Hec Clouthier

[Harness Racing, February 18th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, this month I was a presenter at the prestigious O'Brien Awards for excellence in the sport of harness racing in Canada. It once again showcased the superstars of our sport.

When the dust had settled, the lightning-quick Blissful Hall paced away with the Horse of the Year Award. His outspoken, opinionated, colourful trainer, Ben Wallace, garnered a much deserved Trainer of the Year Award.

The real story of the night was the emergence of a new superstar in the driving ranks. Canada has produced the greatest drivers in the history of harness racing, from Joe O'Brien to Keith Waples to John Campbell, and now a new young lion called Chris Christoforou, who won over 600 races and over $6 million in 1999, both Canadian records. Chris learned his lessons well from his father, Chris Sr. Harness racing knows that this young man is ready, willing and certainly able to race through the home stretch to victory for the great Canadian sport of harness racing.

[Flag Day 2000, February 17th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, this week I was pleased and privileged to be with over 300 students at our Lady of Fatima School in Renfrew to celebrate a defining moment in the history of our great country, the 35th anniversary of the unveiling of our Canadian flag.

Organized by teacher Earl Bennett, the outdoor rally on a bright, beautiful winter morning was symbolic of all that Canadians hold near and dear to their hearts. We paid tribute to a shining, scintillating symbol that is recognized throughout the world as an icon for peace, prosperity, hope and tolerance.

The theme for Flag Day 2000 was “Take pride in Canada. The place to be in the 21st Century”.

When I looked out at these eager young students, I saw the future of our country Canada. Rest assured, Mr. Speaker and colleagues, that the next generation of Canadians will dare to dream. They will reach for the stars and they will build an even better country for each and every one of us as we march into the next millennium.

[Cape Breton Development Corporation Divestiture Authorization And Dissolution Act, February 16th, 2000]

The member is saying that it is a fair deal. In my region we lost many people from the lumber industry. I am sure it is the same in Acadie—Bathurst. Sometimes when the resource is no longer there or people cannot make any money, they have to make a change.

What would my colleague suggest the federal government do in order to keep the people working at Devco? I just cannot see how it can stay open if it loses money.

[Cape Breton Development Corporation Divestiture Authorization And Dissolution Act, February 16th, 2000]

They keep yelling.

All the yelling across the way will not make more housing available after the next election. This is ridiculous.

This is the question I want to ask my friend. Devco has been supported for 30 years by the federal government. My colleague said that. How can we make a change at Devco? Do we keep on putting money into something that continually loses money?

[Cape Breton Development Corporation Divestiture Authorization And Dissolution Act, February 16th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, when my good friend the member for Acadie—Bathurst gets upset, I worry he will have a heart attack.

I empathize with my colleague. No one likes to see people lose their jobs, but I have to disagree with him on two statements that he made. He said that the Liberal government had cut health care to the bone. Yes, we did make some cuts to health care in 1993, but now the funding has been returned to health care in the year 2000 to what it was in 1993.

[Atomic Energy Of Canada Limited, February 10th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, it is indeed an honour and a privilege to rise today to welcome all Canadians into the second century of the atomic age.

The atomic age was born in Canada 55 years ago when the first peacetime reactor in the world came into operation at Chalk River in my great riding of Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke. In 1952 Atomic Energy of Canada Limited became a crown corporation to develop peaceful applications of nuclear energy for Canada and the world.

AECL built the town of Deep River, and feelings run deep about the benefits of AECL and CANDU technology. The proposed Canadian neutron facility, with support from the National Research Council, will provide much needed material research and development to ensure that Canada continues to dominate in the atomic age.

Our sagacious Prime Minister has stated: “As the millennium dawns, I remain convinced that the future of CANDU is bright indeed, both at home and abroad”.

[An Act To Give Effect To The Requirement For Clarity As Set Out In The Opinion Of The Supreme Court Of Canada In The Quebec Secession Reference, February 7th, 2000]

I like my friends across the way a lot because they are passionate and demonstrative. It is perfect, as far as I am concerned, and it is good for Quebec, but it is even better for Canada. Let Quebec stay in Canada, and all will be well. Do not be afraid of me, I am only a backbencher.

The Prime Minister resides in the Province of Quebec and we do not have any problems with our friends. I like my friends a lot, and the member for Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot has the same haircut as me.

[An Act To Give Effect To The Requirement For Clarity As Set Out In The Opinion Of The Supreme Court Of Canada In The Quebec Secession Reference, February 7th, 2000]

I am a hockey player, not a cheerleader.

It is true that with the transfers to provinces—listen to this and say it to the people in Quebec—they get more than $3 billion each year.

[An Act To Give Effect To The Requirement For Clarity As Set Out In The Opinion Of The Supreme Court Of Canada In The Quebec Secession Reference, February 7th, 2000]

Madam Speaker, this is terrible. My friend across the way said that I am a football player.

[An Act To Give Effect To The Requirement For Clarity As Set Out In The Opinion Of The Supreme Court Of Canada In The Quebec Secession Reference, February 7th, 2000]

Madam Speaker, if the Government of Quebec asked an honest and clear question, we would have no problem with the result. I say to my friends and to the Government of Quebec that they must be careful: the question will have to be honest and clear.