Gary Schellenberger

[Protection of Insignia of Military Orders, Decorations and Medals Act, November 2nd, 2009]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-473, An Act to protect insignia of military orders, decorations and medals of cultural significance for future generations.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today to proudly introduce my private member's bill, an act to protect insignia of military orders, decorations and medals of cultural significance for future generations.

This enactment would place restrictions on the transfer of insignia of military orders, decorations and medals of cultural significance to persons who are not residents of Canada. The bill would still provide fair market value to anyone who wishes to sell an insignia awarded under the authority of Her Majesty in Right of Canada but they must provide first right of refusal to the Government of Canada by submitting an offer to the Canadian War Museum, the Canadian Museum of Civilization or the Department of Canadian Heritage.

My inspiration for the bill comes from the veterans and future veterans of my riding who serve or have served our country. The bill would ensure the accolades from their acts of bravery would remain on Canadian soil and we would continue to honour them as part of our Canadian heritage.

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

[Community Futures Development Corporations, October 8th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the work being done by community futures development corporations. My riding of Perth—Wellington is served by three CFDCs: Perth, Waterloo-Wellington and Saugeen.

Funded by Industry Canada, CFDCs provide business and community economic development services, business and community planning, and access to capital.

Our government recently provided CFDCs across southern Ontario with additional investment funds that can be loaned to entrepreneurs and growing businesses. They have also received funding that will support business planning and research, marketing and export development, training, hiring interns, and community development projects.

I have always been impressed by the knowledgeable and helpful CFDC staff members and their ability to deliver programs in our rural communities and small urban centres. I would like to thank the general managers, staff and board of directors of the Perth, Waterloo-Wellington and Saugeen CFDCs.

[Committees of the House, June 19th, 2009]

Madam Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the second report of the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage in relation to issues and challenges related to local television.

[Digital Media, June 10th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House to recognize the Canada 3.0 Forum which was recently held in my riding to discuss digital media and its importance for our global economy. This conference was part of the newly created University of Waterloo Stratford Institute.

Over 500 government, academic and business leaders attended, including Co-CEO of Research in Motion Mike Lazaridis, CRTC Chairman Konrad von Finckenstein, Open Text Chairman Tom Jenkins, and my colleagues, the Minister of State for Science and Technology and the Minister of Industry.

This conference provided an opportunity for attendees to create a digital media action plan and define Canada's future so that we can continue to be a leader in the digital economy.

I would like to congratulate the conference organizers.

The University of Waterloo's Stratford Institute is establishing Canada's place in the world as a true leader of our digital future.

[Tourism Industry, April 28th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Minister of State for Small Business and Tourism announced support for eight marquee festivals across Canada, including funding for the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in my riding. This funding is pivotal to invigorate this festival, which is an integral part of my community and enjoyed by people across the country.

Could the Minister of State for Small Business and Tourism explain why we are supporting these major events across Canada during these tough economic times?

[Committees of the House, April 23rd, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the first report of the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage in relation to the analysis of the arts programs that were cancelled in the summer of 2008.

[Richard Rumas, March 23rd, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I rise in the House today to commemorate the passing of Richard Rumas.

Richard worked at the House of Commons for 34 years serving as a procedural clerk in several directorates. Most recently, Richard served as the Clerk of the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage. I know that I speak for all members when I say that his time with our committee was far too short.

Richard will be remembered as a man who was always willing to share his knowledge with colleagues and who served all members faithfully and with distinction.

I ask all members to join me in remembering this remarkable man who served this House so well.

[Infrastructure, February 25th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, our government is creating jobs and building Canada.

In my riding of Perth—Wellington, nine infrastructure projects were recently approved for a total of $24.3 million in spending. These are just some of the 289 projects across the province that will soon break ground, thanks to a federal-provincial-municipal investment of more than $1 billion.

Less than one month after the budget, our government is working with our partners at all levels to get funding out the door. This major injection of infrastructure funding will benefit the province of Ontario which has been hit especially hard by the global economic downturn.

With more than $24 million in infrastructure projects about to go ahead in my riding, I want to thank our provincial and municipal partners and especially our government for creating jobs in Perth—Wellington.

[National Flag Day, February 11th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, the flag that flies from the top of the Peace Tower is the most recognized symbol of Canada across the country and around the world. It is a symbol of our heritage and a source of our collective pride, and once a year we celebrate the day the maple leaf became our national flag.

Would the Minister of Canadian Heritage please share with the House any plans he may have to celebrate National Flag Day?

[Carbon Tax Proposal, June 17th, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, over the weekend, the Liberal finance critic, the member for Markham—Unionville, admitted that the Liberal national carbon tax plan will actually hurt some Canadians. He said, “I cannot say to you that no Canadian will be unharmed by this”.

In fact, one group that will be hurt by this regressive carbon tax is farmers. This morning, the Liberal agriculture critic and Liberal MPs from Mississauga—Erindale and Brant voted against their leader's plan.

Burdened with a carbon tax, farmers would be forced to pay more for gas to fuel their tractors, more to run their combines and machinery, and more to export their products.

Little by little, Liberal MPs are telling the truth about the negative effects that a regressive carbon tax will have on every single Canadian.

As the Liberal leader gets set to unveil the details of his punitive tax on everything, Canadians are wondering if he will finally tell the truth and admit who exactly will be hurt by this tax trick.