Debates of Feb. 23rd, 1994

Black History Month

[Mary Clancy, Liberal, Halifax, NS]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize February as Black History Month.

The celebration of Black History Month is a focal point of pride for black Canadians whose presence in Canada can be traced to at least 1605 when Mattieu Da Costa accompanied Samuel de Champlain as an interpreter to Nova Scotia.

Since that time, politicians, writers, artists, educators, historians and many others have added to the social, cultural and economic fabric of Canadian life.

This is most definitely the case in Nova Scotia where there are many prominent citizens of Afro-Canadian origin whose work affects many Nova Scotians and Canadians. Wayne Adams, Nova Scotia's first Afro-Canadian MLA and cabinet minister, Maxine Tynes, prominent poet and writer, Joan Jones, a recent recipient of the Pearson Award, Dr. Carey Best and Slyvia and Marie Hamilton are just a few Nova Scotians of African origin whose contributions have been recognized by their peers.

Black History Month pays homage to the essential contribution of black people and their collective history to the fabric of Canadian life. Let us pay tribute to this vital part of Canadian heritage, not only during February but throughout the year.

Winter Olympics

[Jean-Marc Jacob, Bloc, Charlesbourg, QC]

Mr. Speaker, again Quebecer Myriam Bédard gladdened our hearts today in Lillehammer, when she won a second gold medal for the biathlon, a first for an athlete from Quebec and Canada. The Bloc Quebecois hopes that this second brilliant performance by Ms. Bédard will convince everyone without exception of her tremendous talent.

However, I am appalled by those who, to quote journalist J.V. Dufresne "ooze contempt and envy where Quebec is concerned". Ms. Bédard has already shown she was able to overcome all the problems caused by Biathlon Canada. With her courage and determination, this young woman has made her dreams come true and has met the highest standards of her sport. She is a shining example for all Quebecers.

Myriam, on behalf of the people of the riding of Charlesbourg and all Quebecers, we offer you our admiration and congratulations.

World Cup Biathlon

[Cliff Breitkreuz, Reform, Yellowhead, AB]

Mr. Speaker, on the heels of the winter Olympics there will be a world class sporting event in the riding I represent, Yellowhead, in Alberta.

From March 10 to 13, the town of Hinton will be hosting the world cup biathlon races at Athabasca Nordic Centre. The biathlon, which is a sport combining cross country skiing and rifle shooting, will bring an estimated $2 million in spending to our country.

Twenty-one countries and 238 coaches and athletes, many of whom are now competing in the winter Olympics, will be in Hinton for the world cup. The proud people of Hinton will have two local athletes to cheer on. Kevin Quintilio and Nicole Bressard, who belong to the Hinton Nordic Skiers Club, are world class biathletes who will make not only the people of Hinton proud but the people of Canada proud as well.

I thank all the participating countries for flags received. May I ask all members to join me in cheering on Canada's national team.

Canada Student Loans

[Ronald J. Duhamel, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Public Works and Government Services]

Mr. Speaker, like many of my colleagues, I received Valentine's Day messages. One particular message was of great interest because it asked us all together to remove this pernicious bill that

prevents students from enjoying a six-month grace free period after graduation to find a job.

This particular bill removes $35 million from the pockets of students.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that together we try to improve access to post-secondary education for all Canadians and improve the Canada student loans program. Let us show how much education means to us.

Winter Olympics

[Guy Arseneault, Liberal, Restigouche—Chaleur, NB]

Mr. Speaker, though we live in difficult times, the Winter Olympics remain a symbol of nations gathering under one flag, the flag of universal brotherhood and peace.

I am very proud that a constituent from my riding of Restigouche-Chaleur, Allain Roy, is representing not only Canada but northern New Brunswick at the XVII Winter Olympic Games.

Allain is competing in Lillehammer with Canada's national hockey team.

I wish Alain and his teammates good luck. I know they will represent Canada with honour and pride, not only on the ice but also by making the spirit of these games a part of their lives.

On behalf of all citizens of Restigouche-Chaleur and all members of the House, I would like to congratulate Allain and all of our Canadian Olympic athletes.

Toronto Daily Bread Food Bank

[Sarkis Assadourian, Liberal, Don Valley North, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise at this moment to make an urgent appeal on behalf of the metro Toronto Daily Bread Food Bank.

It has been brought to my attention that the food bank has been enduring difficult times this winter. Currently there is only a three week supply of food. It needs at least seven more weeks worth of inventory in order to sustain itself until the Easter food drive.

Food banks serve approximately 160,000 children and adults per month. With public donations on the decline the food bank is finding it increasingly difficult to meet such high demand.

Traditionally Canadians have understood the importance of groups and organizations which provide assistance to those individuals less fortunate.

In keeping with this tradition, I call on my colleagues from the metro Toronto area to ensure their food bank is not forgotten and to encourage all the residents of their respective ridings to provide all possible donations for the continued survival of such a worthy cause.

Winter Olympics

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

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of all Quebecers, we would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to the four female athletes from Quebec who captured a silver medal yesterday in Lillehammer in the women's speed skating relay event.

The relay team composed of Sylvie Daigle of Sherbrooke and of Christine Boudrias, Isabelle Charest and Nathalie Lambert of Montreal-Nathalie Lambert in fact hails from my riding-enthralled us with their teamwork. These four athletes displayed remarkable courage and perseverance.

The spotlight also shone on Quebec yesterday when another of its native sons won a bronze medal in men's speed skating. Marc Gagnon of Chicoutimi, the world champion over 1,000 metres, gave his all in this race. We are proud of him and indeed of all the athletes from Quebec who took part in this event.

The Bloc Quebecois congratulates all of our athletes competing in Lillehammer. They are a credit to us all.

Max McLean

[Jack Ramsay, Reform, Crowfoot, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to and congratulate Mr. Max McLean of Camrose, Alberta. Mr. McLean was recently named "Moose Citizen of the Year" by the local chamber of commerce.

This award is presented each year to a person who has made outstanding contributions to the community. As a full time volunteer, Max has devoted his energy and enthusiasm to canvassing for the Canadian Cancer Society, selling journals for the Canadian Diabetic Association and helping to raise money for Ronald McDonald House.

Max's extensive involvement in the community spans almost 50 years of dedicated service to his community. May Max McLean, who believes volunteers play an important role in making Camrose a better place to live, be a model for all Canadians.

Nova Scotia Teachers' College

[Dianne Brushett, Liberal, Cumberland—Colchester, NS]

Mr. Speaker, Nova Scotia cannot afford to lose any more of its centres of excellence.

In my home town of Truro we run the risk of closure of the Nova Scotia Teachers' College because we train more teachers than we have jobs for.

Superintendents of schools across Canada have acknowledged the high quality training these teachers receive. CIDA and the Association of Canadian Community Colleges purchase training space for Third World teachers.

We recognize that we cannot afford duplication in educational facilities but I would like to recommend the expansion rather than the closure. We could bring the best teaching professionals to Truro and on a fee for service train teachers for the world market.

At least once a year the United States comes to Nova Scotia to recruit various trained professionals. I recommend that we capitalize on our long tradition of educational expertise and market this great resource.

Chamber Of Maritime Commerce

[Stan Dromisky, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Atikokan, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour today of announcing the restructuring of the Chamber of Maritime Commerce. Established in 1959, this organization brings together all those who depend upon a viable Canadian maritime transport industry.

The recent reformation includes establishment of a board of governors that will interact with governments at all levels. The chamber's representation extends from western Canadian grain producers, Ontario steel, coal, aggregate, salt and cement interests, Quebec ore mines and Atlantic Canada shippers to the ports which facilitate these trades.

It is apparent that with such a cross section of industries crucial to Canada's economy, the chamber will provide a united, proactive voice for the growth of industrial Canada.

I would like to take this opportunity in welcoming the Chamber of Maritime Commerce in the pursuit of this common goal.

Forestry

[Joe Fontana, Liberal, London East, ON]

Mr. Speaker, as the chair of the Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association I was pleased to hear my colleague from Kootenay East remark on the success of the 21st annual Canada-Europe interparliamentary meeting held in Vancouver.

While we discussed many issues of importance to the relations between Canada and Europe, our greatest success was showing the European delegates that Canada is at the forefront of progressive forestry practices.

I want to thank all the delegates, Canadian and European, for their frank and constructive input. At the end of our deliberations I believe we found common ground and solved a potentially disastrous problem.

News reports have confirmed the ultimate success of the meetings. My hope for this association is to foster a greater understanding among European parliamentarians of Canadian policies and positions, even those of alternative points of view.

Reports in La Presse suggest the change in venue from Quebec City to Vancouver reflected a reluctance on the association's part to discuss the political issues of Quebec. Nothing could be further from the truth. Both executives agreed to the change in venue.

I need only remind the members of the serious economic repercussions a ban on wood products exported to Europe would have on communities across Canada.

Collège Militaire De Saint-Jean

[Claude Bachand, Bloc, Saint-Jean, QC]

Mr. Speaker, it is a well-known fact that Quebec has traditionally been disadvantaged in the distribution of defence expenditures, of which it receives only 15.8 per cent. With yesterday's budget, the federal government seemed to indicate that such inequity would continue and actually intensify.

The Collège militaire de Saint-Jean, a university-level educational institution, a stronghold of recognized francophone expertise in strategic studies, space science and computer science, the only gateway to a career as a military officer for francophones, the one and only French-speaking military college in Canada, is about to disappear. Removed from this environment, French-speaking military education will become a mere shadow of its former self and be swallowed up by the very unilingual Royal Military College in Kingston.

By axing the Collège militaire royal de Saint-Jean, which is really a French Canadian institution, the federal government is giving a clear indication of how little regard it has for francophones in Quebec and in Canada.

Indian Affairs

[John Duncan, Reform, North Island—Powell River, BC]

Mr. Speaker, my statement concerns questions raised in this House yesterday.

I am the spokesperson for my party on aboriginal affairs and I am deeply and personally offended by comments made inside and outside the House about my colleagues in caucus by other hon. members regarding our attitudes toward our native brothers and sisters.

There are philosophical differences between members of parties in this House. Let us not slur each other. Instead, let us hope for light to shine in and assist members in arriving at a reasonable and acceptable conclusion.

I will not rest nor will I be satisfied until one hon. member opposite apologizes for remarks made about me and my colleagues.

The Budget

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

Mr. Speaker, the people of Bonaventure-Îles-de-la-Madeleine, like all Canadians, applaud the budget tabled yesterday because it closes tax legislation loopholes by, among other things, reducing from 80 per cent to 50 per cent the deduction for meals and entertainment.

I have good news for you. The government's budget does away with certain deductions accorded corporations with capital of over $15 million. It also eliminates the $100,000 capital gains exemption only benefiting higher income Canadians, like those in the opposition.

This government will prevent Canadian-based companies from using foreign affiliates to avoid paying taxes. In addition, the House of Commons finance committee, at the opposition's request, will once again review the taxation of family trusts. It is good to see that this government listens to the people and honours its election promises of social justice and human dignity in Canada.

Small Business

[Herb Dhaliwal, Liberal, Vancouver South, BC]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the finance minister announced that the budget would be responsive to the needs of Canada's small business sector. Coming from a small business background myself, I could not agree more.

Payroll taxes have long been a thorn in the side of small businesses, in effect taxing job creation. The decision by the Minister of Finance to roll back the 1995 UI premium will save industry $300 million next year alone.

On behalf of the small businesses in Canada I would like to congratulate the minister on this bold and responsive initiative which we expect will significantly help job creation.

Fight Against Organized Crime

[Gilles Bernier, Independent, Beauce, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to see that the RCMP has now started the fight against organized crime on some native reserves.

It was said that until now, federal and provincial police forces had been ordered not to take action so as to avoid igniting the situation. There was total confusion as well as a lack of political will. From now on, the law will be implemented everywhere in the country.

As the member representing Beauce, I have been fighting for a long time to put a stop to this tolerance, this hesitation on the part of the police, and this political laxness. Those attitudes created social chaos which allowed organized crime to get a better foothold in our community and create networks of people selling tobacco, arms, liquor and drugs. There is no longer any no go zone. From now on, the police will have all the necessary power to conduct surveillance activities and, if necessary, to arrest people.

I do hope that the only elected independent member in Canada is not dreaming.

The Budget

[Lucien Bouchard, Bloc, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Prime Minister.

The budget brought down yesterday by the government was met with deep disappointment in all quarters. Many critics today say how disappointed they are with this lax attitude. Moreover, the government is launching an unprecedented attack against the unemployed by taking over $5 billion from their benefits, while the budget contains no specific new job creation measure.

Can the Prime Minister tell us why his government chose to attack the unemployed rather than federal government spending and administrative duplication and overlap?

[Paul Martin, Liberal, Minister of Finance and Minister responsible for the Federal Office of Regional Development-Quebec]

Mr. Speaker, I will simply quote the record of the Leader of the Opposition when he was in the Mulroney government.

The GST, a tax on the middle class, an end to universal pensions for our seniors-that is the Leader of the Opposition's doing and he dares tell us about unemployment insurance. The last thing he did as minister was to take $3 billion from the unemployment insurance fund. He is in no position to criticize us as we are stuck with the problems he created.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear.

[Lucien Bouchard, Bloc, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, in other words, the government is telling us that they are no worse than the Conservatives, a party which I left with pleasure.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear.

[Lucien Bouchard, Bloc, Lac-Saint-Jean, QC]

The question is, how dare this government make the poor unemployed victims of the present neglect bear the burden of the public spending fiasco, not only by cutting unemployment insurance but also by not providing any concrete new job creation measure, thus going back on its sacred election promise to restore hope and dignity to the unemployed?

[Paul Martin, Liberal, Minister of Finance and Minister responsible for the Federal Office of Regional Development -Quebec]

Mr. Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition left the Conservative Party, he left the Liberal Party and he left the Union Nationale. When will he leave the Bloc Quebecois?

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh.

[Paul Martin, Liberal, LaSalle—Émard, QC]

So we have done nothing for the unemployed? The infrastructure program, which should create between 50,000 and 60,000 jobs in Canada; the residential rehabilitation assistance program, which was abolished by his former government; the home ownership program, which was to end on March 1, has been extended again; a youth service corps to help our young people; new apprenticeship programs. And he still has the effrontery to tell us that we are doing nothing. We are creating jobs, we are getting the economy on track, and we will do it, Mr. Speaker.