Debates of April 27th, 1994

Bovine Somatotropin

[Bernard Patry, Liberal, Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity today to express my concerns about recombinant BST or bovine somatotropin.

Although this hormone is found in cattle in its natural state, artificially increasing the rate of BST will not improve the quality of the milk, which is the most important consideration here.

Furthermore, the consumer backlash may be substantial. There is no particular rush to approve the use of this hormone, especially not before appropriate consultations with consumer associations.

National Parole Board

[Myron Thompson, Reform, Wild Rose, AB]

Mr. Speaker, last week I attended a justice meeting in which a review of the National Parole Board was the topic of discussion.

The result of this meeting left me questioning the accountability of the parole board. During the course of the discussion it was proven again that the current system is flawed. One of the results of the meeting was the Solicitor General's proposing a disciplinary scheme for members of the parole board. The time and thought given to these cosmetic disciplinary changes has been wasted time. We should not be spending time on how to get rid of people, we should be ensuring that the board is competent from the beginning.

The public wants concrete changes, not cleanup measures. For accountability to be restored it has to begin at the top. This means the Solicitor General should consider placing a moratorium on the release of dangerous offenders coming up for parole until this whole system is revamped and meets the standard.

Immigration

[Christiane Gagnon, Bloc, Québec, QC]

Mr. Speaker, in the years to come, Quebec will receive a major influx of immigrants. The need to make these people welcome and to integrate them into Quebec society would seem paramount, non only to guarantee the continued existence of the French language but also to strengthen economic links between new immigrants and Quebec's institutions.

The Mouvement des caisses populaires Desjardins, one of the motors of Quebec's economic development, has shown leadership in this field.

South African Elections

[Jesse Flis, Liberal, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs it is my honour to pay tribute to the democratic process which is unfolding in South Africa today.

The Government of Canada is committed to the advancement of human rights and our support continues with some 150 Canadians currently in South Africa to observe the elections and to provide electoral expertise in the first democratic and non-racial elections.

At present the Secretary of State for Latin America and Africa is leading the official bilateral team of electoral observers, while many other Canadians are serving with the United Nations, the Commonwealth and non-governmental organizations during this historic transition.

I salute all the people of the new South Africa. Today marks an end to the past and is hope for the future.

The Environment

[Eleni Bakopanos, Liberal, Saint-Denis, QC]

Mr. Speaker, last Friday, I celebrated Earth Day with students from the Collège de Bois-de-Boulogne, some of whom are here today. We released the results of environmental programs put in place at the college

and officially launched the composting system set up by the students.

I would like to draw your attention more particularly to the work of Environnement Jeunesse, ENJEU, which makes students more aware of and educates them about the environment in Quebec. I was delighted and inspired by their commitment and the projects they have started. They have convinced me of the need to provide strong support for all youth initiatives.

In a time when we are desperate for more opportunities and initiatives for youth, Collège de Bois de Boulogne has succeeded in creating new and innovative ways to involve its students and enhance their awareness of the issues.

This demonstrates that with perseverance and commitment success is possible. Projects such as these are great achievements and should serve as an example for all our youth to follow.

I applaud the college administrators, the private sector and the community for making this idea a reality and I urge my fellow colleagues to encourage such initiatives.

Social Security

[John Finlay, Liberal, Oxford, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to inform this House of meetings I hosted with regard to the social security review.

Residents in my riding had three opportunities to make their views known on the changes they feel would help to modernize our social security network.

Today I was able to present a report on behalf of my constituents to the Minister of Human Resources Development. The minister has assured all members that our constituents' opinions are important to this process, and I ask the hon. members opposite to stop characterizing such meetings as smoke screens to hide something which they suggest has already been decided. The people of Canada may conclude that the opposition is out to torpedo the work that is being done through these public consultations.

In closing, I want to thank the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Human Resources Development for speaking at my public meeting and for listening to the concerns of my constituents.

Telecommunications

[Gaston Péloquin, Bloc, Brome—Missisquoi, QC]

The Supreme Court decision handed down yesterday with regard to telecommunications did not surprise anyone in Quebec. For the third time since 1993, Quebec is having powers in the area of communications torn away by the federal government. After broadcasting and cable television, Quebec is now losing control over telephone companies, control which is essential to the province's social and economic development as we embark on the electronic highway.

Once again, the Supreme Court takes a "Canadian" and centralizing view of the Constitution to continue chipping away, little by little, year after year, at the powers of the Quebec National Assembly. That is the true face of federalism in Canada, Mr. Speaker.

This Supreme Court decision confirms the necessity and urgent need for the people of Quebec to have a sovereign state of their own.

Overseas Tax Credit

[Stephen Harper, Reform, Calgary West, AB]

Mr. Speaker, thousands of Canadians who work abroad in natural resource industries benefit from the federal overseas tax credit. In return for spending six months of the year away from their families and working often under very difficult conditions, these Canadian workers have had their annual tax liabilities reduced by the credit.

Now as reported by Alberta Report magazine, Revenue Canada has decided to retroactively disallow the overseas tax credit to those Canadian workers employed by U.S. parented companies. In some cases this disallowance may extend back three years. This move will be an annoyance to the companies in question but it will do great harm to hundreds of ordinary Canadian workers, most of them Albertans.

I am told that the unforeseen tax bill of up to $50,000 will cause some of them to lose their homes. This is a shameful way for the Minister of National Revenue to accomplish his goal of closing a so-called tax loophole.

Rouge River Valley

[John Cannis, Liberal, Scarborough Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, this past weekend I had the opportunity along with my family to participate in a reforestation project in the Rouge River Valley system.

The 10,000 Trees for the Rouge River Valley program has been operating for five years and has steadily increased its profile within the community. This year over 1,200 Scarborough residents planted 8,000 trees. Over the past five years this program has planted close to 60,000 trees on about 80 acres of land.

The Rouge Valley is a unique and valuable environmental resource and I urge the Minister of the Environment and The Minister of Canadian Heritage to continue their support and

negotiations with the provincial government and to move quickly to protect this region.

Official Languages

[Pierrette Ringuette-Maltais, Liberal, Madawaska—Victoria, NB]

Mr. Speaker, the leader of the Reform Party said last week that he will gore the Official Languages Act, therefore attacking our Charter of Rights and Freedoms, our Constitution, our history, our country.

To bring some perspective to the leader of the Reform Party's goring agenda, I want him to know that his goring expedition-

[The Speaker]

Order.

Kids Sense Week

[Beryl Gaffney, Liberal, Nepean, ON]

Mr. Speaker, April 27 through May 1, 1994 is Kids Sense Week across Canada sponsored by the International Council of Shopping Centres, a non-profit trade organization. Shopping centres across Canada as we know are significant contributors to the economy as well as entertainment centres and effective forums for public service programs.

This morning I was pleased to be at the Merivale Mall in Nepean along with kids and parents and police and others. We could see that the Merivale Mall and all other shopping centres are providing important community services. They are raising awareness of safety issues in conjunction with the national observance of Kids Sense Week.

I am delighted that this week is Kids Sense Week in Ottawa-Carleton and I encourage our young people and their parents or guardians to involve themselves in this vital community service activity.

Sarajevo

[David Iftody, Liberal, Provencher, MB]

Mr. Speaker, I want to bring to the attention of all members of Parliament a letter and a painting I received from a constituent of mine, a 7-year old girl whose name is Milaine Curé.

The painting depicts a house getting blown up by a tank and shot at by people with guns.

The letter reads: "Dear Mr. Iftody, how can I help the children of Sarajevo? The children are very sick and they do not have any medication".

We often forget how news can have a profound effect on our children. I felt the fear of this child by the madness and suffering that have resulted from this war. Yet, I also felt the promise of hope from our own children.

Canadians care and we will not abandon our duty as citizens of the world.

Provincial Election

[Gaston Leroux, Bloc, Richmond—Wolfe, QC]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the Prime Minister could barely hide how anxious he is to take an active part in the coming election campaign in Quebec. What is disappointing is that he refused to promise publicly to abide by the spirit of the Quebec legislation on election expenses. The Bloc Quebecois strongly deplores that the taxpayers are made to pay against their will, through their taxes, such breaches to democracy.

Also, in light of the Prime Minister's refusal, are we to understand that he intends to authorize massive, illegitimate expenses to be made in Quebec during the election campaign, as was done at the time of the 1980 referendum? We believe that the Prime Minister should take the advice of the Quebec Premier and mind his own business.

Battle Of The Atlantic

[Jim Hart, Reform, Okanagan—Similkameen—Merritt, BC]

Mr. Speaker, Sunday, May 1 will commemorate the Battle of the Atlantic across Canada. We will honour the Canadian veterans who fought so courageously and with such great sacrifice to keep the enemy from our shores and to gain control of sea lanes so that allied forces could bring World War II to an end.

We honour those who served in the RCAF coastal command, the Royal Canadian Navy and our merchant navy. During the bloody and bitter conflict in the Atlantic, each one made a vital contribution to destroying the German U-boat menace which extended from Britain right into the St. Lawrence.

They made possible the transport of vital troops and supplies to beleaguered Britain. Without their heroic efforts there would have been no Normandy landings on D-Day.

This year we commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II through the Canada Remembers program. This Sunday let every Canadian who cherishes freedom remember those who fought so well and who made the supreme sacrifice in the Battle of the Atlantic.

Community Violence

[Herb Dhaliwal, Liberal, Vancouver South, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring to the attention of the House an issue which has brought tremendous sorrow and shock to members of my constituency.

Last Saturday a deplorable tragedy occurred in Vancouver south. Mr. Glen Olsen, an innocent bystander, was shot and killed while walking his dog down a street in my riding.

It is with profound sympathy that I pass my condolences on to Mr. Olsen's family and friends. I want them to know that the horror of this event has not gone unnoticed.

I have spoken to the Vancouver police department and I have full confidence that it is doing everything possible to bring those responsible to justice.

As the federal representative for my community I would like it to know that I will do everything in my power to ensure that these types of incidents do not occur in our communities. I will continue to fight for stricter gun control and stronger crime prevention measures so that tragedies like this do not occur in the future.

For the sake of the victims I implore all members of this House to support initiatives which will make our streets and our communities safer places.

Tobacco Tax

[Audrey McLaughlin, NDP, Yukon, YT]

Mr. Speaker, during the debate on the lowering of the cigarette tax this party presented several very good reasons why it should not be done.

It would increase smoking among youth according to Statistics Canada and would also increase smoking among the general population and add to our health costs.

Today we see that total Canadian production of cigarettes reached 5.8 billion in March, the highest in eight years. Clearly the policy of this government to reduce cigarette taxes is going to add to our health care costs, add to the illness of Canadians.

I call on the Minister of Health to finally stand up for the health of Canadians, to fight on behalf of Canadians and to fight this policy which has only led to more smoking among Canadians and greater health risks.

Infrastructure

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

Mr. Speaker, the federal government has decided to build its own $11.9 million office complex in Sault Ste. Marie. This steel, brick and glass building will include 120,000 square feet on two storeys to house the Canada Employment Centre, the Income Securities Office, Revenue Canada, Health Canada, Public Works and Government Services, and the RCMP.

Local property managers are outraged by this needless political project. A recent survey indicates there is over a 20 per cent vacancy rate in major downtown buildings. There is existing vacant office space, and a new federal building will create more vacancies.

Does the government not have better ways to put people back to work than pumping money into unneeded facilities in competition with the private sector?

High-Speed Train

[Lucien Bouchard, Bloc, Leader of the Opposition]

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

Speaking yesterday to the greater Montreal Chamber of Commerce, the Chairman of VIA Rail unveiled his agency's proposal for a high-speed train in the Quebec City-Windsor corridor. VIA Rail is proposing that the federal government support the project financially using part of the grant it awards each year to the agency. This would allow the government to build the HST without it affecting Ottawa's budget.

Can the Prime Minister tell us if the government is interested in VIA Rail's proposal which has the advantage of requiring no additional outlay on the part of the federal government?

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, we have indeed indicated that we are interested in this venture. We have said that if this project can be carried out without the government having to incur significant costs, then we would be happy to proceed with it. However, if one proposal seems more acceptable at this time, I am certain the government will review it carefully. There could be a problem though in that it will be hard for a high-speed train linking Montreal and Toronto to be forced to stop for inspection at the border, once Quebec becomes independent, as the Leader of the Opposition hopes will happen.

[Lucien Bouchard, Bloc, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, I asked a serious question to someone who, I thought, took things seriously. Instead, he responded in a joking fashion.

The HST project has been under consideration for many years. Governments have been studying it for at least three years. Why is the Prime Minister so reluctant to announce his support for the HST, given that this project will generate

activity, create thousands of long-term jobs and, at the same time, strengthen our competitive position in a high-tech sector?

[Douglas Young, Liberal, Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. leader of the Opposition surely knows that the governments of Quebec, Ontario and Canada have already invested just under $6 million in a high-speed train study. The three governments expect the report to be ready by this summer and we will, of course, be reviewing it with a great deal of interest. The study is being carried out jointly by the aforementioned three governments and I hope the Leader of the Opposition is interested in seeing the results, just as these three governments are.

[Lucien Bouchard, Bloc, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, what reasons can the Prime Minister give, I wonder, for his reluctance to state clearly what he thinks, and where he stands on the HST project, when all the while, the federal government has invested and will continue to invest-I would even say waste, at least in the case of Hibernia-billions in Hibernia, not to mention the exorbitant sums spent on upgrading the rail system in the West?

Why is the Prime Minister holding off on disclosing his views on an HST that will link Quebec and Canada with the United States?

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, if we want to talk about decisions made by this government, I would point out to the Leader of the Opposition that the most successful company in Montreal is Canadair. It was during my tenure as Minister of Industry and Trade that the government bought Canadair back from private interests, got it back on track and invested money to develop the Challenger jets and other aircraft responsible for Canadair's current success. This was all due to the intervention of this government.

The Leader of the Opposition is always asking us to work with the provinces, but the Minister of Transport has just said that he is working very closely with provincial governments on this matter. Now the Leader of the Opposition is suggesting that we not listen to the provinces.

We do listen to them and, when the proposal is ready, we will respond. If it represents no cost to us, then of course the project will get the green light. However, if the costs are exorbitant, we will have to take into consideration this government's financial situation.

Pharmaceutical Industry

[Michel Gauthier, Bloc, Roberval, QC]

Mr. Speaker, according to the Minister of Industry, the federal government apparently wants to review the drug-patent law. This legislation extended to 20 years, need we remind you, the protection offered to patented drugs and led to the announcement that nearly $1 billion would be invested in research and development in Quebec by 1996. By the year 2000, the total value of investment projects could reach $5 billion in Canada.

Does the minister admit that it is because of pressure from lobbyists representing the interests of generic-drug companies, mainly concentrated in Toronto, that he is about to review the drug-patent legislation?