Mario Silva

[Criminal Code, January 29th, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, let me first of all thank my dear colleague for his comments. I am sure that all members of the House are very much concerned about identity theft. This bill to amend the Criminal Code is certainly important.

However, we, in the Liberal Party, want to support real efforts against identity theft. We are very much concerned about the quality of the bill, which does nothing to prevent identity theft. My dear colleague spoke with eloquence about this problem in our society. The loss of a person's identity is very serious.

Perhaps my colleague could comment on this bill. Perhaps we could amend it. I am very worried—and I am sure that my colleague is as well—because this bill does not include any preventive measures. Yet, it would be very important to have a bill which brings important remedies to the identity theft problem.

[Questions Passed as Orders for Returns, January 28th, 2008]

With respect to programs and funding: (a) which accounts, budgets and envelopes used less than 50 per cent of their allotted funds last year and how much was actually spent; (b) when evaluating a program that did not spend either most or its entire budget in the past year, how are the levels of funding determined for subsequent years; and (c) what incentives are there for programs to not spend leftover funds on superfluous expenditures in order to re-secure the same higher funding levels the next year?

[Questions on the Order Paper, January 28th, 2008]

With respect to emergency and contingency funds: (a) which funds were set up by the government in the previous fiscal year; (b) what was the size of each fund; (c) what amount of each fund was spent; and (d) what were the rules and purposes for accessing these funds?

[Questions on the Order Paper, January 28th, 2008]

With respect to the 17 million dollar cuts to literacy programs announced in September 2006: (a) which programs or efficiencies were affected and what is the evaluation of said programs; and (b) which programs not mandated by statute have been cancelled since January 2006 and what are the reasons for their cancellation?

[Judges Act, January 28th, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, although our party supports Bill C-31 because we understand that there is a need to deal with the backlog in the superior court system, I agree with my colleague that it is not an adequate solution. However, we still need to support it because we are dealing with a backlog. I agree with my hon. colleague that there are huge costs and implications and we are dealing with people's rights. Justice is never served when it is delayed.

I would like my hon. colleague to comment on an issue that is of great importance to Canadians and that is the whole issue that the government seems to be attacking the judiciary. I think the judicial system needs to be defended by our parliamentary system because it is one of the cornerstones of our institution of democracy. Perhaps my hon. colleague could comment on the whole issue of judicial independence and the need to respect our judicial system in this country.

[Universal Declaration of Human Rights, December 13th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, 2008 marks the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has called on all countries to mark this anniversary by renewing their commitment to human rights throughout the world.

Let this task start first and foremost with the United Nations itself, which needs to deal with pressing issues like Darfur and genocide.

The often repeated one-sided resolutions against Israel to the exclusion of all others, such as Iran, undermine the General Assembly and the Human Rights Council, as well as diminish the UN's credibility, and this ultimately hurts the noble goal of universal human rights.

We need to all join in echoing the words of the UN Secretary-General when he says that countries should “promote the Declaration's ideals and principles of justice and equality for everyone”.

If universal human rights are to be enjoyed by all, then we must all do our part.

[Petitions, December 13th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, I have a petition signed by many people who are concerned about the manufacturing crisis facing our country. The petitioners call upon Parliament to immediately develop and implement a plan of action to protect Canadians' manufacturing jobs, in consultation with stakeholders, including labour and the business community.

Manufacturing jobs are important to Canada's economy. A stronger manufacturing sector will lead to a strong Canadian economy. I urge members to join with me to support this important and timely petition.

[Criminal Code, December 12th, 2007]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-495, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (emergency medical services workers).

Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to introduce my private member's bill, which will extend vital Criminal Code protection to paramedics across Canada. The bill will make it an offence to attack any MS worker while he or she discharges his or her duties, just as Bill C-400 will do for firefighters.

I call upon members regardless of party to work with me to pass these bills by unanimous consent to help protect paramedics and firefighters. They put their lives on the line for us. It is time to give them their due.

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

[Petitions, December 11th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, the second petition is from people across the province of Ontario who call on Parliament to develop and implement a plan of action to protect Canadian manufacturing jobs in consultation with stakeholders in labour and business communities.

Manufacturing jobs are important to Canada's national economy and Canada is losing thousands of manufacturing jobs every year.

[Petitions, December 11th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, I have two petitions I would like to table today in the House.

The first petition asks Parliament to implement a three-pronged strategy of intervention, prevention and accountability to fight violence in our communities.

Parliament must intervene by funding community and social programs that will prevent children from pursuing a life of violence on the streets. Parliament must prevent violence by working with provincial and municipal partners for stricter gun control policies. Finally, Parliament must hold accountable offenders who use firearms and prosecute them to the full extent of the law.