Mr. Andrew Saxton (North Vancouver, CPC)

Mr. Speaker, February is Heart Month. Today the Heart and Stroke Foundation is hosting a demonstration event on Parliament Hill. As a director of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of B.C. and Yukon, I am proud to sponsor this event.

Every participant will be given a CPR Anytime training kit, which can be used at home with family and friends to learn these important skills. About 40,000 people experience cardiac arrest every year in Canada. With each passing minute, their probability of survival declines by up to 10%. Using an automated external defibrillator, or AED, combined with CPR within the first few minutes can improve survival rates by up to 50% or more.

One does not have to be a doctor to save a life. We all have the power to restart a heart. By learning CPR and AED skills, we can help save someone when it counts most. MPs, senators and staff are invited to come learn the importance of these vital skills today in room 200 of the West Block at 3:30. Let us put our hearts into it. One day we might just save the life of someone we love.

Mr. Andrew Saxton (Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Treasury Board, CPC)

Mr. Speaker, the government respects the good work that the RCMP is doing to keep our communities safe. This is why we are increasing the force by 1,000 officers. It is critical, given our current economic circumstances, that we all tighten our belts. Everyone is being asked to do their fair share to help manage government expenditures. The RCMP is no different and we appreciate its support.

Mr. Andrew Saxton (North Vancouver, CPC)

Mr. Speaker, when we flip our calendars to February, our thoughts turn to matters of the heart. While romance is in the air, we also need to pay attention to our heart health.

February is Heart Month in Canada. It is a time to reduce our risk of heart disease, Canada's leading cause of death. About 40,000 people experience cardiac arrest or a heart attack each year in Canada. Some of the contributing factors that one should be aware of include a family history of heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and obesity.

For the past three years I have served as a director of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of B.C. and Yukon. During this time I have learned that in many cases heart disease can be prevented. Being physically active, following a healthy diet, and eliminating tobacco use can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease.

Mr. Speaker, put your heart into it; who knows, one day the life you save might just be your own.

Mr. Andrew Saxton (North Vancouver, CPC)

Mr. Speaker, the nominees for the 29th annual Genie Awards were announced Tuesday by the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television.

British Columbia films, such as Carl Bessai's Normal, are among the nominees, as are B.C. film professionals Janice Blackie-Goodine and Greg Middleton, who are among the many talented nominees.

The films The Necessities of Life and Everything is Fine dominated the selection. Passchendaele, Fugitive Pieces, Amal and Mommy is at the Hairdresser's each garnered six nominations.

The Genie Awards take place here in Ottawa April 4 at the Canadian Aviation Museum. Events featuring the Canadian film industry will occur in the days leading up to the awards.

As the member of Parliament for North Vancouver, home of much of Canada's film production industry, I wish to congratulate all the nominees.

Mr. Andrew Saxton (Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Treasury Board, CPC)

Mr. Speaker, it is the Treasury Board's intention to treat public service workers equally and fairly during these difficult times, with responsible collective bargaining.