Alan Tonks

[Terrorism, September 20th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, Tuesday, September 11 will be remembered as a day in which events shook the world, or as Graham Green wrote, “one of those profound moments in time when the door to the future opens and we experience the terror of our own inability to shape our destiny as a model for civilized society”.

That Tuesday morning the excited sounds of children anticipating the beginning of their school day resonated throughout communities across our country. Just a few hours later their joy was replaced with a solemn and frightening hush.

During these confounding and terrifying times, leadership is emerging in all our communities that is deliberate, compassionate and just. Symbolic of this is the role played by the inter-faith community in York South--Weston and across this land.

For our part, as members of parliament, we must remain focused and resolute in support of these and all other community based efforts whose sole objective is to nurture our democratic society and respect for human rights, which surely forms part of our strongest defence against terrorism.

[The Olympics, May 15th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, this morning the International Olympic Committee released its evaluation commission report on the five cities bidding for the 2008 summer Olympic games.

Would the Minister for Canadian Heritage tell the House how the Canadian candidate city performed and measured up?

[Huntington's Disease, May 14th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to inform the House and all Canadians that May has been proclaimed Huntington's Disease Awareness Month by the Huntington Society of Canada.

Huntington's Disease is a hereditary brain disorder, with devastating mental and physical effects. One in every 10,000 Canadians has Huntington's Disease. Unfortunately there is still no cure for the disease and no preventative treatments are currently available.

The Huntington Society of Canada is a national network of volunteers and professionals united in the fight against Huntington's Disease. They are focused on finding new treatments toward a cure.

I ask my hon. colleagues to please join me in extending best wishes for a successful public awareness campaign to the Huntington Society of Canada.

[Urban Transit, February 27th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, the number of automobiles and trucks on Canadian roads has doubled in the past two decades. The Canadian public is becoming increasing alarmed at the deterioration of air quality and the quality of water and the relentless urban sprawl that is causing higher levels of congestion and road rage and is seriously eroding the quality of environmental and economic life.

Public transit not only provides a cost effective means of transportation but also plays a crucial role in sustainable development for all communities, urban and rural.

The Canadian Urban Transit Association serves as a representative of urban transit service providers, industry suppliers, government agencies and related Canadian transportation organizations. Its endeavour is to promote the pivotal role that urban transit plays in enhancing mobility and contributing to a more sustainable environment for all Canadians.

Members of the Canadian Urban Transit Association have come to Ottawa today to meet with members of parliament to address the issues of the public transit crisis and to facilitate discussions on potential solutions. I rise in the House to commend and congratulate CUTA.

[37Th Parliament, February 2nd, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, first, I would like to offer my congratulations to you and all members of the House elected to the 37th parliament. I would like to extend my commitment to working with you, Mr. Speaker, and to all the members to achieve those objectives which have been outlined in principle in the throne speech.

Second, I would like to thank the residents of York South—Weston for once again supporting my candidacy for public office, this time as member of parliament. I truly believe the message that my residents are sending is that they want to see us working together on actions that will improve life for all Canadians, particularly those who are most vulnerable within our communities.

To this end, I would again pledge my commitment to work diligently through our committee and our House systems and structures with all members to build bridges between rural and urban communities and to reinforce the principles of sustainable development.

In so doing I believe that we will achieve that which we desire for our children—