Mark Eyking

[Middle River, September 25th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, these are exciting times for Middle River, Cape Breton. It is located on the Cabot Trail, one of the most scenic drives in our country. Many of my fellow colleagues in this House would surely agree as they have had the pleasure of travelling it.

Middle River has been a beehive of activity this year. Being its 200th anniversary, I was pleased to take part in its bicentennial celebrations with the community. I also got to attend a great Ceilidh to celebrate a very distinguished citizen of the area, Thelma MacLellan. It was her 90th birthday and she never missed a step all night.

The future of Middle River, like all communities, depends on the education of its young people. In the September issue of Today's Parent magazine, Middle River Consolidated School was named in the top 30 elementary and middle schools in Canada. My congratulations go out to the teachers, parents and students for making this school a success story.

Middle River is a living, breathing community that is as important to our future as it has been in our past.

[Small Craft Harbours, June 8th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, in a recent issue of the Chronicle-Herald, the leader of the NDP claimed personal credit for opening debate on a motion that led to the House calling for a $15 million increase in small craft harbour funding. That member told a group of fishermen in Woods Harbour, Nova Scotia that the passage of the motion was thanks to the efforts of the NDP. This is just another example of a long list of Liberal measures that the NDP has tried to take credit for.

While the NDP leader was busy patting himself on the back, Canadians saw that the motion was introduced by the Liberal member for Cardigan. It was our Liberal member who was solely responsible.

This misrepresentation is nothing new for the NDP. After all, it is the party that abandoned child care, the Kelowna accord and Kyoto for the sake of a few more seats in the House of Commons.

[Privilege, June 1st, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, during today's question period, the Minister of International Trade stated that I, being from Atlantic Canada, have no reason to stand in the House and raise concerns about Canada's softwood lumber deal. I take great offence to this statement.

As his critic I represent all Canadians, whether it is at committee or in the House. I will continue to defend all Canadian exporters. I expect an apology from the minister and for him to remove his remarks.

[Softwood Lumber, June 1st, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, that is nonsense. The deal the government made will only protect producers for one month. At today's prices this sweetheart deal means our producers will pay a 10% duty and, if prices fall further, a 15% duty will come in along with volume caps. This is not free trade and it is not fair trade.

Will the minister consult properly with the stakeholders before the ink is dry on this bad deal for Canada?

[Softwood Lumber, June 1st, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, the Commons standing committee heard alarming testimony from softwood lumber representatives this week regarding the softwood lumber deal with the U.S. Lumber producers and manufacturers expressed serious misgivings about the wayward deal. They say that it will put them in the wood chipper. In fact, they say that their input was ignored by the Conservatives.

My question is for the Prime Minister. Why was this deal pushed through by threats and intimidation? Why is the Conservative government selling out our softwood lumber industry?

[Employment Insurance Act, May 12th, 2006]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-278, An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act (benefits for illness, injury or quarantine).

Mr. Speaker, I stand in the House to introduce a bill that is not only important for many of my constituents in the riding of Sydney—Victoria, but also for many citizens in Canada who come upon an illness or an injury that removes them from the workforce.

As a previous business owner and now a member of Parliament, I have witnessed many of my employees falling into economic difficulties because of an injury or illness. The bill would help all valued employees, going through difficult times, until they could re-enter the workforce again.

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

[Forest Industry, May 12th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, the Canadian lumber industry has been warned that the framework in the softwood lumber agreement accepted last month undercuts NAFTA. The industry has been told that the U.S. will continue to violate trade agreements if it is allowed to tamper with NAFTA.

Why has the Conservative government allowed the Canadian forest industry to be short-changed by $1 billion? Why is it putting NAFTA in jeopardy?

[The United Way, May 12th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, Dr. Carl “Bucky” Buchanan has recently chaired the United Way's campaign on Cape Breton Island in an effort to raise funds for much needed programs.

This campaign has surpassed the expectation of a half million dollars. It raised over $600,000 to improve the lives of many Cape Bretoners through the sister agencies that work with the United Way.

In addition to the commitment made by Carl “Bucky” Buchanan, many individuals have donated not only money but their time and effort to make this campaign a tremendous success.

As member of Parliament for Sydney—Victoria, I congratulate Dr. Carl “Bucky” Buchanan and the United Way for the success of their campaign and wish them every success in future fundraising activities.

We do support the United Way because we live there and we care.

[Baddeck Academy, May 10th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, as many of my colleagues know, my riding has some of the most beautiful landscape in this country.

At the start of the Cabot Trail nestled on the Bras d'Or lakes is the much admired village of Baddeck. Baddeck is the site of the first flight in the British Empire. This happened when Alexander Graham Bell flew the Silver Dart almost 100 years ago.

Today we have students with us from Baddeck Academy who live in various parts of Victoria County. Under the leadership of Jerry McNeil, they have come to Ottawa not only to see the beautiful tulip festival and landmarks, but also to learn and understand how the parliamentary system and government works. When they return to Baddeck, they will be relating their experiences to their fellow students and families.

My understand from speaking with the students is that so far, their mission has been successful.

I ask my colleagues in the House to welcome my fellow Cape Bretoners and wish them success in the rest of their journey.

[The Environment, May 2nd, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, the tar ponds, along with many other contaminated sites in this country, are in desperate need of environmental cleanup. Our government budgeted $1 billion to clean up these brownfields. The NDP, along with the Conservatives, derailed this initiative.

Could the minister confirm whether the government will continue our Liberal commitment? Will she show some leadership and instruct her officials to fast track the work of the brownfield cleanup?