Anita Neville

[Bullying, March 12th, 2002]

Madam Speaker, during this week of awareness toward bullying and violence issues it is important that we recognize all forms of bullying that take place. Most people will conjure an idea of a larger boy beating up a smaller child when they hear the word bullying. While this is not inaccurate it is only one of the manifestations.

Many bullies rely on physical intimidation or harm. Other bullies, both male and female, employ a more social and emotional method of bullying. They use cold, harsh and hurtful words toward one another rather than fists but the impact is just the same if not greater. Lives still become torn apart because of this terrible activity. Sadly, there are children in many of the schools across Canada who have to put up with this daily scorn. Much of the bullying goes undetected because it is not identified as such.

Education to recognize social bullying is a key to prevention. We must support efforts to intervene, educate and avert at an early stage with these young people in order to stop this very harmful activity.

[Immigration, March 11th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, last week the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration was in Manitoba to conduct a broad based community consultation. Would the minister please advise the House of the outcome of the Manitoba meetings?

[Mathieu da Costa Award, February 28th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to announce to the House that one of my constituents, Ms. Erin Braun Janzen of Robert H. Smith School in Winnipeg, who with others is on the Hill today, is a proud recipient of the Mathieu da Costa Award. This award is given out to nine Canadian students in recognition of Black History Month.

Although one winner, Elaine Deng, was not able to be present today, Erin was joined by Sarah Vollett, Heather Macarthur, Stéphanie McCuan, Alison Taylor, Jordan Pinder, Michael Ratushniak and Carolynn Young at the Museum of Civilization this morning where they were presented their awards by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for International Cooperation.

The Mathieu da Costa challenge gives students across the country the opportunity to learn about and showcase the contributions of aboriginal peoples and Canadians of all ethnic and racial backgrounds to the building of this country. Through their writing and their art they tell the achievements of those people whose efforts are not well recognized in Canadian history.

Erin wrote an important paper entitled David Toews--a Man of Faith telling of his efforts to support the immigration of Mennonites to western Canada in the 19th century.

[Human Rights, February 25th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, in October 2001, an Islamic court in northern Nigeria sentenced Safiya Husseini to death by stoning for having sexual relations out of wedlock.

Last week a protest was held in Montreal to bring attention to this unacceptable violation of human rights.

Could the Secretary of State for Latin America and Africa tell the House what the Government of Canada is doing to prevent her execution?

[2002 Winter Olympics, February 25th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate a remarkable young Winnipeg woman who has recently gone on to international athletic glory.

Not only is she one of the very small handful of athletes who have competed in both the summer and winter Olympics. Clara Hughes made history on Saturday, becoming the first Canadian athlete to win a medal in both the summer and winter Olympic games.

Hughes won a pair of bronze medals in the 1996 summer games in Atlanta as a road cyclist, and this past Saturday she won a bronze medal in the ladies' 5,000 metre speed skate in Salt Lake City. She is only the fourth athlete to win a medal at both the summer and winter Olympic games.

Clara Hughes is one of 37 female athletes of the 66 sent by Canada to return home with an Olympic medal around her neck. Clara's embrace of speed over distance has done her very well and I know all Canadians wish that she continue her remarkable career in both of her sports.

[Afghanistan, February 20th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, given the ongoing humanitarian and education needs in Afghanistan, could the Minister for International Cooperation please update the House of Commons on Canada's continued efforts to assist Afghan women?

[2002 Winter Olympics, February 18th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, Sunday, February 10 was the third day of Olympic competition in Salt Lake City and it was the day that Canada won its first medal.

Cindy Klassen of Winnipeg had a bronze medal finish in the ladies 3,000 metre speed skating event with a time of three minutes and 58.97 seconds, a personal best and a new Canadian record.

Klassen, although a long time hockey player in Winnipeg, had not tried speed skating until 1997. She quickly rose to the top of her new sport and is a consistent top 10 finisher in international competitions. This is only her second year on the national team.

Cindy also took part in yesterday's 1,000 metre race where she had a 13th place finish and again set a personal best time. On Wednesday she will compete in her strongest event, the 1,500 metre race, and once more in the 5,000 metre race on Saturday.

At only 22 years of age, Cindy Klassen captured a sense of pride among all Canadians, most especially Winnipeggers. We wish her luck in her remaining two races.

[Science and Technology, February 7th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce to the House today that the University of Manitoba recently benefited from just over $8 million in grants from the Canada Foundation for Innovation. These grants from the CFI will be used for 10 different research projects at the university.

Three of these projects are centred around health issues: new methods to detect the biological markers of breast cancer; infrastructure for spinal cord injury research; and funding to a centre for molecular signalling and genetics research to study the body's protective immune responses.

Other projects focus on new technologies for engineering and construction, enhancing the university's research into sustainable crop and animal production systems, and data security for financial transactions online.

I offer my congratulations to all recipients and to the University of Manitoba. I wish them well in their research and development initiatives. I hope that ongoing research and important breakthroughs will help make our lives as Canadians better than they are already.

[Curling, January 29th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I too take the opportunity to congratulate the four talented junior curlers from Manitoba on being crowned national champions. Ross McCannell, Kevin Hamblin, Ross Derksen and their skip Dave Hamblin of Pembina Curling Club in Winnipeg claimed the Canadian junior curling title this past Sunday in Summerside, Prince Edward Island.

The rink, coached by Lorne Hamblin, father to half of the team, went 9-3 during the round robin play, earning them a second place finish. This put them into the semi-finals where they defeated a very capable northern Ontario team to earn a place against Quebec, the top team during the round robin. Steals in three straight ends against this difficult opponent helped Manitoba to a 5-4 victory and the title of national champion. Next is the world junior curling championship in Kelowna, B.C. where they will take on the best from around the world.

I wish them good luck. Most of all, I hope they are able to enjoy their sport as well as bring back the title of world junior champion to Manitoba.

[National Security, December 14th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, allegations have been made that Citizenship and Immigration Canada has been singling out foreign students from middle eastern countries already in Canada for questioning related to security concerns.

Could the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration please confirm whether this is true or not?