Gurbax Malhi

[Pharmacy Awareness Week, November 2nd, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, Pharmacy Awareness Week serves to draw attention to the very serious problem of over medication and cross-medication. Our senior citizens are at greatest risk.

I urge the members of the House to support Pharmacy Awareness Week and participate in making the issue better known.

[New Delhi, October 31st, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, 10 years ago today over 3,000 innocent Sikhs, children, women and men, were killed in the streets of New Delhi. Unfortunately 10 years later no one has been convicted.

To ensure that justice is done and that such violent acts against innocent minorities are not repeated, on behalf of all Sikh temples in Ontario I urge fellow members to join with me to view a photo exhibition on the riots and human rights violations in the Punjab today in the Commonwealth Room immediately following question period.

I hope that through such efforts Canada can urge the Indian government to bring to justice the perpetrators of the New Delhi riots.

[Legal Assistance Agreement, October 24th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, today Canada and India signed a treaty on legal assistance between the two countries on criminal matters.

My question for the Solicitor General is in the form of concern on the part of some Canadians. They are concerned whether the treaty will in any way impinge on their basic rights and in any way subject them to more harassment.

[Employment, October 20th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Human Resources Development.

As stated in the green book on social security reform, in this age of ever changing technology and work environment training is key to getting and keeping a job.

In light of recent and pending layoffs in my riding, can the parliamentary secretary explain how this government will ensure that laid off employees obtain effective and timely retraining?

[Aids, October 6th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, National AIDS Awareness Week draws our attention to the most threatening epidemic in the history of mankind.

During this week we must remember the victims of AIDS. Those infected by HIV are victims. Those who have lost loved ones are victims. Those who support the health care system with our taxes are victims. We are all victims of this terrible human scourge.

We must also turn our thoughts to the dedicated work of the health care professionals, hospital workers, care givers and volunteers who seek to slow the onslaught of the damage caused by AIDS.

I call on my fellow MPs to support all efforts to find a solution to this most important human concern.

[Punjab, September 30th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, following a recent visit to India I wish to inform fellow Canadians of the troubled situation which still exists in the province of Punjab.

While efforts have been made to ease tensions and the death toll is down considerably, the situation unfortunately is still not normal. Police excesses continue. Equally worrisome is the lack of any commitment toward achieving a lasting peace and restoring law and order.

I hope that Canada will encourage the Indian government to accept independent international human rights groups to visit the Punjab.

I also hope that the Indian government will take concrete steps to engage in dialogue with representatives of various political groups to achieve a peaceful solution.

[Criminal Code, September 29th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, last week I received letters on a very serious issue from the mayors of Brampton and Mississauga and the Coalition for the safety of our daughters.

Both Mississauga and Brampton have bylaws that prevent strip clubs from hiring persons under the age of 18. But many municipalities across Canada do not have such bylaws in place or do not have adequate resources to enforce them.

I join with the mayors of Brampton and Mississauga and with the coalition in calling upon the Minister of Justice to immediately amend the Criminal Code of Canada to provide for the prosecution of strip club owners who employ persons under the age of 18.

[Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, September 19th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, this month Sikhs around the world are celebrating the 390th anniversary of the installation of the holy book Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji . This historic event was undertaken by the fifth guru Arjan Dev Ji.

The compilation and subsequent installation of the holy book has ever since served as the fountain of spiritual wisdom and has helped foster good will and harmony among all people.

I am sure that all members of the House of Commons wish to join me in congratulating the Sikh community.

[Young Offenders Act, June 21st, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I was not in the House at the start of the vote. Had I been present I would have voted with the government.

[The Late Constable Todd Baylis, June 20th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Constable Todd Baylis, the Toronto police officer tragically killed in the line of duty last Thursday night.

Todd was a resident of my riding. The 25-year old policeman was liked by co-workers and neighbours. He was intelligent, popular and faced a bright future with his fiancee, Janice Graham. Todd was a true life hero and role model.

Constable Todd Baylis was a young man who had his life taken by the senseless, brutal action of a criminal who should never have been on the streets. He was the second officer killed in the line of duty since 1984.

On behalf of all Canadians I offer my deepest sympathy to Todd's family, fiancee and co-workers.