Budget Implementation Act, 2003  Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke for her comments with respect to JTF2. I know she shares my view that this very elite unit of the Canadian Forces has done remarkable work, both in Canada and abroad. As members know, last summer I had the chance, alo

Budget Implementation Act, 2003  Mr. Speaker, I want to make it very clear that in no way would the government or the Department of Defence seek to harass local residents, permit local residents to be harassed or in fact compromise the health or safety of local residents. Mr. Speaker, you and I understand that

Supply  Mr. Speaker, I listened carefully to the speech by the member for Vancouver East, a member for whom I have considerable respect. I had the privilege of working with her on a special committee of the House on the non-medical use of drugs. Her commitment to many issues is well know

Supply  Mr. Speaker, like the member for Yukon, I find the interventions of the member for Lac-Saint-Louis interesting and reflective. I appreciate a lot of his comments. I am wondering if he might offer some views on one issue which certainly is of concern to many of us in this caucus.

National Defence and Canadian Forces Ombudsman  Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, two copies of the 2002-03 annual report of the National Defence and Canadian Forces Ombudsman.

Petitions  Madam Speaker, I rise on behalf of the member for Markham to present a petition signed by residents of Markham who call upon Parliament to focus its legislative support on adult stem cell research and to find the cures and therapies necessary to treat the illnesses and diseases o

Government Assistance  Mr. Speaker, on this side of the House we are very proud of the commitment that members of the Canadian Forces made. Over 2,600 military personnel and reservists were fighting with civilian workers. We are also very proud of civilian employers who gave reservists a chance to par

Government Assistance  Mr. Speaker, the member knows very well that the government was not blowing smoke, it was fighting fires. That is exactly what the Canadian Forces have done. The minister has made it very clear, as have other ministers of the government, that at all times when a request is recei

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada  Mr. Speaker, September is Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada month. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada is the leading child and youth serving organization providing mentoring programs across the country. Over 170 local agencies provide support to more than 300 Canadian communiti

Canadian Forces Provost Marshal  Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2) I wish to table, in both official languages, two copies of the 2002-03 annual report of the Canadian Forces Provost Marshal.

Employment Insurance Act  Madam Speaker, I want to begin by congratulating the hon. member for Acadie—Bathurst for his commitment to seasonal workers. I also want to thank him for having raised this very important matter in the House of Commons. I also want to begin by thanking of the Minister of Human R

Canadian Forces Superannuation Act  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to speak this morning in support of Bill C-37, an act to amend the Canadian Forces Superannuation Act. The Canadian Forces Superannuation Act dates from the 1960s. Although the fundamental principles of the system are still valid, the act has been impro

National Arthritis Awareness Month  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to inform the House that September will mark National Arthritis Awareness Month. This debilitating disease can strike anyone, anywhere, anytime—no one is immune. Arthritis comes in more than 100 different forms and affects four million Canadians—from in

Afghanistan  Mr. Speaker, we are also aware on this side of the House of the superb job done by the chair of the Standing Committee on National Defence and Veterans Affairs. Canada has pledged $250 million for reconstruction in Afghanistan over the next two years. The Canadian Forces as part

National Defence  Mr. Speaker, the government and the Minister of National Defence have shown remarkable success in achieving greater funding for the Department of National Defence. The member knows very well that in the last budget the Minister of Finance allocated $800 million of new money for t