House of Commons Hansard #108 of the 35th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was heritage.

Topics

Department Of Canadian Heritage ActGovernment Orders

1:50 p.m.

Reform

Myron Thompson Reform Wild Rose, AB

Mr. Speaker, like my colleague across the way I am proud to be a Canadian. Prior to that I was an immigrant. I see no reason to support this bill.

I begin with the idea that this bill is going to save $7.3 million. I cannot find this anywhere in the document. Rather it appears to me to be a hodge-podge of ideas designed to remove more tax dollars from the pockets of taxpayers.

The bill proposes an omnibus department of government designed to promote a greater understanding of human rights. How often do we hear that? It has not one word about human responsibilities.

The bill proposes a department to promote fundamental freedoms and related values. The term related values has no meaning to most Canadians. What values are related to fundamental freedoms? Could it be that the term may give another minority group another reason to challenge the current charter or human rights legislation because their values are related to fundamental freedoms?

The bill allows for the establishment of multiculturalism, another tax grab. The Liberal government started multiculturalism as a means of using tax dollars to buy votes and it continues to do that today. Canadians, if given a choice between funding special interest groups under the guise of multiculturalism or funding education, health care and social services, would always vote for the essential services, not for a waste of tax dollars.

I recently attended a multicultural event. It was marvellous. We had ethnic food, represented by 14 countries, flags flying for each country, ethnic dancing. It glorified the splendour of young men and women, wearing ethnic costumes, depicting the varied artistic culture of their homelands.

This event did not cost taxpayers one red cent. It was entirely funded by those in attendance. There was a $20 admission fee. Not only did everyone have a great time, the event earned enough money to assist one group with its building fund. That is my kind of multiculturalism, the proud display that cost taxpayers nothing.

The bill proposes to finance the cultural aspect of the status of the artist. Could anyone please tell me what that really means? It surely sounds like another waste of taxes to special interest groups who are so successful in lobbying the government for hard earned tax dollars. Another example of a catch-all phrase that steals taxes from essential services is the government's intent to fund cultural and heritage industries, including every form of entertainment imaginable.

In case the government does not know, we have a vibrant entertainment business in Canada that does not need tax dollars to survive. It is funded on a user pay system. If citizens partake in any event they pay for it. What is wrong with the free enterprise system funding cultural heritage industries? All the user-pay system does is stop wasting tax dollars.

The government proposes that this new super department will oversee sites, canals, battlefields, railway stations and federal buildings of historical importance. I ask, who decides this importance? More special interest groups clamouring for tax dollars? More than likely.

Also the bill proposes to have control of national parks. Since there are national parks in my riding this is of special interest to me. My constituents already know a small band of radicals have the heritage minister's ear. Instead of allowing Canadians access to their national parks he seems intent on doing whatever is instructed by these radicals to prevent our national parks from being open to call Canadians.

It seems the minister listens to those who are already established in the parks and are preventing others from doing likewise. Again, special interests will control this department.

The bill proposes to encourage and promote development of amateur sport. Yet every parent I know that has their child in organized amateur sports like hockey, ringette, baseball and soccer are finding it more difficult each year to afford keeping their child in any of these sports. Again, special interests receive the tax dollars.

The bill proposes to advance the equality of status of English and French with the use of federal tax dollars. The provinces should be controlling language, not the federal government. Again special interests will benefit and all Canadians will pay.

The bill will allow spending tax dollars on state ceremonies and Canadian symbols. May we ask what ceremonies and what symbols, or dare we ask?

The bill also proposes to fund with tax dollars the formulation of cultural policy as it relates to foreign investment. Can anyone in the House tell Canadians exactly what this means? Who knows? I doubt if this government knows either.

Department Of Canadian Heritage ActGovernment Orders

1:55 p.m.

The Speaker

My colleague, yes, indeed, you do have some time remaining and I am looking forward to hearing what you have to say after question period.

It being 2 p.m., pursuant to Standing Order 30(5) the House will now proceed to Statements by Members pursuant to Standing Order 31.

Persons CaseStatements By Members

October 18th, 1994 / 1:55 p.m.

Liberal

Paddy Torsney Liberal Burlington, ON

Mr. Speaker, today marks a significant event in the history of our nation. Sixty-five years ago on October 18, 1929, Canadian women were formally recognized as persons by the British Privy Council.

This victory came after a lengthy political and legal battle led by the famous five: Emily Murphy, Louise McKinney, Nellie McClung, Irene Parlby, and Henrietta Muir Edwards, five persons of incredible vision and perseverance.

As a result of their work and the subsequent decision, women became eligible for appointment to the Senate. One year later in 1930 Corinne Wilson became the first woman to sit in the Senate of Canada.

Today with 18 women in our Senate, we continue to work toward equality for all persons in every facet of our society. As we keep alive the spirit of the famous five and the legacy of the persons case, Canadians can be proud of our strong history of activism and our continued commitment to social justice.

EmploymentStatements By Members

1:55 p.m.

Bloc

André Caron Bloc Jonquière, QC

Mr. Speaker, in presenting his economic statement yesterday, the Minister of Finance simply added a purple cover to the document presented in 1984 by the Liberals' new mentor, Michael Wilson.

The Minister of Finance is trying to tell us that social programs are the main obstacle to employment in Canada. Nevertheless, considering how much the population has grown in the past five years, we are still some 800,000 jobs short of the 1990 employment level. That is nothing to boast about.

Given this fact, what are they proposing to us? Solutions which the Liberals criticized and scorned every day that the Conservatives were in office. There is a limit to inconsistency

and political expediency. From their first reactions, the people know this limit better than the Minister of Finance does.

Kyle BrownStatements By Members

1:55 p.m.

Reform

John Cummins Reform Delta, BC

Mr. Speaker, Trooper Kyle Brown has been sentenced to five years in jail on charges of manslaughter in the death of a Somali prisoner. The minister of defence is now appealing, demanding a longer sentence for Brown.

The minister and the military establishment knew all along that a longstanding defence existed for Brown who was obeying an order of his superiors, an order that he did not understand to be so outrageous as to be obviously illegal. The Supreme Court last March reaffirmed the availability of this defence.

Furthermore, the minister and the military establishment ignored the well known effect of Mefloquine, a malaria drug administered to Canadian troops in Somalia. Side effects include violent dreams, hallucinations, confusion, anxiety and mental depression. Mefloquine could have precipitated the murder of the prisoner and Master Corporal Matchee's attempted suicide.

The minister of defence should today order the release from military detention of Trooper Kyle Brown pending an investigation into this affair.

WomenStatements By Members

1:55 p.m.

Liberal

Patrick Gagnon Liberal Bonaventure—Îles-De-La-Madeleine, QC

Mr. Speaker, 65 years ago today, women won the right to be recognized as persons.

We in the Liberal Party use persons day to honour the accomplishments of women and to acknowledge that we still have a long way to go. The members across the way in the Reform Party celebrate it by belittling the accomplishments of women.

The member for St. Paul dismissed women in the Liberal caucus, claiming they were given their jobs by the Prime Minister. She must be confused by her own party's selection process. After all, it was the Reform Party that had candidates fill out an application form.

Many women contested nominations in the Liberal Party, far more than got elected. The battle waged by every female Liberal MP was real. The fact they made it through a male dominated and sometimes sexist process must not be diminished.

Pierre Elliott TrudeauStatements By Members

1:55 p.m.

Liberal

Dennis Mills Liberal Broadview—Greenwood, ON

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in celebration of the birthday of a very important political scientist in our country's history. Today is the birthday of Pierre Elliott Trudeau, a man who served this country and served this House of Commons for many years, a man who believed in strong national programs. From strong national programs we created a great national will.

I think it is incumbent on all of us in this House today to recognize the great work that he has done on behalf of Canada.

WOMEN MPsStatements By Members

1:55 p.m.

Liberal

Maria Minna Liberal Beaches—Woodbine, ON

Mr. Speaker, the member for Beaver River suggested in her statement that some women MPs on the government side were not duly elected.

The residents of Beaches-Woodbine are well informed on their democratic rights as citizens of Canada. After six months of meeting and discussing with them the Liberal agenda as outlined in the red book and after six months of evaluating my credentials and preparedness for public office, the voters of Beaches-Woodbine gave me 9,000 votes more than the next closest candidate.

It would seem that the member has forgotten a very important event that took place in October 1993 which is called an election.

Management Of Government FinancesStatements By Members

1:55 p.m.

Bloc

Richard Bélisle Bloc La Prairie, QC

Mr. Speaker, year after year, the Auditor General denounces federal mismanagement that costs taxpayers billions of dollars.

Do you want some examples? What about the $4 billion wasted by inefficient federal management of real property? What about the $3 billion of contracts issued without bids, when the Auditor General himself says that $1 billion could have been saved here? And what about the billions of dollars of military spending that is no longer justified today?

Instead of slashing only social programs that meet the needs of the poorest people in our society, the government should first clean up its own yard. Examples of wasted public funds are not lacking. The government should start by properly correcting its poor management instead of blaming the unemployed for all the fiscal problems in this country.

BilingualismStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Reform

Bob Ringma Reform Nanaimo—Cowichan, BC

Mr. Speaker, I would like to draw the attention of this House to a piece of propaganda masquerading as a news story.

In this story Alliance Quebec wrongly accuses the Reform of wanting a unilingual country by passing a resolution at our assembly calling for the repeal of the Official Languages Act.

This is the type of propaganda the government and its status quo allies use to colour the fact. If the government and its language lap-dogs were to speak the truth they would tell Canadians that the repeal of the act will cost nothing but will save millions.

Bilingualism in Canada is safe through the guarantees contained in the BNA and the charter. Alliance Quebec knows these facts but refuses to state them, not because it fears for the future of French and English in Canada but because it fears the loss of over a million dollars in annual federal funds which it receives through the Official Languages Act.

Speaking of money, the national debt now stands at $534,738,000,000.

SportsStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

Bernard Patry Liberal Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC

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.

WOMEN MPsStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

Brenda Chamberlain Liberal Guelph—Wellington, ON

Mr. Speaker, it has been said by the Reform Party that the road to Parliament was made easier for Liberal women.

I rise to remind this House that Liberals sought the best candidates. They searched for and found top quality people in order to assist the Prime Minister of our government to do what is right for Canada. We were elected because of our commitment

and experience. Women and men in the Liberal caucus know that we have an obligation to serve this country through good government.

Nellie McClung, an early leader of women's rights, is quoted as saying: "Never retract, never explain and never apologize. Get the thing done and let them howl".

Certain members may find that all they know is how to howl, but our caucus, women and men, have joined our Prime Minister in getting the job done.

WOMEN MPsStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

Shaughnessy Cohen Liberal Windsor—St. Clair, ON

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to point out to those opposite who deride the accomplishments of female parliamentarians over here that I, like others, took all comers at a nomination meeting and I won.

I want to say that I am proud of that accomplishment and very proud of my brothers and sisters whom the Prime Minister had the good sense to appoint. He has the plan, he has the team and he has more female parliamentarians to support him than any other leader in history.

Government FinancesStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Bloc

René Laurin Bloc Joliette, QC

Mr. Speaker, there was disbelief on international financial markets after the comments made yesterday by the Minister of Finance. The fact is that these stakeholders are simply asking the minister to take concrete action to stop the wasting of public money. Yet, one year after his appointment, the Minister of Finance is still content to merely look at the extent of the damage caused to Canadian government finances.

The deputy chairman of the Deustche Bank of Canada summarized the concerns of the financial community when he said that the finance minister's pledge to lower the deficit is certainly praiseworthy, but that investors will want to see concrete action. Must we conclude from the finance minister's failure that our 127-year old federal structure is too heavy and obsolete to adequately meet the challenge of improving the situation of government finances?

WOMEN MPsStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Reform

Deborah Grey Reform Beaver River, AB

Mr. Speaker, speaking of howling, it appears I may have struck a chord by questioning the Liberals' nomination not election process. The normally docile government backbenchers came alive with protests and howls of indignation.

The hon. member for Cumberland-Colchester passionately claimed that she was duly elected in her riding and the hon. member for Edmonton East-I could go on and on today-went to great lengths to show that residents in her riding and no one else chose a Liberal candidate.

How about some testimonials from those who were perhaps appointed? How about the hon. member for Etobicoke-Lakeshore? Why is she so quiet? What about York Centre or Hull-Aylmer? Nothing to say? We want testimonials from these people. How about my friend from Saskatoon-Humboldt? Does she have any comments on the nomination?

Were these people appointed or democratically nominated, not elected? Do they subscribe to the views of their Prime Minister who when asked why he appointed more than 14 candidates, male and female, said in a press conference "sometimes Canadians just cannot be trusted to make the right choice".

Youth Club Soccer ChampionshipsStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Liberal

John Cannis Liberal Scarborough Centre, ON

Mr. Speaker, last week the Canadian Soccer Association held its youth club soccer championships. The tournament was played over four days and included teams representing all provinces. I had the pleasure of attending the under 15 division in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and was pleased with both the boys and girls teams in this division representing the city of Scarborough.

The girls under 15 division, the Scarborough West Rouge Soccer Club, finished third. In the boys under 15 age group the national championship was won by Scarborough's Alexander the Great team representing the Greek Canadian community's Olympic Flame soccer club.

These fine young men and women from all across our country have developed their skills and talents at the championship level and deserve the recognition of all the members of the House. Together with their hard work and effort this competition has instilled in them the importance of fair play and true sportsmanship.

I would encourage the Minister of Canadian Heritage to continue his support for our young Canadian athletes.

Paul BrodieStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Liberal

Andy Mitchell Liberal Parry Sound—Muskoka, ON

Mr. Speaker, tomorrow, Wednesday, October 19, at Government House, Paul Brodie a resident of Bala in my riding of Parry Sound-Muskoka, will receive the prestigious Order of Canada award.

Mr. Brodie is recognized as Canada's ambassador of classical saxophone and founder of the World Saxophone Congress. Having played for 35 years, Mr. Brodie has performed in 2,500 concerts. He has been the guest of high commissions and embassies in England, France, China, Israel, Australia and others. From the small, picturesque community of Bala, Mr. Brodie has travelled to small communities throughout Canada.

In the Parry Sound-Muskoka region Mr. Brodie has been kind enough to share his art with young students by performing in the many schools in my riding. I congratulate Mr. Brodie for winning the Order of Canada and wish him continued success in the future.

Apprenticeship ProgramsStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Liberal

Guy Arseneault Liberal Restigouche—Chaleur, NB

Mr. Speaker, this year marks the 50th anniversary of success for apprenticeship programs in New Brunswick. Over those 50 years 50,000 diplomas and certificates have been granted to New Brunswick students in 65 different occupational areas.

New Brunswick is proud to offer its citizens new occupational programs in the field of high technology, thus preparing them to meet the challenges of the next century. The co-operative efforts of employers, unions, governments and students have had the effect of making occupational training an important element in the province's economy.

As the demand for highly skilled workers increases in Canada, the future for apprenticeship looks bright. The continued support of apprenticeship programs is not only an investment in youth and an investment in the New Brunswick economy but an investment in the Canadian economy.

Patrick KellyStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Reform

Philip Mayfield Reform Cariboo—Chilcotin, BC

Mr. Speaker, I am hearing concerns from my constituents and have been studying the facts. I would like to add my name to the list of individuals urging the government to take action in the case of Patrick Kelly. Mr. Kelly is the former RCMP officer who was convicted of murdering his wife based on eyewitness testimony.

The eyewitness has since reversed her position yet there have been unacceptable delays in the process which could lead to a new trial. Since the conviction of Mr. Kelly allegations of dishonesty on the part of the investigating officers have also been put forward.

Dawn Taber, the eyewitness who was critical in putting Mr. Kelly behind bars, has rescinded her testimony claiming she lied in court under pressure from the investigating officers.While the government has called an independent review into the case, I am concerned that the Minister of Justice has yet to give a deadline for the review's completion.

It is imperative that Patrick Kelly receive a speedy review of this conviction in light of these new revelations and receive the justice he deserves.

Government FinancesOral Question Period

2:15 p.m.

Lac-Saint-Jean Québec

Bloc

Lucien Bouchard BlocLeader of the Opposition

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Minister of Finance sounded the alarm on the state of federal public finances. He said, and I quote:

We are in hock up to our eyeballs. That can't be sustained.

My question is directed to the Prime Minister. Does he share the gloomy diagnosis of the distressing state of federal finances, as given by his Minister of Finance? Does he intend to take urgent action to kill the deficit?

Government FinancesOral Question Period

2:15 p.m.

Saint-Maurice Québec

Liberal

Jean Chrétien LiberalPrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, when you are $500 billion in debt, you have a serious problem. That is what the Minister of Finance said yesterday, and we are taking steps to remedy the situation by reducing the annual deficit. The objective we clearly stated in our campaign platform was to bring the deficit down to 3 per cent of GDP after three years. We will do what it takes to get there.

Government FinancesOral Question Period

2:15 p.m.

Lac-Saint-Jean Québec

Bloc

Lucien Bouchard BlocLeader of the Opposition

Mr. Speaker, once again, all we get is words and a rehash of the objectives the government set out in the red book more than a year ago. What we have is a case of total paralysis, as confirmed by the Prime Minister, while his Minister of Finance also told him yesterday that the situation is untenable.

My question to the Prime Minister is this: Does he not realize that after almost a year in power, it is high time that his government decided to act and that what he just said is no longer enough to calm the growing concerns of the financial community?

Government FinancesOral Question Period

2:15 p.m.

Saint-Maurice Québec

Liberal

Jean Chrétien LiberalPrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, we brought down a budget in February, and we predicted a deficit of $39.7 billion. We are confident that at the end of the year, we will be below that level.

At the time, we also predicted that the deficit would be around $32 billion at the end of the second year and would drop to $25 billion-the level required to meet our objective of 3 per cent-by the end of the third year. We said, I said so myself as did the Minister of Finance, that we would do what it takes to meet our objectives.

Government FinancesOral Question Period

2:15 p.m.

Lac-Saint-Jean Québec

Bloc

Lucien Bouchard BlocLeader of the Opposition

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister has been very frank with us, since he just told the House they will do absolutely nothing between now and the budget next February to deal with the disastrous situation his government just disclosed. This is a very serious matter. We have here a clear and flagrant admission of irresponsibility.

Mr. Speaker, through you I would like to say to the Prime Minister, and to the government that has often asked us for suggestions on concrete measures that the Bloc has been suggesting concrete measures for some time but the government has refused to listen. What is the government waiting for to cut- Here are some concrete measures. Make a note of them, why not. What is the government waiting for to cut the fat out of federal operating expenditures? To eliminate the unconscionable waste caused by administrative overlap? To get rid of tax havens? To abolish the undue privilege represented by family trusts? Those are concrete proposals. Would the Prime Minister care to respond?

Government FinancesOral Question Period

2:15 p.m.

Saint-Maurice Québec

Liberal

Jean Chrétien LiberalPrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, the question put by the Leader of the Opposition is a very broad one. He is talking about fat and unconscionable spending, without being more specific, which is exactly what the Minister of Finance is being now. He is talking to committee members. As for family trusts, the problem, as suggested by the Finance critic for the Bloc Quebecois, was referred to the committee that is looking into the matter right now, to see if family trusts are paying the taxes they should be paying. We will act on the committee's recommendations as soon as the committee has finished its work.