John Cannis

[Budgetary Policy, November 28th, 1994]

Read the red book.

[Partners In Excellence Project, November 16th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to bring to the attention of the House the co-operation that exists between corporations and high schools in Scarborough.

Recently Novopharm, a Scarborough based pharmaceutical firm, announced a partners in excellence project with Sir John A. Macdonald Collegiate Institute. The program will promote the study of science at the high school level.

The company will sponsor science related events such as the junior science olympics. It invites students to participate in a corporate environment. Students will gain hands on experience.

The school will have the opportunity to undertake exciting new and bold initiatives. Together Novopharm and Macdonald Collegiate will be able to offer the highest quality educational opportunities.

I would like to take this opportunity to compliment and congratulate Mr. Leslie Dan of Novopharm and Mr. Glen Tarver, principal of Macdonald Collegiate for their initiative in establishing this program.

[Youth Club Soccer Championships, October 18th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, last week the Canadian Soccer Association held its youth club soccer championships. The tournament was played over four days and included teams representing all provinces. I had the pleasure of attending the under 15 division in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and was pleased with both the boys and girls teams in this division representing the city of Scarborough.

The girls under 15 division, the Scarborough West Rouge Soccer Club, finished third. In the boys under 15 age group the national championship was won by Scarborough's Alexander the Great team representing the Greek Canadian community's Olympic Flame soccer club.

These fine young men and women from all across our country have developed their skills and talents at the championship level and deserve the recognition of all the members of the House. Together with their hard work and effort this competition has instilled in them the importance of fair play and true sportsmanship.

I would encourage the Minister of Canadian Heritage to continue his support for our young Canadian athletes.

[Petitions, September 23rd, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, my third petition is signed by 115 residents of Scarborough Centre who request that Parliament ensure that current provisions of the Criminal Code prohibiting doctor assisted suicide be enforced vigorously and Parliament enact no laws that would sanction or allow the aiding or abetting of suicide or active or passive euthanasia.

[Petitions, September 23rd, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, my second petition is signed by 80 residents of Scarborough Centre and calls on the government to extend protection to the unborn child by amending the Criminal Code to extend the same protection enjoyed by born human beings to the unborn.

[Petitions, September 23rd, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I wish to present three petitions today on behalf of the constituents of Scarborough Centre.

The first is signed by 74 people from across Scarborough and urges the government to amend the laws to prohibit the importation, distribution, sale and manufacture of serial killer cards and to advise producers of these cards that their products if destined for Canada will be seized and destroyed.

[Albania, September 20th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to bring to the attention of the House the shameful actions of the Albanian government toward its ethnic minorities.

Last month the Albanian authorities held what can only be called a show trial against five leaders of the Greek-speaking minority. This show trial was held under the auspices of the penal code that was established by the communist dictatorship of Enver Hoxha and should not go unnoticed by the world community.

These convictions were nothing more than a malicious attempt to silence the representatives of the Greek-speaking minority in Albania in their efforts to secure the rights that are guaranteed to all people through the United Nations declaration on human rights.

I hope that our government will, should the opportunity arise, condemn the convictions of this ethnic leadership and contribute to the efforts to gain their release.

[Immigration, June 22nd, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, the recent announcement that changes are now being made to the immigrant determination process should be cheered by all Canadians. This first step is a valuable tool in making the system more accountable to the Canadian public. It maintains and protects Canada's traditional role as a country for those truly seeking a new beginning.

Accusations are rife that the minister had a knee-jerk reaction to the recent events portrayed in the media. This is not the case. Rather these amendments are well thought out and the result of our government's ongoing commitment to the consultation as outlined in the red book. These amendments give us the tools to turn away those who wish to abuse Canada's generosity.

I commend the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration for his hard work and effort on the part of all Canadians and the introduction of his timely amendment.

[Amateur Sport, June 10th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I recently had the opportunity to meet with Karen Nystrom, a member of the Canadian women's ice hockey team which captured the world championship for a third consecutive time.

Karen is a constituent of Scarborough Centre who worked diligently in preparing to represent Canada in international competition. The efforts of Karen and her teammates continue the fine tradition of Canada's excellence in international hockey and amateur sport. As we prepare ourselves for the 1998 Winter Olympic Games in Nagano, Japan, this repeat performance holds great promise for our athletes.

It is efforts like theirs that need and deserve our support. I urge the Minister of Canadian Heritage to improve the funding of our national teams.

I would also like to extend on behalf of the House to Karen and all her teammates, congratulations.

[Youth Violence, May 27th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, it is with regret that I must rise today and report to the House what my family and I experienced last Monday, Victoria Day.

Following the traditional fireworks presentation at Ontario Place, our car and those around it, and sidewalk vendors were assaulted by what can only be described as a mad mob of uncontrollable teenagers showing no respect for, or fear of the law.

These teenagers beat their fists on cars, stole merchandise from street vendors and overturned not one but three hot dog carts. Who were these people? Where did they come from and where did they go? These are all questions I cannot answer.

What I do know is that this type of rash, mindless violence has made many of my constituents and Canadians demand a tougher stance on crime, particularly youth crime. I must urge the Minister of Justice to move quickly in bringing forward his amendments to the Young Offenders Act and to the criminal justice system. He must do whatever is necessary to prevent this type of action from occurring again and thus make our streets safer for us and our children.