Réginald Bélair

[The Late Omer Deslauriers, April 12th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Ontario Francophonie lost one of its greatest champions.

Omer Deslauriers, the former president of the Association canadienne-française de l'Ontario, former president of the Regroupement des intervenants professionnels franco-ontariens de la santé et des services sociaux, and the first president of the Council for Franco-Ontarian Affairs, worked tirelessly throughout his career to promote the cause of French Ontario.

Through his passion and perseverance, Omer Deslauriers, who became a Member of the Order of Canada in 1996 and was named Person of the year by the Richelieu International club in 1997, helped Franco-Ontarians play a more prominent role at the provincial level, particularly in the areas of education and health.

French Ontario has lost a remarkable spokesperson. It goes without saying that he will be missed.

I want to extend my most sincere condolences to his family.

[Budget Implementation Act, 1999, March 17th, 1999]

Let's get the Kleenex out.

[Semaine De La Francophonie, March 17th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, all of Canada has good reason to celebrate the Semaine de la Francophonie.

In a number of Canadian provinces, the struggle to promote and conserve the French language and culture has been a long and difficult one.

The fear of losing the rich national resource that our language and bilingualism represent has moved a number of people to form organizations to defend and promote the French, with a view to consolidating the position of francophones outside Quebec.

Today, all francophones outside Quebec feel pride in what they have accomplished and join with Quebec in marking this week which celebrates French and the ongoing battle in all of the provinces of Canada to preserve and promote this rich culture.

[National Kidney Month, March 12th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to draw the attention of the House to the fact that the month of March has been designated National Kidney Month. During this month, the Canadian Kidney Foundation will once again focus its efforts on raising Canadians' awareness of the importance of organ donation. The kidney is a vital organ. A person whose kidneys have failed must undergo dialysis or a kidney transplant.

More than 20,000 Canadians suffer from kidney disorders. For many, the only option is a transplant. Unfortunately, there is a serious shortage of organs available in Canada for transplant.

I encourage all members of the House and all Canadians to sign an organ donor card and to tell their families of their decision.

Please join me in lending support to the Kidney Foundation of Canada during National Kidney Month.

[Official Languages, February 19th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, in the budget just brought down, the official languages envelope was $285 million, a $70 million increase over last year's budget.

Can the parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage tell us more about this increase and explain to the House what impact it will have on official language communities?

[Canadian Hemophilia Society, November 30th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, November was hemophilia month.

Hemophilia is a blood clotting problem and affects approximately one male in 5,000. A third of the new cases of hemophilia occur in families with no history of the disease.

The Canadian Hemophilia Society provides support and services to Canadians with this disease and to their caregivers. It also informs the public and professionals about it and encourages support through pairing in the hemophiliac community.

In 1998-99, Health Canada gave the Canadian Hemophilia Society $50,000 to help develop services for the future. The society is also very active nationally, where it promotes a safe blood supply in Canada.

I would ask you to join me in congratulating the Canadian Hemophilia Society on its tireless work on behalf of those suffering from this disorder.

[Canadian Mining Industry, November 24th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Natural Resources.

Today is mining day on Parliament Hill. Business leaders from Canada's mining community are in Ottawa to meet with members of parliament, cabinet ministers, senators and other government officials.

Will the minister inform the House how deep is the impact of the mining industry on northern Ontario's economy, as well as Canada's economy?

[Issue Of Ceremonial Statements Of Service Act, November 3rd, 1998]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-453, an act to regulate the issue of ceremonial statements of service and recognition of duty.

Mr. Speaker, having been involved for some 20 years in federal politics, I have, on many occasions, encountered veterans who were not wounded in any conflict that Canada was involved in and therefore have nothing to show in terms of a card. On the other hand, those who were wounded are carrying a health card which they cherish.

Therefore, today I am proud to introduce this bill proposing a certificate of service and duty to all war veterans and civilian groups who served in support of the armed forces in such organizations as the Red Cross and the Merchant Seamen, as well as United Nations peacekeeping units.

This certificate will recognize and honour their significant participation in any armed conflict or war in which Canada took part. They are all responsible for the freedom we enjoy today.

Over the years, I have on numerous occasions met veterans who had nothing to show for their participation in world conflicts. I am therefore extremely pleased to introduce this bill today, which will enable them to carry in their wallets a mark of recognition by the Government of Canada.

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

[Canadian Economy, October 9th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, this morning Statistics Canada has shown us that the Canadian economy is doing well, despite the shrill opposition predictions of catastrophe. In September, the number of jobs rose approximately 73,000, which raises the number of additional jobs over the year to 264,000. According to this same report, the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 8.3%.

Yesterday, the Conference Board identified some indicators that are a source of optimism for 1999. According to this most reputable body, the economy can count on real wage increases, strong exports and low interest rates, which will encourage business investment and, as a result, bolster our economy against the negative impact of the world financial crisis.

There is no doubt that the priorities of the Liberal government were the right ones: fiscal consolidation, elimination of the deficit, and the creation of favourable conditions for—

[Magazine Advertising, September 28th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, on July 29 the government announced a new measure which will regulate the supply of advertising services directed at Canadian consumers by foreign publishers of magazines. The legislation will soon be tabled in the house. Without this measure foreign publishers would enjoy significant advantages over Canadian publishers.

Advertising revenues are essential in order to be able to produce stories, commentaries and ideas that reflect our values, heritage and opinions, which constitute a line of communication at the heart of our culture and identity as Canadians.

The new measure does not restrict in any way the access of Canadians to foreign periodicals. Canada is and will remain one of the most open countries in the world in terms of foreign publications. At present, more than 80% of periodicals sold in Canadian newsstands are published abroad.

This new measure—