Schizophrenia Society Of Canada  Speaker, it is with pleasure that I inform hon. members of the launching of the Schizophrenia Society of Canada's public awareness campaign. The purpose of the campaign is quite clear: to change the public perception of schizophrenia, and to replace misconceptions with more factual information. The theme is quite catchy: if you think it is hard to pronounce, imagine what is it like to live with.

Supply  Later, she alluded to her guilt, saying that as a politician-and I agree with her, that is essentially what she is in this case-she has to respect the wishes of Canadians, and Canadians are sending the government a clear message that they want the principles in the Canada Health Act to be upheld. They are strangling the provinces, but are doing it under the pretence of self-professed good intentions.

Supply  We believe our role to play as the central government is to bring about and co-ordinate what it is we see within the principle that those medically required services are based on clear clinical guidelines. This is why the health forum was set up. The health forum is dealing right now with how we define, how we look at outcomes. It is dealing with how we look at what is the care and the criteria necessary to provide those outcomes so that we are not guessing as the hon. member for Macleod would have us do and set all sorts of criteria for who should get it and what a core service is.

Supply  Madam Speaker, the Prime Minister has been a member of Parliament for 32 years. He does not need lessons on medicare from the Reform Party. Let us make that perfectly clear. He was here when medicare was brought forward. He saw the growth and the best of medicare. That is why he is such a staunch defender of it. That is what we are talking about. The member for Macleod talks about core or medically necessary services and having lists.

Supply  It has shown that indeed we have a lot of savings by having a publicly administered single tier system. The second point is when the member spoke about health care funding I am not clear as to his understanding of funding for health. Does it mean only public spending on health or private spending on health? I can see from his speech that he would like to shift the cost of health care spending from the government to private individuals, the citizens.

Supply  Speaking of broken promises, during the election and following I can recall the leader of the Reform Party stating: "I want to make it absolutely clear that the Reform Party is not promoting private health care, deductibles or user fees". Yet, today what is he talking about? Deductibles, user fees, getting more and more private. That was yesterday; this is today.

Supply  The non-essential services can be provided through other financing sources such as insurance and even user pay. That is perfectly clear. These proposals have been presented by other health care reformers in the health care field itself and in the provinces. It is time for the minister to acknowledge them for what they are, not to pretend they are something else.

Legal Recognition Of Same Sex Spouses  They do not want to include homosexuality as part of the fabric of our society. This could be viewed as the tyranny of the majority but we should look at it as a very clear and strong understanding of what is best. I say this with all due regard to those who think the other way. With all due regard to my hon. colleague moving the motion today, I understand what he is saying but I want to very clearly communicate that we do not in any way wish him or other people who have the sexual orientation which he has admitted to any ill.

Legal Recognition Of Same Sex Spouses  We are really talking about the possibility-as is the case in many ridings, including I am sure the riding of the hon. member-that a grandfather and a grandson who are of the same sex and live in the same household would be effectively left out because we have not really defined what we mean by same sex benefits. Presumably, I know the intention. It is very clear what the hon. member is seeking. However, it does not include the important case of people who are not together for sexual reasons. As we know, the federal court has already dealt with the issue of same sex benefits.

Legal Recognition Of Same Sex Spouses  This motion, if passed, like all other approved private members' motions, would express an opinion of this House. This motion is a votable motion and thus would be a clear and distinct expression of the opinion of this House. The expression of this opinion would send a moral signal and provide a moral direction for our society on this particular issue, which flies in the face of the expressed will of Canadians.

Legal Recognition Of Same Sex Spouses  How would we take the measures necessary for the legal recognition of same sex spouses, even were we to agree this should be done? It is clear from the history of the recognition of common law relationships that this was not accomplished by passing a statute called the common law spouses act. Nor was this legal recognition even accomplished by the government at any level.

Budget Implementation Act, 1995  Several weeks ago when the finance minister had his short meeting with Moody's bond rating service it was clear that Moody's went away dissatisfied with the explanation from the finance minister. The Financial Post predicted the same day that Canada's debt rating would be downgraded within a few days.

Budget Implementation Act, 1995  It takes action to reduce government spending and refocus activities of government on priorities and needs. The goal of the strategy is clear, concrete and compelling. It is to restore national fiscal health to Canada. In so doing it will reshape the role of government to build a stronger and more dynamic Canadian economy.

Telecommunications  Mr. Speaker, how can the Prime Minister deny that this is a clear case of favouritism, given that, in the CRTC's opinion, cabinet orders in council compromise the independence and integrity of its licensing process to such an extent that the government exposes itself to the risk of being taken to court over these retroactive orders?

Interpretation Act  I want to assure the member the accomplishments of the Government of Canada at the recent climate change negotiations in Berlin are proof that Canada has an essential role to play in finding solid solutions to environmental challenges both at home and on the international scene. The government and the environment have come out of that conference a clear winner in what is considered a significant step forward. Countries agreed in Berlin that current commitments contained in the framework convention on climate change are inadequate. All developed countries that signed the convention will be required to begin negotiations on the protocol concerning future commitments.