Norman Doyle

[Halifax Explosion, December 6th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, today we commemorate the 90th anniversary of the devastating Halifax explosion.

At 8:40 a.m. on December 6, 1917, the French munitions vessel Mont-Blanc collided with a Norwegian supply ship. Twenty-five minutes later, at 9:04 a.m., the ship exploded in what was at the time the largest and most shocking detonation in history. Approximately 2,000 people were killed and 9,000 were injured.

While the Halifax explosion is one of the most traumatic events in our nation's history, we must never forget the bravery of the railway dispatcher, Vince Coleman, who stayed at his post to warn incoming trains of the impending danger.

The Boston Red Cross was among the first to respond. Every year the people of Halifax show their thanks by donating a Christmas tree to the city of Boston.

Today we remember the dead, the firefighters, doctors and nurses, and the many people who rebuilt the great city of Halifax.

[Committees of the House, December 6th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the second report of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration entitled “Reclaiming Citizenship for Canadians: A Report on the Loss of Canadian Citizenship”.

I am very pleased, after weeks of hearing witnesses, that our committee has been able to present today a unanimous report on this very important issue. I want to thank committee members for their involvement and the vice-chair as well, the member for Kitchener—Waterloo.

[Committees of the House, December 3rd, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the first report of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration, which has considered supplementary estimates (A) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2008, and reports the same.

[Seniors, November 29th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, we owe a debt of gratitude to our seniors. They built our country by working hard and paying taxes, and they deserve a break in their retirement years. That is why the government has given them a significant tax break by allowing pension income splitting for couples. We also have increased the amount of money seniors can claim through the age and pension income credit on their annual income tax returns.

This government has also increased the maximum guaranteed income supplement benefit and the refundable medical expense supplement. Of course in the latest economic statement, the government lowered income taxes for all Canadians, including seniors, and lowered the cost of living by reducing the GST from 7% to 5%.

Seniors deserve our support and respect. In the case of this government, we not only talk the talk, we walk the walk.

[Committees of the House, June 11th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 17th, 18th and 19th reports of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration entitled, “Citizenship Revocation: A Question of Due Process and Respecting Charter Rights”, “Updating Canada's Citizenship Laws”, “Immigration applications from areas affected by war, civil strife, or natural disaster”.

[Infrastructure, June 7th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, I want to commend the federal Minister of Transport and the provincial Minister of Municipal Affairs for Newfoundland and Labrador, the hon. Jack Byrne.

Last week, Minister Byrne and I, on behalf of the Minister of Transport, announced a $10 million road project in my riding of St. John's East in the provincial district of Cape St. Francis.

The Torbay bypass road was a long awaited road project for the area. It was on the drawing board back when I was provincial minister of transportation in the 1980s.

At present, Torbay Road is the major artery for traffic in and out of the city of St. John's and the entire northeast Avalon region. During rush hours, traffic congestion on this road is terrible and the bypass road will go a long way toward alleviating these problems.

Again, I congratulate all those involved in this $10 million project. It is an excellent example of federal-provincial cooperation for the common good.

[Committees of the House, May 30th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 15th report of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration entitled, “Safeguarding Asylum -- Sustaining Canada's Commitments to Refugees” .

[Committees of the House, May 30th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 16th report of the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates on the main estimates ending March 31, 2008.

[Committees of the House, May 17th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 14th report of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration entitled, “Recommendations to the Minister--Immigration and Refugee Board Appointments”.

[Committees of the House, April 24th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 13th report of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration, reporting Bill C-280, An Act to Amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (coming into force of sections 110, 111 and 171), without amendment.