Employment Insurance Act  Mr. Speaker, I simply would like to agree with my colleague, the member for Acadie—Bathurst, on his statement.

Employment Insurance Act  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to begin the second reading debate on Bill C-278, An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act (benefits for illness, injury or quarantine). I would like to begin by expressing my appreciation to all my colleagues in this House who have already expressed to me their support for this piece of legislation and who, like me, know constituents, friends or family members who have experienced financial hardship as they recovered from debilitating diseases such as cancer, respiratory disease, heart disease, arthritis, or one of the many other ailments that afflict people in our society.

Employment Insurance Act  moved that Bill C-278, An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act (benefits for illness, injury or quarantine), be read the second time and referred to a committee.

Points of Order  Mr. Speaker, I believe the House leaders should discuss this among themselves before a decision is made.

Co-op Week  Mr. Speaker, there are more than 400 co-operatives and credit unions operating in Nova Scotia. The co-operative movement was started in Cape Breton by a fellow islander, Dr. Moses Coady. It came about mostly because of the struggles that farmers and fishermen were facing in rural areas during the depression.

Middle River  Mr. Speaker, these are exciting times for Middle River, Cape Breton. It is located on the Cabot Trail, one of the most scenic drives in our country. Many of my fellow colleagues in this House would surely agree as they have had the pleasure of travelling it. Middle River has been a beehive of activity this year.

Small Craft Harbours  Mr. Speaker, in a recent issue of the Chronicle-Herald, the leader of the NDP claimed personal credit for opening debate on a motion that led to the House calling for a $15 million increase in small craft harbour funding. That member told a group of fishermen in Woods Harbour, Nova Scotia that the passage of the motion was thanks to the efforts of the NDP.

Privilege  Mr. Speaker, during today's question period, the Minister of International Trade stated that I, being from Atlantic Canada, have no reason to stand in the House and raise concerns about Canada's softwood lumber deal. I take great offence to this statement. As his critic I represent all Canadians, whether it is at committee or in the House.

Softwood Lumber  Mr. Speaker, the Commons standing committee heard alarming testimony from softwood lumber representatives this week regarding the softwood lumber deal with the U.S. Lumber producers and manufacturers expressed serious misgivings about the wayward deal. They say that it will put them in the wood chipper.

Softwood Lumber  Mr. Speaker, that is nonsense. The deal the government made will only protect producers for one month. At today's prices this sweetheart deal means our producers will pay a 10% duty and, if prices fall further, a 15% duty will come in along with volume caps. This is not free trade and it is not fair trade.

Employment Insurance Act  moved for leave to introduce Bill C-278, An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act (benefits for illness, injury or quarantine). Mr. Speaker, I stand in the House to introduce a bill that is not only important for many of my constituents in the riding of Sydney—Victoria, but also for many citizens in Canada who come upon an illness or an injury that removes them from the workforce.

Forest Industry  Mr. Speaker, the Canadian lumber industry has been warned that the framework in the softwood lumber agreement accepted last month undercuts NAFTA. The industry has been told that the U.S. will continue to violate trade agreements if it is allowed to tamper with NAFTA. Why has the Conservative government allowed the Canadian forest industry to be short-changed by $1 billion?

The United Way  Mr. Speaker, Dr. Carl “Bucky” Buchanan has recently chaired the United Way's campaign on Cape Breton Island in an effort to raise funds for much needed programs. This campaign has surpassed the expectation of a half million dollars. It raised over $600,000 to improve the lives of many Cape Bretoners through the sister agencies that work with the United Way.

Baddeck Academy  Mr. Speaker, as many of my colleagues know, my riding has some of the most beautiful landscape in this country. At the start of the Cabot Trail nestled on the Bras d'Or lakes is the much admired village of Baddeck. Baddeck is the site of the first flight in the British Empire. This happened when Alexander Graham Bell flew the Silver Dart almost 100 years ago.

The Environment  Mr. Speaker, in 2004, our government committed $280 million to clean up the Sydney tar ponds. This project is now underway and my community is seeing positive results. Recently, the Minister of the Environment would not respond to questions on further cleanup funding. My question is for the Minister of the Environment.