Anita Neville

[Canadian Grain Commission, October 23rd, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to inform the House that the first woman chief commissioner has been appointed to the Canadian Grain Commission.

Chris Hamblin helps manage a grain and seed operation with her husband Lorne and her brother and sister-in-law in Morris, Manitoba. A long time leader and activist in the western Canadian agricultural community, Chris is a former vice-president of Keystone Agriculture.

I know I speak on behalf of her widespread network of family and friends, farmers in the area and indeed on behalf of all Manitobans when I congratulate Chris. Chris has made Manitoba proud.

I am sure that Chris Hamblin will fulfill her duties as chief commissioner with the same dedication and skill that she has brought to her many other endeavours.

[Governor General's Awards, October 22nd, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, Women's History Month is about celebrating women's role in and contributions to Canadian history and society.

Every day women across Canada strive to make a difference in the lives of other women and in their communities. The Governor General's awards in commemoration of the Persons Case were established in 1979 to recognize the lifetime achievements of five women who, in the spirit of the Famous Five, have done just that. More recently, a sixth award has been added to recognize the contributions of young Canadian women who prove that no matter what one's age it is never too early to make a difference in the lives of others.

It is with great pride that I rise to congratulate the six women who have received this year's awards. The recipients for the 2002 Governor General's awards in commemoration of the Persons Case are: Margaret-Ann Armour of Edmonton, Alberta; Françoise David of Montreal, Quebec; Michele Landsberg of Toronto, Ontario; Nancy Riche of St. John's, Newfoundland; and Elisapie Ootova of Pond Inlet, Nunavut. Megan Reid of Leamington, Ontario is the recipient of the youth award.

[Business of the House, October 10th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, there have been consultations among the parties and I understand that there would be unanimous consent to permit me to propose, seconded by the hon. members for Saskatoon--Rosetown--Biggar; Laval Centre; Winnipeg--Transcona; and Dauphin--Swan River; and for the House to adopt without debate the following motion. I move:

That the House, noting that Nigeria has signed and ratified many international human rights legal instruments and is a leading proponent of the New Plan for Africa's Development, a central pillar of which is good governance and respect for human rights, and that the government of Nigeria has declared extreme Sharia punishments unconstitutional, request that the President of Nigeria, President Obasanjo, take all necessary steps to prevent the execution of the death sentence against Amina Lawal as in the case of Safiya Hussaini last February.

[Ronald Duhamel, October 1st, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I too stand to pay tribute to the hon. Ron Duhamel who died last night. Sincerest condolences go out to his wife Carolyn and his three daughters.

Ron was my friend. He was also my mentor when I was elected to the House. I shall miss his wise counsel and friendship greatly.

I will remember Ron in many ways, but in particular I will recall most fondly his desire to help young people. Ron was an educator. Nothing pleased him more than to participate in the education of young people, be it through his work in the Manitoba school system to here in the House working with the interns and pages of parliament. I know Ron was most happy during his annual school supply drive, and what a success it has been.

Ron Duhamel had many roles: a husband, a father, a proud Manitoban, indeed a proud Franco-Manitoban. He was a minister of the Crown and an honourable senator, but most of all he was a gentle spirit, a gentleman and a good friend.

[Speech from the Throne, September 30th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I am not rejecting the premise of his question.

This is indeed an important speech for my community, for my immediate community of Winnipeg South Centre, for the larger community of the city of Winnipeg in which I live and certainly for the province of Manitoba.

There are many things in this Speech from the Throne that Manitobans, wherever they live, have been looking for, such as the support to cities and infrastructure. The support to children is widely applauded throughout the community, as is the support for immigration, which I spoke of. The plan for a strategy on the military is welcomed in my community. There are many issues, and unless members would like me to repeat my whole speech--

[Speech from the Throne, September 30th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, the throne speech indicated tremendous support for education for young people, whatever their background. The question of reducing student debt is important, but the provision of additional funds for graduate students to do their research and to attain post-graduate degrees is important also and is very much highlighted in the speech.

[Speech from the Throne, September 30th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, finally there is a good question. I am hearing to my left “warm and fuzzy” but I want to thank the member for Peterborough for a useful and important question. The question of access to education is an important issue for all young people, whether they are in cities, rural areas or first nations communities. Every effort the government can make to enhance and support opportunities for young people to learn will be applauded.

[Speech from the Throne, September 30th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, like all members of the House, I think anything that we bring in requires thought and consultation. I believe that the ethics package that will be brought forward by the government will be first rate. All members of the House will be satisfied and pleased with the content.

[Speech from the Throne, September 30th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, the throne speech did indeed make reference to the armed forces. The government is committed to developing a plan to support the armed forces even further.

Like other members of the House, I have much to do with the armed forces in our communities. I can only speak to the best that they can do as we salute and support them.

[Speech from the Throne, September 30th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, at the risk of being quoted by a former member, I do not accept the member's assumption that they have been broken. I think that the throne speech allows us to build on past accomplishments. We look forward to doing this.