Debates of Oct. 20th, 1994

Justice

[Deborah Grey, Reform, Beaver River, AB]

Mr. Speaker, recently the Supreme Court ruled that extreme drunkenness is a viable excuse for rape.

Citing this ruling on Tuesday in an Ontario court, a drunken man was given a light sentence for sexually assaulting a woman. It appears that he will probably serve the sentence in a halfway house while still going to work.

On October 3, I asked the Minister of Justice what his plans were to eliminate such nonsense. The parliamentary secretary said they would come forward with a report.

I have two questions: Where is this report and what are its recommendations?

[Russell MacLellan, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada]

Mr. Speaker, as I stated before, this is a very serious question. The Minister of Justice is concerned with it. He is taking it very seriously. The department is working on it very carefully.

It is not possible to make new laws in a few days. Good laws are going to take a little while but I can assure the House that this will not take any longer than absolutely necessary.

[Paul Forseth, Reform, New Westminster—Burnaby, BC]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians are growing tired of hearing the response of more deliberations and general intentions. They want action. The Reform Party is prepared to introduce an amendment to the Criminal Code to deal with the intoxication offence. Would the government give unanimous consent today for speedy passage of this amendment?

[Russell MacLellan, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada]

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the hon. member's offer for assistance but it is very difficult to make an amendment to something that the justice department is working on and has not yet presented to the House.

Ferries

[Michel Guimond, Bloc, Beauport—Montmorency—Orléans, QC]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Transport.

Following the Estonia disaster, Finland and Sweden ordered their ship owners to weld the bow doors on this type of ferry. In Canada, four ferries similar to the Estonia face deep-sea weather conditions that are as difficult as those on the Baltic. One of these ferries, the Bluenose , is operated by the federal government under the Bahamian flag.

Since several experts recognize that this type of ship has major safety risks, can the minister explain to us what he has done to avoid a tragedy with the four ships in service in Canada?

[Douglas Young, Liberal, Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, of course everyone who knows about the tragedy which happened overseas understands the importance of the hon. member's question. We dealt with the issue immediately. We know that the British Columbia government was concerned about its ferries which might present problems. The four ferries, the four ships to which the hon. member referred have been

evaluated. This very afternoon, I will be meeting with the president of Marine Atlantic to assure myself that the necessary action is being taken in Canada.

[Michel Guimond, Bloc, Beauport—Montmorency—Orléans, QC]

Mr. Speaker, since the Caribou and the Bluenose have already suffered storm damage to their outer door, does the minister not believe that it is his duty as Minister of Transport to take much more significant action than simple tests and checks?

[Douglas Young, Liberal, Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, we all understand the importance of this question. It is a very serious matter. We recognize that technology could have some problems.

As I indicated, I am meeting with the president of Marine Atlantic this afternoon. We have had the Coast Guard do an evaluation of the four vessels in question. The only thing I can hope for is that where these vessels travel as they conduct their conveyance of passengers and vehicles that they never run into the kind of hot wind the hon. member often comes up with.

Dangerous Offenders

[Jan Brown, Reform, Calgary Southeast, AB]

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

Investigations after the fact are meaningless. This is the 11th hour for Helen Leadley and her family who live in my riding. This is also the fifth time that I have risen in this House to challenge the rationale for giving Robert Paul Thompson an escorted temporary absence tomorrow.

Will the Solicitor General explain to victims everywhere why such a dangerous criminal who has killed before while out on a day pass has been given the opportunity to do so again?

[Herb Gray, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Solicitor General of Canada]

Mr. Speaker, this temporary absence is being made on the decision of the head of the institution, on the recommendation of the National Parole Board.

I am informed the prisoner will be out for a two hour visit in shackles and leg irons, escorted by two guards. I hope the hon. member will agree that the risk is under control.

[Jan Brown, Reform, Calgary Southeast, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I agree with nothing. I am asking, I am beseeching the Solicitor General who has the legal opportunity to intervene in this situation. I have had a legal opinion given to me and indeed he can do this. Why will he not do this before another innocent victim is murdered? Excuses of shackles mean nothing.

[Herb Gray, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Solicitor General of Canada]

Mr. Speaker, I understand the hon. member's concern. Like her, I do not want to see risk created by such absences for anyone. My understanding of the legal position is not the same as the hon. member's.

I again repeat to her that this individual will be out for a couple of hours in shackles and under the escort of two uniformed guards. I hope the hon. member on reflection will again be willing to consider that the risk is under control.

Social Program Reform

[Dianne Brushett, Liberal, Cumberland—Colchester, NS]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Human Resources Development.

The discussion paper on social security reform could have serious implications for seasonal workers. This is a critical issue in Atlantic Canada where many people have no choice but seasonal employment. What measures is the minister taking to ensure that the UI changes will be fair to seasonal workers?

[Maurizio Bevilacqua, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Human Resources Development]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. member for her question and also congratulate her on the excellent work she has been doing on social security reform.

A working group has been created by the government on seasonal work and UI. It is formed to look at practical solutions to the concerns of seasonal workers and the industry. The members represent a good regional balance as well as the interests of both seasonal and non-seasonal workers and employers. Its role is to engage interested parties from business, labour, industry and associations to provide guidance in this particular issue.

Telecommunications

[Suzanne Tremblay, Bloc, Rimouski—Témiscouata, QC]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Canadian Heritage. On January 1, 1995, more than six months after Newsworld , RDI, the new French-language continuous televised news reporting service that francophones across Canada had been promised is expected to start broadcasting.

Can the Minister of Canadian Heritage confirm that the CBC does not currently have the funds required for RDI to start broadcasting, as planned, on January 1, 1995?

[Michel Dupuy, Liberal, Minister of Canadian Heritage]

Mr. Speaker, I have no information at hand that would allow me to confirm any such thing. However, the Chairman of the CBC is committed to negotiating with cable operators for the

distribution of the RDI. I am keeping track of the negotiations and, so far, they are progressing well. This means the service should be in operation early next year.

[Suzanne Tremblay, Bloc, Rimouski—Témiscouata, QC]

Since the hon. minister is kept so well informed, Mr. Speaker, my supplementary question concerns cable operators. Can the minister confirm whether there is any truth in the rumour that cable operators have already asked to distribute RDI at no cost for the first three months?

[Michel Dupuy, Liberal, Minister of Canadian Heritage]

Mr. Speaker, I do not interfere in negotiations between the CBC and cable operators. I will see where they lead. Then, we will see whether or not the CRTC will follow up the CBC's request for mandatory distribution.

Agriculture

[Jake Hoeppner, Reform, Lisgar—Marquette, MB]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.

Today in his hometown a rally is being conducted by farmers who want more options on how they market their grain. Could the minister please explain to this House why he has decided not to be present to listen to these farmers?

[Ralph Goodale, Liberal, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member only tells part of the story. In fact there are two rallies taking place in Regina today, one in favour of his point of view and one in favour of the other point of view. He should be a little more even handed.

I was invited to attend one of those meetings. I indicated that because the House of Commons was sitting and because this happened to be a cabinet day and a busy agenda from the point of view of agricultural interests, it would not be possible for me to be in Regina.

I did say to the people who invited me that I would be prepared to meet with their representatives at another mutually convenient time in the near future. I also said that if they had a written record of their proceedings I would be more than happy to receive it and consider it.

[Jake Hoeppner, Reform, Lisgar—Marquette, MB]

Mr. Speaker, I find this ironic. Every time I bring up a question to this minister in the House on issues like car allocation or non-performance of railways he says: "I have consulted all players".

Does this minister consider farmers non-players? Why is he not listening to them today?

[Ralph Goodale, Liberal, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food]

Mr. Speaker, the question refers to some farmers. It is my intention in this very important debate about grain marketing systems to make sure that I listen carefully and accurately to all farmers. I would advise the Reform Party to do the same.

Human Rights

[Svend Robinson, NDP, Burnaby—Kingsway, BC]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Secretary of State for Asia-Pacific. It concerns the upcoming visit of the Prime Minister to China as leader of a trade delegation.

I have before me a document which was prepared by the deputy chair of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada. It documents widespread human rights-

[The Speaker]

Order. I would ask the hon. member to put his question without the use of a prop. Just put the question please.

[Svend Robinson, NDP, Burnaby—Kingsway, BC]

Mr. Speaker, will the secretary of state assure Canadians that the Prime Minister will vigorously and publicly raise human rights concerns including China's arms sales and nuclear tests during his upcoming visit to China on November 4?