Maurice Vellacott

[Situation in Sudan, October 3rd, 2006]

Mr. Chair, my friend across the way and I probably have some common ground with respect to this very important issue, as do a number of other members in the House today from various other parties.

I think we are all in agreement in terms of the need for diplomacy and the need to be vigorous and assertive. Deploying a UN force to the Darfur area is important because it would have an effect on the south of Sudan as well and for the comprehensive peace agreement there. If things go sideways in Darfur, in an even more serious way than it is now, many of us believe that force may have an effect there as well.

I know what the winds are like in this place so I must ask my colleague, if Canadian troops were part of a UN force, when the first caskets started to come home would our troops stay there to finish the job? Would the resolve be there to see the mission through? I know my colleague can only speak for himself but maybe he could show some leadership within his party. Would there be a continued resolve to see the mission through even when the first caskets come home?

[The Environment, October 3rd, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, our new Conservative government agrees with the environment commissioner's recent recommendations pertaining to the need for a coordinated and measurable approach to climate change. Our new Conservative government also looks favourably on her recommendations for accountability.

The new Government of Canada will develop a comprehensive and inclusive approach that involves all sectors of industry. It will also work closely with the provinces and the territories as well as key stakeholders.

Canada's new government has already taken a number of actions: a systematic categorization of chemical substances; a tax credit for public transit riders on the cost of their monthly passes; $1.3 billion in investments in public transit infrastructure; and a commitment to 5% average renewable content in Canadian motor fuels

Our environmental agenda will include achievable, affordable and practical measures to clean up the environment and protect the health and well-being of all Canadians.

[Petitions, September 22nd, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, in the last petition the petitioners draw the attention of the House to the fact that the creation and use of child pornography is condemned by a clear majority of Canadians and that the courts have not, in their view, applied the current child pornography law in a way that makes it clear that such exploitation of children will be met with swift punishment.

The petitioners call on Parliament to protect our children by taking all the necessary steps to ensure that all materials that promote or glorify pedophilia or sado-masochistic activities involving children are plainly, clearly and flatly outlawed.

[Petitions, September 22nd, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, in the second petition 32 petitioners from Saskatoon ask the federal government to build a high quality, accessible and affordable community based child care system and to ensure fair and effective income support for Canadian families.

I am proud to be in a government that is indeed moving forward with equitable and accessible initiatives for child care and income support for Canadian families.

[Petitions, September 22nd, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, I have several petitions. The first is from 275 of my constituents from Saskatoon, Blaine Lake, Speers, Hafford, Hague, Martensville, Warman and other towns around my riding.

The petitioners call on the government to raise the age of protection for children from 14 years of age to 16 years of age. They note the support of the Canadian Police Association and many of the provincial governments for increasing the age of protection. They also note the importance of this move in protecting young people from sexual exploitation.

[Petitions, June 9th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, my last petition is from some 28 residents of Saskatchewan. They would like to call the attention of the House to the inconsistent foreign restrictions on the importation of beef products, which have resulted in a severe financial strain on the Canadian beef industry. They want Parliament to immediately constitute internationally accredited protocols to reinforce international confidence in Canada's healthy beef products.

[Petitions, June 9th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, I have another petition from some residents in Saskatchewan calling on parliamentarians to recognize the advances of modern science, which have irrefutably established that a human being begins to exist at the moment of conception. Therefore, they call on the government to bring in legislation to define a human fetus or embryo as a human being from the moment of conception.

[Petitions, June 9th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, this petition is from 25 residents of Saskatchewan. They did not want Parliament to pass the hate crime bill, Bill C-250, because of the threat that it posed to Canadians' charter rights of freedom of speech and freedom of religion. Since that bill is now law, the petitioners would presumably want it repealed or amended so that Parliament is protecting the rights of all Canadians.

[Petitions, June 7th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, I have a petition signed by 134 British Columbians. The petitioners call on Parliament to recognize pre-born children as separate victims when they are injured or killed in the commission of a crime against the child's mother.

This pro-woman proposal recognizes the grief that women experience when their children are harmed or killed. Research clearly shows that women are at greater risk of violence when they are pregnant.

The pro-woman, pro-child proposal would add another deterrent against boyfriends, partners, husbands and others who may be tempted to harm women because they are pregnant.

[Petitions, May 29th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, this petition is from 145 British Columbians. It calls on Parliament to recognize unborn children as separate victims when they are injured or killed in the commission of a crime against the child's mother.

This pro-woman proposal recognizes the grief that women experience when their children are harmed or killed. Research shows that women are at greater risk of violence when they are pregnant. This pro-woman proposal would add another deterrent against boyfriends, husbands and others who may be tempted to harm women because they are pregnant.