Electoral Reform committee  Absolutely.

Electoral Reform committee  It was never a discussion I was party to.

Electoral Reform committee  What I would like to say is that the prairie provinces and British Columbia are not the same entity. We have a long populist history in British Columbia, and we've dealt with a lot of referendums. The words were used today that this is too complicated for a referendum. Well, we got very engaged in the Charlottetown referendum as a population, and thank goodness we collectively made the right decision.

Electoral Reform committee  But others are making that point.

Electoral Reform committee  Things are not too complicated for the population.

Electoral Reform committee  Thank you very much, Ms. Byford. We'll go now to the Honourable John Duncan, for 10 minutes, please.

Electoral Reform committee  Thank you very much. I'm pleased to be here today. I'm not here as an expert in electoral systems, but did serve as an MP on northern Vancouver Island for 19 years. I believe I'm an expert in the challenges of representing a large rural riding, so that's what I'd like to discuss today.

Canadian Heritage committee  That is where O Canada really comes from: 400 years of history. Shakespeare said, “If music be the food of love, play on.” As well, the greatest music, John Senior wrote, is the music of words singing in our heart, that is, of poetry, literature, and history, Madam Chair. With glowing hearts we see thee rise, The True North strong and free!

Justice committee  Since I was coming here, a friend of mine gave me a copy of legislation entitled an act to establish Pope John Paul II Day, which was enacted by Parliament and assented to on December 16, 2014, in which Parliament acknowledged the important role that Saint John Paul II played not only in this country but in the world as well.

Fisheries committee  I first started working with wild Atlantic salmon in eastern Newfoundland rivers in 1979 with the recently deceased Dr. John Gibson, a great salmon biologist and a wonderful mentor. That set the stage for my career-long interest in studying the ecology of salmonid fishes in rivers. I received my M.Sc. in biology in 1982 from Memorial University of Newfoundland and my Ph.D. in 1986 from University of Waterloo, having studied the ecology of wild stream salmonids.

Fisheries committee  Last is a short-term program capturing seaward-migrating smolt, rearing them to adults, and releasing them back into their native rivers to spawn naturally, thus bypassing the high mortality now being seen during their transition to salt water. We will be stocking between 4,500 and 5,000 large fish going directly to the river to spawn.

Environment committee  I guess we just have to remember what was happening before the Europeans came, settled, and domesticated the land. The buffalo were there and the native people were there. The practice of having cattle on the land is replicating what was natural before we were out there. If Bob were here, he would remember names, places, and dates.

Industry committee  I'd like to take this opportunity to also acknowledge my colleagues here with me this afternoon: Minister Chagger, responsible for small business and tourism; and Minister Duncan, who is responsible for science; and of course my deputy minister John Knubley and my associate deputy minister Kelly Gillis. Mr. Chair, I am here today as Canada's first Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  My name is Christopher Sheppard. I'm Inuit. I'm originally from Postville, Nunatsiavut, but I now live and work in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. I grew up in the friendship centre movement having been involved in their aboriginal youth council, and I'm currently in my first term as vice-president of the National Association of Friendship Centres, also known as the NAFC.

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, I thank the minister for attending and participating. However, I think the minister is misleading the House. She stated that Bill C-14 enables autonomy and access to the majority of those requesting the right to assistance in death. In fact, the bill excludes a whole category of persons, including my constituent, John Tuckwell, who is suffering immeasurably under ALS and has been forced to go to the courts to get assistance in dying.