Debates of June 3rd, 1999

Supply

[Bernard Patry, Liberal, Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question.

I want to say simply that this treaty is the first modern treaty since the James Bay agreement in Quebec in 1975.

I know that in the memorandum of understanding, changes were made so that the Nisga'a first nation will have to pay provincial tax after 7 years and federal tax after 11 years. There will in fact, therefore, be revenues, something that is definitely very important. This will put the first nations at the same level as the other inhabitants of this country.

As to federal and provincial government revenues, since a huge amount of money will be spent in this region, the revenues of the two governments will increase. After some ten years, the figure should be approximately 25% of the cost to the federal government for the Nisga'a first nation.

[Pat Martin, NDP, Winnipeg Centre, MB]

Mr. Speaker, is it also true that the Nisga'a government will not be able to tax non-Nisga'a residents on Nisga'a lands? This is certainly one of the fears that we have heard spread throughout B.C. by the people who are trying to block the Nisga'a deal.

Further along those same lines, in the case of income tax will the Nisga'a government and its corporations be treated the same as any other municipality, to the hon. member's knowledge?

[Bernard Patry, Liberal, Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question.

The people living on Nisga'a reserves will all be treated the same way, whether they are aboriginal or non-aboriginal. Corporations belonging to the reserve or to the people working on the Nisga'a reserve will be subject to the same laws as the others.

[Val Meredith, Reform, South Surrey—White Rock—Langley, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member for Winnipeg Centre asked whether or not the Nisga'a law would be superseded by provincial or federal law. I would just like to ask the hon. member what it means when paragraph 32 says that in the event of an inconsistency or conflict between this agreement and the provisions of any Nisga'a law, this agreement prevails to the extent of the inconsistency or conflict.

Paragraph 36 states that in the event of any inconsistency or conflict between a Nisga'a law under paragraph 34 or 35 and a federal or provincial law, the Nisga'a law prevails to the extent of the inconsistency or conflict. Paragraph 40 again refers to in the event of inconsistency.

I could go on. I understand it says 14 times that in the event of inconsistency or conflict between Nisga'a law under paragraph whatever and federal or provincial law, the Nisga'a law prevails to the extent of the inconsistency. Could the hon. member tell me what this means?

[Bernard Patry, Liberal, Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC]

Mr. Speaker, what the member for the Reform Party has neglected to say is that certain laws will be under the jurisdiction of the Nisga'a first nation and there will be federal and provincial laws as well. If the member means laws concerning the environment or crime, the laws of the Nisga'a first nation must be equal or superior to provincial and federal legislation.

There may be changes in some respects, but if the Nisga'a first nation decides to have laws on the environment that are superior to those already in existence at the provincial and federal levels, there may be differences, but the differences will be to the credit of the Nisga'a first nation.

[David Iftody, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development]

Mr. Speaker, it is my understanding that the Reform Party member who just asked the question of my hon. colleague in fact read that section wrong.

The Nisga'a laws under section 1, article 13, to which she referred are only those laws falling within the broad three categories of the agreement, involving 14 areas of jurisdiction that speak to questions of language, culture and the administration of assets.

In light of the fact that we have agreed the laws of general application and specific federal and provincial laws apply to the Nisga'a treaty, does the hon. member see it as a conflict? Could he give us some examples of how the 14 areas under Nisga'a law would apply in the Nisga community and what benefits they would bring to the Nisga'a people?

[Bernard Patry, Liberal, Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development for his question.

Indeed, some of the laws created by the Nisga'a nation may be far superior to provincial and to federal laws. There may be laws on the conservation of wildlife, fisheries, forest products.

This is an advantage and a plus for the Nisga'a. They want to take their own destiny in hand through self-government. This is very important. We on this side of the House believe in them.

[The Speaker]

It is almost 2 o'clock and I believe the time for questions has elapsed. With the agreement of members we will proceed to Statement by Members. It might give us a couple of extra statements today.

Kingston Community Credit Union

[Larry McCormick, Liberal, Hastings—Frontenac—Lennox And Addington, ON]

Mr. Speaker, today I wish to congratulate and recognize 42 years of community action and support by the Kingston Community Credit Union.

This year the Kingston Community Credit Union was honoured with the Ontario Credit Union Charitable Foundation award for demonstrating continued exemplary achievement in promoting charitable activities to improve the social well-being of the community's citizens. The credit union's donations of money and time contribute significantly to the work of organizations such as the Kingston School of Art, Literacy Kingston and the Alzheimer Society.

I extend special congratulations to CEO G. Blake Halladay who was honoured with the Gary Gilliam award for social responsibility for his work to promote the credit union as a socially responsible investment alternative.

Credit unions offer an example of how financial institutions can show their commitment to the communities they serve and foster relationships of mutual financial and social investment. Bravo to the Kingston Community Credit Union, an exemplary financial institution.

Canada Pension Plan

[Leon Benoit, Reform, Lakeland, AB]

Mr. Speaker, in two cases in Nova Scotia the Minister of Human Resources Development is violating the Canada Pension Plan Act by unilaterally defining spouse for purposes of the act. The minister cites the M. v H. decision as if it has given him the power to unilaterally override every act that contains the word spouse.

The M. v H. decision is about private support payments upon the breakdown of a relationship. The Canada Pension Plan Act relates to spousal benefits which are linked to the public purse, an entirely different situation.

The Canada Pension Plan Act says spousal benefits are limited to opposite sex couples and the legal rulings at the supreme court level in the Egan decision support the constitutional validity of the act.

The minister is ignoring the law of Canada and the courts to push public benefits to relationships outside marriage, all at taxpayers expense. This is clearly wrong.

The Environment

[Eugène Bellemare, Liberal, Carleton—Gloucester, ON]

Mr. Speaker, this being Environment Week, and following an initiative launched last year by the Minister of the Environment to have Canadians renew a personal commitment to protect their environment, over 43 millennium eco-communities are currently active in Canada.

The millennium eco-communities, which are groups of citizens working at the local level, are showing us that, to get results at the national level, initiatives must be taken at the local level. Let us not forget that international success is based on local commitments, and that planetary success cannot be achieved without the determination of each and every one of us.

Croatia

[Sophia Leung, Liberal, Vancouver Kingsway, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I had the pleasure of attending the annual celebration of the independence day of the Republic of Croatia in my riding this weekend. I was honoured to join the Croatian ambassador to Canada and a member of the Croatian parliament.

The event was organized by the Canadian Croatian Congress and its president, Ivan Curman. This group does excellent work providing educational and cultural programs to youth, adults and seniors.

Canadian Cancer Society

[Bernard Patry, Liberal, Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Canadian Cancer Society is celebrating and supporting the most important event for cancer survivors at the world level, the celebration of hope, which will take place on June 6, 1999.

This very special event is a hymn to life for all those who have experienced or are experiencing life with cancer.

It is a unique opportunity to stress the critical role played by families and friends, and the efforts of healthcare professionals and researchers, to improve the quality of life of those affected by cancer.

About one Canadian in three will be diagnosed with cancer during his or her life. However, as treatments and detection methods improve, more than half of cancer victims make a full recovery and are able to take part in normal professional, recreational and family activities.

On this celebration of hope, tune in. The Canadian Cancer Society will hold all sorts of activities to honour those who are living with cancer.

Soccer

[Grant McNally, Reform, Dewdney—Alouette, BC]

Mr. Speaker, let us picture a non-partisan, united event attended by representatives of all parties in the House. Imagine a spirit of camaraderie, team work and good will which many would say would not be possible.

Last night provided such an occasion as members from all parties put their heart and soul into facing the daunting task of tackling a formidable foe. As it turns out, the foe was not quite as formidable as we thought. Yes, an all party MP team rose to the challenge of the parliamentary pages in a soccer game and defeated them five to two.

The intergovernmental affairs minister showed us that he could dodge more than opposition question as he deked through the pages defence. The member for Fraser Valley lived up to his title as he whipped the pages offence into submission. The member for Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke made short work of the opposition even though we would not let him use his hockey stick.

Yes, the pages fell victim to the old adage that says “old age and treachery will always overcome youth and skill”.

[The Speaker]

In that case perhaps next time I will be the referee.

Right To Vote

[John Richardson, Liberal, Perth—Middlesex, ON]

Mr. Speaker, it is against the backdrop of Ontario's provincial election that I deliberate about voter participation.

In the year of Confederation only 11% of Canada's population was eligible to vote. It was not until 1921 that universal women's suffrage was enacted. Today we can be proud that 68% of Canada's population is eligible to vote. This means every Canadian over the age of 18.

As Ontarians go to the polls I would like to emphasize the importance of voting. Voting is the only instance where direct democracy is at work: ordinary citizens making the choice who will govern them.

I strongly urge every citizen in Ontario to get out today and exercise their right to vote.

Manitoba Floods

[Hélène Alarie, Bloc, Louis-Hébert, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the farmers and other residents of the Brandon—Souris area of Manitoba are suffering the effects of unprecedented flooding.

Over the month of May, they had 200 mm of rain, compared to the normal 55 mm, and this fell on ground that was already waterlogged. For the farmers of southwestern Manitoba, this is just one more burden, on top of the difficulties the grain producers are experiencing because of the delays in assistance from the AIDA program.

Imagine the situation on a typical farm in this area: the farmers are waiting on government assistance so that they can settle what they owe for last year's seed, fertilizer and other production costs before planting their crops this spring, and now they are being hit with rain and flooding. If they cannot plant by June 15, they will have missed their chance for this year.

The Bloc Quebecois members have every sympathy for the people of southwestern Manitoba. After our experience with the floods and the ice storm, we are keenly aware of the strength of self-help and solidarity, which Manitobans have already shown us.

Kosovo

[Ted McWhinney, Liberal, Vancouver Quadra, BC]

Mr. Speaker, we welcome the decision of the Yugoslav parliament to accept in full the peace plan presented by Finnish President Ahtisaari and Russian Special Envoy Chernomyrdin.

This peace plan is based on the G-8 principles reached yesterday and is in full accord with the United Nations charter. We welcome progress toward a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Yugoslavia.

Justice

[Myron Thompson, Reform, Wild Rose, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I spent the last two weeks travelling from province to province meeting with grassroots aboriginals all demanding accountability.

They say they are fearful of the courts, the governments and the privileges they are granting native band leaders. In particular, they are fearful of the Nisga'a treaty. They are concerned that the Canadian judiciary is being instructed to sentence native criminals differently than non-natives. With the Delgamuukw decision creating uncertainty with land use rights for natives, they will be before our courts for many years to come.

With all these decisions we are moving toward creating nations within a nation, a collection of laws, rights and privileges available only to status Indians.

The role of the government is to treat all Canadians equally, not to grant special rights or exemptions to a select few. The grassroots natives feel that the living standards of all will improve when they are more fully integrated into Canadian society, not excluded from it.

One law and one Canada. This should be our motto.

Parti Quebecois

[Marlene Jennings, Liberal, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine, QC]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday we learned that Bernard Landry's committee is trying to resurrect the same studies on Quebec sovereignty Lucien Bouchard rejected out of hand during the last referendum campaign.

Bernard Landry certainly learned nothing from the last Quebec referendum. More studies paid for out of the public purse.

More of the same adventure that is so harmful to Quebec, plunging it into a climate of political and economic insecurity, because of the mixed messages sent to the rest of Canada and to other countries.

More of the same waste of time and energy in an undertaking of which we already know the outcome.

Twice now Quebecers have expressed their desire to stay in Canada. How many studies does the Parti Quebecois need before it gets get the message?

Free Trade Agreement

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

Mr. Speaker, the conference on free trade this weekend has been an occasion for much celebration by those who supported it 10 years ago.

Former Prime Minister Mulroney seems particularly pleased, and why should he not be when he sees the way his former Liberal critics have unabashedly and slavishly adopted and accelerated his policies?

As for the NDP, we continue to believe that the free trade agreement has been bad for Canada. Too many good jobs have gone south. Social inequality has increased. Our social programs have deteriorated. We are a less sovereign nation, and we are still subject to U.S. bullying and U.S. orders as our economy becomes even more integrated with America. The fate of Bill C-55 is the most recent example.

The FTA may have sown greater exports and profits for some, but we have all reaped the whirlwind in terms of losing our soul, our chance to deliver justice, our chance to do a different thing in the northern half of North America.

Mr. Mulroney said last night that he wanted a big Canada, not a small Canada. Mr. Mulroney is measuring the wrong things. In the final analysis we will not be judged by our exports, our ability to compete or our ability to ape American attitudes and values. We will be judged on our willingness to co-operate and look after each other.

Tiananmen Square

[Maud Debien, Bloc, Laval East, QC]

Mr. Speaker, ten years ago today, thousands of Chinese students took to the streets to express their desire for democracy in China.

They gathered peacefully on Tiananmen Square to show that China too was feeling the universal desire of humanity for liberty.

This demonstration was harshly repressed at the cost of several lives and with the imprisonment, under very difficult conditions, of many democratic Chinese.

While this repression delayed the inevitable democratization of China, the demonstration bore witness to indomitable will to democratize China.

The Tiananmen students must know that their action was not in vain, because they have been heard and their desire for liberty will be achieved sooner or later. Because of their courage and their determination, the world will not forget Tiananmen as the prelude to a new era, an era of liberty and justice.

Barreau Du Québec

[Eleni Bakopanos, Liberal, Ahuntsic, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I wish to draw attention to the 150th anniversary of the Barreau du Québec and the important role played by lawyers and jurists in our parliamentary institutions in Quebec.

We will recall that the mandate of this organization is to safeguard public interest and, in addition, to ensure that the public has access to a credible and efficient justice system.

Today the bar represents approximately 18,000 lawyers, of which 40% are women. It is with good reason that we place a great deal of importance on our judicial system as it plays such a central role in our thriving democracy.

It brings great pleasure to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada to bring greetings to the bar today in Quebec City.

There are some very prestigious lawyers in Quebec. We wish the best of luck to the Barreau in its continued concern for recruiting members of quality to the benefit of our legal institutions.

Ontario Election

[Jim Jones, Progressive Conservative, Markham, ON]

Mr. Speaker, today is election day in Ontario and Conservatives have reason to be proud. Premier Mike Harris has reversed a decade of Liberal-NDP mismanagement by building an economy with an economic growth that is double that of the rest of Canada.

He has cut taxes. He has spent more on health care than any other government in the history of Ontario. He has brought change to education that drew the endorsement this week of Liberal leader Dalton McGuinty. In short, Premier Harris has delivered on the promises he made in 1995, a principle unknown among Liberals both federally and provincially.

In my riding of Markham I have proudly campaigned for cabinet minister, MPP and former town council colleague Dave Tsubouchi. In the past months the Right Hon. Joe Clark has raised money for the PC Ontario fund and campaigned for candidates Annamarie Castrilli, Judy Burns and transport minister Tony Clement.

On behalf of the PC Party of Canada I wish Mike Harris and his candidates all the best as they await the judgment of Ontario voters.

Tuition

[Peter Adams, Liberal, Peterborough, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I am very concerned about the rise of college and university tuition fees across Canada.

Tuition fees are one of the principal barriers to higher education for low income students. Even though there are other significant costs, those students and their families are particularly sensitive to changes in tuition fees.

I commend the federal government for its efforts to deal with this problem, including the millennium scholarships, the RESP grants and special measures for low income students. However I urge the government to work with the provinces to systematically reduce tuition costs.

This is a national problem. We cannot afford to lose the talent and energies of bright young Canadians simply because their families cannot afford to help them go to school.