Natural Areas Conservation  Mr. Speaker, I am please to pay tribute today to one of British Columbia's oldest ranching families, the Froleks. After 100 years and four generations, the Frolek family joined together last Friday with the Government of Canada and the Nature Conservancy of Canada to protect almo

Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to have the opportunity to respond to the Speech from the Throne. Before I begin, I would like to acknowledge a few key people, as this is my maiden address in this House. Although a long-time resident of British Columbia, I did grow up in Ottawa where

Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply  Mr. Speaker, I also congratulate my colleague on his election to the House. Forestry is an absolutely critical concern to our community. I have many mills and much of that industry is within my riding. They have been grateful for the support that has been provided to them through

Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply  Mr. Speaker, after many years of inaction by the Liberal government on the western pine beetle issue, I am very proud of our government's record on this. As we speak, we have retraining of forestry workers. We have machines mulching up the supply. We have a number of measures. We

Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply  Mr. Speaker, it would be very important to also recall that we have stimulus packages. We took proactive measures. We have decreased the GST. We have lowered business taxes for small businesses, for personal businesses and for corporations. Some of the OECD nations are now follow

Economic and Fiscal Statement  Mr. Speaker, as a new member I have been listening very carefully. I have also been watching what has been happening in my riding and some of the stimulus in terms of western economic diversification that has been happening as we speak. I toured the airport and saw many men worki

The Budget  Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to speak in favour of the budget presented by the Minister of Finance on Tuesday. I will make some general observations about the budget and then look at some of the specific details in terms of how the measures suggested will support members of

The Budget  Madam Speaker, that is somewhat false economics. The $39 billion that our government has paid off in debt over the first 20 months of its tenure is a much more appropriate mechanism to ensure we are in a viable position. It is always pay down the debt, do not sit with surpluses i

The Budget  Madam Speaker, to go back to the point that I made in my speech, we truly are in extraordinary global economic times. One only needs to look at the news in terms of Europe and China. In terms of Canada, all the governments of the past need to be particularly pleased at how we fin

Petitions  Mr. Speaker, a number of the constituents of Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo are very concerned about the sexual exploitation of children. Therefore, the petitioners are calling upon Parliament to protect our children by taking all necessary steps to raise the age of consent from 14 ye

Olympic Winter Games  Mr. Speaker, today marks the one year countdown to the start of the Canada Olympic Games. As a British Columbian, I can say how excited everyone is back home. Last weekend, I had the privilege of attending a celebration in Kamloops with thousands in attendance. Could the region

Status of Women  Mr. Speaker, this week is International Women's Week, culminating in International Women's Day on March 8. This government has a strong record on supporting women. The Prime Minister recently appointed the highest percentage of women to cabinet, as well as the first Minister of

Health  Mr. Speaker, this March is nutrition month. Nutrition in a balanced diet is a critical component to a healthy lifestyle. Proper nutrition aids in health promotion and illness prevention. Would the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health share with the House what our Co

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, I would also like to acknowledge that the forestry industry is struggling throughout Canada. Of course in British Columbia not only do we have issues with the downturn in the market, but we have incredible issues with the pine beetle problem. Having said that, I not

Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1992  Madam Speaker, when members work with a bill intimately, they certainly know all the different clauses. As someone who is responsible for a riding with many transnational highways running through it, I am wondering if the hon. member could clarify how this will impact the safety