House of Commons Hansard #51 of the 35th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was languages.

Topics

Human RightsOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Saint-Maurice Québec

Liberal

Jean Chrétien LiberalPrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, we have a policy of protecting human rights and we raise that question with every country when it is involved.

In the question the hon. member referred to, I answered that when there is an international boycott we participate in the international boycott. When there is no international boycott and we have trade relations we have to maintain those trade relations. That is exactly what I tried to explain. If the member did not understand, that is what I said.

We are not happy with the level of human rights in China and we protest. We always mention them. However, we want to do business with China.

In my view it is very important that we do business with these countries because not only will it have an economic benefit, but the more open a country like that becomes the greater is the chance that eventually human rights will be respected.

The hon. member referred to Haiti or Somalia. When there was an international boycott, Canada was there trying to help while still respecting the boycott. We did that and we were the last ones.

For example, concerning South Africa, we supported the government that was here before that unfortunately is not very well represented in the House any more.

Bst Growth HormoneOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Bloc

Jean-Paul Marchand Bloc Québec-Est, QC

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Prime Minister. Last week, the Standing Committee on Agriculture unanimously requested that the government impose a one-year moratorium on the sale of the BST growth hormone. This moratorium reflects the wishes of all the farming organisations and consumer associations in Canada.

Is the Prime Minister ready to follow through with the committee's unanimous recommendation and take the necessary steps for the government to impose a one-year moratorium on BST?

Bst Growth HormoneOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Saint-Maurice Québec

Liberal

Jean Chrétien LiberalPrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Health answered this question which has been asked several times already. If the committee made a unanimous recommendation in this respect, the Minister of Agriculture will take it into account, and if this issue comes under the Minister of Health's jurisdiction, she will take it into account and will report to the House in due course.

FisheriesOral Question Period

April 18th, 1994 / 2:55 p.m.

Reform

John Cummins Reform Delta, BC

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans. We eagerly await the release of a new package on the east coast fisheries, meanwhile several problems on the west coast demand immediate attention.

For instance, in 1989 and 1990 fish in Fergus Creek in Surrey were killed by chloramine, a chemical used on a trial basis as a secondary disinfectant.

Is the minister prepared to disallow the use of chloramine by the greater Vancouver regional district in order to protect salmon and other marine life?

FisheriesOral Question Period

3 p.m.

Humber—St. Barbe—Baie Verte Newfoundland & Labrador

Liberal

Brian Tobin LiberalMinister of Fisheries and Oceans

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for his question and advise him that I met just before question period with the AFAWU from British Columbia in my office to discuss a wide range of issues affecting the province of British Columbia.

With respect to the member's question I quite frankly am unable, because I am not properly prepared, to answer the question, although I will take the matter under advisement. I want to assure him that anything that interferes in a serious way with habitat and fish will be investigated and a stop put to it if the problem is as serious as has been described.

Francophone Communities Outside QuebecOral Question Period

3 p.m.

Liberal

Georgette Sheridan Liberal Saskatoon—Humboldt, SK

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Canadian Heritage.

There are several francophone communities outside Quebec. For instance, in my riding of Saskatoon-Humboldt, the francophones in Saint-Isidore-de-Bellevue have worked very hard to have their own school boards.

Can the minister tell me if the francophones of Saskatchewan and across Canada can count on this government to protect their language and culture?

Francophone Communities Outside QuebecOral Question Period

3 p.m.

Laval West Québec

Liberal

Michel Dupuy LiberalMinister of Canadian Heritage

Mr. Speaker, in October 1993, the federal government concluded a special agreement with Saskatchewan regarding school governance, under which the federal contribution will amount to roughly $22 million over six years.

On top of these special measures, in 1993-1994, the federal government contributed nearly $3.6 million to this province under a bilateral agreement regarding minority language training.

And lastly, the government is also supporting the development of the francophone community in general through a three-year $10 million Canada-communities agreement, and a framework agreement with the Saskatchewan government regarding translation services and the setting up of a francophone affairs co-ordination office. The francophone community in Saskatchewan is being well treated.

Presence In GalleryOral Question Period

3 p.m.

The Speaker

I draw the attention of hon. members to the presence in the gallery of the hon. Mr. Wammuhamadnoor Matha, First Deputy House Speaker and leader of the Thai delegation.

Presence In GalleryOral Question Period

3 p.m.

Some hon. members

Hear, hear.

Points Of OrderOral Question Period

3 p.m.

Reform

Elwin Hermanson Reform Kindersley—Lloydminster, SK

Mr. Speaker, one of the ministers in answering a question challenged a member to table a document. I have such a document, if the minister would still like it tabled.

It is an article from the Globe and Mail that quotes Tony Silipo, Ontario's minister of community and social services, who said: ``Mr. Axworthy heard very clearly from a number of us provincial ministers at our last meeting-

Points Of OrderOral Question Period

3 p.m.

The Speaker

If there is unanimous consent of the House a private member can table a document. Is there unanimous consent to table this document?

Points Of OrderOral Question Period

3 p.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

Points Of OrderOral Question Period

3 p.m.

Some hon. members

No.

Points Of OrderOral Question Period

3 p.m.

The Speaker

It is not agreed.

Bankruptcy ActRoutine Proceedings

3:05 p.m.

Bloc

Pierre De Savoye Bloc Portneuf, QC

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-237, an Act to amend the Bankruptcy Act (priority of claims).

Mr. Speaker, as we all know, the fruits of our labours are sacred. Unfortunately, when a business goes bankrupt, wages are added to other debts and given no special status, which means that in the event of a bankruptcy, employees are deprived of what is owed them.

The purpose of this bill is to change the priority of claims when an employer goes bankrupt, so that payment of an employee's wages and pension fund, up to a total of $9,000, takes priority over all other claims.

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

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:05 p.m.

Bloc

Yves Rocheleau Bloc Trois-Rivières, QC

Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege to present in the House a petition started last October by a coalition of 24 organizations in the Saint-Maurice-Bois Francs area, at the suggestion of the Third World solidarity committee of Trois-Rivières.

This petition shows that 275 organizations throughout Quebec have endorsed the demands of the coalition by a resolution of their executive, which means that more than 350,000 Quebecers not only support the substantial reduction of our military budget but request that the amount saved be invested in the fight against poverty, in jobs, health care, education, the environment, Third World aid and reducing the deficit.

I was also given more than 6,600 cards signed by as many people from my riding and across Quebec and containing the same request for the Prime Minister of Canada. These cards do not, however, meet the standards of the House for official tabling, but I can assure petitioners that I will be glad to send them all to the Prime Minister's office within the next few days.

The Third World solidarity committee of Trois-Rivières is to be commended for its outstanding humanitarian initiative.

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:05 p.m.

Liberal

Paul Devillers Liberal Simcoe North, ON

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to the Standing Orders, I wish to present a petition signed by 29 residents of my riding who request a referendum on the issue of official bilingualism in Canada.

These people have the impression that we spend far too much money on the policy of bilingualism in this country. I do not share their views at all, but I nevertheless see it as my democratic duty to inform the House of the views of my constituents.

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:05 p.m.

Bloc

Louis Plamondon Bloc Richelieu, QC

That kind of petition has been criticized before. If he agrees, let him table them, but if he does not agree, then he should not. He is under no obligation to do so under the Standing Orders. This is just more hypocrisy.

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:05 p.m.

Some hon. members

Oh, oh!

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:05 p.m.

The Deputy Speaker

Order, please. The hon. member for Simcoe North, on the same point of order.

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:05 p.m.

Liberal

Paul Devillers Liberal Simcoe North, ON

Mr. Speaker, it is my duty to present the views of my constituents, and I have every right to do so.

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:05 p.m.

The Deputy Speaker

The hon. member for Richelieu, again on the same point of order.

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:10 p.m.

Bloc

Louis Plamondon Bloc Richelieu, QC

Mr. Speaker, on a point of order. The Standing Orders make it very clear that if a member does not agree with the substance of a petition, the member does not have to table it. We are either for or against a petition. In the latter case, we either return the petitions or ask a member who agrees with the content to table them. We do not say: I am tabling the petition but I do not agree with it. Let him stand up and be counted. Either he agrees or he does not.

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:10 p.m.

The Deputy Speaker

To be fair to everyone concerned, one more last round. The hon. member for Simcoe North.

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:10 p.m.

Liberal

Paul Devillers Liberal Simcoe North, ON

Mr. Speaker, of course I am against this petition, but-