Fin Donnelly

[Petitions, February 4th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I rise to present three petitions. One, the petitioners call on the House to ban the importation of shark fin to Canada.

The continuing practice of shark-finning, which is the practice of removing the fins and discarding the remainder of the shark in the sea, is having a devastating effect on shark species around the world. Measures must be taken to stop the global practice of shark-finning and to ensure the responsible conservation management of sharks.

These petitioners call on the House to institute a ban on the importation of shark fins.

[Fair Rail Freight Service Act, February 4th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, we know that rail freight customers and users have been very unhappy. In fact, we know a large number of them have been very unhappy with the shipping of their goods across the country for some time. We know that over three-quarters of rail freight users are quite concerned. The hon. member has highlighted some of those concerns and has put forward some solutions.

Could the member elaborate on what some of those solutions would be in the context of a national transportation strategy, which I know she has called for, and how the bill could move toward a national transportation strategy?

[Search and Rescue, January 31st, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, without prior consultation, last May Conservatives announced they were closing marine communications stations in Comox, Tofino and Vancouver. Then they announced they were shutting down the Kitsilano Coast Guard station, the busiest in the country. Those were two decisions imposed on British Columbia and no consultation.

Police and fire chiefs, search and rescue officials, mayors and even the premier of British Columbia all warned this was a dangerous idea. People's lives will be put at risk.

Why are Conservatives not listening to British Columbia?

[Government Priorities, January 31st, 2013]

Mr.Speaker, the Conservative government has been ignoring priorities of west coast Canadians for too long. It rammed through not one but two massive omnibus budget bills with no consultation and limited debate and study in Parliament.

The Conservatives are shutting down the Kitsilano Coast Guard station, the busiest in the country, despite vocal opposition from the public, experts, Coast Guard officials, Vancouver's mayor, police and fire chiefs, and British Columbia's premier. It has been three months and still no action on the Cohen Commission's recommendations to protect west coast salmon. They gutted our country's environmental laws in the name of fast-tracking the Enbridge northern gateway pipeline, which lacks public and first nations support.

The Conservatives' disregard for democracy is unacceptable. In contrast, the New Democrats are committed to building a fairer, greener, more prosperous Canada. We are listening to British Columbians, making their priorities our priorities,

[Petitions, January 29th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to present a petition from thousands of Canadians who are calling upon the Government of Canada to ban the importation of shark fins into Canada.

Sharks are apex predators and play a critical role in maintaining healthy, balanced ecosystems. The continuing practice of shark finning, which is the practice of removing the fins and discarding the remainder of the shark back into the sea, is having a devastating effect on shark species around the world. The practice of shark finning results in an estimated 73 million sharks a year being killed for their fins alone. Over one-third of all shark species are threatened with extinction as a result of shark finning. Measures must be taken to stop the global practice of shark finning and to ensure the responsible conservation management of sharks. The citizens, therefore, call upon the Government of Canada to immediately legislate a ban on the importation shark fins into Canada.

[Petitions, January 28th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to present a petition calling on the Government of Canada to immediately legislate a ban on the importation of shark fin to Canada.

Apex predators such as sharks play a critical role in maintaining healthy, balanced ecosystems. The continuing practice of shark finning, which is the practice of removing the fins and discarding the remainder of the shark back into the sea, is having a devastating effect on shark species around the world. The practice of shark finning results in an estimated 73 million sharks a year being killed for their fins alone, and over one-third of all shark species are threatened with extinction as a result of shark finning. Measures must be taken to stop the global practice of shark finning and ensure the responsible conservation management of sharks.

[PETITIONS, December 12th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, the second petition I wish to present is signed by thousands of petitioners. They are calling on the House of Commons to save the coast guard. The Kitsilano station is one of the busiest search and rescue stations in Canada. The highly trained crews--

[PETITIONS, December 12th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, I rise to present three petitions. The first petition is with respect to banning the importation of shark fin. The petitioners point out that the importation of shark fin to Canada should be banned. They believe that measures must be taken to stop the global practice of shark finning and to ensure the responsible conservation and management of sharks.

[Search and Rescue, December 11th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, the chiefs of the Vancouver police and fire departments have written to the Prime Minister urging him to reverse the plan to shut down the Kitsilano Coast Guard station.

The chief of police has consulted with other experts and says that the long response times will be longer and that the level of service will be negatively impacted.

Why are the Conservatives stubbornly defending this reckless decision and putting lives at risk?

[Search and Rescue, December 11th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, I think our new member will be here for a long time.