Mr. Speaker, on a point of order. I listened very well to my colleague, who is a great advocate, a good worker, an excellent member of Parliament. But when he said, on the same point of order, that—
Lost his last election, in 2004, with 43% of the vote.
Division No. 49 December 2nd, 1997
Mr. Speaker, on a point of order. I listened very well to my colleague, who is a great advocate, a good worker, an excellent member of Parliament. But when he said, on the same point of order, that—
Division No. 48 December 2nd, 1997
Mr. Chairman, I listened very carefully to the Bloc Quebecois member. He talked about backstabbing. We have seen people in this House, such as Lucien Bouchard, stab others in the back. These people are now elsewhere.
I look at the member opposite who just arrived from Florida, who was not here during the strike, and who is now telling us that we do not do anything in Parliament. MP Louis Plamondon, who went to Florida and came back with a nice tan, accuses us of stabbing strikers in the back, but I want to tell him that we talked to workers on the picket lines. People want—and I checked this afternoon with my constituents in the riding of Abitibi—postal services to resume. Community groups want postal services to resume. So do small and medium size businesses.
But we are telling union workers in the Abitibi—Témiscamingue region that they do a good job, that they have always done a good job. I realize they follow the instructions given by their national office in Ottawa or Toronto. We can see in a 541-page tome that, since 1981, the union stewards have always been the same. They are here on this page. There is no one from the Abitibi—Témiscamingue region in this chapter. There is no one, on page 29 of the collective agreement, representing the province of Quebec. Since 1981, it has always been the same people who have represented the union. Think about it. Think about the fact that our people, the union workers, are protected at Canada Post by a collective agreement that is 541 pages long.
The member talks about backstabbing. I realize that he is not even a hunter. But here is one who has already stabbed the Conservative Party in the back. I want to tell you that we want to have good relations with our workers, who have always served us well. I support the bill. I spoke this afternoon and my opinion will not change.
Postal Services Continuation Act, 1997 December 2nd, 1997
Mr. Speaker, as I was saying just now in my speech, which lasted perhaps five minutes, the union feels that it would lose 4,000 of 45,000 jobs existing as of now. We know that there will be a mediator-arbitrator, but we know as well that, in the bill as introduced, no employee will lose his or her job today, even after the return to work.
As far as rates of pay are concerned, the bill speaks of their being spread out over three years: 1.5%. 1.75% and then 1.9%. At the negotiating table, we do not know whether it was 8% or 9%. We do know that they were asking for 11%, while at the moment they have over 3% for the cost of living.
We still wish to improve the employees' pay, but with the mediator-arbitrator who is to be appointed in order to find a solution satisfactory to both parties, one never knows. At this point, it is possible after the year 2000, but for the next 3 years it is firm. People can always catch up after the three years, though.
Postal Services Continuation Act, 1997 December 2nd, 1997
Mr. Speaker, as it just happens, I have in my hands the article written by Jean-Paul Gagné that appeared in Les Affaires on Saturday, November 29. The headline reads “Ottawa must put an end to the fun and games”.
The Bloc Quebecois member has omitted to quote from the paragraph in which Gordon Ritchie is quoted as saying that the main problem is not that the rates of pay are too high, that what is really driving costs up is the pay for time not worked.
Postal Services Continuation Act, 1997 December 2nd, 1997
Mr. Speaker, Sunday night, I prepared a 20-minute speech, but I will not use more than the five minutes allowed.
It is true that the government had appointed a special mediator and that after one week, the parties were at an impasse.
In Abitibi—Témiscamingue, mail delivery is an essential public service without which the economy cannot function properly. The time had come to make a decision. The letter carriers went on strike on November 19 after the breakdown of negotiations on wages, job security and changes to letter carriers' routes.
Since Monday, the best mediator in Canada, Mr. Edmondson, has attempted to find some common ground between the Canada Post Corporation and its unionized workers. According to the mediator, there was not enough flexibility on either side to arrive at an agreement. Since there was no such agreement, the strike is getting harder on ordinary citizens and especially on businesses which depend on mail delivery and on those workers whose jobs are directly linked to the proper functioning of this service.
This strike is also hurting community associations considerably. Despite the many alternative solutions that have been developed over the years, only the public postal network can deliver mail in every part of Canada at a reasonable cost. Even in Abitibi, in the northern part of my riding, the mail is delivered with efficiency.
We know that it is not easy at this time to introduce special legislation in Parliament, but during the strike and before it started, the government was determined to let the parties arrive at a negotiated settlement. I have always considered that a collective agreement would be the best solution for postal employees, for Canada Post customers and for all Canadians. The federal government gave Canada Post and the union ample opportunity to arrive at an agreement, but things always ended in deadlock. Now we have before us a special law.
During the strike, there is one thing that I greatly appreciated on the part of the Government of Canada, and that is that it did not use strikebreakers. Strikebreakers were used last time and it was rather difficult in all sectors in Quebec. We all know that the province of Quebec has special legislation prohibiting the use of strikebreakers, and labour relations are no worse off because of it.
Last Friday, I was on the picket line in my riding in Val-d'Or and Amos. I met unionized workers. When questioned, they all say they support the national union. It is the national union that runs things, even if we look at the collective agreement, which I have in my possession. I will put it on my desk because, as my adversaries will tell me, I am not allowed to have props. The agreement is 541 pages long. Find me a union in Abitibi that has an agreement 541 pages long. There may be only two in Canada: at the CBC and at Canada Post.
We all know that Canada Post employees work very hard. We are trying to come up with an agreement, a solution for the well-being of our employees. One thing the strikers did very well was deliver the provincial, municipal and federal pension cheques. However, things are at an impasse at the moment. Many families have yet to receive their cheques. There are delivery delays at the distribution centres. But, we are trying our level best to reach an agreement to put an end to it. The only way to do so is to introduce this bill, because businesses in Abitibi—Témiscamingue have been badly hurt by the strike.
The Canada Post Corporation wants to redesign the daily route of each letter carrier in order to deliver more mail with fewer employees. When I travelled around the big riding of Abitibi, a number of people said that this aim was legitimate. We know that the major issue at the moment is redefining the issue of mail and letter carriers' routes.
From the union, the reaction was very different. It is calling for more permanent positions to give job security to the greatest number of union members. With new technologies like the Internet and e-mail, we know what large banks are doing in Canada and Quebec. We know what cities, telephone companies and businesses are doing. Even hospitals have experienced, on the union side, lots of cuts. Unionized workers do have a right to put pressure on to improve their situation, but we have reached a point where solutions need to be sought and the only solution is to enact special back-to-work legislation.
I am asking only one thing. We know that we have good postal workers in Abitibi. They meet many seniors on their run. I hope that, after this bill is passed and work has resumed, there will be good relations, especially with the good collective agreement they already have. Improvements are required in certain areas. I realize there is possibility jobs may be cut here and there across Canada, but I hope there will be no cuts in my riding because we need these people to deliver our mail.
The public wants to know what is what. In 1996, a commission was set up. In his report, Commissioner Radwanski said savings of between $100 million and $200 million a year could be made just by reviewing the 541-page collective agreement, without imposing privatization or disproportionate pay cuts on the workers.
The main issue is not excessively high rates of pay. Payment for time not worked remains a major cost to the corporation. For example, letter carriers get paid at a higher rate for hours worked in excess of their normal week, such as in December, but are paid for 40 hours in the summer, even if their days are shorter. The public may not be aware of these considerations.
Canada Post pays its letter carriers for transportation and time required to have lunch at their home base. I could mention several other examples, such as the replacement of an employee who is not at work. In order to become efficient, the Canada Post Corporation wants to be able to change the itinerary of its letter carriers and find internal solutions. The flexibility required by Canada Post means there will be fewer jobs and perhaps fewer contributions paid to the union. The union estimates that 4,000 of its current 45,000 members will lose their job.
We understand why the union is fighting hard to oppose the demands made by Canada Post. As a former union president, I am aware of what is at stake. I hope that, when they go back to work, these employees will maintain good relations with the public and with Canada Post.
Nagano Olympic Games December 1st, 1997
Mr. Speaker, the composition of Canada's Olympic team is revealing. Canadian international hockey has just entered a new era on the eve of the Nagano Olympic games.
They do not start for another two months, but I think we can all be proud of Canada's Olympic team, whose members come from across the country, reflecting the diversity of all of Canada's regions.
We are going to have some exciting moments with the Canadian team. Our athletes' performance will provide fantastic inspiration for all of us and for Canada's young people.
Senator Marcel Prud'Homme November 24th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, laid low by a heart attack a week ago, Senator Marcel Prud'homme is now recovering in Montreal's Hôtel-Dieu hospital.
A colourful and loquacious politician, he had a successful parliamentary career in Ottawa from 1964 to 1993 as the Liberal member for Saint-Denis in Montreal. He was appointed to the Senate as an independent in 1993.
Here's wishing you a speedy recovery, Marcel, from your friends among the members and employees of the House of Commons in Ottawa.
Saguenay—St. Lawrence Marine Park Act November 21st, 1997
Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to have the opportunity to rise in the House of Commons in support of a bill to establish a new marine park in Quebec within the marine area conservation network.
On behalf of all Canadians, I would like to thank the members of the House of Commons who are present today as well as those who were here before for their co-operation which will result in passage of this major piece of legislation.
Canada can be proud of its vast experience in the vital area of protection of its heritage resources. Canadians feel very strongly about preserving the quality of their natural environment, and this bill to establish the Saguenay—St. Lawrence marine park was drafted in response to their concerns.
The bill is aimed at improving, for conservation purposes and for the benefit of present and future generations, the level of protection given to the ecosystems found in the Saguenay River fjord and in the St. Lawrence estuary, while promoting their use for educational, recreational and scientific purposes.
This approach is in line with the government's position with regard to the protection of ecosystems and sustainable development.
As with the amendments to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, this bill shows the government's willingness to work for the conservation of marine natural resources through the development of legislative and policy measures that respond to global environmental concerns.
This bill is also tangible proof of the government's commitment to sustainable development. It is a positive contribution to the efforts made to protect Canada's biodiversity and to preserve the quality of our natural environment for the benefit of present and future generations.
The establishment of the Saguenay—St. Lawrence Marine Park is the result of many years of concerted efforts by the governments of Canada and Quebec, local and regional communities, environmental groups, aboriginal peoples and the scientific community in order to enhance the management and protection of the rich and diversified marine resources of this great region, and especially to protect the belugas in the St. Lawrence.
This bill provides for a complete legislative framework for the management of the federal government's responsibilities. Its purpose is to complete but not overlap the current federal legislation, including the Fisheries Act, the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994, the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, the Navigable Waters Protection Act and the Canada Shipping Act.
On December 12, 1996, both governments tabled their respective bills. The federal bill died on the Order Paper when the last federal election was called. However, the Quebec National Assembly adopted Bill 86 on June 5, 1997. The provincial legislation will come into force when the federal legislation is promulgated. Now, it is incumbent upon us to honour our commitments and to create a great marine park in Quebec.
In closing, I take this opportunity to state that I strongly support this bill to establish the Saguenay—St. Lawrence Marine Park, which is a basic tool for the protection and enhancement of the most important marine natural resources of this country.
I wish to thank all members of the House, whether they belong to the Bloc Quebecois, the Liberal Party of Canada or the Conservative Party. I urge every member of the House to join me in supporting this bill.
Stornoway November 21st, 1997
Mr. Speaker, there is an article today in the Ottawa Citizen by Bruce Ward announcing that the Reform Party has sent out invitations to a posh open house at Stornoway between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., on November 30, 1997.
The great bingo caller at Stornoway invites the people of Ottawa to 541 Acacia Avenue. For reservations, dial 996-6740.
Come see the new drapes, the new paint job, the new wallpaper and the fine linen imported directly from China. Come see the new bingo reform.
Francophonie Summit November 20th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister for International Cooperation and Minister responsible for Francophonie.
The Francophonie summit was held at Hanoi this past November 14 through 16. Could the minister tell us how the summit turned out and if Canada attained its objectives?