Criminal Code  Mr. Speaker, I will be splitting my time with the hon. member for North Vancouver. It is an honour for me to rise in the House here today to discuss Bill C-35. I cannot understand why my Conservative friends on the other side continue to delay this bill becoming law. I must point out that the Liberal Party has already gone a long way to putting in place laws to make the jobs of our men and women in uniform easier.

Football  Mr. Speaker, I am very proud to stand in the House today to offer congratulations to Tyson Pencer, a young man from British Columbia who has made his family and all of us in Newton—North Delta very proud. Tyson is a graduate of distinction from Sands secondary school who established himself as one of British Columbia's top football prospects in his final year.

International Mother Language Day  moved for leave to introduce Bill C-407, An Act respecting an International Mother Language Day. Mr. Speaker, it is an honour for me today to table my first private member's bill, an act to declare February 21 international mother language day. Many thanks should be given to the mother language lovers of the world for their tireless efforts in advocating this cause.

International Mother Language Day  Mr. Speaker, I am honoured today to acknowledge and celebrate International Mother Language Day. This day was formally established by a unanimous vote at the 30th general conference of UNESCO in 1999 and celebrations have occurred on February 21 since then. This is a day to acknowledge the contribution languages, including sign language, make to a diverse and multicultural society in Canada.

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, the hon. member from Quebec mentioned child care in Quebec. In fact, when we are elected as members of Parliament, we are here to represent our own ridings as well as the rest of Canada. We are talking about a child care strategy. The previous government signed landmark agreements with each province.

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, in his deliberations, the member for Lambton—Kent—Middlesex mentioned child care and said that poverty was a complex issue. When it comes to child care and early learning, it can also cripple the family budget when it comes to low income rural families. When I look at the last budget there was only one tax bracket that was taxed and that was the lowest tax bracket.

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for Moncton—Riverview—Dieppe for his words here today. The hon. member was talking about minority rights. When it comes to the francophone community, I totally understand where he is coming from because his province has a bilingual culture.

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, I am certain that the hon. member is well aware that the previous government made a landmark agreement with all the provinces so children across this country could take part in the early learning and child care program. I will elaborate on this a bit. This is not just about child care.

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, when I went to the University of Calgary I remember how important the summer program was to obtain the necessary experience to be successful in the workplace. By cutting these programs, we will be affecting the most vulnerable in our society. It is probably because the Conservative government thinks that these students do not work.

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, I will be splitting my time with the member for Moncton—Riverview—Dieppe. Today I rise to speak about the last year, one long year in which we are beginning to see the impacts of the decisions of the new Conservative government. We now can see the Conservatives importing their narrow minded and ultra-conservative agenda for the people of Canada.

Child Care  Mr. Speaker, the Conservative government's abandonment of the child care agreement with British Columbia has made it almost impossible for parents to find care for their children. Child care agencies, such as Options, have had their entire funding slashed because of the government's heartless treatment of children.

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for raising this issue. My friends on the other side keep talking about the 13 years of the Liberal record. I can tell members that I am very proud of the Liberal record. The former Liberal government was the only government that brought the country out of debt.

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, I must say that it is bizarre to hear the NDP members continuing to attack the Liberals when their party actually supports Kyoto. That is what I am talking about. We should be working toward a plan that is no less than the Kyoto plan. I am just wondering why my NDP colleagues are cozying up to the Conservative government, the party that--

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, Canada is a country that is seen around the world as honest, diligent in keeping its commitments, and engaged in multilateralism as a responsible citizen. It is with great sadness, however, that I have witnessed the government abrogate our commitments to the world.

Violence Against Women  Mr. Speaker, today marks Canada's Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. I would like to take a moment in remembrance of the women from my area and many others whose tragic deaths remind us that violence against women remains one of the most important issues we face.