House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2000, with 58% of the vote.
Health December 3rd, 1999
Mr. Speaker, the issue of pesticides is currently being reviewed, both by the Standing Committee on the Environment and by the appropriate authorities at the Department of Health.
The necessary amendments will be made when the time and expertise become available.
Violence Against Women December 3rd, 1999
Mr. Speaker, next Monday is the national day of remembrance and action on violence against women. This is not just an occasion for reflecting on the past; it is also one for looking ahead to the future.
Canada holds the enviable title of the best country in the world to live in, but we know that some people here are living better than others. As a rule, for example, we know that the women of this country are economically and socially disadvantaged and that some groups of women are particularly vulnerable to discrimination: older women, young women, disabled women, aboriginal women, immigrant women.
Violence against women is the most extreme form of discrimination, for this is a violation of their basic rights. Violence has enormous economic and social costs to the individual, their families and the community as a whole.
If we want to see Canada remain the best country in the world, we must renew our commitment to—
International Year Of Older Persons December 2nd, 1999
Mr. Speaker, as the International Year of Older Persons draws to a close, I would like to pay tribute to the seniors in my riding who have become involved through their organizations, some thirty of them, in activities I have proposed for them.
Our program concluded with a round table where our seniors prepared the following message. First, they consider themselves and want to be considered full fledged citizens, with all the ensuing rights, obligations and responsibilities.
While they are not a homogenous group, seniors demand respect first and foremost. This means access to quality, humane and appropriate health care, a contribution to society, the opportunity to live among family and friends so long as their health permits, access to appropriate social, cultural and physical activities, reasonable incomes and information on services available. They also want the attention they deserve from the next generations.
In short, seniors are now looking for quality of life and not just an extension of it. On the other side of the coin, the government has a responsibility to make the means available and, in particular, to support those of our seniors who are most vulnerable.
Tobacco November 26th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, there can be no doubt about the commitment made by our government and our Minister of Health to fight smoking, particularly among young people.
We have already taken important measures, and the minister has not ruled out any options for the future, whether they relate to taxes or prohibition. He will establish enhanced awareness programs in the future.
Health November 26th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague from Wellington—Waterloo. His question gives me the opportunity to inform the House that yesterday the Minister of Health launched the Canadian health network, which is a national, bilingual Internet based health organization service for Canadians developed by Health Canada in co-operation with 400 very reliable health organizations.
Canada's health system provides a unique access to information, and I invite the public—
Science And Engineering November 26th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Canadian government announced a $1 million science and engineering research prize in honour of the late Gerhard Herzberg, winner of Canada's first Nobel prize for research in chemistry.
The annual award is a millennium project of NSERC, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, and is intended to honour and support the best of Canada's researchers.
Such an initiative is particularly important as we rapidly approach the new millennium, since it will enable Canada to continue to play a lead role in the international scientific world.
We wish all the young Canadians who will have an opportunity to take advantage of this the best of luck.
Lebanon November 22nd, 1999
Mr. Speaker, on the occasion of the 56th anniversary of the proclamation of the independence of Lebanon, as the chair of the Lebanon-Canada parliamentary friendship group, I would like to express my solidarity with Lebanon, a friend of Canada.
Specifically, I would like to mention that Lebanon deserves all our support in its economic, social and institutional reconstruction efforts.
It also deserves our support in its efforts to reclaim its unity and complete freedom over all of its territory, through, among other things, the implementation of UN resolution 425 calling for the unconditional withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces from south Lebanon.
Our best wishes go especially to the large Lebanese Canadian community that has enriched Canadian society with its dynamism and its joie de vivre.
Health Care November 19th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Health was very clear on this matter two days ago, before this House and in public. He will be a strong defender of Canada's public health system.
Mr. Klein has made proposals. The Minister of Health has agreed to study them. It is pointless for Mr. Klein to raise his voice and call the minister a hypocrite right now. The minister has said he will study the proposal and, should it run contrary to the Canadian public health system, the Minister of Health will rigorously defend the basic principles of the public health system.
Diabetes November 19th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, we heard more good news from Health Canada and our government this morning when the Minister of Health announced in Montreal a national diabetes control strategy with a budget of $115 million over five years, in addition to the $60 million already committed in the budget speech a few months ago.
Diabetes kills some 5,500 Canadians every year. The new strategy will allow us to target diabetes, particularly among aboriginal people. National chief Phil Fontaine—
Web Jam Bell November 19th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, I would like to tell the House about a highly innovative event, the great Web Jam Bell, taking place tomorrow, November 20, on the occasion of national child day.
Today's Parent, Bell Canada and Health Canada are proud to present the Web Jam Bell: 24 hours of live presentations on the topics that interest families most, from 5 p.m. Saturday to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Parents and children are invited to take part in a huge interactive symposium using RealVideo to watch presentations, take part in discussions, obtain answers to their questions and take part in surveys.
Between 11.30 p.m. and 8 a.m., there will be an all-night opportunity to listen to and share advice with other parents, along with the team of La ligue des parents.
This is a technological first in Quebec, made possible through the co-operation of Bell and the untiring support of groups that believe in the new technologies for communicating with parents and families. Health Canada, Petit Monde, La ligue des parents, Radio-Canada—