House of Commons Hansard #111 of the 35th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was students.

Topics

Irving WhaleOral Question Period

11:50 a.m.

Hamilton East Ontario

Liberal

Sheila Copps LiberalDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Environment

Mr. Speaker, what I said to this House is that the money will come from Ship-source Oil Pollution Fund. The money will first come from our government. This is precisely the financing arrangement which I tabled in this House seven months ago, and I thank the hon. memberfor raising this issue. I am pleased to see that she is finally accepting the policy put forward by this government, conside-

ring that this is an emergency and that we must be prepared to pay. Indeed, this issue concerns the environment and ecosystem of all the residents of the Magdalen Islands and Atlantic Canada.

Irving WhaleOral Question Period

11:50 a.m.

Bloc

Monique Guay Bloc Laurentides, QC

Mr. Speaker, will the minister agree that Irving is the primary responsible for this accident and that this corporation, not Canadian taxpayers, must pay for the costs involved?

Irving WhaleOral Question Period

11:50 a.m.

Hamilton East Ontario

Liberal

Sheila Copps LiberalDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Environment

Mr. Speaker, the reality is that when the Irving Whale sunk 24 years ago, as was the practice at the time, the sunken barge was immediately signed over to become the property of the Government of Canada.

For 24 years ministers of the crown, including her current boss, did not have the guts to raise the Irving Whale and after-

Irving WhaleOral Question Period

11:50 a.m.

Some hon. members

Oh, oh.

Irving WhaleOral Question Period

11:50 a.m.

The Speaker

I am sure no one's courage is under question.

Irving WhaleOral Question Period

11:50 a.m.

Liberal

Sheila Copps Liberal Hamilton East, ON

Mr. Speaker, they had neither the interest nor the political will even to reply to the letters from the people from the Magdalen Islands.

In three months we put together a package of financing that will see the Irving Whale raised next spring. Rather than criticizing us the member opposite should be applauding the initiative of a government that moved within three months.

Financial InstitutionsOral Question Period

11:50 a.m.

Reform

Daphne Jennings Reform Mission—Coquitlam, BC

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Secretary of State for Financial Institutions.

Following the recent hearings into the demise of Confederation Life by the Senate banking committee, is the government prepared to make recommendations or bring forward legislation similar to that discussed in the presentations made by John Palmer who is the superintendent of financial institutions?

Financial InstitutionsOral Question Period

11:55 a.m.

Scarborough East Ontario

Liberal

Doug Peters LiberalSecretary of State (International Financial Institutions)

Mr. Speaker, there will be a paper released later this year regarding the deposit insurance system and the earlier intervention in financial institutions.

We are awaiting the Senate report that will be coming out in a short time. The senators have taken considerable time and considerable interest in this subject. We are certainly going to await their report and read it with considerable interest before putting forward a paper.

Financial InstitutionsOral Question Period

11:55 a.m.

Reform

Daphne Jennings Reform Mission—Coquitlam, BC

Mr. Speaker, I would remind the secretary of state that Canadians need to know that the Liberals will actually implement the proposals of John Palmer.

More specifically, will the government support John Palmer's proposal for separation of the chair of the board of directors and the chief executive officer in order to help eliminate conflict of interest and, if so, when?

Financial InstitutionsOral Question Period

11:55 a.m.

Scarborough East Ontario

Liberal

Doug Peters LiberalSecretary of State (International Financial Institutions)

Mr. Speaker, as I said, we will be considering the whole report of the Senate committee. We will be considering all the matters that were discussed, including Mr. Palmer's suggestions, and we will bring forward a paper later this year on the subject. We hope that legislation will follow shortly thereafter.

Chemical WeaponsOral Question Period

11:55 a.m.

Liberal

Warren Allmand Liberal Notre-Dame-De-Grâce, QC

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

In January 1993 Canada and over 100 countries signed an historic treaty to ban the production, stockpiling and use of all chemical weapons. Unfortunately after nearly two years only 14 countries have ratified this treaty, when 65 ratifications are required to make it enforceable.

Would the minister say when Canada will introduce ratification legislation and what Canada is doing to support the enforcement agency to be set up in the Hague?

Chemical WeaponsOral Question Period

11:55 a.m.

Northumberland Ontario

Liberal

Christine Stewart LiberalSecretary of State (Latin America and Africa)

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for raising this important item.

At the present moment an interdepartmental and industry consultation process is taking place. We expect that at the beginning of the year a required bill will be presented to the House of Commons for debate.

In the meantime, the Hague is putting in place a provisional technical secretariat before the ratification of the convention. Canada has submitted names to that. When the convention is ratified we will again present names to the organization in order to take our proper role in making sure that the convention is complied with.

FerriesOral Question Period

11:55 a.m.

Bloc

Philippe Paré Bloc Louis-Hébert, QC

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

Minister of Transport stated with respect to the safety hazards encountered by Canadian ferries of the same type as the Estonia that he would meet with the president of Marine Atlantic to make sure necessary action was being taken to improve safety. Can the minister tell us what exactly he intends to do to remedy the problem and make these ferries safer?

FerriesOral Question Period

11:55 a.m.

Acadie—Bathurst New Brunswick

Liberal

Douglas Young LiberalMinister of Transport

Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for his question because, as we all know, the safety of ferries is matter of a concern for the people of Canada.

The president of Marine Atlantic advised us yesterday that he would make a joint public statement with the Canadian Coast guard to reassure Canadians, especially as winter approaches, with its more severe conditions. This statement is expected to be made today.

Royal Canadian Mounted PoliceOral Question Period

11:55 a.m.

Reform

Bob Ringma Reform Nanaimo—Cowichan, BC

Mr. Speaker, recently I asked the Solicitor General about the redeployment of RCMP resources to help combat the growing drug problem in Nanaimo. The mayor of Nanaimo, the head of the RCMP in B.C. and others have confirmed the need.

Now we discover that while Nanaimo goes lacking because of tight resources, 100 RCMP officers are being sent to Haiti. If we can send police to Haiti, why not to Nanaimo?

Royal Canadian Mounted PoliceOral Question Period

11:55 a.m.

Windsor West Ontario

Liberal

Herb Gray LiberalLeader of the Government in the House of Commons and Solicitor General of Canada

Mr. Speaker, the need for further drug investigators in Nanaimo is being reviewed by Deputy Commissioner Farrell, the head of the RCMP in British Columbia. I am advised that it is expected that he will be able to find additional resources to respond to the hon. member's concern. It is a concern that I share.

I repeat, I am informed that it is likely it will be possible very soon to have the additional resources placed in Nanaimo.

Social Security ReformOral Question Period

Noon

Liberal

Georgette Sheridan Liberal Saskatoon—Humboldt, SK

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

The release of the green book on social security reform has triggered much debate among Canadians. In my riding of Saskatoon-Humboldt university students are particularly interested in participating in this national review. They and members of the House would like to know what the minister has heard from other Canadians on this discussion paper as he has been travelling the country in the last 10 days?

Social Security ReformOral Question Period

Noon

Winnipeg South Centre Manitoba

Liberal

Lloyd Axworthy LiberalMinister of Human Resources Development and Minister of Western Economic Diversification

Mr. Speaker, as a very specific answer, in the last day and a half I met with all the student leaders from the colleges and institutions in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba to discuss in particular the issues of how we can help refinance higher education, put more money back into the system and give students much broader support for the continuation of their education.

The response of the students as well as of most Canadians is to engage in a very active debate. Canadians really are ready for a change. They recognize the status quo does not really exist and that we have to reform structures. I would encourage all members of the House to engage in the same kind of dialogue we have started. I think they will find it a very creative, very exciting exercise.

Order In Council AppointmentsRoutine Proceedings

Noon

Kingston and the Islands Ontario

Liberal

Peter Milliken LiberalParliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased, to table, in both official languages, a number of order in council appointments that have been made by the government.

Pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 110(1), these are deemed referred to the appropriate standing committees, a list of which is attached.

Government Response To PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

Noon

Kingston and the Islands Ontario

Liberal

Peter Milliken LiberalParliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to table, in both official languages and pursuant to Standing Order 36(8), the government's response to one petition.

Co-OperativesRoutine Proceedings

Noon

Regina—Wascana Saskatchewan

Liberal

Ralph Goodale LiberalMinister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

Mr. Speaker, today in my capacity as federal minister responsible for co-operatives, I wish to recognize National Co-op Week in Canada and to pay tribute to these unique, democratic institutions and organizations that play such a significant role in the socioeconomic fabric of Canada.

Furthermore October 20 is recognized worldwide as International Credit Union Day.

The Prime Minister in his co-op week message mentioned that co-operatives strengthen the community and the country as a whole. This is nowhere more true than in the 900 communities in which credit unions or caisse populaires are the only financial institutions providing service. In northern Canada, after government institutions, co-operatives are the largest employers.

On the national scene, roughly 40 per cent of Canadians are co-op members. In the province of Quebec as in my own province of Saskatchewan some two-thirds of the population belong to a co-operative of one form or another. All together the 10,000 Canadian co-ops provide employment for 133,000 Canadians and represent total assets of $134 billion.

This year is of particular significance to co-operatives around the world because it represents the 150th anniversary of the formation of the first consumer's co-op in Rochdale, England.

As Minister of Agriculture and Agri-food, I recognize the important role that co-ops play in the agri-food industry. It has been estimated that co-operatives account for 48 per cent of the market share for poultry, 60 per cent of the market share for milk, and 70 per cent for grains.

To conclude, I want to congratulate the Canadian co-operative movement on its achievements and I urge this House to pay tribute to co-operative organizations during National Credit Union Week.

Co-OperativesRoutine Proceedings

12:05 p.m.

Bloc

Paul Crête Bloc Kamouraska—Rivière-Du-Loup, QC

Mr. Speaker, it is a great pleasure for me to speak on National Co-op Week.

As an anecdote, I could mention that all primary schools in Quebec have a school savings bank and I remember that one of the first things I did as an organizer was to look after the savings bank in our school. For that reason, I am especially pleased to speak on this statement.

As the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, who seems to have held a similar position, said, the importance of co-operatives throughout Canada is evident. In view of the size of the co-op movement in Quebec's economy and the place it has held in Quebecers' recent history, let me point out the work this movement does and its special contribution to our society.

Co-ops played and still play a vital role in Quebec's economic development. Voluntary membership, democratic organization, training of members, redistribution of surpluses in the community and limits on return on capital are all principles that square with Quebecers' thinking and explain the development of this movement in Quebec. Furthermore, co-ops are part of the lives of Quebecers from primary school until they die-there are even funeral co-operatives.

Whether we talk about financial, farm, housing, consumer, labour or any other kind of co-op, the co-operative movement is healthy and continues to grow in Quebec. Moreover, a new generation of co-op members is assured with the rise of co-ops in the student community through "interco-operation", twinning co-ops from different fields of activity; the Société de développement coopératif in particular promotes this.

The Desjardins movement is, of course, the pride of Quebec's co-op community. Stretching across Canada and involved in international co-operation projects in many other countries, the Desjardins group manages total assets estimated at over $75 billion. Quebec's co-op movement comprises over 3,300 co-ops with more than 5.9 million members and in excess of 60,000 employees. A major success story.

The vigour of the co-op movement in Quebec is due to the strong feeling of solidarity among Quebecers. We have always stuck together to ensure our own growth, often under difficult conditions. This solidarity will soon bring Quebecers to sovereignty, which must be based on economic sovereignty. The Desjardins movement, among others, has played a significant role in this by giving us confidence in one another.

In closing, I wish to thank and congratulate all co-operators in Quebec and Canada for their volunteer work, without which the co-op movement would not be what it is today.

Co-OperativesRoutine Proceedings

12:05 p.m.

Reform

Jake Hoeppner Reform Lisgar—Marquette, MB

Mr. Speaker, it is my honour to rise on behalf of the Reform Party to recognize and pay tribute to the co-operative movement in Canada.

I take this opportunity to congratulate and compliment the pioneers in the co-operative movement for having the vision and the dedication to fashion their dreams into reality.

The co-operative and credit union movement has had a very positive effect on this nation. Co-Op Vegetable Oils Limited of Altona, Manitoba, is one of the many examples of where a co-op has been a leader in its field. Not only did it help develop a vegetable cooking oil but it was also instrumental in encouraging and developing trade between the United States and Canada.

Co-ops and credit unions must be congratulated for being present to help communities develop and improve themselves. They must also be recognized as a player in our economy that

provided competition and has given people another choice, something that makes a democracy work very well.

It is with gratitude that on behalf of the Reform Party I acknowledge the accomplishments of co-ops and credit unions. We wish them well in future endeavours and encourage them to continue their innovative example of leadership.

Committees Of The HouseRoutine Proceedings

12:10 p.m.

Kingston and the Islands Ontario

Liberal

Peter Milliken LiberalParliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present to the House the 41st report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs regarding the membership of committees.

With leave of the House, I intend to move for concurrence in this report later this day.

Committees Of The HouseRoutine Proceedings

12:10 p.m.

Liberal

Wayne Easter Liberal Malpeque, PE

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present the third report of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food which deals with Bill C-50, an act to amend the Canadian Wheat Board Act. Bill C-50 as reported with amendments.