Mr. Belsher:

Mr. Speaker, as a matter of courtesy I will second the motion.

Mr. Ross Belsher (Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Minister for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency):

Mr. Speaker, it has been my privilege to welcome back on more than one occasion to CFB Chilliwack people from 1-CER, the Combat Engineering Regiment. I must say I have been very proud of our people and the roles they have fulfilled as they have taken on the responsibilities of United Nations peacekeeping force. Actually it was in a war-like situation, certainly 18 months ago or whenever they were in Iraq and Kuwait.

I am also pleased to know a date is looming on the horizon, in the not too distant future, when our troops will come back from Somalia.

In Croatia, Bosnia, and I do not know how many other areas that are part of the former Yugoslavia-we are in several areas there-does she have any guestimate as to how long our troops might have to be there? Does the United Nations have any timetable of how long Canadian forces would be required to fulfil their role? Maybe the minister could give us an outline of how many different places in former Yugoslavia Canadian troops are at present.

Mr. Ross Belsher (Fraser Valley East):

Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate Consumer and Corporate Affairs Canada for its innovative and dynamic approach toward the safety of older consumers during this National Consumer Week.

We should keep in mind that each year over 3,000 seniors die and over 67,000 more are hospitalized as a result of an injury. In 1986 injury related expenditures were estimated at $11 billion and injuries are currently the second leading health care problem. Injuries involving consumer products are of particular concern to seniors because of the severe impact they have on their quality of life.

April 27, 1993

As the Canadian population continues to age the number of injuries and related deaths and associated health costs will significantly increase.

The department has introduced initiatives to reduce product related injuries suffered by seniors in their homes. It is working with industry and seniors' groups to make industry aware of the product and packaging needs of the seniors.

The Canadian Seniors Packaging Advisory Council, CSPAC, was established to address seniors' packaging needs. A national working group was formed to promote products of universal design. Such consumer products will make life easier not only for seniors but also for all Canadians.

Mr. Ross Belsher (Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Minister for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency):

Mr. Speaker, the following questions will be answered today: Nos. 466 and 467.

April 23, 1993

Mr. Belsher:

It's a start in the right direction.