Mr. Halliday:

Mr. Speaker, I move:

That notwithstanding any Standing Order and the usual practices of the House, Bill S-20, an act to change the name of the Canadian Medical Association, be now called for second reading and that the House proceed to dispose of the said bill at all stages.

Mr. Bruce Halliday (Oxford):

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present two reports.

The first, which is in the usual format as well as in the alternate formats of Braille, computer disc, large print and audio cassette, is the first annual report pursuant to clause 7(1) of the Centennial Flame Research Award Act. This annual report includes the report of the first recipient of the award, Ms Sharon Houlihan from Whitehorse, Yukon. She has written a report on Ms. Judi Johnny, an impassioned advocate for the rights of aboriginal persons with disabilities.

Mr. Bruce Halliday (Oxford):

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to table in the usual format as well as in the alternate formats of Braille, computer disc, large print and an audio cassette the fifth report of the Standing Committee on Human Rights and the Status of Disabled Persons entitled Signposts.

June 14, 1993

This report represents an assessment of the work of the committee during the 34th Parliament and suggests future priorities for the committee including a strong recommendation that it be maintained in the next Parliament.

[.Editor's Note: See today's Votes and Proceedings.]

Mr. Bruce Halliday (Oxford):

Madam Speaker, last week was National Access Awareness Week in Canada, a time when over a thousand communities across this country took stock of their progress in breaking down their barriers which prevent full participation in community life by persons with disabilities.

NAAW, as it has come to be known, has experienced amazing growth and success over the past six years because of partnerships forged among labour, business, volunteer and public interest groups.

The success of NAAW is evident everywhere, in a host of national programs, in community designed initiatives

and here on Parliament Hill. In this regard, I especially appreciate the Deputy Speaker's initiative in building on the commitment and leadership of the hon. John Fraser.

An action plan for Parliament is now in the public domain. We can expect annual reports on progress as we move down the road to a fully inclusive society reflected, for all intents and purposes, by the leading democratic institution in the land.

Mr. Bruce Halliday (Oxford):

Madam Speaker, my question is for the Minister of State for Transport.

This being National Access Awareness Week it is important we note that one of the greatest obstacles disabled Canadians face is the availability of accessible transportation whether for employment or for recreational activities. It has been a major concern of the Standing Committee on Human Rights and the Status of Disabled Persons.

I would like to ask the minister whether she or the government have had any success in providing assistance to our struggling transportation industries in trying to make accessible transportation more available to disabled Canadians.