Budget Implementation Act, 2009  Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to speak to the budget implementation bill. I would like to thank the voters in Vancouver Quadra for their vote of confidence in me in the October federal election. I am very grateful for their dynamic support. This is a unique and diverse constituency where the people are informed and engaged.

Chinese New Year  Mr. Speaker, [Member spoke in Chinese as follows:] Kung hay fat choi, xin nian hua leu. [English] Happy Chinese new year. I have the privilege of being elected twice in the riding of Vancouver Quadra, where many constituents have roots in China, Taiwan and Hong Kong. The greater Chinese community in Canada has provided immeasurable enrichment to our country spiritually, socially, culturally and financially.

Infrastructure  Mr. Speaker, the crumbling infrastructure of our cities ought to be a priority for the Conservative government, especially in a time of economic crisis. However, the money has not been flowing. In British Columbia, only seven building Canada fund projects have been announced, and all seven are in Conservative ridings.

Infrastructure  Mr. Speaker, on November 15, 2007, the transport minister held a $50 million photo op for the Ottawa Congress Centre expansion but no money flowed. Again on September 5 last year, on the verge of the last election, the minister held another photo op and forgot to bring his wallet.

Infrastructure  Mr. Speaker, the minister's department confirms that only $80 million of the $1.5 billion allocated for the building Canada fund has actually left federal coffers. That is five cents on every dollar promised. The minister brags about projects that are piled on his desk. That is precisely the problem.

Stan Hagen  Mr. Speaker, the people of British Columbia lost one of our most honourable and loyal public servants last year, Stan Hagen. The sudden passing of Stan, a 12 year member of the legislative assembly in B.C. and cabinet minister, is a great loss to his friends, his family, his colleagues and his constituents in the Comox Valley and the many British Columbians he served over the years.

Forestry Industry  Mr. Speaker, the British Columbia forestry industry is experiencing record lows in sales. Tens of thousands of forestry workers in B.C. are out of work, their families are suffering, and whole communities are being flattened; and I might add, while the cabinet across the aisle and its expense budgets were being fattened.

Forestry Industry  Mr. Speaker, I would like to invite the minister to Mackenzie where 1,400 people have lost their jobs in the forestry sector and she can explain to them how effective her plan has been Yes, the pine bark beetle has hammered the B.C. forestry sector, but the Conservatives have failed on their promise to help fight this infestation.

Ray Perrault  Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that parliamentarians and Canadians mourn the loss of our colleague and friend Senator Ray Perrault. Before his 1973 appointment to the Senate, Mr. Perrault served in the British Columbia legislature before entering the Canadian House of Commons as a member of Parliament for Burnaby—Seymour.

Aboriginal Affairs  Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Kelowna Accord Implementation Act received royal assent and became law. This means that the Conservatives must finally honour the accord they have shamefully ignored for the past two years. Cancelling Kelowna has meant that improvements have not been made which would have ensured that aboriginal peoples have access to the same quality of health care, education and housing that other Canadians enjoy.

Excise Tax Act  moved for leave to introduce Bill C-572, An Act to amend the Excise Tax Act (no GST on bicycles, adult tricycles and related goods and services). Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce my first bill as a member of Parliament, entitled An Act to amend the Excise Tax Act (no GST on bicycles, adult tricycles and related goods and services).

China  Mr. Speaker, China is important to Vancouver Quadra, to Canada and to the global economy. World leaders from France, Britain and Australia get it. Our Prime Minister does not. As the world's second largest economy, China represents enormous economic opportunities for Canada.

Food and Drugs Act  Mr. Speaker, I would contend that many of these natural products do not contain claims. Perhaps some do. I think the natural products industry is pretty careful not to make claims. I purchase many products that I know work. I know that based on my 35 years of experience in using them, not because the label on the bottle says to take this and it will strengthen that.

Food and Drugs Act  Mr. Speaker, I share the member's deep concern about the bill. I am in complete agreement that extensive changes are needed. However, this coming vote is a vote in principle. The principle is that patients have safe, effective and high quality products and that regulating pharmaceutical drugs and natural products for the purpose of reducing risks to health, enhancing safety and accuracy of products makes sense.

Food and Drugs Act  Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to speak to Bill C-51 today. This is an issue that deals with something of top concern to people across the country and certainly people in Vancouver Quadra, and that is the issue of health care. More importantly, health prevention and maintaining health is a critical part of what we do as people, families and mothers.