Wai Young

[Tzu Chi Canada, December 12th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, our country is strengthened by the many charitable organizations that do important work in our communities.

Today, I rise to recognize the work of Tzu Chi Canada, founded by Mr. Gary Ho in 1992.

Based out of my hometown of Vancouver, Tzu Chi Canada has now grown across the country with over 40,000 members and 11,000 regular donors with branches in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Montreal and even here in Ottawa.

This year, Tzu Chi Canada celebrated its 20th anniversary, having raised over $45 million for Canadian charity and international relief work from Haiti, Indonesia and, just recently, New York City.

With a focus on charity, volunteers with Tzu Chi work tirelessly across Canada to serve those in need.

On behalf of our government, I thank Tzu Chi Canada and its CEO, Mr. Gary Ho, who received a Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal in Ottawa today, for all the work it has done over the past 20 years. Once again, I congratulate Tzu Chi Canada on 20 wonderful years.

[The Environment, December 3rd, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, under the Liberals, Canada's greenhouse gas emissions increased by a whopping 27%. In the words of the former Liberal leader, “We didn't get it done”.

On the other hand, we have the NDP that has already told Canadians that it would implement a $21 billion job killing, tax on everything carbon tax.

Would the parliamentary secretary update this House on the outcome and accomplishments of this government's climate change efforts to date?

[Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, November 27th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, on November 14, it was an honour to present a number of outstanding Vancouverites with the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.

Among these recipients were two veterans of World War II, who voluntarily enrolled themselves in the Canadian Forces despite being denied Canadian citizenship due to their Chinese ancestry.

Mr. Marshall Chow fought in the Normandy invasion that successfully cleared the French coastline, Belgium and Holland and finally gained Germany. On his part, Mr. Neill Chan volunteered for commando training and served primarily in the South Pacific, including on the infamous Burma Road. Both men returned to Canada as heroes.

In recognition of their service to Canada and steadfast belief in equality for Canadian born Chinese, the government granted citizenship in 1947 to those born with Chinese ancestry. This is one example of how Canadians have touched people, saved lives and impacted the world.

The medal honours Canadians' commitments, contributions and ongoing service and sacrifice as we continue to work together to make Canada the great country it is today.

[Family Homes on Reserves and Matrimonial Interests or Rights Act, November 1st, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, I am shocked that the opposition has had this paternalistic stand, saying that aboriginal women do not deserve the same rights as all Canadian women across this great land of ours.

I am particularly surprised because, as a member who has worked in the downtown east side of Vancouver, I have seen the ramifications of the fact that women do not have these rights on reserve. I have seen the women and their children on the streets. I have seen the women and their children having no money. I have seen the women suffer because there is this legislative gap that our government wants to correct.

I have also worked on the other side, with the YWCA in Vancouver to create social housing, to put a roof over heads, to put breakfast programs in place so that those children and those women can have what is a basic right.

To sit here today and hear that the opposition is saying these women should not have the same rights as every other woman across Canada is shocking. That means the spouses will not be able to have a house; they will not be able to have access to financial supports. I find that shocking.

[Royal Canadian Navy, October 30th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join with the Navy League of Canada in honouring six Royal Canadian Navy and naval reserve units for acts of heroism and exceptional service. The Royal Canadian Navy protects Canada's coastlines and waterways and conducts operations in oceans around the world.

Canadians remember the important role our navy played in the protection of the citizens of Libya just a year ago. HMCS Charlottetown was fired upon in combat for the first time since the Korean war. Today, HMCS Regina is continuing the anti-terrorism operation in the Arabian Sea.

At home, our navy has been hard at work protecting Canadians. The Royal Canadian Navy has assisted communities hit with floods, participated in counter-narcotics operations and participated in Operation Nanook.

Canada is very proud of its navy, its history, its accomplishments and, most importantly, its members. True to its motto “ready, aye, ready”, our sailors are always ready to defend Canada and proudly safeguard our interests and values no matter where they are in the world.

[Retiring Senator, October 25th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to a great Canadian, a former member of this place and, next week, a former member of the upper chamber. I am, of course, speaking of the hon. Gerry St. Germain, a senator of British Columbia.

A native son of Manitoba, he was first elected to the House in 1983 and re-elected in 1984. A former pilot of the Royal Canadian Air Force, the senator was the first Métis to be appointed to cabinet and served as the minister of state for transport and as minister of forestry. Since 1993, Senator St. Germain has been a strong voice for all Canadians on some of the most important issues facing our great country.

In addition to his work in Ottawa, he has been a champion for British Columbia. His wise counsel and great vision have been sought by prominent leaders for close to 30 years. I shall miss him and I know the people of British Columbia will miss his leadership and advocacy here in the halls of Parliament.

I ask that all members join me and the people of Vancouver South in wishing the senator, his wife Margaret and their family all the best in the years ahead.

[The Environment, October 4th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, our government's record has exceeded expectations when it comes to environmental action. We have been instrumental in implementing a world-class oil sands monitoring program. We have put in place new waste water regulations to protect the health and safety of Canadians. We are halfway to meeting our greenhouse gas emission targets.

Canada is truly a world leader when it comes to environmental progress.

Could the minister update the House regarding our government's new measures to clean up contaminated sites?

[International Trade, October 3rd, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, last week, I had the honour of attending the Union of British Columbia Municipalities 2012 convention in Victoria where I hosted a reception to celebrate sister city agreements between municipalities in Canada and China.

I shared with delegates our government's vision for deeper trade and cultural relationships for the benefit of Canadians, especially in British Columbia, Canada's gateway to the Asia-Pacific.

I also spoke about the positive investments our government is making in cities both big and small across Canada. These messages were well received.

I congratulate the organizers on this successful event and I encourage all communities to be at the forefront of Canada's future and to forge relationships with Asia-Pacific counterparts as we move into the Pacific century.

I look forward to working with all of my municipal colleagues as together we continue to create jobs, ensure our communities remain strong and secure Canada's long-term economic prosperity.

[Pacific Coast Hockey Association, June 18th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, this year marks the centennial of the Pacific Coast Hockey Association. The Patrick brothers, Frank and Lester, established this league in B.C. with the Vancouver Millionaires, the Victoria Senators and the New Westminster Royals.

The Patrick brothers' hockey innovations over the years included the assist, the blue line, the goal crease, the forward pass, the boarding penalty, numbers on jerseys or sweaters, as they were called sweaters at the time, the playoff, and they allowed goalies to fall to the ice to make a save.

As a Vancouverite, I am proud to say that Frank Patrick's innovations remain and are still an important part of the NHL rule book today.

This little upstart league also brought Vancouver its first Stanley Cup in 1915. It was the PCHA that helped make hockey the game that is loved by Canadians nationwide.

I am happy to mark this centennial and, as a Vancouverite, am hoping that the Stanley Cup finds its way back to the west coast soon.

[Jobs, Growth and Long-term Prosperity Act, June 14th, 2012]

Madam Speaker, for some reason my vote was not counted.