Debates of June 6th, 2002

Millennium Scholarships

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

Mr. Speaker, just recently the Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation selected 119 young Quebecers to receive millennium excellence awards for the 2002-2003 academic year.

The millennium scholarships are awarded to students on the basis of academic performance, community involvement, leadership and interest in innovation.

I am delighted that one such prestigious laureate is studying at Lower Canada College, a school in my riding of Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine. Alexandrine Ananou has distinguished herself through her outstanding academic record and her contributions to the community. I wish to salute her and offer her my profound congratulations for this great achievement.

I am particularly pleased to be able to use this venue to praise committed, dynamic and successful students like Alexandrine who will no doubt become the leaders of tomorrow.

Canada Games

[Larry Bagnell, Liberal, Yukon, YT]

Mr. Speaker, I wish to pay tribute today to the 2007 Canada Winter Games Bid Committee led by President Doug Inglis.

The Government of Canada along with the Yukon territory and the Canada Games Council have just announced that the 2007 Canada Winter Games will be hosted in Whitehorse. I would like to thank all my colleagues for their support for this history-making event.

The Canada Games will celebrate its 40th anniversary in Whitehorse, marking the first time that the Canada Games will be hosted north of the 60th parallel. Since the first Canada Games in 1967 in Quebec City over 50,000 young athletes have participated in the games. The Canada Games are held every two years, alternating between winter and summer games.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank and congratulate Mayor Bourassa, Premier Pat Duncan, Mr. Inglis and the many volunteers involved in preparing the bid for the 2007 Canada Winter Games. We wish them much success in their planning and preparations. The next Canada Games will be held in Bathurst-Campbellton, New Brunswick, from February 22 to March 8, 2003.

Saskatoon Credit Union

[Maurice Vellacott, Canadian Alliance, Saskatoon—Wanuskewin, SK]

Mr. Speaker, the Saskatoon Credit Union was named winner of the 14th annual Credit Union Award for Community Economic Development at the May 8 gala banquet held in Victoria, B.C. during the Canadian Conference for Credit Union Executives. The Saskatoon Credit Union was recognized for its numerous community development initiatives.

It has committed $2 million in mortgages over five years to several affordable housing initiatives, primarily those managed by Quint Development Corporation. The Saskatoon Credit Union has also invested $675,000 in a micro-loan program for small businesses. Among other initiatives is the credit union's work with environmental groups and organizations helping support disadvantaged youth. The Saskatoon Credit Union has become involved in organizations such as circus arts for inner city kids.

As the award was presented to Paul Wilkinson, president of the Board of the Saskatoon Credit Union, it was stated that:

The Saskatoon Credit Union clearly demonstrates the credit union's commitment to play a leading role in promoting the social and economic needs of less advantaged community members and groups in Saskatchewan.

Common Currency

[Guy St-Julien, Liberal, Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik, QC]

Mr. Speaker, according to a survey released on June 3, the Americans do not want Canadians to adopt their currency.

They are opposed to the creation of a common North American euro-style currency.

The Americans perceive this as a threat to their sovereignty.

Air Cadets

[Tony Tirabassi, Liberal, Niagara Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, over the weekend I had the honour of attending the 60th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets 128 Flying Dragons Squadron from Thorold, Ontario. The celebration was attended by numerous former members of the squadron who shared with me their fond memories of its first days.

This group is comprised of dynamic, enthusiastic and proud young men and women. The cadets make an important contribution to Canadian society, to environmental, citizenship and community activities. The valuable life and work skills learned through the squadron have made them active and responsible members of the community. Each of these cadets has a part to play in the future of our country. I am confident they will bring honour to our communities.

I wish to congratulate Captain Josie Wojciechowska and the Royal Canadian Air Cadets 128 Flying Dragons Squadron and extend best wishes in the future.

World War II

[Roy H. Bailey, Canadian Alliance, Souris—Moose Mountain, SK]

Mr. Speaker, it was on June 6, 1944, that the long awaited invasion of Nazi controlled Europe began. It was the beginning of the end of Nazi Germany.

Military historians have named this day the longest day in history. Canadians went ashore at Juno Beach and fought a battle that is as comparable in memory to that of Vimy Ridge during World War I. Approximately 14,000 Canadians landed on the shores of Normandy and suffered 1,074 casualties of which 359 were fatal. VE Day was still 11 months away.

Today, we have veterans across Canada, some of whom received their injuries on June 6, 1944, whose names appear on long waiting lists to get into promised long term care at veterans' hospitals.

Canadian vets deserve better than this.

Community Organizations

[Diane St-Jacques, Liberal, Shefford, QC]

Mr. Speaker, in the riding of Mercier, there are three community organizations, Résidence Emmanuel Gregory, Pavillon Emmanuel Gregory, and Pavillon Prospère Boulanger. They serve people in conflict with the law, offering housing, assistance and monitoring in order to help offenders to reintegrate society in a responsible and respectful manner, and thus help to prevent crime.

This past April, the federal government increased their annual budget by 16%, which translates concretely into close to $300,000 more for these three centres in the riding of Mercier. This will enable them to enhance the quality of the services provided.

I would also like to take this opportunity to mention the excellent contribution made by the volunteers in Quebec's 25 halfway houses, who help offenders to take control of their lives and return to society. Their community actions improve the quality of life for everyone.

L'Observatoire québécois de la mondialisation

[Pierre Paquette, Bloc, Joliette, QC]

Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, the government of Quebec introduced its bill on the Observatoire québécois de la mondialisation.

The observatory, with a board of directors representing all communities, will serve to explain the phenomenon of globalization in all its forms. It will provide the Quebec nation with reliable information enabling it to grasp the issues, assess their consequences and act in a balanced manner to promote controlled globalization that takes human rights into account.

The federal government would do well to emulate the openness and transparency of the government of Quebec in the matter of globalization.

This bill will be at the heart of public consultations, which will take place at the end of August.

The Bloc Quebecois, which advocates globalization with a human face, would like to congratulate Minister Louise Beaudoin on this initiative and wishes long life to the Observatoire québécois de la mondialisation.

Shipbuilding

[Gilbert Normand, Liberal, Bellechasse—Etchemins—Montmagny—L'Islet, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the people living in the Lévis area are concerned about the future of Canada's largest shipyard, the Davie shipyard. At the moment, the shipyard is depending on a major bid, which could mean jobs for 600 workers.

Indeed, the conversion of the Midnight Express is the kind of technological challenge Davie can rise to. Having visited the shipyard and worked with them on the Spirit of Columbus platform, I know they will meet this high tech challenge.

The Government of Canada, through the EDC, is prepared to fund up to 60% of this project and grant an interest reduction of some $10 million to the client company, Torch. So, I truly hope that the Davie shipyard will get out of its slump and recover its vitality as soon as possible.

World War II

[Leon Benoit, Canadian Alliance, Lakeland, AB]

Mr. Speaker, D-Day, June 6, 1944, the Allies launched the largest invasion force ever assembled in history. Landing on the coast of Normandy, France alongside British and American forces were 14,000 young Canadian men.

Making way for the assault, the Royal Canadian Air Force dropped tons of explosives on German coastal defences and Canadian fighter pilots took to the sky to battle the German Luftwaffe. The Royal Canadian Navy provided 109 ships and 10,000 sailors. Guns from the Canadian destroyers pounded the shoreline to clear the way for the advance. On the ground Canadian soldiers fought their way along Juno Beach at the centre of the British front. Thousands were killed and wounded that day fighting against evil for the freedom that each of us enjoys today.

Lest we forget.

[Carmen Provenzano, Liberal, Sault Ste. Marie, ON]

Mr. Speaker, today marks the 58th anniversary of D-Day. On June 6, 1944, 14,000 Canadians landed on Juno Beach in Normandy, France. The Canadian assault force suffered 1,074 casualties that day, that is one in every 14, and 359 Canadians gave their lives.

The D-Day invasion in France was the largest amphibious operation in military history involving Allied troops from all fighting services. It was also the beginning of the end of the war in Europe. It is important that we remember the brave men and women who left Canada to defend those values which define Canadians. They volunteered for what has become a long tradition of Canadians serving the cause of peace worldwide.

To ensure we do indeed remember all Canadians who served in the second world war, overseas and on the home front, the government recently announced $1 million in support of the Juno Beach centre currently under construction in France, bringing Canada's total contribution to over $1.25 million.

Lest we forget.

User Fees

[Bev Desjarlais, NDP, Churchill, MB]

Mr. Speaker, the new finance minister stated that he believes that users should pay for services. It sounds a lot like Alliance talk.

New Democrats do not believe that victims of crime should have to pay for the police because every Canadian benefits from safe streets. We do not believe air passengers should have to pay extra for security because everyone benefits from terror free skies and buildings. We do not believe Canadians should have to pay to use their roads. We also do not believe they should have to pay for health services because everyone has a right to quality health care.

Obviously the new minister plans to take more from the pockets of Canadians. Where else is the new minister imposing user fees: at ports for cruise ship passengers, to people accessing Parliament Hill?

Canadians will be better served by handling security, police, roads and health care through general revenue instead of the Liberal government nickel-and-diming ordinary Canadians while it plays patronage games with taxpayers' dollars.

Government Contracts

[Pauline Picard, Bloc, Drummond, QC]

Mr. Speaker, it is distressing to see the contempt with which the Prime Minister and his government are treating the people of Quebec and Canada, and especially the way in which public money is being squandered.

Senior public servants, who were acting on ministers' orders, have been singled out by the auditor general for their flagrant disregard for the rules governing the management of public funds, as well as for not discharging their duties with appropriate prudence and diligence.

We would certainly like to know who gave the orders to these public servants and who asked them to break the rules. If the government has nothing to hide, it should let the Standing Committee on Public Accounts do its work and, if it has nothing to fear, order that a public inquiry be held.

There are no longer enough days left to show just how big a mess the Liberals have created.

Economic Development

[Rodger Cuzner, Liberal, Bras D'Or—Cape Breton, NS]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity in the House to highlight some of the positive things that are happening in my riding of Bras d'Or, Cape Breton.

The economic foundation of Cape Breton Island has been significantly challenged by the closure of the steel and coal mining industries and the collapse of the ground fishery. Despite these challenges, a renewed sense of optimism is taking hold and the Government of Canada is playing an important role in its economic renewal.

Strategic investments have been made to assist Cape Breton communities in their efforts to adjust these changing economic times and solid progress is being made. In my hometown of Glace Bay the Cape Breton growth fund has assisted in the establishment of a major information technology initiative, the Stream International call centre. Stream has created 1,000 jobs in just 10 months. This translates into $28 million annually in salaries and wages.

In the last three years the Government of Canada has contributed to the creation of more than 3,000 jobs and there has been a decline in the unemployment rate and the employment participation rate has increased. How is that for a can-do attitude?

Prime Minister

[Greg Thompson, Progressive Conservative, New Brunswick Southwest, NB]

Mr. Speaker, we are getting a real bargain with the Prime Minister.

One cruise missile costs approximately $1.2 million a copy. On the other hand, the Prime Minister only costs the Canadian taxpayers $265,000 a year. A challenge of course is to apply these destructive forces appropriately. For example, if we had set this man loose in the Afghanistan desert following September 11, there would be nothing left of Osama bin Laden, with the exception of his shoestrings. However it is something like the little guy that he left bloodied on the bar room floor in Shawinigan a number of years ago. The message of course is do not mess with the PM.

Regrettably these destructive forces are focused on the wrong corner of the universe and are being practised on his own party, his own cabinet and the Parliament of Canada and, in fact, the country itself.

Is there any possible way we could send this man--

[The Deputy Speaker]

The hon. member for Laval West.

Michel Tarabulsy

[Raymonde Folco, Liberal, Laval West, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Salle André-Mathieu de Laval is now featuring the latest exhibit of the works of Michel Tarabulsy, an artist from Laval West, who is presenting 15 of his gouaches, most of which were done in the early 2000s.

His astonishing works often draw on personal experiences, but they sometimes also take very critical aim at current events.

I wish to pay tribute to Mr. Tarabulsy for his entire oeuvre. I hope that the people of Laval and area will turn out in large numbers to admire the works of this local artist.

Golden Jubilee

[Scott Reid, Canadian Alliance, Lanark—Carleton, ON]

Mr. Speaker, this year Canada celebrates the golden jubilee of our sovereign, Queen Elizabeth, as she marks 50 years as our Queen and as the head of the Commonwealth. For a half a century Canadians have been blessed with a monarch of grace and dignity.

Queen Elizabeth's wisdom has guided two generations of subjects of all races and of diverse backgrounds and in many lands. It is the sincere hope of all her subjects that she will continue to guide us for many years to come.

Our Queen has reigned during five decades of worldwide turbulence and instability, but she herself has been a rock of stability and has brought her office into the 21st century as a modern, vital and responsive institution.

Fifty years after her ascension, Her Majesty has more support from her subjects than ever, in Canada, in her other realms and around the world.

We salute our sovereign on this great anniversary. May her reign continue for many years to come. God save the Queen.

Government Contracts

[Stephen Harper, Canadian Alliance, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday I asked the public works minister about the government's dealings with Groupaction. We have a company that was paid over $1.5 million to produce two identical reports, cribbed from the Internet, photocopied and passed along to the government. The auditor general has investigated. The police are investigating. Now the government is giving more contracts to this firm.

My question is this, when will the government stop its business dealings with Groupaction?

[Ralph Goodale, Liberal, Minister of Public Works and Government Services]

Mr. Speaker, with respect to the sponsorship program of Communication Canada, all new activity with Groupaction was in fact suspended by my predecessor back in March of this year.

With respect to any other marketing or communications business of any kind whatsoever, beyond and apart from sponsorship, I would certainly expect my department to decline new contract awards with Groupaction. We obviously will need to look very closely at the question of business in process, but I will be examining that with a great deal of care.

[Stephen Harper, Canadian Alliance, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday we asked for the suspension of all advertising, polling and research, as well as sponsorship. If that is what the minister is now committing to, why do we have to raise these questions in the House of Commons before action gets taken?

[Ralph Goodale, Liberal, Minister of Public Works and Government Services]

Mr. Speaker, I indicated all through last week that all these matters were under careful review. As the House knows, there are a variety of inquiries and investigations underway. Last week I indicated, for example, that I was applying a moratorium with respect to further activity under the sponsorship program until I had a chance to review the criteria.

At that time the hon. gentleman raised the issue of advertising, I indicated that I would consider that issue and that I would report back to the House, which I have done.

[Stephen Harper, Canadian Alliance, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, I just want to clarify this once again because there is always a bit of wiggle room in these answers.

Is the minister, other than contracts that have been signed from April onward, committing to the House that there will be no more advertising, sponsorship, research or polling business done with Groupaction? Yes or no.

[Ralph Goodale, Liberal, Minister of Public Works and Government Services]

Mr. Speaker, again, just to be clear, the sponsorship part of it has already been dealt with, as the hon. gentleman agrees. With respect to other marketing and communications activities of whatever kind beyond and apart from sponsorships, I would expect my department to decline any new contract awards to Groupaction.

I would say that there are obviously items that at the moment are business in progress. I will need to review those very carefully.

[Grant Hill, Canadian Alliance, Macleod, AB]

Mr. Speaker, notice the words “I would expect my department”. This is an opportunity for the minister to stand in the House and tell all Canadians that the Liberal sleaze going to Groupaction is finished. Will he do that? Yes or no.