Guy Arseneault

[Unemployment Insurance Act, May 11th, 1994]

moved that Bill C-216, an act to amend the Unemployment Insurance Act (jury service), be read the second time and referred to a committee.

[Agriculture, May 10th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I have a question for the hon. member opposite. If this government implements programs which will surely help Quebec farmers, will he vote against separation, yes or no?

[National Forest Week, May 2nd, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I wish to point out to the House that we are celebrating National Forest Week this week.

Forests are our greatest natural resource and contribute more than anything else to our balance of trade. From coast to coast, the forest industry provides some 800,000 jobs, directly and indirectly.

Our forest industries provide the economic foundation of some 350 Canadian cities and towns. The people who live in these forest dependent communities know the value of forests, the vital role they play in their lives and the critical need to ensure that our forests remain healthy and flourish into the future so that future generations will enjoy the same benefits in terms of employment, recreation, and a healthy environment.

Canada is an exception among forested countries because over 90 per cent of our forests are majority-owned by the people. The forests belong to us. It is up to us to take care of them.

[Interim Supply, March 22nd, 1994]

Madam Speaker, seeing that under Private Members' Business one of the bills on the order of priority has been withdrawn and there normally are ten, I was wondering if I could seek unanimous consent of the House to allow my bill to take that spot on the priority list.

[Sixth Paralympic Winter Games, March 16th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, like the traditional Olympic Games, the paralympics held in Norway this week are a symbol of nations gathering in a spirit of brotherliness and peace.

Canada is a major force in a world of paralympic sport. Like all athletes, our paralympic athletes head into Lillehammer full of hope and optimism, ready to realize the dream of a lifetime.

I am proud to see that a Canadian from Restigouche-Chaleur, Mr. Denis Lord, is representing not only Canada but also northern New Brunswick in these games. We are proud of the determination he is displaying on the slopes and in his everyday life.

On behalf of all the citizens of Restigouche-Chaleur and the members in this House, I wish to congratulate Denis and all our paralympic athletes for their strength and courage and for representing so well the spirit of the games.

Good luck to all our paralympic athletes.

[Winter Olympics, February 23rd, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, though we live in difficult times, the Winter Olympics remain a symbol of nations gathering under one flag, the flag of universal brotherhood and peace.

I am very proud that a constituent from my riding of Restigouche-Chaleur, Allain Roy, is representing not only Canada but northern New Brunswick at the XVII Winter Olympic Games.

Allain is competing in Lillehammer with Canada's national hockey team.

I wish Alain and his teammates good luck. I know they will represent Canada with honour and pride, not only on the ice but also by making the spirit of these games a part of their lives.

On behalf of all citizens of Restigouche-Chaleur and all members of the House, I would like to congratulate Allain and all of our Canadian Olympic athletes.

[Defence Policy, February 17th, 1994]

Madam Speaker, I listened with interest to my colleague from Dartmouth and I know he has a keen interest in national defence affairs. He has spoken quite profoundly today and a number of times in the House and in caucus. He is certainly a defender of national defence. I would ask him today if he could comment further concerning his opinion regarding base closures.

[Railway Transportation, February 17th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, today I would like to draw the attention of the House to the importance of the CN line that goes through northern New Brunswick.

The government and CN must maintain the railway line through northern New Brunswick to ensure the development and the economic viability of the region and the province.

The CN line through northern New Brunswick is one of the most profitable lines in eastern Canada. This line is one of the major factors in the present and future development of the forestry and mining industries in the region and the two major international ports of Belledune and Dalhousie.

I call upon CN to recognize the economic importance of this line to northern New Brunswick and therefore urge it to maintain its full operation.

[Unemployment Insurance Act, February 16th, 1994]

I rise on a point of order, Mr. Speaker. This bill with similar intent was presented in the 34th Parliament. At that time I had received unanimous support of the members in the House. There were well over 100 members in the House at that time who had agreed to move this bill to committee for consideration.

It had gone to committee for consideration but unfortunately the House prorogued before it was returned and reported.

I would ask the House for consent to have the bill proceed to second reading and committee today.

[Unemployment Insurance Act, February 16th, 1994]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-216, an Act to amend the Unemployment Insurance Act (jury service).

Mr. Speaker, the purpose of this bill is to amend the Unemployment Insurance Act so that persons serving on juries will not be deemed ineligible for benefits simply because they are involved in this activity.

The object of this bill is to prevent people who are eligible for UI and who are selected for jury duty from being ruled ineligible for their unemployment insurance.

In a number of cases in the last couple of years nationally, the judges have dismissed jurors who were receiving UI on the grounds that they may be disqualified for UI. This is to point out that problem and rectify it.

I had a fair amount of support last time in the House, and I am again looking forward to that support.

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