Jane Stewart

[Canadian Military Heritage Museum, May 10th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, this past Saturday I had the pleasure of participating in the opening of the Canadian Military Heritage Museum in the city of Brantford, Ontario.

In the words of the board members, Canada's military heritage collections are part of the history of all Canadians. The story of our military past should be understood and made meaningful to all Canadians, many of whom have had no direct experience of war or the part played by conflict in Canada's history.

The museum is a wonderful museum. It has displays of original armaments, vehicles and uniforms from Canada's earliest conflicts right to the present. Most striking are the pictures that depict Canadian men and women in the heat of battle.

I would like to congratulate those who have made the museum a reality and invite all Canadians to Brantford to share in the Canadian Military Heritage Museum.

[Infrastructure Program, May 4th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday in my riding of Brant I had the privilege of announcing that the city of Brantford would be the first Ontario municipality to receive funding under the Canada-Ontario infrastructure works program.

With 15 per cent unemployment, one can imagine the open arms with which the announcement that $12 million would be spent locally in our community to restore our infrastructure and get our people back to work was received.

Brantford is not the only municipality that feels so strongly about this program. Fully 630 municipalities in our province have made applications for funding.

I would like to congratulate our government for working so expeditiously with the province and with the municipalities to get this program up and running. I would like to say to the Prime Minister how honoured I was to make the announcement, effectively an announcement that makes good his promise to help get Canadians back to work.

[Wayne Gretzky, March 24th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, last night Wayne Gretzky scored his 802nd NHL goal to surpass Gordie Howe's all-time NHL scoring record.

Wayne Gretzky was raised and educated in Brantford and his family continues to reside in my riding. Many of us have followed his career with a great deal of interest and enjoyment. Number 99 has won nine scoring titles, the Hart trophy nine times, the Lady Byng trophy three times and the Conn Smythe on two occasions. He has his name on the Stanley Cup four

times, has been a part of three Canada Cup championship teams and holds no less than 61 NHL records.

Off the ice Wayne Gretzky has made a tremendous contribution to many charities and organizations, committing endless hours to help less fortunate groups and individuals. Wayne Gretzky's on and off ice dedication and contributions truly make him the great one.

I invite all members to join me in congratulating Wayne Gretzky on his career accomplishments.

[Via Rail, March 21st, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport.

The people in my riding of Brant are very concerned about the future of VIA Rail particularly the service as it passes through London to Brantford and then on to Toronto.

Can the parliamentary secretary please assure the House and my constituents that despite the $50 million in planned cuts to VIA Rail in 1994-95, the service through my riding will not be curtailed?

[Immigration Act, March 17th, 1994]

Madam Speaker, I would like to follow up on a question I posed on March 15 regarding the concept of a guaranteed annual income.

As the Minister of Human Resources Development continues his review of social policy, I want to encourage him to fully consider and do a cost benefit analysis on the concept of a guaranteed annual income.

Today I would like to present five benefits that I believe commend this notion to the minister for further consideration.

First, in terms of efficiency, we need a comprehensive program to consolidate the patchwork of social programs that presently exist. We could consolidate the guaranteed income supplement, child tax credit and exemptions, married exemptions, federal Canada Assistance Plan transfers, old age security and possibly GST tax credits under a guaranteed annual income. Unemployment insurance as well or parts of that program could also be included.

Does it not make sense to provide one form of support instead of continuing the multiple programs process and bureaucracy that exist presently?

We talk about streamlining government. The guaranteed annual income could help us in this regard.

Second, what about work incentives? Many people fear that a guaranteed annual income will encourage people not to work. I believe that is precisely what our list of programs does right now. Currently, social programs have a high taxback rate on additional earned income, some up to 100 per cent, that in many cases makes it not possible for recipients to return to work. If by finding low wage employment a person risks losing certain other important support, that person really cannot leave the system.

Because the guaranteed annual income would be integrated with the tax system it could provide a gradual taxback of benefits as a recipient finds other sources of income.

My sense is that there is only anecdotal proof that a guaranteed annual income would be a disincentive to work. In fact, the real proof may exist on the other side. A recent study of the Mincome experiment in Manitoba found that a guaranteed annual income did not affect people's work habits.

As well, the National Council of Welfare recently released a study which showed that low income Canadians respond to incentives to work better than people with above average incomes. A person struggling to make ends meet does not have the luxury to relax instead of work.

I am convinced that Canadians want to work and if properly structured a guaranteed annual income will support Canadians to do so.

As for effectiveness, social policy can be more effective if it responds to the different needs of Canadians. A guaranteed annual income is able to do just this. Flexibility in the taxback rates and guarantee levels can provide effective income support for Canadians who cannot be expected to enter the workforce and those who are able to work as well. As well, in our changing economy skills and training are essential elements that create opportunities for lower income Canadians.

A guaranteed annual income would provide income support for those people who participate in training and skills advancement.

Let us consider economic benefits. Good social policy makes good economic sense and allows us to get lower income people the money they need to buy the resources they need to serve their families and they spend it in our local communities.

Finally, let us talk about dignity for Canadians. I believe that a guaranteed annual income protects the dignity of lower income Canadians. First of all, it provides effective income support so that Canadians are able to meet their basic needs.

Second, there would be no requirement to go through the humiliating needs test that are part of the Canada Assistance Plan.

With a guaranteed annual income people do not need to remain on welfare just because it does not pay to work. Moreover, Canadians will have the support needed to gain the skills necessary to compete in today's job market.

In conclusion, I believe and I try to show that a guaranteed annual income could provide significant benefits for all Canadians. I urge the government to do a thorough cost benefit analysis of this concept. It is time to consider a real step change in Canada's social assistance policy.

[Guaranteed Annual Minimum Income, March 15th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, ever since I first raised the issue of a guaranteed annual minimum income in the House last month, I have received many letters from across Canada expressing support for the concept.

I would like to ask the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Human Resources Development if the government will actively consider integrating existing income support programs into a single guaranteed annual minimum income.

[Employment, March 14th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, like all Canadians I am encouraged by the reduction in Canada's national unemployment rate in February. However it is with great concern I report to the House that the riding of Brant was not so fortunate.

Our monthly unemployment rate jumped from 11.7 per cent to 14.1 per cent in February, well above the provincial average of 10.7 per cent.

One way that government can address the unemployment problems of smaller centres is by decentralizing some of its services. In my riding, for example, we have no unique post-secondary institution. Our level of post-secondary education falls well below the national average.

My community could greatly be supported by the location of a federal research and development centre or some other technological institute or agency within its boundaries.

While I strongly support the job creation measures taken in the budget, I believe that decentralization is another proactive step that governments can take to create opportunities in our smaller communities.

I encourage our government to take steps in this direction.

[Supply, March 14th, 1994]

Madam Speaker, I would like to comment on the hon. member's statements. He is talking about his sense of realism.

I would like to share with him that yesterday morning at nine o'clock I received a call from a constituent who said that the government's budget is working. He is an individual who looks for investment for Canadian projects. He says we are turning the corner, that Canadians are showing a strong interest in spending money here and that the confidence of Canadian investors is increasing and growing rapidly as a result of the government's presence and policies.

When it comes to the issue of Quebec, I would say to the hon. member that we are not looking toward a future of doom and gloom. We believe the people of Quebec want what every other Canadian wants: a good job.

By focusing on projects like the Canadian youth service corps and the infrastructure program we are telling the people of Quebec that yes, they should have confidence in the government because we are here to do what it is they want and that is find the people jobs.

Finally I would like to say that I have had meetings with people in my riding particularly with regard to the infrastructure program and the Canada youth service corps. The degree of interest and desire for those programs is phenomenal. There is a sense we cannot stand back, do nothing and just look at numbers. As a government we have to find opportunities to create work in the short, medium and long term. I believe the programs we have outlined in the budget are going to do just that.

[Women In Arts And Culture, March 10th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to pay tribute to the many Canadian women who have made significant contributions in the field of arts and culture. Arts and culture have made a real impact on the continuing development of Canada's social fabric, as well as on our economic growth as a country.

I am truly inspired by extraordinary performers like Karen Kain, by authors like Margaret Laurence and by artists like Keterina Mertikas.

I am proud of women in my riding like Linda Schuyler who recently received the 1994 Order of Canada for her outstanding contribution to the media. Ms. Schuyler is most notably known as the executive producer and series creator of the acclaimed television series "The Kids of Degrassi Street".

Virginia Little is the musical director for the Little String Orchestra in Brantford. Recently Ms. Little was selected Arts Citizen of the Year by the Brantford Regional Arts Council.

As performers, entrepreneurs and volunteers Canadian women are making their mark in the world of arts and culture. My congratulations and thanks to them all.

[Prince Edward Island Fixed Link, February 15th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I listened with interest to the hon. member's 20 minutes and to the speech given by his leader.

They acknowledge that this is an amendment to the Constitution and with glee seem to recognize the government's recognition of the referendum that occurred on the island and the importance of it.

They seem to be setting this discussion up as a precedent for something. What I did not hear them speak about is the message the minister gave about the importance of this fixed link not only for the people of P.E.I. but for all Canadians.

I would suggest to the hon. member that if they are looking at this discussion today as a precedent for something, they should remember that it is important that things discussed in this House be for the benefit of all Canadians. I would suggest that some of the initiatives which the hon. member might be suggesting in the future will not be for the benefit of all Canadians.

I believe that the direction of the party and its focus on solidifying Quebec may not be for the best of all Canadians, nor in fact for the benefit of all Quebecers. However I hesitate to speak on their behalf. I would like to recommend that to the member and have him remember that when the minister was speaking about the importance of this fixed link, he focused on the value for the whole country.