Marlene Jennings

[Job Creation, December 2nd, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, thanks to the Canada Jobs Fund, more than 80 jobs will be created in six businesses in the riding of Rimouski—Mitis with projects totalling $720,000. There are apparently four more projects being examined, representing over $250,000 in funding and 30 more jobs.

In order for a project to qualify for this funding from Human Resources Development Canada, it must create a minimum of three sustainable full time jobs lasting at least six months of the year.

This is a concrete initiative of the Canadian government to encourage regional development and job creation, even in ridings represented by members of the opposition.

[Act To Prohibit The Use Of Chemical Pesticides For Non-Essential Purposes, December 1st, 1999]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-388, an act to prohibit the use of chemical pesticides for non-essential purposes.

Mr. Speaker, it is an honour for me to introduce this bill in this House. This is the second bill I introduce.

This bill seeks to impose a moratorium on the use of chemical pesticides for esthetic purposes on home lawns and gardens and on recreational facilities such as parks and golf courses, until scientific evidence that they are not harmful is submitted to parliament and approved by a parliamentary committee.

There is currently no scientific evidence that the use of chemical pesticides for non-essential purposes is not harmful to health, particularly the health of children and people at risk. This is why I am introducing this bill. I hope to get the support of both sides of the House.

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

[Anglophone Community In Quebec, December 1st, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, today's newspapers report that the PQ government does not intend to renew its framework agreement with the Canadian government relating to social services and health care for the anglophone community of Quebec.

If that is true, it is truly a disgrace. I would like to know what the Minister of Canadian Heritage intends to do to protect the rights of Quebec anglophones.

[Referendums, November 30th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, the Bloc still claims that it is the only political party in the House of Commons to listen to Quebecers, the only political party to represent the desires and will of the people of Quebec.

When 72% of Quebecers do not want either a referendum or independence and when our Prime Minister has held out his hand in a truce to Mr. Bouchard, I have one question for the Bloc Quebecois members: why does the leader of the Bloc and member for Laurier—Sainte-Marie not ask Mr. Bouchard to agree to the truce and to promise not to hold a referendum during his mandate?

Why have the member for Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot and the member for Repentigny—in fact why have no Bloc Quebecois members publicly asked Mr. Bouchard to agree not to hold a referendum? Why?

Perhaps because they do not listen to Quebecers.

[Liberal Party Of Canada, November 29th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, at the last convention of the Quebec wing of the Liberal Party of Canada, the Prime Minister offered a truce to the Premier of Quebec, proposing to stop talking about a referendum if the premier was prepared to give up his plans to separate Quebec from the rest of Canada.

The Prime Minister truly reached out to the sovereignists.

We are asking the sovereignists to take this proposal seriously, in the interest of Quebec's stability and political future, and to ensure a better economic and social future to all Quebecers.

The reason for this invitation is simple: Quebecers no longer want to hear about referendums and independence.

[Bloc Quebecois, November 23rd, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, this morning the daily La Presse reported that 18 Bloc Quebecois members have asked for their annual quotas of Canadian flags and pins.

To all these members I say thank you. Thank you for showing that it is perfectly possible to be a Canadian and a Quebecer at the same time. Personally, I am proud of my flag, and my flag is the Canadian and Quebec flag.

Thank you and, more importantly, we hope that the Bloc Quebecois will continue its good work in promoting Canadian unity.

[Millennium Scholarships, November 22nd, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, the students of Quebec are still waiting to find out whether they will be able to take advantage of the millennium scholarships in the new year.

My question is for the Minister of Human Resources Development. Can she explain her position in this matter to us, and tell us whether the students of Quebec will finally be able to take advantage of the millennium scholarships in January 2000?

[Petitions, November 19th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to table in the House today a petition from several hundred Canadians from across the country calling on parliament to officially declare November as Incontinence Awareness Month and to support local communities in Canada in educating and informing constituents across the country about incontinence.

I have one point that is very important. According to statistics, in any group of 300 adult Canadians of all ages, approximately 15 of them experience incontinence. I remind everyone in the House that we have 301 adult Canadians sitting in the House. I ask members to do the arithmetic and draw their own conclusions.

Incontinence often leads to depression and isolation, and is, for many care givers caring for an aging spouse, the last straw before admission to a long term care facility. It is one of the three leading causes of institutionalization.

It is my honour to table this petition in the House today.

[National Child Day, November 19th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, tomorrow, November 20, is national child day.

The strength of our society will depend on the investments that we, as a country, are now making in our families and in our children. There is no greater priority for a government. This is why we announced in the recent Speech from the Throne an investment of over $7 billion, between now and next July, in children's programs. Also, Human Resources Development Canada is funding a study to follow 23,999 Canadian children through various stages of their lives.

I invite hon. members to join me in supporting national child day and in showing that our children, who will become tomorrow's leaders, are our priority today.

[Filmmaker Pierre Perrault, November 17th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, filmmaker Pierre Perrault, who passed away last June, was paid posthumous tribute yesterday for his writing talents with the unveiling of the governor general's awards for literature.

His book, Le mal du nord , describing his trip on the icebreaker Pierre Radisson , was honoured in the studies and essays category.

Yolande Simard, the widow of Pierre Perrault, in accepting the award, stressed the vital importance of literacy. She decided to share her prize with the Montreal and Hull literacy centres.

Pierre Perrault had already won the governor general's award on two other occasions, in 1964, for theatre, and in 1975, for poetry.

I would like to congratulate all winners of these awards recognizing or rather honouring their work, which will influence generations to come.