John Richardson

[Emergency Preparedness Week, May 6th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, May 6 to 12 is Emergency Preparedness Week in Canada. In declaring a special week, the federal government through Emergency Preparedness Canada joins with the provinces and territories in a nationwide effort to increase public awareness of the need to prepare for emergencies of all kinds.

Every year at least some of our communities are hit by large scale emergencies and local disasters. Floods, forest fires, toxic spills, blizzards, tornadoes and industrial accidents are only a few of the natural or human caused events that can threaten lives, property, the environment and the local economy. While there is little Canadians can do to prevent these catastrophes, everyone should be prepared to deal with them.

I therefore invite all members of the House and all Canadians to mark Emergency Preparedness Week by taking the time to inform themselves on how they can help safeguard themselves, their families and assist their communities before, during and after a disaster strikes.

[Stratford Festival, May 2nd, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, last week people across the world celebrated the birthday of the late William Shakespeare, the greatest playwright of all time. On the heels of this celebration I cannot think of a better occasion to remind Canadians about one of the jewels of Shakespearian theatre, the Stratford Festival.

Heading into its 44th season, the Stratford Festival has become a true success story. While most arts groups rely heavily on government funding, only 8 per cent of the festival budget is derived from government funds. This funding is minimal compared with the estimated $100 million in economic benefits derived from the festival for the city of Stratford and the over $25 million in taxes generated for the governments.

I wish all those associated with the festival another successful season. I encourage all Canadians to visit my riding and take in a performance during what will surely be another fabulous season. For my colleagues in the House of Commons, I have placed a festival program in their desks for their use.

[Questions On The Order Paper, April 26th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, I ask that all questions stand.

[Government Response To Petitions, April 26th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8), I have the honour to

table, in both official languages, the government's response to 14 petitions.

[Alzheimer's Disease, April 26th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today to talk about Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's is a debilitating disease, the negative effects of which are not limited to the affected individual. Family members and friends are left helpless in this battle and endure constant suffering.

The impact of this disease will continue. Seniors are the fastest growing segment of the Canadian population. With age, the odds of falling victim to Alzheimer's increase dramatically.

Yesterday I met with a representative of the Alzheimer Society to discuss this disease. Just recently I had the chance to take part in Perth county's Alzheimer Society open house in my riding.

I am impressed by the great work performed by the Alzheimer Society. The work of this organization reaches far beyond care for the individual. The society works with the community to aid in the adjustment process for family and friends.

I salute the Alzheimer Society of Canada for all its hard work and wish the representatives gathered in Ottawa for their annual conference a pleasant stay.

[Agriculture, April 17th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member opposite has demanded accountability in the Canadian forces. This is one of the cornerstones of the Canadian forces.

The Canadian forces have a policy of zero tolerance for hazings and other related activities which cannot in any way be considered soldierly. The policy exists and has been disseminated and Canadian forces members are to act accordingly. Like all Canadians, they are responsible and accountable for their actions.

If a Canadian forces member chooses to ignore the very clear direction provided, actions appropriate to the transgression in the question will be taken. I assure the hon. member that violations of Canadian forces policy are dealt with firmly and effectively.

As a result of this incident a number of Canadian forces members face administrative and disciplinary measures. Those who witnessed the incident will be dealt with administratively, receiving formal warnings that they should never again be found to be involved in any activity of this nature and severe career action will be taken.

The remaining Canadian forces members who are found to be participants in varying forms and degrees in the events at Camp Gagetown will be charged under section 129 of the National Defence Act for conduct to the prejudice of good order and discipline. A number of punishments are available to the officer responsible for trying the accused.

The trials of soldiers who were charged will likely be finished in the very near future and any actions taken as a result will be made public immediately thereafter. I will not comment any further on the cases in question, as it is imperative that due process be allowed to take place.

On numerous occasions opposition members seemingly want to taunt the government into bypassing due process in the name of political expediency. While the member opposite has stated in the House who he believes to be responsible for the incident in question at Camp Gagetown, justice will be better served by allowing due process to run its course.

[Somalia Inquiry, March 29th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, the minister did not deliberately mislead this House. The minister was going through a series of contacts with the commissioner and inadvertently mentioned it. There was not a deliberate falsification. There was not a misleading of the House. The hon. member knows that.

[Somalia Inquiry, March 29th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday in the debates the minister alluded to our

involvement with the commissioner through the involvement in process and conclusions. In that sense, we did get involved with the commissioner. It was Mr. McAuliffe, a CBC investigative reporter who did request the investigation.

[Gulf War Syndrome, March 29th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, again this is a very good and serious question. I would like the House to know that the epidemiologist for the armed forces has asked for further studies because of the seriousness of this claim of the gulf war syndrome.

We are not the only country that is wrestling with this problem. Britain has done the same thing. The leading epidemiologist has undertaken to make further and more extensive investigations into the serious problems which face all who served in the gulf war. When the final conclusions come forward we hope they will be acted on.

I know that in the Department of Veterans Affairs they are getting a good hearing but I will leave that for the Secretary of State for Veterans to answer.

[Department Of National Defence, March 29th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, the questions put forward by the hon. member are serious questions. Of course, the inquiry is at arm's length from the government, but there are qualified and quality people on that commission. If they suspect any of the documents, they have the right to return them and ask for verification.