Laurie Hawn

[Business of Supply, April 25th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I want to ask my colleague about some of the deliberately misguided environmental activism when it comes to the oil sands and the question of pipelines. Does she think it is really about pipelines, or does she think the real intention of people who are against pipelines is to strangle the development of the oil sands and all the economic benefits it brings to Canada?

Could the member also comment on the fact that those products are going to move, one way or another, because the world is demanding them and the Canadian economy is demanding it? From an environmental aspect, what is the difference between moving a product by pipeline and moving it by trucks and trains and so on?

[Combating Terrorism Act, April 23rd, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to go back to the question that was asked by a previous member and the point that was made about the implications of what happened to Mr. Arar.

I would like to ask my hon. colleague about the potential implications of what did not happen in Toronto. Law enforcement has to be right 100% of the time. Terrorists only have to be right once. We saw that in Afghanistan with IEDs and other things that went on over there. We have seen it around the world with terrorism.

Why do we not talk a little bit about what did not happen in Toronto and how important it is to not let those things happen in the future?

[Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, April 22nd, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, this past weekend, my wife and I attended the Courage Gala to raise money and awareness for the wonderful work of the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital in Edmonton. We heard powerful stories from David and Scott, two men whose lives have been given back to them in large measure by the expertise and compassion of the people who work and volunteer at the Glenrose.

Over the years, the Glenrose has developed world-leading expertise in neurological, orthopedic, cardiac, geriatric and pediatric rehabilitation as well as pediatric and geriatric psychiatry. Serving over 20,000 families each year, the Glenrose has become the model and the gold standard for rehabilitation in, at least, the Americas, and probably beyond.

Whether serving civilian, military or veteran communities, the heart and soul the Glenrose puts into everything it does is evident as soon as one walks in the door. Canadians of all ages and stations are treated and nurtured at the Glenrose in an environment and manner that go well beyond simply adhering to the Hippocratic oath. Those of us who are lucky enough to not need the Glenrose can take comfort in the fact that it is there, if we ever do.

[Canadian Heritage, April 18th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, today Rush, one of the most influential rock bands in Canadian history, is being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The trio, composed of leader singer and bassist Geddy Lee, guitar player Alex Lifeson and drummer Neil Peart, has sold more than 40 million records worldwide. Their album sales place them third behind The Beatles and the Rolling Stones for the most consecutive gold or platinum studio albums sold by a rock band.

Rush followed Tom Sawyer, Roll the Bones and rode their Red Barchetta into the Limelight of YYZ, a Subdivisions for the Working Man, and their Freewill is now being rewarded.

Could the Minister of Canadian Heritage please expand on how this influential band has impacted and shaped the music scene in Canada?

[Air Force Appreciation Day, April 16th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to rise in the House today to mark Air Force Appreciation Day on the Hill and to celebrate members of the Royal Canadian Air Force. These brave men and women serve our country daily with honour and distinction, just as their predecessors have done since the RCAF was formed on April 1, 1924.

In the past year, search and rescue personnel have responded to more than a thousand calls for help. Air force personnel conducted many sovereignty operations in the north with the CF-18. They have also deployed as part of the training mission in Afghanistan, supported the French mission in Mali, defended the air space over Iceland, combated piracy at sea, provided tactical helicopter support for the army and hauled personnel and cargo in support of the broader missions of the Canadian Armed Forces. Yesterday, we announced a richly deserved special award to members of Bomber Command.

All Canadians can be proud of the contributions by the more than 15,000 regular and reserve members of the Royal Canadian Air Force. Today we recognize their service and sacrifice. Per ardua ad astra.

[Enhancing Royal Canadian Mounted Police Accountability Act, March 6th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, in listening to the last comments, my friend from Winnipeg North talked about the record of the government in bringing in time allocation. I would suggest it is a record in terms of the opposition delaying any bit of legislation as much as they possibly could. We have been dealing with this issue in committee as well. We have had 15 days in the House and time in committee.

The opposition House leader talked about accountability. At some point, the House has to be accountable to eventually come to a decision on something, and not drag it out forever. We have 13 police officers in our caucus who have all worked hard on this piece of legislation. The NDP said it can no longer support it, one of the reasons being that it will give the commissioner of the RCMP the ability to root out bad apples. The opposition states it wants accountability and yet it would not support measures that would give the commissioner the ability to hold individuals accountable for their actions.

Can the minister comment on this apparent dichotomy?

[Petitions, February 27th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I rise to present a petition from about 200 residents of Edmonton.

Whereas Falun Gong practitioners have been the largest and most severely persecuted group in China since 1999 and Canadian investigators have concluded that a large but unknown number of Falun Gong prisoners of conscience have been put to death to harvest their organs, and whereas democratic nations have a responsibility to condemn such atrocities, the petitioners condemn the Chinese Communist Party's system of cruelly murdering Falun Gong practitioners for their organs and publicly call for an end to the persecution of Falun Gong in China.

[Business of Supply, February 14th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for her great remarks and for her service as a police officer and all the other police officers who I know, particularly on these files. It is pretty heartbreaking at times. I really want to salute her for that. She has more knowledge of these matters than probably anyone in the House and certainly more than I would ever want to have. I sincerely thank her for her service.

The parliamentary secretary talked about a long list of things that were being done, a lot of programs and so on. We have heard many good comments in the House. I would ask her what is missing? Is it attitude? Is it public awareness? Everyone says they care and I do not think there is any question about that, but what is missing?

[Business of Supply, February 7th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to hear my colleague's comments on the independence of the Parliamentary Budget Officer, a person who is chosen from a list put up by the Library of Parliament, a person who is clearly free to criticize or make comment. Nobody is restricting that ability to criticize.

Does the member find it a bit curious that according to the folks across the way, they and the media are the only people who seem to be allowed to comment on what the PBO puts out? In their view, we do not have the right, freedom or independence to question the PBO ourselves. Is that not a bit of a double standard?

[Business of Supply, January 31st, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I move that we see the clock at 5:30 p.m.