CANADA House of Commons Debates VOLUME 139 Ï NUMBER 008 Ï 3rd SESSION Ï 37th PARLIAMENT OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Wednesday, February 11, 2004 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 429 HOUSE OF COMMONS Wednesday, February 11, 2004 The House met at 2 p.m. In Switzerland a law has just been passed mandating life sentences for pedophiles because that is the only way to truly protect children. Prayers But this is not Switzerland, it is Canada, where a Liberal government has put protecting children permanently on a back burner, where true democracy remains unfulfilled. Ï (1400) [English] Okotoks residents will be collecting children's shoes to send to Ottawa in the hope that they can wake up a government that thinks The Speaker: It being Wednesday, we will now have the singing the rights of pedophiles trump the rights of children. of the national anthem, led by the hon. member for Nanaimo— Cowichan. I applaud this group. I call on all Canadians from coast to coast to [Editor's Note: Members sang the national anthem] join this movement and to force the government to act. *** STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS [Translation] [English] HEALTH HALTON HILLS Mr. Robert Lanctôt (Châteauguay, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, yester- Mr. Julian Reed (Halton, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, the riding I am day the Heart and Stroke Foundation published its Annual Report privileged to represent is becoming more and more urban. Card on Canadians' Health. The findings of this report are very disturbing and the public should be made aware of them As the town of Halton Hills continues to develop with new immediately. The foundation tells us that obesity rates are rising in subdivisions, making sure that trees are planted to sustain the urban our country and, together with the incidence of diabetes, obesity is forest is important. Today I would like to congratulate Halton Hills becoming a major risk factor for heart disease in Canada. on being recognized as a Green Streets Canada Community for 2004. Moreover, adults are not the only ones at risk, since obesity affects Halton Hills has recognized the importance that urban forests play a high percentage of our young people. The Heart and Stroke in the economic, social and environmental well-being of the Foundation of Canada confirms that excess weight is now one of the community and will plant trees around the town. It will incorporate largest public health problems we have ever faced. trees into its Earth Day events and work with the Georgetown Agricultural Society. I am happy to see that our government has already begun to attack this new threat, for instance, by creating a major campaign to I look forward to enjoying all of the new green streetscapes in promote a more active lifestyle among all Canadians. Halton Hills. *** *** Ï (1405) [English] PEDOPHILES ORDER OF CANADA Mr. Art Hanger (Calgary Northeast, CPC): Mr. Speaker, today in the progressive western town of Okotoks, Alberta, a group of Mrs. Karen Kraft Sloan (York North, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, I rise parents and concerned citizens will do something that the to offer my most heartfelt congratulations to three scientists recently government refuses to do: their part to protect children from appointed to the Order of Canada. pedophiles. Harry Lumsden provides a strong example of how, by working Late last year Okotoks residents were stunned that two pedophiles together, we can make a lasting contribution to conservation. A were being released into their community. They know what we retired biologist and research scientist, Harry is an international know, that pedophiles are always dangerous and cannot be treated. authority in his field. 430 COMMONS DEBATES February 11, 2004 S. O. 31 A past president of The Royal Society of Canada and Canada's earned tax dollars are ripped out of their hands and used and abused foremost expert on risk communication and management, William by this Liberal culture of corruption. Leiss has promoted a deeper understanding of technologically generated risk. Municipal governments have shown leadership. Provincial governments have stepped to the plate. However, it has become David Schindler, a personal buddy of mine, has worked to impress obvious that the Liberal government is incapable of dealing with the upon Canadians the importance of a healthy ecosystem. Author of issues facing rural Canada. It has driven the entire agriculture over 200 scientific publications, Dr. Schindler's work has been industry into the red. widely used in formulating ecological management policy in Canada, the U.S. and in Europe. *** As parliamentarians we should be both proud and pleased to see Ï (1410) the accomplishments of these three men recognized with Canada's highest honour for lifetime achievement. [Translation] *** LAVAL WOMEN'S GROUP EID UL-ADHA Ms. Raymonde Folco (Laval West, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, today I Hon. Dan McTeague (Pickering—Ajax—Uxbridge, Lib.): Mr. would like to tell the House about the work of a group of women in Speaker, Eid ul-Adha is one of the major festivals in the Islamic faith Laval who have come together to help their community. The Laval during the lunar month of Zul-Hijja. Muslims from all over the world Women's Group, which recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, travel to Mecca to fulfill the requirement of the pilgrimage referred brings together anglophone Quebec women of all origins who meet to as the hajj. to share ideas and support. Aside from being one of the five pillars of Islam, the hajj represents a significant opportunity for social and cultural dialogue The group is chaired by Ms. Pearl Biron and provides assistance by enabling Muslims from many countries to interact and better to those who need it most, through a community organization known develop by understanding each other's heritage. as Agape. This year's Eid ul-Adha award by the Progressive Association of This is an excellent example of women who use their time and Muslims will honour the late prime minister, the Right Hon. Pierre energy, their experience and resources, to help the most needy Elliott Trudeau, for his lifetime devotion in the pursuit of justice and people in our society. for creating opportunities for people from all around the world to come to Canada, the model today for a truly multicultural society. I want to commend the excellent work accomplished by these Mr. Justin Trudeau will be in attendance to accept the award on women and wish the Laval Women's Group many more years of behalf of his father. success. I wish to extend an invitation to you, Mr. Speaker, and all colleagues in the House as well as in the other place to attend the *** ninth annual Eid ul-Adha ceremony tonight on Parliament Hill in Room 200, West Block from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. GUY PROVOST Once again, the event promises to be an evening of celebration of Ms. Christiane Gagnon (Québec, BQ): Mr. Speaker, another the Islamic faith. famous Quebec actor has left us. Guy Provost died yesterday, and one of his roles has left a deep imprint on my generation. I am of *** course referring to Alexis in Les Belles Histoires des pays d'en haut. AGRICULTURE His passion for the beautiful Donalda, who would become the Mr. Rick Casson (Lethbridge, CPC): Mr. Speaker, the Auditor wife of Séraphin, was the topic of many conversations in our homes, General's report, as scathing and damning as it is, is not the only and the charming and handsome Alexis was a real heartthrob for alarming report issued lately that condemns this corrupt Liberal many romantic women. government. Another alarming report points out Canada's agriculture industry In addition to having played alongside Maria Casarès, Philippe collectively lost money last year. That is right; one of the industries Noiret and Gérard Philippe, in France, Guy Provost was, for over 60 whose back this nation was built on is in a sea of Liberal created red years, a major figure on Quebec's theatrical scene. Among others, he ink. This is a glaring condemnation of the Liberal government's played the role of Antoine Jacquemin in Terre humaine, Léon failed policies and highlights the Liberals' inability to negotiate Tanguay in Sous un ciel variable, and Father Alexandre in La effective change on the world stage. Famille Plouffe. Our producers and businesses on and off the farm do not have the The Bloc Quebecois extends its most sincere condolences to his ability to run up a flag of convenience to protect them from the wife, his three children and the entire theatre community, which has government's mismanagement. They can only watch as their hard- lost one of its great Quebec ambassadors. February 11, 2004 COMMONS DEBATES 431 S. O. 31 GUY PROVOST principles—are a testament to all of us and principles we should Mr. Bernard Patry (Pierrefonds—Dollard, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, all live up to. today, Canada is mourning one of its great actors. Guy Provost, who Ï (1415) was well known for playing the character of Alexis Labranche in the [Translation] televised series Les Belles Histoires des pays d'en haut, succumbed to his illness. I was fortunate enough to see him on occasion after I was elected, and he often told me that he watched the House of Commons I invite my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to this talented proceedings and commended us all for truly serving the public. actor. Mr. Provost began with the Compagnons de Saint-Laurent, almost 60 years ago, and then moved to France to work under, [English] among others, Jean Vilar, at the Théâtre national populaire.