Mac Harb

[Supply, March 20th, 2001]

Madam Speaker, it is a pleasure to speak to this issue. I represent an urban riding in Ottawa Centre, the riding in which the House of Commons is situated. I am a bit at a loss when I see the official opposition come forward with motions such as the one before us today.

As I indicated in an earlier question to the member of the Reform Party, her party policies call for the exact—

[Supply, March 20th, 2001]

Madam Speaker, I have a copy of two statements from the Reform Party policy platform and statement of principles. One is dated August 14, 1988, and reads:

We support the shift from a government dominated and supported agricultural industry to an industry shaped by market forces.

The other statement is also from the policy declaration of the Canadian Alliance dated January 2000 and reads:

We will support and we will advocate the phased reduction and elimination of all subsidies, support programs and trade restrictions in conjunction with other countries.

Would my colleague not agree that these two statements, one that is twelve years old and the other one which is nearly one year old, are very contradictory to the motion proposed by the Leader of the Opposition which is calling for the exact opposite?

I know my colleague is a straight shooter. I would like to know whether or not she agrees that there is a contradiction in the two statements and which one she supports.

[Bill C-286, March 16th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, I encourage all members of the House to strongly condemn the private member's bill, Bill C-286, an act to amend the Official Languages Act, introduced by an hon. member of the House.

The bill would take away the right of every Canadian to receive service from the federal government in either official language and eliminate the use of French in the public service.

It is yet another thinly veiled attempt by some members of the Alliance to break up our country through institutional intolerance.

This bill will put discrimination in legislation and deliberately destroy Canada's linguistic heritage.

I therefore call on all members of the House to stand firm for Canada and vote down this misguided and divisive bill.

[Supply, March 15th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, I am sure my colleague would agree that when we look at overall trade between Canada and the U.S. this issue or this irritant constitutes less than 3% of all trade between Canada and the United States. Some 97% of all trade between the two countries is going well, but we will continue to see those irritants from time to time. It is imperative for us to use the existing mechanism to resolve those issues.

Would my colleague agree that the course undertaken by the minister of going to an alternative dispute settlement mechanism, as well as venues such as the World Trade Organization dispute mechanism and the NAFTA dispute resolution mechanism, is proper?

Also he might want to comment on whether or not the whole issue deals with efficiencies. The lumber industry is a cyclical industry. When the market is not there for lumber, producers on both sides of the equation raise concerns.

We are seeing closures on both sides of the border between Canada and the United States. In Canada over 50% of our mills have closed as a result of the market. I wanted to hear from my colleague, because he is probably quite aware given his area, whether or not those comments constitute the facts.

[National Child Day, March 2nd, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, in November 1996 I held a roundtable discussion for youth and youth service providers here on Parliament Hill.

This discussion was designed to help celebrate National Child Day by bringing together youth with service providers to help address the issues faced by our youth today.

Five years later this roundtable is still going strong. The third Monday of every month, youth and youth service providers meet at the new city hall to share information and to plan their annual youth forum.

I want to commend all the staff and the volunteers of these organizations and congratulate them and all others involved on their excellent dedication as they continue to address youth issues in our communities.

[Saro Panuccio, February 21st, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, it is an honour for me to acknowledge Mr. Saro Panuccio on his 50 years as a Canadian citizen in my constituency of Ottawa Centre.

On February 21, 1951, Mr. Panuccio arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia with little more than the clothes on his back and a determination to make a better life for himself and others in Canada.

Since then, Saro has received numerous awards for his outstanding volunteer service, especially for making sure that countless new Canadians feel at home in this country and in Ottawa in particular.

In recognition of his tireless efforts, Saro is a recipient of the Governor General's prestigious Caring Canadians Award, the Canada 125 Commemorative Medal and a certificate of merit for citizenship and immigration.

I am proud to acknowledge Saro Panuccio's 50 years in Canada. I ask all members of the House to please join me in congratulating him for making our country a better place for everyone.

[Foreign Affairs, February 16th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, I ask this question on behalf of the member for Ottawa—Vanier and my colleagues in the Ottawa-Carleton region.

On January 27 Madam Catherine MacLean was killed and another woman, Madame Catherine Doré, was severely injured in a tragic car accident involving a Russian diplomat. At the time the Minister of Foreign Affairs assured the House that the Russian government indicated that it would take appropriate measures against the individual.

Could the minister give us an update today in terms of what has taken place with this issue so far?

[Montgomery Legion, February 16th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, the Montgomery Legion in my riding will be hosting a charity auction this Thursday, February 22, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in support of the branch.

For many years Montgomery Legion has been at the heart of my community and an active supporter of local charities. Now the Montgomery Legion needs the assistance of the local community to carry on. I am extending an open invitation to join me and my highly talented staff for this very special event.

All those in attendance will have the additional pleasure of having dinner cooked by me, proof that elected representatives can serve their constituents in more than one way.

I ask everyone to please show their support for the Montgomery Legion on February 22. They can buy tickets by calling 233-7292. For $10 they can have a wonderful chicken served à la Mac.

[Diabetes, February 9th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, Sunday, February 11, will be the 79th anniversary of the discovery of insulin by Canadians Frederick Banting, Charles Best, James Collip and James MacLeod.

In 1923 Frederick Banting was awarded the Nobel prize in physiology or medicine and was knighted in 1934 for his discovery.

Insulin is used in the treatment of diabetes and is credited with saving millions of lives. Over two million Canadians live with diabetes. This would not be possible without the discovery made by these great Canadians. To them we extend our thanks.

[Speech From The Throne, February 9th, 2001]

First of all, Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate you on your appointment.

I take this opportunity to respond to my hon. colleague, whose remarks were interesting in some ways and less so in others. It was interesting when he dealt with the economy, but less so when he started to talk again about Quebec's sovereignty and independence.

As members know, the last referendum was not the first one in Quebec. It was the second or the third. The question has been widely debated, and each time Quebecers came out in favour of the Canadian federation.

I cannot understand. When are we going to stop talking about this issue and deal with the important issues for Quebecers, the economic issues?

I would like my hon. colleague to tell me whether or not the economic situation of Quebecers is much better now than it was ten years ago.

The federal government has already given to the provinces, Quebec included, a great deal of responsibility in several areas. What does my colleague want from the federal government for his province to get Quebec off its back once and for all? You know as well as I do, Mr. Speaker, that Quebecers are quite happy with our way of governing. They are very satisfied with the Canadian situation. They are also quite proud of the Canadian nation and of their French Canadian heritage. Could my colleague answer all these questions?