Beryl Gaffney

[Arthritis Month, September 27th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to inform the House that September has been designated Arthritis Month by the Arthritis Society.

Arthritis is a significant health issue that has disabled 600,000 Canadians and has become the most common cause of long term disability in Canada. It costs our economy more than $5 billion annually.

There is still no cure. Arthritis research is a critical component of the strategy to address this disorder.

During Arthritis Month this year, a new Internet site is being launched by the Arthritis Society in conjunction with the society's corporate partner and the Canadian Rheumatology Association.

The web site is being developed, maintained and supported on a voluntary basis by a dynamic team of Canadian rheumatologists, orthopedic surgeons, physical and occupational therapists and family physicians.

I congratulate the Arthritis Society and its 100,000 dedicated volunteers whose efforts continue to bring hope to many Canadians suffering from arthritis.

[Petitions, September 18th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, I have a petition to present from Nepean and area communities which bears some 70 signatures.

The petitioners bring to our attention that Canadian law does not prohibit convicted criminals from profiting financially from writing books and setting up 1-900 numbers, producing videos, et cetera.

The petitioners pray and call on Parliament to enact Bill C-205, introduced by the hon. member for Scarborough West, at the earliest opportunity so as to provide in Canadian law that no criminal profits from committing a crime.

[Quebec Referendum, September 17th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, following the Quebec referendum on sovereignty in October 1995, 48 students attending Bishop's University in Lennoxville, Quebec were charged with electoral fraud.

Included in the list of individual charges on May 27, 1996, are six students from Nepean. Their fine if paid without contesting is $516.

Students choosing not to pay the fine are assumed to be pleading not guilty and will have to appear in court. The charges appear to arise from the definition of domicile.

These students took the appropriate steps to question the enumerators to ensure they were voting lawfully and the enumerators assured them they were. These students did what everyone else in the rest of the country wished they could do, fight to keep Canada united and exercise their patriotism at a critical time.

A trust fund has been established to assist in recovering the legal costs of fighting the charges in court. Anyone wishing to contribute to the trust fund may call my office for further information.

[Petitions, September 17th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, I have two petitions to present. The petitioners are mostly from the national capital region.

They pray and request that Parliament proceed immediately with amendments to the Criminal Code that will ensure that the sentence given to anyone convicted of causing death by driving while impaired carries a minimum sentence of seven years and a maximum of 14 years as outlined in private member's Bill C-201, sponsored by the member for Prince George-Bulkley Valley.

Mr. Speaker, in the second petition, which contains 125 names, the petitioners pray and request that Parliament proceed immediately with amendments to the Criminal Code that will ensure that the sentence given to anyone convicted of driving while impaired or causing injury or death while impaired does reflect both the severity of the crime and zero tolerance by Canada toward this crime.

[Petitions, September 16th, 1996]

The second, Mr. Speaker, is from 50 petitioners, mostly in Nepean, who pray and request that Parliament proceed immediately with amendments to the Criminal Code that will ensure that the sentence given to anyone convicted of causing death by driving while impaired carries a minimum sentence of seven years and maximum of fourteen years as outlined in private member's Bill C-201 sponsored by the hon. member for Prince George-Bulkley Valley.

The third petition, Mr. Speaker, is on the same matter signed by 75 petitioners.

[Petitions, September 16th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, I have three petitions to present.

The first is from 25 petitioners in the Nepean. Whereas the property known as Victory Hill was accorded to veterans of World War II in appreciation of their contributions to this great victory, and whereas the National Capital Commission has served notice to the residents of Victory Hill of eviction in order to demolish their homes at a cost to the residents, wherefore the undersigned petitioners humbly pray and call on Parliament to take the actions necessary to reaffirm its commitment to the war veterans of Canada by withdrawing eviction and demolition notices to residents of Victory Hill.

[Petitions, June 12th, 1996]

I have another petition, Madam Speaker, with 325 names from people of Harrowsmith, Verona, Portland, Hartington, Kingston and Brockville.

The petitioners request that Parliament proceed immediately with amendments to the Criminal Code that will ensure the sentence given to anyone convicted of driving while impaired or causing injury or death while impaired reflect both the severity of the crime and a zero tolerance by Canada toward this crime.

[Petitions, June 12th, 1996]

Madam Speaker, I have 50 signatures here from people of Nepean who request that Parliament oppose any amendments to the Canadian Human Rights Act or any other federal legislation that would provide for the inclusion of the phrase sexual orientation.

[National Public Service Week, June 10th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, this week we honour Canada's federal public servants during National Public Service Week. It is important that Canadians know of their valuable service to the public and the annual recognition that is given to those employees for exemplary performance or for meritorious suggestions. This award is the highest expression of official tribute.

I am particularly proud to mention two Nepean public servants who have made an outstanding contribution: Christopher J. Cuddy from the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs; and Carri-Ann Candusso from the Department of Transport. Both are part of a team which has been selected for an award of excellence to be presented by the President of the Treasury Board this afternoon. My congratulations to them and to all winners.

May we continue to acknowledge and be proud of the men and women who make up Canada's public service as it continues to develop and build on its tradition of excellence.

[Nigeria, June 5th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Secretary of State for Latin America and Africa.

Reports of attacks on Nigerians working for democratic reform in Nigeria are very disturbing. First, the president-elect has been under detention by the military since 1994 and now, yesterday, the president's wife was gunned down on a street in Lagos.

Could the secretary of state tell the House how the Canadian government is responding to this tragic and brutal slaying?