Raymonde Folco

[National Homelessness Initiative, February 27th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I want to point out today the importance of the National Homelessness Initiative introduced by the Government of Canada to find local solutions for local needs and problems related to homelessness.

All the major cities are dealing with youth homelessness. Thanks to this initiative, in Laval, the Bureau de consultation jeunesse and Oasis received financial assistance from our government to build a shelter with 10 transitional housing units. This assistance will fund the purchase of a mobile intervention unit to more effectively reach and serve youth living in isolation on the streets.

I am convinced that the purchase of a new vehicle for Oasis and the new transitional housing will greatly improve the quality of life of homeless persons in Laval.

[Foreign Affairs, February 18th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Foreign Affairs. One year ago on February 23, senator Ingrid Betancourt was kidnapped and is still being held hostage by Colombian guerillas.

Given that this situation concerns a large number of Canadians, we would like the Minister of Foreign Affairs to advise us of his intentions with regard to diplomatic efforts to bring about the release of Ms. Betancourt.

Second, is he prepared to support a motion of members of this House seeking the immediate release of Ms. Betancourt?

[Association coopérative d'économie familiale de Laval, February 18th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to inform the House of the wonderful work done by the Association coopérative d'économie familiale de Laval, which has helped residents of Laval for five years now.

This community organization helps people budget, manage their debts and bills, and is an advocate for consumer rights.

The association helps people to balance their household budgets and provides support to consumers in their dealings with businesses, by informing them of their rights and available remedies.

It is thanks to an organization like the Association coopérative d'économie familiale de Laval that people will become informed consumers.

[Assisted Human Reproduction Act, January 28th, 2003]

Madam Speaker, I would like to speak to Bill C-13 and the Group No. 4 report stage amendments and specifically submit my comments on Motion No. 61 which reads:

That Bill C-13, in Clause 21, be amended by adding after line 3 on page 15 the following:

“(3) The Official Languages Act applies to the Agency.”

All Government of Canada agencies must and should comply with the Official Languages Act. In this debate, I would like to voice my opinion on a number of sections that appear in Bill C-13 and show why and where the Official Languages Act should be observed.

One of the objectives of the Assisted Human Reproduction Agency of Canada is to protect and promote the health and safety, and the human dignity and human rights, of Canadians. Therefore it is an agency that represents the Canadian public and speaks to the public. Any agency which represents the public and speaks to the public on behalf of the government must speak in both official languages and must be able to be understood in both official languages by the public it is consulting.

With respect to its powers, section 24 provides that the agency may:

(d) consult persons and organizations within Canada and internationally.

Across Canada there are communities which speak English and others which speak French. It makes perfect sense to me to require people who will be consulting French and English speaking communities to be able to do so in the language of those communities.

The agency may:

(e) collect, analyse and manage health reporting information relating to controlled activities;

Again, to collect, analyse and manage information, one must be able to do so with the consent of the public and with information provided by the public.

Paragraph 24( f ) provides that the agency will:

(f) provide information to the public and to the professions—

Again, I am repeating myself a fair bit, but to provide information to the public requires that the public be informed in the official language of its choice, either French or English, one of the two official languages of this country. Further on, we read:

(g) designate inspectors and analysts for the enforcement of this Act;

Again, inspectors and analysts must also represent both publics, who speak both official languages of this country.

Subsection 26(1) provides that:

There shall be a board of directors of the Agency consisting of not more than 13 members—

It seems to me imperative that the board of directors consist of people who speak French or English. Again, these people must be able not only to communicate with people who speak these languages, but also to understand the reality and culture behind the French and English languages across Canada.

In subsection 26(2.1)—and I would like to make a major point off topic, if I may—it is stated that:

The membership of the board of directors shall be appointed in such a manner as to maintain a minimum of 50 per cent representation by women.

I have just heard the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health say that he, and the minister, want this withdrawn. I am opposed to that. This is far off topic for me, since my topic is official languages. In the preamble, there is reference to the principles of this bill. It is stated in 2( c ) that:

while all persons are affected by these technologies, women more than men are directly and significantly affected by their application and the health and well-being of women must be protected—

It strikes me as totally obvious that at least half of this board must be female, since women—I will point this out despite how obvious it strikes me—will have experienced or could experience the consequences of this bill.

In my opinion, not only must at least half of the board of directors be women, they must also represent the culture and language of the two peoples of Canada.

If these people speak both languages, they will be able to hold consultations and meetings in accordance with clause 27, which are to be held throughout Canada. They will be able to readily meet with people, whether in Quebec, British Columbia or Manitoba, and whether they speak English or French. They will be able to hold meetings and consultations with these people in both official languages.

Clause 28 of the bill asks that the provincial deputy ministers of health be entitled to attend meetings of the board of directors. Once again, in the province that I represent here, the administration speaks French. I fully expect that the deputy minister of health from my province will be able to participate in the meetings of the board in the language of his or her choice.

I could continue on other clauses found in the bill, on advisory panels for example, on the vice chair of the board and on the membership of the advisory panel. I think my point is clear: the agency must reflect Canada. The Assisted Human Reproduction Agency of Canada must reflect the bilingual reality of our country, a reality for which we have fought hard. It has become a reality today. This agency must respect the founding people of this country, who spoke English and French, and it must also respect the Canadian tradition that was translated into the Constitution and this country's Charter or Rights and Freedoms.

[Iraq, January 28th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, like many of my colleagues in this House, I have received calls and letters from constituents in my riding of Laval West, asking that the government not enter a war against Iraq.

We know that the government in that country is far from democratic. But before any offensive is launched, I want to put on the record that the clear and unequivocal consent of the UN is absolutely necessary. Peace and security worldwide are at stake.

[Family Literacy Day, January 27th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, Family Literacy Day, which we are marking today, reminds us that it is important to read to our children every day.

What we learned in childhood and youth stays with us forever. Approximately eight million Canadians, or two in five working age Canadians, do not have the literacy skills required to participate fully in our society. Our common challenge is therefore to ensure that all Canadians acquire early the level of literacy that will enable them to participate in the country's economy.

Literacy begins in the family and continues at work.

I encourage my colleagues in the House and all Canadians to read to their children. I would also like to congratulate all those working to improve family literacy in Canada.

[Violence Against Women, December 6th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, today, December 6, is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. Surely, there is no need to demonstrate that violence against women is unacceptable.

However, the various types of violence of which women are victims are specific manifestations of a broader social issue that requires unique attention and solutions. Violence can stand in the way of full equality for women in our society, and it remains a problem in Canada.

It is important that all Canadian men and women recognize that violence is unacceptable, regardless of whom it is directed against.

This recognition should also not end when the sun sets today. It should be apparent every day of the year.

[Human Resources Development, November 29th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to inform the House that the Minister of Human Resources Development is today participating in the launch of a career information kit which is called “The Future is Wide Open”. This kit is the product of a strategic partnership between the Government of Canada and the Canadian Automotive Repair and Service Sector Council.

Skills and learning are the foundation of Canada's innovation strategy. We need to ensure that young people have the opportunity to participate fully in the economy.

[Peacekeeping, November 29th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to inform the House of the outstanding work of a Laval resident, Clémence Lacroix, who was awarded the Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal for her work in Egypt, where she served with the Canadian Forces.

Peacekeepers like Ms. Lacroix make it possible for Canada to carry out its role in peacekeeping around the world.

I ask for the support of my parliamentary colleagues in congratulating people like Clémence Lacroix for their work in peacekeeping.

[Literature, November 22nd, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, literature has always been very important in our country's cultural development. Literature is a reflection of our history and society and it allows thousands of people to recognize themselves through the imaginary world of our authors.

I am proud to see that Laval West has some great talents. Indeed, Claire Varin, who has written three novels, was just awarded the 2002 Prix de la Société des écrivains canadiens for her third novel, Désert désir . She tied with Nicole Brossard for that prize.

Let me also point out that Maxime Mongeon just announced the upcoming publication of his second novel. Mr. Mongeon is currently working with young pupils in Fabreville's elementary schools.

I am taking this opportunity today to congratulate these two authors from Laval for their work and their contribution to Quebec and Canadian literature.