Gurbax Malhi

[Human Rights, March 30th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, the protection of human rights is a universal concern. In this respect Canada has played a respectful role on the international scene.

Often we do not put a face to the issue of human rights. However today the city of Ottawa is graced with the presence of Ajit Singh Bains, retired Chief Justice of the Punjab High Court and the Chair of the Punjab Human Rights Organization. He has also been the victim of many human rights abuses at the hands of the Indian government, including being charged under the notorious Tada law.

Only international public outcry has assured that Justice Bains is able to travel to Canada to make his views known about the conditions in the Punjab.

I hope members will join with me in saluting the efforts of this remarkable man in bringing justice to the people of the Punjab.

[Immigration, March 23rd, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, Canada is a country of immigrants and a tolerant one. However, Canadians were told this week by the Canadian Human Rights Commissioner Max Yalden that there

appears to be an undercurrent of intolerance around immigration and Canada's changing demographic face.

I must urge my colleagues not to let any actions tarnish the excellent image Canada enjoys around the world as a country of tolerance and compassion. Let us not fan the flames of anti-immigration for they will ultimately consume us all and our good reputation.

In this respect, the timing could not be more perfect for the Liberal government's decision to establish the Race Relations Foundation.

[Rail Strike, March 22nd, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, the rail dispute is a direct economic threat to the auto, petrochemical and manufacturing industries so important to Canada and particularly to my riding of Bramalea-Gore-Malton.

The NDP and the Bloc are needlessly prolonging this strike, a position that is clearly a threat to the economic recovery now under way. The NDP supports the right to collective misery. The Bloc must not allow its separatist agenda to put a stranglehold on Canada. All Canadians will suffer.

I urge the Bloc and the NDP to end grandstanding and allow the trains to roll.

[Commonwealth Day, March 13th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to rise in the House today to draw the attention of my hon. colleagues to the importance of Commonwealth Day. The theme of Commonwealth Day 1995 is tolerance.

The Commonwealth stands as a symbol of international co-operation and as a model for all nations of the globe to work in friendship promoting diversity and harmony through tolerance.

Our nation has benefited greatly from its membership in the Commonwealth and in turn Canada has lent its strong support to this venerable institution.

[India, March 3rd, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Recently several Canadian citizens have been arrested or harassed while travelling in India.

There is evidence that the Indian authorities are detaining individuals without charge. Coincidentally this harassment and unfounded police interrogation are directed particularly at Canadians of Sikh origin.

Will the minister on behalf of the Government of Canada send a strong message to the Indian government to put an end to this practice and human rights violations with minorities in India?

[Pearson International Airport, February 22nd, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Solicitor General.

Scooping is the practice of unlicensed private drivers stealing business from hundreds of taxi cab and limousine drivers who are legally licensed to operate from Pearson International Airport.

Will the Solicitor General take measures to control this theft of an estimated $6.5 million in business and put an end to these airport pirates?

[Pearson International Airport, February 21st, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, there are over 550 licensed taxi and limousine drivers working from Pearson International Airport.

Insurance increases of 21 per cent, cost increases of 6 per cent and a 25 per cent reduction in fares are creating a situation where operators may be forced to apply for unemployment insurance. The real threat to the livelihood of these operators however is the illegal practice of scooping, the theft of business by unlicensed, uninsured illegal operators.

I urge the Solicitor General and the Minister of Transport to redraft the government airport concession operations regulations, put teeth into the enforcement process and curb the theft of an estimated $6.5 million in legitimate business.

[Religious Freedom, February 15th, 1995]

Madam Speaker, I am pleased and privileged to rise in the House today to speak to Motion No. 310 presented by my colleague, the hon. member for Windsor-St. Clair.

As the House is aware, I am the first turbaned Sikh to sit in the House of Commons. The turban is recognized by this House as religious headgear and no restrictions whatsoever are placed upon me. Likewise, Her Majesty the Queen has clearly indicated that the wearing of the turban in her presence is totally acceptable. The Queen's aide, Robin Janvrin, in a letter dated September 13, 1991 wrote: "I confirm that many Sikhs have been invited to Buckingham Palace over the years. They were not asked to remove their turbans".

Today's motion urges the Canadian legion to recognize that the turban is not simply a hat, but rather it is an integral part of the Sikh faith.

The Sikhs have proudly served during the time of war all the while wearing their turbans. The fact that the turban has been recognized by the RCMP and the Canadian military as suitable

dress for parade or duty should be extended to the wearing of religious headgear in the legions.

What was World War II all about anyway? Was it just fearless exploits and dramatic battles? Or was it about fighting for freedom, including religious freedom at a time of virulent anti-Semitism?

The brave soldiers of all faiths fought and died so that the living would be respected. They died so that a religious Jew would never be forced to remove his yarmulke and a devout Sikh would not be humiliated by being asked to remove his turban.

On the battlefield, no one asked Jewish and Sikh soldiers to fight and die without their religious headgear. Yet now, the yarmulke and turban are deemed disrespectful, on par with a cowboy hat, baseball cap or fedora.

In voting down the pleas of their own leadership to allow religious headgear into legion halls, the convention delegates violated the spirit of Canada's human rights laws and trampled on traditional Canadian values.

Today's motion would ensure that this situation would not be allowed to continue. I urge all of my fellow members in the House to support this motion and once and for all put this humiliating situation to rest.

[The Economy, February 14th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, salaries as high as $250,000 for a university professor or $400,000 for a hospital president are reported in an article in the Sunday Toronto Star .

Taxpayers are also footing the bill for subsidized housing, company cars and undisclosed travel and expense accounts, all without the scrutiny of public accounting.

This situation must change. As the federal government provides a large proportion of funds to the provinces for secondary education and health care, we must ensure that accountability is made a matter of public knowledge.

[Taxation, February 7th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I have received hundreds of letters from concerned constituents of Bramalea-Gore-Malton, all demanding no new taxes.

My constituents want the government to reduce the deficit and eliminate duplication of services. People want the government to create a climate beneficial to economic growth. They want more support for small business.

Ordinary Canadians would like tax loopholes to be closed, government spending reduced, and MPs' pensions brought into line.

I urge my fellow members to support the government in these worthwhile objectives.