Dave MacKenzie

[National Defence, May 31st, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, in 2001 a naval safety officer warned his superiors, “It is my duty to warn you of the danger” and “my advice to everyone is to stop all work on peridite areas”.

The Minister of National Defence has stood in this House of Commons and said that these subs would never go to sea unless they were fit to do so. However, in 2004 we all know of the tragedy that took place on board the HMCS Chicoutimi .

Would the minister explain how he approved the submarines to operate when they contain the toxic substance peridite?

[Petitions, May 16th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure today to present a petition on behalf of constituents in my riding, the constituents of College Avenue United Church.

The petitioners pray that Parliament define marriage in federal law as being a lifelong union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others.

[Veterans Affairs, May 16th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, for decades the Canadian military refused to acknowledge the Gagetown horror ever happened.

The government is currently addressing volunteers of chemical warfare testing, but it is silent on its involvement for those who were tested unknowingly. Will the minister now explain the government's shameful denial in assisting these affected members of our Canadian Forces?

[Veterans Affairs, May 16th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, it has long been known that the Liberal government invited the United States to use CFB Gagetown to experiment with the toxic and deadly agent orange in 1966. Press reports this weekend indicate the Department of Veterans Affairs has recently admitted that agent orange was responsible for the death of veterans who were stationed there.

In light of the government's inaction on this tragedy, can the minister inform the House why many other sick and dying Canadians have been ignored?

[Rural Post Offices, May 3rd, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, in the early years of the 20th century, Oxford farmer George Wilcox led a tireless letter writing campaign in favour of free rural mail delivery. In 1908 his efforts were crowned with success when the first free mail delivery started in Springford, Ontario.

Rural post offices have played an important role since then. They provide a link to the federal government and they also connect residents to the rest of the country.

These rural post offices are now under risk of closure. Many communities will be devastated by the loss of their post office. They do not have the luxury of choosing alternatives.

I urge the government to protect rural post offices. Show some commitment to rural Canadians.

[Petitions, April 6th, 2005]

Madam Speaker, I would like to present four petitions on behalf of some of the constituents from Oxford county. They are from members of the Cornerstone Baptist Church in Woodstock, supporters of Rehoboth Christian School in Norwich, members of the Evangelical Christian Fellowship of Canada and members of Hi-Way Pentecostal Church in Ingersoll.

The petitioners call upon Parliament to define marriage as a union between one man and one woman.

[National Defence, February 23rd, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, last fall the minister promised an open, vigorous debate on missile defence. Apparently the minister's version of an open debate is telling Canadians one thing while cabinet does another. This is like a déjà vu of the submarine barter deal; one day it is on and the next day it is off.

Will the minister take responsibility for misleading Canadians and the House and do the honourable thing and offer his resignation?

[National Defence, February 23rd, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, it appears the Minister of National Defence's case of the dithers is spreading rapidly. He has moved from dithering on releasing the defence policy review to now dithering on telling Canadians the truth about ballistic missile defence.

Last fall the minister assured Canadians that we had a choice whether or not to participate with a vote in Parliament. Now we know Canada has been participating all along.

Why does the minister insist on treating Canada's position on missile defence like a political football that can be tossed to the public or withheld at will?

[Civil Marriage Act, February 21st, 2005]

May I give my time to the hon. member for Fundy Royal?

[Civil Marriage Act, February 21st, 2005]

I thought we were on questions and comments.