Debates of Oct. 6th, 1994

Social Security Programs

[Martin Cauchon, Liberal, Outremont, QC]

Mr. Speaker, they are irresponsible because they claim that the Green Paper is an admission that the federal government no longer has the means to meet its financial obligations regarding social programs.

Again, this demonstrates the extent to which the Official Opposition is trying to deceive Quebecers. We have the duty, in the context of the Canadian federation, to restructure social programs, first because they are no longer working and second because of budget constraints. Can you imagine where you would find the money to do that, once Quebec has separated.

[The Acting Speaker (Mr. Kilger)]

Order, please. The debate continues to be heated. The Chair reminds hon. members to make sure they always address it.

[Martin Cauchon, Liberal, Outremont, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I am sorry, but I was looking at you. My finger was pointing in another direction, but I was looking at you.

I wonder to what extent the people who promote separation are creating smoke and mirrors for the benefit of Quebecers. I say so, because I respect the notion of separation being conveyed in Quebec. I respect it, but I think that this government-and this is really hurting the opposition parties-is a responsible government which takes the mandate it has received from Canadians very seriously. What we are trying to do is first to ensure that our social programs are working and that the workers can re-enter the labour force while we remain able to meet our budget requirements.

I also want to mention that the opposition is trying to focus only on the reform proposals found in the green book, the reform suggested by the Minister of Human Resources Development. I also think that the opposition is trying to deceive people, because this reform is in line with a more general strategy. As the Prime Minister recently explained, the government strategy is based on four pillars. First, there is the intergovernmental relations reform, which the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs must implement. Then, there is the financial situation and the job creation policy.

But here is where the shoe pinches for the opposition. Although I would not call the green book a masterpiece of contemporary literature, it is surely a chef-d'oeuvre as far as a more open, cooperative, flexible and profitable type of federalism is concerned.

If our reform is successful, it will prove that federalism works. Members across the aisle find it to their own advantage to set out stumbling blocks. Today I advise Canadians and especially Quebecers to beware lest they be deceived by these people who only have their own interests at heart while we, on this side, want to protect Canadians' and Quebecers' interests.

[Garry Breitkreuz, Reform, Yorkton—Melville, SK]

Mr. Speaker, I listened with interest to the comments and the answers to the questions the hon. member gave.

He made the valid comment that people are being misled. I look through the document and people think there really is something in there that is going to solve the problems of this country. I really think they are being misled.

I would like to comment on some of the statements made with regard to training programs. First of all, who pays for these training programs? The hon. member knows the people who pay for the training programs this government wants to implement are the employers and employees. They are the ones who pay for them. In other words these training programs are a tax on those who create jobs and those who work.

The finance minister has acknowledged that if you were to reduce unemployment premiums you would create many jobs. Yet there is not a clear plan in any of this that that will happen. In fact it is going to be a job destroyer if we continue to have the public pay these high premiums.

If you pay people not to work they will not work.

[The Speaker]

Order. I thought I heard the word "you" in there and I know you are addressing the Chair. Perhaps you would pose the question.

[Garry Breitkreuz, Reform, Yorkton—Melville, SK]

Mr. Speaker, I am sorry. I meant it in the generic sense.

How does the plan in this booklet create jobs? Can we have a clear and reasoned explanation as to what in this whole plan will create jobs? I would like a clear and reasoned answer to that because it is not obvious when reading it.

[Martin Cauchon, Liberal, Outremont, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I am very proud of the green paper. Our platform in it is much more interesting than the platform we could have with the Reform Party. Reform Party policy would cut all spending on social programs. That is all Reformers want. All they want is an irresponsible government. They should not tell people that this is a policy. It is a discussion paper.

If you have something to say in the best interests of-

[The Speaker]

I would simply remind you, my colleagues, that you must speak through the Chair. It takes the sting out of everything. However, 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.

Infrastructure Program

[Andrew Telegdi, Liberal, Waterloo, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I quote:

The Canada-Ontario infrastructure works program has been an overwhelming success both locally in Wilmot as well as in the region of Waterloo. It has created numerous jobs and made a significant contribution to the local economy.

I strongly urge you to consider extending this very valuable program. There are still a number of projects which need to be completed. The Canada-Ontario infrastructure works program extended would provide the vehicle to complete these projects and provide much needed additional jobs.

These are the words of the mayor of Wilmot township, his worship Lynn Myers. His sentiments are shared by all the municipal leaders in my community and is indicative of the success of the infrastructure program.

The Canadian infrastructure program is an investment in the future of Canada. I urge the government to consider the extension of this program.

Social Program Reform

[Gilbert Fillion, Bloc, Chicoutimi, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Ontario premier joined his Quebec and Saskatchewan counterparts in rejecting the social program reform as proposed by the Minister of Human Resources Development.

The Ontario premier went as far as describing the document tabled yesterday as an insult to all provinces and all Canadians, nothing less. Clearly, this government's obsession with making the most destitute pay is contrary to the people's wishes.

Within 24 hours, three provinces representing two thirds of the Canadian population have already opposed this reform. It is about time this government listened to Canadians and proposed solutions which answer their needs.

Social Reform

[Dick Harris, Reform, Prince George—Bulkley Valley, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberal's discussion paper on social reform policy has no meat. The Liberals had months to develop these proposals and yet there is absolutely nothing we can sink our teeth into.

The Liberals accused reformers during the campaign of wanting to destroy social programs because we wanted to target spending to people in need. This is what social programs are for. By contrast, the Liberals and Tories have traditionally used social programs simply to buy votes.

Canadians are fed up with this. We cannot even begin to make significant cuts in our budget unless the government has the guts to wade into the waters that it and the Tories muddied. We need an action plan directed at those most in need. We need an action plan that targets those who cannot work, not those who will not work.

Canadians want action. What they get are more and more delays, more and more wasted time while the Liberals consider only their political future.

Let us take politics out of this and put Canadians first.

Aids

[Gurbax Malhi, Liberal, Bramalea—Gore—Malton, ON]

Mr. Speaker, National AIDS Awareness Week draws our attention to the most threatening epidemic in the history of mankind.

During this week we must remember the victims of AIDS. Those infected by HIV are victims. Those who have lost loved ones are victims. Those who support the health care system with our taxes are victims. We are all victims of this terrible human scourge.

We must also turn our thoughts to the dedicated work of the health care professionals, hospital workers, care givers and volunteers who seek to slow the onslaught of the damage caused by AIDS.

I call on my fellow MPs to support all efforts to find a solution to this most important human concern.

The Environment

[Murray Calder, Liberal, Wellington—Grey—Dufferin—Simcoe, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I stand to congratulate the Minister of the Environment and the government for doing in less than a year what the previous government could not do in seven.

The announcement of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act signals this government's commitment to its red book promises and its commitment to the health of our environment and economy.

The act will remove uncertainty and get environmental assessment out of the courts and back into the hands of the people where it belongs.

The minister in her statement clearly pointed out that the government wants to work with all jurisdictions that care about their environmental future and is willing to discuss harmonization with every province and aboriginal group.

Five ministers of the previous government tried to do this and failed and it only took one Liberal minister, one Liberal government to succeed. One Liberal to five others, sounds like fair odds to me.

Brain Tumour Awareness Month

[Carolyn Parrish, Liberal, Mississauga West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today at the request of Barbara McGinnis who has asked me to join with the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada in declaring October Brain Tumour Awareness Month.

Every year over 10,000 brain tumours are diagnosed in Canada. By educating the public to the symptoms of brain tumours, detecting tumours at an early stage and continuing with research into the cause and treatment of these tumours, lives can be saved.

It is only through increased public awareness and the participation of responsible community minded citizens that the foundation can continue to achieve success. The foundation's goals are to be found in brain tumour research, providing patient and family support services and educating the public.

I encourage my colleagues in the House as well as all Canadians to support the brain tumour foundation in its efforts to raise public awareness of this serious life threatening disease.

Social Program Reform

[Ghislain Lebel, Bloc, Chambly, QC]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the Quebec government indicated that the social program reform is totally unacceptable. Quebec's position is clear: Ottawa still insists on controlling the economic, social and cultural development of the provinces.

This reform is a centralizing effort irreconcilable with the prevailing consensus in Quebec for taking the authority over manpower training. What is even worse is that Ottawa is ten years behind the existing programs in Quebec. The terrible cuts proposed in this reform only reflect the federal government's inability to balance its own budget. As was noted by the Quebec Minister of Employment, Ottawa used the public finance crisis as an excuse for getting involved in every aspect of social security.

The Bloc Quebecois joins with the Quebec government to oppose this reform which affects the most destitute in our society.

Liberal Government

[Monte Solberg, Reform, Medicine Hat, AB]

Mr. Speaker, today marks the tenth anniversary of Marc Garneau's voyage in space. I am sure all parliamentarians join me saluting this Canadian hero and this milestone for the Canadian space program.

I would also like to draw the House's attention to some other Canadian space travellers who will be celebrating an anniversary later this month. The Liberal government has been on another planet for almost a year now. The human resources minister says he wants us to reach for the moon. That is easy for him to say, he is lost in space.

The Canadian public wants to know when this government is going to come down to earth and actually deal with some of this country's social and fiscal problems. How long before the IMF says beam them up?

While I am on this celestial topic I would like to point out that Canada's debt is reaching astronomical levels. This morning at 0800 hours the national debt was $533,210,978,829. 19. That is a disgrace.

Mental Illness

[Roger Simmons, Liberal, Burin—St. George's, NL]

Mr. Speaker, this week is the third annual Mental Illness Awareness Week. The Canadian Psychiatric Association and other organizations are focusing on mental illness in the family this week.

Mental illness can affect anyone at any time. One in every five Canadians will suffer from a mental illness at some point in their lives. Canadian hospital costs for people being treated for mental illnesses exceed $1 billion a year. We as Canadians have a responsibility to do our part, especially in these times of fiscal restraint.

Governments, organizations, communities, families and the individuals diagnosed with mental illnesses have to work together to create a more cost effective, more humane approach to the treatment of mental illness.

Intergovernmental Affairs

[Nick Discepola, Liberal, Vaudreuil, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I am astonished to hear that the Quebec premier refused to join the Canadian economic mission to Asia, which is composed of business leaders and premiers.

Mr. Parizeau claims that he is needed in Quebec. Come on. Has he already forgotten that he pledged to represent all Quebecers whatever their option?

As a team player, we have seen better. Quebec ranked 32nd among exporters, supplying only 18 per cent of all Canadian exports, and Mr. Parizeau would rather be alone on the ice. Rather than joining Team Canada and trying harder not to throw away Quebec's chances, he insists on passing the puck to others. Is this the new government? Mr. Parizeau should know that, to succeed, it is better to rely on top players than on substitutes.

Herman Vanduyn

[Stan Dromisky, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Atikokan, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I ask the House to celebrate the impressive accomplishments of Mr. Herman vanDuyn, the owner of Hill's Greenhouse Nurseries in Murillo, Ontario.

This hard working and civic minded entrepreneur has produced over 100 million tree seedlings, a truly remarkable milestone. Mr. vanDuyn is the first Canadian to grow seedlings for the Minnesota state government.

His contribution to his community has been significant, providing employment for 8 full time and up to 50 part time positions. Moreover, he typically donates 10,000 to 20,000 tree seedlings every year to a variety of individuals and organizations in his community and across the country.

This fiercely proud Canadian, born in Holland, chose to emigrate to Canada because of the great respect Dutch people have for Canada. This is one of so many reasons Canada has been and continues to be an excellent destination for business investment.

Social Program Reform

[René Laurin, Bloc, Joliette, QC]

Mr. Speaker, we waited for the discussion paper on the reform of social programs for a very long time, and we are all deeply disappointed with it.

In fact, all Quebecers and Canadians are concerned about the impact of these reforms on their quality of life and particularly on the poorest members of society. Even some Liberal members dissociate themselves from the discussion paper presented by the Minister of Human Resources Development.

Indeed, last night, the member for York South-Weston said: «For the ten years we were the Official Opposition, we accused the Conservatives of lowering the deficit on the backs of the most needy, and now we are doing exactly the same thing».

Social Policy

[Elwin Hermanson, Reform, Kindersley—Lloydminster, SK]

Mr. Speaker, many Canadians are very concerned about the intent and misguided direction of the Liberal government's review of social programs, and rightly so.

The growing federal debt proves existing programs are financially unsustainable in the long run and the long run is now. The minister of human resources seems intent on tinkering with social programs rather than making real changes to put them on a sound financial footing.

For the government to simply rejig programs that are financially unsustainable is dishonest. It is immoral to force on to Canadians a package of retreaded programs held together with bubble gum and binder twine. Programs that collapse under a mountain of debt will crush the very people the programs are intended to help.

I challenge the minister to prove to this House and to all Canadians that his social programs can survive the ravages of a government that cannot balance its books.

The first social aid program that should be cut is an unelected Senate.

Autism

[Bonnie Hickey, Liberal, St. John's East, NL]

Mr. Speaker the Autism Society of Newfoundland and Labrador has brought to my attention that this is Autism Awareness Month.

Autism is a developmental disorder which occurs in approximately 15 out of every 10,000 births. It is estimated that there are over 500 people affected with this disorder in Newfoundland alone. It is four times more common in boys than it is in girls, with symptoms appearing during the first three years of life. Autism causes severe communication difficulties. Social interaction and behavioural problems are also evident.

It was first diagnosed in 1943 and is one of the most complex disabilities to understand. In fact, 50 years of research has failed to find an exact cause or cure.

I commend the Autism Society for its work on raising public awareness of this disorder and I am pleased to bring this to the attention of the House.

Interim Leader Of The Conservative Party

[Bernard Patry, Liberal, Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the interim leader of the Conservative Party recently found a new political orientation for himself.

He said to the Laval Chamber of Commerce that his new constitutional position is now called «shared sovereignty».

This statement contrasts sharply with the philosophy and the action taken by the previous government, of which he was a member. We ask ourselves several questions today: Are there now two sovereignist parties in this House?

Is that new constitutional position supported by more than 50 per cent of the Conservative caucus?

Is there a connection between his about-face and his recent discussions with his former boss, Mr. Mulroney?

Canadians no longer trust these politicians who change their opinions on the basis of opinion polls. If the hon. member really wants to contribute to the referendum debate that is about to begin, he should first decide on which side he wants to be.

Justice

[Jag Bhaduria, Liberal, Markham—Whitchurch-Stouffville, ON]

Mr. Speaker, a recent Supreme Court ruling that extreme drunkenness can be a defence against rape has shocked all Canadians, especially women. Where is the rationality in such a decision?

This ruling is absolutely absurd. Now the voluntary consumption of alcohol can be used to excuse an individual's criminal behaviour.

I am sure a great many Canadians are very perplexed by this decision. What will be the impact of this judgment on impaired drivers across the country? Can they hide behind the coloured glass of a bottle because of this judgment?

The Criminal Code has to be amended so that all women and law-abiding citizens can feel safe again. Drinking must be no excuse for any criminal behaviour, none whatsoever.

Social Program Reform

[Lucien Bouchard, Bloc, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, partially unveiling its plan to reduce its contribution to the financing of social programs, the government carefully avoided revealing in its discussion paper the extent of the cuts it intends to impose on the needy in order to reduce its deficit. But thanks to yesterday's Toronto Star , we now know that a confidential memorandum to Cabinet sets the amount of additional cuts in social programs at $7.5 billion over the next five years.

My question is for the Prime Minister. How can the people take seriously the consultation process that is about to begin when the government did not tell them that its decision had already been made and that regardless of the consultation, it will cut social programs by at least another $7.5 billion in the next five years?