House of Commons Hansard #4 of the 35th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was economic.
Jean Chrétien LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, I discussed this matter with the Premier of Quebec in December and discussions are under way with other governments at this time. We intend to take the necessary steps to curb smuggling as soon as possible.
Pierre Brien Bloc Témiscamingue, QC
My supplemental is for the Prime Minister as he appears to have taken over question period this afternoon.
Will the Prime Minister concede that as a result of high taxes, the federal treasury has lost nearly $600 million, according to the Finance Department's 1992 estimates alone, and that as a result of this, smokers contribute considerably less to the health care system?
Jean Chrétien LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, there is no question that governments have lost a considerable amount of money. That is why we have decided to consult with the provinces and work together with them to address the smuggling problem. If both levels of government cannot co-operate, if one acts and the other does not, then we will not get the hoped-for results. We are working right now to achieve a consensus on an effective way of curbing smuggling.
Chuck Strahl Reform Fraser Valley East, BC
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development.
The minister is quoted in yesterday's Toronto Sun as saying that the government will have plans for native self-government in place within six months.
Could the minister tell the members of the House and the people of Canada, indeed the aboriginal people themselves, precisely what is meant by self-government?
Ron Irwin LiberalMinister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
Mr. Speaker, yesterday I announced a process of six months of discussions with the provinces, the territories and the regional and provincial governments to assist in the implementation of the inherent right of self-government which this government is committed to.
In answer to my hon. friend's question, it is a three-in-one formula: self-determination, self-sufficiency and self-government within one Canada. We intend to proceed with fairness and in the healing process in the end we will have a better country.
Chuck Strahl Reform Fraser Valley East, BC
Mr. Speaker, we want a better country.
Last night on the CBC newscast, the minister seemed unclear as to whether this declaration of his meant that the government was creating a third level of government, a third level that many people at the municipal and provincial levels and indeed aboriginal people themselves are very uneasy with.
After a night of reflection will the minister tell the Canadian people whether his declaration yesterday will indeed create a third level of government in Canada?
Ron Irwin LiberalMinister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
Mr. Speaker, I was asked that question last night on CBC to which I responded that it was a tough question. It still is.
We do not look at this as creating a third level of government. We look at this as developing what exists from the Two Row Wampum treaties of hundreds of years ago through the Constitution, the Guerin case and the Sparrow case to what we have today: the policy of this government that the inherent right of self-government exists. It is something we are committed to and something we intend to implement fairly and justly within four years.
Anna Terrana Liberal Vancouver East, BC
Mr. Speaker, this is my first intervention in the House. I would like to congratulate you for being elected Speaker of the House of Commons.
The balance of salmon interceptions under the Pacific Salmon Treaty has tipped significantly in U.S. favour since the treaty was signed in 1985. The imbalance is worsening. U.S. fishermen enjoy the benefits of increasing stocks of Canadian sockeye while Canada's interception of U.S. coho and chinook continues to decline.
In 1993 Canada and the United States failed to reach an agreement concerning long term salmon fishery management plans. The one year management plan that was accepted expired this year. So far negotiations have been long and protracted.
What is the status of these negotiations?
Salmon FisheryOral Question Period
Humber—St. Barbe—Baie Verte Newfoundland & Labrador
Liberal
Brian Tobin LiberalMinister of Fisheries and Oceans
Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for Vancouver East for her excellent question and her interest in this matter.
Despite all the efforts of the Government of Canada to negotiate on these matters relating both to conservation and to the question of equity raised by my hon. friend, we have now arrived at an impasse in our negotiations with the American negotiators.
Consequently I have had discussions with my colleagues, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister for International Trade and with colleagues from the province of British Columbia.
Having received advice from our negotiator as well as from Canada's Pacific salmon commissioners, I have instructed our negotiator, Yves Fortier, to advise his American counterpart that we will not be participating in the next round of negotiations and that progress cannot be made until the Americans are ready to implement an equity agreement.
This government is committed to conservation and a sensible management plan, but it is committed as well to protecting the interests of Canadian fishermen in British Columbia.
Michel Bellehumeur Bloc Berthier—Montcalm, QC
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Solicitor General of Canada.
I was stunned to hear yesterday on the news that corner store owners in Saint-Eustache had their backs to the wall and were openly going to violate the law by selling contraband cigarettes. This clearly shows that Canadians are getting more and more frustrated by the government's lack of action regarding this contraband problem.
My question is: Does the minister intend to call on the RCMP to enforce the law in Saint-Eustache?
Herb Gray LiberalLeader of the Government in the House of Commons and Solicitor General of Canada
Mr. Speaker, I will inquire with the RCMP concerning the issue raised by the hon. member. I too believe that the law must be enforced and I will provide the hon. member with a more detailed answer as soon as possible.
Michel Bellehumeur Bloc Berthier—Montcalm, QC
Mr. Speaker, in that case, could the minister also tell me what he intends to do to enforce the law everywhere, including eight kilometres away from Saint-Eustache, where offenders sell cigarettes illegally and very openly?
Herb Gray LiberalLeader of the Government in the House of Commons and Solicitor General of Canada
Mr. Speaker, we intend to make sure that all Canadians respect the law.
Ian McClelland Reform Edmonton Southwest, AB
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Industry. I acknowledge the fact that this matter took place under the previous government.
It was reported in the Auditor General's report that the president of Investment Canada spent $132,000 of taxpayers' money on renovations to a bathroom and kitchenette in his office. Last weekend the Ottawa Citizen had an ad for a whole house for $105,900.
Would the minister assure the House and explain specifically what steps his department is taking to prevent the recurrence of this kind of lavish and extravagant waste of taxpayers' money.
John Manley LiberalMinister of Industry
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the question. It gives me the opportunity to underline for the hon. member that in my view every single dollar we receive from the taxpayers of Canada is vitally important and our judgment in how we spend it is always open to review.
I consider this expenditure to be lavish and unworthy of taxpayers.
I would like to remind the hon. member that there are new cooks in the kitchen now and we are going to do a lot better.
Ian McClelland Reform Edmonton Southwest, AB
Mr. Speaker, I have a supplementary question.
I appreciate the comments of the minister. I wonder if the minister would advise the House whether or not the president of Investment Canada has been called to account for this spending. How can a person in a position of authority and responsibility waste money in this regard and still have a parsimonious impact or effect in his daily job?
John Manley LiberalMinister of Industry
Mr. Speaker, I am advised that the official who authorized this expenditure is no longer in my department. However, it has certainly been made clear within the department that these expenditures are not acceptable.
Suzanne Tremblay Bloc Rimouski—Témiscouata, QC
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Canadian Heritage.
Yesterday, in his speech in reply to the Speech from the Throne, the Prime Minister stressed repeatedly the role that Quebecers and French-speaking Canadians play in Canadian institutions. Again this morning, the Minister for Foreign Affairs was mentioning how well treated Quebecers were in Canada. Yet, Quebecers are conspicuous by their absence from Hockey Team Canada, the team which is setting out to represent Canada in the Olympics, in Lillehammer.
My question is the following: Can the Minister tell us why Hockey Team Canada has no room for a player from Quebec and what concrete steps he intends to take to put an end once and for all to this shameful discrimination?
Michel Dupuy LiberalMinister of Canadian Heritage
Mr. Speaker, I thank our colleague for this opportunity to pay tribute to the Canadian athletes who will show us want they can do in the XVII Winter Olympic Games, in Lillehammer. Incidentally, I would say that they are going over there to win medals, not to play politics.
As the hon. member for Verdun-Saint-Paul pointed out earlier, the Canadian Olympic Association released earlier today the list of athletes who are going to Lillehammer. This list released just hours ago clearly indicates who the Canadians participants will be, and I am very proud to report that more that 30 per cent are from Quebec.
Suzanne Tremblay Bloc Rimouski—Témiscouata, QC
I have a supplementary question, Mr. Speaker. Minister, you may have had a different outlook from outside of the country as an ambassador, but hockey is our national sport-
Hockey Team CanadaOral Question Period
The Speaker
The hon. members should always address the Chair. Thank you.
Suzanne Tremblay Bloc Rimouski—Témiscouata, QC
Mr. Speaker, are we to understand that the Minister washes his hands of the matter and refuses to take concrete steps to correct a glaring injustice towards Quebecers, especially the likes of Mario Lemieux and Alexandre Daigle, who were apparently not good enough-
Michel Dupuy LiberalMinister of Canadian Heritage
Mr. Speaker, I put blame only where it is deserved. The rules of the game are that the Canadian olympic hockey team members are announced only hours before their first game. When recruiting is over, which it is not, then and only then will we be in a position to pass judgment.
