Jake Hoeppner

[Paul And Elizabeth Peters, May 3rd, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, for a few days each year, Paul and Elizabeth Peters gather with others who share their joys and concerns parenting handicapped children.

I want to extend this tribute to the Peters in recognition of the 20th anniversary of the annual retreat they initiated at Camp Assiniboia in response to the needs of these families.

The camps have provided a very valuable service to our local communities over the years and have helped address the special needs of the participants. Through the Peters' efforts, families have been able to share their experiences and learn more about opportunities for the handicapped.

In these challenging times, I am encouraged by the generous acts of outstanding Canadians like Elizabeth and Paul Peters.

[Canadian Wheat Board, April 25th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, western farmers are angered because the Canadian Wheat Board will not honour barley contracts in their entirety. Apparently the board cannot sell farmers' grain with some of the strongest prices and record low supplies.

Does the government not realize that farmers must sell their products in order to survive? The CWB refuses to allow farmers to ship into the lucrative U.S. market. The government uses Revenue Canada and Customs as its personal hound dogs in cracking down on farmers who are forced to go outside the board's monopoly.

It is never okay to break the law, but when farmers are losing their farms and have no cash flow to plant a spring crop, the government had better act.

Western provincial governments know that farmers are needed. The Alberta agriculture minister and his Liberal critic realize that the federal government has ignored farmers' concerns with their inaction.

I urge the government to listen to these concerns and implement no cost export licences so farmers can protect their livelihoods.

[Manitoba Flood, April 24th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, again this spring we are watching anxiously as Manitoba residents battle flood waters. Certain parts of the province have been declared disaster areas as people try to salvage what they can of their personal belongings and livelihood.

We have all seen the images of flood waters rising to the roofs of houses and barns. Our hearts go out to these people who have bravely faced these disastrous conditions. We cannot help but admire those who are reluctant to leave their homes and are determined to get back as soon as possible to start rebuilding.

I hope that all three levels of government will be able to work co-operatively to give all possible assistance to these besieged families. I know all members of the House would like to join in offering our support for all those affected by the Manitoba floods.

[The Budget, April 16th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, I see we are going in the right direction by stressing the importance of value added industries.

Would the hon. member for Dauphin-Swan River comment on why we have lost value added industries like milling plants, pasta plants and slaughtering plants? Why has it come to the point where we are more or less exporting our raw resources instead of adding value to them?

[Income Tax Act, March 25th, 1996]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-244, an act to amend the Income Tax Act (deduction of interest on mortgage loans).

Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to rise in the House today and introduce my private member's bill, an act to amend the Income Tax Act, deduction of interest on mortgage loans for first time homeowners.

This bill proposes there may be deducted, in computing a taxpayer's income for a taxation year, an amount equal to the interest paid by the taxpayer in the year to the mortgage lender on the first $100,000 of a mortgage secured by an individual's qualifying home.

Some conditions apply to this bill, outlined in it.

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

[Borrowing Authority Act, 1996-97, March 21st, 1996]

What is the news on the GST? Let us hear something about the GST.

[Borrowing Authority Act, 1996-97, March 21st, 1996]

Who started this mess?

[Borrowing Authority Act, 1996-97, March 21st, 1996]

No, no, you are getting into hot water.

[Canadian Armed Forces, March 20th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, last week my colleague from the Okanagan brought forth a motion to encourage this Parliament to think carefully about how it defines sedition. This was precipitated of course by the outrageous actions of the Bloc defence critic who invited members of the armed forces to switch their allegiance in the event of a yes vote. This was not a job offer. This was an invitation to desert the Canadian Armed Forces.

Canadians have expressed disbelief that a government could tolerate such an offensive and potentially dangerous act. Attempting to undermine the loyalty of the armed forces is completely beyond the pale in a democratic country.

The Liberal government tried to ignore this matter and it watered down the Reform motion to the point where it had no teeth. If the defence minister had been doing his job, this matter would not have required a special intervention.

We hope this has served as a wake-up call to this government.

[The Budget, March 18th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, I always enjoy hearing the hon. member for Malpeque stand up for farmers. Is he one of those taxpayers that has not paid his share of taxes in the past so that we have this huge debt and deficit.

The hon. member is fighting for the livestock producers getting better feed freight assistance programs. Does he feel it is fair that livestock producers in western Canada get absolutely nothing out of the WGTA payout because they are suffering just as his livestock producers are?