Mayors Caucus  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge and welcome the 22 mayors from Canada's largest cities who are in Ottawa today for two days of discussions. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities' big city mayors caucus are meeting with cabinet ministers and finance officials for prebudget discussions.

Urban Communities  Mr. Speaker, in the recent Speech from the Throne the Government of Canada states “Competitive cities and healthy communities are vital to our individual and national well-being”. With the tabling of the final report of the Prime Minister's caucus task force on urban issues, could the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs tell the House how the government will ensure our urban regions remain competitive and sustainable to meet the challenges in the 21st century?

Public Safety Act, 2002  Madam Speaker, I wish to speak to the interim orders required for Health Canada that would be allowed under Bill C-17. The bill would allow certain ministers to make interim orders if immediate action is required to deal with a significant risk to health, safety or the environment.

2002 Synergy Awards for Innovation  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to congratulate two winners of the 2002 Synergy Awards for Innovation announced by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. Dr. Vincent Tao and Dr. Allan Tarswell were recognized for their important work on three dimensional imaging of laser radar.

Adoption Awareness Month  Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to rise today to recognize November as Adoption Awareness Month. For over 20 years, Canadian families and support organizations have celebrated this important time. This is an internationally proclaimed month to celebrate adoption and raise awareness of the thousands of children throughout North America and the world who are waiting to be adopted.

Health  Mr. Speaker, my question today is for the Minister of Health. Today I and other members of the House met with a very special group of people. We met with children who live with type 1 diabetes. We were all touched with how these beautiful children cope with this disease. They and their parents are here to tell members of Parliament that the government should invest more resources on type 1 diabetes.

Supply  Madam Speaker, I listened intently to the question. We are all trying to ensure that the government is held accountable and that the best people possible are receiving appointments to these important agencies. The work that the modernization committee has done to which the House leader referred to this morning is continuing to move us in that direction.

Supply  Madam Speaker, I have had two occasions on the standing committees on which I have sat. Currently we have the ability to review appointments if a committee chooses to do that.

Supply  Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his comments. I am not sure that I understand the point that he was trying to make. All of us who are in government, regardless of party, always attempt to ensure that the best people possible are appointed to fill important jobs.

Supply  Madam Speaker, it is a pleasure for me to rise today to speak on the motion originally put forward this morning by the Bloc, which states: That, in the opinion of this House, government appointments of ambassadors, consuls general and heads of regulatory bodies and Crown corporations should automatically be referred to the appropriate committee of the House of Commons for consideration, and that the relevant Standing Orders of the House of Commons should be amended accordingly.

Health Care System  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to see our colleague looking so well and so fit and applauding our system. All of us as Canadians are immensely proud of the system we have. The question is how we are going to make it sustainable in the long term. Demographics clearly show that we have an aging population.

Health Care System  Mr. Speaker, the comments by my colleague across the floor and across the hall in our building are indicative of the fact that many of us come to Ottawa on issues we are concerned about, in particular the health care system, the issues in and around disability, and how we can help people in our communities.

Health Care System  Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to be sharing my time with the member for Western Arctic today and to talk in the important debate on the future of health care in Canada. Clearly this is something that all of us value as Canadians, probably more than any other program that is delivered.

Research and Development  Mr. Speaker, in the recent Speech from the Throne the government made a commitment to make Canada a world leader in innovation and learning. All of us clearly understand the need to attract and retain top quality researchers in Canada. I am proud of the work that has been done by York University in the riding of York West.

Resumption of debate on Address in Reply  Mr. Speaker, when I spoke earlier I talked about why I am a member of Parliament. The throne speech was reflective of what I think most of us, at least those who sit on this side of the House, want Canada to be, which is compassionate and caring. That includes all Canadians regardless of whether they are from the west or from the Maritimes.