Larry McCormick

[International Plowing Match And Farm Machinery Show, October 8th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I take this opportunity to draw attention to the great success of the 1998 International Plowing Match and Farm Machinery Show in my riding of Hastings—Frontenac—Lennox and Addington.

I congratulate Chairman Ken Keyes and his army of volunteers, all of whom did a fantastic job hosting this prestigious event. I personally thank all the hundreds of volunteers. Many were the same citizens who gave so much of themselves during the ice storm crisis earlier this year.

The 100,000-plus visitors and participants, including more than 15,000 students, were witnesses to the event's theme “Quality Living/A Partnership”. The good will and hospitality of the people of Frontenac and surrounding counties exemplified this spirit.

In addition to the great plowing competitions there were the tented city built on this theme and exhibits and events showcasing our culture, history and innovations for a better future. I am confident that all visitors brought home a good feeling from our area and from this event.

[1998 Commonwealth Games, September 21st, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in the House to take this opportunity to congratulate the 277 athletes who represented Canada proudly at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

I know that all hon. members and Canadians everywhere join me in applauding the 30 gold medals, 31 silver medals, 38 bronze medals and all other exceptional performances that were witnessed over the past 10 days.

In sport all Canadians come together and agree on the importance of shared values such as excellence, dedication, discipline and fair play. In international competitions such as the Commonwealth Games we come together as a nation to celebrate these values.

Like every other Canadian I want to see our athletes on the podium. At the same time I want to recognize each and every one of them for what they have already brought to us through their commitment to their dreams and their courage in pursuing them.

I thank team Canada for the wonderful performances.

[International Plowing Match And Machinery Show, June 3rd, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, this year the 85th International Plowing Match and Machinery Show, IPM '98, will be held in Sunbury near Kingston in my riding of Hastings—Frontenac—Lennox and Addington from September 15 to September 19.

This is the largest outdoor agricultural exhibition in North America. The theme for the five day event is “Quality Living, a partnership” which points to the interdependence between urban and rural communities.

More than 125,000 people are expected to view the approximately 1,000 exhibits ranging from farm, gardening and recreational equipment to antiques, educational displays, crafts, magnificent farm animals, demonstrations, and live country music.

Plowers from age 7 to 70 will take part. In addition to the regular classes, this match will also feature the Canadian Plowing Championship. I particularly like the federal-provincial plowing competition for elected officials.

Mr. Speaker and honoured colleagues, I throw down the gauntlet and challenge you to pit yourselves and your furrows against me in September and help make IPM '98 a great success.

[Division No. 137, May 12th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to speak to the motions in Group No. 6 of Bill C-19. I am sure my hardworking colleague from the official opposition, the critic for the labour file and the member for Wetaskiwin, recognizes this is a very important bill and a very positive step in amending the Canada Labour Code.

I am sure most of my colleagues in this House remember sitting in this House on a Saturday and a Sunday in 1994 in support of our western grain producers.

The official opposition has proposed a change to section 87.7 from a limited requirement for parties in the ports to continue services to grain vessels to a complete ban on strikes and lockouts in the ports.

Section 87.7 addresses a specific problem identified by two independent studies. That is, parties in the west coast ports have been using disruptions to grain exports as a trigger for parliamentary intervention in their disputes. Removing this trigger without removing the strike and lockout rights of the parties will force them to accept their responsibilities and develop their own solutions to collective bargaining issues.

Opponents of this provision claim it discriminates against other resources. However when questioned before the standing committee, they admitted that it is in their interest to retain grain as a trigger for parliamentary intervention. They know that as long as grain exports are disrupted, parliament will be quickly pressured into intervening in a work stoppage. They want to be able to continue to use the 130,000 western grain farm families as pawns in someone else's labour dispute.

Section 87.7 has the strong support of western grain producers and the grain industry. These groups pointed out to the committee that the grain industry is unique not only because it is food and because the world continues to exist on an 18 to 21 day grain supply, but also because of the political nature of production, transportation and marketing. It is this uniqueness of grain that has been detrimental to the labour peace at the west coast ports during contract negotiations. In their view section 87.7 will help bring grain back to a more level playing field.

The government is of the view, as was the Sims task force, that without the ability to interrupt grain exports, the parties in the ports will be forced to accept their responsibilities and to settle their disputes without lengthy work stoppages. Those who oppose the provision claim and some even threaten that the provision will not work. It can work. The parties have the ability to negotiate with each other and conclude agreements which are good for them and for the health of the ports. They should concentrate on solving their own problems.

If Canadian ports are to remain competitive, the parties must work together to find workable solutions to collective bargaining issues. Remove strike and lockout rights and you remove the incentive for the parties to deal with issues important to the future of the industry.

That is what Motions Nos. 22 and 23 would do. I urge all members to reject them.

Our government will continue to support our western grain producers. Bill C-4 gives our producers continuous support and the freedom to decide their own future. This bill will support these very valuable producers.

[Walleye Fishing Derby, May 1st, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, this weekend marks the annual walleye fishing derby, Walleye '98, in Napanee, in my riding of Hastings—Frontenac—Lennox and Addington and in the neighbouring Bay of Quinte.

Established in 1954 by Chuck McGarvey, it has evolved over the years into the biggest catch and live release walleye tournament in North America.

This year organizers expect as many as 6,000 registered anglers to participate from all over the country. Walleye '98 is also on the Internet, making it easier for many anglers to fish for details.

Money brought in from ticket sales is redirected back into community oriented projects and to conservation organizations. This event exemplifies one of the many things rural communities do to promote tourism and to bolster their local economies.

I salute the Napanee Rod and Gun Club and the sponsors and volunteers who make this family oriented event a success every year. I extend a warm invitation to my colleagues in the House and to all to the walleye weekend, May 2 and 3. May all participants have a safe and enjoyable weekend.

[Labelling Of Toys, April 22nd, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, this is certainly a very important motion. While it is clearly intended to protect the children from potentially hazardous products, and I do respect the work that went into this, it is simply not the most effective response. This is because the mere labelling of a product based on the presence of phthalates tells the parent nothing about the potential hazard itself. It is therefore of little use in helping parents make informed decisions.

For the label to be of use it would have to identify specific substances, how much are in the toy and what level constitutes a potential health hazard. Furthermore, the implication of this motion is that government health and safety regulations would allow dangerous products to be placed on the market with full knowledge of their potential danger.

This is not true. It was not true yesterday, today or tomorrow. If a specific toy were found to contain a hazardous product and if this product had sufficient quantities to harm a child the product would not need a warning label because the product would not be on the market. The government would have already taken steps to remove the product from the market. That is why we have the Hazardous Products Act.

This issue of vinyl plastic has received recent attention in the media following a release by Greenpeace of a report that states that phthalates used in children's products are a health risk. But here it should be noted that the product identified in both studies is known as DINP. The chemical was introduced by toy manufacturers in the United States six years ago to replace a product called DEHP which was thought to be potentially hazardous to children. Therefore the products Greenpeace refers to in its report are classic chemicals used to soften the PVC or vinyl.

Health Canada has tested these products and even expanded its testing and assessment of other plastic toys. The only toxin detected was DINP with very small amounts of DEHP. I would like to emphasize a point here that appears to have been overlooked in this motion and that is the mere presence of phthalates in a given product does not necessarily constitute a health risk.

Currently health officials are examining studies to assess if in fact these particular substances are toxic in this case and if they prove to be a hazard.

Certainly none of us will disagree on the intent of this motion because we are concerned about the health and safety of our children on this issue. Some of the points made during the course of this debate have created some confusion about what additives are under dispute and their effects.

However, I do believe that we now have a better appreciation of this issue and of the role Health Canada has been playing because the number one priority is our children.

[The Environment, April 22nd, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, this weekend my family and I will be picking up garbage and planting trees to celebrate earth day.

Can the Minister of the Environment tell this House how the federal government is promoting earth day and encouraging all Canadians in contributing to a cleaner, greener and healthier earth?

[The Late Douglas Alkenbrack, March 31st, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today to pay tribute to Almonte Douglas Alkenbrack, a former member of Parliament who represented many of the people in the riding of Prince Edward—Lennox and later on Frontenac—Lennox and Addington who are now my constituents.

Douglas served this House and the people of Canada from 1962 to 1979. His brother, Wesley Alkenbrack, attributed Doug's remarkable success in the political arena to the fact that he was a people's man. A devout member of the Conservative Party, Doug never lost the sense that he was the people's representative for his riding, whether those people were Liberal or NDP, black or white, rich or poor.

Before becoming involved in the all-consuming world of politics, Doug was a lumberman, co-founder and partner in the R.W. Kimmerly Lumber Company in Napanee from 1937 to 1962. His job took him through all parts of Lennox and Addington and Frontenac county where as a businessman he would gain the reputation as a straight shooter and a hard worker. It was no doubt this reputation gained as a businessman was part of the secret of his success as a politician.

Before and after I was elected in 1993, Doug was always generous in sharing his opinions with me. As a rookie MP, the House of Commons can appear intimidating at first glance. Doug was always just a phone call or a visit away. He wanted to make sure I was representing the people of Hastings—Frontenac—Lennox and Addington in the best possible way because, as he would say, they deserve no less.

In 1995 Doug Alkenbrack in co-operation with the Lennox and Addington Historical Society published a book of his poetry entitled Rhymes of a Back-Bencher .

On behalf of my constituents and indeed the people of Canada, I wish to extend our heartfelt sympathies to Doug's wife Nan, his daughter Eleanor Grennell, his son Dr. Douglas Alkenbrack, and also his brother Wesley Alkenbrack of Napanee.

Almonte Douglas Alkenbrack was not only a colleague but a dear friend. May he rest in peace.

I would like to take this opportunity to read from one or two of Mr. Alkenbrack's poems. This one says a lot about the riding and is entitled “Homeward”. There is a preamble:

My duties and work in Ottawa over a span of almost eighteen years kept me busy but I was always glad to get home to Napanee usually each weekend. In November 1968 I was glad enough to write this, entitled “Homeward'.

It's great to go down to the Capitol Where there's plenty to hear and see Of our country's might, as they talk all night Of a free democracy.

And they say it is good to be understood In committee or caucus hall Or in strong entreat from a Commons seat Where governments rule or fall. But there's one thing better that I prefer And the best that can happen to me Is to homeward wend, on the glad week-end And return to Napanee.

[The Irish, March 17th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, it has sometimes been said that there are only two kinds of people in the world, those who are Irish and those who wish they were.

Well, I have good news today. Everyone is invited to be Irish. Here on the Hill our newly formed all-party Irish Canada friendship group is a fast growing, popular organization.

Irish immigrants have always left very powerful footprints on our Canadian soil and have always contributed positively to this great country. During the years of the great potato famine, my own ancestors came direct from Ireland to Canada. My grandmother's people sailed to the new world in four weeks. On my grandfather's side, the family spent three months-plus on the high seas. Many survived the trip but many did not.

Landing in Quebec, they were welcomed and received warmly and cared for by their new neighbours. Friendship again reached beyond all language barriers.

Today Irish eyes are smiling around the globe. Top of the day to you, Mr. Speaker, and a tip of my Irish topper to all my colleagues.

[Rural Canada, February 20th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, thank you for this opportunity to congratulate the federal cabinet for endorsing the rural impact test. The endorsement by cabinet of the rural impact test creates an important tool. The rural lens provides a mechanism to ensure federal departments review the impact of programs and services on rural Canadians. This process will go a long way toward developing federal programs and services that are appropriate for and accessible to rural Canadians.

Nearly one third of Canadians live in rural areas. These areas are made up of small communities which are not all alike. Depending on a number of factors, they experience different needs that require different solutions. For example, those living near urban areas face challenges and opportunities that differ from the challenges and opportunities of rural residents in more remote locations.

The rural lens will also identify whether there is flexibility for decision making at the local level.

Please join me in thanking the agriculture and agri-food minister whose mandate includes rural development and in thanking federal cabinet for endorsing this initiative.