Debates of Nov. 4th, 1994

International Trade

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

Mr. Speaker, there are two parts to the hon. member's question. One of those relates to the wheat agreement recently signed between Canada and the United States.

The hon. member characterizes it as a bad deal. He ought to know that the volume of access that we have secured by this agreement is higher than any other year in history except one year in which U.S. production was distorted by the worst flooding in 300 years.

This is a high level of access that we have secured for Canadian wheat. Those who argue the contrary should explain why they would take about $150 million out of the pockets of Canadian grain producers by forcing them into a trade war situation.

With respect to the quota situation dealing with supply managed products, those items were under discussion with the United States at the end of last year and the beginning of this year. The United States preferred in the month of June to focus exclusively on the wheat issue. It will at some point I presume in the future again raise these issues with Canada.

However, it is our view that tariff equivalents that we have filed under the GATT agreement are perfectly legitimate and proper in the context of international practice. If they should be challenged by the United States we have indicated that we will defend the Canadian position.

Ports Canada

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

Mr. Speaker, at its last meeting the board of directors of Ports Canada decided to close down the grain elevator at Churchill.

A draft of the minutes containing that decision was sent to the Minister of Transport, not a popular decision for the Manitoba Liberal leader with a provincial election looming. When the official minutes came out, magic-no mention of this Ports Canada decision.

Can the Minister of Transport tell this House who is responsible for doctoring the minutes, the long time Liberal Party loyalist who chairs the board or the minister himself?

[Douglas Young, Liberal, Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, a question like that obviously reflects the total lack of respect that the Reform Party has for members of this House.

If the hon. member thinks I have doctored anything she should say so, say it in here and say it outside. I do not take lightly my responsibilities as a minister. If there is any doctoring to do I think perhaps the hon. member should see if there is something that can be done for her.

Points Of Order

[Jim Silye, Reform, Calgary Centre, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I refer to Standing Order 18 with respect to disrespectful or offensive language.

Earlier in question period the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans referred to the member for Delta or the Reformers as bigots. There was no intervention on your part, Mr. Speaker, with respect to that language and yet while the member for Delta was quoting the minister's very own words you rose and held him back.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to know what your ruling would be on that?

[The Acting Speaker (Mr. Kilger)]

Let me see if I can be helpful to the House. Clearly I heard the words from the member for Delta as reported by the hon. member for Calgary Centre and I reacted. However, as clearly I did not hear other words that would have led me to rise in the same fashion and react as the House would deem appropriate and also as the Chair would.

I would remind members while I am on my feet to always use more judicious words. I will also undertake to review the blues and report back to the House if necessary.

[Brian Tobin, Liberal, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans]

Mr. Speaker, during Question Period I did use words which are unparliamentary, words which I want to withdraw. One of the words was "racist" and the other word was "bigoted".

However, the member who has just risen will know that his colleague who sits just beyond his arm's reach, in asking the question, which prompted that response which I have withdrawn unequivocally, used the words "racist comments" in referring to me. The member thinks those kind of words are unacceptable. I have withdrawn them. I ask the member opposite to do the same.

[The Acting Speaker (Mr. Kilger)]

I do thank the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans for his unequivocal withdrawal.

[Jim Silye, Reform, Calgary Centre, AB]

Mr. Speaker, first of all, I was not involved in the interchange between the two members. Second, the member for Delta in reference to the word "racist" was using it in the context of a question. He was not referring to the minister as being racist because we know the minister is not racist.

[Brian Tobin, Liberal, Humber—St. Barbe—Baie Verte, NL]

Mr. Speaker, I understand, because once or twice in the 15 years I have been here I have been guilty of using words that one would not want to use. However, the member for Delta used the word "racist". I heard it, which is what caused my-

[John Cummins, Reform, Delta, BC]

Racism.

[Brian Tobin, Liberal, Humber—St. Barbe—Baie Verte, NL]

"Racism" is the word he used, referring to my comments. I am sorry. That is what the member said. I would ask him to withdraw that. I would ask that the members of the Reform Party adopt a standard at least equal to that which they preach or seek from other members in this House.

[John Cummins, Reform, Delta, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I did not refer to the minister as racist. What I did say was that he was fanning the flames of racism. I think that is an entirely different point.

[Brian Tobin, Liberal, Humber—St. Barbe—Baie Verte, NL]

Withdraw. You heard it now, Mr. Speaker.

[The Acting Speaker (Mr. Kilger)]

Having been apprised of the remarks, the quotes from the hon. member for Delta, I would ask him to withdraw.

[John Cummins, Reform, Delta, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I will be happy to do that.

[Don Boudria, Liberal, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I hate to continue on the same train of thought, except that another member, namely the member for Mission-Coquitlam, accused the hon. Minister of Transport of falsifying government documents during question period. That is a very serious accusation. Needless to say it is far more serious than that which has been previously withdrawn. I would seek the guidance of the Chair with regard to that issue as well.

[The Acting Speaker (Mr. Kilger)]

Colleagues, there is a very fine line. We remind one another to use more judicious words. It sounds repetitive but I think it bears repeating. I would hope that as we break today for a week back in our constituen-

cies with family, friends and constituents we would give that due thought upon returning.

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

Mr. Speaker, actually in my question I believe I was asking for clarification. I certainly hope no one is suggesting here in this House that I would question the honourability of any member, cabinet minister or anyone else.

I think my performance in this House in not quite a year here indicates the respect with which I treat others.

[The Acting Speaker (Mr. Kilger)]

I thank the hon. member for Mission-Coquitlam.

Committees Of The House

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

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present the 47th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs regarding selection of votable items in accordance with Standing Order 92. This report is deemed adopted on presentation.

Public Service Staff Relations Act

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

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-58, an act to amend the Public Service Staff Relations Act and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed.)

Petitions

[Jan Brown, Reform, Calgary Southeast, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to present four petitions duly signed by constituents from my riding of Calgary Southeast.

The first petition is signed by 54 constituents. The second is signed by 189 constituents. In both petitions they pray that Parliament not amend the human rights code, the Canadian Human Rights Act or the charter in any way which would tend to indicate societal approval of same sex relationships or of homosexuality by including in the prohibited grounds of discrimination the undefined phrase sexual orientation.

[Jan Brown, Reform, Calgary Southeast, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the third petition is signed by 41 constituents and the fourth is signed by 221 constituents.

In both petitions they pray that Parliament ensure that the present provisions of the Criminal Code prohibiting assisted suicide be enforced vigorously and that Parliament make no changes in the law which would sanction or allow the aiding or abetting of suicide or active or passive euthanasia.

[Ed Harper, Reform, Simcoe Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I wish to present two petitions on behalf of the constituents of Simcoe Centre. The first is on the issue of euthanasia. The petitioners request that current laws regarding active euthanasia be enforced.

[Ed Harper, Reform, Simcoe Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the second petition I wish to present requests that the Government of Canada not amend the Human Rights Act to include the phrase sexual orientation. The petitioners fear that such an inclusion could lead to homosexuals receiving the same benefits and societal privileges as married people.