Debates of May 11th, 1994

Construction Industry

[Mark Assad, Liberal, Gatineau—La Lièvre, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I welcome this opportunity to raise the subject of housing starts in this House.

Increased interest rates had no negative impact whatsoever on housing starts in April. In fact, the residential construction sector was given a boost by a more positive employment situation, increased consumer confidence and a steady resale market. The month of April ended with positive results for builders across the country.

Total housing starts nation-wide, on a net basis, increased by 5.9 per cent, rising from 149,000 units in March to 158,000 last month. Housing starts for individual homes have reached their highest level in 16 months, totalling 75,000 homes in April, an increase of 19.3 per cent over the 63,000 reported in March.

[The Speaker]

I am sorry to interrupt the hon. member. The hon. member for Trois-Rivières.

University Of Quebec At Trois-Rivières

[Yves Rocheleau, Bloc, Trois-Rivières, QC]

Mr. Speaker, this year the University of Quebec at Trois-Rivières celebrates its 25th anniversary.

On this occasion, I wish to pay tribute in this House to the founders and pioneers of this institution, and especially to its first president and founder, Gilles Boulet.

This institution has already graduated over 35,000 students and is now a centre for research and intervention with an international focus, and more specifically in the field of pulp and paper, hydrogen and small business development. It is also the only institution in the world to offer a doctorate program in chiropractic medicine, in French.

Education and research and development provide the tools we need to provide for the future and sustain our economic and industrial development. The University of Quebec at Trois-Rivières is an outstanding exponent of this principle.

The Economy

[Jack Ramsay, Reform, Crowfoot, AB]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians have told the government repeatedly that they are worried about the economic state of this country. The 1994 budget demonstrated quite clearly that the government did not get the message.

Perhaps the government will listen to an outsider, someone who is not directly affected by the economics of this country. One of Asia's top bankers says Canada's economy is in danger of self-destruction and without greater economic growth Canada's envious quality of life will be endangered.

I agree with the view of the person who sits on the outside looking in. Our economy could crumble under the weight of high taxes, massive public debt and unnecessary government regulations.

The positive aspect of this government's budget reminds me of a person who adds a needed piece of furniture to a house that is burning down. I urge the government to introduce further spending reductions, to put out the fire and restore our international reputation.

Rock Theriault

[Dan McTeague, Liberal, Ontario, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Rock Theriault, the cult leader who tortured his followers with impunity for over 10 years did so as a result of negligence, ineptitude and potential wrongdoing of various public officials and medical experts.

Theriault used starvation, sleep deprivation and mutilations to control his followers. In 1989 he was convicted of cutting off the arm of a cult member. Only then was it discovered that he had killed one of his many wives a year earlier. Her death and the atrocities committed to her body were nothing short of sadistic.

In 1992 Theriault pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of second degree murder and is now incarcerated at Kingston penitentiary.

Theriault will be eligible for day parole in two years and full parole in five, even though the OPP has a list of over 80 attacks Theriault committed but has never been charged for. These range from castration, shootings, stabbings and disfigurement. Some of these acts involve children living at his commune.

Theriault should be classified as a dangerous offender. I ask the Minister of Justice and the Solicitor General to consider a full review of his case including the plea bargaining and to prosecute him on all outstanding charges.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Awareness Day

[Anna Terrana, Liberal, Vancouver East, BC]

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to remind the House that tomorrow, May 12, is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Awareness Day.

As members may be aware, chronic fatigue is a clinical syndrome belonging to a group of severe chronic debilitating conditions of unknown cause. There are other related disorders, such as immune dysfunction syndrome. The syndrome is not transmissible or life threatening but diminishes the quality of life to its extreme. Although this affliction is not a notifiable disease, Canadian cases are estimated to be in the thousands.

Let me commend the many volunteers in self-help and mutual aid groups across the country for the information, advice and reassurance they provide to those afflicted by this syndrome.

Please join me in wishing them a very successful Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Awareness Day tomorrow.

Niagara Falls Constituency

[Gary Pillitteri, Liberal, Niagara Falls, ON]

Mr. Speaker, a few days ago I had the pleasure of organizing and hosting in my riding of Niagara Falls two information fora. One was on the alternatives to the GST; the other one was on how to access capital for small business.

A great number of my constituents from all walks of life attended the meeting and voiced their opinion on these important issues.

I believe this to be yet another example of how our government is maintaining its promise of ongoing consultation by effectively seeking the input of all Canadians before implementing major policy decisions, thus empowering them to reach a better future.

In this spirit of openness I pledge to continue with the process of consultation so that I might be a true voice representing the people of Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Liberal Party Convention

[Laurent Lavigne, Bloc, Beauharnois—Salaberry, QC]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, organizers for the Liberal Party of Canada released the list of the resolutions to be debated at the party's convention which starts this Friday. It comes as no surprise to the Bloc Quebecois that Quebec's concerns have no place on the convention agenda.

With these resolutions, the Liberals will try to intrude even more into exclusively provincial jurisdictions such as education. The issue of Quebec sovereignty is being ignored. Since the Liberal Party denies that it rejected any resolutions on the subject, our conclusion must be that either this old-line party is so mentally challenged that it is incapable of understanding the situation in Quebec or it is resigned to the inevitable.

Capital Punishment

[Chuck Strahl, Reform, Fraser Valley East, BC]

Mr. Speaker, three people were cruelly murdered in 1992 in a restaurant in the constituency of Cape Breton-The Sydneys. When the government was presented with a petition demanding the return of capital punishment signed by 60,000 people from that area, its response was: "We'll give it serious consideration when bills are being drafted".

There are only 66,000 people in the entire constituency. Does every person in the riding have to sign a petition before the Liberals will stand up in this House and say what the voters have mandated them to say?

Well, I will declare the words the people of Cape Breton-The Sydneys want to hear from the Liberal government: Yes, we will hold a national binding referendum on capital punishment.

Justice System

[Paul Steckle, Liberal, Huron—Bruce, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today to address a matter of great concern to all Canadians.

Recently in Singapore a young man was disciplined for delinquency. The nature of his crime justified the punishment according to the laws of the land.

My concern is that the laws of our country have neglected to address the basic fact that injustices must be dealt with rigidly.

I have a deep sense of pride and respect for our values and ethics. There must be a greater sense of accountability and responsibility for actions committed by offenders, period. Punishment must reflect the severity of the crime committed. Respect and discipline must sustain our just society.

I encourage our government to focus on its responsibility to effectively protect the innocent and punish the guilty. Only when the penalty administered advocates a deterrent will we have restored faith in our judicial system.

Corporal punishment must be introduced for those who choose not to be governed by more than conventional methods. A return to law and order must again be realized.

Crime

[John Harvard, Liberal, Winnipeg—St. James, MB]

Mr. Speaker, it is time to bring some sanity to the debate on crime in Canada.

It is fashionable right now to let loose our passions and demand more laws and more punishment as the means of attacking crime in our communities. That response is entirely understandable. Violence and killings have no place in a civilized society.

We on this side of the House are deeply concerned about these issues. However we must all understand that more laws and more punishment alone, and I emphasize alone, will not solve our crime problems. The U.S. would be paradise if that were the case.

No, crime is not that simple. We must also look at what causes crime and anti-social behaviour in the first place: poverty, lack of opportunity, racism and family breakdown.

When we begin to address crime in its full context we will also begin to truly understand the problem and how we might solve it.

Our justice minister knows the complexities of the problems. He deserves our support as he tackles some of the serious issues.

Intergovernmental Relations

[Clifford Lincoln, Liberal, Lachine—Lac-Saint-Louis, QC]

Mr. Speaker, on May 6, the governments of Canada and Quebec signed in Ottawa an administrative agreement to harmonize our respective regulations governing the pulp and paper industry as regards the environment.

This agreement eliminates administrative duplication and overlap and creates a single window for the industry, with combined annual savings totalling $1.6 million for the two governments.

This initiative gives concrete expression to our commitment to minimize duplication and overlap between governments and reflects constructive federalism.

Besides, in the environmental sector the federal government is presently working on several agreements with the provinces with a view to achieving more effective and co-ordinated management for the benefit of Canada's environment.

Bosnia

[Gérard Asselin, Bloc, Charlevoix, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the situation continues to deteriorate around the Muslim enclave of Gorazde. Serb forces have yet to pull back the rest of their troops and heavy weapons according to the agreed procedure.

Just days before a meeting between Russia and the West scheduled for Friday in Geneva to examine new peace initiatives, agreements continue to be violated on both sides, logistic support convoys to be held back, medical evacuations to be cancelled and relief to be blocked.

For the time being, it would seem that no further NATO air strikes are planned. At the slightest sign of hesitation, the Serbs will assume that the West's will to launch punitive air raids is failing.

Let us hope that the warring factions will show the will to reach a compromise as soon as possible so that the situation can stop deteriorating and peace initiatives be successful.

The Economy

[Paul Forseth, Reform, New Westminster—Burnaby, BC]

Mr. Speaker, unchecked growth in government debt is exposing Canada to the risk of currency and interest rate turbulence; simply put, explosions in deficits several years down the road.

Ontario, like the federal government, put off for another year stopping the rise in government debt as a ratio of GDP. Fortunately, some western and Atlantic provinces plan to reverse the rise this year. But Ontario's deficit and Quebec's overspending should raise the federal-provincial debt to 97 per cent of GDP within a year. Add municipal and regional governments and the

ratio hits 100 per cent. Canada then joins the ranks of high debt countries like Greece, Italy and Belgium.

People always knew the deficit numbers were awful. We have begun to reach the point when confidence in our currency is evaporating and then we may get slammed fast and hard.

We need aggressive fiscal policy at all levels to prevent what appears to be the inevitable.

The Late Marwan Harb

[Mac Harb, Liberal, Ottawa Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the tragic loss of Marwan Harb has hit us as an arrow in our hearts. A young Canadian was robbed of the chance to live. He was robbed of the chance to enjoy life.

On behalf of Marwan's family, I wish to thank my colleagues for their support. We appreciate the sympathy expressed by the community. The support we have received from Marwan's school friends, his teachers and the school officials has been comforting.

As Marwan joins other victims, I can hear the call on us to stop the tragedies. I can hear the call on us to protect the innocent of our society from becoming victims. I hope we will. I know we can.

Marwan, we will truly miss you.

Serial Killer Cards

[John Cannis, Liberal, Scarborough Centre, ON]

The recent draft amendments proposed to the Criminal Code and the Customs Tariff Act by the Minister of Justice as they pertain to the importation and sale of serial killer cards are further evidence of this government's effort to listen, consult and act on behalf of the Canadian people.

The importation and sale of serial killer cards allows for profit at the expense and misery of the victims and their families. This must be stopped.

Our government is committed to making our communities and neighbourhoods safer and this is yet another step in that direction. The importation of serial killer cards is a disservice to our communities, communities that should be free of violence and intimidation.

The residents of Scarborough Centre commend the Minister of Justice for his prompt attention and urge all members to support this government's initiative to ban the sale of serial killer cards and board games.

Winnipeg General Strike

[Bill Blaikie, NDP, Winnipeg—Transcona, MB]

Mr. Speaker, this week marks the 75th anniversary of the Winnipeg general strike, an event which saw the working people of Winnipeg unite against the corporate agenda of that time. This event shaped the political life of Winnipeg and to some degree of Canada for all time.

The strike produced members of Parliament like J. S. Woodsworth who went on to be the first leader of the CCF. He had been charged with seditious libel for quoting the prophet Isaiah.

Today the prophetic judgment of Isaiah is no less relevant to the corporate agenda and the indifference of the rich and the powerful to the plight of the powerless.

Chantal Tittley

[Jan Brown, Reform, Calgary Southeast, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I am happy today to congratulate one of my constituents for her outstanding volunteer efforts. Calgary leads the country in its volunteer spirit. You simply have to look at the tremendous success of the 1988 Winter Olympics to see this.

Mrs. Chantal Tittley demonstrates why Calgarians are such generous volunteers. Mrs. Tittley has recently returned from Peru where she volunteered for CESO. She identified products in the agriculture and handicraft areas with potential for Canadian markets. She also established a long and short term strategy for introducing these products to Canada.

Mrs. Tittley is the kind of Canadian ambassador who makes other countries look to us with envy. We have many people in Canada who are willing to share their skills and expertise to help other countries develop. Through international ventures such as these, Canada can help developing countries become economically self-sufficient.

I am proud that a person from Calgary Southeast has volunteered for such an important international venture.

Education

[Stan Keyes, Liberal, Hamilton West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, as an educator you will appreciate this.

All too often excellence in teaching goes unrewarded in our society. Fortunately, however, the right hon. Prime Minister has chosen to recognize excellent Canadian educators by presenting them with the Prime Minister's award for teaching excellence in science, technology and mathematics. This year a total of 191 awards were presented by the Prime Minister in Ottawa.

One of the recipients of this prestigious award was Mr. Dave McKay, head of the mathematics department at Sir John A. Macdonald Secondary School in Hamilton. One of McKay's former students said: "Dave's teaching methods stimulated our interest to further explore the field of mathematics".

Indeed Dave McKay is the type of individual I would entrust with the task of teaching my children. He is a credit to his school as well as the community, and by continuing to inspire students to excel and develop themselves academically, Dave McKay and all the teachers like him are a credit to our nation.

Congratulations to Dave.

Taxation

[Lucien Bouchard, Bloc, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Finance. In a report tabled in the House in November 1989, the Liberals, who were then the Official Opposition, called upon the government of the day, and I quote:

-to abandon the proposed GST and to undertake without delay consultations with Canadians and provincial governments on a fair and integrated reform of the entire tax system.

Does the Minister of Finance believe as strongly today as he did during his days in opposition that the federal tax system is in need of a complete overhaul and that a simple analysis of possible alternatives to the GST would not be enough to eliminate the inequities of the tax system?

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

Mr. Speaker, as the Leader of the Opposition knows full well, in our budget we proceeded to review thoroughly several aspects of the corporate tax system, a move which was essential to restoring equity to the tax system. At the same time, he also knows that we have kept our word by setting up a finance committee to review the GST. I am, therefore, very confident and proud of our party's and our government's handling of the tax system.

[Lucien Bouchard, Bloc, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, judging from what has been accomplished thus far, I think there is cause for concern about the seriousness of the government's intentions, because the only true reform carried out to date is totally inadequate. It should not even be equated with the word reform.

In the event the promised reform is carried out, will the Minister of Finance recognize that, in so far as the sales tax and income tax are concerned, the federal tax system should not encroach upon existing fields of provincial jurisdiction?

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

Mr. Speaker, the position the government has taken and one that we took with the budget is one that respects the jurisdictions of both levels of government. In fact at two successive meetings with the ministers of finance we discussed this very subject. There were no complaints. We recognize very clearly the absolute necessity of working together.

In terms of what we did in the budget within our own field, we began quite a profound restructuring of corporate taxation. We eliminated a number of abuses where companies were not paying tax on foreign passive income. We examined the number of expenditure openings, loopholes, exemptions and closed them.

As a result of our budget, we have re-established a substantial portion of fairness within our fiscal system.

[Lucien Bouchard, Bloc, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, the minister did not answer my question. I asked him if the government was going to respect provincial fields of jurisdiction with respect to tax matters. What we got was a long litany about the budget. That is an entirely different matter. I have another question for the minister and I hope this time that he will answer it. As his government prepares to reduce transfer payments, depriving the provinces of substantial revenues in the process, will the minister recognize that if GST reform were to mean a reduction in the provinces' tax base, this would be completely unfair as it would only add to their financial woes?

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

Mr. Speaker, first of all, as far as transfers to the provinces are concerned, not only have we not reduced these payments, but in terms of equalization, we have increased them.

Second, we have agreed to a moratorium along with other provincial finance ministers while our social programs are being reviewed. Both the federal government and the provinces will save money as a result of this review.

As for our co-operating with provincial governments, I think it is obvious when you consider the meetings and even the discussion we had yesterday with the Minister of Industry concerning the elimination of tariff barriers. We do not need to be told what to do, as far as the provinces are concerned.