Mark Assad

[Tribute To Father Gérald Mauzeroll, December 11th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to pay tribute to Father Gérald Mauzeroll, a resident of Masson-Angers in the riding of Gatineau, who has been serving as a missionary in Brazil for a number of years and who is to receive tomorrow the award of the human rights defence council from the government in Sao Paulo.

His devotion to the disenfranchised of Brazil and his pastoral duties among prisoners promote the cause of human dignity.

Father Mauzeroll has also done special work in the parish of Vila Fatima, where he helped create the human rights centre. His work in Brazil is supported by a team of priests in the dioceses of Ottawa, Mont-Laurier and Gatineau—Hull.

Our congratulations and best wishes to Gérald Mauzeroll.

[Lebanon, November 24th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to draw attention to the presence here of the former President of Lebanon, Amin Gemayel.

Mr. Gemayel, who is visiting Canada with his lovely wife, is known to us as a staunch defender of the independence and territorial integrity of Lebanon.

We would like him to know how grateful all Lebanese are to him, not only those still in Lebanon but also all those throughout this country, who share his hopes and struggle for a true Lebanese territory and peace after 17 years of conflict.

We are honoured to have this visit by former President and Mrs. Gemayel.

[Immigration, October 31st, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, at the beginning of the week, the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration published her immigration plan for the year 1998.

Entitled “A Stronger Canada”, this document calls for an increase in immigration levels for the coming years, showing that Canada is a friendly nation and proud of the contribution of the cultural communities seeking to settle here.

We must welcome the efforts of the Canadian government which is providing in this way for an important contribution to the future of our country. There is no doubt that the interests of the whole Canadian population are well represented through such a generous and appropriate policy at this time in Canadian history.

[Supply, October 9th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, I listened to the speeches about the various systems, whether in the federal government or the Quebec government. When I was in the National Assembly, there was always a lot of criticism. Whatever system we have it will draw criticism.

Look at the situation in the United States and in most other countries. Stop any ten persons in the street and ask them, whether in Ontario or Quebec—not in the United States, but in Canada—if they think that our system to raise funds for political parties is honest, equitable and free from interference. Nine out of ten will ask you: Do you think I am naive? No one believes that the system works honestly. This is sad, but it is possible in a democracy.

Two or three years ago, I tabled a private member's bill based on a study of the financing of political parties in Canada, done by a New Brunswick University student working for his Ph.D. I got in touch with him and, together, we prepared something. The problem with my bill was probably its simplicity. I proposed to prohibit anyone—companies, unions, individuals—from contributing to political parties. It is up to us, the people, to give the various political parties the means to finance their activities. I have done some research with the Department of National Revenue and, considering what it is costing the government right now, it would be cheaper to pay the political parties directly according to a set formula.

I hope to introduce a similar bill again and I would like to ask the hon. member this question. Do you think that you and your colleagues could support a bill that said it is up to the government, that is the people, to finance political parties. No money from companies, no fundraisers.

[Bank Of Canada, October 3rd, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, given that the government's policy is to create jobs, and that this can only be achieved in a strong and growing economy, I find it hard to understand the Bank of Canada's decision to increase its rate, when there is no indication of a rise in inflation.

The chartered banks immediately doubled the rate increase set by the Bank of Canada. This could generate some concern among Canadians who, in the past, have been hard hit because of high interest rates, with a large number of businesses having to fold and many families nearly went going bankrupt because of high mortgage rates.

The government's policy of attempting to control our economy by manipulating interest rates must be questioned. It continues to cause our economy to lurch from boom to bust and by this every move turning the stock markets and serves only to make increased profits for financial—

[Manpower Training, April 21st, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, in Montreal a few hours ago, the Prime Minister and the Minister of Human Resources Development, signed an agreement in principle between the Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec on manpower development.

Can the parliamentary secretary explain to the House what this agreement in principle means for the men and women of Quebec?

[Deputy Premier Of Quebec, April 18th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, I hesitated until the last minute about making this speech. Should I, or should I not, bring up the words used by Bernard Landry the day before yesterday concerning our Prime Minister?

Should such an attack be allowed to pass without comment, so as not to attract more attention to it than it merits, or should it be vehemently objected to? The liberal principles and values to which I fully subscribe teach us not to counter an insult with another insult.

The Bernard Landrys of this world ought to realize that such an attack on the Prime Minister is an attack on the very foundations of the political institution. And then they turn around and moan about the lack of confidence and the cynicism people have toward politicians.

[Bloc Quebecois, April 7th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, it is absurd for separatists to be shocked at the amounts spent by the federal government on national unity, co-operation between the provinces and bilingualism when we know that Ottawa must spend tens of millions of dollars on salaries and on staff, office, research, travel and other expenses so that 50 Bloc Quebecois members of the House of Commons can promote separatism 24 hours a day.

It is the same as if the Catholic community were financing and maintaining at great expense and with much fanfare a congregation of atheists.

These supposed guardians of Quebec's greater interests are merely taking cynical advantage of Canadian democracy. Voters will, I hope, put an end to this state of affairs in the upcoming election.

[Cycling, March 13th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, Bromont has just been named the site of the eastern Canada sports cyclist national training centre.

The primary purpose of this training centre is to promote the development of optimal conditions for the training and development of top level athletes in road, track, cross country and mountain bike racing.

The corporation that managed this centre is already considering the possibility of building a velodrome, to further add to the facilities available in this region for development of this sport. It also plans to offer young people a program of sports combined with study that will help develop our next generation of athletes.

This is very good news for the Bromont region and for cycling in general. The government is pleased to be involved in this undertaking through Sport Canada.

[Regional Development, March 10th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, residents of the Gaspé and the Magdalen Islands have reason to celebrate the latest intervention by the Government of Canada in their region.

This morning, before an audience of representatives of the socio-economic community, the Secretary of State responsiblefor the Federal Office of Regional Development-Quebec andthe Liberal member for Bonaventure-Îles-de-la-Madeleine announced $3 million in assistance for the purchase of the Chandler-Gaspé line.

This amount, which will go to the Gaspé railway corporation, will be used to cover the estimated $2.6 million needed to buy the line, as well as the costs of development activities for the first two years of operation.

The Canadian government recognizes the importance of transportation for the economic development of regions like the Gaspé and that is why we are happy to provide assistance.