Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act  Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am glad to be able to join in this debate. It is a debate that says a lot about where we are going as a country, and frankly, this is not the direction that I believe most our constituents would want to be going in or supporting. I know my colleague from Burnaby—New Westminster has been quite active in his criticism of the many free trade agreements that the government has been pursuing, and rightly so.

Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act  Madam Speaker, I am not sure if the Liberal member actually remembers that the steelworkers were here talking to them last spring, and they made a commitment then that they would support an independent, impartial and comprehensive human rights impact assessment before Canada considered an agreement with Colombia.

Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act  Madam Speaker, I am a little flabbergasted with regard to why the Liberals and the Conservatives would want to support such an agreement given the fact that there have been 2,690 trade unionists murdered in Colombia since 1986, 27 of them this year alone. Do you think we should actually turn a blind eye to workers being murdered?

Questions on the Order Paper  With regard to interest on advance deposits from corporate taxpayers: (a) what is the total amount of outstanding deposits; (b) what are the 30 largest amounts of outstanding deposits by company; (c) what has been the amount of interest paid over the last five years; and (d) over the last five years, which companies have refused to be repaied outstanding deposits?

Petitions  Mr. Speaker, tens of thousands of petitions have been received with respect to the controversial Canada-Colombia trade deal. I am pleased to rise today in order to present some petitions that call upon the government to reject the Canada-Colombia trade deal until an independent human rights impact assessment takes place, and that it be replaced with a fair trade agreement that addresses not only environmental and social impacts but also respects labour rights as well as those parties impacted.

Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Region of Northern Ontario Act  The member for Kenora can provide all the rhetoric he wants, but we know he does not support these issues. We need to ensure our people are well taken of in the north.

Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Region of Northern Ontario Act  Although he may be from the north, he does not support the issues that entices the north to come to fruition. I appreciate that I was able to speak to the bill. I hope there will be a successful vote on it in the near future.

Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Region of Northern Ontario Act  Mr. Speaker, I am glad to add my voice to the debate tonight. I would like to acknowledge the member for Nipissing—Timiskaming for introducing Bill C-309, An Act establishing the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Region of Northern Ontario. I would thank the member, but I must remind the House that his party had ample time to implement what it is calling for today and chose not to do so.

Aboriginal Affairs  Mr. Speaker, as the Prime Minister continues his propaganda campaign, pretending that 80% of the stimulus spending has gone out the door, first nations are left behind again. In my riding, they are still waiting to hear about their applications. Birch Island has $10 million in shovel-ready projects, but its applications has still not been approved.

Income Tax Act  moved for leave to introduce Bill C-420, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (deduction for volunteer emergency service). Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to introduce this bill which would amend the Income Tax Act to allow volunteer emergency workers to deduct $3,000 from their taxable income if they perform at least 200 hours of volunteer service in one year.

National Infant and Child Loss Awareness Day  moved for leave to introduce Bill C-410, An Act to establish a National Infant and Child Loss Awareness Day. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in order to introduce this bill with the support of my colleague, Niki Ashton from Churchill. There is nothing more difficult for a parent to accept than the loss of a child.

Aboriginal Affairs  Madam Speaker, niigaaniin, which means “to go forward”, is a culturally appropriate, community-based social assistance program that is making a big difference for the seven communities in the North Shore Tribal Council. Niigaaniin's successes are many, such as the delivery of adult education in all seven communities.

Controlled Drugs and Substances Act  Mr. Speaker, my colleague just mentioned that he has been or was practising law for about 26 years. He should then know that Canada has extensive organized crime legislation already in place and that existing maximum penalties for serious drug offences already include life sentences.

Employment Insurance Act  Madam Speaker, I am pleased to rise and respond at the completion of the second reading stage of my private member's bill. I am grateful for all the MPs who spoke to the bill and look forward to continuing this discussion in committee should the House vote to move in that direction which I expect it will.

Controlled Drugs and Substances Act  Mr. Speaker, having worked at probation and parole for over 13 years, people who stay in jail for a lengthy period of time, unless there are services and programs available to them within those institutions, will not come out any better. If the government is planning to use mandatory minimum sentences, is it prepared to commit dollars to ensure programming is in place to assist people in rehabilitating themselves?