Mac Harb

[Supply, May 2nd, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I am surprised that my colleagues of the opposition would want to debate on a motion which says that the federal government will impose standards on provinces. I read the document tabled in this House by Mr. Martin on February 27, 1995 and nowhere can I find the word "impose". It only says that the federal government wants to start discussions with the provinces in order to establish standards and goals, so that there will be minimum standards all across Canada.

I do not understand why my colleague is so allergic to the words "goal" and "standard". There is nothing different there.

I would simply like to mention to the hon. member that in the Hansard of May 4, 1989, on page 1291, Mr. Bouchard who was then a conservative minister, said and I quote:

That being said, the best way to guarantee that social programs will be preserved is to maintain a strong government that is able to intervene and to stand by its commitments to our neediest fellow Canadians.

So stated Lucien Bouchard on May 4, 1989, page 1291.

I agree with what Mr. Bouchard said in 1989 and as a matter of fact I-

[Petitions, May 2nd, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to introduce in the House a petition signed by many of my constituents in the riding of Ottawa Centre. The petition deals with young offenders and the Young Offenders Act.

[Export Development Corporation, May 2nd, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to table, in both official languages, a summary of the Treasury Board report on the transactions relating to Canada's accounts for the fiscal year 1993-94 by the Export Development Corporation.

[Schizophrenia, April 27th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, this week the Schizophrenia Society of Canada launched its first annual public awareness campaign.

This disease affects about 270,000 Canadians. That is one in every 100 people. Sadly, 40 per cent of the people with this disease will attempt to take their own lives; sadder still, one quarter will succeed.

Schizophrenia is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain and often strikes young adults. It is one of the most common forms of mental illness in Canada.

While there is much work to be done, progressive discoveries are being made every day and more effective treatment programs are being developed.

The Schizophrenia Society of Canada provides information, advice and emotional support to those living with this disease and their families. Along with my colleagues in the House of Commons I congratulate the society for its continued commitment and hard work.

[Petitions, April 27th, 1995]

Madam Speaker, I have a petition signed by many of my constituents of Ottawa Centre who are calling on the government to take action in order to deal with crime throughout Canada, mainly in urban centres. I would like to lend my support to this petition.

[Supply, March 23rd, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I had a chance to travel to over 30 countries around the globe and I share some of my colleagues comments that our troops abroad have made us all proud in terms of their contribution to the peace process, not only in hot spot countries but in every country they have put a foot on.

It is a great honour for us as Canadians when we travel abroad when people see the Canadian flag and want to get one of those beautiful red and white pins. There is no question about it. This is precisely what the government wants to maintain.

The government is trying to maintain the integrity of the Canadian Armed Forces. If there are some bad apples, as my colleagues have suggested, this is precisely what the govern-

ment wants to do, to make sure the tree is healthy and all of the applies on it are edible; apples that are not only going to be useful for today but also useful in the future.

I agree with my colleague that we should look at ways we could use our armed forces as an example for the younger generation in certain aspect, at least the aspect of discipline, the aspect of doing things with determination, with good will and so on. It is worth while exploring all those opportunities.

Does the Reform Party have a specific proposal to make before the House of Commons when it comes to this issue. If so, would he share it with us?

[Bill C-41, March 21st, 1995]

Madam Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to present a petition to Parliament calling on the House of Commons to ensure that the present provisions in the Criminal Code prohibiting assisted suicide be enforced vigorously and that Parliament make no changes in the law that would sanction or would allow the aiding or abetting of suicide or active or passive euthanasia.

[Member For Nepean, March 20th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, my good friend and buddy Beryl Gaffney is currently undergoing surgery in London, Ontario. I wish her well and want her to know she is in our thoughts and prayers.

Beryl, your energy and drive can be a lesson to us all. I know you have the spirit and strength to see yourself through the days and weeks ahead. After all, as a friend and neighbour you put up with so many of us for so many years.

I know you will be back in your seat in the House very soon. On behalf of all of my colleagues, I wish you a quick and easy recovery. We miss you and look forward to your return soon.

[Supply, March 16th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, how can we ever please our Bloc Quebecois colleagues? One day, they want certain federal responsibilities to be delegated to the provinces and, the next thing you know, they say these responsibilities should remain with the federal government.

Housing is obviously an area of provincial responsibility. But if my hon. colleague is suggesting that the federal government should assume more responsibilities than the provinces, I am prepared to join him in making representations because I agree with him that the federal government often does a better job than the provinces in certain areas.

The hon. member mentioned day care. I want to point out to him that, last spring, the federal government announced the establishment of a task force on the tax treatment of child support. As my hon. colleague knows, this task force was presided by the secretary of State responsible for women's issues. The task force held public hearings and travelled across the country to seek the opinion of the provincial and territorial governments.

I am sure that, if my hon. colleague gives this government just a little more time, he will see that we can put in place legislation that will meet this need. Just bear with us.

[Supply, March 16th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I am quite amazed to see this motion by the opposition. I would have wished for a preamble which could have read as follows: "That this House commend the government for all the measures it has taken to date to create opportunities for women".

My hon. colleague is forgetting that, in our 1994 budget, we reiterated our commitment at the federal level to provide $100 million to the emergency repair program. We also reinstated the court challenges program which provides funding for cases

relating to the provisions of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms that guarantee equality rights.

I want to stress that these programs have expanded jurisprudence relating to positive economic action for women. Also, our government announced the establishment of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation, another major initiative on behalf of women facing discrimination both on the grounds of sex and race.

I could cite at least 15 to 18 different initiatives this government has taken to date to create opportunities for Canadian women. Therefore, I am surprised to hear the opposition parties attack the government like this. I would like to tell my hon. colleagues that one year after taking office, we have accomplished a lot for women, when compared to the record of the previous government over ten years. I wonder why my hon. colleague does not rise to commend the government.