Jag Bhaduria

[Post-Secondary Education, November 16th, 1994]

While the reduction of the deficit remains one of the

most important objectives of the government, it is imperative that it should not be done at the expense of the education of our young people. Today's student demonstration on the Hill underlines this principle.

More than 900,000 full time post-secondary students could be directly affected by the government's proposal to cut back on transfer payments earmarked for post-secondary education to the provinces. The present level of funding for post-secondary education must be maintained to academically and technically equip young Canadians as they head into the 21st century.

As the red book states, the government has a direct interest in ensuring that our young people have the best possible opportunity to gain the skills and knowledge needed to lead productive and self-sufficient lives. This noble principle must be followed through.

[Gun Control, October 24th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, there is a matter of dire urgency that we as parliamentarians must deal with immediately. The urgency is the continuing problem of illegal firearm use on the streets of our country.

While I commend the right hon. Prime Minister for his position of establishing a registry for all firearms in Canada, I believe that more preventive measures need to be taken. The government must introduce deterrents to stop violence on our streets.

In April of this year I proposed a mandatory 10-year sentence for anyone convicted of using a firearm in the commission of a crime. I strongly believe this sentence should be in addition to whatever sentence the individual receives for being convicted of a crime.

The Criminal Code has to be amended to include this provision. Until it is done criminals will not get the message.

[Gun Control, October 20th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, once again we have had another Canadian citizen fall victim to a fatal gun shooting.

Last week Stephen Braithwaite lost his life after a parking lot gun battle at an after hours club in North York. According to police reports at least two automatic or semi-automatic weapons were used in this gun fight.

Canadians are wondering what these guns are doing on the streets in a public place and how they were obtained.

This is not an isolated incident. Police have reported that there have been quite a few other gun related incidents at these clubs over the past month. Law-abiding citizens living around these after hour clubs are extremely concerned. They cannot properly raise their families when they are constantly living in fear.

I call on the government to initiate a solution to this problem. Let us work with the provincial governments to clean up our streets.

[Justice, October 6th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, a recent Supreme Court ruling that extreme drunkenness can be a defence against rape has shocked all Canadians, especially women. Where is the rationality in such a decision?

This ruling is absolutely absurd. Now the voluntary consumption of alcohol can be used to excuse an individual's criminal behaviour.

I am sure a great many Canadians are very perplexed by this decision. What will be the impact of this judgment on impaired drivers across the country? Can they hide behind the coloured glass of a bottle because of this judgment?

The Criminal Code has to be amended so that all women and law-abiding citizens can feel safe again. Drinking must be no excuse for any criminal behaviour, none whatsoever.

[D-Day, June 7th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today to pay tribute to a dedicated and courageous group of veterans who participated in the D-Day remembrance events this past weekend.

As members of the International Association of Airborne Veterans' established Veterans Parachute Regiment, these veterans conducted a mass paradrop into the nation's capital and surrounding area. This was an exciting event to witness.

I am sure that veterans as well as all Canadians were touched by this spectacular tribute to the allied invasion of Normandy.

This paradrop operation was organized by Captain Glen Blumberg, a constituent of Markham. He is the director of the Canadian chapter of the International Association of Airborne Veterans.

Through his efforts, parachutists from the three principal nations involved in the invasion, namely Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States, participated in the paradrop. Additionally, representatives from our other second world war allies also participated in this event.

On behalf of all my colleagues in Parliament, I congratulate Captain Blumberg, the veteran-

[Tracey Ferguson, May 12th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure today to congratulate one of my constituents for her outstanding athletic achievements and dedicated community work.

Tracey Ferguson, a resident of Markham, was honoured last week with the YMCA's Young Woman of Distinction Award. The sponsors of the award selected Ms. Ferguson, citing her as a stellar role model for the youth of my riding.

Although only 19 years of age, Tracey has achieved an exceptional list of athletic and volunteer awards. As an Olympic wheelchair athlete she has won gold medals for basketball at the 1991 World Games and the 1992 Paralympics. She has also received the 1993 Terry Fox Humanitarian Award for volunteer work.

On behalf of my colleagues in this House I congratulate Ms. Ferguson.

[Immigration, April 25th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, Canada has an immigration system that is well respected throughout the world. However, mistakes are made by some officials on the application of the law and the result can be devastating.

One example is the application of 89 year old Mrs. Arora, who has been denied a visitors visa to visit Canada. She is the mother of one of my constituents, Paul Arora, whom she wants to visit. She was a landed immigrant in Canada, returned to her home country and now wants to visit her son for a few months.

Another example is Miss Matharu's application on behalf of her relatives who want to come to Canada to attend her wedding on May 7. They were refused because of their close ties to the family here.

To classify these examples as deceitful is an unfair assessment and application of the immigration law.

I request assurances from the government that the visa application process for honest applicants be given fair and just treatment.

[Privilege, March 23rd, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, this point of privilege relates to the question I raised on February 15 and it is very brief.

I rise here today on the question of privilege after consulting with counsel and having discussed the issues of blackmail and the unfounded allegations made against me. I wish to re-submit my original question of privilege of February 15 so that all these issues may be investigated accordingly in the appropriate committee.

I trust your decision will be favourable, Mr. Speaker.

Concerning all the information that has come up, after discussing it with counsel I was informed that the details were not so pressing as I had believed they were. Therefore the issue remains almost the same as I had raised earlier. The discussion which I had with counsel did not produce any new material at all.

[The Economy, March 22nd, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, due to very difficult economic times in Canada many Canadians have been forced to practise fiscal restraint and responsibility.

Canadians from all regions of this country have responded by tightening their belts and going without many necessities they could otherwise have. They have done this even though many others have continued to live high on the hog.

There are many examples of where fiscal restraint has not been practised to the same degree. One such example is the recent lavish farewell functions to honour the outgoing Governor of the Bank of Canada. Almost $30,000 was spent to bid farewell to John Crow. It is outrageous that Canadians are expected to foot the bill for this lavish spending.

Mr. Crow spent many years preaching restraint but when it comes time to depart it seems like one does not practise what one preaches.

[Unemployment Insurance, March 10th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring to the attention of this House an issue that I trust all hon. members will support.

Michelle and David Gebe, two constituents in my riding of Markham-Whitchurch-Stouffville, became the proud parents of a baby girl, Erin-Denise, on February 10. They became parents through the adoption process monitored by Ontario Social Services. This is indeed a joyous occasion for Mr. and Mrs. Gebe.

Unfortunately, they have run into a major roadblock trying to obtain maternity benefits through the unemployment insurance program. As adoptive parents, they are only eligible to receive 10 weeks of UI benefits as opposed to up to 30 weeks of benefits that a birth mother can obtain.

I humbly call upon the government to investigate the obvious discrepancies in the unemployment insurance legislation and to rectify this problem. Adoptive parents such as David and Michelle should be supported and rewarded by the federal government. They need our assistance.