Mauril Bélanger

[Speech from the Throne, September 30th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. My hon. colleague from Manitoba has the floor but it is becoming very difficult to listen to what she has to say. I wonder how many conversations have been going on at the same time in the House.

[Question No. 165, June 20th, 2002]

In regard to the fees required by Canadian embassies for applications for immigration and visitor visas to Canada, in which countries does Canada accept fee payment in Canadian currency only, and in which countries does Canada accept fee payment in currencies other than Canadian currency?

(Return tabled)

[Question No. 158, June 20th, 2002]

In the past five years, has the government awarded grants to the Human Rights Institute of Canada, directed by Dr. Marguerite E. Ritchie, and if so, how much did those grants amount to?

[Standing Joint Committee on Official Languages, June 14th, 2002]

Madam Speaker, discussions have taken place between the leaders of all the parties in the House and I believe you would find consent to adopt the following resolution. I move:

That, during the summer adjournment in 2002, if the Standing Joint Committee on Official Languages has completed a report, it may cause the report to be deposited with the Clerk of the House, whereupon it shall be deemed to have been laid upon the Table.

[Committees of the House, June 14th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to the standing orders, I have the pleasure to table in the House, in both official languages, the 12th report of the Standing Joint Committee on Official Languages entitled “The Justice System and Official Language Communities”.

We too ask that the government provide a response within the 150 day period.

I would like to thank our researchers. I say researchers, in the plural, because there were two of them. This was the last report for Ms. Françoise Coulombe, as she is retiring. We are deeply grateful to her for her work.

We would also like to welcome Mr. Marion Ménard, for whom this was his first report, as they worked together. We appreciate their work.

[Space Program, June 14th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I wish to congratulate the Canadian Space Agency and MD Robotics of Brampton, Ontario for yet another Canadian accomplishment in space. This week the in orbit crew of the international space station and of the Endeavour space shuttle completed the installation of the Canadian made mobile base system on the station's rail system, with the help of Canadian astronauts Bob Thirsk and Steve MacLean both working at mission control in Houston.

The mobile base system which was developed by MD Robotics is touted as a complement to the Canadarm2 and will allow the arm and other maintenance and construction equipment to move along the entire station and to continue its assembly.

Thanks to developments such as these, Canada has acquired an enviable reputation in space robotics. I commend again the Canadian Space Agency and MD Robotics for this most recent feat of technology. I thank them for helping maintain Canada's reputation in this field.

I wish the crew of the Endeavour a safe landing which is scheduled for next Monday.

[Official Languages Act, June 7th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, today I wish to praise Mr. Louis Quigley, a resident of Riverview, New Brunswick. Mr. Quigley took on the proverbial city hall and won. City hall in this case is us: the House of Commons, its Board of Internal Economy and the Attorney General of Canada.

On June 5 the trial division of the Federal Court of Canada ruled that the House of Commons was obliged to respect the Official Languages Act. Can members imagine? What a revolutionary concept: We legislators are subject to our own laws.

The court ruled that the House is obliged to ensure that our debates are available in English or French as per every Canadian's choice. I hope the House will accept the wisdom of this decision and proceed to its implementation.

I say bravo to Mr. Quigley, an exemplary Canadian.

[La Soirée du hockey, May 31st, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I can confirm that, as part of its proceedings on part 7 of the Official Languages Act, the Standing Joint Committee on Official Languages will hear officials from Société Radio-Canada on Tuesday, June 4, at 3.30 p.m., in the room adjacent to this chamber, namely room 253-D.

[Science, Technology and Informatics Fair 2002, May 28th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, it is both a duty and a pleasure for me to make statements in the House from time to time on scientific subjects.

I would therefore like to draw to hon. members' attention the 2002 science, technology and informatics fair that was held this past May 24 at La Vérendrye school in the riding of Ottawa—Vanier.

The objective of this event was to support the mission of La Vérendrye school by encouraging the integration of science, technology and informatics into the school curriculum, a fine objective.

It is important to point out the collaboration between parent volunteers and teaching staff in the preparations for this fair.

Two parents merit particular attention, Daniel Cusson and Maurice Lamontagne, who co-chaired the event and were in large part responsible for its organization.

My congratulations to La Vérendrye school, its administrators, teaching staff and pupils. Next year, I hope to have the opportunity to help with the organization.

[La soirée du hockey, May 27th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, on a totally different note, for 50 years already, hundreds of thousands of Canadians have been watching La Soirée du hockey on Saturday evening. The French network shows the Montreal Canadiens, while English network shows other Canadian teams. It appears that, as early as next year, these hockey games will only be shown on RDS. This would mark the end of a tradition.

Does the Minister of Canadian Heritage intend to make representations to the club, the league or even the Radio-Canada to ensure that this 50 year old Canadian tradition can continue?