Yasmin Ratansi

[Resumption of debate on Address in Reply, April 6th, 2006]

Yes, to feather his own nest, Mr. Speaker.

He appointed him to the Senate and then lo and behold appointed him as the Minister of Public Works. He has allowed his previous MPs--

[Resumption of debate on Address in Reply, April 6th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, I welcome the hon. member into this august House.

It is interesting to note that he talked about accountability, yet in the accountability act proposed by the Prime Minister, in fact the Auditor General has the most powers and the crown corporations too.

It is very interesting to note that the current Prime Minister himself thinks he is above ethics. He has displayed arrogance and basically thumbed his nose at the common people while saying he is about ethics. He started by appointing his friend and campaign manager to the--

[Resumption of debate on Address in Reply, April 6th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, congratulations on your new position.

I would like to thank my hon. colleague for her very insightful review of the Speech from the Throne and for noting that there is a total lack of vision, that there is no protection for the low and the middle income and that it appears the Speech from the Throne and the Conservative platform would only benefit the 5% of people who are in the higher income bracket.

Could my hon. colleague comment on this? Where else has the government failed to look after the needs of the middle and the lower income Canadians?

[Resumption of debate on Address in Reply, April 6th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate you on your appointment.

The throne speech, as the hon. member has said, was very light. It was light on details, light on vision and light considering that only one-third of Canadians voted for the Conservative government. Perhaps that is the reason that the Conservatives do not reflect the Canadian values of bilingualism and respect for other cultures.

As the member has said reviewed the whole speech from the throne and other areas and is so well-versed in issues, what are other areas that my hon. colleague thinks that the Conservatives have arrogantly duped or insulted Canadians of francophone origins?

[Association of Women of India in Canada, November 2nd, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in this House today to recognize a very special organization that has made a tremendous impact on the local community in my riding of Don Valley East.

For almost 30 years, AWIC Community and Social Services has provided support to families who have just arrived in Canada. AWIC provides settlement services, employment counselling, volunteer opportunities, ESL and computer classes, as well as a number of other programs for seniors, women, children and youth.

Since its inception in 1976, AWIC has become a pillar of support for various people who need help adapting to their new surroundings. Above all, AWIC epitomizes Canada as a multicultural society that encourages its citizens to preserve and promote their cultural heritage.

[Citizenship and Immigration, November 1st, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, recent media headlines suggest that Canada's annual immigration target levels will increase by a maximum of 10,000 immigrants next year. It has been suggested that by increasing our target levels we will be able to help Canada cope with the challenges of an aging population, a low birth rate and a shortage of professional skills within Canada.

Could the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration please explain how increasing our annual target levels will help to clear the current backlog in the immigration system and convince more skilled workers to choose Canada?

[Industry, October 21st, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, this week's newspapers have followed rumours of a takeover of Encana Corporation.

Given the importance of this Canadian company, could the Deputy Prime Minister inform the House of the government's views on this company and its importance to the Canadian economy?

[Victims of Crime, October 21st, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the government announced a series of new innovative measures to support the victims of crime. The government considers the needs of a victim to a first priority in the criminal justice system and it will now make it easier for victims of serious crime to access relevant information and participate in the parole process.

As of November 1, 2005, victims will be able to apply for financial assistance to attend National Parole Board hearings of the offender who harmed them.

Victims will then be able to attend the hearings in person, make a statement to the Parole Board or just simply be present to observe and be informed.

In addition, the government is setting up a new national office for victims to better meet the needs of victims of offenders under the federal responsibility. These measures represent an ongoing process and commitment to improve the criminal justice system in Canada.

[Dystonia, October 18th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation of Canada is dedicated, first and foremost, to heightening public awareness about this debilitating neurological disease; second, to increasing funding for research; and third, to promoting greater support for those who suffer from dystonia.

Dystonia is a neurological movement disorder, characterized by involuntary and sustained muscle contractions that twist the body with abnormal movements and postures. It can affect almost any part of the body, from the neck and shoulders, to eyes, jaws, vocal cords, torso and limbs. Despite the fact that dystonia is the third most common movement disorder after Parkinson's and essential tremor, few people are aware of the disease.

Today is the second annual dystonia advocacy day. I invite all members of this House to attend a reception and learn more about dystonia in the Speaker's chambers immediately following tonight's vote.

[South Asia Earthquake, October 17th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, Pakistani authorities estimate that the number of people killed in last week's earthquake is now more than 40,000. Millions have been made homeless and there are fears about potential health risks that threaten stranded survivors.

In the midst of this human tragedy, will the Minister of Foreign Affairs outline what Canada is doing to help the people of Pakistan?