Mac Harb

[An Act To Establish National Literacy Standards Across Canada, September 30th, 1996]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-329, an act to establish national literacy standards across Canada.

Mr. Speaker, the purpose of this bill is to provide for a process that would be a catalyst for the establishment of national standards for literacy through consultation. Nothing in this bill abrogates or derogates from the jurisdiction of a province. However, the bill calls on the minister responsible to consult with the provincial governments as well as with experts in the education and the literacy field, with representatives of business and labour and representatives of the media and literacy students.

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

[An Act To Establish National Standards Across Canada For Education Provided By The Provinces, September 30th, 1996]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-328, an act to establish national standards across Canada for education provided by the provinces.

Mr. Speaker, the purpose of this bill is to establish national standards for education through a consultative process among governments, educational professionals, industry, labour, parent use, voluntary organizations and individual Canadians representing all sectors of the population, recognizing that education is a provincial responsibility.

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

[Petitions, September 20th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to table two petitions that raise the question of human rights and violence and terrorism.

[Committees Of The House, September 19th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, on a point of order, I wonder if we could seek the unanimous consent of the House to take a few minutes so we could introduce petitions and then come back to the motion rather than waiting until the debate collapses. This way we would be able to get petitions finished and get back to the motion.

[Public Service Staff Relations Act, June 18th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to be recorded as voting with the government.

(The House divided on Motion No. 5, which was negatived on the following division:)

[Alzheimer's Disease, June 18th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, Alzheimer's disease affects more than a quarter of a million Canadians. The cost of the disease is over $4 billion per year.

I recently had the opportunity to meet with the Alzheimer Society of Ottawa-Carleton. It believes it is vital to protect and strengthen the principles of the Canada Health Act to ensure that an effective system exists to meet the needs of Canadians.

Alzheimer organizations across Canada have identified three specific priorities: to reform Canadian tax laws to provide financial relief for Alzheimer family care givers; to recognize Alzheimer's disease as a priority of the national health research development program; to expand federal program grants that benefit people affected by Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer groups continue to work hard to address the needs of Canadians who must live with this disease. I congratulate these dedicated individuals and organization on a job well done.

[Petitions, June 14th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, I have other petitions dealing with law and order.

[Petitions, June 14th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, I have a number of petitions, one of which came from the Canadian Vietnamese community which calls on the government to use its good offices to ask the Hanoi government to: first, release all political prisoners; second, abolish the communist dictatorship and establish a democratic and plural political regime in Vietnam; third, respect the human right to organize free elections under observation by the United Nations in order that the Vietnamese people can choose a regime suitable to their aspirations.

[Sheila Copps, June 14th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, on Monday the people of Hamilton will have a chance to once again re-elect Sheila Copps as their representative.

Throughout her career in politics Sheila has given of herself tirelessly. Sheila Copps has served her constituents for the past 12 years with dignity, perseverance and courage. Sheila Copps' commitment, her leadership, her integrity and her compassion are the elements that make her the best representative for Hamilton East.

Sheila, we wish you well on Monday. We look forward to your return to Parliament and cabinet.

[Petitions, June 4th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, I have six different petitions dealing with different subject matters which I would like to table pursuant to section 36.