Jean's Posts

May 7th, 3:20 p.m.

Nitrate Reduction Act

http://openparliament.ca/debates/2012/5/7/jean-crowder-1/

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 moved for leave to introduce Bill C-421, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (nitrate reduction).

 Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member from Davenport for seconding this bill.

Mr. Speaker, the UN special rapporteur on the right to food is about to begin his first ever official mission to a developed country. That country is Canada.

 When the rapporteur on housing came to Canada, the result was a scathing report about third world conditions faced by first nations, Métis and Inuit in our country.

 The fact is, for far too many of these communities, there is simply not enough food.

 Will the minister do his job and agree to meet with the rapporteur to discuss this crisis in Canada?

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member for Parkdale—High Park for very ably outlining the NDP concerns with the government bill.

 The member did touch on the fact that this omnibus bill has all kinds of repercussions for Canadians. I think one of the real repercussions for Canadians is undermining the strength of our democracy.

Mr. Speaker, I have three petitions and I will be brief.

 The first petition is calling on the government to support private member's bill, Bill C-233, An Act to eliminate poverty in Canada.

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Mr. Speaker, I pay tribute to Mary Simon, president of ITK.

 Mary addressed key issues that affect Inuit, such as youth suicide, violence against women, obesity, diabetes, TB rates, housing conditions and the Inuits' struggle to maintain their traditions and language.

 Mary held several leadership positions, including president of the Northern Quebec Inuit Association, president of the Inuit Circumpolar Council, Canada's ambassador for circumpolar affairs and chair of the Arctic Council.