Debates of June 12th, 1995

The Economy

[Paul Martin, Liberal, Minister of Finance and Minister responsible for the Federal Office of Regional Development-Quebec]

Mr. Speaker, I may have to take back my words about eminent economist.

The hon. member knows if we take a look at the last three to four months our interest rates are down substantially. He knows our job creation has increased substantially in the private sector. He knows as well our job creation record given the last couple of months has been substantially better than in the United States which has suffered from a major loss.

On the other hand I do not want to criticize my colleague too much. I am delighted to finally see somebody from the Reform Party asking a question about the economy.

Bovine Somatotropin

[Pauline Picard, Bloc, Drummond, QC]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Health.

Last Friday, in response to questions from the official opposition, neither the Minister of Agriculture nor the Minister of Health were able to confirm whether there had been an investigation into the illegal use of somatotropin in Canada.

Will the minister undertake to table the investigation report prepared by her department to confirm that this hormone is not being used illegally in Canada?

[Diane Marleau, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, we have said time and time again that, despite the rumours, no one was able to bring any concrete example to our attention. Again, if you can give us the names of any individuals selling somatotropin, please let us know, because what they are doing is illegal. It is illegal to sell this product and to import it into Canada, and it will remain illegal as long as it has not been approved by Health Canada, if indeed it is approved.

[Pauline Picard, Bloc, Drummond, QC]

Mr. Speaker, can the minister tell us whether or not her department is taking any measures to enforce the Food and Drugs Act under which, as she told this House, the use of somatotropin is prohibited in Canada, and if so, what measures have been taken?

[Diane Marleau, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, it is illegal to import this product into Canada or to sell it in Canada. We have worked together with Customs on this and found nothing. What can I say? We will arrest as many people as need be, but there is a limit.

Unemployment Insurance

[Diane Ablonczy, Reform, Calgary North, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the finance minister stated in his budget that UI would be cut by a minimum of 10 per cent. The surplus created would be used as a buffer to prevent the need for UI rate increases during tough economic times.

Now the human resources minister has leaked a document directing half of that surplus to increased spending on training programs. Clearly the government has two ministers trying to pull the country in two different directions.

Has the human resources minister consulted with the finance minister about this abrupt change in policy?

[Lloyd Axworthy, Liberal, Minister of Human Resources Development and Minister of Western Economic Diversification]

Mr. Speaker, unfortunately I have to consult with the Minister of Finance every day concerning these matters.

Let me correct the hon. member's statement. It is unfortunate that she tries to slip in these certain amounts of illusions and suspicions. I did not leak a document to anybody at any time. I assure the House of that.

We know very clearly Canadians want a reform which will simplify the system and provide for a real end to the disincentives in the system. It will also be a program which helps people to get back to work. Unfortunately that one crucial element of getting people back to work is not part of the Reform Party's vocabulary.

[Diane Ablonczy, Reform, Calgary North, AB]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians are paying substantial UI premiums to help ensure against lost income during periods of unemployment. However, the minister acts like these premiums are his money to use to tinker with the system.

Why does he not return the UI program to true insurance principles rather than continuing to invest our money in his failed training programs like TAGS?

[Lloyd Axworthy, Liberal, Minister of Human Resources Development and Minister of Western Economic Diversification]

Mr. Speaker, last Friday I visited the North Sydney learning centre where I had an occasion to talk to a number of former fishermen and plant workers under the TAGS

program. They were starting classes at eight in the morning and sometimes going through until midnight. Many of these same workers who left school at grade eight or nine are now in a position after four months of the TAGS program to take their equivalency exam to get their grade 12.

This shows that if we give people a certain hand up they will take full advantage of it. They are now ready to become high school graduates because of the kind of initiatives and resources we have been able to provide.

I wish the Reform Party had more trust in the real motivation and commitment of Canadians given the chance to work.

Fisheries

[Francis Leblanc, Liberal, Cape Breton Highlands—Canso, NS]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans. The recent agreement reached between Canada and the European Union to conserve and protect Atlantic fish stocks was the object of a meeting held in Toronto last week by the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization. Can the minister, who was largely instrumental in developing Canada's position, inform this House of the outcome of those meetings and of the support expressed by NAFO regarding the crucial Canadian objectives?

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

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his question. Following the NAFO meeting, the scope of the Canada-European Union agreement was expanded in two major ways. The conservation agreement on Greenland halibut, or turbot, now includes all Northwest Atlantic groundfish catches. As well, the Canada-European Union agreement now extends to the 15 NAFO members.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear.

[Brian Tobin, Liberal, Humber—St. Barbe—Baie Verte, NL]

Mr. Speaker, I think I should have a talk with Quebec fishermen sometime.

The meeting in Toronto last week in conclusion changed two important things. First, the NAFO enforcement rules now cover all vessels, not just EU vessels. Second, the new rules cover all species of fish, not just Greenland halibut or turbot.

Bosnia

[Jean-Marc Jacob, Bloc, Charlesbourg, QC]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Prime Minister.

On June 9, the UN secretary general officially recommended that the security council approve the deployment of a rapid reaction force in Bosnia. While the UN is about to give the green light to such an operation, the Canadian government is still hesitant about Canada's participation in that force.

Will the Prime Minister tell us clearly whether a decision has finally been made regarding Canada's participation in a rapid reaction force in Bosnia?

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, the government is still looking at the issue. We are waiting for the outcome of the discussions taking place between those countries which have already decided to participate, and for the UN position. As I said last week, I am personally not very enthusiastic about Canadian participation. However, if it is necessary, we will participate. However, there is no urgency, and a decision does not have to be made immediately.

Indonesia

[Keith Martin, Reform, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca, BC]

Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Over the last three years our country has spent over $51 million funding post-secondary education in Indonesia. Why we are doing this when we have just stripped $6 billion out of post-secondary education in Canada? Why are we funding this when the Government of Indonesia said it would ask us to pay for its students to come over here?

[André Ouellet, Liberal, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, it is regrettable that the hon. member is trying to compare apples and oranges. The responsibilities that Canada has taken on regarding education are not only acknowledged but actually sought by a considerable number of stakeholders. The programs which for the most part are run in collaboration with Canadian universities and colleges have considerable spin-offs in the countries where these programs are in operation as well as in Canada itself.

Indian Affairs

[Nelson Riis, NDP, Kamloops, BC]

Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to the parliamentary secretary for the minister of Indian affairs who will be well aware of the six-week old blockade checkpoint now on Adams Lake in British Columbia.

Tensions are escalating. Will he or the minister of Indian affairs please travel to the site to attempt to resolve this issue, primarily over land claims, before serious problems begin?

[Jack Iyerak Anawak, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development]

If the parties agree to ask the minister of Indian and northern affairs or me to come and help resolve the issue, we are prepared to do so.

Law Of The Sea Convention

[Charles Caccia, Liberal, Davenport, ON]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

As he knows, the law of the sea convention protects the world's fisheries and prevents ocean pollution. It came into force in 1994. Canada is among the nations who have yet to ratify it.

Having celebrated international oceans day last week, I would like to ask the minister whether he can say when Canada will ratify the international law of the sea.

[André Ouellet, Liberal, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to inform the hon. member that this fall we will table a bill which I hope will allow us to ratify the treaty.

[The Speaker]

My colleagues, that would bring to a conclusion the question period.

Presence In Gallery

[The Speaker]

I draw the attention of hon. members to the presence in the gallery of Dr. Wole Soyinka, Nobel prize winner in literature and a leader of the democracy movement in Nigeria.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear.

[The Speaker]

I also wish to draw the attention of members to the presence in our gallery of His Excellency, Émile-Derlin Zinsou, chairman of the permanent council of the Francophonie.