Marlene Jennings

[Summit Of The Americas, February 21st, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, last week, our Prime Minister inaugurated the secretariat of the Summit of the Americas, which is to prepare the event planned for April 20 to 22, 2001, in Quebec City.

The summit will bring together the heads of the countries and governments of this hemisphere.

In addition, this event will be the high point of two years of important events organized by Canada, beginning with the Pan American games in 1999.

Canada was chosen at the previous summit, in 1998, held in Santiago, Chile. In the middle of last May, Mr. Chrétien made the choice of Quebec City official.

Thirty-four heads of state and government are expected in Quebec City. It may be justifiably proud of being chosen to host this event, and we wish the organizers of the summit every success.

[Pulp And Paper Industry, February 17th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, the federal government in partnership with the Pulp and Paper Institute of Canada and its members participated in a research program to achieve a progressive closure system in Canadian pulp and paper mills.

I would like the Secretary of State for Science, Research and Development to tell us just what the implications and benefits of this research program can be for Canada.

[Black History Month, February 15th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, in December 1995, the Parliament of Canada passed a motion to officially designate February as black history month.

As an expression of the government's commitment, the multicultural program of the Department of Canadian Heritage created the Mathieu Da Costa awards program in 1996. This program commemorates the heritage of Mathieu Da Costa, the first black person to settle in Canada.

Events and activities during Black History Month focus on Canadian heritages and racial and ethnic identity and provides an ideal opportunity for all Canadians to share their views and debate the importance of fostering an inclusive society in which people of all backgrounds are respected and recognized as being vital to an evolving Canadian identity.

Black History Month has become a showcase for all of us to present our history as both blacks and Canadians.

[Invention Fair, February 11th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, the first invention fair will be held in Montreal from July 7 to 9, at the Maurice Richard Arena. The fair is organized by the Association des inventeurs du Québec. It will bring together inventors, innovators, designers and engineers.

Participants will represent the world of creativity and the industry in general. The public will have an opportunity to discover Quebec's engineering and innovative feats.

This is an opportunity to promote those who like to dare and innovate. Often, a simple idea or a fortuitous discovery can lead to surprising products and revolutionize an economic, social or cultural sector.

We wish the best of luck to the organizers of that show and to each and every participant.

[Volunteers, February 9th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, on Monday, 25 people from the Montreal region were honoured by the governor general. These were all people who had served others in various ways, examples of solidarity reminding us that there is always a place in a society like ours for lending a helping hand to others.

These volunteers earned recognition for what often seem very simple acts, but these are acts perceived almost as a blessing by their recipients.

This opportunity to celebrate unsung heroes should make us realize that it is possible for each and every one of us to be a hero, by extending a helping hand or an act of courtesy when the opportunity presents itself in our daily lives.

I would also like to draw attention to this ability we all have within us to show generosity and human kindness at a time when we are seeking to return to old-fashioned values in order to give a more human face to our society.

[The Late Anne Hébert, February 7th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, on January 22, Quebec writer Anne Hébert, recipient of the 1982 prix Fémina for Les Fous de Bassan, died in Montreal after a long illness.

Born in Fossambault-sur-le-lac, near Quebec City, she was not long in developing a passion for poetry and the theatre, her first poems being published in periodicals in 1939.

Anne Hébert's considerable literary output was divided between novels and poetry. She was a leading literary figure in Quebec for more than half a century.

The recipient of an impressive number of awards both here and in other countries, the author of Kamouraska and Chambres de bois leaves a large literary heritage behind her.

My condolences to the members of Anne Hébert's family. She will always remain with us in the pages of her works.

[Petitions, December 17th, 1999]

Madam Speaker, I have a petition with over 300 signatures calling on parliament to use the federal budget 2000 to introduce a multi-year plan to improve the well-being of Canadian children in conformity with the resolution which was adopted unanimously in the House of Commons on November 24, 1989 to end child poverty in Canada by the year 2000. It is my honour to table this.

[Criminal Code, December 17th, 1999]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-415, an act to amend the Criminal Code (wearing of war decorations).

Madam Speaker, the purpose of this bill is to allow relatives of deceased veterans to wear on Remembrance Day at public functions or ceremonies commemorating veterans any order, decoration or medal that is awarded to such veterans for war services without facing criminal sanctions.

I draw to the attention of the House that the bill is exactly the same as the bill that was adopted at first reading in the last session of the House last spring. The only difference is that it now bears my name and that of the hon. member for Waterloo—Wellington.

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

[Canada, December 17th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, as we prepare to close down, I would like to wish a happy holiday to all the people of Canada.

In particular, I would like to invite the sovereignists to take the time to reflect, more specifically to reflect on this opportunity and privilege we all have to live in such a great country, such a free country, a county with so much to be shared, to reflect on the reality, recognized the world over, of Canada's strengths: economic, social and cultural.

My wish to the sovereignists is that they may open their eyes and realize, finally, that our freedom is a treasure, one we must guard jealously, for fear of losing it forever.

I wish the sovereignists a happy holiday season.

[Anglophone Community In Quebec, December 6th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, last Thursday, the member for Rimouski—Mitis referred to certain remarks I made as disgraceful.

What is disgraceful is the manner in which the PQ government has always treated the anglophone community in Quebec. What is disgraceful is that the PQ government has driven almost one-quarter of the anglophone population out of the province.

Members of the BQ and the PQ are forever talking about assimilation, but we have them to thank for a shameful example of forced exodus.

Was Lucien Bouchard acting in good faith in 1988 when he proposed the first Canada-Quebec agreement? Was he really acting in good faith in his so-called reconciliation speech on March 11, 1996?

If so, it is never too late to keep his promise and to say yes to anglophones and—