House of Commons Hansard #101 of the 36th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was code.

Topics

Canada Labour CodeGovernment Orders

10:55 a.m.

Some hon. members

Nay.

Canada Labour CodeGovernment Orders

10:55 a.m.

The Speaker

In my opinion the yeas have it.

And more than five members having risen:

Canada Labour CodeGovernment Orders

10:55 a.m.

The Speaker

The recorded division on Motion No. 1 stands deferred.

Allergy-Asthma Awareness MonthStatements By Members

10:55 a.m.

Liberal

Carolyn Bennett Liberal St. Paul's, ON

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to inform the members of the House and all Canadians that the month of May is Allergy-Asthma Awareness Month. More than six million Canadians suffer from allergies and asthma, and this number is increasing daily. In many cases, this condition can be life-threatening. In 1978, 2.5% of Canadian children had asthma. This year it is at 12%.

Allergies and asthma are the number one reason for visits to the emergency rooms. They are the number one reason why students miss school. They are the number three reason why people miss work. Allergies and asthma contribute enormously to productivity problems and health care costs.

Through education, training and research, the Allergy-Asthma Information Association and its partner organizations, the Asthma Society of Canada and the Canadian Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Foundation, help Canadians in coping with these health issues.

Please join me in wishing the Allergy-Asthma Awareness Information Association a successful Allergy-Asthma Awareness Month.

JusticeStatements By Members

10:55 a.m.

Reform

Bill Gilmour Reform Nanaimo—Alberni, BC

Mr. Speaker, criminals should not be allowed to profit from their crimes, especially convicted killers. Yet in Canada not only does the government allow convicted killers to profit from their crimes, it pays them at the expense of the victims and victims' families.

If a husband, wife or common law partner is convicted of murdering his or her spouse they can still claim their victims' benefits. Convicted murderers can draw Canada pension plan benefits from their victims while enjoying the comfort of their prison cell. This is unacceptable.

To right this wrong, I will be addressing this issue when I table a private member's bill in the House. My bill will amend the Canada pension plan to exclude convicted murderers from collecting benefits from their victims.

In summary, killers in Canada must not be allowed to profit from their crimes.

Prime MinisterStatements By Members

10:55 a.m.

Liberal

Mark Assad Liberal Gatineau, QC

Mr. Speaker, yesterday during statements I did not have enough time to finish what I had started concerning the Prime Minister's visit to countries in the Middle East. The Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, the ambassador from Lebanon, who wrote to the other ambassadors, stated that the Prime Minister's visit was extremely beneficial for not only the co-ordination, but for the business community, which we will be hearing from very shortly.

In conclusion, the ambassador mentioned that this visit had laid the foundation for even stronger binds of co-operation with countries in the Middle East and understanding between Canada and the countries of the region.

The letter was signed by the Ambassador of Lebanon, Dr. Assem Jaber.

Gary DacostaStatements By Members

10:55 a.m.

Liberal

Paddy Torsney Liberal Burlington, ON

Mr. Speaker, last week it was an honour for me to attend a wonderful celebration of excellent Canadian teachers.

Gary DaCosta, technology department head at Burlington's Lester B. Pearson High School, was among the teachers presented with a Prime Minister's award for teaching excellence.

On a daily basis Mr. DaCosta gives his students real life employment skills and inspires them to work hard and have fun. His philosophy of respecting students and treating them as mature individuals is working. His students have won awards and found fulfilling careers. Interestingly, 50% of his technology students are young women.

Mr. DaCosta coaches school sports and is involved in school activities. He was the driving force behind the new safety policy in every auto shop in the Halton district school board.

I know all hon. members join Mr. DaCosta's very proud family in congratulating talented Canadian teachers, teachers like Gary DaCosta.

Liberation Of HollandStatements By Members

11 a.m.

Liberal

Judi Longfield Liberal Whitby—Ajax, ON

Mr. Speaker, earlier this month I had the privilege of travelling to Holland as part of the official delegation returning to mark the 55th anniversary of the liberation of Holland by Canadian armed forces. I cannot begin to describe the feeling of pride I felt as I was welcomed by a truly grateful nation.

Dutch citizens have not forgotten the role Canadians played in their liberation. Dutch citizens, including the very young, tend the graves of the thousands of Canadian soldiers and airmen who made the supreme sacrifice to ensure the freedom of fellow human beings. Dutch citizens will always remember.

As we prepare to return the unknown soldier to Canadian soil, I want to pay a very special tribute to the Department of Veterans Affairs, particularly the Commemorative Department, for its incredible dedication to the memory of our fallen forces in every corner of the world. Canada most definitely remembers.

DiabetesStatements By Members

11 a.m.

Reform

Rahim Jaffer Reform Edmonton Strathcona, AB

Mr. Speaker, medical researchers at the U of A are once again proving why Edmonton will go down in history as the city where medical researchers set the stage for a diabetes cure.

This week Dr. Lorne Tyrell, Dean of Medicine, announced that his research team in co-operation with the Alberta Foundation for Diabetes has developed a technique that will potentially cure type 1 or insulin dependent diabetes.

The team injected insulin-producing cells from donor pancreases into eight patients and put them on a new low dose immune suppressing drug. Before this transplant therapy, these patients needed up to 15 injections a day and lived under the constant threat of blackouts. Now on average they have not needed insulin injections for 11 months.

This breakthrough comes 77 years after U of A biochemist James Collip teamed up with Frederick Banting to develop insulin. Congratulations to the entire team for what is truly a milestone in the history of diabetes research.

Speech And Hearing Awareness MonthStatements By Members

11 a.m.

Liberal

Nancy Karetak-Lindell Liberal Nunavut, NU

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to inform the House and all Canadians that May is Speech and Hearing Awareness Month across Canada. This is an opportunity to promote public understanding and to educate Canadians about the challenges faced by deaf, deafened and hard of hearing people.

In this era of advanced technology, we recognize the importance of being aware of and improving the situation for those who face hearing related communication barriers. Speech and Hearing Awareness Month is recognized by volunteers of professional organizations across Canada. They provide ongoing services to hearing impaired persons and are planning special activities for the month of May.

As someone hard of hearing and who deals with this on a daily basis, I ask all hon. members to please join me in congratulating the many organizations and volunteers who through their various programs continue to improve the quality of life for deaf, deafened and hard of hearing Canadians.

May 20, 1980 ReferendumStatements By Members

May 19th, 2000 / 11 a.m.

Bloc

René Laurin Bloc Joliette, QC

Mr. Speaker, twenty years ago tomorrow, 40% of Quebecers said yes to the sovereignist approach. In 1995, the figure was close to half. Next time, it will be a majority.

In the immediate aftermath of the May 20, 1980 referendum, Premier René Lévesque described recognition of the right to self-determination as the most valuable outcome of this Quebec referendum.

Unfortunately, the Canadian government, with its Bill C-20, is again challenging this precious right of Quebecers to decide their future freely and democratically.

On the evening of May 20, 1980, René Lévesque told the people of Quebec “If I understand you correctly, you are telling us: wait until next time”. He was convinced that it was just a temporary postponement.

The next time is coming up soon. The next time will be the right one. The next time, Quebec will become a country.

Cfb SuffieldStatements By Members

11 a.m.

Liberal

John Bryden Liberal Wentworth—Burlington, ON

Mr. Speaker, on May 5 on the 55th anniversary of the end of the fighting in Europe, an unusual ceremony took place at Canadian Forces Base Suffield in Alberta. It was to honour the nearly 2,000 Canadian soldiers who volunteered during the second world war to take part as human guinea pigs in trials with mustard gas.

During the war the allies were convinced that Germany would soon resort to chemical weapons of which mustard gas was the most fearsome of all. It does not kill; it incapacitates by inflicting huge blisters on the skin, on the soft parts of the body, in the joints and groin areas and around the eyes.

In order quickly to develop medical and technical countermeasures, Canada opened a weapons proving ground at Suffield where these very same injuries were inflicted on our own soldiers in simulated battle conditions. They suffered in body and sometimes in mind that their comrades in arms would be spared the horrors of chemical warfare. Their story remained unknown for nearly half a century. Now it is known and at last their country has thanked them.

Police FrustrationStatements By Members

11:05 a.m.

Reform

Chuck Cadman Reform Surrey North, BC

Mr. Speaker, each day I receive news releases from the Surrey RCMP detachment. I would like to read part of one such release dated March 23, 2000 into the record to illustrate why our police are frustrated.

The release is titled “Surrey RCMP's Auto Theft Division Picks Up Vehicle Thief Again”. It goes on to say:

He has an extensive record for stealing trucks. He is prohibited from driving. He is currently on probation for fraud and possession of stolen property. He is out on conditional sentences for theft, possession of stolen property, and prohibited driving. He is currently charged with possession of two stolen vehicles. He is currently under investigation for other vehicle thefts. He will be making an appearance in Surrey Provincial Court today where police hope he will be held in custody.

Is it any wonder that our police at times just want to throw their arms in the air and say why bother?

Water QualityStatements By Members

11:05 a.m.

Liberal

Karen Kraft Sloan Liberal York North, ON

Mr. Speaker, earlier this week leading scientists and medical experts from across Canada came to Ottawa to talk with parliamentarians about water pollution and its connection to human health. It is very clear from their discussions that there are a number of gaps in federal water quality policy.

A series of recommendations will result from this meeting. Many participants said that while there is good enabling legislation available, governments need to do much more to use and enforce this legislation. As well, a great deal of concern was raised about the erosion of the federal government's science capacity, about the need for stronger, better funded science in the public interest. We also heard about the need to perform ongoing monitoring.

I am sure all parliamentarians will look forward to the forthcoming recommendations from EcoSummit 2000.

Canadian Broadcasting CorporationStatements By Members

11:05 a.m.

NDP

Wendy Lill NDP Dartmouth, NS

Mr. Speaker, this week CBC's president admitted that the mother corp cannot keep local news on the air due to 16 years of government cuts. He finally admitted that it has been made very clear to him on several occasions that the CBC is not a priority of the government. His plan will eliminate 17 CBC local news shows in favour of a Toronto based supper hour show with five inserts, one per time zone.

Our most important cultural institution is redefining Canada as a country without communities but instead time zones. This homogenized confederation does not reflect the Canada I know.

The Prime Minister says it is okay, that $1 billion of stable funding goes into the CBC every year. If only it were true. Sadly, the CBC has not seen that kind of money for over five years. The Prime Minister's figure is over $200 million too high. This may seem like a small chunk of change to the PM but it is a serious amount of money to the number crunchers at the CBC.

I urge the Prime Minister to put his money where his mouth is and actually give the CBC the—

Canadian Broadcasting CorporationStatements By Members

11:05 a.m.

The Speaker

The hon. member for Fredericton.

Human Resources DevelopmentStatements By Members

11:05 a.m.

Liberal

Andy Scott Liberal Fredericton, NB

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to take the opportunity to commend the Department of Human Resources Development for its rapid and thorough response to the highly publicized administrative audit.

Yesterday the HRD minister provided an update to the HRDC committee on her department's six point plan to respond to the audit's findings. Again I commend the minister and her senior managers for the determination and integrity demonstrated in the face of a very difficult and largely political last few months.

But I save my most heartfelt commendation for the thousands of HRDC employees, already overburdened as a result of staff reductions who are working nights, days and weekends under terrible conditions because they believe in the department's programs and their responsibility to Canadian taxpayers.

To all our loyal HRDC public servants, my thanks and my commitment to continue to seek secure, tangible recognition for the wonderful work they do.

Modern EuropeStatements By Members

11:10 a.m.

Bloc

Francine Lalonde Bloc Mercier, QC

Mr. Speaker, 50 years ago, the French Minister of Foreign Affairs gave a speech that is considered to have marked the birth of modern Europe. On that day, Robert Schuman proposed the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community, which has since become the European Union.

In order to make war in Europe impossible and futile, Robert Schuman believed in the pooling of certain resources of the member states, and affirmed the principle of equality of states, in order to avoid domination of the smaller states by larger ones.

Seventeen years later, René Lévesque said:

We believe it is possible to avoid this shared impasse by adapting the two major trends which dominate our era: that of the freedom of peoples and that of freely negotiated political and economic coalitions.

The project of sovereignty-partnership was thus born.

Europe is still seeking to preserve that balance between the pooling of resources and the freedom of peoples to control their own development.

We wish modern Europe a happy birthday. Long may it continue to be an inspiration to us.

Mona MacdonaldStatements By Members

11:10 a.m.

Progressive Conservative

Peter MacKay Progressive Conservative Pictou—Antigonish—Guysborough, NS

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise to pay tribute to a very special teacher, Mona MacDonald.

I was pleased to attend the prestigious Awards for Teaching Excellence reception on May 10, 2000. Mona MacDonald, a teacher from West Pictou Consolidated School, was one of 16 of approximately 240,000 teachers in Canada to be awarded the Certificate of Excellence from the Prime Minister.

Ms. MacDonald has been credited with the establishment of a learning centre to provide remedial help for students. Each year she works with approximately 40 students from primary to grade eight. Many of these students increase their skill levels to a point where remedial help is no longer necessary.

Ms. MacDonald's philosophy capitalizes on the triple A of success: attitude, advocacy and assistive technology, to help both gifted as well as those with learning disabilities. She is progressive in her thinking and a firm believer that technology is an important teaching tool in today's classroom which she calls the comfort zone. Her innovative methods have garnered her rave reviews from parents and peers alike. She is a devoted teacher who benefits many with her support and encouragement in technology.

I wish to thank Mona MacDonald for her dedication to education and contribution to our future, our youth. Her commitment to excellence is inspiring.

Environmental ProtectionStatements By Members

11:10 a.m.

Liberal

Eugène Bellemare Liberal Carleton—Gloucester, ON

Mr. Speaker, the Liberal government has introduced its endangered species bill, a bill that is important to the protection of our environment. Canada has a rich heritage of climate and scenery and it is important that it be protected.

This is what the government is working towards by seeking to have this bill passed. We feel that protection of endangered species concerns all levels of government. The Government of Canada is meeting its commitments. It is implementing a balanced policy to save our fauna and flora.

This bill would require that strategies be defined to identify each endangered specie. This is another example of the government's interest in protecting and promoting our environment, a heritage that we all wish to preserve and pass on to our children.

Parliamentary OmbudsmanStatements By Members

11:10 a.m.

NDP

Gordon Earle NDP Halifax West, NS

Mr. Speaker, for years the legislative provincial ombudsmen and others have been urging the federal government to establish a federal ombudsman's office accountable to parliament.

Such a parliamentary ombudsman would have the legislative mandate to investigate matters of administration by all federal departments as well as agencies or bodies directly or indirectly accountable to the federal crown for the proper performance of their function.

The federal government has resisted this concept and has supported appointing executive ombudsmen or ombudsman-like offices in various areas: corrections, banking, official languages, RCMP, the military, the airline industries, and now it is looking at an ombudsman for the Export Development Corporation.

While these ombudspeople may do good work, they are not accountable to parliament but in many cases are accountable to the executive branch of government or corporate heads.

There would be immense value gained by having a federal ombudsman system accountable to parliament. I am urging this government to establish such an office and to integrate these existing ombudsman offices into that system so that there will be a complete, fully mandated, accountable parliamentary ombudsman system to address the many complaints involving federal government administration.

Saanich Peninsula HospitalStatements By Members

11:10 a.m.

Reform

Gary Lunn Reform Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC

Mr. Speaker, I have grave concerns about the future of the Saanich Peninsula Hospital in my riding.

Once again we are facing further decreases in services provided in our local hospitals because of continuing funding cuts to health care by the government.

Last month I spoke in the House about the planned closure of the level two intensive care unit for children in Victoria, one of only two facilities in British Columbia.

Now we learn there are proposals to close acute care beds at the Saanich Peninsula Hospital. Why? Because of funding cuts.

A letter I received stated:

As physicians at the Saanich Peninsula Hospital and members of the peninsula medical society we have concerns that the proposed changes will seriously affect the ability of the hospital to provide adequate acute care services to the community and in particular surgical services.

We are shutting down services for our children and, once again, for our seniors. The government continues to erode the health care system in the country. This is not acceptable.

Human Resources DevelopmentOral Question Period

11:15 a.m.

Edmonton North Alberta

Reform

Deborah Grey ReformLeader of the Opposition

Mr. Speaker, the privacy commissioner's report said this: “Successive privacy commissioners have assured Canadians that there was no single federal government file or profile about them. We were wrong”.

That is unbelievable. The privacy commissioner says that they were not properly informed by the government over the years. Why not?

Human Resources DevelopmentOral Question Period

11:15 a.m.

Brant Ontario

Liberal

Jane Stewart LiberalMinister of Human Resources Development

Mr. Speaker, what the privacy commissioner said was that he understands why the information is collected and that it is useful in the research of the government.

What he said was that the information is encrypted and that it is secure. What he said was that he has some concerns for the future. We have concerns and that is why we want to work with him to ensure that the system that is secure today will be secure tomorrow.

Human Resources DevelopmentOral Question Period

11:15 a.m.

Edmonton North Alberta

Reform

Deborah Grey ReformLeader of the Opposition

Mr. Speaker, it would seem that someone has been fooling somebody. She talks about encrypted and secure. I do not think any Canadian believes that.

During the entire mandate of the government, privacy commissioners have been deceived. They just admitted in this report “We were wrong. We thought there was no single file”. They were told there was no single file. That simply is untrue. There really is a big brother database.

Why has the government been trying to hide the fact that this database exists?