Hedy Fry

[Health, November 21st, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member for that question because Health Canada has a great deal of concern about type II diabetes among aboriginal peoples as well as the complications of type II diabetes.

We have worked specifically in northern Ontario to deal with Sioux Lookout where there is a dietitian right now who works for the hospital and with the community. Regular sessions are held to meet with the people, to educate them with regard to their diet.

More generally, however, we are working with First Nations people to deal with prevention and treatment at the community level and the national level so that we can provide the kind of culturally sensitive prevention and care that is necessary.

[Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, November 21st, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to remind the House that November is Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Awareness month.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Canada today. More than 80,000 Canadians will die this year from heart attacks and strokes.

CPR, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is a simple life saving skill learned in less than four hours, yet less than 3 per cent of Canadians know how to perform it. The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada in co-operation with the Canadian Red Cross Society, St. John Ambulance, the Canadian Ski Patrol, the Royal Life Saving Society of Canada and the Advanced Coronary Treatment Foundation encourage all Canadians to take the time to learn CPR.

CPR efforts complement cardiovascular disease strategies implemented under the Canadian heart health initiative. These

have been developed between the 10 provinces and the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.

I ask members of the House to support the initiatives and programs of CPR Awareness Month and to urge all Canadians to familiarize themselves with CPR. A few hours of your time could save a loved one.

[Atlantic Canada, November 17th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my concern over the disturbing increase in anti-Atlantic Canadian sentiment coming from members of the Reform Party.

The Reform Party does not speak for westerners on this issue. First it was the Reform member from Capilano-Howe Sound who made insulting comments about westerners being tired of hearing Atlantic Canadians whine for more subsidies. Now in the same vein the member for Fraser Valley West has attacked entrepreneurial spirit in that region, stating that westerners are more money wise and work harder than their Atlantic counterparts. When will this stop?

All Canadians have benefited at some time or another from government support, even British Columbians. As a British Columbian I am personally ashamed of this tactic. Rather than slander our fellow Canadians on the Atlantic coast for political gain, we in the Pacific should be more understanding.

[Addiction Awareness, November 15th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I stand today to recognize Drug Awareness Week and National Addictions Awareness Week.

As an MP from a major downtown urban riding and a physician I have seen firsthand the destructive potential of addictions. I encourage all Canadians to get involved in activities in their communities to promote understanding and raise awareness of substance abuse.

With funding from Canada's drug strategy, community action projects have worked at the ground level and assisted in finding local solutions to local problems. This gives all Canadians an opportunity to learn as much as possible about the problem of substance abuse. I urge everyone to please join now.

[Child Abuse, October 27th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, October is known as Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Child abuse is the most disturbing problem facing Canadian society today. It is not a new problem but as a society we recognize that violence against children whether it is physical, sexual or emotional is a problem which concerns us all.

For too long children have been silenced by fear and isolation and by attitudes which deny the seriousness and extent of the problem. Child abuse can no longer be tolerated in Canada. It is time to act against child abuse in all of its forms. We must challenge the attitudes which devalue our children. We must intervene when we know that a child is being threatened.

As the federal government we are committed to stopping child abuse through the family violence initiative. Working in partnership with community and national organizations, corporate and voluntary sectors and all levels of government we have developed prevention and intervention strategies to protect children and families.

Our children can wait no longer. They are the most vulnerable members of our society and we must act now to protect them.

[Breast Cancer Month, October 19th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to remind members of the House of Commons and all Canadians that October is Breast Cancer Month.

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among Canadian women. Approximately 17,000 new breast cancer cases will be diagnosed this year and 5,400 women will die of the disease.

Health Canada, together with the Canadian Cancer Society, the National Cancer Institute of Canada, and provinces and territories is implementing a major initiative on breast cancer totalling $25 million over five years. Activities include support to provincial breast cancer screening activities, research, five breast cancer exchange projects and fostering high standards of care for breast cancer.

I would like to applaud the efforts of families, professionals, voluntary and self-help groups and others toward reducing the burden of this disease on Canadian women and their families.

This month proclaimed as Breast Cancer Month provides us all with opportunities to support breast cancer initiatives-

[Aids, October 7th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, look around the House. Many persons are wearing red ribbons.

The red ribbon has become the symbol for AIDS, the commitment to end this tragic disease and a memorial to the men, women and children who have died in its lethal grip.

Last Sunday I attended the 8th annual walk for AIDS in Vancouver. Thousands of men and women, seniors and families walked to raise badly needed funds for community services and to increase public awareness of this tragic disease; walking in solidarity against a virus that wreaks global devastation but also walking in triumph of life over death, of compassion over prejudice.

Sadly some still remain ignorant of the origins of the HIV virus. They stigmatize and stand in judgment of those who are sick and dying from AIDS. Therefore in this week of AIDS awareness, I implore all Canadians to fight ignorance and prejudice, to wear the red ribbon in celebration of the courage of those who live with AIDS, in respect of those who have died of AIDS and in hope of the day when AIDS will be banished from our world.

[Celiac Awareness Week, October 4th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I want to bring to the attention of the House a disease that is not at all exciting or high profile but which is tragic all the same. The week of October 2 to 8 has been designated as Celiac Awareness Week by the Canadian Celiac Association.

Celiac disease is a medical condition in which the absorptive surface of the small intestine is damaged by gluten, a common substance found in all bread, wheat, rye and oat products. The result is an inability to absorb nutrients, proteins, vitamins and minerals vital to growth and normal health.

Celiac disease affects 20,000 Canadians. It is a lifelong condition whose treatment involves a gluten free diet. That means these people cannot eat pastas, breads, or any other baked goods containing any source of gluten whatsoever.

The Canadian Celiac Association promotes awareness of celiac disease. It offers services to alleviate problems faced by persons with celiac disease in obtaining expedient diagnosis and accurate information and support.

I wish to take this opportunity to salute the Canadian Celiac Association for its efforts on behalf of a disease which is not a high profile one.

[Health, September 29th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member is probably aware that during that settlement the Canadian government did intercede on behalf of Canadian women who were involved in the settlement by applying to become a friend of the court. We also have a 1-800 number for Canadian women to call with regard to this issue.

[Health, September 29th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, the settlements that have been made in the United States are an entirely different matter from the hon. member's first question.

You know that the Government of Canada had applied to-