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CANADA House of Commons Debates VOLUME 137 Ï NUMBER 135 Ï 1st SESSION Ï 37th PARLIAMENT OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Wednesday, January 30, 2002 Speaker: The Honourable Peter Milliken CONTENTS (Table of Contents appears at back of this issue.) All parliamentary publications are available on the ``Parliamentary Internet Parlementaire´´ at the following address: http://www.parl.gc.ca 8475 HOUSE OF COMMONS Wednesday, January 30, 2002 The House met at 2 p.m. It comes as no surprise that the audit report may never be made public. Only the minister responsible for the Canadian Wheat Board Prayers and it's board of directors will be given a copy. It is up to them whether to release the audit publicly. If the Canadian Wheat Board wants to be accountable to western Canadian farmers, it must finally Ï (1400) lift the veil of secrecy surrounding its operations and release the [English] entire audit of the Canadian Wheat Board. The Speaker: As is our practice on Wednesday we will now sing O Canada, and we will be led by the hon. member for Peterborough. However, even this will do nothing to free farmers from the CWB's restrictive and expensive bureaucracy. Until farmers actually [Editor's Note: Members sang the national anthem] have the freedom to market and process their own grain, they will be unable to develop and strengthen their own communities. STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS I challenge the minister responsible for the Canadian Wheat Board to take the unusual step of actually showing initiative by not only [English] releasing the complete audit but also releasing western Canadian BRAIN TUMOUR FOUNDATION producers from an outdated, costly and mandatory grain marketing Mr. Joe Fontana (London North Centre, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, I system. would like to acknowledge that this year is the 20th anniversary of the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada. *** Each year approximately 10,000 Canadians are diagnosed with a brain tumour. Brain tumours are the second leading cause of cancer TONY SEURET death for children and young adults. They are one of the fastest growing causes of cancer death in the elderly. In fact, two of my Mr. Joe Comuzzi (Thunder Bay—Superior North, Lib.): Mr. good friends, David Murray and Emilio Grimaldi, passed away from Speaker, in this House we pay tribute to outstanding individuals who brain tumours. make great contributions to our communities and to our lives. One of those people is Tony Seuret of Thunder Bay. This national non-profit organization has grown from a very humble beginning in London, Ontario to become a leader with supporters in many parts of the country. It provides support services He excelled in education, starting as a professor at Lakehead to several thousands of those affected by brain tumours. To celebrate University, becoming chair of the school of business and eventually its anniversary the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada is launching being honoured by a fellowship from the university. today its virtual support centre website, one more way to connect more patients, families and friends for hope, information and After leaving the academic field, he served in broadcasting with support. distinction at Thunder Bay television and CKPR radio for 25 years during the formidable years of communications. I congratulate all of those people associated with the Brain Tumour Foundation for their hard work and contribution to our nation. In the community, Tony has served the Economic Developers Council of Ontario and in every area that has benefited the people of *** Thunder Bay and northwestern Ontario. Tony Seuret is retiring CANADIAN WHEAT BOARD tomorrow. We wish him and Ann all of the very best. Mr. David Anderson (Cypress Hills—Grasslands, Canadian Alliance): Mr Speaker, it is the end of January and the audit of the Mr. Speaker, I have given him a message on your behalf that his financial transactions and operations of the Canadian Wheat Board contribution should not stop and that he should play a very active by the Auditor General of Canada is to be completed any day. role in the community in the future. 8476 COMMONS DEBATES January 30, 2002 S. O. 31 [Translation] Yet, less than a year ago, the government was claiming it wanted to revive domestic shipbuilding. In the absence of any real business ARTHRITIS support policy, it indicated some good intentions, stating that no Mr. Claude Duplain (Portneuf, Lib.): Mr. Speaker,Yesterday, tariffs would be eliminated without prior consultation of the the Arthritis Society was proud to unveil the first ever Canadian stakeholders. Arthritis Bill of Rights. This bill enshrines the basic rights and responsibilities for Canadian arthritis patients, from the right to If the Minister for International Trade takes the trouble to carry out timely and accurate diagnosis of the disease to the right to quicker that consultation, he will see that a number of them have concerns access to new medications. about countries such as Norway having access to our markets, and thus totally annihilating any hopes the thousands of Quebec and The purpose of this initiative is to raise public awareness of the Canadian shipyard workers might have of getting back to work. problems relating to arthritis and to mobilize arthritis patients. It is estimated that 85% of Canadians are likely to be affected by Does the Minister of International Trade want to close down these arthritis before the age of 70. Arthritis is also responsible for 25% of last shipyards in Quebec and in Canada? long term disability cases in Canada. *** Now that they have this Canadian bill of rights, arthritis patients have a legitimate platform from which to demand their right to be [English] heard. PHILIPPINES *** Mr. Pat Martin (Winnipeg Centre, NDP): Mr. Speaker, I know Ï (1405) that I speak for all members of parliament when I say that we value [English] the warm and cordial relationship we enjoy with the Philippines as a nation and that we are proud to host the president of the Philippines, HOCKEY Gloria Arroyo, in our country this week. Mr. Andy Savoy (Tobique—Mactaquac, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, the first ever World Pond Hockey Championships were held January 19 I can also say without any fear of contradiction that we value the and 20 in Plaster Rock, New Brunswick. I congratulate the substantial contributions made by Filipino people who have chosen organizers, Jackie Hebert, Danny Braun and Tom Chamberlain for to make Canada their home. I need only point to the hon. Minister of their efforts. Veterans Affairs by way of an example, or my friend and colleague the president of the Philippine Association of Manitoba, Mr. Lito Drawing media attention and interest from hockey enthusiasts Taruc, who joins us here today. around the globe, this 38 team tournament raised $5,000 to help fund a new local arena. Played on a postcard perfect lake, the puck party In recognition of the special relationship between our two typified Canadian winter at its best, reviving fond memories of open countries I urge the Canadian government to give Filipino air matches from childhood. immigrants the respect they deserve in ways such as recognizing Behind the scenes was a small army of volunteers who spent every their professional credentials, especially those of domestic workers night leading up to the tournament shovelling snow and preparing in the live-in caregiver program. the ice surfaces. Already teams from as far away as Finland are inquiring about next year's championships. The tournament is a I further urge the government to ensure that Canadian companies shining example of community spirit and Canada's passion for our doing business in the Philippines conduct themselves as good national sport. corporate citizens and that mining companies like Placer Dome are held accountable for the environmental degradation resulting from I extend congratulations to everyone involved. I am confident that its activities on the Boac river. the World Pond Hockey Championships will become a tradition on the Tobique. To my friends in the Filipino community I say mabuhay. *** *** [Translation] AGA KHAN SHIPBUILDING Mr. Michel Guimond (Beauport—Montmorency—Côte-de- Mr. John Godfrey (Don Valley West, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, to my Beaupré—Île-d'Orléans, BQ): Mr. Speaker, the federal govern- friends in the Ismaili community I say Ya Ali Madad. ment's trade negotiations with the European Free Trade Association are at risk of destroying what remains of our shipbuilding industry. I ask the House to join me in extending a warm welcome to their leader, His Highness the Aga Khan. The Aga Khan succeeded his Canada intends to resume the negotiations broken off in the year grandfather as Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili muslims in 1957. As 2000, with a view to withdrawing certain duties, the repercussions of a religious leader he has promoted a view of Islam as a faith that which might be fatal to our shipbuilding industry. teaches compassion, tolerance and upholds human dignity. January 30, 2002 COMMONS DEBATES 8477 S. O. 31 In keeping with this vision, the Aga Khan has led the creation of Does the government stand shoulder to shoulder with terrorist the Aga Khan Development Network. This group of institutions has sponsors like Libya and Tamil Tigers or with our allies against made a significant contribution to peace, stability and social terror? The government cannot have it both ways. development in poor regions across Asia and Africa. It works to improve living conditions for all people without regard to religion or *** origin. VINKO PULJIC The Aga Khan Foundation in Canada was established in 1980. It is a non-profit organization that seeks ways to improve education, Mr. Derek Lee (Scarborough—Rouge River, Lib.): Mr. health care and rural income around the world.