House of Commons Debates
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House of Commons Debates VOLUME 147 Ï NUMBER 082 Ï 2nd SESSION Ï 41st PARLIAMENT OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Wednesday, May 7, 2014 Speaker: The Honourable Andrew Scheer CONTENTS (Table of Contents appears at back of this issue.) 5041 HOUSE OF COMMONS Wednesday, May 7, 2014 The House met at 2 p.m. network that is composed of 70 NGOs, educational institutions, and professional associations that are working to improve the lives of women and children in developing countries. Prayers There is an urgent need to speed up progress and place a high priority on reaching the most vulnerable women, newborns, and Ï (1405) children. [English] [English] The Speaker: It being Wednesday, we will now have the singing Last month the executive director of the United Nations of the national anthem, led by the hon. member for Compton— Population Fund reminded us of the importance of universal access Stanstead. to quality reproductive and sexual health and rights for all. Canada should ensure that our maternal, newborn and child health policy [Members sang the national anthem] respects these rights. I thank the Canadian Network for Maternal, Newborn and Child STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS Health for its excellent work. [Translation] [English] TRINITY WESTERN UNIVERSITY Happy Mother's Day! Mr. Russ Hiebert (South Surrey—White Rock—Cloverdale, *** CPC): Mr. Speaker, Trinity Western University, near my community, [English] is opening up a law school. The Law Society of British Columbia will allow Trinity law grads to practise in B.C. when they pass their CITY OF SARNIA bar exams. However, the Law Societies of Ontario and Nova Scotia Mrs. Patricia Davidson (Sarnia—Lambton, CPC): Mr. Speak- have decided they will not let Trinity law grads practise. er, I am honoured to congratulate the city of Sarnia on its centennial. Surprisingly, the reason is not because of academic standards. The decisions were entirely political. One hundred years ago today, the Duke of Connaught, then Governor General of Canada, arrived with his daughter Princess The Ontario and Nova Scotia law societies simply do not like Patricia to lend royal prestige to Sarnia's inauguration. Trinity's Christian code of conduct for its students. In an age that highly values tolerance, this discrimination is the height of Grain elevators, lake-going ships, and trains defined life in the intolerance. It is a clear violation of these would-be lawyers' charter early 20th century in the city. The timber, oil, and agricultural sectors right to freedom of religion. The rule of law requires that law were major parts of its early culture. Sarnia's port was one of the societies treat all applicants equally. Trinity is now going to court to busiest in Canada. defend the rights of its students. The Great Western Railway and the Grand Trunk Railway played I call on the Ontario and Nova Scotia law societies to reverse important roles in Sarnia's growth and eventually led to the themselves and for the Manitoba and New Brunswick societies, expansion of Imperial Oil. The Polymer Corporation was created which are considering the issue, to do the right thing. in 1942 to manufacture synthetic rubber during the war, which *** established Sarnia as a major petrochemical centre. [Translation] Today, Sarnia still stands as a bastion of innovation. The biofuels sector leads a renaissance of the petrochemical industry, and new CANADIAN NETWORK FOR MATERNAL, NEWBORN eco-friendly projects are commonplace. Also, our mayor, Mike AND CHILD HEALTH Bradley, is one of the longest-serving mayors in all of Canada. Ms. Hélène Laverdière (Laurier—Sainte-Marie, NDP): Mr. Speaker, in honour of Mother's Day, we would like to applaud the Today, on behalf of all members of the House, I commend Sarnia Canadian Network for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, a on its centennial. 5042 COMMONS DEBATES May 7, 2014 Statements by Members [Translation] There is research ongoing to find a cure, funded in part by the Ministry of Health and the MS Society. My brother, who is 60, is not UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA confident that a cure will be found in his lifetime. He and others are Hon. Mauril Bélanger (Ottawa—Vanier, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, I upset with how the investigation into CCSVI, a possible therapy, is would like to draw attention to the University of Ottawa's Alumni going. There are issues of co-operation with other researchers in the Day, which my alma mater will be celebrating on Friday, May 9. United States. One can understand their frustration as this disease progresses. On the occasion of the University of Ottawa's Alumni Week 2014, I would like to recognize the some 89,000 graduates of this What are the things we can do to help MS victims and their institution who live and work in the national capital region. families while a cure is being found? We can make it easier for The University of Ottawa, a world-class research and educational people with MS and other episodic disabilities to keep working. We institution, is the world's largest bilingual university and makes a can improve income support, such as employment insurance, for significant contribution to our regional economy. Its graduates are at people with MS who are unable to work or who can only work the very heart of our vibrant communities. intermittently. Ï (1410) I hope all members of this House would support these initiatives [English] for which families with MS are asking. On this special day, it is with great pride that I, as one of its *** graduates, call upon all citizens to celebrate the success of this post- secondary educational institution. I invite you, Mr. Speaker, along ASIAN HERITAGE MONTH with several other of our colleagues from all parties who are also University of Ottawa alumni, to proudly wear our school colours, the Mr. Chungsen Leung (Willowdale, CPC): Mr. Speaker, in May garnet and grey, and to attend some of the events planned on campus 2002, the Government of Canada signed an official declaration to for the rest of this week. designate the month of May as Asian Heritage Month. *** Based on the 2011 census, there are over five million Asian Canadians from all over the world, representing approximately 12% PATRIOTISM IN STROMONT—DUNDAS—SOUTH of the Canadian population, all contributing to the unique and GLENGARRY cultural society that Canadians value. Mr. Guy Lauzon (Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, CPC): Mr. Speaker, in less than two months Canada will be This month we will celebrate the heritage and history of Asian celebrating her 147th birthday. Canadians who have made notable contributions to this great country, a country that is one of the most culturally diverse in the For 147 years, Canadians from all walks of life have contributed world. to create a country that is the envy of the world. This country was built on the backs of giants, the proud men and It is this diversity that strengthens Canada socially, politically and women who went before us. economically in monumental ways. Asian Heritage Month is a celebration where cities and communities across Canada will The constituents of Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry are embrace and celebrate the values and customs of Asian Canadians. also very proud of this magnificent country, and we show it. For the Let us embrace and celebrate the wide range of Asian cultures, past seven years, thousands and thousands of residents of SDSG ethnicities and traditions present in Canada. have proudly displayed a Canadian flag at their homes each and every July 1. As a matter of fact, the riding of Stormont—Dundas— These celebrations will be held across Canada, including in my South Glengarry has claimed the title of “Most Patriotic Riding in riding of Willowdale. I invite all Canadians to take part in the Canada” six out of the last seven years. festivities and celebrations that honour the contributions of Asian Canadians. Every resident in my wonderful riding is truly proud to be a Canadian, and that is why I encourage each and every constituent of *** Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry to again proudly display our glorious maple leaf this July 1. MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS *** Mr. Peter Braid (Kitchener—Waterloo, CPC): Mr. Speaker, Canada has the highest rate of multiple sclerosis in the world. Not MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS only do 100,000 Canadians live with MS, but their families, friends, Mr. Mike Sullivan (York South—Weston, NDP): Mr. Speaker, and communities live with MS as well. this is the third year that I rise to speak about multiple sclerosis. I do so in the hope of a cure, as my family is among the thousands in Today, I am wearing a carnation to support 1 Day in May, a Canada directly affected by MS. My brother Chris has suffered from campaign to raise awareness of MS and the impacts on those who are this disease for years, and it is getting worse. affected. May 7, 2014 COMMONS DEBATES 5043 Statements by Members Canadians living with MS and their caregivers cope with the together to build a consensus on where to focus efforts to maximize challenges of a demanding illness that comes and goes and worsens results for those in need. over time. This affects their employment and financial security. As the Prime Minister stated, “But when the need is great and the People in this situation need options that support their continued cause is just, Canadians are always there. And we always will be. employment, while respecting the daily challenges that they face. I Because that is what Canadians do”. urge each of us, at least one day in May, to effect positive change in the life of someone with MS.