Mr. Speaker, I would like to be recorded as being in favour of Bill C-23.
House of Commons photoWon her last election, in 2000, with 43% of the vote.
Division No. 688 February 21st, 2000
Mr. Speaker, I would like to be recorded as being in favour of Bill C-23.
Health February 14th, 2000
Mr. Speaker, despite years of public education, heart disease and strokes remain the leading killers of Canadians. The Heart and Stroke Foundation and medical specialists like Dr. Vicky Bernstein and Dr. Larry Barr of Vancouver are the unsung heroes in the battle against heart disease.
However, they cannot do it alone. Canadians young and old need to help minimize the risk of heart disease or stroke. We can reduce the risk by living a healthy lifestyle, by exercising daily and by not smoking.
Allow me to thank all Canadians who continue to fight the battle against heart disease and stroke. Their contributions will save lives.
Year Of The Dragon February 9th, 2000
Mr. Speaker, right now we are celebrating the year of the dragon. The dragon symbolizes vitality, prosperity and power.
When the dragon enters into this new century it makes a magnificent year for Chinese communities in Canada and around the world. It is a golden chance to celebrate the richness of Chinese culture and the contributions of Chinese Canadians. The celebrations will enhance the understanding and appreciation of Canada's diversity and its multicultural society.
Today the 40 groups of the national capital region Chinese community and I will host a Chinese New Year celebration on the Hill. Many members of parliament will participate in this non-partisan joyful event to exchange good wishes.
May you have good health, prosperity and success in the year of the dragon.
Standing Committee On Finance December 16th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, as we all know the government has provided $11.5 billion over the next five years. I do not think we are cutting. We are actually increasing the transfer payments. In the meantime, we want all the provinces to join together and work together.
Standing Committee On Finance December 16th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for his efforts. I want the record to show that I do recognize his efforts in trying to solve the leaking condominium issue. We have not given up on this issue. We are still working on it and we want to find the best solution. I thank the member for his continued interest.
Standing Committee On Finance December 16th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for his question. This is an issue of concern in B.C. and many other places. As a matter of fact we in the B.C. caucus have repeatedly tried to address this issue. In the meantime, we will try to seek an increase in rent support. At the present time we have $75 million. We are trying to see if this can be made interest free. This is the direction we are planning to take and this will help some of the needy tenants.
Standing Committee On Finance December 16th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Labour has undertaken a national survey to identify the challenges and help develop meaningful solutions. We must support her efforts.
I have personally visited the Portland Hotel Society in Vancouver's downtown eastside, the poorest postal code in Canada. This noteworthy organization works with poor and low income individuals to provide housing and services. It tries to address the needs of a group which faces numerous challenges such as drug and alcohol abuse, HIV positive, mental illness, poverty and social isolation.
Every day the personnel of the Portland Hotel Society work to rescue those who have fallen through the cracks of our social safety network. The manager of this affordable housing project clearly expressed her concern for the plight of homeless individuals. We must endeavour to build national partnerships to address this urgent problem.
Increased support for post-secondary education in Canada is needed. Education is an essential element to ensure that our children will gain the knowledge to allow them to compete on an equal footing in the new global economy. Knowledge is the key for the 21st century. Canadian universities and colleges must have a sustainable level of core funding.
I am pleased that the finance committee is recommending a balanced approach for our budget to ensure solid fiscal health in the future. It is clear our Liberal government not only listens to Canadians for their financial interests and needs, we also will build a better future for our younger generation.
May I take this opportunity to wish all my colleagues a very happy holiday season.
Standing Committee On Finance December 16th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to take part in the prebudget debate. I am sharing my time with the hon. member for Leeds—Grenville.
As the member for Vancouver Kingsway, I hosted a successful prebudget consultation in my riding. I wanted to hear from British Columbians their concerns and ideas on spending the surplus. Those citizens discussed and shared what they believe the priorities should be for the next fiscal year.
A clear priority which emerged from that discussion was the need for tax cuts. However, tax cuts were not to be at the expense of important social programs such as health, education and poverty.
Vancouver also faces the serious challenge of homelessness, and many of my constituents expressed grave concerns about this issue.
I did not only listen to the people in my riding. As a member of the all-party Standing Committee on Finance I was able to hear from and speak with many Canadians from British Columbia, the western provinces and indeed across the country. In this very public consultation process we heard the needs and wishes of many Canadians.
Canadians were very clear about the direction the next budget should take. They want tax cuts and debt reduction. They want infrastructure development and improvement in all provinces. They want homelessness and affordable social housing needs to be addressed. They want the serious shortfall in core funding for universities and colleges to be reversed. Canadians, whether in British Columbia or Newfoundland, know what they want and we listened.
Members of the committee spent long and careful hours analyzing and discussing what we heard. Our recommendations, based on what we learned from the public consultations and town hall meetings held in many ridings, including Vancouver Kingsway, are found in our committee report which was tabled in the House of Commons only a few days ago.
I would like to take a moment to commend the committee chair and the members of the finance committee for their hard work and dedication over the last few months of the prebudget consultation process. I would also like to thank the hundreds of Canadians, individuals and organizations, who took the time and effort to participate in the prebudget consultation process. All made highly valuable contributions to the shaping of the committee's report and recommendations.
Tax reduction is a major part of the committee's recommendations. We are suggesting that personal income tax reform be given a high priority. Reduced personal income taxes would mean that Canadians would keep more of their hard earned dollars to invest and to spend in the economy. We want to see the elimination of the 5% personal surtax. Along similar lines, the child tax credit should be extended.
There is also a need for reduction in the business tax system. Canadian businesses are competing globally and they must be allowed the leeway to do so. During the public consultations we were made clearly aware of how badly infrastructure revitalization is needed. Comments were made by people from all regions of Canada about how roads and highways are in dire need of work.
As a nation which relies heavily on roadway transportation, whether it is the automotive industry in Ontario or supplies being transported to Fort Nelson, B.C., we must invest in infrastructure. Therefore we have recommended a $2.5 billion federal infrastructure program. Not only would such a program mark an important contribution to the well-being and safety of all Canadians, it would create hundreds of new jobs and stimulate the local economy in many regions of the country.
On the issue of homelessness and affordable social housing, Canadians are demanding action. The Minister of Labour has undertaken a national survey to identify the challenges and the—
Sandrine's Gift Of Life December 16th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, as national co-chair, along with Sandrine's mother Diane and broadcaster Don Cherry, I would like to thank my colleagues who kindly supported the Sandrine family's Gift of Life organ donor campaign.
Regardless of whether people have signed an organ donor card, their families can override their wishes. However, it has been shown that speaking to family members doubles the chance that their final wishes will be fulfilled.
I am sure that my colleagues will join with me in urging all Canadians to talk to their families about this important decision. By doing so they will honour the memory of 11 year old Sandrine Craig, whose death has inspired this national campaign.
Petitions December 16th, 1999
These residents of British Columbia would like to send a petition to the attention of the House of Commons to abolish nuclear weapons.