John Cannis

[Orthodox Theological Institute, February 28th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to bring to the attention of the House an international campaign the objective of which is to reopen the Orthodox Theological Institute in Halki, Turkey.

For those who are unaware of this most important initiative the Orthodox Theological Institute on the island of Halki was closed by Turkish authorities in 1971. This institute was previously a monastery founded in 837 AD and was converted to a school in September 1844. It became a very prominent establishment responsible for the theological training of many eminent scholars of the Orthodox faith. The theological institute is an historic site, unique and an invaluable part of world culture and of course, Orthodox Christian religion.

It is therefore very important that the Canadian government and all citizens, both here and abroad, support the reopening of the school in Halki. We must urge the Turkish government to respect the international democratic principle of freedom of religion and reopen the Orthodox Theological Institute in Halki. It is the 21st century; it is the right thing to do.

[Criminal Code, February 5th, 2002]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-429, an act to amend the Criminal Code (destruction of national flag).

Mr. Speaker, what I am asking, through this initiative to amend the criminal code after section 56, is that everyone who, without lawful cause, wilfully damages or destroys in any manner, burns, defaces, defiles, mutilates, tramples upon or otherwise desecrates the national flag would be guilty of an offence and liable on summary convictions.

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

[Parthenon Marbles, January 31st, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to bring to the attention of the House and to all Canadians a very important movement which was initiated by the late Melina Mercouri in 1982: the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece.

The marbles were removed from the Parthenon by Lord Elgin almost 200 years ago without the consent of the Greek people and are now housed in the British museum in London.

This is not an issue that concerns Britain and Greece. It is an issue of cultural heritage that transcends all borders. Despite the pressure from UNESCO and the European parliament the marbles still remain in London. As a member of the Commonwealth it is essential that Canada support the return of the parthenon marbles to Greece.

I will close with a quote from the late Melina Mercouri who said:

We are asking for the restitution of part of a unique monument, the particular symbol of a civilisation. And I believe that the time has come for these Marbles to come home to the blue skies of Attica, to their rightful place, where they form a structural and functional part of a unique entity.

Let us do the right thing and get those marbles back where they belong.

[Seniors, December 12th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to stand in the House to recognize an outstanding facility in my riding of Scarborough Centre, the Birkdale Seniors Community Centre. I recently attended its 25th anniversary open house which was a celebration of its great achievements.

In December 1976 the centre opened its doors to the seniors of the community and provided activities such as woodcarving, oil painting and billiards. Since then its programs and activities have evolved to provide seniors with essential services support and continued recreational activities.

I commend all the volunteers and members of the Birkdale Seniors Community Centre for their dedication and effort in making the centre such a tremendous success.

To the past presidents and executive boards, to the current president and executive board, and to the hundreds of volunteers let me say congratulations and thanks for providing such an excellent venue for our seniors.

[Cedarbrae Collegiate Institute, December 6th, 2001]

Madam Speaker, I take this opportunity to welcome the students from Cedarbrae Collegiate Institute to Ottawa today. The students have travelled to Ottawa from my riding of Scarborough Centre to visit the impressive Parliament Buildings and to see firsthand how their government functions. This trip will no doubt be an enriching experience in their lives.

I have had the opportunity to meet with the students at Cedarbrae Collegiate Institute in the past. I believe it is important for all Canadians of all ages to visit the capital and bear witness to the legislative process at work. As such, I extend an invitation to all my constituents to do as the students at Cedarbrae CI have done and visit our capital.

I welcome the students from Cedarbrae and thank them for visiting us today. I am sure that their stay will be a memorable one.

[National Defence, November 9th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, the Department of National Defence is renowned for its expertise in the field of nuclear, biological and chemical defence. Could the Minister of National Defence tell us how this expertise is being put to use in the current campaign against terrorism?

[Remembrance Day, November 9th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, there is no better time to stand with pride to pay tribute to all the great men and women who served our country with distinction and yes, even those who continue to serve us with pride today.

Remembrance Day is a time to honour our Canadian veterans whose supreme sacrifice permits us to live today in a free and democratic society.

Already hundreds of commemorative activities have taken place in communities across our country. From memorial services to story telling, Canadians are recognizing, remembering and thanking those who dedicated their lives to the pursuit of freedom and democracy over tyranny.

As we pause to salute our veterans I ask all Canadians to say a prayer for our Canadian forces who are serving here and abroad and to offer our blessings to their families during this most difficult time. I would also say to all Canadians, but especially to our youth, that we must never forget.

[Canadian Bankers Association, October 31st, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment to commend a unique money management seminar for senior high school students that is organized by the Canadian Bankers Association. This seminar entitled “There's something about money” focuses on introducing good financial basics to students.

I had the opportunity to participate in one of these seminars in my riding at David and Mary Thompson Collegiate. As a result of these seminars 94% of students felt better equipped to prepare for their financial future.

Prior to these seminars 46% of the students said they were not preparing for their financial future. The comments of students indicated a strong interest in all facets of the program, with particular emphasis in areas involving compound interest, credit rating and post-secondary assistance.

The overall content was rated good to excellent by 97% of the students and teachers. “There's something about money” is an excellent seminar for our youth. I extend congratulations to the Canadian Bankers Association for reaching out to our youth, their future clients but more so the future of our country.

[Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month, October 25th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, October is Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month which was started in the 1980s by the Independent Order of Foresters. During the month of October the Children's Aid Societies of Ontario are distributing purple ribbons to raise awareness of child abuse and neglect.

It is vital that we all take some time to reflect and become involved in efforts to prevent any form of child abuse and neglect in our society. No child deserves to fall victim to abuse.

It is for this reason that I encourage all members and citizens to wear the purple ribbon during the month of October in an effort to raise awareness of child abuse and neglect. After all, as we have often said, the future lies in the hands of our children.

[Armenia, October 23rd, 2001]

Madam Speaker, in the few moments I have I want to make some comments in this debate.

I was very pleased that most of the members I listened to stuck to Motion No. 328 on the Armenian genocide. It was very sad for me to hear the member for Surrey Central use such examples especially in such difficult times as these when the world is fighting terrorism. In the United States there are no Republicans or Democrats, and in this country there should be no Liberals or Conservatives or NDP or whatever that party is called. It is all of us collectively together. That is why I was so pleased when I heard the member for Halifax so eloquently make her position. She did not criticize the government for this or that but she came right to the point. I thank her for that.

I want to thank the member for Cumberland--Colchester as well who so eloquently said that this is the time for reconciliation. That was the most important word. Many nations in the past have erred. As the saying goes, he who is without sin, let them cast the first stone. We have all made mistakes. It is in learning from our mistakes that we will go forward. Several years back we discussed this issue and we were no closer then, but today we have moved that agenda forward. We are using the words “genocide” and “atrocities”. We have moved beyond where we were five, six or seven years ago.

Some horrendous activities took place in South Africa over many years. There was a truth and reconciliation commission. Everyone came forward to kind of cleanse themselves and say “Yes, these things did happen, but now let us draw a line and move forward and learn from those mistakes”.

Were there atrocities that took place in 1915 and 1912? Funnily enough it was all in the same area. It all happened at the same time. It happened to be the Armenians on one side and the Pontians on the other. What has the Pontian community done nowadays? It has erected a monument in the former borough of East York, which is now part of the megacity of Toronto, commemorating the lives that were unfortunately and sadly slaughtered, et cetera.

Today I know the Greek Canadian community, the Pontian community go once a year to pay homage to those people. The other day we were celebrating. I had the opportunity to be at a function to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Republic of Armenia. Who could have imagined that 15 or 20 years ago? There is progress in itself. When I saw the young children and the seniors, I thanked them for the performance and the many people that have contributed to the development of building a nation.

That is why I was sad when the member for Surrey Central, who in my view did nothing but exploit a situation that we should focus on, went back and said what happened in Canada's history. Sure mistakes were made. Mistakes were made in the United States of America. Mistakes were made in Germany. Mistakes were made in other parts of the world. That was not the issue tonight and that is what has upset me.

In closing I want to thank each and every member who stood up and focused on the motion. That is what it was all about, and not to exploit and use certain examples in our history in Canada. I want to thank the Armenian Canadian community who have contributed so much to the development of nation building in Canada.