The Budget  Mr. Speaker, as most Canadians know, small and medium sized business has been the backbone of our economy over the past years, fueling economic growth by creating jobs in record numbers. These business owners have been calling and e-mailing my office since the tabling of the gove

Vince Ryan Memorial Tournament  Mr. Speaker, today I wish to express thanks to the organizers of the Vince Ryan oldtimers hockey tournament. From its humble beginnings 15 years ago with 12 teams to this year's incredible 152 teams, the Vince Ryan has become the most significant winter tourism event on Cape Bret

Sister Peggy Butts  Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I inform the House today of the death of Sister Peggy Butts. Born in Bridgeport, Cape Breton, Sister Peggy earned her Ph.D in political philosophy from the University of Toronto. Through her career as a high school principal and later a

No. 26 Colliery Mine  Mr. Speaker, February 24, 1979, is a date that weighs heavy on the hearts of many Cape Bretoners, for it was in the early morning hours on that day that 12 coal miners lost their lives in an underground fire in No. 26 Colliery in Glace Bay. Four co-workers were also severely burn

Cape Breton Development Corporation  Mr. Speaker, in the late fall of 2002 it was determined by an independent actuary that the Cape Breton Development Corporation held surplus funds in both the contributory and non-contributory pension plans. In claiming rights to these funds, the corporation filed court proceeding

Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act  Mr. Speaker, it is a great pleasure to rise and speak on Bill C-18 here today and to join in this debate. As we know and as has been stated in the House, Bill C-18 really has two aspects that will be dealt with, one aspect being the continuation of the transfer payments from the

Employment Insurance  Mr. Speaker, it has come to my attention that a number of fishers in Atlantic Canada, mainly from Newfoundland and Labrador, have been denied access to employment insurance, and it has taken some time to address their issue. Could the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Devel

Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation  Mr. Speaker, today I want to offer my congratulations to Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation. Last month the Auditor General's awards for excellence in annual reporting were announced and ECBC was one of this year's finalists. This corporation's work in Cape Breton is well known

The Environment  Mr. Speaker, yesterday's throne speech clearly stated to the people of Cape Breton, and in particular the people of Whitney Pier, that the federal government remains committed to the cleanup of the Sydney tar ponds. The people of this area understand the complexity of the proble

Petitions  Madam Speaker, I stand to present a petition on behalf of the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and his constituents who are from Morris Island, Pubnico, West Pubnico and the Surette Island. They call upon the Government of Canada to uphold the traditional definition of marriage

Questions on the Order Paper  Madam Speaker, I ask that all questions be allowed to stand.

Petitions  Madam Speaker, I present a petition today from many residents of Cape Breton, from Glace Bay, Waterford, Sydney Mines and Dominion. The petition has been signed by over 3,500 constituents who voice their concern over a decision taken by Devco, the federal crown corporation, to s

Government Response to Petitions  Madam Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8) I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's response to 16 petitions.

Questions on the Order Paper  Madam Speaker, Question No. 254 will be answered today.

Question No. 254  Madam Speaker, I ask that all remaining questions be allowed to stand.