Yvon Charbonneau

[Quebec Minister Of Transport, June 1st, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, I wish to criticize the remarks made yesterday in the Quebec national assembly by the member for Joliette, Guy Chevrette, against the member for Lafontaine, Jean-Claude Gobé.

By calling him a “bloody Frenchman” and carrying on insulting him in the most offensive manner possible, Guy Chevrette has shown himself once again to be ill-mannered, impulsive and a worn out politician.

For the past 15 years, Mr. Gobé has legitimately represented the people of Lafontaine, a riding that includes part of the federal riding I represent.

With his racist remarks and insults, Guy Chevrette represents neither Quebecers nor, I hope, his political party. This man showered me with insults when I sat at the national assembly and since then.

Chevrette is worn out, finished, kept in office by a certain type of press to which he feeds his twaddle. Mr. Gobé has represented Quebec with dignity on several international missions to francophone countries and has my full support and that of my colleagues, especially the member for Brossard—La Prairie, under these unfortunate and unacceptable circumstances.

[World No Tobacco Day, May 31st, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, World No Tobacco Day, held every May 31, is organized by the World Health Organization.

This year's theme is “Tobacco Kills—Don't be Duped”. The aim of the campaign is to make the public aware of the harmful effect on health of exposure to secondhand smoke and to promote the use of strong measures to limit exposure.

Secondhand smoke is a real and significant threat to public health. Supported by two decades of evidence, the scientific community now agrees that there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke.

On May 31, Health Canada is joining Physicians for a Smoke-Free Canada in holding a seminar on federal, provincial and municipal legislation in this regard.

As well, Health Canada's youth advisory committee on tobacco issues will sponsor the national virtual blue ribbon campaign for World No Tobacco Day. The campaign will involve the dissemination of an electronic version of a blue ribbon featuring the slogan “Let's Clear the Air”.

[Income Tax Act, May 30th, 2001]

Madam Speaker, we have to get the facts straight. Alberta received equalization for a short period of time prior to 1962 when resource revenues were not included in the calculation of equalization.

In 1962, when resources were brought into the formula, Alberta's equalization entitlements were clawed back. Accordingly, after 1964-65 Alberta no longer received equalization.

In 1967 equalization became a comprehensive program and virtually all revenue sources were included in the calculation of equalization entitlements.

Newfoundland and Nova Scotia want to be less dependent on transfers. It is a laudable goal, but these two provinces also want to keep all their revenues from natural resources, as do Alberta and other provinces. That is the situation at the present time.

Newfoundland and Nova Scotia want equalization payments to be maintained at the same level despite the fact that they are getting richer. That is a problem.

The equalization formula is applied in a fair and equitable manner to all the provinces. As fiscal capacity varies from province to province, so do equalization payments. These variations reflect each province's capacity to raise revenues.

Furthermore, Newfoundland and Nova Scotia resource revenues already receive special treatment: equalization payments are not reduced dollar for dollar but only by 70 cents.

In conclusion, to provide more generous treatment to Newfoundland and Nova Scotia would be patently unfair to other equalization receiving provinces which do not have the benefit of rich natural resource sectors.

[Wharves, May 28th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, under the Food and Drugs Act, these products are deemed to be pesticides and they are subjected to the usual regulations.

[Health, May 28th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, Health Canada—we are talking about pregnant women—released a document entitled “Nutrition for a Healthy Pregnancy”.

This publication includes all the necessary information and appropriate warnings regarding certain species of fish.

These warnings were sent to a dozen health organizations. They were also posted on websites. All the necessary information is available.

[Health, May 28th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, I am afraid that the hon. member's fishing trip will end rather quickly.

Indeed, Canadians should know that our standards regarding the levels of mercury in fish are twice as strict as those of the United States.

As for the species to which she is referring, namely tuna, shark and swordfish, the Minister of Health indicated that if these species are consumed in very small quantities, they do not pose a threat to health.

[International Day Of Families, May 15th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, I wish to remind the House of Commons and all Canadians that the International Day of Families, which is observed on May 15, is a very special day for families the world over.

This year is also the International Year of Volunteers and I invite members to reflect upon the important contribution families make to the voluntary sector. Families are the cornerstone of society. It is through families that we learn to be caring, responsible adults.

Offering families the support of the community is one of the best investments we could make in the long-term health and well-being of Canadian society.

[Health, May 11th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, I notice that our colleague had a two-part question prepared. He feels he has to read the second, even though it was answered in my reply to the first.

I repeat, yes a joint approach is being taken, and we are not waiting for some tragedy to occur. Action is already being taken, and has been for some years. The federal-provincial approach in this field will be continued.

[Health, May 11th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, the federal government, through Health Canada, is working in close collaboration with the provinces on this matter.

This dates back to last September and the last federal-provincial conference; the ministers of health of both levels of government agreed that this was a top priority. They struck a committee mandated to establish a human resources plan, including one for nurses. That plan is now available.

[Canada Health Day, May 11th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to inform the House that tomorrow, May 12, is Canada Health Day.

Canada Health Day is held each year on the anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale, and is jointly sponsored by the Canadian Public Health Association and the Canadian Healthcare Association.

Together, let us wish an excellent Canada Health Day to the Canadian Public Health Association, the Canadian Healthcare Association, their members, their staff, their volunteers and their associates.

I ask all members to please join me in wishing the Canadian Public Health Association and the Canadian Healthcare Association a very successful Canada Health Day.