Mac Harb

[Petitions, April 20th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, it gives me pleasure to present a petition signed by grandparents from across the country. They want the House of Commons to ask the government to amend the Divorce Act so that grandparents will be able to have access to their grandchildren in the event of the divorce of their own children without having to go to court.

[Petitions, April 19th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I have a petition signed by many constituents requesting that the House ask the government to amend the Divorce Act to include a provision as supported in Bill C-340 regarding the right of the grandparents of spouses to have access to or custody of children without having to go to court.

[Petitions, April 16th, 1999]

Madam Speaker, as the consequences of death, separation or divorce, often grandparents cannot have access to their grandchildren. The provinces of Quebec and Alberta have a provision now which will guarantee that grandparents have access to their grandchildren.

The petitioners would like to see the House of Commons support a private member initiative, Bill C-340 so they can have the same right as it exists in some provinces.

[Income Tax Amendments Act, 1998, March 18th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I am a bit disappointed in my colleague's comments when he talked about leadership. If anything, the government has provided the kind of leadership that is required to move us into the next century.

We inherited a government with a very huge deficit and debt, high interest rates and a high unemployment rate. We turned it around in a matter of six years into one of the finest countries in the world. We are leading the G-7 in terms of growth and we have balanced the books.

My colleague talked about productivity. That is a very important subject, but it can also be very subjective when one gives his or her views on the question of productivity. If productivity means the net worth of a society is a positive then we are very productive. If a country is productive and the net growth is more jobs being created than being lost then we are productive. If we look at leading sectors of the economy such as high technology, transportation and others to see what we are doing on the international scene and in the regional market then we are a productive society.

Certainly looking at productivity in a very subjective way, like looking at a flock of birds going after one worm, is not productivity. There is not enough food to feed every one of those birds. I would caution my colleague not to point a finger and use labels that will create more confusion than understanding.

I am sure my colleague will agree that overall the government has provided Canadians with the necessary leadership. The government has given us a stable environment for business and for the economy to grow. Government does not create jobs. Government creates the proper environment for job creation. The private sector creates jobs. All government has to do is get out of the way of the private sector so that it can create jobs.

This gentleman, from a party that has given us the worst ever deficit in the history of the country, gives us a lecture in terms of what is good for Canadians. He should stand and reverse his speech to tell the public how good the government has been, not only to his party or what is left of it but to people as a whole.

[Income Tax Amendments Act, 1998, March 18th, 1999]

Come on, it is simple stuff.

[Petitions, March 18th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I have a petition signed by many constituents asking parliament to amend the Divorce Act to include a provision, as supported in Bill C-340, regarding the right of spouses' parents or grandparents to have access to or custody of the children or the child.

[Learning Disabilities Awareness Month, March 12th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, this is Learning Disabilities Awareness Month, a time when we can come together to focus, direct and strengthen the efforts of all Canadians toward meeting the needs of persons with learning disabilities. These needs include access to education, employment and social development.

It is ironic that the government of Ontario will allow school boards to cut funding for special education by closing schools and denying those with learning disabilities the chance to learn.

This constitutes a violation of their basic and fundamental human rights.

I call on the province of Ontario to do everything it can to keep schools open and provide the proper funding in order to do the right thing for the most vulnerable in our society.

[Petitions, March 10th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to introduce a petition signed by many of my constituents as well as others from across the country.

The petition calls on parliament to ask the government to include a provision, as supported by Bill C-340, regarding the right of spousal parents, that is, grandparents, to have access to or custody of their grandchildren.

[Petitions, March 5th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I have a petition signed by many constituents of Ontario which requests that the House of Commons ask the Government of Canada to amend the Divorce Act to make a provision for grandparents who, as a consequence of the death, separation or divorce of their children, are often denied access to their grandchildren by guardians. The petitioners ask the government to implement a provision which would allow them to have access to their grandchildren without having to go to court.

[United Nations Security Council, March 5th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, Canada's long and proud history of supporting international peace and security was again honoured on October 8, 1998 with our election to a two year term on the United Nations Security Council.

Since taking its seat on January 1, Canada will have an opportunity to lead the UN and the world into the next millennium.

Canada was one of the charter members of the UN and our active involvement in this organization is a cornerstone of our foreign policy.

It is my hope that during this term we will continue to lead on issues of human security, democratic development, human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rules of law and good governance.

But it is also important to initiate a fundamental change to the way the UN Security Council functions. Canada's influence will make resolutions more transparent, effective and responsive to the needs of UN members. For example, when a Security Council resolution is passed, we must ensure its prompt implementation.