Debates of Feb. 14th, 1994

Criminal Code

[The Speaker]

Order. The hon. member will of course take the floor after Question Period.

It being two o'clock, pursuant to Standing Order 30(5), the House will now proceed to statements by members pursuant to Standing Order 31.

Advance Payments For Crops Act

[Rose-Marie Ur, Liberal, Lambton—Middlesex, ON]

Mr. Speaker, on June 3, 1993, the former Conservative government removed the interest free provision of the Advance Payments for Crops Act or APCA.

It is the belief of the Liberal Party of Canada that the removal of the interest free aspect has had an adverse effect on the advance payments program because farmers are already facing a cash flow crunch and cannot afford the additional burden of interest charges.

On behalf of the agricultural community of Lambton-Middlesex and all other rural ridings, I call upon the Minister of Agriculture to reinstate the interest free provisions of the APCA by Order in Council for the 1993-94 program.

Elk Island National Park

[Ken Epp, Reform, Elk Island, AB]

Mr. Speaker, my constituency is named for the beautiful Elk Island National Park which is enjoyed by many local residents as well as thousands of visitors from nearby Edmonton and around the world.

I rise today to speak strongly against a bureaucratic proposal to close the road within the park, thereby greatly reducing park accessibility to many people, especially those who cannot hike or cycle because of physical limitations or disabilities. Our elderly people whose dedication and hard work opened up and developed the area particularly enjoy the scenic drive through the park.

This park is on the Yellowhead Highway, a very popular tourist highway and the economic spin-offs due to the park are significant.

We must all take an active part in preserving our environment and our parks and that must certainly include preserving the use and enjoyment of our parks for our most precious resource, our people.

The Late Sue Rodriguez

[Christiane Gagnon, Bloc, Québec, QC]

Mr. Speaker, we were saddened to hear of the death last Saturday of Ms. Sue Rodriguez. I want to pay tribute in the House to the courage and determination demonstrated by this woman right to the end. Her struggle to have our society accept the principle of human dignity set an example for all of us.

Suffering from a debilitating terminal illness, she took her battle for the right to die with dignity all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada in May 1993. Despite the unfavourable ruling by the Supreme Court judges, Sue Rodriguez never ceased to voice her distress.

It is imperative that members of this House start thinking about granting terminally ill people the right to die with dignity.

Albert Camus wrote: "A society is judged by the way its members suffer, love and die". These words should be the basis of our reflection.

Ethanol

[Jerry Pickard, Liberal, Essex—Kent, ON]

Mr. Speaker, southwestern Ontario is on the verge of becoming home to Canada's first world class ethanol manufacturing facility. Ethanol, blended with gasoline, reduces automobile pollutants and is an extremely environmentally friendly product. Ethanol production will boost our world economics by creating a market for a million tonnes of grain and ensuring thousands of new jobs in the construction, processing, trucking and agriculture industries.

We must support the consortium of industry and agricultural representatives who are actively seeking a commitment of this government. The economic, social and environmental benefits of this project will develop in rural Canada and lead to a prosperous future.

I ask all colleagues in this House to join with me in support of this dynamic project.

Employment Skills Training

[Andy Scott, Liberal, Fredericton—York—Sunbury, NB]

Mr. Speaker, a new co-operative initiative between the Department of National Defence and New Brunswick's Department of Advanced Education and Labour will provide occupational and life skills training to 30 unemployed New Brunswickers between the ages of 17 and 24. This is just a beginning.

Today, in my riding of Fredericton-York-Sunbury participants from youth strategy, aboriginal peoples and social assistance programs will begin a 20-week training project at CFB Gagetown. This pilot project provides hands on learning to develop practical employment skills. Students can develop their self-discipline, confidence and determination, qualities necessary when looking for work.

I am pleased that such training strategies to restore and ensure dignity for young New Brunswickers has become the hallmark of human resource initiatives. Our province is pleased to be among the first to participate in this enterprise.

Small Business Tax Rate

[Herb Dhaliwal, Liberal, Vancouver South, BC]

Mr. Speaker, let me see if I can fit this in within my allotted time.

In 1974 the Liberal government of the day issued a lower corporate income tax for businesses which fall under the small business category. This rate was raised in subsequent years under the Liberals to an upper level of $200,000 in 1982. It has not been raised since that year despite a 55 per cent increase in the consumer price index.

On behalf of the many small businesses in my riding which have tremendous confidence in the Liberal plan for small business, I would like to recommend to the minister that we undertake a review of the $200,000 small business tax rate.

Let us ensure that the effectiveness of this measure has not been significantly eroded by inflation since it was last strengthened in 1982.

Equalization Payments

[Michel Guimond, Bloc, Beauport—Montmorency—Orléans, QC]

Mr. Speaker, at the last finance ministers' conference, the Quebec minister stated that he was somewhat satisfied with the equalization payments granted to Quebec.

I would like to point out that, in 1994-95, Quebec will receive only $540 per capita, compared to $1,655 for Newfoundland. However, the poverty rate is higher in Quebec, at 16.2 per cent, than in Newfoundland, at 15.8 per cent.

It is also important to mention that Quebec will only benefit from a 2 per cent increase, while equalization payments will increase on average by 5 per cent. There are inconsistencies in the equalization system, and we would like Quebec to enjoy a level-playing field, at least until Quebecers democratically decide to become a sovereign nation.

Young Offenders Act

[Art Hanger, Reform, Calgary Northeast, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I want to pay tribute to all police officers across Canada who serve their communities with a sense of pride and loyalty. I also want to pay a very special tribute to all officers killed in the line of duty.

Today, in what can only be described as a growing Canadian outrage, I bring to the attention of this House statements which call for amendments to the Young Offenders Act. These appeals have been sponsored by the Calgary Police Association and have been filled out and signed by more than 10,000 residents of the Calgary area.

In particular, I am bringing these petitions to the attention of this House on behalf of the family of Officer Rick Sonnenberg. Officer Sonnenberg met with an untimely death when he was

struck down on a Calgary freeway by a young offender attempting to avoid a police road-block.

On behalf of the family, friends and comrades of Officer Sonnenberg, I offer these petitions to the House in the hope that his legacy might be the fundamental overhaul of a failed policy.

[The Speaker]

I would take it that the hon. member will be presenting the petition during petition time.

Underground Economy

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

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of National Revenue should be commended for getting tough with tax cheaters. The underground economy in Canada is not composed of honest people doing dishonest things, as they would have us believe. Tax cheaters know they are frittering away Canada's future for their personal gain.

The warning issued by the Minister of National Revenue is likely to deter people who might be tempted to cheat the government. Hopefully the cheaters will clean up their own act.

Anyone who wishes to live in this country must be prepared to pay for the privilege. Where there is no honour in the honour system, perhaps the fear of being caught will instead fill Canada's coffers.

Festivals

[Elijah Harper, Liberal, Churchill, MB]

Mr. Speaker, today I would like to congratulate the Dave Smith Rink of St. Vital which won last weekend's Manitoba Tankard curling championships in Thompson, Manitoba.

I also would like to commend the organizers of this major provincial event. I am proud that Thompson was able to attract a sports event of this size and make it a success.

In addition I welcome all members of this House to join me in The Pas this weekend for the Northern Manitoba Trappers' Festival.

The Trappers' Festival is one of Canada's oldest and most authentic winter festivals. Visitors will enjoy the World Championship Dog Race, the King and Queen Trapper contests, the Fur Queen Pageant, and authentic northern food and entertainment.

I join the people of The Pas in inviting you to come north for the Trappers' Festival.

National Youth Service Corps

[Peter Adams, Liberal, Peterborough, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the National Youth Service Corps will each year provide 10,000 young Canadians with the opportunity to do valuable community and environmental work. It will bridge the gap between school and workplace.

Through their work teams these young people will gain friends from all parts of Canada. By working on projects in different regions they will get to know Canada in all its diversity.

While the work accomplished by the youth corps will amply repay our investment in it, I believe that the raising of national consciousness which will result from it and its contribution to the creation of a mobile national work force will in themselves make the corps worthwhile.

I congratulate the Secretary of State for Training and Youth for her work in launching the youth corps and I urge the entire cabinet to give this minister all possible support.

Taxation

[Bob Mills, Reform, Red Deer, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I visited my riding this weekend and I must report to you and through you to the finance minister that the message I received was clear. People are prepared to see a fair and equitable cut in services but do not, and I repeat do not, want to see taxes raised or the tax base broadened.

I pride myself in being able to understand and work with people and I must state today that my constituents feel that any increase in taxation will sew the seeds for the financial ruin of this great country.

I came here to try to save Canada. If taxes are raised this will not be possible. Canadians are not going to take it any more.

Cigarette Smuggling

[Eugène Bellemare, Liberal, Carleton—Gloucester, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the premier of Ontario refuses to co-operate with the federal government to try to resolve the cigarette smuggling problem. He states that the Prime Minister is catering to Quebec.

I wish to remind him that 35 per cent of Ontario cigarettes are contraband, that Cornwall residents who live in fear of being shot at night are still part of Ontario, that according to the OPP two Oka crisis veterans, Lasagna and Noriega, helped set up a smuggling network in Sault Ste. Marie.

The Canadian coast guard advised pleasure craft owners not to navigate near Walpole Island at the Michigan border due to violence caused by cigarette smuggling.

Has the premier looked at a map of Ontario lately? Wake up, Bob, and smell the cancer-causing cigarette smoke, the Ontario contraband kind.

Encounter With Canada Program

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in the House to make mention of one of my constituents who is here in Ottawa participating in the Encounter with Canada program.

I want to make particular mention of Michael Knight from Decker, a community 72 miles south of my home in Grandview, the southern part of my riding of Dauphin-Swan River.

These youths are the new leaders of Canada, the ones who will take over after our generation has left public life. I hope that each one of these young people will have a great learning experience while they are here in Ottawa and that they will be able to go back to their homes and tell the people where they live that the Liberal government is working very hard to meet the needs of all Canadians.

Social Policy Reform

[Chris Axworthy, NDP, Saskatoon—Clark's Crossing, SK]

Mr. Speaker, in his presentation to the House of Commons standing committee last week the Minister of Human Resources Development was asked what happened to the notorious but unreleased Tory white paper on social policy reform. He responded that when he took over the department the cupboard was bare.

I think many Canadians will find that hard to swallow, given that it was the federal government that changed on October 25 and not the civil service.

The minister should be clear to Canadians that he and his colleagues when in opposition vigorously opposed the Tory proposals, but now in government he and his party appear to be supporting those very same proposals.

The minister should make the Tory white paper public so everyone can ascertain whether the minister's social policy reform proposals are something new or just rehashed Tory policies uttered out of Liberal mouths.

Kahnawake Reserve

[Lucien Bouchard, Bloc, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to the Prime Minister. In today's editions of Le Droit , Le Soleil and Le Quotidien , journalist Michel Vastel reported on allegations of cocaine trafficking in Kahnawake. These allegations, originating from sources associated with the RCMP, are very serious because according to them, warriors have been asked by organized crime groups in Montreal to protect large convoys of cocaine which are thus able to transit safely through the Kahnawake reserve.

My question to the Prime Minister is this: Could he inform the House whether the RCMP has told him about any involvement of the warriors in cocaine trafficking?

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

Mr. Speaker, I have asked the RCMP commissioner for a full report on the article in question, and I expect to receive a report very shortly. The Leader of the Opposition has asked me a question on a very serious matter, and that is why I asked the commissioner for a report as soon as possible.

[Lucien Bouchard, Bloc, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, it is hard to imagine and almost inconceivable that the Solicitor General and the Prime Minister are not aware of information now circulating in the newspapers under the by-line of a well-known journalist.

I would like to ask the Prime Minister or the Solicitor General, if the former is not willing to reply, whether the government can confirm that the following, as stated and confirmed by Mr. Vastel, is true, namely that Montreal's organized crime families have a number of warehouses on the Kahnawake reserve which are being used for drug deliveries, each cargo having a market value of up to $200 million.

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

Mr. Speaker, I cannot confirm Mr. Vastel's article, and that is why I asked the RCMP commissioner to give me a full report as soon as possible, because these are very serious allegations.

[Lucien Bouchard, Bloc, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, for the past few weeks the government has told us on various occasions: we are not taking any action because if we have the facts and if you have anything to say, then say it. What we read in the newspapers today is very serious indeed. I would like to ask the Prime Minister why the RCMP is not acting. Is it

by any chance because the government has given orders not to take any action?

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, we have told the RCMP to do its job everywhere in Canada, and that is what it does. As for allegations in a newspaper article, obviously any sensible person would consider it was elementary, before stating what was written in an article-As you know, there is always a slight possibility that what a journalist writes may not be true.

[Michel Gauthier, Bloc, Roberval, QC]

Mr. Speaker, my question is also for the Prime Minister. In the same article, we are told that conversations taped by the RCMP reveal that organized crime knows very well that supplies go through an Indian reserve since, and I quote, one would have said: "We have a place there, where we know that nothing will happen".

My question to the Prime Minister is this: Will he not agree that, contrary to what he told us in this House, there are places in Canada where neither the RCMP, nor the army, nor even MPs can go freely?

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, there is no place in Canada which is outside the mandate given to the RCMP, which is to act according to the law and to uphold the law.