immigration, April 10th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration. Last week she tabled the new Immigration Act. Many Canadians are very concerned that the new act no longer includes parents in the family class. Could the minister clarify the matter for us?

[C.H. Tung, April 4th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Canada-Hong Kong Parliamentary Friendship Group, it is my pleasure to welcome Mr. C.H. Tung, Chief Executive of Hong Kong, to Canada and to our beautiful capital of Ottawa.

The relationship between Canada and Hong Kong will only strengthen as Canada continues to expand and develop new partnerships through trade, education and through sharing of our cultural traditions.

I hope Mr. Tung has a wonderful time and will take back a good relationship.

[Down's Syndrome Research Foundation, March 30th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, as the member for Vancouver Kingsway I am pleased to report that the Down's Syndrome Research Foundation announced last week a $3.5 million capital campaign to build a new facility in Vancouver. This new centre will be the one and only of its kind in North America.

Allow me to congratulate all the volunteers, staff and donors who have supported this project for our community. Their work and dedication is an inspiration to all of us.

[Privilege, March 28th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, we all know that any committee draft report is marked confidential in big letters. I am a member of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration. We all respect and have a clear understanding that we must honour such confidentiality. Mr. Speaker indicated exactly that in his ruling.

As an all-party committee, we have worked very hard but the hon. member repeatedly broke the rules and walked out on a very important discussion. That is disgusting. It was without any concern for his duty and his responsibility. The hon. member not only breached the trust of all committee members with his disrespectful attitude but with purposeful disregard he held a press conference. I ask the hon. member how could he have such nerve and disregard for his duty as a member of our committee?

[Canadian Cancer Society, March 28th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, every April from coast to coast the Canadian Cancer Society's fundraising campaign takes place across Canada to collect funds in the fight against cancer.

The Canadian Cancer Society's campaign is kicked off each year with Daffodil Days. The support and dedication of the staff and volunteers helped raise more than $5.5 million in 1998.

I hope all Canadians will help in the fight against cancer by purchasing a daffodil during this year's Daffodil Days.

[Immigration Act, March 22nd, 2000]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-457, an act to amend the Immigration Act.

Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to introduce my private member's bill, an act to amend the Immigration Act. The bill specifically increases the fines and the jail terms for persons involved in human trafficking and others who break our immigration laws.

I hope that all members will support this bill in order to toughen the penalties for those involved in human trafficking.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

[The Budget, March 17th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, in my riding of Vancouver Kingsway last week I met with local small business owners to discuss the federal budget. I am very proud to report to the House that those business owners were very positive toward the government's budget provisions and tax reductions for the business sector. They will go a long way to support not only businesses but also the communities in which they operate.

This action by our government proves that Canada is on the right track to support our economy and business development in Canada.

[The Economy, February 28th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, one of the many benefits to Canadians from the current fiscal management of the government is low inflation. Between January 1999 and January 2000 the consumer price index grew by only 2.3%. This was even lower than the 2.6% seen in December and comparable to the low inflation seen throughout the government's mandate.

The policies of the government continue to achieve and maintain price stability with the objective of holding inflation in the range of 1% to 3%. Keeping inflation low has been just one of the many successes of the government. How appropriate to talk about such good economic news on the day of the budget. Canadians can expect great—

[Chinese Canadian Heritage Foundation, February 25th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, last week I was pleased to attend the Chinese Canadian Heritage Foundation inaugural gala in Vancouver. The gala raised money for the Chinese Canadian Heritage Foundation, which will be dedicated to preserving, recording and promoting Chinese Canadian heritage for all Canadians. This is the true spirit of Canada's multicultural society.

I would like to thank the co-chairs, Dr. Jan Walls and David Choi, the donors and the many volunteers who made this event a success.

The efforts of the foundation will let all Canadians know of the invaluable contributions which Chinese Canadians have made to our great country so we will have a better understanding and appreciation for each other.

[Calgary, February 23rd, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, the city of Calgary continues to bring international pride to Canada, especially in the area of winter sports where Calgary remains the undisputed champion.

The week's Goodwill Games founder, Ted Turner, announced that Calgary beat out bids from Norway and Switzerland to be chosen to host the Winter Goodwill Games in 2005.

The nine day games are expected to draw 1,000 athletes, 25,000 visitors and pump $160 million into the economy of southern Alberta.

It is clear that it was the legacy of facilities and expertise left by the extraordinarily successful 1988 Winter Olympics as well as Calgary's renowned volunteer base that made this city—