Don Bell

[Industry, February 9th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, on January 25, I was extremely pleased to announce, on behalf of Minister of Industry and Industry Canada, a contribution of up to $4.2 million toward the refit and modernization of the Queen of Oak Bay ferry in my riding of North Vancouver. This financing support will be delivered through Industry Canada's structure financing facility, SFF, program, to Victoria-based ferry operator British Columbia Ferry Services Incorporated.

I am pleased to report that this work has already begun, and is scheduled to be completed in June.

The ferry transportation system on the west coast is a critical service to residents and to the tourism industry. By supporting this project, the Government of Canada is helping to create and maintain jobs for B.C. shipyard workers.

This project is valued at approximately $40 million and will provide 214 person years of employment for the local industry.

It is this kind of commitment to one of our province's most vital industries that further highlights the government's steadfast commitment to creating prosperity in British Columbia.

[North Vancouver, February 7th, 2005]

Madam Speaker, on the morning of January 19, residents in my riding of North Vancouver were awakened by the news that a mudslide had caused considerable damage to homes in the Blue Ridge and Riverside areas and claimed the life of North Vancouver resident Mrs. Eliza Kuttner and seriously injured her husband, Michael. Our condolences go to Mrs. Kuttner's family and friends as they deal with this terrible tragedy.

This past weekend I attended a wonderful community fundraising event for the Dykes family, Harvey, Colette and their daughter Jacintha, whose home was also struck by the mud and debris flow and who miraculously survived this disaster.

At one point, as many as 100 families had to be evacuated as a precautionary measure. Ten families are still awaiting the go ahead to return to their homes.

I was extremely proud of the manner in which my former municipal colleagues responded to the tragic events: Mayor Harris, CAO James Ridge, Fire Chief Gary Calder. The entire emergency response team sprung into action minutes after the events transpired and did not leave their posts until all were out of danger and those evacuated from their homes were given proper care and shelter.

Both myself and Mayor Harris were heartened to receive a call from the Prime Minister, who was in Tokyo, expressing his concern and support. Hopefully this is a tragedy that will not be repeated.

[Budget Implementation Act, 2004, No. 2, December 14th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, I listened carefully to the comments of the hon. member for Winnipeg North. I sit on the finance committee with her. I have respect for her and welcome her point of view.

I hope the member would recognize the willingness of members of government to listen to people and to get their input for the budget. I hope she would acknowledge that the Liberals on that committee are just as attentive as the other members to the over 250 groups we have interviewed so far in the process this fall.

With respect to the issue of the surplus, the comment I would throw back to the hon. member is this. I presume she is aware that when this government took over from the previous Conservative government, we were in a situation where about 39¢ of every dollar went to the national debt. It is now around 19¢ of each dollar and the goal is to go to 12¢, which would represent 25% debt to GNP ratio. This will coincide with the time baby boomers start to achieve retirement age and will enable the government to deal with the increased costs associated with an aging population.

There is no suggestion that all the surplus should go there, but enough of it should go to do that. An error in the 1% projection either way in terms of both expenses and revenue projections will result in approximately a $4 billion shift. The $9 billion--

[Assistance to Hepatitis C Victims, November 2nd, 2004]

Mr. Chair, I was approached by the umbrella group representatives early in September. I raised this issue with the minister and he immediately responded and provided the information. I became aware of how involved the Ministry of Health had been and its officials in attempting to respond post-election to the request that came forward. The formal request that I am aware of came out in late September. I had been meeting with the compensation umbrella group prior to that.

I believe that the minister has responded within the constraints that he has legally. I have been urging him, as I am sure have others, that we move as quickly as possible. I am satisfied we will do that.

[Assistance to Hepatitis C Victims, November 2nd, 2004]

Mr. Chair, I think the minister has already expressed my concern, and certainly anyone I have spoken to on the government side has very strong feelings of compassion for those victims. If we are able to do something, certainly a number of people I have spoken with feel that we should do it as quickly as possible.

I have discussed it with our new Minister of Health, since the election obviously, as I am a new member. He has indicated to me his compassion and concern for those victims. He indicated that within his legal ability as minister he will do all he can to respond to this as quickly as possible. That is the responsible thing to do. It is a human tragedy. We want to deal with it as quickly as possible. We also have to deal with it because it is within the legal context of the agreement that was reached. I think we will get the agreement of those people involved to see it change, but we have to move forward on that.

[Assistance to Hepatitis C Victims, November 2nd, 2004]

Mr. Chair, I am a new member of the House but I have spoken to the groups that have been involved in the hepatitis C compensation umbrella group. I have spoken as well to some of the victims of hepatitis C. I am not here to judge the decisions that were made by previous members of the government in arriving at the package that was determined. My understanding is it was worked out with the lawyers as a result of a judicial decision with regard to the compensation package that was put previously. People in the pre and post group are deserving of assistance.

The people in the umbrella group that is supporting this request and who brought this forward recognize that they are dealing with a sum of money that was allocated for the victims within the core group, the 1986 to 1990 group. It will require discussions, negotiations and agreement with the lawyers on behalf of the current victims to utilize that fund.

It appears that the number of estimated victims is going to fall well short of the original figure of some 20,000. Some 9,000 claims have been paid out already and some of those have been to family members. They are not necessarily all direct victims.

My understanding of the procedure is that we have to get agreement to begin the negotiations and I understand the minister is taking that request to cabinet. Agreement is then required because the courts have determined that certain people have a right to that sum of money. If the sum was arrived at it with a number that is now turning out to be considerably less, hopefully they will agree. The people I have spoken to in the compensation umbrella group believe an agreement would be reached. There are three different jurisdictions for which there has been legal representation that would be involved. The argument is that a substantial fund is available, but in order for those funds to be released, agreement would be required from the judge involved, or at least the legal representatives involved.

This should be done as rapidly as possible. It should not be left until the actuarial figures planned for next June. If representatives of the victims are prepared to agree quickly, we could move exceedingly quickly. It appears that there are adequate funds available based on the actual experience and the numbers that I have seen.

[Assistance to Hepatitis C Victims, November 2nd, 2004]

Mr. Chair, I am rising to speak to the hepatitis C issue which we are discussing tonight.

I would first of all like to compliment the hon. Minister of Health for his statement tonight of understanding and support for hepatitis C victims across Canada, and for his willingness to consider the request that has come from those victims who fall outside the January 1, 1986 to July 1, 1990 core group to be included in a program of assistance similar to that offered to the core group.

I also acknowledge and appreciate the support that the government has given previously to those affected by this terrible health tragedy. I have been contacted by persons who are in the affected pre-1986, post-1990 group. They have clearly articulated their challenges living with hepatitis C and the severely negative impact this has had on their lives and the lives of their families and loved ones.

I would like to make reference in an abridged form to a letter I received from a resident of my riding, who in respect of her privacy I shall only refer to as Mrs. E. She wrote:

“I contracted hepatitis C prior to 1986 after a blood transfusion for a miscarriage. Due to liver damage from the hepatitis C virus contracted by this tainted blood transfusion, I underwent the Rebetron treatment. During this time I felt very ill which makes one very weak due to the constant battle of the blood cells in conjunction with the drugs fighting the virus. For example, my husband had to cut up my food. I had to have help bathing and was always short of breath and my lips were a blue colour. I was only able to walk with the help of a cane. I also suffered severe chest pain. My husband and daughter were constantly worried when of necessity they had to leave me alone at home. This ordeal has left me weak and constantly tired and I feel that it warrants response. I feel it is not right to be excluded from the funds set up by the government which excludes those who contracted hepatitis C prior to 1986 as I am as much a victim as those that are being included”.

Hepatitis C sufferers are not the only victims of Canada's tainted blood supply, but they are the only ones who have been subjected to an arbitrary inclusion period. Persons who contracted, for example, the AIDS virus from tainted blood are compensated by the federal government regardless of when they were affected.

With regard to the hepatitis C situation, the data provided to me shows that in the four and a half years since the 1986 to 1990 program has been in operation, a total of approximately 9,000 claims for compensation have been approved. This includes infected persons as well as family members of the infected persons. The hepatitis C compensation umbrella group has estimated that there are approximately 6,000 persons in the pre-1986, post-1990 excluded group who contracted hepatitis C through tainted blood transfusion outside the 1986 to 1990 compensation window.

I believe the federal Government of Canada should move to consider as soon as possible, and hopefully well before next June, the expansion of the eligibility for the existing 1986 to 1990 compensation program and assistance, if that is the appropriate term that is decided by the lawyers for the victims, to include hepatitis C victims now in the pre-1986, post-1990 excluded group.

This would provide relatively quick access to desperately needed financial assistance for thousands of victims across Canada. These people need our help and compassion now.

[Sport Canada, November 1st, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, at the 2004 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Athens, Greece, Canadian athletes displayed courage, determination and sportsmanship. Our athletes made personal bests and broke Canadian Olympic and Paralympic records.

Could the Minister of State for Sport tell the House what Sport Canada is doing to support our Canadian athletes and our sport system?

[International Interests in Mobile Equipment (aircraft equipment) Act, October 18th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, the purpose of the action that has been taken by the two ministers I mentioned, both the Minister of Industry and the Minister of Transport, in advancing the importance of the aeronautical policy and bringing forward this proposed legislation is exactly in the interests the hon. member has raised.

[International Interests in Mobile Equipment (aircraft equipment) Act, October 18th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, first, we are working along with 28 other countries, four of which have signed on to this protocol, and four have already ratified it. As I indicated in my comments, before Canada ratifies this agreement it will have to be satisfied that it protects the interests we have in Canada.