Debates of May 25th, 1994

Georgian Bay '94 Marine Heritage Festival

[Murray Calder, Liberal, Wellington—Grey—Dufferin—Simcoe, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the Georgian Bay '94 Marine Heritage Festival is a co-operative initiative that will involve 61 shoreline municipalities along Georgian Bay and the north channel.

More than 100 community and family oriented events will take place between June 1 and September 30. These activities will include cultural celebrations, heritage re-enactments, interpretive and educational environmental events, on the water competitions including the International Atlantic Challenge and the tall ships visits to the communities all along the bay.

I congratulate the organizers of the Georgian Bay '94 Marine Heritage Festival for their initiative in promoting this unique part of Canada. I encourage all Canadians to take part in this historic event.

Red Cross

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

Mr. Speaker, we would like to draw the attention of the House to the excellent job being done by Red Cross physicians in Rwanda.

Under extremely difficult conditions, these professionals are taking care of the wounded who manage to escape the slaughter that is going on in that country. These doctors often risk their own lives to save a population devastated by a civil war that has killed half a million people so far.

We are all affected by this intensely tragic situation. We cannot remain unmoved by the suffering of the men, women and children in Rwanda who are receiving essential care from these doctors.

On behalf of the Official Opposition, I want to congratulate the physicians of the Red Cross and thank them for the generosity and compassion with which they are doing their work.

Missing Children's Day

[Sharon Hayes, Reform, Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC]

Mr. Speaker, for the past several years the Solicitor General of Canada has recognized May 25 as Missing Children's Day in Canada.

There were approximately 56,000 children reported missing in Canada last year. While most of these children returned home safely within 48 hours, many did not.

The Missing Children's Society of Canada is a registered non-profit organization whose purpose is to search for runaway and abducted children.

Working on the front lines in the search of missing children, May 25 truly has a special significance for the Missing Children's Society of Canada. It is a day of renewed hope, a day to remember. It also presents the greatest opportunity to provide awareness of this issue to Canadians in an effort to prevent another child from going missing.

From Halifax to Victoria, mayors of Canadian cities are proclaiming the week as Missing Children's Week in their cities. I invite all members to join with me on behalf of the Missing Children's Society of Canada and the Reform Party of Canada to recognize May 25 as Missing Children's Day in Canada.

[Ronald J. Duhamel, Liberal, St. Boniface, MB]

Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in recognition of National Missing Children's Day.

There is a month long campaign organized by Child Find Canada which seeks to raise the awareness of the abduction of children in Canada.

The green ribbon I am wearing on my lapel today is a symbol of hope. It was conceived by the students and staff of the Holy Cross Secondary School in St. Catharines following the abduction and subsequent murder of a young girl in that community.

The abduction of children is a terrible thing, and I think Parliament should be very much aware of this. We must do everything we can to reduce the number of abductions and, if possible, prevent them altogether.

Via Rail

[Roger Gallaway, Liberal, Sarnia—Lambton, ON]

Mr. Speaker, it has been encouraging to read recently that the Minister of Transport is prepared to make public some of the problems encountered by VIA Rail in attempting to make it a real business.

The recent revelation of VIA employees being paid for 28 days when only 12 days have been worked is one stark example of the baggage that train line carries. Other examples are the inability of VIA to question bills submitted, non-negotiation of track rates and schedules dictated by freight trains.

The time has come to use some common sense about VIA Rail.

Perhaps it should cost more for cars to use highways and it should cost less to use trains for people who leave their cars at home.

The government could promote a transportation policy that would help VIA Rail to survive and at the same time it could show how to preserve this railway service.

Wetlands-Woodlands-Wildlife Program

[Pat O'Brien, Liberal, London—Middlesex, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Environment and the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food recently announced 10 partnership projects in Ontario promoting sustainable agriculture practices to benefit and restore fish and wildlife habitat. These demonstration projects are part of the wetlands-woodlands-wildlife program identified as a priority initiative under the Canada-Ontario agriculture green plan.

This plan provides over $1.8 million over the next three years for demonstration projects that range from windbreak plantings, conservation cropping and tillage practices, to enhancing natural wetlands and woodlot areas that will provide food, shelter and nesting habitat for a number of wildlife species.

The goal of this program is to promote the development and adoption of sustainable farm management practices and new technologies. I am very pleased that one of these projects will be located in my riding of London-Middlesex.

The enhancement of the Caddy-Bott drain in Middlesex county demonstrates this government's commitment to working in partnership with our farmers to promote environmentally sound agricultural practices that will ensure the long term viability of Ontario agriculture.

Official Languages

[Nic Leblanc, Bloc, Longueuil, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the federal government is continuing to project abroad a totally biased image of the Canadian reality.

In an ad published by the Canadian embassy in Poland, the eligibility criteria stated for emigrating to Canada is knowledge of the English language. No a word about French, as if it was not even used in this country.

It is obvious that while on the one hand it is touting the virtues of Canadian federalism, on the other hand the government is telling foreigners that in Canada, English is the only official language.

This is one more reason why international relations should come under the exclusive jurisdiction of Quebec, only Quebec being capable of projecting abroad a realistic picture of its distinctiveness and reality.

Indigenous People's Celebration

[Allan Kerpan, Reform, Moose Jaw—Lake Centre, SK]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to inform the House that last July 23 to 25 an indigenous people's celebration was held in Moose Jaw.

Soon after I was elected as MP in October, businesses and organizations that had provided goods and services to this event approached me with the news they had not been paid for their services. The problem is serious because we have identified possibly $200,000 worth of unpaid bills. I have informed both the federal government and the Saskatchewan provincial government about this situation.

I have a deep concern that a successful resolution be found to this problem. I am encouraged by the patience of the business persons involved as we work through this problem and by the openness and responsibility being taken by the newly appointed aboriginal leaders in Moose Jaw.

I am hoping we can carefully reach a successful conclusion to this matter. I will keep the House informed.

Fisheries

[Elsie Wayne, Progressive Conservative, Saint John, NB]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the hon. Minister of Fisheries and Oceans on introducing new legislation intended to protect our straddling fish stocks. However, on the very same day that the minister introduced the new legislation there were seven Cuban fishing vessels fishing within the 200-mile limit.

As a result of the recent awarding of the fishery observer contract to Biorex, there were seven observers on site of which only three were experienced in monitoring this type of vessel. The other four observers did not have the experience to obtain the data DFO requires to effectively monitor their activities.

While I commend the minister for the new legislation, I have to wonder how the minister can justify announcing the legislation when the awarding of the observer contract by his own department has taken away the only effective, trained and experienced tool we have to adequately protect our fish stocks.

Missing Children's Day

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

Mr. Speaker, I wish to add my words to those of the member for St. Boniface. Each year in Canada police receive thousands of reports of missing children who are classified as runaways, abductions by strangers, or parental abductions.

Too frequently these children are extremely vulnerable to violence and exploitation on the streets. In the greater Toronto area Operation Go Home is just one of thousands of organizations dedicated to making Canadian communities a safe environment for our children.

Since 1984, May 25 has been recognized in Canada as National Missing Children's Day. This is an opportune time during the International Year of the Family to renew our commitment to crime prevention and to safer homes and streets for our children.

I invite all Canadians to join us in recognizing this day by wearing a green ribbon of hope.

Muskoka Activefest '94

[Andy Mitchell, Liberal, Parry Sound—Muskoka, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the organizers and participants of ActiveFest '94.

Volunteers began meeting in November last to discuss what is hoped to be an annual event. More than 70 volunteers from throughout Muskoka have come together to promote health care issues.

Muskoka ActiveFest '94 is a 10-day celebration of active living which runs from May 27 to June 5. There are over 120 events and activities people can participate in. Citizens and visitors alike are encouraged to try a new activity or sport. Many events will cater to the family, from golf to line dancing to aerobics. There will be something for everyone, from youngsters to senior citizens as the community joins together to create a better health environment.

Schools, businesses, citizens and the medical community are promoting the benefits of quality daily physical education and active living with ActiveFest '94.

The Family

[Sue Barnes, Liberal, London West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, we cannot underestimate the importance of declaring May 15, 1994 as the International Day of the Family.

This United Nations declaration pays tribute to families around the world, promoting awareness of their needs. The family is the most important unit in our communities.

The realities of this decade, the growing emphasis on family values, demographic and socioeconomic changes are placing enormous pressures on workers of all levels and professions. We must find that golden balance between meeting the family obligations and fulfilling workplace demands.

As a person who is committed to these dual responsibilities, as so many of my hon. colleagues are, I hope the celebration of the International Day of the Family will sensitize all of us. Throughout our lives we seek our joys with, as we seek our comfort from our families.

In 1994 we have an opportunity to strengthen our relationships with the people closest to us. Strong and healthy families create strong and healthy societies.

Canadian Security Intelligence Service

[Michel Bellehumeur, Bloc, Berthier—Montcalm, QC]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the federal government appointed a hard-liner to the head of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service in the person of Ward Elcock.

This morning, Canadian Press reported troubling comments from a former official of the Security Intelligence Review

Committee, Ron Atkey, who applauds Mr. Elcock's appointment, stating that he is "a man with a firm grip with troubled times laying ahead in various parts of the country, and particularly in Quebec".

Thinking back to the questionable schemes cooked up by the federal secret services in days gone by, or so we thought, one can wonder whether the good old Liberal era when such a close eye was being kept on Quebec leaders are not making their way back.

Quebec

[Bob Ringma, Reform, Nanaimo—Cowichan, BC]

Mr. Speaker, over the last week I have spoken to many constituents at town hall meetings. At those meetings the question of Quebec has been a hot topic.

My constituents are concerned about the government's lack of leadership on this critical issue. While the Leader of the Official Opposition jets around Europe promoting his vision of an independent Quebec, the people of Nanaimo-Cowichan grow weary of the separation debate. They also wonder why political leaders in France and Belgium are willing to comment on Canadian solidarity, yet not a word from our own Prime Minister.

The people of western Canada are not satisfied with status quo federalism and are demanding change. That demand is leading to new rumblings of discontent with traditional federalism in the west. This is the result of a disenchanted electorate from coast to coast.

If the Prime Minister wants to run this country with his head in the sand, he might want at least to peek out from time to time to make sure the ground around him is still solid.

Government Contracts

[Don Boudria, Liberal, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the role of the Minister of Public Works in contributing another key element to this government's campaign to bring a new level of integrity to government.

On May 16 the Lobby Monitor informed us that the Department of Public Works and Government Services has tightened standards in the language of its contracts which effectively bans the use of contingency fees by lobbyists involved in procurement work.

This was a promise of the Liberal Party during the last election campaign. This is a critical element of this government's work in bringing a new era of openness and integrity to federal contracting.

Liberals keep the promise.

Law Enforcement Torch Run

[Stan Keyes, Liberal, Hamilton West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honour of the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for the Special Olympics.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run is organized and supported by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, the Provincial Association of Police Chiefs, various Torch Run co-ordinators, and over 11,000 law enforcement personnel.

The Torch Run which began last week will see thousands of volunteers and law enforcement officers carry the flame of hope right across the country.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run is conducted with three key objectives in mind: to increase public awareness of the Special Olympics, to raise funds for these Special Olympics, and to create a sense of commitment to the community and Special Olympics programs across Canada in conjunction with local law enforcement agencies.

This year the Law Enforcement Torch Run hopes to raise $1.5 million for the Special Olympics in Canada. I am confident that all members of the House join me in supporting the Law Enforcement Torch Run.

Rocky Mountaineer

[Ted White, Reform, North Vancouver, BC]

Mr. Speaker, today marks the beginning of the fifth season for Rocky Mountaineer rail tours, a private company which runs tourist rail traffic through the beautiful Rocky Mountains to Banff and Jasper.

Rocky Mountaineer has its head office in my riding of North Vancouver. It receives no taxpayer subsidies. It creates a significant number of private sector jobs and has generated more than $5 million in tax revenues for all levels of government.

There have been rumours that VIA Rail may try to get back into the passenger rail business on the same route as that travelled by the Rocky Mountaineer. However a 1990 contract states that this cannot happen without cabinet approval. There is no logical reason to allow a taxpayer subsidized VIA Rail to compete unfairly with a private sector venture.

I urge all members of the House to strongly oppose any permission for VIA Rail to re-enter this market. I also ask all members to join me in wishing Rocky Mountaineer rail tours its best year ever in 1994.

[The Speaker]

Before we begin question period today I want to draw the attention of members to one thing. From time to time we are given to introducing special guests in our gallery. Once or

twice a year we are honoured that some of our former colleagues come back to Ottawa.

I wonder if all former members of Parliament who are in the House today would please stand so that we can welcome them all home.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear.

Trade

[Lucien Bouchard, Bloc, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Prime Minister. In a speech yesterday to the Canadian American Business Council in Washington, the Minister of International Trade condemned the attitude of the United States with regard to a number of trade disputes with Canada, particularly disputes over softwood lumber, wheat, steel and pork. He even hinted at a possible cooling off of trade relations between the United States and Canada.

In light of the warning issued by his minister in Washington, can the Prime Minister tell us what concrete action Canada plans to take to get the Americans to stop implementing measures that are incompatible with GATT and NAFTA rules and that have a considerable impact on several sectors of the Canadian and Quebec economies?

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I fully support the action taken by the minister in question. It was important to get across to the Americans that we were not at all pleased with what was happening in certain areas. With respect to softwood lumber, the dispute settlement panels have ruled three times in our favour. Yet the Americans have always appealed, which is not a good thing. The same thing has occurred in the case of wheat. We are respecting the rules of the game and we want the Americans to do likewise.

The minister, who I am confident has the support of all members of this House, wanted to make it clear to the Americans that we are prepared to play by the rules and that we hope the US will do likewise.

[Lucien Bouchard, Bloc, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, I also take note that the Prime Minister supports the position adopted by his minister yesterday.

Does he agree with and does he subscribe to the harsh judgment of the Minister for International Trade to the effect that the fundamental problems on delaying the trade dispute between Canada and the States "is that the administration of President Bill Clinton has an unclear commitment to free trade"?

It is a strange position for a Liberal minister supposedly against free trade and now complaining about lack of enthusiasm from the American president.

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, trade between Canada and the United States is huge. More than 75 per cent of our trade is with it. It is normal that we have some difficulties from time to time.

We have some cases at this time in which we are not happy with the slow movement of the Americans. We are respecting the rules and we expect them to respect the rules.

In the softwood lumber it has been established clearly that we are following the rules. We are completely competitive. We are not doing anything against either the GATT or the NAFTA. Not only that, the tribunal ruled three times in our favour on it.

On the question of wheat it is the same. We are selling wheat to them, for example durum wheat, for one reason: our wheat is better than theirs and American consumers know it. Seventeen senators in Congress said that they should not impose tariffs on Canadian wheat, but in the American system they are not as decisive as we can be in Canada. We have to put pressure there. That is exactly what the minister did yesterday in Washington and I am happy to see that he has the backing of the House.

[Lucien Bouchard, Bloc, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, quite aside from his minister's bravado and his own lofty statements in this House, does the Prime Minister plan to speak directly to President Clinton in an effort to genuinely protect those sectors of the economy affected by the actions of the United States?

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I have discussed issues such as softwood lumber, the West Coast fishery and wheat on several occasions in the course of telephone conversations with the US President.

Yesterday, the minister addressed an important gathering in Washington and delivered the Canadian government's message, namely that we want free trade with the US to continue and to this end, we will play by the rules, providing the Americans do so as well.