Denis Paradis

[Madagascar, March 13th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, the situation in Madagascar is very disturbing. However, we learned that, in a report tabled yesterday, the Organization of African Unity is proposing a national reconciliation government.

Yesterday I met with the ambassador of Madagascar. This morning I talked to our ambassador for the francophonie and I asked him to seek the support of the francophonie, in particular of Secretary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali, whom he will meet tomorrow in Paris, to continue to put pressure on the parties to arrive at a peaceful solution.

[Human Rights, February 25th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, last week, I expressed Canada's concerns with respect to this execution.

On Thursday, I met with Nigeria's Minister of Information. I told him of our concerns. I gave him a copy of Hansard , showing the views expressed in the House, as well as a copy of the petition tabled by the member for Burnaby--Douglas. The Nigerian minister assured me that an appeal will be heard on March 18 and that Nigeria will honour its human rights obligations.

[Discrimination Against Women, February 20th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, as I indicated earlier, we will continue to bring pressure to bear in order to ensure the application of these international conventions of which Nigeria is a signatory.

We are, however, pleased that certain members of the Nigerian federal government have spoken out against this type of sentence. We shall continue with our pressure.

[Discrimination Against Women, February 20th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, the Canadian government is very concerned about these sentences of death by stoning. The Canadian government's position on the death penalty is well known.

We continue to exercise pressure on all countries, via the UN, for the worldwide abolition of the death penalty.

This is totally contrary to the human rights treaty of which Nigeria is a signatory. We are therefore going to continue to put pressure on the Nigerian government in order to make it see reason.

[Francophone Summit, February 18th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, last week, I had the honour of meeting with key players in La Francophonie, including His Excellency Boutros Boutros-Ghali, the Secretary General of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie. He assured me that the summit would take place in Beirut, that preparations are well under way, and that it will take place next October 18 to 20.

Second, we noted the importance of March 20, the Journée internationale de la Francophonie. I invite all members of the house to take part in the events on March 20 to celebrate La Francophonie.

Third, I reminded—

[Volunteers, December 14th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, this being the International Year of Volunteers, I recently had the opportunity to greet and thank the volunteers from Brome—Missisquoi who were chosen by their peers and who received a medal from the Government of Canada.

They are: Claude Allard, from Cowansville; Jean-Marie Beaupré, from Magog; Micheline Bissonnette, from Farnham; Alfred Boulet, from Cowansville; Pierre Désautels, from Magog; Denis Deschamps, from Bromont; Rolande Dubord, from Bromont; Madeleine Fortin, from Bedford; Gil Gilbert, from Bolton Centre; Mariette Jetté, from Farnham; Heather Keith-Ryan, from Mansonville; Gaston Lafontaine, from Lac Brome; André Landry, from Bedford; Marion Phelps, from Lac Brome; Lucille Pouliot, from Magog; Gary Richards, from South Stukely and Jean-Paul Sirois, from Cowansville.

I want to thank all of them for giving our world a human face. Pass the torch on to young people and happy holidays to all of you.

[Economic Development, December 5th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, today we have the pleasure of welcoming a delegation from Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu and Chambly.

They are here to discuss economic development and infrastructures, and particularly the importance of extending Highway 35, which links Montreal and Boston and which is thus becoming an important link with our neighbours to the south, a link which is necessary to the growth of exports.

Mayor Dolbec and all the economic stakeholders are working hard. This project is vital to Quebec's economy and could create thousands of jobs in the medium and long terms.

I pay tribute to the energy and devotion they are bringing to this project, which is so important for our beautiful region.

[Employment, December 4th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, in Magog last week I took part in a press conference, which reported on the performance of the Mission compétence project made possible through the Youth Internship Canada program.

A great program and a great success. Eighty per cent of young people who took part in the Mission compétence program kept their job after the internship or found another job in the same field.

Thanks to these internships, young graduates with a bachelor's or master's degree got work experience and benefited from the expertise of the firms involved in order to make a successful integration into the labour market.

I wish to congratulate the Magog-Orford Chamber of Commerce and Industry on its considerable involvement in this project, along with the Carrefour Jeunesse Emploi Memphrémagog.

This important success reminds us of the importance and strength of partnership. When employers, regional organizations and governments work together, the result is often success.

[SaarGummi Company, November 22nd, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, with my colleague the Secretary of State for the Economic Development Agency of Canada, I visited SaarGummi Quebec, a company located in Magog that specializes in rubber joints used by the automotive industry.

We announced the creation of more than 800 jobs in addition to the 800 already existing jobs. GM has confirmed that they have awarded major contracts over a five year period.

SaarGummi is now the largest employer in Magog, and this does not take into account the indirect employment created and the economic spinoff for the region's suppliers.

This is a success that belongs to the people of the Eastern Townships. It reflects our economic vitality and the quality of our workforce.

Speaking of vitality, I would like to wish our deputy whip, the member for Brossard—La Prairie a very happy birthday.

[Remembrance Day, November 9th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, during Veterans Week, with its theme “In the Service of Peace”, we join our fellow citizens in honouring the memory of our soldiers who lost their lives in battle, of those who sacrificed everything so that our world would enjoy peace and freedom.

On Sunday, November 11, several ceremonies will be held in Brome--Missisquoi to commemorate Remembrance Day. These ceremonies will take place in Knowlton, Farnham, Phillipsburg, Bedford, Cowansville, Mansonville, Sutton and Magog.

On November 11 we will thank the 116,000 Canadians who made the ultimate sacrifice for peace. This should give us plenty to think about. We must show the same determination as those who gave their lives for Canada.

In these difficult times, we must work hard for peace and for our democratic values, while also paying tribute to our veterans this week.