House of Commons Hansard #27 of the 35th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was institutions.

Topics

Canada Pension PlanOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Acadie—Bathurst New Brunswick

Liberal

Douglas Young LiberalMinister of Human Resources Development

Mr. Speaker, there is one thing that nearly everyone who has looked at the Canada pension plan agrees on: it has to be reorganized to ensure it is sustainable.

The process put in place to evaluate the future of the CPP is one that we look forward to the hon. member and his party participating in. Canadians have a right to know what the government believes should be done with the Canada pension plan. However, it would be very important to know what the third party feels should be done in order to protect future income for senior citizens.

Canada Pension PlanOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Reform

John Williams Reform St. Albert, AB

Mr. Speaker, we wanted an answer from the Liberal government as to what it will do to protect the seniors and their incomes while the Canada pension plan continues to be underfunded and requires support.

When the Deputy Prime Minister was standing here yesterday saying she would protect seniors until such time as the Canada pension plan premiums have been increased dramatically, how can she guarantee these seniors' incomes will be protected?

Canada Pension PlanOral Question Period

3 p.m.

Acadie—Bathurst New Brunswick

Liberal

Douglas Young LiberalMinister of Human Resources Development

Mr. Speaker, I think every member of the government understands the importance of protecting the Canada pension plan. Every member of the government understands the dangers of any plan that is subject to the kind of changing demographics that are involved in Canadian society.

The process that has been initiated of which I am sure the hon. member is aware is one that will provide an opportunity for Canadians who have an interest in the matter to express their views.

As much as the hon. member would like to know the views of the government, which this process will allow to come forward, I know we are all waiting with bated breath to know not only the views of the hon. member as to the future of the Canada pension plan, but also the views of his party on how it should be financed.

StrategisOral Question Period

3 p.m.

Liberal

Alex Shepherd Liberal Durham, ON

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

Our government is committed to fostering a new partnership with small and medium size businesses which will create even more jobs. How has the recent launch of Strategis and other initiatives which give businesses access to the information highway created a new business environment in Canada?

StrategisOral Question Period

3 p.m.

Ottawa South Ontario

Liberal

John Manley LiberalMinister of Industry

Mr. Speaker, Strategis is an information age tool to help particularly

small and medium size enterprises in Canada engage in a process of developing technology, engaging in international trade and creating jobs and economic opportunity for Canadians.

The hon. member and members from both sides of the House will want to encourage small businesses in their areas to connect to the Strategis web site which is the largest business information web site on the Internet. It is where they can find everything from 33,000 licensable technologies to 50,000 company profiles, companies they can trade with, suppliers, partners, joint ventures, and sources of trade opportunities elsewhere in the world.

The hon. members in the Reform Party are concerned about time. This is a real time saver for small business.

1996 CensusOral Question Period

3 p.m.

Progressive Conservative

Elsie Wayne Progressive Conservative Saint John, NB

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

It was brought to my attention a couple of weeks ago that the Minister of Industry contacted the MP from an abutting riding in my area and asked him to submit a list of names for the census taking. When I called the minister's office and questioned this, he stated: "Send your names in. Send them to Halifax. You do not send them to my office".

There are two lists, a and b . I was told my list could not be used until list a was used up at the minister's office.

How can the Minister of Industry justify such a political patronage system when he and his government ran on jobs, jobs, jobs for all Canadians?

1996 CensusOral Question Period

3 p.m.

Ottawa South Ontario

Liberal

John Manley LiberalMinister of Industry

Mr. Speaker, I am glad I did not leave at three o'clock.

I remind the hon. member that it was the Mulroney government in 1984 that ran on jobs, jobs, jobs and it only got two of them in the last election. Had the member been in the House in the weeks before the Easter break she would have heard my assurance that if she had names which she wished to submit to Statistics Canada for census representatives, we would ensure they were submitted.

If she has some problem with that she should certainly follow it up with me. I will be glad to investigate this because I did give her that assurance.

Presence In GalleryOral Question Period

3 p.m.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Kilger)

For some time now, the House has been paying tribute to people who have greatly contributed to Canadian life. It is our way to celebrate Canadian excellence and success.

Today we are honoured to receive some of this country's most distinguished women athletes. These women have represented us in national and international competitions. They have broken records and have won Olympic medals for Canada. They are symbols of excellence and sources of inspiration for Canadians.

They are seated in the gallery now. While I introduce them I ask you to please hold your applause until they stand together: Cross-country skiers Shirley and Sharon Firth; gymnast Lori Fung; figure skater Karen Magnussen; curlers Marcia Gudereit, Jan Betker and Sandra Peterson; speed skater Sylvia Burka; skier Lucille Wheeler-Vaughan; swimmer Joanne Mucz-Hainey; judoist Tina Takahashi; skier Anne Heggtveit-Hamilton; shooter Linda Thom; cross country skier and kayaker Sue Holloway; skier Betsy Clifford-Higgins; track and fielder Diane Jones-Konihowski; synchronized swimmer Michelle Cameron-Coulter; and marathon swimmer Vicki Keith-Munro.

Please join me in welcoming these remarkable women who have made outstanding contributions to Canadian sport and who have honoured our country by their achievements.

Presence In GalleryOral Question Period

3:05 p.m.

Some hon. members

Hear, hear.

Presence In GalleryOral Question Period

3:05 p.m.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Kilger)

On behalf of our Speaker, I am only too pleased to invite all the members to room 216-N, the Speaker's salon, for a reception with our guests.

Government Response To PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:05 p.m.

Fundy Royal New Brunswick

Liberal

Paul Zed LiberalParliamentary 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 responses to 48 petitions.

Committees Of The HouseRoutine Proceedings

3:05 p.m.

Fundy Royal New Brunswick

Liberal

Paul Zed LiberalParliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present the 13th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs regarding the membership of the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans and the Standing Committee on Health and the associate membership of various committees.

If the House gives its consent, I intend to move concurrence in this 13th report later this day.

Oceans ActRoutine Proceedings

3:05 p.m.

Bonavista—Trinity—Conception Newfoundland & Labrador

Liberal

Fred Mifflin LiberalMinister of Fisheries and Oceans

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-26, an act respecting the oceans of Canada.

Oceans ActRoutine Proceedings

3:10 p.m.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Kilger)

Could the minister possibly indicate if in fact the bill is in the same form as it was at the time of prorogation?

Oceans ActRoutine Proceedings

3:10 p.m.

Liberal

Fred Mifflin Liberal Bonavista—Trinity—Conception, NL

Mr. Speaker, I do wish to state that this bill is indeed in the same form as Bill C-98 of the first session of the 35th Parliament at the time of prorogation. I therefore request that it be reinstated as provided in the special order adopted on March 4, 1996.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed.)

Oceans ActRoutine Proceedings

3:10 p.m.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Kilger)

The Chair is satisfied that this bill is in the same form as Bill C-98 was at the time of prorogation of the first session of the 35th Parliament.

Accordingly, pursuant to order made Monday, March 4, 1996, the bill is deemed to have been read the second time, considered by the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans and reported with amendments.

Committees Of The HouseRoutine Proceedings

3:10 p.m.

Fundy Royal New Brunswick

Liberal

Paul Zed LiberalParliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

Mr. Speaker, if the House gives its consent, I move that the 13th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs presented earlier this day be concurred in.

(Motion agreed to.)

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:10 p.m.

Liberal

Paul Szabo Liberal Mississauga South, ON

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, I wish to present two petitions to the House.

The first petition comes from Edmonton, Alberta. The petitioners would like to draw to the attention of the House that managing the family home and caring for preschool children is an honourable profession which has not been recognized for its value to our society.

The petitioners therefore pray and call upon Parliament to pursue initiatives to eliminate tax discrimination against families who decide to provide care in the home for preschool children, the disabled, the chronically ill or the aged.

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:10 p.m.

Liberal

Paul Szabo Liberal Mississauga South, ON

The second petition, Mr. Speaker, comes from Sarnia, Ontario.

The petitioners would like to bring to the attention of the House that consumption of alcoholic beverages may cause health problems or impair one's ability. Specifically, fetal alcohol syndrome and other alcohol related birth defects are 100 per cent preventable by avoiding alcohol consumption during pregnancy.

The petitioners therefore pray and call upon Parliament to enact legislation to require health warning labels to be placed on the containers of all alcoholic beverages to caution expectant mothers and others of the risk associated with alcohol consumption.

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:10 p.m.

Liberal

Carolyn Parrish Liberal Mississauga West, ON

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, it is my pleasure to present and support a petition on behalf of two dedicated constituents, Virginia Uhran and Dianne Acri, concerning the child labour situation in Pakistan.

The petitioners call upon Parliament to enact sanctions against Pakistan by banning the importation into Canada of carpets and other products produced by child labour.

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:10 p.m.

Liberal

Jesse Flis Liberal Parkdale—High Park, ON

Mr. Speaker, it is also my privilege and duty pursuant to Standing Order 36, to place a petition in this House signed by constituents from across the greater Toronto area.

The petitioners claim that whereas Taiwan has dramatically improved its record on human rights and has held free elections in a multi-party system and has conducted its first direct presidential election on March 23, 1996, the petitioners urge and if necessary facilitate the Government of China to enter into meaningful dialogue with the Government of Taiwan at the highest levels such as through their respective foreign ministries with an eye toward decreasing tensions and resolving the issue of the future of Taiwan.

Questions On The Order PaperRoutine Proceedings

3:10 p.m.

Fundy Royal New Brunswick

Liberal

Paul Zed LiberalParliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

Mr. Speaker, I ask that all questions be allowed to stand.

Questions On The Order PaperRoutine Proceedings

3:10 p.m.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Kilger)

Is it agreed?

Questions On The Order PaperRoutine Proceedings

3:10 p.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

Bank ActGovernment Orders

3:15 p.m.

Edmonton Northwest Alberta

Liberal

Anne McLellan Liberalfor the Minister of Finance

moved that Bill C-15, an act to amend, enact and repeal certain laws relating to financial institutions be read the third time and passed.