Debates of Dec. 13th, 1994

Canadian Executive Service Overseas

[Pat O'Brien, Liberal, London—Middlesex, ON]

Mr. Speaker, CESO is a non-profit volunteer organization that shares Canadian knowledge with business communities and organizations in developing nations and emerging market economies in central and eastern Europe.

Volunteers, experienced in their profession or industry, serve as trainers and advisers to help developing communities achieve economic self-sufficiency.

I take this opportunity to recognize the outstanding efforts of Mr. John Fingland, a constituent from my riding of London-Middlesex. Mr. Fingland has provided his knowledge and expertise in the area of forest management to the people of Thailand.

I commend the time and energy he and other CESO volunteers give. These efforts will go a long way toward promoting human and global development.

Immigration

[Maud Debien, Bloc, Laval East, QC]

Mr. Speaker, contrary to statements made by the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, the Schelew affair is not closed.

Many questions remain unanswered and the whole thing is starting to look more and more like a government cover-up operation. After the vice-chair of the Immigration and Refugee Board resigned, not proceeding with the inquiry has saved the minister from having to answer legitimate questions about the serious allegations made against Mr. Schelew.

The minister can no longer dissociate himself from the questionable, to say the least, methods used by his government to make the problem disappear, especially since it is not known who authorized the Treasury Board to give him $100,000 in severance pay.

The minister no longer has a choice. It is his duty to shed light on this issue. His credibility, as well as that of his government and of the board, are at stake.

Gun Control

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

Mr. Speaker, yesterday a good friend of mine was laid to rest in Mission-Coquitlam. Roger was a victim of armed robbery and the gun used was not a handgun but a sawed-off shotgun.

This crime happened because two young men have no respect for the law, no respect for the rights of others and probably have never been held accountable for their actions.

What we need in this country is crime control, not gun control. We have the laws in place. What we have to do is enforce them. We must establish the rights of victims over the rights of criminals, tougher sentencing and the tightening up of the Young Offenders Act.

If we put emphasis back on the role of the family in teaching the basic values which build character and make responsible citizens of our young people, then we will be going in the right direction. Responsibility begins at home. In this way we can attack the very serious crime problem in Canada by teaching respect for others and respect for our laws at a very early age.

The Environment

[Paddy Torsney, Liberal, Burlington, ON]

Mr. Speaker, congratulations are in order for the Ontario Fibricare Association and the Korean Dry Cleaners Association that have taken their cleaning one step further.

Recently they signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ontario and federal Ministers of the Environment to establish a Green Clean project, a voluntary pollution prevention initiative which promotes water based technologies and processes as an alternative to the use of chemicals in the dry cleaning industry.

The Toronto Green Clean depot is the first of seven such cleaners to be outfitted by Environment Canada for January 1995. The depot's objectives are to educate consumers on green cleaning and to promote wet technology to industry members.

Governments, corporations, environmental groups, industry associations and individual Canadians must work together to improve the environment for all of us. This initiative will work to eliminate the paradox that getting our cleaning done means polluting our environment.

It is another step toward achieving our goal of a green clean Canada.

Banking

[Walt Lastewka, Liberal, St. Catharines, ON]

Mr. Speaker, It has always been my concern that the five major banks make such high profits during both downturns and upturns in the Canadian economy.

The high amounts of profit the banks have declared this past month are particularly incredible. Even more disturbing is the fact that while some banks are making over $1 billion profit, they are at the very same time putting builders and developers out of business with a callous take it or leave it attitude.

I call on the Prime Minister to fulfil the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Industry to implement an independent ombudsman to oversee banking practices in this country. The sooner small and medium size businesses get a fair shake, the sooner they will be able to prosper again.

Ceso International Services

[Beryl Gaffney, Liberal, Nepean, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I offer congratulations to volunteers with CESO International Services who give of their time both here at home and abroad.

In particular, I would like to mention two Nepean people. Mr. Jerry Szymanowski travelled to the Slovak Republic to advise manufacturers of insulation material on exports to Canadian

markets. He also laid the groundwork for a joint venture partnership with a Canadian firm.

Second, Aleksandrs Sprudz. Alex came to Canada from Latvia in 1951. He spent 18 years with Indian and northern affairs helping establish agriculture co-operatives in Indian and Inuit communities.

He recently returned to his homeland to share his knowledge and experience in his field with researchers and professors from Latvian universities. He was instrumental in working with members of the Latvian congress of agronomists to put forward a resolution to the Latvian government for approval of lands to be set aside for the sole purpose of agricultural co-operatives.

Aleksandrs Sprudz passed away on December 6, 1994. I wish to extend my heartfelt sympathy to his wife and daughter.

Canada Council

[Christiane Gagnon, Bloc, Québec, QC]

Mr. Speaker, we learned today that Quebec artists, too, refuse to support the phony consultation process initiated by the Canada Council.

Several organizations, including the Quebec artists' union, the Quebec theatre council and the Quebec writers' union, have expressed their deep concern and denounced what they see as a lack of respect for artists.

This government, which has decided to slash arts financing, has the nerve to undertake consultations to ask artists where it should cut. Given the improvised and slapdash approach of the Canada Council and the obvious complicity of the Canadian heritage minister, we wonder about this government's respect for culture and the arts community.

World Junior Hockey Championships

[Bob Mills, Reform, Red Deer, AB]

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to inform the House that between December 26 and January 4 the world junior hockey championships will be taking place in my riding of Red Deer.

Everyone in Canada appreciates junior hockey. The people of my riding are incredibly proud to host the best juniors in the world. Red Deer has a great hockey tradition with its Western Hockey League team. Current NHL stars such as Glen Wesley and Mark Tinordi were born in Red Deer.

We look forward to watching all the future stars when they come to play for the world championship. Competitions like this will inspire the next generations to carry on Canada's proud hockey heritage. Come on out, watch the games and enjoy the competition. Together we will all promote Canada's great winter sport.

Transport

[Vic Althouse, NDP, Mackenzie, SK]

Mr. Speaker, with the publication of the Transportation Safety Board report, the Canadian public has again been made aware of the problems of the deregulation theory that Transport Canada has been pursuing for over a decade.

In spite of evidence to the contrary, transport ministers from Axworthy to Mazankowski and on to the current minister have insisted that "safety will not be compromised". NDP members have always argued that without regulation and adequate inspection staff, safety would inevitably take second place, particularly when carriers are strapped for cash. In such cases maintenance is reduced, accidents increase and consumers are at risk.

Since the department's strategy is in question I suggest that the minister take charge and ask someone like Judge Moshansky, who reported on the Dryden crash, to do a follow-up investigation to see if Transport Canada's inspections are now improved enough to correct the shortcomings previously identified.

Taxation

[Mark Assad, Liberal, Gatineau—La Lièvre, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I wish to point out to my colleagues that the Quebec independence movement is not a threat to national unity. Quebecers will settle the problem concerning the Quebec independence movement. What really threatens the well-being and unity of our country is a fiscal and monetary system in need of thorough reform.

The tax system is unfair and inequitable to the majority of Canadians. The helplessness felt by Canadians has become a source of frustration and undermines the credibility of elected officials and democratic institutions. This threatens to break up our country unless we tackle this major problem right away.

Draft Bill On Quebec Sovereignty

[Eleni Bakopanos, Liberal, Saint-Denis, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the following statement appeared in the August 3 edition of the Toronto Star : ``I agree with Mr. Chrétien that a pequiste government would not be empowered to launch the negotiation process towards independence and that, contrary to the warnings given by provincial Liberals, the eventual election of the PQ does not

mean that Quebec will become independent. For once, I agree with those who support federalism".

That statement made by the Bloc Quebecois leader could not be more explicit. The fact that the PQ was elected does not give it any right to unilaterally declare Quebec's sovereignty in its draft bill before consulting the population through a referendum.

The Premier of Quebec must set aside his biased consultation process and quickly hold a real referendum, in which Quebecers will decide if they want to separate from Canada.

[The Speaker]

I regret to interrupt the hon. member, but her time is up. The hon. member for Trinity-Spadina.

Ecodek

[Tony Ianno, Liberal, Trinity—Spadina, ON]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday saw the opening of EcoDek, a brand new environmental tourist attraction at Toronto's CN Tower.

EcoDek is a state of the art, cost effective exhibit that promotes the principles of environmental learning and citizenship. Through this high tech, innovative, interactive and entertaining exhibit, EcoDek has the potential to reach 1.5 million visitors who annually go to the CN Tower.

EcoDek's ability to raise public awareness of and encourage involvement in environmental issues goes beyond the actual attraction. It includes an educational package that has been developed to help teachers maximize the educational value of field trips to EcoDek before, during and after classes.

To this end I am happy to report that over 600 schools from many parts of Ontario and the Great Lakes states have already booked visits to Toronto beginning in January.

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Minister of the Environment, the CN Tower and its many partners for advancing environmental awareness in a manner that is commensurate with the city of Toronto as a world class destination for foreign travellers.

Collège Militaire Royal De Saint-Jean

[Laurent Lavigne, Bloc, Beauharnois—Salaberry, QC]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs once again showed that he was acting in bad faith regarding the Collège militaire royal de Saint-Jean. Instead of looking after the interests of the residents of Saint-Jean, the minister prefers to generate controversy regarding the academic future of that institution.

Instead of constructively discussing the proposal made by mayor Smereka, which is supported by a large majority, the minister keeps looking for excuses to sabotage the negotiation process. Is that his idea of flexible federalism? The minister should change his antagonistic attitude and look after the well-being of the public instead of his own partisan interests, so that, in the end, the only real winners are the residents of Saint-Jean.

There is no need to prolong the uncertainty and controversy. Let us settle this issue once and for all; after all, we are very close to a happy ending.

Regional Development

[Cliff Breitkreuz, Reform, Yellowhead, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberals have done it again. Last week the minister responsible for ACOA was such a hero for announcing that his pork barrel agency will no longer hand out free money.

Canadians can rest easy knowing that ACOA intends on following in western economic diversification's footsteps. Never mind the fact that WED wrote off nearly $12 million of taxpayers' money last year.

Then there is FORD-Q, Federal Office of Regional Development-Quebec, the outfit the finance minister runs. He talks a good game and wants to cut the deficit but at the same time he doles out money hand over fist through his own pork barrel program.

Roughly three-quarters of FORD-Q's assistance is repayable. Taxpayers should not worry that FORD-Q gives out free money for amounts under $25,000 and they should not worry that last year FORD-Q wrote off $13.7 million of their money.

Yes, the minister of public works should be proud that he is now in very elite company.

Gun Control

[Sue Barnes, Liberal, London West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, in February 1995 comprehensive firearms control legislation will be introduced through amendments to the Criminal Code, Customs Act, Customs Tariff, Export and Import Permits Act, National Defence Act, the Young Offenders Act and other related statutes and regulations.

The design of the program addresses different needs of the country affecting safer homes and streets. Programs will be put in place to control the import, export and domestic transit of guns.

Sentencing provisions of the Criminal Code include tough new minimum sentences. A national firearms registration is a central foundation of the coming legislation.

Many of my constituents applauded this legislation. I urge all Canadians to obtain the information material through their own MP to examine the scope of the coming legislation to better understand the problems that we are trying to address and the potential solutions.

I look forward to working on this legislation in the justice committee when it reaches it.

Centennial Flame Research Award

[Rey D. Pagtakhan, Liberal, Winnipeg North, MB]

Mr. Speaker, as chair of the Standing Committee on Human Rights and the Status of Disabled Persons, I announce with pride that the recipient of the 1994 Centennial Flame Research Award is Linda Nancoo of Toronto.

Administered by our committee, the award honours the courage and determination of Canadians with disabilities. It recognizes their many contributions to society.

Ms. Nancoo, a person with a vision disability, has proven that a physical disability need not be a barrier to success as a writer. Her project will address the relationship between culture and disability, utilizing real life stories of Canadians with disabilities from the ethnocultural community.

This project is designed to generate increased awareness and sensitivity on this issue on the part of all Canadians.

On behalf of the committee I congratulate Ms. Nancoo on her achievements. By honouring her, the committee and therefore the House of Commons itself is honouring all Canadians with disabilities. I ask all colleagues to join me in this sentiment.

Tatshenshini-Alsek Wilderness Area

[Mike Scott, Reform, Skeena, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the minister of cultural heritage has nominated the Tatshenshini-Alsek wilderness area in northern British Columbia as a world heritage site at the United Nations, with absolutely no public discussion, input or support.

The Tatshenshini contains rich mineral deposits worth more than $10 billion. This represents an enormous opportunity for job creation, real job creation, not taxpayer funded handouts, and huge revenues for governments.

A recent Decima research poll shows that 85 per cent of British Columbians believe it is important to check for mineral deposits when considering setting aside land for parks. Sixty-seven per cent believe that mining and other land uses should co-exist.

Clearly the public wants to maintain a viable mining industry in Canada. A world heritage site designation undermines and threatens the future of the Tatshenshini for resource use, which is clearly against the wishes of a vast majority of British Columbians.

I call on the minister to withdraw this undemocratic and unsupported nomination forthwith.

Collège Militaire Royal De Saint-Jean

[Michel Gauthier, Bloc, Roberval, QC]

Mr. Speaker, last Friday, the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs said that he intended to send some of his officials to Saint-Jean to negotiate an agreement on the basis of the proposal put forth by the mayor of Saint-Jean.

Yesterday, using as a pretext what Quebec's intergovernmental affairs minister had said, the minister reversed himself and refused to delegate his officials to resume negotiations today, as planned.

In view of the urgency of the decisions the staff and their families will have to make and since everyone has agreed to resume discussions on the basis of the mayor's proposal, how does the minister explain his latest about-face, his refusal to send officials to Saint-Jean to resume negotiations today, as he had promised?

[Marcel Massé, Liberal, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada]

Mr. Speaker, if anyone has not flip-flopped on this issue, it is I. For the past four months, I have been telling the opposition day after day that this matter must be settled on the basis of the agreement signed with the Government of Quebec on July 19.

Ms. Beaudoin, in her press conference yesterday morning, denied the basis of our agreement. She denied that the July 19 agreement would be the basis of our negotiations, so she is the one who has set aside what would have made it possible for us to reach a positive conclusion for the college in Saint-Jean.

[Michel Gauthier, Bloc, Roberval, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs is dancing the cha-cha-cha on the Saint-Jean college issue-and he knows it. He is taking one step forward, and two steps back. That is what he is doing.

I would like him to tell us exactly in what way what the Quebec minister said changed the proposal from the mayor of Saint-Jean, which is based on the July 19 agreement that seems

to be so dear to the minister. How did that change the mayor's proposal which Ms. Beaudoin and the people of Saint-Jean are prepared to discuss? The minister is the only one who will not get involved in the negotiations.

[Marcel Massé, Liberal, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada]

Mr. Speaker, it is always better to dance the cha-cha-cha than St. Vitus' dance, like the opposition.

The proposal from the mayor of Saint-Jean, Mr. Smereka, only implements the sixth point of the July 19 agreement. Therefore, by stating, as she did literally yesterday morning, that she does not believe in the July 19 agreement, Ms. Beaudoin has set aside the whole basis for negotiations.

At midday today, I wrote to Ms. Beaudoin, indicating that if she advised that she was prepared to accept the terms of the July 19 agreement, I would gladly resume negotiations, because what we care about is keeping the college in Saint-Jean going and the welfare of the people of Saint-Jean.

[Michel Gauthier, Bloc, Roberval, QC]

Mr. Speaker, despite the importance of this issue for the community of Saint-Jean, the teaching staff and their families, the minister stubbornly persists in refusing to discuss it.

The Quebec minister clearly indicated to the minister that she was ready to discuss the proposal put forth by the mayor of Saint-Jean and the minister himself said that this proposal was consistent with the July 19 agreement. What more does it take, Mr. Speaker? If the Quebec minister abides by the agreement, or rather the proposal, from the mayor of Saint-Jean, and the federal minister thinks that it is consistent with his proposal of July 19, what more does he need?

I put my question to the Prime Minister so that someone in that government will see the light.

[The Speaker]

I would ask the hon. member to put his question.

[Michel Gauthier, Bloc, Roberval, QC]

Yes, Mr. Speaker. I always have trouble avoiding relevant comments.

Given the importance of this issue for the community in Saint-Jean and the teaching staff, does the Prime Minister intend to intervene to bring his minister to his senses since his attitude is completely incompatible with what he himself called flexible federalism?