Larry Miller

[Witness Protection Program Act, June 8th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, women in every riding across the country are going to thank my colleague for bringing forth this bill. Every person in Canada, no matter sex, creed or whatever, has a right to feel safe. The vulnerable need protection from society by government, and I applaud the member for bringing this forward.

Our government has made it very clear that we will get tough on crime. We will lock up those who commit crimes. As the saying goes “real time for real crime”.

Does the member think his private member's bill will enhance what the government is trying to do in toughening up crime laws and protecting the vulnerable all around?

[Liberal Party of Canada, June 2nd, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, allow me to present my top 10 list of Liberal hypocrisies:

Number one, naming an environment critic and two Liberal leadership candidates who oppose Kyoto.

Number two, having an agricultural critic demanding more aid for farmers when he repeatedly voted against more aid.

Number three, saying the party supports improved accountability and transparency while opposing the federal accountability act.

Number four, naming an associate critic of immigration who compared Canada's immigration system to Nazi Germany.

Number five, the member for Malpeque claiming he wants more done for farmers after having done nothing for 13 years.

Number six, criticizing MPs who change parties while that party has six defectors in its caucus.

Number seven, many Liberal MPs who sent troops to Afghanistan, then voted against the mission.

Number eight, demanding that the gun registry be kept when many of their own MPs want it scrapped.

Number nine, criticizing rising gas prices after again doing nothing for 13 years.

And number 10, attacking the idea of Senate reform despite promising to reform the Senate when they were in power.

Talk about hypocrisy.

[Business of Supply, June 1st, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, no one in this House is more upset about the high gas prices across the country than the residents in my riding, but we have a difference of opinion on how we approach that. When there are four gas stations on a corner and the price goes from 98¢ to $1.05 within five minutes of each other, I would have to agree that there certainly seems to be collusion of some type. I have never been happy with some of the reviews by the Competition Bureau.

At the same time I think that the members across the way have been perhaps sitting a little too close to the Liberals and the NDP. It bothers me that when there is a problem, they would just add another tax. That has always been the Liberal way. That does not solve everything. I have a very large rural riding, and for agriculture and truckers nothing affects the industry as much as gas prices.

I have a question for my colleague. How many oil companies are based in Quebec, if any, and how does he think they would take to adding another tax to fix the problem? There are other ways of addressing this issue. I agree that the issue needs to be addressed, but certainly not in this manner.

[Fisheries, May 19th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, the sea lamprey eel are a fish native to the coastal regions of both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, but they have entered the Great Lakes and have contributed greatly to the decline of whitefish and lake trout.

The lamprey eel program is confident of meeting its objective of reducing spawning lamprey by 2010 and will enable the natural restoration of native species. The program has worked well in the past. Could the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans tell us the government's financial plan for ensuring the continuation of this great program?

[Hockeyville, May 19th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to say I am proud to announce that the town of Hanover has been selected as one of 25 finalists and is heading into the third of five stages in the CBC Kraft Hockeyville 2006 contest. The contest began on March 19, with 450 communities competing. Hanover is one of five communities advancing from the central region of the country.

Hockeyville is about community spirt and hockey. The town of Hanover's support and commitment to Hockeyville is very evident. Hockey is an undeniable part of Canada. Hanover's spirit for hockey and Hockeyville is contagious. Given the chance, this community and, indeed, the entire surrounding area will show their fellow Canadians what it means to have hockey spirit.

If successful, Hanover will win $50,000 for a new arena, $10,000 in hockey equipment and a chance to host an NHL exhibition game.

In conclusion, I would like to congratulate the Hanover Buck-aneers for submitting the bid. I would like to wish the town of Hanover good luck because Hanover is Hockeyville.

[Agriculture, May 5th, 2006]

They obviously do not like to hear the truth, Mr. Speaker.

Could the agriculture minister please tell us what farmers in my riding will be receiving from this budget?

[Agriculture, May 5th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, this week's budget has shown the government's overwhelming commitment to our farm families. The constituents in my riding of Bruce--Grey--Owen Sound, like the rest of rural Canada, were abandoned for 13 years by the previous government.

[Public Speaking Awards, May 5th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure for me to stand in the House today and speak on behalf of my colleague from Simcoe—Grey about a talented young woman in her riding.

Laura Brayford is in the gallery today as she prepares to compete in the provincial finals for public speaking in our nation's capital. A grade six student at Alliston's Ernest Cumberland Elementary School, Laura is an accomplished public speaker.

From the classroom to the gym and through three levels of Lions Club competitions, she has been captivating audiences with the mythology behind one of the most recognizable childhood folklore characters, the tooth fairy. This should not be confused with the tax fairy; however, I am sure the experience is just as pleasant.

In her speech, Laura follows the natural progression of losing a tooth and what happens through customs in other countries. Judging by her collection of plaques and medals, quite a few people are interested.

On behalf of all the residents in Simcoe-Grey, my colleagues in the House and the Prime Minister of Canada, I want to wish her well in her competition tomorrow.

[Petitions, April 28th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, the fourth petition has been signed by 44 people. The petitioners ask that therapy for children with autism be recognized within our health act.

[Petitions, April 28th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, the third petition has been signed by 146 people, most of them seniors. The petitioners ask that income splitting for seniors be allowed in a manner that would equalize the taxes assessed to each spouse.