Bernard Patry

[Bloc Quebecois Leader, November 3rd, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, the Leader of the Official Opposition has completely reversed his position this week by voting against Bill C-56 on Environmental Assessment.

He was the one who said in October that this was his baby, that he had fought very hard for it in Cabinet. According to him, he never spoke against the bill.

The Leader of the Opposition has a very short memory. On October 21, 1993, when Mr. Lépine asked him during a broadcast of Le Point whether he would not find himself opposing Jacques Parizeau if the latter won the upcoming election, the hon. member replied that Mr. Parizeau would also respect the legislation, that the Parti Quebecois had agreed to that position.

By voting against Bill C-56, the Leader of the Opposition shows clearly that he no longer has any credibility when he purports to speak for Quebecers.

[Bovine Somatotropin, October 27th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, on August 17, on the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food, the federal government obtained from manufacturers of BST-bovine somatotropin-in Canada a promise to voluntarily defer the sale and use of BST until July 1, 1995. I was delighted to learn that the Government of Canada has just appointed a seven-member task force that will also review the safety of recombinant bovine somatotropin for animal and human health.

I wish to bring to the attention of this advisory group and of the Minister of Health that, contrary to what was said and written, some studies show that BST alters the nutritional quality of milk, producing more fat and less protein. I am concerned about the impact this change in the percentage of milk components might have on the future health of our young consumers.

[Department Of Canadian Heritage Act, October 27th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to participate in today's debate on Bill C-53 creating the Department of Canadian Heritage.

First of all, I think it is essential for all members of this House to be aware that this bill is a technicality.

Since our government has been in office, the Department of Canadian Heritage has vigorously pursued its mandate and played a key role in Canadian society. Its activities reflect a wide range of responsibilities in areas of cultural development, arts, broadcasting, national parks, historic sites, amateur sport and multiculturalism.

The department also administers official languages, state ceremonial and Native programs, which are all fundamental elements of the Canadian identity. In a world where international barriers are disappearing, where technology is altering borders, Canadian identity lies at the heart of our country's growth.

It goes without saying that the federal government needs an instrument such as the Department of Canadian Heritage to carry on its work to develop Canadian culture and promote Canadian identity.

I cannot describe in detail all the responsibilities entrusted to the Department of Canadian Heritage, but I will outline some of its activities that are essential to our society's development.

National parks and historic sites are concrete symbols of this country's wealth and an important part of the duties performed by the Department of Canadian Heritage which are designed to promote Canadian identity. Our natural heritage, our vast terri-

tory, our history and our place in the world play a crucial role in promoting our identity and the values we cherish as Canadians.

Furthermore, the official languages policy introduced by the federal government in the 1970s reflects a generous and creative vision. The Department of Canadian Heritage was assigned the responsibility of ensuring that French-and English-speaking Canadians feel at home wherever they choose to reside.

The principle of respect for both official languages of Canada, combined with respect for the traditions and contributions of aboriginal peoples, respect for our cultural diversity as well as fundamental respect for human rights make Canada a land of open-mindedness and opportunity that millions of people dream of around the world.

New Canadians and their language skills constitute a valuable asset for the Canadian society. Just think of the key role they play in our cultural exchanges and trade transactions with foreign countries. The heart of Canada is beating to the rhythm of our many cultures, and the impact of these new human resources will help us progress.

In the international arena, nations strive to find the way to bind together, with a deep feeling of national identity, populations made up of various ethnic, cultural, linguistic and racial groups. Several countries are currently looking seriously into the purely Canadian model we have come up with. The multicultural dimension of Canada is a rich social reality in our country, a reality that we must preserve.

Giving each Canadian the place he or she deserves in our society and the opportunity to contribute fully to building a stronger country can only benefit us all. In the enactment establishing the Department of Canadian Heritage, I note that the government undertakes to achieve equality for all Canadians in matters relating to the social, economic and cultural life of their country.

The Department of Canadian Heritage recognizes the need to remove barriers which divide Canada and build ties based on trust and respect. Bear in mind that the purpose of multiculturalism is to ensure social unity and strengthen national identity. Greater participation by all Canadians in community life can only serve to increase awareness of our cultural and natural wealth.

As for the policies and programs of the Canadian heritage department, their purpose is to promote a greater understanding of our diversity. Let us not forget that, for many communities, the economic and tourist activity generated by departmental operations is often vital. These are broad responsibilities that the Department of Canadian Heritage is fully capable of carrying out.

In closing, I wish to emphasize the need for Bill C-53 to be passed, to recognize formally the jurisdiction of the Department of Canadian Heritage and to allow the department to continue pursuing the mission it has been pursuing for a year and a half.

[Sports, October 18th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I want to underline the exceptional performance of Dave Barr, Rick Gibson and Ray Stewart, all from British Columbia, who recently won the Dunhill Cup, in Scotland, which is the world championship for golfing.

I also want to congratulate Montreal's Impact soccer team for its impressive victory in the North American soccer championship.

[Petitions, October 18th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, I would like to present a petition signed by voters of the riding of Pierrefonds-Dollard stating their opposition to the proposed amendments to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

The petitioners are asking Parliament not to amend the Canadian Code of Human Rights by adding the rather vague expression "sexual orientation" to the list of prohibited grounds for discrimination.

[Interim Leader Of The Conservative Party, October 6th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, the interim leader of the Conservative Party recently found a new political orientation for himself.

He said to the Laval Chamber of Commerce that his new constitutional position is now called «shared sovereignty».

This statement contrasts sharply with the philosophy and the action taken by the previous government, of which he was a member. We ask ourselves several questions today: Are there now two sovereignist parties in this House?

Is that new constitutional position supported by more than 50 per cent of the Conservative caucus?

Is there a connection between his about-face and his recent discussions with his former boss, Mr. Mulroney?

Canadians no longer trust these politicians who change their opinions on the basis of opinion polls. If the hon. member really wants to contribute to the referendum debate that is about to begin, he should first decide on which side he wants to be.

[Foreign Affairs, October 4th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, Canada, through its peacekeepers, is currently participating with distinction in numerous UN peacekeeping missions, including in the former Yugoslavia, Rwanda and Haiti.

My question is for the Minister of Foreign Affairs. According to various reliable sources, Burundi will be the next theatre of a very serious ethnic conflict. What is Canada doing to prevent new conflicts?

[Air Embargo Against Haiti, June 16th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I have a question for the Minister of Transport. As a result of the air embargo against Haiti, Canadian nationals are in a hurry to leave the country. However, this morning, we were informed by the media that several Canadians, men and women, could not leave Haiti even if they had valid return tickets because of an airfare increase at Air Canada.

What does the minister intend to do to deal with that situation?

[Astral, June 15th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, last week the hon. member for Rimouski-Témiscouata mentioned the CRTC's decision to issue two licences for special channels to Astral and said that this company was, and I quote: "-from Toronto".

On behalf of the employees of this important company in the cultural sector, would the Minister of Canadian Heritage clarify

this statement and tell us whether the company is from Toronto or is, as I am inclined to think, a national company with headquarters in Montreal?

[International Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Day, May 12th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, May 12, 1994, is International Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Day, a disease better known as chronic fatigue syndrome. This terrible disease generates more and more interest because of the professional, social and emotional problems it causes to its victims, and also because of the enormous related costs to society. This syndrome is very difficult to define. Indeed, there is no definite criteria to diagnose this condition.

Researchers have concluded that it may be caused by various agents associated with several diseases.

Whatever the future holds, we do hope that research will find a physiological explanation for the chronic fatigue syndrome.