Geoff Regan

[Government Response to Petitions, February 4th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8) I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's response to four petitions.

[Question No. 67, February 3rd, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I have been seeking faster action from departments on some of the questions that have been received. In some cases the questions require documentation that is of an inordinate quantity. As we saw last week, there was an answer tabled that consisted of three boxes. We are seeing quite a number of these kinds of questions. With all the questions that are being asked and all the details that are being sought, the departments are finding that a period of 45 days tends to be a very short time, particularly when one considers that it was over the Christmas holidays.

I can assure members that every effort is being made by me and others to obtain the answers as quickly as possible.

[Question No. 67, February 3rd, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I ask that all other questions be allowed to stand.

[Questions Passed as Orders for Returns, February 3rd, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, if Questions Nos. 63, 64, 65, 66 and 67 could be made orders for return, these returns would be tabled immediately.

[Question No. 62, January 31st, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I ask that the remaining questions be allowed to stand.

[Questions Passed as Orders for Returns, January 31st, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, if Questions Nos. 59, 60, 61 and 62 could be made orders for return, the returns would be tabled immediately.

[Questions on the Order Paper, January 31st, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, the following questions will be answered today: Nos. 72 and 91.

[Petitions, January 31st, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I wish to present a petition from residents of the Halifax--Dartmouth area, including residents from my riding of Halifax West. These residents are concerned about what happens to automobiles that are at the end of their life and the need for waste prevention and recycling.

The petitioners call upon Parliament to enact legislation that requires that all automobiles sold in Canada to be completely disassembled and recycled in Canada. This legislation would include automobiles derived from domestic or offshore manufacturers.

[Government Response to Petitions, January 31st, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8) I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's response to 39 petitions.

[Canada Day Poster Contest, January 31st, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, every year the Government of Canada asks young Canadians from coast to coast to design a poster celebrating their country. Unveiled at the Canada Day celebrations on Parliament Hill, the poster is a symbol of how young Canadians see their country. It is an excellent way to promote young people's understanding of what it means to be a Canadian.

This year's theme is one of particular interest to me: Celebrating Canada's Natural Beauty. As someone from the most beautiful province in the country, I clearly and completely support this topic.

In short, I encourage all members to take this contest back to their constituents so that young Canadians can develop a deeper appreciation for Canada.