Dean Allison

[Committees of the House, November 28th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the seventh report of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development in relation to the situation in Syria.

[Foreign Affairs, November 20th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, today is Universal Children's Day, a day devoted to promoting the welfare of children around the world. Our government is committed to protecting our children and safeguarding the well-being of these most vulnerable citizens.

Could the Minister of State of Foreign Affairs responsible for the Americas and Consular Affairs please tell the House about her latest efforts to help left-behind parents and protect Canadian children wrongfully abducted abroad?

[Horticulture Industry, November 20th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, this month I had the pleasure of making an announcement in Beamsville, Ontario, calling for new funding for the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre. This investment includes $382,000 to cultivate new international market opportunities, as well as to invest in biocontrol research. This promising announcement reaffirms the government's commitment to the Canadian horticulture industry and the small and mid-size businesses it supports.

The funding will be spent on a number of projects and initiatives to increase innovation and boost profits. One of the investments will assist the Canadian Ornamental Horticulture Alliance in developing innovative strategies for the flower, nursery and landscape sectors.

A second project with the Vineland Centre is to develop an innovative grape-drying process that concentrates flavours. This innovative process will help Canadian growers and processors break into new wine markets and strengthen Canada's wine industry. These projects will advance the productivity, profitability and competition of the Canadian horticultural industry.

This is one more example of our government's commitment to the horticulture sector, small and mid-size businesses, and the positive impact it is making on businesses and on the lives of Canadians.

[Committees of the House, November 7th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the sixth report of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development in relation to its study on the role of the private sector in achieving Canada's international development interest. Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests the government table a comprehensive response to this report.

[Canada-Panama Economic Growth and Prosperity Act, November 2nd, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, although we have lowered corporate taxes and are making reforms in immigration, trade is one of a number of arrows that we can use to make Canada strong and create jobs.

I was wondering if the member would comment a bit on some of the things we are doing, besides trade, to encourage people to work, to create jobs and to make Canada a strong place to be.

[Canada-Panama Economic Growth and Prosperity Act, November 2nd, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, I compliment the trade minister and this government on what an excellent job they have done to get out there and try to find new markets.

How exactly would Canada, with some 35 million people, grow our economy if we were to do as the opposition wishes and only trade with ourselves? I do not understand that. What we are trying to do is eliminate barriers and tariffs, things that would create access to markets where,in some cases, our companies are already trading but on an unfair basis.

We are looking at trying to develop rule-based trading where our companies could compete on a fair ground, where they could go out and export our products and do a better job, which means they can employ more people for Canada.

I would like the minister to comment on where exactly we would sell our goods if we could not sell them to other places in the world.

[Committees of the House, October 31st, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the fifth report of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development in relation to Bill C-383, An Act to amend the International Boundary Waters Treaty Act and the International River Improvements Act.

The committee has studied the bill and has agreed to report the bill back to the House with amendments.

[Regional Development, October 26th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, the Arctic Council is the leading intergovernmental forum in which Canada advances its Arctic foreign policy and promotes national interests. In May 2013, Canada will take over chairmanship of the Arctic Council. Because the Arctic is fundamental to Canada's national identity, it will be important for northerners to have a voice in studying our Arctic Council priorities.

Could the minister please update the House on how our Conservative government is engaging northerners on this key initiative?

[Boys and Girls Club, October 26th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to stand before the House to share some of the fantastic work that is being done in the Niagara peninsula.

This week, I had the pleasure of meeting with JoAnne Turner, executive director, and Barbara Greenwood, a board member of the Boys and Girls Club of Niagara. The staff and volunteers at the Boys and Girls Club of Niagara are devoted to bettering the lives of underprivileged youth.

I am proud to say that over 9,883 youth are helped each year through the Niagara region in 14 locations across 8 municipalities.

Each week, during the school year, 667 rides are provided to school children, more than 1,039 meals are delivered to schools and 1,869 sport and recreation opportunities are promoted. Also, 256 at-risk youth are supported annually to turn their lives around.

The Boys and Girls Club of Niagara is helping underprivileged youth achieve their true potential and be successful contributors to our society. I commend the Boys and Girls Club of Niagara and those across this country for their continued commitment to bettering our community.

[Democratic Reform, October 25th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, today, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that the election result in Etobicoke Centre was valid. It is as victory for the 52,000 people who cast their ballots and also for all Canadians. It is Canadians who decide the result of an election and not the courts.

Would the Minister of State for Democratic Reform tell the House what this means for the confidence in our electoral system?