Debates of March 22nd, 1995

Rail Strike

[The Speaker]

I ask the hon. member to put his question.

[Bill Blaikie, NDP, Winnipeg—Transcona, MB]

Mr. Speaker, I am sure if the New Democrats had been in the position of the Bloc we would have had a settlement by now, as of old.

I ask the Minister of Labour whether she would be willing to consider the following changes in the legislation as a way of creating a context in which the legislation could be speeded up. I ask the minister whether she is interested in any agreement, or does she just want to play politics with this thing?

Would she consider changing the provision with respect to when VIA workers go back? Why can VIA workers not go back when CN workers go back? That is something all the unions agree on.

Would the minister consider changing the language of instruction to the-

[The Speaker]

I did hear a question. I am going to permit the hon. Minister of Labour to address herself to that question if she so desires.

[Lucienne Robillard, Liberal, Minister of Labour]

Mr. Speaker, if the NDP gives its support to the legislation we can discuss that in debate.

[Bill Blaikie, NDP, Winnipeg—Transcona, MB]

That is precisely my question, Mr. Speaker. Is the government open to changes in the legislation like the things I have mentioned?

If it is perhaps there could be some understanding as to how the legislation could be changed and support could be given for pushing the legislation through, even though we object in principle-

[The Speaker]

The hon. Minister of Labour.

[Lucienne Robillard, Liberal, Minister of Labour]

Mr. Speaker, if the hon. member understands the parliamentary process, he knows that legislation must first go through various stages. Then we can discuss any amendment which he may propose.

Seal Hunt

[Gaston Leroux, Bloc, Richmond—Wolfe, QC]

Mr. Speaker, several measures were taken by federal and provincial governments to allow the resumption of the commercial seal hunt. As

you know, the seal population is now close to four million, and urgent action is required to restore a balance in the ecosystem.

My question is for the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans. Since the commercial seal hunt can resume only if international markets offer adequate opportunities, which measures does the minister intend to take to counter the boycott of Canadian products getting under way in France to protest seal hunting?

[Brian Tobin, Liberal, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans]

Mr. Speaker, the member opposite would be well served to do what most Canadians are doing, including the Canadian sealers who live in the province of Quebec on the Magdalen Islands; namely to go about their business and participate in a modest and moderate seal hunt this year based on an adult animal.

There is no hunt for a white coat. There is no ship based hunt. It is a hunt by landsmen only. It is within the current quota that has been established for the last five years; in fact less than the quota of the last five years.

The way to respond to misinformation being propagated by a handful of people who see an opportunity to raise dollars for organizations that have been starved for those dollars for many years is simply to speak quietly but clearly the truth about this hunt.

[Gaston Leroux, Bloc, Richmond—Wolfe, QC]

Mr. Speaker, in spite of the minister's assurances regarding the minor impact of the misinformation campaign, in the past, European campaigns against seal hunting have had a disastrous impact on the Atlantic provinces, and especially on the Magdalen Islands.

Consequently, will the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans pledge to improve the seal products marketing policy by conducting an awareness campaign among importers regarding the consequences of the demographic explosion of the seal population?

[Brian Tobin, Liberal, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans]

Mr. Speaker. I congratulate the member for raising the question. It is an important one. The measures he is asking for have already been undertaken for sometime now by the government.

It is clear not only in North American but around the world that the number one conservation issue before Canadians and before people who care about sustainable harvest and development is the question of turbot.

I am ironically pleased that Greenpeace is taking a chartered vessel out of St. John's harbour tonight to protest the Spanish fishing of turbot. That is the real conservation issue.

Natural Resources

[Lee Morrison, Reform, Swift Current—Maple Creek—Assiniboia, SK]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Natural Resources.

The Geological Survey of Canada recently announced that it was moving its British Columbia office from Vancouver to Victoria. This will involve transferring more than 30 geologists and their support staff and breaking a 10-year lease worth about $6 million on new quarters.

In these times of economic restraint, how can the minister justify this boondoggle?

[Anne McLellan, Liberal, Minister of Natural Resources]

Mr. Speaker, in the last budget all departments were required to cut their expenditures considerably. The Department of Natural Resources is no exception to that. It is no longer possible for us to justify having two GSC installations in British Columbia. Therefore we will rationalize and amalgamate.

[Lee Morrison, Reform, Swift Current—Maple Creek—Assiniboia, SK]

Mr. Speaker, that answer reminds me of that old song by Stompin' Tom Connors, "We'll Save a Bunch of Money Spending Money We Don't Got".

Most members of the mining fraternity who are still willing to work in British Columbia are based in Vancouver. They use the facilities of the GSC library, the map sales, and they consult with individual geologists.

What is the point in having a geological survey in B.C. at all if we are going to move it completely away from the people it is intended to serve? There are exactly four potential clients for this thing in Victoria-

[The Speaker]

The hon. minister.

[Anne McLellan, Liberal, Minister of Natural Resources]

Mr. Speaker, let me assure the hon. member yet again that we are looking at all aspects of this move.

I make one thing absolutely clear. We will rationalize and we will amalgamate the facilities of the GSC in British Columbia.

Presence In Gallery

[The Speaker]

My colleagues, I would like to draw to members' attention the presence in the gallery of Mr. Vazken Manukian, a member of the Armenian Parliament and Chairman of the National Democratic Union Party of Armenia.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear.

Points Of Order

[Douglas Young, Liberal, Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, a point of order. During question period the member for Mission-Coquitlam, in making a comment with respect to the appointment of two senators, aroused my ire to some extent.

I hope you will understand, Mr. Speaker, that we have had some experiences recently with the Reform Party commenting on the appointment of Acadians to various positions in government.

I want to withdraw the remark I made to my colleague. I withdraw it unequivocally.

Government Response To Petitions

[Peter Milliken, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's response to 17 petitions.

Committees Of The House

[Sue Barnes, Liberal, London West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the sixth report of the Standing Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs.

Pursuant to the order of reference of Tuesday, September 20, 1994 your committee has considered Bill C-45, an act to amend the Corrections and Conditional Release Act, the Criminal Code, the Criminal Records Act, the Prisons and Reformatories Act and the Transfer of Offenders Act. Your committee has agreed to report it with amendments.

Mr. Speaker, while I am on my feet, I have the honour to present in both official languages the seventh report of the Standing Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs.

Pursuant to the order of reference of Tuesday, October 18, 1994 your committee has considered Bill C-41, an act toamend the Criminal Code (sentencing) and other acts inconsequence thereof. Your committee has agreed to report it with amendments.

[Peter Milliken, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to table the 68th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs regarding Bill C-69, an act to provide for the establishment of electoral boundaries commissions and the readjustment of electoral boundaries, with amendments.

[Bill Graham, Liberal, Rosedale, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the third report of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade.

This report is about the nomination of Robert Fowler to the position of ambassador and permanent representative of Canada to the United Nations in New York.

Your committee reviewed the qualifications of the person appointed and declared him competent to perform the duties of his position.

Rail Strike

[Peter Milliken, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, in light of the very serious crisis facing the country, namely the national rail strike, that is ongoing and which the government is seeking to end, I think you might find unanimous consent in the House for the following motion:

That, notwithstanding any standing order, immediately after the completion of private members' business on this day, the House shall revert to Government Orders for the purpose of continuing consideration of Bill C-77, an act to provide for the maintenance of railway operations and subsidiary services at the second reading stage, in committee of the whole, at the report stage and at third reading stage, provided that the House shall not adjourn this day except pursuant to a motion by a minister of the crown.

[The Speaker]

Does the hon. parliamentary secretary have the unanimous consent of the House to move the motion?