Debates of Nov. 29th, 1994

World Trade Organization Agreement Implementation Act

[The Acting Speaker (Mr. Kilger)]

Order. I regret that the question and comment period is relatively short when members are splitting their time. I would remind everyone to direct their interventions through the chair.

[John Maloney, Liberal, Erie, ON]

Mr. Speaker, as a result of the Uruguay round, most developed countries including the European Union, Japan and Korea will phase out all tariffs on steel and steel products over 10 years.

I have a quote from the Canadian Steel Producers Association that says the Canadian steel industry will gain from the Uruguay round if, as expected, this further liberalization of trade results in improved economic growth and hence improved steel demand.

With respect to the new provisions governing subsidies, the Canadian Steel Producers Association said it was easier to take action against subsidies by one foreign country which caused serious harm to our export interest in a third country.

Canada's steel makers agree. Some benefit will flow from the procedural improvements negotiated respecting the administration of anti-dumping procedures. According to the Canadian Steel Producers Association the changes will bring U.S. practices slightly more in line with Canada's and reduce slightly the capacity of the United States to use anti-dumping actions for trade harassment.

The Canadian steel makers also welcome the WTO, saying that it will have a greater flexibility in its operations than the old GATT council which required unanimity to act. The assurance of access to markets secured by the elimination of existing trade barriers-

[The Acting Speaker (Mr. Kilger)]

Order. I regret time has clearly lapsed on this round.

[Raymond Chan, Liberal, Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific)]

Mr. Speaker, Canada's role in the world can be strengthened by developing a secure multilateral context for countries like ours within a framework of international law and the forum of the United Nations.

I would like to congratulate my colleague, the Minister for International Trade, for his work in promoting the implementation of the agreement establishing the World Trade Organization through Bill C-57.

The creation of the WTO is largely the result of a joint initiative by Canada and the European Union. The WTO is a means of securing a common institutional framework for the conduct of international trade relations.

The Uruguay round signed in April is the largest, most comprehensive trade negotiation ever undertaken. Under the Uruguay round agreement, the impact on the world economy is dramatic.

The final package contains over 30 agreements, capped by agreements to create the world trade organization, featuring a much strengthened framework for the settlement of trade disputes.

The Uruguay round will ease bilateral trade tensions and strengthen GATT rules to make the playing field more level, transparent and predictable. The round will pave the way to integrating developing and centrally planned economies such as China, our sixth largest trading partner.

Under the Uruguay round agreement, access to markets for industrial products will be substantially improved, with most tariffs being cut by at least one third. Overall, Canadian gains from trade by the year 2002 are estimated at about $2.5 billion U.S. The gain in net income directly and indirectly from the round is about $4 billion U.S.

Canada will benefit enormously from ratification of the Uruguay round deal and by our participation in the World Trade Organization through the passage of Bill C-57.

The WTO provides a trading environment that is more free and more fair. It will benefit our traditional agricultural and

resource sectors and provide more open markets for value added and high technology manufactured goods.

This will not only help Canada adapt to the forces of globalization but will enable us to seize its advantages through the development of a dynamic industrial structure. The Uruguay round will enhance very significantly our export prospects in the Asia Pacific, my area of responsibility and the most dynamic in the world economy.

The round will provide a tremendous boost to Canadian exports to the Pacific in agricultural and resource products. It will also reinforce new opportunities in telecommunications and other major infrastructure areas where the needs in Asia are massive and Canadian ability to compete is strong.

Through its supervision of the agreements made and its management, the WTO will be a great equalizer in international trade for smaller, medium sized and developing countries. Countries like Canada will be less vulnerable to the efforts of more powerful economies to interfere with Canadian exports.

Of special interest to Canada in light of recent experience is the speeding up of the process and establishment of time limits, the effort to make it more difficult to block implementation of a panel report and the commitment to avoid unilateral retaliation.

Bill C-57 will increase clarity and discipline in the use of multilateral trade rules. For the first time there will be an appeal process and binding effect which is an improvement over the current GATT system. It is important that Bill C-57 be enacted as soon as possible so as to give full legislative power to the minister as he pursues his important initiatives in the international arena for the benefit of all Canadians.

Canada's economic strength now and in the future will depend on our willingness to stay on the leading edge of freer trade, taking an active role in forging new relationships and building new structures to extend the reach of a rules-based international order.

The Prime Minister said in Hong Kong on our recent very successful trip to Asia: "We will be examples for the world and we will move into the 21st century, proud, competitive and generous". This legislation will ensure the success of the World Trade Organization and will allow Canada to remain one of the best countries in the world.

[Elsie Wayne, Progressive Conservative, Saint John, NB]

Mr. Speaker, I wish to make a few comments to the hon. member.

I am not sure that the hon. member or the members of the government realize that the matter of protecting the viability of the Canadian sugar industry is at stake with this bill. It has been brought to my attention in the past week that if the U.S. actions continue to go unchallenged, which are in this bill, by the Canadian government Canadian companies will close many operations of the sugar industry.

In my area there is a possibility the Lantic Sugar Refinery will close January 1, 1995 if this bill goes unchallenged in the manner in which it is presented at this time.

I have been told that little did the government know that the U.S. took the opportunity to severely restrict our already limited ability to export to the American market when it tabled its market access commitments. This deals with the Canadian sugar industry.

Can the hon. member tell me what the minister is going to do about this? We only have about a month to go. It can mean 1,700 jobs in the sugar industry if we allow the bill to be passed in the manner in which it is written.

[Raymond Chan, Liberal, Richmond, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I am not aware of the impact on the sugar industry.

If we look at the overall impact of the bill on Canada there is no doubt in my mind the Uruguay round and the establishment of the world trade organization is a step forward to allow freer access to markets around the world.

I would like to take the question under advisement and ask the trade minister and the department to look at the complaint and arrange for a proper reply for the hon. member.

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

Mr. Speaker, my colleague from the Liberal Party who just spoke presented several arguments to the effect that the WTO is supposed to be very beneficial to Canada's foreign trade.

He said that it will benefit farmers, the export of our natural resources, high-tech industries, and also our processing industries. Can it really be beneficial across the board?

He is known to be straightforward, and rightly so. Could he take a few seconds, a few minutes of his time to tell us in which areas it would be less beneficial?

[Raymond Chan, Liberal, Richmond, BC]

Mr. Speaker, there is no doubt in my mind that some industries in Canada are less competitive and some are more competitive.

The most important part of this agreement is that it establishes a level playing field for all countries. There is a well-defined dispute settlement process. No longer can the unilateral actions of strong economies interfere with the exports of medium sized powers in the world. It is a great step forward.

As Canadians we have to be very competitive in using this opportunity before we can benefit from this agreement. There is no other way out. In order to remain economically strong and in order to keep all of our integrity and all the values we need to be able to compete in the global market. If we can have a free hand to compete in the world, if subsidies are eliminated from most of the other countries, even in the farming industry we should be able to compete proudly and freely.

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

Mr. Speaker, on debate, please.

[The Acting Speaker (Mr. Kilger)]

Before I recognize the member on debate, are there any further questions or comments to the secretary of state?

[Nic Leblanc, Bloc, Longueuil, QC]

Mr. Speaker, as an official member of the joint committee on international trade, I had the opportunity to work at some length on the new direction to give Canada so that Quebec and Canada perform better on the international market. We examined new policies in various sectors, and the way Canada should behave with respect to international matters.

Today, we are focusing on Bill C-57 which confirms the World Trade Organization. As a member of this committee and as a member of this House for more that ten years now, I must say first off that I agree with the bill as a whole. This is why I am going to talk instead about the role lawmakers should play in Quebec and Canada with respect to this opening of markets we will have to face in the years to come.

It is the responsibility of lawmakers to co-operate in order to create and maintain a just and fair society. To create a just and fair society, we must ensure that individual Quebecers and Canadians have reasons to be hopeful, at least those who are willing to take the chance to be creative, to invest, and to be successful in this society. While being fair, we must make sure that people can hope to succeed without having to give before they receive.

Obviously, we must deal with the economy, which is in a sorry state right now. Almost 12 per cent of the population is unemployed, another 12 per cent is on welfare, which means that, depending on the region, 22, 23 or 24 per cent of the people who are fit to work cannot find a job. It is a great pity. We must deal with this appalling economic problem.

We must also see to it that the appropriate legislation is passed to improve the economic situation.

The economic problem, as I just said, is high unemployment, a skilled labour force unable to find jobs, a labour force which does not have the qualifications that the available jobs require, a low job-creation rate and deficiencies in manpower training. We can see that every day. There are major problems.

Productivity is stagnating. We know that it is not improving and we must find ways to increase productivity if we want to be competitive on international markets. Investments are also stagnating. We need a formula which will bring investors and for that, as I said earlier, we need a business environment favourable to investment.

For the last several years, investors have been reluctant to come here for several reasons, but in particular because of the debt and inadequate manpower. Then, there are the markets. This is a plus for investors, but we have to find new ways to stimulate investment.

At the present time, we depend on other countries for a large number of manufactured goods. For example, much manufacturing is done here but by American companies and we also import many products. We are dependent on imports and on manufactured goods that are produced here but not under our control.

We have to find intelligent solutions to promote job creation and to improve manpower training. We are still struggling with this question of co-operation, or absence of, between the governments of Canada and Quebec regarding manpower training. This is a terrible handicap for Quebec not to be able to control training and to prepare its labour force to serve adequately its businesses, and therefore improve productivity.

This stubbornness on the part of the federal government, which insists on national standards for manpower training, is not only regrettable, it is a disgrace. We know full well that several countries which are doing well, most notably Germany and Japan, have had regionalized manpower training for several years, something which is geared to local industry and also extends to scientific training.

Regions should be able to set their own standards to train people in areas where a given region has the most economic activity. Mr. Speaker, it is now time for Question Period. I shall continue afterwards. Thank you.

[The Speaker]

Dear colleague, you can resume 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.

The Environment

[Sue Barnes, Liberal, London West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Environment recently announced a five-part action plan that will help to accelerate

Environment Canada's greening initiatives and save money.

One of the most significant changes resulting from this plan is the introduction of the green procurement policy to help ensure environmentally responsible purchasing. The procurement policy directs employees to use ecologo products or those that exceed the environmental choice program and to use products that have been recycled or can be recycled.

This policy also calls for the avoidance of products containing resources from environmentally sensitive areas. Personnel will also avoid acquiring over-packaged products and, wherever feasible, require suppliers to take back excess packaging for reuse and recycling.

In addition to saving the environment and money, the initiative helps to develop Canadian environmental industries, thereby creating jobs, stimulating the economy and improving our international competitiveness.

Many departments have already taken impressive steps in this direction.

Unemployment Insurance

[Jean H. Leroux, Bloc, Shefford, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberal government refuses to consider requests from the business community and citizens' groups for a reduction in unemployment insurance premiums. High premium rates slow down job creation in addition to putting an additional burden on the taxpayer, who is always paying more for fewer services.

How can the government keep turning a deaf ear to taxpayers' demands, when it knows that the current rate, according to the Minister of Finance, is killing jobs?

The minister should establish a genuine job creation strategy instead of trotting out the pretty speeches the Liberal government uses to impress the public.

The Liberal government should find a more imaginative solution than squeezing Quebec and Canadian taxpayers to service the debt.

Reproductive Technology

[Margaret Bridgman, Reform, Surrey North, BC]

Mr. Speaker, in 1989 a royal commission was formed to inquire into the area of new reproductive technology. This commission spent four years on public hearings, research, opinion surveys, and consultation with a wide variety of groups.

In 1993 the commission published its two volume, 1,300 page report, making 293 recommendations. While it has been over a year since the release of this report, the government's belated response has been a promise for further discussion.

What is required now is action, not more discussion. That is why with the assistance from six of the commission's recommendations I have submitted a private member's motion on the issue of foetal sex testing for non-medical reasons.

I urge this government to follow my example and act upon the recommendations of the committee in order to prevent further commercialization of reproductive technology.

Alexa McDonough

[Bill Blaikie, NDP, Winnipeg—Transcona, MB]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the NDP caucus to pay tribute to Alexa McDonough who last week stepped down as leader of the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party. Alexa's many achievements in Nova Scotia remind us of the way our party has been a path breaking party in welcoming women to positions of leadership.

In 1932 Agnes Macphail, who in 1921 was the first woman to be elected to Parliament, joined the CCF. In 1951, Thérèse Casgrain was elected to lead the CCF in Quebec and even though she did not win a seat she became the first woman to lead a provincial party in Canada.

One year after her election as party leader in 1980, Alexa herself became the first woman to lead a party in a legislative assembly. My colleague, the leader of the NDP, the hon. member for Yukon, presently completed this string of firsts by becoming the first woman to win the leadership of a federal party in 1989.

We thank Alexa for 14 years of dedication to fighting the good fight for social justice in Canada, a fight that needs to be fought the world over in this era of unrestrained globalization. We acknowledge the debt we all owe to the distinguished and committed Canadian women who have given leadership to our movement and made Canadian history at the same time.

Quebec Premier

[Robert Bertrand, Liberal, Pontiac—Gatineau—Labelle, QC]

Mr. Speaker, last week, the Premier of Quebec spoke to members of the Canadian Club in Toronto.

In his speech, the indépendantiste leader warned his audience against the consequences of a win for the "no" side in the next referendum. He said that if Quebecers voted no to his plan for Quebec's independence, they would continue to be dissatisfied with their status in Canada, and for English Canadians, this

would be as bad as an endless session in the dentist's chair, according to the a daily newspaper Le Droit .

He stated that a win for the "no" side in the referendum would be useless and that all Canada's constitutional problems would remain, while a win for the "yes" side would rid Canada of the Quebec problem for good.

I think that this week, the Premier of Quebec missed a golden opportunity to explain what his sovereignty plan is all about. Scare tactics are certainly not the way to sell his plan to the rest of Canada. It is important for Quebecers to know exactly-

Winnipeg Wesmen Women's Basketball Team

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

Mr. Speaker, did you know that the University of Winnipeg Wesmen Women's basketball team is making history?

Last Friday evening the team equalled the North American record for the longest winning streak in collegiate sports with its 88th consecutive victory. The team has equalled the record set by the 1970-74 University of California-Los Angeles Bruins men's team.

These young women are truly unstoppable. This Friday evening they may well break the North American record when they face the University of Manitoba Bisons.

I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing all of the players the best of luck on the court on Friday night. To everyone, the players and the coach, Tom Kendall, we wish a new North American record.

Paris Summit On Aids

[Hedy Fry, Liberal, Vancouver Centre, BC]

Mr. Speaker, our Prime Minister will be attending the Paris Summit on AIDS on December 1. This summit is a French initiative in co-operation with the WHO. Forty-two countries representing 70 per cent of the world population will make a joint affirmation of their commitment to fight HIV/AIDS.

The Paris declaration will reflect the principles and values already adopted by the United Nations for HIV/AIDS and will add a new component for nations to respond to urgent needs with practical and lasting measures. This declaration would be operational by January 1996.

AIDS is a public health issue and political world leaders have made the fight against this disease a priority. Special attention will be given to reducing the vulnerability of women to AIDS to the important role of associations of persons living with AIDS and to strengthening national and international mechanisms for human rights and ethics as they relate to AIDS.

I am proud to say that Canada has gained an international reputation as a leader in all three areas.

Severance Pay

[Yvan Bernier, Bloc, Gaspé, QC]

Mr. Speaker, after all of four months of work, Mr. Gary Anstey, the former executive assistant to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, received $31,000 in severance pay. Mr. Ansley was rehired last month at an annual salary of $93,000, but was not required to pay back his allowance, despite the fact he had voluntarily left his job.

By way of explanation, the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans is trying to mollify the public's legitimate outrage by arguing that such practice is not inconsistent with Treasury Board guidelines.

So, what does the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans think of the rules established by the Minister of Human Resources Development, which deny benefits to unemployed workers who have voluntarily quit their jobs? This double standard policy is only good for undermining the credibility of the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and this government as a whole, for perpetuating such a practice, which is even more unacceptable in the context of a public finances crisis.

Silver Star Mountain Resort

[Darrel Stinson, Reform, Okanagan—Shuswap, BC]

Mr. Speaker, today I congratulate one of the stars in my riding of Okanagan-Shuswap. That star is Silver Star mountain resort, recently ranked as the best family ski resort by Fodor's Insider Guide to Ski Resorts .

Silver Star mountain resort, a 45-minute drive from the growing north Okanagan city of Vernon, also was honoured by Ski Canada Magazine in November as having the best on-mountain village in western Canada, ahead of Whistler Mountain village, ranked number two.

In 1993 some 263,000 people came to ski Silver Star, generating an estimated $50 million boost to the area's economy. The mountain has an annual snowfall of over 18 feet, providing consistent snow for its 72 ski runs served by 8 lifts. From water skiing in summer to snow skiing in winter, the beautiful riding of Okanagan-Shuswap truly is becoming a mecca for outdoor sports enthusiasts.

James Bay Cree

[Raymond Lavigne, Liberal, Verdun—Saint-Paul, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to inform this House that the Government of Canada has recently signed with the James Bay Cree and the Province of Quebec a significant tripartite agreement regarding policing services. It provides for current resources to double, thereby enabling the police service to better protect the members of the nine Cree communities covered by this agreement.

This First Nation administered police service will be better suited and more sensitive to the culture and the needs of the Cree people. This three-year agreement faithfully reflects the major thrusts of the First Nations Policing Policy. This policy provides for costs to be shared by the Government of Canada and the provincial government on a 52-48 basis.

I am sure, hon. colleagues, that you will want to join me in congratulating the Solicitor General of Canada, the Government of Quebec and the James Bay Cree on the signing of such a major agreement.

Reform Party

[Marlene Cowling, Liberal, Dauphin—Swan River, MB]

Mr. Speaker, it did not take very long to find out how deep Reform Party thinking goes.

For over a year we have been listening to the Reform Party rant about cuts to government spending. Ranting is exactly what it has been because yesterday its finance critic admitted it has absolutely no idea what affect its $25 billion in cuts will have on Canadians or on the economy. Is this what the Reform Party considers responsible finance policy?

Presto, it is gone and who cares what happens? Who cares if it sends the economy spiralling into a depression?

The Reform Party may not care, but I am pleased that this Liberal government cares about Canadians and cares about the economy. The Reform Party has had over a year to look at government spending and this is the best it can do. Shame.

Team Canada

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

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister and Team Canada have shown the way to Canada's success.

The recent signing of billions of dollars worth of trade with China and Indonesia will ensure growth for Canada's economy. Business in the years to come will depend on gaining access to the ever increasing markets of the Pacific rim.

I ask my government to initiate a Team Canada approach to establish new economic ties with other nations. I encourage the organization of a trade mission in the Team Canada style to open up these tremendously important new markets to the goods and services that we produce in Bramalea-Gore-Malton and indeed in every riding in Canada.

Ethics

[Michel Bellehumeur, Bloc, Berthier—Montcalm, QC]

Mr. Speaker, after a year in power, the Liberal government has soon made a name for itself with the many cases of patronage and political appointments based on favoritism. Everyone remembers that the Liberals promised in the red book to reform the parliamentary system on a non-partisan basis once they were in power.

Instead of initiating such a reform, the Liberal government has just continued the same abuses as the previous government. This flagrant lack of ethics and of openness, despite the Liberals' own commitments, is fraught with consequences. It shows beyond any doubt that the Liberal Party of Canada, far from renewing the Canadian parliamentary system, is shamelessly immersed in the same arrogant attitude and even beating the records for patronage which they strongly condemned when they were in opposition.

Since the Canadian system cannot be reformed, that is another reason for Quebec to break away from it as soon as possible.