Debates of March 11th, 1994

Via Rail

[Douglas Young, Liberal, Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, first I want to clarify a point: I am sure that the hon. member was not implying that I had personally reacted in that fashion to previous cuts affecting VIA Rail, because it would not be true.

As for the future of that crown corporation, cuts will continue to be made, as has been the case for the last few years. This year, Canadian taxpayers are contributing more than $300 million to VIA Rail's operations, a situation which simply cannot go on. We will do our best, and in fact we have asked VIA Rail to look at every possible option, including reducing its operations. Staff cutbacks have already been made and, as I said here yesterday in my speech, there is no doubt in my mind that other cuts will be made.

The national situation in the transport sector is clear. We have to integrate every system and transportation mode to create an efficient and integrated system and, more important, one which we can afford.

[Maurice Bernier, Bloc, Mégantic—Compton—Stanstead, QC]

Mr. Speaker, does the minister agree that successive cuts to VIA Rail's budget mean a slow death for this crown corporation, as well as the loss of more than 23,000 permanent jobs in Canada and in Quebec?

[Douglas Young, Liberal, Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, there is no question that no one takes any pleasure, especially as an Atlantic Canadian, in seeing further reductions in the services of VIA Rail. No longer is there any service of any kind in the railroad sector in Newfoundland. There is no railroad activity in Prince Edward Island. Other parts of the country are deeply affected by the need to rationalize transportation services.

As we go through this process of developing an integrated, affordable national transportation system, undoubtedly there will be some major problems for employees and for users. We are trying to do the very best we can with the limited resources at hand, particularly taking into account the already tremendous burden on the Canadian taxpayer.

Unemployment Insurance Commission

[Jim Gouk, Reform, Kootenay West—Revelstoke, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the board of referees of the Unemployment Insurance Commission in my riding has now ceased to function due to a shortage of members. For over two months my office has attempted contact with the office of the Minister of Human Resources Development regarding this matter but there has been no response.

My question is for the Minister of Human Resource Development. Will the he state when these important positions will be filled and what process will be used to ensure that the appointments will be based on merit and not on patronage?

[Lloyd Axworthy, Liberal, Minister of Human Resources Development and Minister of Western Economic Diversification]

Mr. Speaker, I apologize to the hon. member if he has been unable to get a response; I will certainly look into it. We will look very quickly into the situation in his riding.

As appointments come due we are filling the chairmen positions of different UI boards of referees across the country. We are proceeding as quickly as we can. It is a complicated process, as the member knows, because each person who is recommended must have certain checks done in terms of background, appropriateness for the job, and so on. It does take a little time to register each appointment.

I will certainly look into the situation in the member's riding. If he gives me the information on it we will have action for him very quickly.

[Jim Gouk, Reform, Kootenay West—Revelstoke, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I have a supplementary question on this matter for the Minister of Human Resources Development.

The assistant campaign manager of the unsuccessful Liberal candidate in my riding is stating that he is being appointed to the board of referees in that riding. Is this individual telling the truth?

[Lloyd Axworthy, Liberal, Minister of Human Resources Development and Minister of Western Economic Diversification]

Mr. Speaker, first, I am not sure who the assistant campaign manager was in that particular riding. Second, I do not

know whether in fact that person has been recommended for that very important position by his or her peers in the riding.

As I said earlier, if the member wants to give me information I would be more than happy to look into it. I can give the member the assurance that regardless of one's political background or affiliation our interest is in getting the best person for the job.

Sealing

[Jean Payne, Liberal, St. John's West, NL]

Mr. Speaker, recently we have heard through the media and in the House some reports that the government is promoting a contract which allows for the harvesting and sale of seals.

Would the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans please tell the House whether or not the contract includes the sale of seals for the purposes of providing seal penises? Would the minister also tell the House why Canada is supporting a deal that allows for the export of seals to China?

[Brian Tobin, Liberal, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for St. John's West for her question.

A contract has been entered into between Terra Nova Fisheries of Newfoundland and Labrador and a Shanghai firm in China. It is a contract that provides for the use of some 50,000 mature, adult harp seals out of a quota of 186,000 from a healthy and growing herd of three million.

The contract utilizes the full seal. It involves the shipment of machinery into Newfoundland and Labrador for semi-processing of the product into pelts, blubber oil, byproducts and oils for finished processing of pharmaceuticals in China.

The project is not dependent upon any one part of the animal. It is not even directed at any one part of the animal. Rather it is a normal processing operation, I remind the House, that flows from a 500-year old tradition. I believe it is good news for Canada.

Aluminium Industry

[André Caron, Bloc, Jonquière, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Canada and four other aluminum producing countries have committed themselves, last week, to helping Russian aluminum plants to modernize, in exchange for a reduction in Russian aluminum production. Canada, for one, will help in the privatizing, modernizing and industrial development of Russian aluminum plants.

Did the Minister for International Trade analyse the medium-term impact of the modernization of Russian aluminum plants on our own aluminum industry? If so, could he table the results of those analyses?

[Roy MacLaren, Liberal, Minister for International Trade]

Mr. Speaker, the agreements that have been reached with regard to the orderly marketing of aluminium involve in part assistance to the Soviet industry to modernize and to improve its productive capacities. The basic point is that all this is directed to assuring that the disruption in aluminium markets we have seen in the past months and in the past year does not continue.

I would be pleased to provide the member with additional information if he so desires.

[André Caron, Bloc, Jonquière, QC]

Mr. Speaker, this probably means that the minister did not really study the impact of last week's agreement on our aluminum industry.

Since he has also allocated several million dollars for the construction of a huge aluminum smelter in South Africa, could the minister acknowledge that the recent action of his government will jeopardize the jobs of thousands of Quebec aluminum workers, when these new and improved Russian aluminum plants are in operation?

[Roy MacLaren, Liberal, Minister for International Trade]

Mr. Speaker, no, not at all. With reference to EDC financing of the engineering studies by a Montreal firm of the aluminium smelter in South Africa, I answered that question on an earlier occasion. I would be pleased to provide the member with further information if he so wishes.

Indian Affairs

[Val Meredith, Reform, Surrey—White Rock—South Langley, BC]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development.

The Semiahmoo First Nations band in British Columbia is in the process of unjustly evicting two long term non-native residents from the reserve. Instead of attempting to mediate or resolve the issue, the department initiated eviction proceedings and is demanding that these residents pay double the rent for 60 days as they attempt to sell their homes. Unfortunately the evicted residents have been told their homes cannot be sold without a signed lease in place.

On February 23 the minister told the House that he and his party stand on the side of those who are discriminated against. Is the minister prepared to live up to his commitment of standing up for those who are being discriminated against and protecting the interests of those being evicted?

[Jack Iyerak Anawak, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development]

I would like to inform the hon. member that I will make this information known to the minister and a response will be forthcoming.

[Val Meredith, Reform, Surrey—White Rock—South Langley, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I have a supplementary question. As the government moves toward dismantling the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and the implementation of aboriginal self-government, could the government guarantee that the rights of all Canadians regardless of race, gender or status will be protected?

[Jack Iyerak Anawak, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development]

Mr. Speaker, absolutely. I remind the hon. member that on the issue of self-government we did not have the privilege of being asked whether a government would be set up before a government was set up in our land.

Bilingualism Bonus

[Madeleine Dalphond-Guiral, Bloc, Laval Centre, QC]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Solicitor General. Yesterday, the Federal Court of Appeal ordered the federal government to pay bilingualism bonuses of $800 a year to qualified officers of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. It is estimated that the government now owes up to $4,000 to more than 3,000 officers as well as retired officers of the RCMP.

Does the Solicitor General intend to abide by the unanimous decision of the Federal Court of Appeal and pay the bilingualism bonus to qualified officers of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police?

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

Mr. Speaker, that decision raises some very complex issues. It is presently under review, and I will have more information about that in the near future.

Pearson International Airport

[Ed Harper, Reform, Simcoe Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Transport.

Mr. Robert Nixon's review of the proposed privatization of Pearson International Airport recommended that Transport Canada proceed with construction at terminals one and two and then establish a non-profit operating authority.

This position is supported by the five regional chairpersons who say that delays will kill several economic development opportunities in the Toronto area.

Why is the minister delaying action when much needed jobs and infrastructure are at stake?

[Douglas Young, Liberal, Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, that is a very serious question. Obviously the reason for some delay is that we want to do what is best for Canada's flagship airport.

The Pearson International Airport is Canada's most important airport. All Canadians would know that we have just gone through a very difficult process in trying to reverse a situation that we as a government did not feel was in the best interest of Canadians and the Canadian taxpayer.

I assure my friend we are taking into account all of the concerns being raised by many people not only in the Toronto area but across the country with respect to the future of Pearson airport.

I encourage my friend and others with an interest in this matter to convey their views to the very strong and influential government members making up the metropolitan Toronto caucus who are currently looking at this matter.

Automobile Safety

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

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Transport.

Recently on the television program "Market Place" the issue of automobile safety was analysed. It was noted that federal standards for car bumpers are minimal and that no standards exist for vans.

Recent insurance impact tests show that at eight kilometres per hour, damage resulted in thousands and thousands of dollars. Today's cars sustain more collision damage than those 60 years ago.

What measures is the minister prepared to initiate to improve automobile safety and safety for Canadians?

[Douglas Young, Liberal, Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, it is a very interesting question. I must admit I was astonished to learn of this particularly with respect to minivans, a very popular form of transportation for families. I was very concerned when I learned of that report. I have asked my department to look into it.

Without equivocation I must say it is absolutely intolerable that manufacturers of these vehicles have not taken safety requirements into account which I think would have been essential in anybody's planning. Care should be taken that vehicles constructed and marketed with the primary purpose of providing transportation to parents and young children should meet the most stringent safety standards.

We are going to make it our business to very forcefully encourage manufacturers in this country to respect the need to provide the highest possible standards for vehicles that are transporting families.

Points Of Order

[Darrel Stinson, Reform, Okanagan—Shuswap, BC]

Mr. Speaker, during the heat of the moment I made a comment about the minister of fisheries and I wish to withdraw that.

[Brian Tobin, Liberal, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. member for what I think is a very generous act on his part. I too have been guilty of similar types of comments in the heat of the moment on occasion.