Debates of Nov. 29th, 2001

Pat O'Brien Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for International Trade

Mr. Speaker, this may come as a news flash to the hon. member, but London, Ontario is in Canada.

If I may quote from Alstom's own website, it notes that in view of the NAFTA, “ALSTOM Canada works closely with its US and Mexican counterparts to better coordinate its activities and its development in North American markets”. That is exactly what General Motors in London, Ontario did with the appropriate help of EDC.

Carol Skelton Saskatoon—Rosetown—Biggar, SK

Mr. Speaker, more than two month ago British intelligence agents gave evidence that 8 Canadians were suspected of child abuse and child pornography and 120 people in more than a dozen countries have been arrested. We know there are suspects in Ontario, British Columbia and Nova Scotia but no one has been apprehended in this country.

I ask the solicitor general, why have Canadians not been arrested?

Lawrence MacAulay Solicitor General of Canada

Mr. Speaker, it is unfortunate that my hon. colleague's party continuously condemns one of the best police forces in the world, if not the best.

I can assure my hon. colleague that the RCMP is pursuing this matter, but does the hon. member expect me to give information on investigations publicly? No, I will not.

Carol Skelton Saskatoon—Rosetown—Biggar, SK

Mr. Speaker, as the mother-in-law of a police officer I resent what the solicitor general just said.

The RCMP commissioner admits cases are put on the back burner while the RCMP deals with terrorism. Organized crime, drug trafficking and now cases of child pornography and sexual abuse are falling through the cracks. This appalling scenario is a direct result of the government's gutting of the RCMP budget.

Will the solicitor general immediately ensure that the RCMP is sufficiently staffed and funded so that our children stop falling prey to sadistic pedophiles?

Lawrence MacAulay Solicitor General of Canada

Mr. Speaker, I have told the House many times that the government, in the last budget and since, has put just about $2 billion into the public safety envelope. We have funded one of the best police forces in the world. The RCMP has indicated quite clearly that it is pursuing this matter and this government will not criticize the RCMP.

Dominic LeBlanc Beauséjour—Petitcodiac, NB

Mr. Speaker, in 1981 Raoul Léger of Kent County, New Brunswick, died under tragic circumstances in Guatemala. His family is today calling for an autopsy to help them discover the facts surrounding his death.

Could the minister tell us how his department can help the Léger family?

John Manley Minister of Foreign Affairs

Mr. Speaker, I would first like to thank the member for his interest in this situation, which is very sad, and for raising it with me last week.

Since then, officials from my department have contacted the family to offer support that is appropriate in the situation.

Yvon Godin Acadie—Bathurst, NB

Mr. Speaker, last week the Minister of Finance almost announced that the 5¢ reduction in EI premiums would not be going ahead.

Yet large employers and big business went to the Minister of Finance tearfully asking for their money. Tomorrow the minister will announce a reduction for big business.

My question is for the Minister of Human Resources Development. How many tears do workers, women and children need to shed before she will bring in changes to employment insurance?

Jane Stewart Minister of Human Resources Development

Mr. Speaker, I am very happy to explain to the House yet again the approach that the government has to the employment insurance fund. On the one hand, we have been able to reduce premiums every single year since taking office and return to employers and employees $6.4 billion in that time.

In addition, we have been able to broaden the benefits, whether it be doubling parental benefits, whether it be working to ensure that we change structures for the benefit of seasonal workers.

This is our approach. It is a formula that has worked and has ensured employment insurance--

Pat Martin Winnipeg Centre, MB

Mr. Pat Martin (Winnipeg Centre, NDP)Mr. Speaker, when students were pepper sprayed at UBC there was a full public inquiry, but when an unarmed aboriginal man was shot dead by the OPP at a peaceful protest we had nothing but six years of shameful silence.

Dudley George was more than just one dead Indian. We believe that he is the only aboriginal man in the country in this century, the 20th century, killed in a land claims dispute. That makes it a federal matter.

Will the federal government call for a full public inquiry into the tragic events at Ipperwash and the tragic death of Dudley George?

John Finlay Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development

Mr. Speaker, my hon. friend is mixing up two problems. The government is committed to cleaning up the land at Ipperwash and returning it to the first nations. However, the matter of an inquiry is a provincial matter. The government will support such a provision.

Herb Gray Deputy Prime Minister

Mr. Speaker, speaking of turnarounds, the hon. member, when he was critic for I do not know which party, tabled a motion about Bill C-11 at committee stage to restore certain appeal rights to the appeal division for serious criminals and threats to Canadian security that Bill C-11 had removed to allow for quicker removals.

The hon. member should be allowed to get up again, apologize for this and explain the inconsistent position.