Debates of Dec. 1st, 1994

Department Of Industry Act

[Werner Schmidt, Reform, Okanagan Centre, BC]

Madam Speaker, I think we would all honour the intention of the amendment being proposed by the Bloc. I have addressed the idea of having openness. Making sure there is a certain element of knowledge that is open and fair to everybody who wishes to have that information about fees and things of that sort is very laudable. I certainly commend that.

I do agree with the hon. parliamentary secretary to the minister that the government saw the error of its original proposal in the bill as it was originally written, bringing to the committee a whole series of amendments that I think does meet the intent of the Bloc member's comments.

There is another principle that needs to be observed. There has to be a certain freedom to do the things that are right by government. There has to be an openness. The accountability of government has to be observed.

The amendments that were proposed and accepted in committee that are now in the report of the bill that will be voted on at third reading will meet not only the intent but also the detail of the member's suggestion.

Therefore I would respectfully suggest that we all support the amendments that come out of the committee and that we defeat this amendment.

[The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Maheu)]

Is the House ready for the question?

[Some hon. members]

Question.

[The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Maheu)]

Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[Some hon. members]

No.

[The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Maheu)]

All those in favour of the motion will please say yea.

[Some hon. members]

Yea.

[The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Maheu)]

All those opposed will please say nay.

[Some hon. members]

Nay.

[The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Maheu)]

In my opinion the nays have it.

And more than five members having risen:

[The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Maheu)]

Pursuant to Standing Order 76(1)(8) a recorded division on the proposed motion stands deferred.

The House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred divisions at the report stage of the bill now before the House.

Call in the members.

Pursuant to Standing Order 45(5)(a), I have been requested by the chief government whip to defer the division until a later time.

Accordingly, pursuant to Standing Order 45(6) the division of the question now before the House stands deferred until Monday at the ordinary hour of daily adjournment, at which time the

bells to call in the members will be sounded for not more than 15 minutes.

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

Madam Speaker, I think you would find unanimous consent to further defer that vote until Tuesday at 5.30 p.m.

[The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Maheu)]

Does the hon. government whip have the unanimous consent of the House to defer the vote until Tuesday?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

Standing Committee On Finance

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

Madam Speaker, I think you would find unanimous consent for the following motion:

That the Order of the House, made November 30, 1994, concerning the report of the Standing Committee on Finance pursuant to Standing Order 83.1 be amended by changing the words "December 7, 1994" to "December 8, 1994".

(Motion agreed to.)

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

Madam Speaker, I think you would find unanimous consent to suspend the sitting until 2 p.m. this day.

[The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Maheu)]

Is it agreed?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

(The sitting of the House was suspended at 11.59 a.m.)

The House resumed at 1.57 p.m.

[The Speaker]

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.

International Day Of Disabled Persons

[John Maloney, Liberal, Erie, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to bring to the attention of the House that the United Nations has declared Saturday, December 3, 1994, as International Day of Disabled Persons.

In a draft resolution, the United Nations stated that the General Assembly was well aware of the need for more vigorous and broader action. It stated that measures were required at all levels to fulfil the objectives of the decade and world program of action concerning disabled persons.

As a member of the United Nations, Canada honours this international commitment. Our federal strategy is aimed at equalization of opportunity for disabled persons and optimization of their positive contribution to Canadian society.

The government also realizes that more has to be done. Through awareness raising and action oriented measures we aim for increased comprehension and better access for persons with disabilities. As a member of the Standing Committee on Human Rights and the Status of Disabled Persons, I too am convinced of and committed to these initiatives.

A disability or handicap is no deterrent to achievement. In politics alone, William Mr. Hughes, the former Prime Minister of Australia was hearing impaired. Former President of the United States, Franklin D. Roosevelt, was confined to a wheelchair. Trevor Morgan, a former member of Parliament, was blind. Who can forget the epic journeys of Terry Fox and Rick Hansen. The determination of these individuals and countless other disabled persons have shown that the barriers can be overcome.

I encourage all members of this Parliament and Canadians to-

Quebec Sovereignty

[Réjean Lefebvre, Bloc, Champlain, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Robin Richardson of the Fraser Institute told the media yesterday that if Quebec decides to separate and refuses to pay its share of the debt, Canada would be destitute.

It is inconceivable that an institution which claims to be serious could make such statements. Quebec sovereignists have always said openly that they would meet their responsibilities and that when Quebec becomes sovereign, it will assume its fair share of the federal debt. On the other hand, a sovereign Quebec will of course receive its fair share of federal assets.

At present, Quebec taxpayers are already bearing their share of the federal debt in the present system. But the way the Canadian government is managing its finances is cause for concern.

This is the second time in less than four months that the Fraser Institute has engaged in such speculation. In future, we hope that the institute will be a little more serious, because as Talleyrand said, anything exaggerated is not worth taking seriously.

International Day Of Disabled Persons

[Sharon Hayes, Reform, Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC]

Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to rise today in recognition, along with my colleagues, of December 3 as International Day of Disabled Persons.

This day is to remind us of the special concerns and needs of the disabled. The Reform Party joins with all Canadians to create a fair, equitable and sustainable system for all. We believe that Canadians have a personal and collective responsibility to care and provide for those unable to care and provide for themselves.

Equality of opportunity for the disabled will come about as individuals, employers and governments at all levels work together to remove the barriers to their full participation in our communities and in our workplaces. To assist the disabled in the pursuit of their goals is both just and appropriate.

Today as we recognize the valuable contribution of the disabled, let us reaffirm our support for their desire to be an active, integral and productive part of our society.

Fight Against Aids

[Hedy Fry, Liberal, Vancouver Centre, BC]

Mr. Speaker, today our Prime Minister is attending the Paris summit on AIDS.

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 acclamation 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 the virus, 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 built an international reputation as a leader in these three sectors.