Tilly O'Neill-Gordon

[Mining Industry, March 6th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, mining companies from around the world are gathered in Toronto this week to discuss the state of the global mining industry and how companies can continue to remain competitive in this period of global economic uncertainty.

In the lead-up to the budget, Canadian mining companies asked the government for a competitive investment climate and access to credit.

Could the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources tell us what steps our government has taken to support Canada's mining industry to ensure that Canada remains the world leader in mining and mineral exploration?

[John Lundrigan, March 5th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a former member of the House, John Lundrigan, who recently passed away at the age of 70.

John served in the House for the riding of Gander—Twillingate from 1968 to 1974. He would later go on to serve in Newfoundland and Labrador's House of Assembly for the electoral district of Grand Falls—Buchans, serving as a cabinet minister in the government.

One notable story of John's time in the House has become legendary. In February 1971 John was speaking in this chamber when the then prime minister, Pierre Trudeau, made, in John's and many other's opinions, a rather unparliamentary remark. Of course Trudeau would argue he never said such naughty language, and so the fuddle duddle scandal was born.

On behalf of all of us, we give our condolences to John's family and friends. He will certainly be missed.

[Seal Hunt, March 2nd, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, a member of the Liberal Party in the other place intends to introduce legislation that will see the ban of the Canadian seal hunt, while a senior adviser to the Liberal leader, Warren Kinsella, calls the seal hunt appalling.

Will the government comment on the Liberal Party's betrayal of Canadian seal hunters?

[Bathurst Phantoms, February 23rd, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, as we all remember, last year a terrible bus accident took the lives of seven members of the Bathurst Phantoms basketball team as well as the coach's wife.

I would like to inform the House that this past weekend the Bathurst Phantoms won the New Brunswick High School AA Championship with an 82 to 50 victory over the Campobello Vikings.

This team and the community showed remarkable strength in coming together and achieving this success. We want them to know that Canada is very, very proud of what they have accomplished in the face of such tragedy.

[National Anthem, January 30th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, as everyone knows, I am a retired teacher. One of the most important moments of each day was watching my students rise every morning for the singing of O Canada. Seeing our future generations show pride in their country means a lot to me.

I was very saddened to hear that the principal of a New Brunswick school has banned the singing of O Canada because he apparently believes it is not inclusive enough.

Will the government comment on this disrespectful and ill-informed decision to ban O Canada?

[Address in Reply, January 26th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I am not prepared to speculate on what is in the budget tomorrow. I encourage the member to wait until tomorrow like the rest of us to hear what will be in the budget. Like they say in school, just one more sleep, so wait.

[Address in Reply, January 26th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, as I had said earlier, during my time at home I did meet with many constituents in our round table consultations and I am happy to say that our government is prepared to take immediate action to build roads, bridges and other critical infrastructure, provide tax relief, and to help and protect those hardest hit by this recession.

[Address in Reply, January 26th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I have to say that these are not leaks regarding the budget. These are, honestly, announcements that the people of Canada wanted to hear. They had questions they wanted answered. Our ministers focused on these questions and answered them at a time when Canadians were worried about things that were going on. I am very happy to be part of a government that listens to Canadians and answers their questions.

[Address in Reply, January 26th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, the Speech from the Throne is the next step in Canada's action plan for the economy. This is an unprecedented throne speech for an unprecedented time. I know that my constituents back home agree with ourPrime Minister, that we do hope the MPs will give us a good month, that we can get started and get some work done around here.

[Address in Reply, January 26th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from the opposition for this question and I must assure the opposition that over the past six weeks the Prime Minister, ministers and members of Parliament have participated in pre-budget consultations right across this country. I am happy to say that in the Miramichi we had consultations. We listened to the needs and the cries of the people of the area. We are ready, with our economic plan, to act on their behalf, and to find the stimulus that will bring work and jobs to our area.