David Tilson

[Interparliamentary Delegations, June 15th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 34(1) I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the report of the Canadian Parliamentary Delegation of the Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association respecting its participation to the second part of the 2011 ordinary session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the Parliamentary Mission to Poland, the country that will next hold the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union, held in Warsaw, Poland and Strasbourg, France, April 11 to 20, 2011.

[Interparliamentary Delegations, June 15th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 34(1) I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the report of the Canadian Parliamentary Delegation to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe respecting its participation at the tenth winter meeting of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly held in Vienna, Austria, February 24-25, 2011.

[Grand Valley, June 14th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to rise in the House today to recognize the 150th anniversary of the town of Grand Valley.

First settled by the Joyce family in 1855, Grand Valley was originally known as Joyce's Corners. The first municipal council was formed in 1860 led by Reeve George Todd, some of whose descendants maintain their residence in Grand Valley to this very day.

From 1860 to 1886, the village was called Luther Village, at which point it was named Grand Valley for the beautiful Grand River which meanders through the downtown.

Today, Grand Valley is home to several community organizations, including the Lion's Club, the horticultural society, and the Grand Valley historical society.

On the weekend of July 1, Grand Valley's current mayor, John Oosterhof, will join with residents and visitors to celebrate the town's 150th anniversary.

I ask that the House join me in congratulating the residents of Grand Valley as they mark this milestone.

[Petitions, June 8th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, I have a petition from a number of students from the Robert F. Hall Catholic Secondary School in Caledon East in my riding asking for a publicly funded early-education national child care program.

[Lou Gehrig's Disease, June 6th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, better known as ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease, is a fatal motor neuron disease that affects approximately 3,000 Canadians. Eighty percent of those affected by this terrible disease pass away within five years of diagnosis, being unable to breathe or swallow.

This cause is very close to my heart as my father succumbed to ALS a number of years ago. After my personal encounter with this disease, I introduced a private member's bill to have the month of June officially designated as National ALS Month. Each year at this time, friends, family and supporters of those suffering from ALS dedicate their time and energy to increase the knowledge of this devastating disease and to raise funds for a cure.

I encourage each member to wear a cornflower today to show their support for finding a cure for this devastating disease. I would also encourage all Canadians to help us find a cure for ALS by supporting or volunteering for their local ALS organization.

[Committees of the House, March 7th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 10th report of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration in relation to a motion adopted at the committee, on Tuesday, March 1, on the negotiations between L'Association québecoise des pharmaciens propriétaires and the Department of Citizenship and Immigration Canada pertaining to the interim federal health program.

[Committees of the House, February 28th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the ninth report of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration in relation to the supplementary estimates (C), 2010-11, votes 5(c), 7(c) and 10(c) under Citizenship and Immigration.

[Committees of the House, February 14th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the eighth report of the Standing Committee on Citizen and Immigration in relation to a motion adopted by the committee on Thursday, February 10, on the funding to immigrant settlement and adaptation services.

[Petitions, February 9th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, I have a petition to present to the House today asking the House to support Roxanne's law, a law that would empower women to press charges if they are coerced into an unwanted abortion.

[Criminal Code, February 9th, 2011]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-617, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (mischief relating to war memorials).

Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to introduce an act to amend the mischief provisions of the Criminal Code relating to war memorials.

The bill seeks to add significant penalties for anyone convicted of mischief against a war memorial, cenotaph or other structure honouring or remembering those who have died as a consequence of war. Respect for those who have given their lives in a sacrifice for Canada is the responsibility of every Canadian. Anyone who wilfully damages or desecrates a war memorial should face stiff consequences. We owe it to our men and women in uniform and especially to those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for Canada to protect these honoured places.

I would ask my colleagues to support the bill and to help protect Canada's war memorials and cenotaphs.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)