Debates of Feb. 23rd, 1994

National Defence

[Charles Caccia, Liberal, Davenport, ON]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of National Defence.

Will the minister tell the House how he intends to proceed in ensuring that the Downsview base in Toronto is owned by the public in perpetuity, enjoyed as an open space, an urban forest with recreational and educational facilities? This would provide enjoyment for Canadians interested in nature studies and urban dwellers seeking relaxation in a green environment.

Will these lands be designated to become our first national urban forest?

[David Collenette, Liberal, Minister of National Defence and Minister of Veterans Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, this is a very detailed question. I will have to respond to the hon. member in detail at a later date.

However, I think this is a unique initiative on the part of the government. The Prime Minister should be thanked for giving in perpetuity a large urban recreational green space for the benefit of Torontonians for years to come.

I believe what the government is saying here is that there is an alternative to paving over lands and buildings, especially in high density areas. This is a plan to have the ownership of those lands retained by the Department of National Defence and developed for the benefit of all Torontonians recreationally in conjunction with my colleague, the Minister of Canadian Heritage responsible for Parks Canada and my colleague the President of the Treasury Board, so that we truly create a unique area for the benefit of all people in the future in Toronto.

Collège Militaire Royal De Saint-Jean

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

Mr. Speaker, there is only one French-language military college left in Canada, that is, Saint-Jean. Unfortunately, we were told yesterday that the federal government has decided to axe this true symbol for francophones. My question is for the Minister of Finance or the Minister of National Defence.

How can he reconcile this decision with the official languages policy so highly spoken of by the Prime Minister? Will he have us believe that the French heritage of the Collège militaire royal de Saint-Jean will not be lost if its activities are transferred to the Royal Military College in Kingston?

[David Collenette, Liberal, Minister of National Defence and Minister of Veterans Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, what we have here, I think, is an example of the Bloc Quebecois' double

standard policy. Indeed, last week, here, in this House, the hon. member stated and I quote: "In spite of it all, the defence infrastructure remains far too big for the size of the forces".

Today he is standing in the House criticizing one of the actions taken by the government which unfortunately was to close our military college in Saint-Jean. There is also Royal Roads in Victoria. There are two and they conveniently forget that.

If we are going to reduce the number of armed forces personnel then obviously we need a reduction in training for our officers. That is why it is being consolidated at one college. It made financial sense to do it in Kingston.

I take great umbrage at the suggestion that there cannot be a bilingual college in Ontario. Hon. members in the Bloc Quebecois should know the Official Languages Act was created to make, and has succeeded, Canadians of the two languages comfortable in all parts of Canada. Kingston will have a bilingual military college.

[The Speaker]

The Chair fully realizes this being the first day after the budget, and I might say my first budget in the Chair, great latitude was given both in the formulation of the questions and in the responses.

It being three o'clock I have a point of order which is being raised by the hon. member for Markham-Whitchurch-Stouffville.

Points Of Order

[Jag Bhaduria, Liberal, Markham—Whitchurch-Stouffville, ON]

Mr. Speaker, on a point of order I inform you that I wish to withdraw my request for the delay because I have been unable to consult with counsel. It may take some time. I believe that delaying the matter would not serve the purpose.

At a future date once I have consulted with counsel I will request of you again for the point of privilege to be raised in this House. For the time being I request that this matter be withdrawn until further notice.

[The Speaker]

The House will be advised that I will not be rendering my decision on the particular point of privilege raised earlier by the member for Markham-Whitchurch-Stouffville.

The House resumed from February 17 consideration of the motion of Mr. Collenette.

Defence Policy

[The Speaker]

It being three o'clock, pursuant to order made Tuesday, February 22, 1994 the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred division on the motion, No. 8 under Government Business, that a Special Joint Committee be appointed to consider Canada's defence policy.

Call in the members.

(Motion agreed to on the following division:)

[The Speaker]

I declare the motion carried.

[John Richardson, Liberal, Perth—Wellington—Waterloo, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I came in after the whip sat down and therefore I was not entitled to vote, but I would like to give notice that I would have voted with my party in any event.

[Roger Simmons, Liberal, Burin—St. George's, NL]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. Had the bells not stopped prematurely I would have had the triple luxury of voting for my government, voting with the Reform, and having a free vote.

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

Mr. Speaker, for the same reason I would have voted as well with the government.

[Shaughnessy Cohen, Liberal, Windsor—St. Clair, ON]

Mr. Speaker, had the bells not been cut short I too would have voted with my party.

Borrowing Authority Act, 1994-95

[Marcel Massé, Liberal, for the Minister of Finance]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-14, an act to provide borrowing authority for the fiscal year beginning on April 1, 1994.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed.)

Income Tax Act

[Allan Rock, Liberal, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-15, an act to revise certain income tax law amendments in terms of the revised Income Tax Act and Income Tax Application Rules.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed.)

Petitions

[Jean-Paul Marchand, Bloc, Québec-Est, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to submit a petition signed by more than 4,000 residents of my riding of Québec-Est and several other areas of the province of Quebec. Their names should be added to the 5,000 which are on petitions already submitted, and I will add 13,000 more tomorrow.

The petitioners are asking Parliament to urge the Minister of Immigration to reconsider the decision of his department to expel the Maraloï family from Vanier, and to allow this family to stay in Canada where, after three years, it is very well integrated. I wholeheartedly support this petition and I urge the government to follow up on it.

[Christiane Gagnon, Bloc, Québec, QC]

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my constituents, I would like to submit a petition in accor-

dance with Standing Order 36, urging the government to reinstate in full the funding for social housing.

This petition bears more than 400 signatures and is submitted to remind the government that its duty is to provide the neediest with adequate housing, geared to their needs and their income.

[Jean-Guy Chrétien, Bloc, Frontenac, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to submit a petition from residents of the municipality of Vianney.

The undersigned, residents of the municipality of Vianney, in the county of Frontenac, wish to draw the attention of the House of Commons on the following: We humbly pray and call upon Parliament to urge the Canada Post Corporation to recognize the municipality of Vianney, made up of the village of Vianney and ranges 1 to 4, so that our addresses could be Vianney and not Saint-Ferdinand or Bernierville, while keeping the same postal code, G0N 1N0.

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

Madam Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, I have the privilege to present a petition on behalf of over 1,000 constituents from the Prince George-Peace River riding.

They call upon the House of Commons to repeal Bill C-17, the most recent amendment to part III of the Criminal Code.

These citizens believe that gun control legislation was sufficient prior to the Bill C-17 amendments and that the bill has placed undue restrictions on law abiding gun owners instead of focusing on the punishment of those who criminally misuse firearms. I am very pleased to support the petition.

Questions On The Order Paper

[Peter Milliken, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Madam Speaker, I would ask that all questions be allowed to stand.

[The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Maheu)]

Shall all questions be allowed to stand?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

Motions For Papers

[Peter Milliken, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Madam Speaker, I would suggest that the sole notice of motion for the production of papers be allowed to stand.

[The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Maheu)]

Shall it stand?