David Sweet

[Remembrance Day, November 10th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, this November 11 with all its connotations of courage and loss will be especially poignant when we think about our sons and daughters in Afghanistan and other areas of conflict.

They are carrying out our proud military tradition. They are placing themselves at risk today so that we and others around the world can have a better future. In addition to building schools, roads and hospitals for the Afghan people, they are serving and protecting.

I would like to call upon all Canadians to remember our Canadian Forces, along with our veterans, as we commemorate Veterans' Week. Canada's contribution to the well-being, peace and stability of our complex world is well established.

Let us also mourn with the families of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice and support them wherever they are and however we can. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.

[Criminal Code, October 31st, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, people from my riding and in fact the greater city of Hamilton are listening quite closely to this debate for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that recently an assistant crown attorney spent almost two years developing a case against a repeat offender who brazenly went into a shopping mall in Hamilton and stabbed a woman 17 times and left her for dead. Miraculously she survived.

Will this make it easier for some of the crown attorneys to be able to establish a case of credibility? Will the reverse onus portion of this stand up constitutionally?

[Ray Johnson, October 27th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, this week my hometown of Ancaster, indeed the greater city of Hamilton, lost one of its dearest citizens, Ray Johnson. The hon. member for Hamilton East—Stoney Creek paid tribute to Dr. Johnson yesterday, and I rise today to amplify that tribute to a truly great Canadian.

Known as a gentle giant to many, he had credentials that were impressive by any measure. He was Her Majesty The Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal winner for 2002, Ancaster Citizen of the Year in 2003, and Hamilton Citizen of the Year in 2005, but ultimately he shied away from recognition. Ray was a kind, selfless and caring person to the very core. Ray was best known as a tireless volunteer serving his community day in and day out, touching lives young and old, helping people overcome poverty and addictions, and so much more. Ray did this through organizations such as the Lions Club locally and internationally, the Children's Aid Society and the Police Diversity Advisory Committee, to name just a few.

Ray, your family, your friends and your country will miss you.

[The Environment, October 20th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, Ancaster—Dundas—Flamborough—Westdale is proud to be home to one of only thirteen other UNESCO biosphere reserves in Canada.

The Bruce Trail Association and the Hamilton Conservation Authority are among many organizations that steward this sensitive Niagara Escarpment-Dundas Valley. The biosphere goal is ecological management that will assure environmental flourishing along with human prosperity.

I am excited that our government's new clean air act substantially contributes and complements the efforts of thousands of volunteer hours invested in my riding.

Air quality has worsened under the previous government and as a result there has been an increase in the incidences of disease and deaths attributed to air pollution.

The clean air act would set in motion the country's first comprehensive and integrated approach to tackle air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

With an attitude that will be strict but fair, we will collaborate with industry to set sensible targets and realistic timelines.

Unlike the previous government, our approach addresses both air pollutants and greenhouse gases and provides a comprehensive solution to protect the health of Canadians and our environment for generations to come.

[Petitions, September 25th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to table a petition from my constituents that calls upon the House to make the protection of our children from sexual predators a high priority and for the government to take all measures necessary to immediately raise the age of consent from 14 to 16 years of age.

[His Holiness the Dalai Lama of Tibet, June 22nd, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, there have been consultations among the various parties and I believe that if you seek it, you will find unanimous consent for the following motion:

That, whereas Tenzin Gyatso, the fourteenth Dalai Lama of Tibet, has been recognized with the Nobel Peace Prize as one of the world's leading champions of peace and non-violence; and

Whereas His Holiness the Dalai Lama will visit Canada from September 9th to the 11th of this year; and

Whereas this House has previously acknowledged historic visits to Canada by other leading champions of human dignity, such as Raoul Wallenberg and Nelson Mandela, by adopting motions granting them “honorary Canadian citizenship”;

Therefore, this House resolves to bestow the title “honorary Canadian citizen” on His Holiness the Dalai Lama of Tibet.

[Federal Accountability Act, June 21st, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my hon. colleague for a very cogent and concise overview of Bill C-2, the federal accountability act.

I would also like to take this opportunity on behalf of the citizens of Ancaster—Dundas—Flamborough—Westdale to thank the committee for all the hard work it did on this bill.

I knocked on a lot of doors through the last two elections. I heard a lot of concern about the years and years of mismanagement and corruption. People really wanted us to get the work done to bring accountability to the House.

I heard concerns from the opposite side about the timeframe of this legislation. When I reflect on it, I see that 70 witnesses were called by the committee and 100 hours were taken up. The draft legislation was in the hands of the opposition for weeks.

I want to ask my colleague if he feels that there was enough time taken in order for the legislation to reach a place where it is going to be effective, because Canadians do want us to bring accountability through this legislation, and whether he feels that the witnesses were listened to in committee.

[Volunteerism, June 14th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, in December 2004 the world witnessed the devastating effects of an earthquake under the Indian Ocean and its subsequent fury unleashed in a tsunami. Many countries felt the devastation of this tsunami. In Sri Lanka, tens of thousands lost their lives and millions were displaced.

The ray of hope and good that came out of this devastation is that so many valiant, humanitarian-minded Canadians helped victims financially and in the rebuilding. This includes a dedicated group from McMaster University in the riding I represent, which set up a voluntary organization called Relief Aid International. Faculty and students got involved with fundraising and purchasing property in Sri Lanka. Their development and building includes a new village for those most vulnerable who find it difficult to obtain care: women and children.

Today we are fortunate to have some of the leaders of Relief Aid International here with us. I invite my fellow members to join us at a reception later this afternoon to hear more about the work Relief Aid International continues to do for those less fortunate.

[Scleroderma, June 1st, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, during the month of June, thousands of Canadians hope to draw attention to a little known but devastating disease called scleroderma. According to some medical experts, it is now more prevalent than MS or MD.

While more has been learned about this disease during the past eight years than in the previous century, more needs to be done to end the suffering of thousands of Canadians. Almost 80% of the sufferers are women, often diagnosed before the age of 50.

Scleroderma can attack internal organs, literally shutting them down one at a time. Other symptoms include weeping ulcers and serious skin deterioration. We can imagine the torture when even the slightest contact or bump against an object can cause serious pain and suffering.

If there is a note of passion in my voice, it is because my own family has had to deal with the devastating effects of scleroderma. My mother passed away from complications of this disease and cancer.

In many communities across Canada this month, there will be walkathons to raise money for scleroderma research. I will be walking for a cure in my riding and I would invite all members to take part in similar walks planned across this country.

[Ancaster—Dundas—Flamborough—Westdale, May 5th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to sincerely thank the people of Ancaster—Dundas—Flamborough—Westdale for their support and confidence and assure them that I will serve with my utmost strength and ability.

Ancaster—Dundas—Flamborough—Westdale is a riding that is resplendent in natural beauty, situated in and around the Niagara Escarpment. It is known as the land of waterfalls.

It is also known as a gem of higher learning and is home to two universities, McMaster and Redeemer.

From all sectors of agriculture to high tech and research based businesses, our riding's competitive advantage is the talent of hard-working people.

The vibrant communities of our riding voted for accountability on January 23. The people expect accountability in the way their member operates as well, which is why I am very pleased that our constituency office has a high set of standards for customer service, having already handled hundreds of requests for help and information in the first three months.

I am especially proud to be part of the government that introduced the accountability act. Yes, members heard right: we are bringing accountability back to government.