Diane St-Jacques

[Annual Mérite Des Gens D'Ici Gala, March 25th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, next weekend, the annual Mérite des gens d'ici gala will be held in my riding. It is held to honour the accomplishments of various individuals in the community. I would like to pay tribute to them.

Generosity, commitment and devotion are the words that spring to mind when we think of those exceptional people who realize the hopes of our community.

They all contribute to improving the well-being of the community and provide us with the finest examples of achievement.

My thanks to the Mérite des gens d'ici committee for making known and more importantly recognizing the worth of the people in the community.

[Taxation, March 24th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to take part today in the debate on the motion by my colleague for Winnipeg—Transcona. As my party's spokesperson on policies for children, I am greatly interested in everything relating to children's lives.

I must, however, admit that I am confused as to the content and scope of this motion. First of all, I believe it is essential to know what age group is targeted. Young children or adolescents? The answer to this will certainly have an impact on the extent of the activities addressed by the motion.

I wonder also about the activities eligible for the tax credit. Is the NDP member referring to hockey, ballet lessons, piano lessons? I do not know the answer but I do feel more clarification is required.

Perhaps the NDP member could inform us as to how the institutions or organizations providing these activities for youth would be accredited. What, for example, are the criteria for determining that this or that body is accredited to issue tax receipts? Is it limited to not-for-profit organizations? Are private sector institutions included? What are the criteria for obtaining the status of a tax receipt-issuing institution? Once again, the answers will have a definite influence on the impact of the motion.

Just think for a moment about the efforts and resources required to set up such an initiative. Would the government structure be even more complex than at present?

As well, the additional costs institutions will have to meet in preparing and issuing tax receipts will have a negative impact on the charge for activities. Prices will go up, and fewer families will be able to take part. Is the primary objective of the motion not to encourage more parents to enrol their children in youth activities?

Unlike the NDP, our party seeks solutions that will lighten the structure of government, and cut down on red tape.

The Progressive Conservative Party believes that the top priority is to implement an economic growth program. We also believe that tax relief should take the form of substantial personal income tax reductions. Taxes are too high in Canada. They kill initiative, they slow down and divert potential job-creating investments.

Our priority is to put more money back into the pockets of taxpayers; they will know better than the government what it should be spent on, be it on registered education savings plans or what not.

The government must also develop a job creation strategy, not a strategy to subsidize piano lessons. This is a matter of priority. Instead of the NDP government-pays-all approach, we are in favour of a co-operative approach with the private sector.

For example, sports teams could have corporate sponsors taking on the costs associated with buying equipment in exchange for displaying their corporate logo on the players' shirts. This kind of co-operative approach has proven successful so far.

It is not a priority for the government to interfere in this area. Many others require attention. Eliminating child poverty and adequate funding for health care are priorities.

Public funding should indeed be restored to the level necessary to ensure health care. Other steps could be taken to alleviate the taxpayers' burden, including full indexation of the child benefit and personal income tax brackets as well as reducing employment insurance premiums.

As long as there are children living in poverty, sick people who are not receiving adequate treatment, needy seniors and unemployed workers, we in the PC caucus will be there to defend their interests.

[Children's Health, March 23rd, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, in 1998, there are nearly 1.5 million children living in poverty. Consequently, their health is at risk, they are malnourished and their living conditions are inadequate.

The Minister of Health said health was his priority. What does his department intend to do to help these children, who are more likely to have health problems?

[Child Care, March 16th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, we recognize the federal government's efforts in the child tax benefit, be we consider them inadequate. One of the weaknesses of the credit is its lack of protection against inflation. It is only partially indexed and thus considerably reduces Canadian families' buying power.

In 1996, the government fully indexed seniors' pensions. It is just as necessary to protect the value of benefits today for families and children. Why then is the government refusing to index the benefit fully? Is it because, unlike seniors, children cannot vote?

[Child Care, March 16th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, the federal and provincial ministers responsible for social services met last Thursday to discuss provincial provisions in the new child benefit system. Among other topics, they discussed increasing the child care support the provinces could make available to low income families.

I would like to know from the Minister of Human Resources Development what happened to the federal government's commitment to a national daycare system. Where are the 150,000 daycare places promised in the red book in 1993?

[Semaine Nationale De La Francophonie, March 16th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, Canada's linguistic duality is one of our greatest assets and we must celebrate it, particularly during the Semaine nationale de la francophonie.

The Canadian francophonie is alive and vibrant, and we should all be proud of it. Beyond its borders, Canada continues to play a leading role in promoting the francophonie at the international level.

In addition to its involvement in the summits and in the Agence de la francophonie, Canada is a major player in promoting the use of French on the information highway.

As we approach the new millennium, we must support the advancement of the French language all over the world and particularly at home.

[International Women's Week, March 9th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, on the occasion of International Women's Week, I would like to draw attention to the work done by my fellow citizens, and especially that of Pauline Ranger, who, despite obstacles, has not only managed to put her personal life in order but has become involved in helping women who are victims of domestic violence.

Since 1995, Pauline Ranger and her team at the Maison d'hébergement pour elles have worked to promote respect for independence, differences and individuality in women's lives.

Women's great struggle for dignity, social equality and pay equity is being fought daily by men and women working as responsible partners to build a better world for everyone and for the future of our children.

[Privilege, February 26th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, this morning at approximately 6.45 I was using the exercise bicycle in the members' gymnasium when the member for Eglinton—Lawrence passed by me and said “Is not this a men's gym?” I was the only woman present in the gym at that time.

The hon. member for Kings—Hants was also there, and will confirm what I am telling the House.

Some people may think this is funny, but I certainly did not see the joke. I was offended.

This is conduct aimed at intimidating other people, and it has no place in the Parliament of Canada. The parliamentary precincts, gym included, are for all members, and whether male or female, they must feel comfortable there.

The parliamentary gymnasium is not only for men. That type of conduct from an MP is both annoying and intimidating, as well as being offensive toward all hon. members of this House.

[Granby Winter Festival, February 26th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, 1998 marks the fifth anniversary of Granby's Folies d'hiver festival.

This festival is host not just to local residents, but to many other people from all corners of the province, the country and even further afield.

It offers a variety of outdoor activities for the whole family. I would like to thank the organizers, the many volunteers, and all those whose efforts make this event possible.

On behalf of the Granby tourism office and the entire population of Granby, I invite you to pay us a visit between now and March 8. Follow the example of the 60,000 people who came last year for some great winter fun.

[National Head Start Program, February 19th, 1998]

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to speak to the hon. members today on Motion M-241, in my capacity as the Progressive Conservative spokesperson for children.

Although the motion in large part addresses child and youth crime, I believe that the problem goes beyond the mandate of the justice system. I am delighted with my colleague's initiative, since it is high time that the matter of prevention is addressed, and an attempt is made to find the causes and solutions for some of the violent behaviour among children and youth.

There is a consensus among experts in social development that certain physical and psychological needs are fundamental, and must be met if a child is to develop into a well-balanced, responsible adult concerned about his environment. The experts agree that children who spend their first few years of life in a secure environment, with decent housing and diet, coupled with positive experiences free from any aggression or neglect, are more likely to lead prosperous and productive lives as adults. They will also be less likely to commit serious crimes. Is there not, therefore, a close connection between children's behaviour and their economic situation?

According to a long term study by the National Crime Prevention Council, those who commit crimes and re-offend the most frequently come from the poorest families and the poorest housing. According to a study carried out in Michigan, there must be early intervention, with a focus on the whole range of disadvantages which have heavy consequences for the children of low income families.

We would be well on the way to preventing juvenile crime if we were able to focus on child poverty. We in the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada firmly believe that the best defence against poverty and crime is a strong economy. Parents with good jobs can provide their children with living conditions that are conducive to normal psychological development.

I would certainly not wish to suggest that all children living in poverty have, or will have, criminal behaviour, but I think the relationship is too close to ignore. I think we must do everything possible to prevent crime. As they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

By keeping young people in school, by intervening earlier in the lives of people having trouble, by making young people more aware of the consequences of criminal behaviour, we increase our chances in the fight against crime. In addition, by developing head start programs, social stakeholders in hospitals and schools will be able to identify families who are at risk and in need of assistance and provide them with the resources they need to redirect negative behaviour. Both children and their parents must be educated.

Many parents will themselves have come from disadvantaged backgrounds that will have seriously hindered their psychological development. It is difficult to turn around problems of this nature later in life.

For example, a teenager who has seen his alcoholic father mistreat the family all his life will also have a tendency to adopt the same behaviour. If the cycle is very hard to break in adolescence, imagine what it must be like in adulthood.

This is one more reason to begin the programs at a very early age, before the development of behaviour that will lead some young people to turn to delinquency and crime.

There is a whole series of social development programs that have proven effective, including programs of intervention in early childhood and programs providing recreation for young people. On the whole, the children taking part seemed better adjusted socially and to have overcome a number of risks relating to their poverty and their environment.

Statistics show clearly that early prevention efforts are successful and benefit the participants, their families and the community as a whole.

I can therefore assure my colleague that our party will support his motion, because, when it comes to the welfare and the future of our children, we are always there to lend a hand.