Rob Merrifield

[Petitions, November 6th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I am very proud to present 12 petitions from different communities in my riding. These are from the communities of Wildwood, Edson, Jasper, Drayton Valley, Barrhead, Alberta Beach, Hinton, Grand Cache, Mayerthorpe, Tomahawk, Onoway, and Calahoo.

The petitioners are very concerned about the definition of marriage being retained and they want an open debate in the country. They are petitioning the government to have the definition of marriage retained as being between a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others.

[Canadian Farm-Raised Deer and Elk Month Act, November 6th, 2003]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-470, an act to designate the month of November as Canadian Farm-Raised Deer and Elk Month.

Mr. Speaker, I ask for consideration of this legislation because the animals of 2,000 farmers across the country have been hit by a critical wasting disease. We need to raise awareness of this industry that has great value, not only to Canadians but to international trade as well. It provides nutraceuticalin the way of elk velvet that is very popular in Asian countries as well as in North America. The quality of red deer and elk meat is lower in cholesterol than chicken. It is of very high quality. This industry needs support and awareness brought to it.

I encourage members of the House to consider my bill because it is a very valuable bill.

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

[Health, November 5th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, that is certainly a change from what she answered on October 6, when I asked that same question.

Let us call human cloning what it is. It is an affront to human dignity, individuality and rights. Human life should not be created to harvest spare parts.

What led the minister to change her mind?

[Health, November 5th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, an important vote on human cloning will be held tomorrow at the United Nations. There are 65 countries that will be supporting a resolution that would ban all forms of cloning. However, there are 23 countries, including Canada, that will back a weaker proposal that would allow therapeutic cloning.

It is strange that the government would be supporting therapeutic cloning at the United Nations, even though Bill C-13 aims to ban human cloning.

Why would the government be supporting a resolution that does not reflect its own legislation?

[Petitions, November 3rd, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to present a petition pursuant to Standing Order 36 on behalf of the people of Yellowhead. The petitioners are very concerned about preserving the definition of marriage as being between one man and one woman.

[Health, November 3rd, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, let us talk about health care. Health care has never been a priority of the government.

The incoming leader of the Liberal Party slashed billions from health care when he was the finance minister. What did we get? We have long waiting lists and shortage of doctors and nurses from which we will never recover. That is the legacy of those cuts.

Will the provinces get the $2 billion in January, yes or no?

[Health, November 3rd, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, the government still cannot offer a firm commitment for health care but it seems to have plenty of money for its pet projects: last week, $700 million for VIA Rail; the gun registry that continues to be a sinkhole of federal money; and today, it is reported more federal cash for Bombardier to sell planes to Air Canada.

When it comes to health care, why does the government not simply commit an additional $2 billion today?

[Ethics, October 29th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, the excuses of that minister are absolutely astonishing. A minister of the crown cannot and should not accept a trip from a lobbyist while that lobbyist is actively lobbying that minister's department. That is exactly what the minister did.

Could the minister explain how this is not a conflict of interest?

[Ethics, October 29th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Industry. His fishing trip at the Irving lodge while he was the minister of health with a registered health lobbyist was a clear conflict of interest. The industry minister just does not get it.

Did the minister consult the ethics counsellor while he was the minister of health about the fishing trip with that health lobbyist?

[Health, October 22nd, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday at the health committee, officials from Health Canada indicated that the Treasury Board guidelines have been ignored within the department. The deputy minister refused to indicate where and how much.

Every day we see more corruption from this government. Why would the minister allow her department to break the rules?