Peter Goldring

[Vimy Ridge, April 10th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, today the stark, majestic, white spires waft by gentle breeze on tranquil Vimy Ridge belie the terror of old. While the sky rained shells and brave men died, 100,000 Canadians moved forth in a hell of inhumanity, testing their mettle and mortality of soul. They were advancing on unconquerable Vimy. On this same ridge, tens of thousands had died before in vain British and French assaults.

The goal was now Canada's turn. Canada's finest young men won the contest that day, a victory for all the world to see. The greatest victory of World War I, Vimy Ridge, would enter Canadian history on April 12th, 1917.

Many would say that Canada took birth that day, born into the world of nations with respect, born by the blood of our young and born through their determination and skill. Their spirit lives on to this day.

[Petitions, April 4th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to present a petition from citizens across Canada, but most notably from the province of Quebec.

The petition calls for the Prime Minister and the Parliament of Canada to declare that Canada is indivisible and that this state is presently alterable only by all citizens of Canada and their government. Mr. Speaker, I concur.

[Petitions, March 29th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, I take great pride in presenting a petition put forth by 2,500 concerned Canadians, mostly from the province of Quebec.

The petitioners ask the government to affirm that all Canadians are equal under all circumstances and without exception in the province of Quebec and throughout Canada.

They wish to remind the government only to enact legislation that affirms the equality of each and every individual under the laws of Canada.

[Petitions, March 27th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, I take great pride in presenting a petition that has been put forward by over 1,000 concerned Canadians, mostly from the province of Quebec.

The petitioners ask the government to affirm that all Canadians are equal under all circumstances, including linguistically, without exception in the province of Quebec and throughout Canada. They wish to remind the government to enact only legislation that affirms the equality of each and every individual under the laws of Canada.

[The Canadian Flag, March 24th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, how a nation views itself is a measure of its pride and self-esteem. How a nation is viewed by the world is a reflection of its collective deeds. How a nation projects this image is through its national symbol.

Our nation is known throughout the world for its deeds in war and peace. Canada's symbol is its flag, which floats majestically over this very House. Our flag is the embodiment of our nation's heart and soul.

To desecrate Canada's flag must be forbidden by law. To defile the symbol of our nation must have due consequence.

The House will soon decide the importance of our flag. The member for Prince George—Bulkley Valley wishes to add the significance of a cloak of law to protect our flag. I ask for all to support his stand.

[Petitions, March 1st, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, today I take great pride in presenting a petition put forth by 2,500 concerned Canadians, mostly from the province of Quebec.

These petitioners ask our government to affirm that all Canadians are equal under all circumstances and without exception in the province of Quebec and throughout Canada. They wish to remind our government to only enact legislation that affirms the equality of each and every individual under the laws of Canada.

[Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act, March 1st, 2000]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-449, an act to change the name of the electoral district of Edmonton East.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to introduce the bill to call for a change to the name of the riding of Edmonton East to better reflect the community that it serves.

The Edmonton East riding as presently known also includes the city centre portion, the Alberta Legislative Centre, as well as the city hall. It is my belief that a preferred name for this riding would be Edmonton Centre East. This would reflect the fact that a sizeable portion of people do live within the city centre core and properly identify with it in that fashion.

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

[Depleted Uranium, February 24th, 2000]

Mr Speaker, a diabolical pallor of death looms over abandoned battlefields affecting all with its ominous nuclear glow. A waste product of our power industry that lights our homes is now a preferred weapon of war.

Depleted uranium's battlefield signature is a pyrophoric ball with a cloud of nuclear waste. Many suggest that the battlefield killing and suffering continues long after the soldiers depart.

Both government and scientists duck and dodge questions regarding this weapon's effect on man.

Depleted uranium is a nuclear weapon that does not discriminate. It must be banned for conventional warfare use for the sake of our soldiers and for the sake of all humanity.

[Human Resources Development, February 22nd, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday we received 10,000 pages of job creation lists but no tracking information or follow-up details. My question is for the minister. Were these actually job creation lists or where they actually creative job lists?

[Human Resources Development, February 22nd, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, the shopping list that the human resources development minister provided yesterday tells us about the government's targets but it says nothing about what actually happened. That is because the government does not know what actually happened. The assistant deputy minister confirmed this yesterday.

Why does the human resources minister care so little about taxpayers' money that she does not bother to track it?