Debates of Oct. 31st, 1994

Ethics

[The Speaker]

I would once again ask you to please address all of your comments to the Chair. It makes it a lot easier for us.

[Jim Hart, Reform, Okanagan—Similkameen—Merritt, BC]

Mr. Speaker, this whole situation surely is a comedy of errors. A minister of the crown has obviously breached the public trust and the Prime Minister gives him a Laurel and Hardy handshake.

Given that the Prime Minister will not make public what the ethics counsellor advised, how do we know there is not a discrepancy here as well?

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I explained 10 times that the ethics counsellor gave advice to the Prime Minister and other advisers. The Prime Minister cannot get up in the House and say: "I made that decision, but it is not my fault; it is the fault of my advisers." Everyone will laugh.

At the end of the day the Prime Minister is responsible and he is the one who decides. That is exactly what I have done. Nobody can accuse me of running away from my responsibilities. I do not want to blame anybody else. I take full responsibility.

Social Program Reform

[David Berger, Liberal, Saint-Henri—Westmount, QC]

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

The minister said that the eligibility criteria for the Program for Older Worker Adjustment are in part arbitrary. An older worker in need will only receive benefits if he was laid off along with several other workers. Under some circumstances, it could be along with a hundred other workers or so.

Does the minister intend to address the needs of the older workers within his social reform?

[Lloyd Axworthy, Liberal, Minister of Human Resources Development and Minister of Western Economic Diversification]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for the question.

As the member knows because he read the paper, there are at least four or five references to the way in which we would like to improve the programs for older workers. Unfortunately some people in the House have not read the document as yet and therefore are not fully aware of the proposals that have been made.

Furthermore, we have established in New Brunswick a job core program which is specifically designed as a strategic initiative to deal with the problem of older workers. Evaluating that project will determine whether it has application across the country, providing for a major area of redevelopment for older workers.

In reference to the specific proposal made by the hon. member, I can report to him that applications made by about 75 per cent of all laid off workers who apply in the province of Quebec under the pilot program are accepted, which is the highest level of acceptance anywhere in the country. Last year we had bought close to $200 million worth of annuities for older workers of Quebec.

It shows that the program is working effectively. As it is a federal-provincial program and we need the co-operation of the provincial government, it is going to be very important that we have the co-operation of the Quebec government to assist us in social reform, so we can have a much better older workers program.

Ethics

[Lucien Bouchard, Bloc, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister will remember that, before appointing the ethics counsellor, he consulted with the leaders of all the parties represented in this House and requested their unanimous consent before making this appointment.

In this context, does he not realize that the advice of the ethics counsellor is not for his sole benefit, but for that of the House as a whole and, as such, is of the public domain? I would therefore ask him to show the transparency expected of him and tell us what the ethics counsellor, being the provider of enlightened and public advice that he is, suggested he should do in such cases.

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I consulted the Leader of the Official Opposition and the Leader of the Reform Party before appointing Mr. Wilson, to give them the assurance that he would fulfil his duties properly. His job is to advise the Prime Minister and the ministers, in their capacity as ministers, as well as members of Parliament, lobbyists and anyone in a situation of conflict of interest. When he advises me on how to run Cabinet, it is to help me make a decision as Prime Minister. He is an honourable man and, I repeat, when his opinion was reported to me, it did not make me change my opinion. I am pleased that the hon. member reminded the House of Commons that, before his appointment, the Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of the Reform Party, considered he was a man of sound judgement and integrity and that he had done his job well.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear.

Government Response To Petitions

[Peter Milliken, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the Government's response to 17 petitions.

Conference On International Civil Aviation

[Douglas Young, Liberal, Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to bring to the attention of hon. members that November 1 marks the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Conference on International Civil Aviation to be held at Chicago, Illinois.

It was 50 years ago tomorrow that representatives from 52 countries, including Canada, met to map the future of international civil aviation. Their deliberations led to the signing on December 7, 1944 of the multilateral convention on international civil aviation and the eventual selection of Montreal as headquarters for the newly created International Civil Aviation Organization.

The International Civil Aviation Organization is a United Nations specialized agency responsible for establishing international standards, recommended practices and procedures covering the technical, economic and legal aspects of international civil aviation operations. The organization's membership is made up of 183 contracting states.

November 1st is not only a proud day in the history of civil aviation; it is also a proud day for Canada. The International Civil Aviation Organization is the only UN agency with headquarters in Canada.

We were chosen as the home for this important agency because of our instrumental role at the Chicago Conference. Canada continues in its leadership role in civil aviation and remains a strong supporter of the International Civil Aviation Organization.

We salute those who gathered at Chicago five decades ago in the closing days of the second world war. In particular, I would

like to recognize three distinguished Canadians who took part in those deliberations and who are still with us today.

Former Ambassador Escott Reid helped draft the conference documents. He now lives near Toronto.

Mr. Jean Fournier, the youngest of the Canadian delegates to the Chicago Conference, now lives in Montreal.

Mr. Stanislav Krejcik was a member of the Czechoslovakian delegation. He is now a Canadian citizen living in the province of Alberta.

Canadians know firsthand the paramount importance that safe, regular, efficient and economical air transportation plays in building communities, and in contributing to development and economic well-being. We are grateful to the International Civil Aviation Organization for helping to ensure the safety and security of air transportation worldwide.

Commemorative activities, including flag raisings at airports across the country, will mark tomorrow's anniversary of the opening of the Chicago conference. And in December, in Montreal, we will hold celebrations marking the signing of the Convention on International Civil Aviation.

It can only be hoped that the same spirit of mutual understanding and co-operation that has made the International Civil Aviation Organization so successful for over 50 years will continue.

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

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to speak on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the International Civil Aviation Organization, commonly known as the ICAO.

Quebecers are particularly proud that this important UN organization chose Montreal and the Province of Quebec for their administrative headquarters in 1944.

In 1944, air transport was marginal with only 9 million passengers. Flying has now become a vital means of transportation for the global economy. Every year, over 1.2 billion passengers fly in total safety. Air transport remains the safest means of transportation, an achievement we owe in large part to the ICAO. I wish to let this organization know how grateful I am for this.

Nobody can predict what flying will be like in 50 years. The number of passengers will certainly continue to increase, and technological progress will bring dramatic changes to this mode of transport. I am convinced that the ICAO will be up to the challenges of tomorrow, just as it was able to meet those of the past.

The ICAO is a perfect example of what sovereign nations around the globe can do when they co-operate. Through the ICAO, 183 member states managed to put in place a safe air transport system for their people. It is a major achievement.

Given the importance of flying as today's and tomorrow's mode of transport, it is more critical than ever to ensure its safety. Collaboration and co-operation among the member states will remain paramount.

In closing, I want to thank and congratulate all those who contributed to the creation and development of the ICAO in the first 50 years of its existence. I would like to extend to this organization my best wishes for continued success in the next 50 years.

[Daphne Jennings, Reform, Mission—Coquitlam, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I want to rise today to thank the hon. Minister of Transport for bringing the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Conference on International Civil Aviation to the attention of this House.

In the absence of our critic for transport, the member for Kootenay West-Revelstoke, I too would like to extend the best wishes of my party to former Ambassador Reid, Monsieur Jean Fournier, and Mr. Stanislav Krejcik.

We as Canadians can be proud of the fact that the International Civil Aviation Organization is located in Montreal. We should never take for granted the high esteem in which our country is held in these matters.

International Civil Aviation Organization standards, more commonly known as ICAO standards, affect safety and security standards even at airports serving many of our smaller communities. These same airports are now in the process of being transferred from the federal government to local authorities and in some cases even to private operations. I hope the minister will ensure that reasonable standards are maintained both at privatized airports and in the potentially privatized air navigation system, while also ensuring that the system does not become overly regulated with bureaucratic policies.

I am sure that ICAO will continue to lead the way to ensuring safe international standards throughout the aviation world and that other organizations, both governmental and private, will recognize the need and capabilities of countries to work together to resolve items of conflict in other areas.

On a personal note, all of us in this House, especially those of us from ridings that are basically only accessible by air realize the importance of safe air travel.

I wish to congratulate the International Civil Aviation Organization for its fine work on behalf of all of us. I wish it well in the future.

Committees Of The House

[Bill Rompkey, Liberal, Labrador, NL]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present to the House in both official languages the report of the special joint committee of the House of Commons and the Senate on the review of Canada's defence policy.

This is the first comprehensive parliamentary review of defence policy in the history of Canada. Here we present our conclusions on the principles, purposes and objectives that should guide Canada in setting defence policy.

We believe the Canadian Armed Forces is a national institution we can all be proud of because of its past record. As well, it is of vital importance in the future to Canada's position as a world trading nation given our strong interests in peace and stability.

We have made recommendation to shape a defence policy that reflects the balance between what Canadians would like to do and what we can afford.

I would like to thank the close to 300 witnesses who appeared before us over the last seven months and those who sent us briefs and suggestions. I also want to thank those members of Parliament of all parties who worked so diligently and so co-operatively to produce this report. There was a great deal of consensus among us and I am confident this report will stand the test of time.

[Jean-Marc Jacob, Bloc, Charlesbourg, QC]

Mr. Speaker, to continue what the hon. member just said, I would add that the Bloc Quebecois also participated in this review of defence policy and the Bloc submitted a dissenting report on some points, which is in the same book.

[Bill Rompkey, Liberal, Labrador, NL]

Mr. Speaker, on a point of order, I wonder if we could seek the unanimous consent of the House to hear representation from the Reform Party on the special joint committee report by the member for Saanich-Gulf Islands.

[The Acting Speaker (Mr. Kilger)]

The House has heard the terms of the proposal of the hon. member for Labrador. Is there unanimous consent?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[Jack Frazer, Reform, Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC]

Mr. Speaker, my Reform colleague and I being new to Parliament had not previously participated in any parliamentary committees.

We consider it a great privilege and also a lot of work to proceed with this study. It is my impression that the members of the committee were very apolitical in the approach to the studies that we conducted.

As the member for Labrador has said, we heard from witnesses from Victoria to St. John's and from NATO to Zagreb. The results of our study are that we have taken into account the defence needs of Canada. We have tried to reconcile that with the fiscal responsibility that we have to abide by. I am hoping that the outcome will find favour with most people.

Those who are looking for a revolutionary report will be disappointed. However I think when they look at the report and examine it, they will find that it is logical, it is common sense and it will support Canada in our defence needs through the beginning of the next century.

Petitions

[Jean-Guy Chrétien, Bloc, Frontenac, QC]

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the municipal council of Plessisville, I am pleased to present a petition with 60 signatures.

The petitioners want the Canadian government to inform the municipal council of Plessisville before procedural changes that would affect the local employment level are made. Also, these petitioners ask that equitable home mail delivery service be maintained for all residents of Plessisville.

The residents of Gérin-Lajoie, Trudel and Dupont streets must be treated fairly. They are not second-class citizens and are therefore entitled to the same postal service as other residents of the town.

I am pleased to support these users of the postal service and Mayor Jacques Martineau of Plessiville, in the riding of Frontenac.

[Philip Mayfield, Reform, Cariboo—Chilcotin, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise to present a petition from constituents in the communities of Cache Creek, Ashcroft, Clinton, Spences Bridge and Hanceville, British Columbia.

My constituents call upon the government not to amend the Human Rights Act or the Charter of Rights and Freedoms in any way which would tend to indicate societal approval of same sex relationships or homosexuality.

They also call upon the government not to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act to include sexual orientation in the prohibited grounds of discrimination.

I concur with these petitioners.

[Bob Mills, Reform, Red Deer, AB]

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to rise today to present to Parliament two separate petitions signed by constituents in my riding of Red Deer.

With respect to the first petition the citizens express their disapproval to the government regarding any privileges extended to same sex relationships.

The petitioners humbly pray and request that Parliament not amend human rights code, the Human Rights Act or the Charter of Rights and Freedoms in any way which would tend to indicate societal approval of same sex relationships.

[Bob Mills, Reform, Red Deer, AB]

Mr. Speaker, with regard to the second petition, the citizens express their sentiments and great concern with respect to the aiding or abetting of suicide, active or passive euthanasia.

Therefore, the petitioners humbly pray and request that the present provisions of the Criminal Code of Canada prohibiting assisted suicide be enforced vigorously.

[Ronald J. Duhamel, Liberal, St. Boniface, MB]

Mr. Speaker, I have a petition from seniors in my riding who point out that much of what we have in Canada today is in great part as the result of their sacrifices and what they have contributed to society.

They point out that they are growing in numbers. As they grow in numbers programs such as health and pensions et cetera will be under additional stress. They want to accentuate the fact that they need comfortable housing, social and community involvement, as well as affordable medical care.

These petitioners on behalf of seniors want to underline that whenever governments are changing programs or making any decisions, they should keep in mind the contribution seniors have made to this country.

[David Iftody, Liberal, Provencher, MB]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of my constituents in Provencher to present two petitions. The first is from the Ukrainian Catholic Women's League.

They respectfully pray that Parliament continue to reject euthanasia and physician assisted suicide in Canada and that the present provisions of section 241 of the Criminal Code of Canada which forbids the counselling, procuring, aiding or abetting of a person to commit suicide be enforced vigorously and that Parliament consider expanding palliative care that would be accessible to all dying persons in Canada.

[David Iftody, Liberal, Provencher, MB]

Mr. Speaker, the second petition is on behalf of a church in Steinbach, a community I represent.

The petitioners pray and request that Parliament not amend the human rights code, the Canadian Human Rights Act or the Charter of Rights and Freedoms in any way which would tend to indicate societal approval of same sex relationships or of homosexuality, including amending the human rights code to include in the prohibited grounds of discrimination the undefined phrase sexual orientation.