Colin Carrie

[Automobile Industry, June 9th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, the only hot air is coming from that minister's commitment to the auto industry.

I would say that the government is asleep at the wheel, but it is clear that it is not even in the driver's seat. The Liberal-NDP budget will put Canadian auto jobs at risk. The fact that the government is reneging on its promise to provide tax relief for corporations will have a devastating effect on the industry that drives our economy.

Will the minister commit to reinstating corporate tax breaks and finally make auto jobs in Canada a priority?

[Automobile Industry, June 9th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, last November the Minister of Industry stood in this House and promised me that no auto jobs would be lost, despite the failure of the government to develop a national auto strategy.

As today's Globe and Mail points out, the recent federal investment in the auto industry allows for a reduction of up to 4,000 jobs at GM, meaning 28,000 spinoff jobs would also be at risk, taxpayer funding in exchange for job losses.

When will the minister admit that the lack of a Liberal auto strategy is killing auto jobs in Ontario?

[Petitions, June 8th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to present a petition calling on the House to immediately commence an independent and public investigation into Health Canada's firing of the whistleblowers Shiv Chopra, Margaret Hayden and Gerald Lambert.

[General Motors, May 19th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honour the hardworking men and women of General Motors and to recognize the success of Oshawa's GM complex in the recently awarded J.D. Power and Associates 2005 initial quality study.

In the prestigious awards, General Motors swept the North and South America plant categories, with Oshawa No. 2 taking the gold Plant Quality Award and Oshawa No. 1 receiving silver.

The executive director of J.D. Power and Associates stated:

GM's Oshawa complex is an extremely important driver of economic well-being in Ontario and in Canada. The recent investment announcement is also testimony to the importance that GM places on these facilities and these awards should solidify confidence in the Oshawa operation. This is an important achievement, not only for GM Canada but also for the industry in Canada as a whole.

Oshawa's auto workers led the industry with an unprecedented number of awards. I am proud to represent the thousands of individuals in my riding who helped make GM an industry leader worldwide.

[Dental Technology, May 18th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today to pay tribute to the Association of Dental Technologists. I am pleased to welcome here today the president of the association, Stephen DeLuca, and Al McOrmond of Oshawa.

The Association of Dental Technologists is an often overlooked but critical association in Canada. It advances the dental profession through education and communication, and is instrumental in pursuing excellence in dental technology services.

Canada is a world leader in dental technology, in large part due to the work of this association. Its members continuously work to improve the standards of their profession nationwide, ensure the health of the public, and continue to advance their professional knowledge. It is instrumental in setting and maintaining the high standard of laboratory skills increasingly demanded of dental technicians in Canada.

The ADT is working to keep Canada at the forefront of the profession. I am honoured to have these members here today.

[Government of Canada, May 13th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, the government has officially entered uncharted constitutional waters. It has been accused by Canadians of governing by technicality with the consent of itself.

It is clear that the government is not just being challenged by the opposition, but by the entire country.

Liberals have responded by arguing that technicalities supersede the will of the House.

Canadians are challenging the Prime Minister to stop hiding behind procedural tactics. Why will he not commit to a confidence vote on Monday? Is it that he is afraid of facing the Canadian people?

[Petitions, May 4th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to rise in the House today to present petitions from across the country in support of my private member's Bill C-420, an act to amend the Food and Drugs Act.

Bill C-420 is now being studied by the Standing Committee on Health, and I am proud and humbled by the support I have received to date in my efforts to give Canadians greater choice in personal health care.

[Petitions, April 19th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to rise in the House today to present petitions from across the country in support of my private member's bill, Bill C-420, an act to amend the Food and Drugs Act. The bill is a response to the frustration of Canadians by the overregulation of natural health products and will give Canadians the right of choice in their personal health care.

Bill C-420 will be studied in the coming weeks by the Standing Committee on Health. I am proud and humbled by the support I have received to date in my efforts to give Canadians greater choice in personal health care.

[Committees of the House, April 19th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member is quite an expert on natural health products. During committee hearings we heard that some research had been done to decrease the damage in fetal alcohol spectrum disorder by using vitamins properly.

Does the member foresee the use of vitamins in prevention or perhaps added to certain products as part of the comprehensive strategy?

[Committees of the House, April 19th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, I want a strategy for all the provinces in this country.

It is very important for the federal government to work with every province to develop a strategy. This problem is not just a provincial issue. It is a problem across the entire country.

We have learned through the committee that different things are happening in different provinces. As a federal government, we can learn from the initiatives that have been taken. In Quebec, for example, Éduc'alcool is moving ahead a little quicker than some other areas in Canada. I mentioned that British Columbia was moving ahead quicker than other areas of Canada.

We have to address this as a Canada-wide program, through consultation with all provinces, so all Canadians can benefit.