Resumption of debate on Address in Reply  Mr. Speaker, we all wait with much anticipation for the Romanow commission report to come out. We all recognize that when we talk about a compassionate and caring society, we talk about a good quality health care system. There was a recent survey done a couple of weeks ago that found that nine out of ten people in Ontario were satisfied with the health care system.

Resumption of debate on Address in Reply  Mr. Speaker, I can answer that question quite clearly. Yes, I view Canada as one country. We talk about rural and urban regions. Urban Canada needs to do well but so does rural Canada. There were cuts made when we first came into office because we had to deal with an enormous debt.

Resumption of debate on Address in Reply  Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to have a few minutes today to give my comments on the throne speech on behalf of my constituents of York West and to compliment the Prime Minister on both the comments in the throne speech and his comments today. The recognition of the need for an urban strategy to carry our country into the 21st century was clearly enunciated today and articulated very well by the Prime Minister in the throne speech as well.

Assisted Human Reproduction Act  Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure, if those are appropriate words to use, that I rise today to add some comments to the debate on Bill C-56. As a member of the health committee, I sat through for some time a variety of deputations that came before us and talked about the importance of finally getting some legislation.

York West  Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise to recognize a very special group of people from my riding who are visiting Parliament Hill today. They are 55 members from the North Islington Seniors group. This is an event which they and I have looked forward to very much. The North Islington Seniors are a very active group of seniors in my riding.

Domenic di Luca Seniors  Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise to recognize a very special group of people from my riding. Fifty-five members of the Domenic di Luca Seniors are visiting Parliament Hill today. This is an event that they and I look forward to very much. The Domenic di Luca Seniors are one of the largest and most active groups of seniors in York West.

Housing  Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Infrastructure and Crown Corporations. The task force on urban issues today released its interim report calling for an urban strategy for Canada. Within this report are a number of recommendations, including a national affordable housing program.

Canadian Heritage  Mr. Speaker, I have a question for the Minister of Canadian Heritage. Canada has lost 20% of its built heritage over the last 30 years. What is the Minister of Canadian Heritage doing to reverse this trend?

Species at Risk Act  Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to speak to Bill C-5. Over the eight years plus that we have worked to bring forward species at risk legislation we have asked for a great deal of assistance. Many people have provided input. Many people have told us things that were invaluable in the development of the policy.

Supply  Mr. Speaker, when we talk about pornography and how it involves our children, these are issues that we will be looking at seriously with every intent to use whatever jurisdiction that we have and whatever we can do within the law to see that our children are all protected. Some people may call this activity artistic but others would differ.

Supply  Mr. Speaker, I cannot believe some of the questions that have been raised in the House. I refuse to accept that any of us think that protecting our children is not of major importance to every person who is elected to the House, regardless of party. We are here to bring in legislation that is good for all Canadians.

Supply  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise to speak on today's opposition motion regarding protection of children from sexual predators, an issue that is extremely important to all of us in the House. The implication of the motion is that the government is doing nothing while our children remain endangered.

The Prime Minister  Mr. Speaker, our Prime Minister tomorrow will travel to New York to be named the East-West Institute's statesman of the year. The Prime Minister has been selected as dean of the G-8 where he has worked to broaden the G-8 agenda, notably the inclusion of Russia. He is also being recognized for his work in pioneering the G-8 effort to engage forward thinking governments' efforts in Africa.

Johnny Lombardi  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honour the passing of a remarkable man, Johnny Lombardi, founder of CHIN radio and TV. I knew Johnny Lombardi very well and his wonderful family. Indeed, it seemed that everyone in Toronto knew him or at least knew his name. Johnny Lombardi led the way in broadcasting in Canada in a manner that embodies the very heart of our nation.

Supply  Mr. Speaker, as the minister has indicated previously, there is an ongoing mechanism for consultation with the provinces and all other partners over and above the board of trade. I believe at the end of the day we will all share the same commitment on the issue of trying to find a way of meeting our target of having cleaner air while at the same time wanting to make sure we achieve our goals in co-operation with the others.