Violence Against Women  Mr. Speaker, every year more than 100,000 women and children in Canada spend time in shelters after fleeing violence in their homes. When these women and children leave the shelters, more often than not they are condemned to a life of poverty, because there is a causal relationship between domestic violence and poverty.

Employment  Mr. Speaker, the government should not be bragging about a small 0.1% drop in unemployment. Statistics Canada is worried because too many former full-time workers are being forced into part-time jobs, and Canada's youth are being left behind. Youth unemployment has increased almost 3%.

Petitions  Madam Speaker, I have the honour to present a petition by the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign regarding the fight against AIDS in Africa and throughout the world. Canadians from Alberta and Ontario are calling on the government to play a role in the fight against AIDS not only in our own country, but throughout the world.

Committees of the House  Mr. Speaker, clearly the issue being discussed today is one of great importance and really reflects the path our country has been taking as of late when it comes to human rights, when it comes to dealing with torture and, most important, when it comes to correcting the wrong, when it comes to recognizing what has been done wrong and in this case egregiously to Canadian citizens themselves.

Petitions  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to stand in the House and present a petition from residents in my constituency, namely those from Flin Flon and surrounding communities as well as Creighton, Saskatchewan. These people have signed a petition calling for the government to act when it comes to the disastrous impact of climate change.

Post-Secondary Education  Mr. Speaker, at a time when young people are facing some of the most difficult economic times, we need action to support them. We need national leadership when it comes to post-secondary education. Instead of leadership, past Liberal governments and the current Conservative government have helped place a heavier burden on students.

Northern and Rural Canadians  Mr. Speaker, northern and rural Canadians deserve real support. They are worried about their livelihoods and their communities. They are concerned about essential services that could be taken away. Many people across northern Manitoba, in Flin Flon, The Pas, Cross Lake, Leaf Rapids, Lynn Lake and other communities are concerned about losing their postal service and are saying no to reductions and privatization of Canada Post services.

House debate  Mr. Speaker, our riding received one of the ten percenters and it was a shocking image, an inappropriate image. I understand a discussion took place in committee. I am glad to see it was raised by people like the Grand Chief who also felt very strongly about it. The substance, being the question of the body bags, of which there are all sorts of theories that have been put forward in terms of what happened, has to be dealt with.

House debate  Mr. Speaker, I have made it clear that I plan to get the vaccine at the earliest possible time. Given that I am not in the first set of priorities to get vaccinated, that the people in my region, my neighbours, my friends, people who live in communities that I represent need it more than me, I have also made it clear that they should get it done.

House debate  Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for bringing this up time and time again. It is absolutely shocking. It is time we see the federal government take a stand for a system that we are so proud of as Canadians, the medicare system. I am proud to be part of a party that fought for it.

House debate  Mr. Speaker, I will be splitting my time with my colleague, the member for Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing. First, I begin by reiterating and further supporting the proposition that the leader of my party, the New Democratic Party, made earlier tonight. It is certainly something that our health critic from Winnipeg North has been fighting for as well.

House debate  Madam Speaker, I would like to begin by wishing my hon. colleague a happy birthday as well. Since he is also one of my youngest colleagues in this House, I think this is a good opportunity for us to work together, given that there are so few members here to represent our generation.

House debate  Madam Speaker, I take encouragement in the minister's specific reference to dealing with H1N1 in first nations. As the proud representative of northern Manitoba, one of the regions that has been hit the hardest by H1N1, I am encouraged to see that direction being taken. However, the way H1N1 has been dealt with, specifically with regard to with these first nations, since we have seen the first signs, makes me wonder about the commitment behind the direction that has been proposed.

Health  Mr. Speaker, Canadians from coast to coast to coast are slowly becoming comfortable with the importance of getting the H1N1 vaccine. While millions of vaccines have been produced and are being distributed, obviously we are seeing major lineups and a lot of people concerned about not being able to get the vaccine.

Health  Surely, however, we can keep going and do a lot more, Mr. Speaker. We were too late in informing people about the vaccine and we were too slow in getting it out. Now we need the vaccine administered as quickly as possible. The need for action is no less urgent and the concern is not lessened.