Debates of Dec. 15th, 1994

Department Of Canadian Heritage Act

[An hon. member]

Yes, he is an only child.

[Christiane Gagnon, Bloc, Québec, QC]

I do not think it is fitting for a member of this House to say: "Just look at me; I am well-travelled, I am fantastic".

[An hon. member]

Yes, indeed. "Look at me. I have risen to the top of the heap".

[Christiane Gagnon, Bloc, Québec, QC]

A member should represent the public, be the voice of the people. The people of Quebec have given us a vote of confidence and sent us to Ottawa to defend their interests.

We defend positions that are not being defended by federalists living in Quebec, who want to repatriate powers, who want full control in Quebec. We did not invent that.

[Patrick Gagnon, Liberal, Bonaventure—Îles-De-La-Madeleine, QC]

Madam Speaker, I think it is uncalled for to call someone-I will not repeat the words that were used to describe me.

I am criticized for having the intellectual curiosity to be interested in what is happening elsewhere and for wanting to share this with Quebecers. I have always recognized the existence of the Official Opposition. It hurts them to hear this voice from the Gaspe, this young federalist, because, and you know this as well as I do, we represent the majority of Quebecers.

Look at the results of the last election in Quebec. Scarcely 44 per cent of Quebecers supported the Parti Quebecois. Unfortunately, the opposition, and especially its home base, are not so sure they want to have their referendum as soon as possible. Increasingly, Quebecers are recognizing Canada's role and the generosity of the Canadian federation.

[An hon. member]

Token Quebecer.

[An hon. member]

Opportunist.

[Patrick Gagnon, Liberal, Bonaventure—Îles-De-La-Madeleine, QC]

I hear terms being used like "token Quebecer" and "opportunist". I hear all kinds of things from the opposition. I am proud to be the member for Bonaventure-Îles-de-la-Madeleine, I have the confidence of my riding and I am working in the best interests of my constituents, and this means being in Quebec, a Quebec that is part of Canada. Is that clear?

[The Speaker]

It being nearly 2 p.m., pursuant to Standing Order 30(5), the House will now proceed to Statements by Members pursuant to Standing Order 31.

Standing Committee On Agriculture And Agri-Food

[Paul Steckle, Liberal, Huron—Bruce, ON]

Mr. Speaker, at yesterday's meeting of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food I tabled a report entitled "Future Directions for Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food: A Huron-Bruce Perspective".

This report is the result of a series of intensive meetings which I organized in my riding with the objective of taking stock of where those who work in the agri-food sector today see their industry going tomorrow.

It was designed to support and enhance the objectives of the study on the future of agriculture on which the committee, together with its colleagues from the Senate, has been working since August, and which as a result of those who claim to represent the interests of the grassroots community has been effectively blocked from undertaking its most important phase, consulting directly with Canadians who work in Canada's agri-food sector in their workplaces.

I would encourage all members to initiate something along these lines to complement the work that is being done for what is after all one of Canada's major bedrock industries.

Francophone Communities

[Suzanne Tremblay, Bloc, Rimouski—Témiscouata, QC]

Mr. Speaker, last week, in its Saturday issue, The Globe and Mail revealed alarming statistics concerning francophones outside Quebec, despite the Official Languages Act passed 25 years ago.

In fact, francophones have never been so vulnerable. More than a third of francophones outside Quebec speak English at home and their rate of assimilation is at 36 per cent. It is as high as 75 per cent in British Columbia and 70 per cent in Saskatchewan.

Instead of helping francophone and Acadian communities in Canada, federal institutions are speeding up their assimilation. The refusal of the Minister of Canadian Heritage to put pressure on cable companies such as Rogers, Laurentien Cable and Cogeco, which recently decided to eliminate several French--

language channels from their basic service, paints an even darker picture of Canadian federalism.

World Cup Skiing

[Myron Thompson, Reform, Wild Rose, AB]

Mr. Speaker, this past weekend the 1994 Women's World Cup alpine races were held in Lake Louise, Alberta, the heart of Wild Rose country. I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to the organizers of this prestigious event. With their tireless efforts Lake Louise has proven to be first class on the world skiing stage once again.

There are four individuals who must receive special recognition: John Cassels, race chairman; Bruce Hamstead, chief of race; Bill Webster, president of Alpine Canada; Brien Perry, president of Alberta Alpine.

On behalf of the constituents of Wild Rose we are all proud of the contribution they have made to the sport of skiing in Canada.

Well done, Lake Louise.

Canadian Children

[Brenda Chamberlain, Liberal, Guelph—Wellington, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Christmas is a time for hope and renewal. As we prepare to leave the House of Commons in order to return to our families and friends in our ridings we should be mindful of the children of Canada, symbols of hope for our future.

Children are the ones most impressed with what Christmas is all about and unfortunately they are sometimes the most disappointed and discouraged because of circumstances beyond their control. Poverty, hunger, illiteracy, domestic problems and other challenges often get in the way of what should be a season of joy and happiness.

As we leave here this week, let us rededicate ourselves to our children, always treating them with care and giving encouragement. Our children are our future and we can make a better life for them by remembering every day that they hold in their hearts the special meaning of Christmas.

To my colleagues and to you, Mr. Speaker, Merry Christmas.

Peacekeepers

[John Bryden, Liberal, Hamilton—Wentworth, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to read from a soldier's letter I received not long ago:

I am in the Canadian Armed Forces and have been for 10 and a half years. I have been to Cyprus, Somalia and at this very moment am in Yugoslavia. I am sure you get hundreds of letters per day from people expressing their views on every type of situation going. My letter is just a get to know you letter.

I read in your 1994 fall report that a Yugoslavia family received a Canadian flag as part of their welcome to Canada. The only Canadian flag I've seen is on our sleeves. Could you please send me a Canadian flag for over here and also a calendar to mark off the days left on my tour.

Waiting to hear from you. Yours sincerely-

I immediately sent this young soldier every Canadian flag I could lay my hands on plus 100 pins.

As we approach Christmas, let us remember it is not enough just to talk about how much we value those who help and serve us, we must also show it by our deeds.

Raoul Wallenberg

[David Berger, Liberal, Saint-Henri—Westmount, QC]

Mr. Speaker, January 17, 1995 will be the 50th anniversary of the arrest of Raoul Wallenberg by the Soviet army.

In 1944 Wallenberg, a Swedish diplomat and businessman, persuaded his government to send him to Budapest where he rescued thousands of Jews by sheltering them in protected homes, flying the flags of Sweden and other neutral countries.

After his arrest Wallenberg disappeared in the Soviet prison system. Over the years various human rights groups have acted on his behalf and tried to get from the KGB information about his whereabouts.

No one knows definitively whether he is alive or dead. The Government of Canada should persist in its efforts to obtain from the Russians the real truth about what happened to Raoul Wallenberg and a pubic acknowledgement of his contribution to humanity.

As Elie Wiesel has written, Wallenberg will forever testify for man's need to remain human and his ability to succeed.

International Trade

[Stéphane Bergeron, Bloc, Verchères, QC]

Mr. Speaker, for over a year, subject to a great deal of blackmailing and arm-twisting, this government and its international trade minister have completely given in to the United States in every trade dispute opposing Canada to that country. For instance, the government reneged on its solemn promise and accepted to limit the exportation of Canadian wheat to the U.S.

In the case of uranium, the government let the Americans cook up an agreement with Russia which is discriminatory for Canadian producers. As for sugar, it knowingly sold out our producers who are now excluded from the American market. And now, the government is once again giving in to American pressure by accepting to make the payment of $800 million owed to Canadian lumber producers conditional to the signing of an agreement between the two countries.

After being in office for over a year, the Liberals have proven, beyond any doubt, that their strategy regarding trade with the US is an utter and complete failure.

Bill C-226

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

Mr. Speaker, I was pleased to participate in the debate of Bill C-226 and in a free vote last Tuesday night which sent Bill C-226 to the Standing Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs. This bill would strike section 745 from the Criminal Code, thereby denying those sentenced to life imprisonment the opportunity for early parole.

The bill passed by a vote of 136 to 103. This bill demonstrates how the use of free votes can make meaningful input from all parliamentarians and it also demonstrates the value of a truly representative legislature.

I must commend the member for York-South Weston for having the conviction to put this bill forward. I would like to commend all those in the House who voted in favour of this bill.

This is truly a victory for free votes and truly a victory for Canadians who demand a safer society.

Railways

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

Mr. Speaker, I welcome the decision by the Minister of Transport to turn down the offer by CP Rail to purchase the CNR east of Winnipeg.

I want to suggest to the minister that what he should do now as a second step is abandon his plans to privatize or commercialize the CNR in some way and rather turn his attention to how to create a larger policy environment in which railways can once again thrive in this country.

We need to do things about the tax system. We need to look at ways in which the costs that the railways incur are incurred by them directly in a way that other transportation modes do not have to do similarly.

There are a lot of things that the minister could look at to return railways to the prominent place that they once had, not for the sake of a romantic vision of the past but for the sake of the environment, for the sake of the future.

I believe that rail is the transportation mode of the future. I would ask the minister to consider ways in which he could strengthen CN and railways in general in this country.

Friendship Centres

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the contribution of the 114 friendship centres across Canada.

These centres provide vital services to aboriginal peoples, including job training and placement, literacy, advanced education, child care and substance abuse counselling.

Forty years of experience and a large volunteer base provide friendship programs with the ability to address aboriginal needs in a culturally relevant and fiscally responsible way.

It is important that we continue to support our nation's friendship centres. We need to help strengthen the network of support services they have built. We need to ensure that friendship centres can continue to offer their important services to aboriginal Canadians now and tomorrow.

First Nations Policing Services

[Herb Dhaliwal, Liberal, Vancouver South, BC]

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to inform the House today that the Government of Canada has successfully negotiated a number of community tripartite agreements with five First Nations and the province of British Columbia.

Under these agreements aboriginal members of the First Nations common policing service will be dedicated to provide improved safety and security for the people living in the Haisla, Fort Nelson and Prophet River, Nanaimo, Nanoose and Nisga'a First Nations.

This RCMP First Nations community policing service will be able to provide policing services sensitive to the needs and culture of the people living in these communities.

These agreements were signed under the terms of the federal First Nations policing policy. Under this policy the federal government pays 52 per cent and the province 48 per cent of the cost of the police service.

I am sure all members will join me in congratulating the Ministry of the Solicitor General, the Government of British Columbia and the five First Nations.

Microcell 1-2-1

[Dennis Mills, Liberal, Broadview—Greenwood, ON]

Mr. Speaker, MicroCell 1-2-1 is turning on. The personal communications system revolution in North America has started and Canada will be the first.

MicroCell 1-2-1 has the vision, the people and the technology and the $500 million in capital required to start building the most advanced personal communications network in Canada.

The time has come to celebrate the launch of this new era and to do that MicroCell 1-2-1 invites every Canadian child and his grandparents on Christmas Eve to visit one of the following locations and call anyone they love in the world on their public network for free.

The freedom of expression sites are the Place Fleur de Lys in Quebec, Eaton Centre in Montreal, the Bayshore Shopping Centre in Ottawa, the Pacific Centre in Vancouver and the Community Info Access Centres of Toronto.

Free long distance calls for Canadian children and their grandparents on Christmas Eve; watch your local newspapers for further details and other locations to be announced.

Congratulations to MicroCell.

Social Program Reform

[Roger Pomerleau, Bloc, Anjou—Rivière-Des-Prairies, QC]

Mr. Speaker, we learned yesterday, on TV, that some people were flying to Finland on a Concord to meet with Santa Claus. Yet, I was always told that Santa Claus lived at the North Pole, and was therefore a Canadian.

Well, it is bad enough for Canadians to learn that RRSPs will be taxed and that the GST is here to stay. Social program reform, unemployment insurance cuts and tuition fee increases are nothing pleasant to put under the Christmas tree. New taxes, supposedly temporary, are no way to start the New Year.

As if we did not have enough bad news, the government is letting them take away our Santa.

Just one more thing: what happened to the red book reindeer in all this?

Petro-Canada

[Jay Hill, Reform, Prince George—Peace River, BC]

Mr. Speaker, in 1988 Petro-Canada entered into an agreement with Daly Enterprises of Saint John, New Brunswick. Four years later Petro-Canada, whose motto is "committed to Canadians", reneged on its commitment, saying: "If you don't like it, take us to court".

In a blatant attempt to force Daly to sell its prime locations, Petro-Canada is demanding a 24 per cent interest charge on money it claims Daly owes. This is not an isolated case.

Many Canadians are appalled by this insensitive loan shark behaviour from a company that is still 70 per cent government owned.

Last Thursday in response to a question about the bullying tactics of Petro-Canada against the Curtis family, the Minister of Natural Resources seemed surprised and said she would look into this situation.

On behalf of all Petro-Canada dealers who believe they have been shafted, it is incumbent upon the minister responsible to launch a long overdue investigation into its questionable business practices.

Manitoba Association Of Bilingual Municipalities

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

Mr. Speaker, about ten days ago, the Manitoba Association of Bilingual Municipalities held a forum in St. Boniface entitled Think Globally, Act Locally or Vision globale, action locale .

This seminar was organized to look for ways to improve economic development in our communities. Weaknesses, such as duplication and lack of planning, were mentioned and examined, but strengths were also found: a well-educated and well-trained bilingual manpower, and a deep commitment to improving the quality of life.

This is an excellent example of English and French-speaking people working together to improve the quality of life of their citizens.

Canadian Flag

[Peter Milliken, Liberal, Kingston and the Islands, ON]

Mr. Speaker, 30 years ago, a resolution of the House of Commons approved the new Canadian flag. Today, we are celebrating this major event.

This flag originated at the Royal Military College in Kingston.

There one day in early 1964 the Hon. George Stanley, who was then the Dean of Arts at the Royal Military College, pointed out the RMC flag to a member of this House's flag committee, the Hon. John Matheson, who was then the member for the county of

Leeds, for the constituency of Leeds, and is a cousin of mine. Mr. Matheson's design was subsequently adopted as the Canadian flag after a very long and bitter debate in this Chamber.

Today all Canadians are proud of our great flag. Long may it wave over a strong and united Canada.