Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order.
I would like to move production of papers No. P-33.
House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2011, with 53% of the vote.
Motions For Papers November 25th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order.
I would like to move production of papers No. P-33.
Merchant Navy Veterans November 25th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, there have been 50 years of stonewalling, 50 years of neglect and 50 years of denial for Canada's merchant navy veterans. That is our government's performance, counting 50 years and more.
The issues are very clear. Merchant navy veterans are not seeking great wealth, simply the respect and benefits given their armed forces brethren: to be recognized as war veterans, to receive prisoner of war benefits, to be compensated for years of inequality and to receive recognition on ceremonial days.
The Minister of Veterans Affairs must agree that there are four issues that cry out for resolve; not one, not two, not three, but four.
It is unconscionable that these concerns continue to exist after 50 years. History will judge our days in this House.
It would be sad if the minister enters history as a great continuer of injustice rather than the minister—
Veterans Affairs November 23rd, 1998
Mr. Speaker, few finer examples of Canadian wartime success and magnificent effort can be found than in the annals of the battle of the Atlantic during which merchant seamen sailed the enemy infested sea to keep the Allies supplied. Canada's merchant navy of World War II kept England alive while the Atlantic war tide turned toward victory in 1943.
Now, fifty years hence, Canada's merchant navy veterans are still held hostage to unresolved concerns. Determined veterans threaten to fast on the steps of this House to garner government will to correct what has been wrong for far too long. Merchant navy veterans are not seeking great wealth, only the respect and benefits given their armed forces brethren, to be recognized as war veterans, to have prisoner of war status, to have compensation for years of denial of equality and to have recognition on ceremonial days.
The minister must respond to our merchant navy—
Remembrance Day November 3rd, 1998
Mr. Speaker, as we rise in the House today to recognize the glory and sorrow of our veterans valiant efforts for Canada and Newfoundland in World War I in battles like Vimy Ridge and Beaumont Hamel, we should be reminded of the words of one young man from Guelph. No finer example of inspirational significance has been born by the horror of human conflict than In Flanders Fields :
We are the dead Short days ago, we lived, Felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Lived and were loved, And now we lie, In Flanders Fields.
Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae paused to reflect on the high price of peace and of man's duty to serve. His pen spoke out from the fields of war 83 years ago. He spoke for all who have faced their soul in the finality of the theatre of war. From Korea to the gulf and through two world wars he could well be speaking of all brave men who have soldiered the world to defend Canadian beliefs.
The brave young men who fought in the two world wars served in our armed forces and merchant fleet, contributing so much to the end of global war.
His words are carved in the walls of the House and are as enduring as is the threat of future war. This year marks 80 since the guns of the war to end all wars grew mute, a war the world learned not from even with a price of 60,000 Canadian dead. Canada's losses would continue in 20 short years.
Our veterans of Korea, the gulf war and peacekeeping duties know too well the significance of his words. This century the price of peace was war. One hundred thousand of Canada's young never grew old. One hundred thousand youths lie in foreign graves, one hundred thousand from the Korean and two world wars. When I visit foreign graves with Canada's war veterans I am deeply moved by their moments of reflective grief for their comrades they left behind so far from home so long ago.
Time has not yet healed their wounded souls. Near one century hence memories fade not. Near one century hence they still have not forgotten that by mere chance alone they survived as other did not.
As veterans grieve for long lost friends they ponder why the price of peace is war and is so very high.
Soon John McCrae's words will echo in this hall and resonate throughout the land as we pause to give respect to our honourable war veterans and remembered war dead. “If ye break faith with us who die, we shall not sleep, lest we forget”.
I am proud to be in this House today to speak to Canada's war veterans.
Veterans Affairs November 3rd, 1998
Mr. Speaker, Hong Kong war veterans, having endured as prisoners of war of Japan in World War II, also suffered from a Canadian government cover-up in 1955.
Fifty years later the concerns are still unanswered, though all-party committees give full support for compensation. Time is running out.
When will the minister listen to his colleagues, apologize for the cover-up and get on with the compensation?
Remembrance Day November 3rd, 1998
Mr. Speaker, whilst skies rained shells and proud men died, a soldier penned prose of bitter truths. His pen spoke out from the fields of war 83 years ago. He spoke for all that have faced their soul in the finality of the theatre of war.
Whether Korea, the gulf or two world wars, he could well be speaking of all brave men that have soldiered the world for Canadian beliefs.
World War I has long been gone but John McCrae's In Flanders Fields lives on. His words are carved in the walls of the House and are enduring as the threat of future wars.
For our honourable war veterans and remebered war dead we pause to give our respect. “If ye break faith with us who die, we shall not sleep”. Lest we forget.
Veterans Affairs October 30th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, in 1955 the Canadian government conspired with England and sold out Hong Kong veterans' claim rights.
In June the minister promised to investigate but has sat on his hands and has remained mute since. Japan enslaved our soldiers for four years and Canada has shafted them for another 50.
When will the minister publicly apologize for this terrible wrong and provide the long deserved recompense?
Canadian Veterans October 30th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, members of Canada's armed forces have paid with their lives and health in service to our great country. How well we attend to our veterans' concerns is a measure of our national conscience and the expression of the will of our nation.
Some of Canada's veterans' concerns still sit as they have for over 50 years. They are gathering dust as we approach Remembrance Day. Hong Kong veterans' enslavement compensation by Japan has not been resolved despite all-party support. Merchant navy requests for full equality and recompense has not been given in spite of recognition by other allied countries. Perley-Rideau veterans' care level funding is plunging with the minister's tacit approval.
Some issues have existed for over 50 years. Most veterans have little time left to enjoy restitution. The veterans of Canada want our government to listen now, not later. Our veterans' concerns should not be a new millennium project.
Petitions October 28th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, I rise in this House today as the humble servant of Edmonton East and Canada to proudly present a petition.
Newfoundland enjoined Confederation in 1949 after a proud partnership with Canada and England in the two world wars. Today Newfoundlanders and Quebecers ask as one in this petition for the Prime Minister and the Parliament of Canada to declare that Canada is indivisible and that this is a state alterable only by all citizens of Canada and this federal government.
I am pleased that the Supreme Court of Canada recently concurred.
Division No. 247 October 27th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. You might find unanimous consent to revert to the presenting of petitions in order that I may table one petition.