Alan Tonks

[Petitions, November 9th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, on this National Literacy Day it is altogether appropriate that we present petitions from hundreds of Canadians who are reminding the government of how important are literacy programs. They add value to the capacity for Canadians to mainstream and become part of life here in Canada.

In my riding of York South--Weston, these programs are extremely fundamental to the community. We hope that the government will reconsider its intent to cut literacy programs. These petitions come from areas around Peterborough, Beamsville and St. Catharines.

[Canada Elections Act, November 6th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, I would like a clarification from the opposite side with respect to proportional representation. I do respect the opinion that, in the member's view, it would lead to better governance in our federal institution.

However, I wonder if he would elaborate briefly on whether he thinks that might lead to the creation of many different political parties and whether that, in turn, rather than bringing better governance, and we have great respect for our party system of course, would lead to less consensus and a machinery of government that would not bring people together, thus making them feel that they were not able to influence the direction of government through the institutions that presently exist. The plethora of political parties gives me some concern. I think it would give this House some concern

I wonder if the member would apply himself to elaborating a bit on that.

[Business of Supply, November 2nd, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, I, too, congratulate the member for her sensitive and very informative presentation. My question relates to some of the inquiries that come in from my constituents. During the first and second world wars, there was a very high rate of volunteerism from the old York township. The old parts of Toronto was second to not many in the country, so I obviously have an empathy for the points that have been made by the member.

The responses given to inquiries that come in are very complicated. She outlined how these have become very complicated to veterans in calculating their pensions because of changes in the Canada pension. How does she feel with respect to the concept of an ombudsman who would report directly to the House and who could, hopefully, help veterans with respect to these kinds of very complicated actuarial issues that they encounter?

[Committees of the House, October 27th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the first and second reports of the Standing Committee on Natural Resources relating to motions in the name of the member for Etobicoke North. The two motions are self-explanatory.

First, the committee regrets that the government rejected the advice of departmental officials to continue and renew the EnerGuide for houses program. It calls upon the Minister of Natural Resources to reinstate this program.

The second motion, which is the body of the report, is that the committee recognizes that the freezing of the wind power production incentive program has thrown the industry into disarray and put at risk jobs and future investment. It calls upon the Minister of Natural Resources to immediately reinstate full funding for the wind power production incentive program.

[Italian Canadian Community, October 27th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the members of this House who share the privilege of having Canadians of Italian heritage residing in their communities, I am pleased to welcome the mayor il sindaco di Pizzoferrato to Ottawa and to the House today.

Mayor Palmerino Fagnilli is visiting Canada and the hundreds of Pizzoferratesi who have made a significant contribution to all aspects of social and cultural life in our country.

I know that all members are aware of that special simpatia which exists between Italy and Canada.

On behalf of my colleagues in the House, I extend to Mayor Fagnilli our best wishes in his town's and the region of Abruzzo's gemellaggio, the twinning of our Italian and Canadian communities.

[Youth, October 23rd, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Shahina Sayani, a youth leader in my community of York South—Weston and outgoing executive director of For Youth Initiative.

For the last three years, Shahina was a leader and advocate for youth-led programming in the former cities of York, Etobicoke and the west Toronto community.

In her three years with the organization, she has spearheaded a number of initiatives, strengthened community relations, and initiated the creation of a much needed recreational centre in York South—Weston. She has played a major role in securing sustainable funding for youth initiatives in my community and across the province.

Shahina has set a high standard of excellence in her role as executive director and has shown that youth are capable of being strong and capable leaders. Her years of dedication in this position will be greatly missed by her co-workers and peers as she moves on to better the community ofYork South—Weston as program director for ArtReach Toronto.

I would like to send my sincerest thanks to Shahina and trust this House will join me in wishing her all the best in her future endeavours.

[Criminal Code, October 16th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, I apologize. I have changed seats so many times that I had actually forgotten where I was supposed to be sitting.

I wonder if I could ask the member a question. Whenever we are dealing with provisions dealing with summary conviction, in my experience summary conviction legislation is to expedite court proceedings and allow the judge a little more flexibility with respect to a delineation of offences where summary conviction proceedings can apply.

Does the member have any problems in terms of prejudicing a co-accused? It has been the experience in the court that where charges are laid, those charges are dealt with, with the co-accused where there are two or more that have been accused of a particular crime.

I understand from this legislation that under summary convictions, where the co-accused does not appear, the judge has the flexibility to allow the proceedings to continue. I wonder if that is an element of the legislation that could be investigated at committee. I am given to understand that there may be some problems with respect to the nature of justice that would apply in those cases where that provision would be implemented.

[Softwood Lumber Products Export Charge Act, 2006, October 6th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, the member who just spoke has a considerable amount of experience through his former role as parliamentary secretary to the finance minister. I think we can see from his comments and those of the previous speaker that there is concern expressed on two counts. The first is the punitive nature with respect to the application of this agreement on our own softwood lumber industry. The second is the question of precedents, whereby there is no evidence and no adherence to the rule of law with respect to international treaty obligations. On those two counts, our future would be imperilled inasmuch as a great deal of our trade of course is through the WTO and NAFTA.

In view of those two inferences which come from this particular agreement, in particular the one with respect to precedents that would affect future agreements in a wider spectrum of industry, I would like to ask the member how he sees this agreement in terms of that precedent, and whether he can see on the horizon other implications for other industries in other parts of our economic sectors.

[Softwood Lumber Products Export Charge Act, 2006, October 6th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, I had not intended to ask a question, but I feel compelled to with the extremely effective and accurate case that the member has put forward, and I compliment him on that.

The position has been put forward by the government that the only other course which has been recommended by the government and which the member has criticized, and effectively as I said, is a continuation of the legal process that would not benefit the industry. The government members have laid out chapter and verse how they feel that a lack of benefit would result.

It was my recollection that while we had won in every international forum set up through the WTO our cases with respect to the softwood lumber issue, that the government was still on the tangent with respect to the bill.

It was also my recollection that one of the opportunities we had was to pursue this through the American courts to seek justice which had been given but denied in terms of the course that the government has decided to take.

I would like to ask the member this question. In view of the fact that there is this huge paradox that he has indicated, not only for the industry and sections of the industry but with the position taken by the Bloc Québécois, what other course, given what the government's rationale is, would he have suggested that the House should take?

[Teachers, October 5th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize teachers in York South--Weston and across Canada on this World Teachers' Day.

I was fortunate enough to spend 12 years as a teacher and have the utmost respect for the dedication and commitment required of every educator at every level.

Through their daily work, Canadian teachers make a remarkable contribution to our national fabric by fostering our children's capacity and desire to learn.

On World Teachers' Day we are also reminded of the challenges facing teachers as they diligently work to impart pupils with a solid education while making our schools welcoming, encouraging and inclusive.

Today is an opportunity to celebrate these teachers and thank them for their work.

I ask the House to join me in saluting the effort and dedication of the men and women across this nation who make such a significant difference in the lives of our youth. The contributions of teachers are not only essential, but absolutely invaluable.