Stephen Woodworth

[Petitions, September 18th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to present a petition from over 400 of my constituents and others.

The petitioners call upon the Parliament of Canada to pass legislation to protect human life from the time of conception until natural death. They point out that it has been 40 years since the last change of law on this matter and that since January 28, 1988, Canada has had no law to protect the human rights of children before birth.

This issue has divided Canadians for far too long. It is time for true parliamentarians to lead a respectful dialogue, which will reconcile all Canadians.

[Trade, June 9th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, when the U.S. Congress included buy American provisions in its stimulus bill earlier this year, Canadians were justifiably concerned.

The U.S. market represents a $375.5 billion destination for Canadian exports. Trade with Canada supports more than seven million U.S. jobs. That is why our government is taking every opportunity to urge President Obama and the Congress to honour their international trade commitments.

Could the Minister of International Trade tell the House what else our government is doing to ensure Washington hears this message loud and clear?

[Protecting Victims From Sex Offenders Act, June 8th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I enjoyed my friend's comments, and I thought he was balanced in his remarks. In particular, I enjoyed some of the descriptions of the events he experienced over his years before the courts.

I practised almost 30 years before the courts in Ontario, and I can appreciate his disappointment with the judge who, after the full submissions, took out a judgment that had been previously written. I have had that experience myself before the courts. In fact, I was somewhat disappointed to have had the same experience in the House last January. After the government spent several months and many hearings and submissions putting together a budget, members of the New Democratic Party refused to vote for it without even having read it.

I am grateful to the minister for having introduced the bill. It seems to have produced a spirit of multi-party cooperation in the House, and that is exactly what Canadians have been asking for.

Despite whatever criticisms the hon. member has been able to find, is the bill sufficiently without flaws that he and his party are going to vote for it?

[Clean Air Day, June 3rd, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in celebration of Clean Air Day.

Clean Air Day is an important part of environment week first championed by our great former Conservative Prime Minister, John Diefenbaker.

For too many Canadians air pollution is a significant health concern. That is why our government is continuing the Conservative tradition of cleaning up our air.

Our government is committed to reducing pollution and its negative effects. We are expanding the air quality health index launched in 2007. We are committed to solving the health impacts experienced by Canadians on poor quality air days.

We are also working with the provinces and other stakeholders to put in place regulations to reduce air pollution from industrial activities.

We are holding a formal dialogue with the United States to reinforce our efforts to reduce air pollution.

I challenge all members of the House to champion air quality within their own constituencies.

[Taxation, May 26th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, the leader of the Liberal Party refers to himself as a tax and spend Liberal. He said point blank that he would raise taxes. The Liberal Party even passed a policy at its recent convention reaffirming its support of a job-killing carbon tax.

Now the Liberals' new plan is to create a 45-day work year. The Liberal plan would lead to massive increases in job-killing payroll taxes, an increase in taxes that would hurt workers and small businesses alike.

It is becoming evident that the Liberals have never met a tax they did not like.

Fortunately, this Conservative government is in favour of cutting taxes. The Conservative government is providing $20 billion in additional personal income tax relief, which all economists agree that during a recession is the right thing to do.

[Petitions, May 15th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, the third petition is from 200 Canadians, to pass legislation for the protection of human life from the time of conception, fertilization until natural death.

It reads in part that whereas Canada is a country that respects human rights and includes in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms that everyone has the right to life and whereas it has been 40 years since May 14, 1969, when Parliament changed the law to permit abortion and since January 28, 1988, Canada has had no law to protect the lives of unborn children, the petitioners call upon Parliament to pass legislation for the protection of human life from the time of conception, fertilization until natural death.

[Petitions, May 15th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, the second petition is from 31 Canadians to introduce a new volunteer service medal to acknowledge and recognize volunteerism by Canadian troops.

Whereas during a specified period of service to their country, Canadians, from September 3, 1939, to March 1, 1947, received the Canadian volunteer service medal, and during a specified period of service to their country, Canadians, from June 27, 1950, to July 27, 1954, received the Canadian volunteer service medal for Korea, the petition calls for the issuance of the Governor General's Volunteer Service Medal for volunteer service by Canadians in the regular and reserve military forces and cadet corps support staff who were not eligible for the aforementioned medals and who have completed 365 days of interrupted honourable duty in the service of their country, Canada, since March 2, 1947.

[Petitions, May 15th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I rise to present three petitions today. The first is signed by 27 of my constituents, calling on the government to make changes to employment insurance.

[Federal Sustainable Development Act, May 14th, 2009]

moved that Bill S-216, An Act to amend the Federal Sustainable Development Act and the Auditor General Act (involvement of Parliament), be read the first time.

Mr. Speaker, I do wish to present this bill to the House. It proposes to amend the Federal Sustainable Development Act and the Auditor General Act to ensure the full participation of each House of Parliament.

(Motion agreed to and bill read the first time)

[Sri Lanka, May 5th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, about 10 days ago I had the privilege of meeting with a roomful of Canadians of Tamil origin from my riding of Kitchener Centre.

They were very distressed about events in their homeland with Tamil civilians trapped in conflict by the advancing Sri Lankan army. They were deeply concerned about the mortal peril facing their loved ones.

My heart went out to them and the hearts of all Canadians go out to them.

These Canadians need to know that the Government of Canada has already called on the government of Sri Lanka to declare an immediate ceasefire. They need to know that Canada has already called for unhindered international access for the evacuation of the sick and wounded, and for the delivery of much needed humanitarian assistance to civilians.

Canadians of Tamil origin need to know that our government has millions of dollars in humanitarian assistance ready to go. Canada will keep up the pressure.