Debates of May 27th, 1994

Yukon

[Audrey McLaughlin, NDP, Yukon, YT]

Mr. Speaker, after 21 years of negotiations, the Yukon land claim and self-government legislation is now completed. This historic piece of legislation, the product of successive governments, including the current Liberal government and the vision of the Yukon First Nations is a tangible example of true representative democracy.

The Council for Yukon Indians, the Yukon Chamber of Mines, the Yukon Chamber of Commerce, all parties in the Yukon legislature, l'Association franco-yukonnaise, the Yukon Federation of Labour and many other non-governmental organizations support this legislation.

Clearly, the will of the Yukon people has spoken and that will says that self-government and land claims can work in the Yukon. Self-government is the key to the Yukon's future self-sufficiency, as is land claims. That is something all Yukoners can work toward in the spirit of co-operation, goodwill and mutual respect.

I call on all parties in this House to support the will of the Yukon people and to support the Yukon land claims and self-government legislation.

Osteoporosis

[Marlene Catterall, Liberal, Ottawa West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, osteoporosis affects 2.5 million Canadians, making their bones so fragile and brittle that they break very easily. It causes severe pain, disability, deformity, and even death.

I first learned about osteoporosis from the late Mrs. Lindy Fraser. When Lindy was 80 years old she decided to educate women about osteoporosis and the importance of exercise in its treatment and prevention. She made a video which I will never forget where she lay on her bed lifting her thin little legs in the air and saying: "See, I can do it. So can you".

Now 80-year old Eleanor Mills is leading her "Bony Express" on a trek across the country to bring attention to osteoporosis. This weekend our capital will be hosting one segment of this walk.

I would like to wish the "Bony Express", in the name of Lindy Fraser and all who are at risk of osteoporosis, the best of luck in its endeavour to help Canadians understand and fight this disease.

Empress Of Ireland

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

Mr. Speaker, this Sunday marks the 80th anniversary of the tragic sinking of the Empress of Ireland , Canada's little known version of the Titanic disaster which still ranks as the worst maritime accident in Canadian history. On May 29, 1914 the Empress of Ireland was en route from Quebec City when she ran into thick fog and collided with another ship at the mouth of the St. Lawrence River.

Over 1,000 passengers and crew suddenly lost their lives as the ship went down in less than 14 minutes. Many more would have perished in the icy waters if not for the heroic efforts of the ship's surgeon, Dr. James Grant. In the absence of medical supplies or proper facilities, Dr. Grant treated his fellow survivors and restored calm in the midst of the crisis.

Let us not overlook this important event in Canadian history. May we remember all those aboard the Empress of Ireland .

Youth Violence

[John Cannis, Liberal, Scarborough Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, it is with regret that I must rise today and report to the House what my family and I experienced last Monday, Victoria Day.

Following the traditional fireworks presentation at Ontario Place, our car and those around it, and sidewalk vendors were assaulted by what can only be described as a mad mob of uncontrollable teenagers showing no respect for, or fear of the law.

These teenagers beat their fists on cars, stole merchandise from street vendors and overturned not one but three hot dog carts. Who were these people? Where did they come from and where did they go? These are all questions I cannot answer.

What I do know is that this type of rash, mindless violence has made many of my constituents and Canadians demand a tougher stance on crime, particularly youth crime. I must urge the Minister of Justice to move quickly in bringing forward his amendments to the Young Offenders Act and to the criminal justice system. He must do whatever is necessary to prevent this type of action from occurring again and thus make our streets safer for us and our children.

Huntington's Disease

[Paul Szabo, Liberal, Mississauga South, ON]

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to advise the House that May has been proclaimed as Huntington's Disease Awareness Month by the Huntington Society of Canada.

Huntington's disease is an inherited neurological disorder. The symptoms include uncontrollable jerking movements, unsteady gait and slurred speech. Because of these symptoms persons with Huntington's disease are often mistakenly thought to be intoxicated.

The Huntington Society of Canada is a national network of volunteers and health professionals. They work together to provide public information, to find a cure and treatment for Huntington's disease, and to improve the quality of life for people with the disease and their families.

I encourage members of the House and indeed all Canadians to be sensitive to the needs of those who suffer from disabilities caused by Huntington's disease and to support the work of the Huntington Society of Canada.

Association Canadienne-Française De L'Ontario

[Roger Pomerleau, Bloc, Anjou—Rivière-Des-Prairies, QC]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the media reported the angry words of some Liberal members who were outraged at the fact that the Leader of the Official Opposition had agreed to attend the convention of the Association canadienne-française de l'Ontario.

I am surprised by these reactions since the association also invited seven members of the Liberal cabinet, including the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Canadian Heritage, to participate. However, not one of the ministers in question had the courage to accept the invitation.

Furthermore, the members who criticized the most harshly of all the presence of my leader at this convention, namely the members for Ottawa-Vanier and for Glengarry-Prescott-Russell, have still not confirmed if they plan to attend.

In view of the absenteeism of federal Liberal representatives, one has to wonder really who is being courageous and who is being chicken.

[The Speaker]

These are rather strong words.

The Prime Minister

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

Mr. Speaker, last Tuesday the Prime Minister refused to answer a serious question about the fate of aboriginal people in a sovereign Quebec.

The Prime Minister called it hypothetical, saying: "If my grandmother had wheels, I would have been a bus. I do not like if, if, if". Yesterday in Calgary in responding to concerns about separation the Prime Minister told the crowd: "If we provide the people of Alberta, if we provide the people of Quebec, if we

provide the people of Canada with good solid work in government-"

I suggest the people of Canada do not like hypothetical answers any better than the Prime Minister enjoys hypothetical questions. Rather than wondering whether he might be a bus, the Prime Minister should be more concerned that he might have missed the bus.

Gun Control

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

Mr. Speaker, the debate over gun control in this country continues to heat up. There has been a lot of speculation lately over what exactly the government might be planning and there are some misconceptions.

Some have said that the Prime Minister and the Minister of Justice have draconian measures in mind. They fear the government might want to penalize hunters, sportsmen and other law abiding gun owners.

Putting people out of business is not the Liberal approach. The Liberal approach is a balanced one. It is the only way fair and just improvements can be found. Without a doubt gun control is an issue which divides Canadians but misunderstanding only adds fuel to the fire.

We need a rational debate and a sense of mutual trust. We need to strike a balance that ensures fairness for gun owners and at the same time increases gun safety for all Canadian citizens.

Quebec Natives

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

Mr. Speaker, the turpitude of the chairman of the Bloc Quebecois's policy committee, Daniel Turp, simply must be pointed out. Today, Mr. Turp formally denied the statements he has been making for years on the Quebec natives' right to self-determination.

A press release from the Bloc tells us a lot with the following words: "Mr. Turp will make no further comment".

The Bloc is blocking the Bloquiste who was trying to tell us the truth. Imagine if they ever had "real power", it is the people who would be blocked!

[The Speaker]

I am glad that we are now moving on to question period.

National Forum On Health

[Gilles Duceppe, Bloc, Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Acting Prime Minister. Quebec's health minister has strongly denounced the federal government's decision to ignore the provinces by refusing to invite them to participate in the National Forum on Health, which will study all health care issues, in particular the financing of health care. Need I remind you that the Constitution recognizes health as an area of exclusive provincial jurisdiction?

How does the Acting Prime Minister justify the government's decision to not directly involve the provinces in the National Forum on Health and what is his answer to the Quebec health minister who asked him: "How can health care reform be contemplated without the participation of the provinces which are responsible for delivering the services?"

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

Mr. Speaker, the federal government maintains very close consultations with the provinces on the terms of reference and the membership of the National Forum on Health.

I want to add that the proposed forum will not be a decision-making body; its only mandate will be to advise the government. I think we will be able to make decisions on the forum in close consultation with the provinces. It is not our intention to exclude them from our consultations.

[Gilles Duceppe, Bloc, Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, since the acting Prime Minister is talking about consultations, I would like to know whether he endorses the position given by a source from the federal Cabinet, namely that the provinces were not invited because the federal government sees them as nothing more than an interest group, just like physicians', nurses' or consumers' associations. Are the provinces put on the same footing as these associations?

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

Mr. Speaker, the provinces have a very important role in the field of health which is recognized by the federal government. That is why there has been and continues to be very close consultation with the provincial governments on the terms of reference and the membership of the forum on health which the federal government is committed to create.

We certainly have in mind to continue these consultations both on the terms of reference and on the membership of the national forum on health. We should also bear in mind that it is not intended that this forum be a decision making body. If there are decisions to be made at the federal-provincial level there is an ongoing committee of federal and provincial health ministers for that purpose.

Instead, the purpose of this forum is to look at medium and long term concerns with respect to our national health programs and systems and to give advice to both federal and provincial governments on how we can deal with these problems.

I do not see why this in itself is a problem for the Bloc Quebecois. Surely the Bloc, as is the case with all other Canadians, wants to maintain and improve our health system. I do not know why as a result it is asking these questions.

[Gilles Duceppe, Bloc, Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, first of all, for your information, the Quebec health minister is not a member of the Bloc Quebecois. She is a Liberal minister, a member of a federalist party, and she denounces the federal government. As usual, we hear two different tunes as federalists in Quebec and Ottawa have different interpretations of federalism although they both belong to a Liberal party. It is not only the Bloc Quebecois.

Can the decision not to directly involve the provinces in this debate not be explained by the federal government's refusal to hold a public debate with the provinces on the eventual reduction of health-care transfer payments planned by his colleague from Finance?

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

Mr. Speaker, I wish to repeat that it is the federal government's intention to work with the provinces in having a better and stronger health care system for Canadians. That is why the federal government is consulting with the provinces both on the terms of reference and on the membership for the national forum on health care. No members have as yet been appointed to the forum. Before this is done there will be further consultation with the provinces on membership.

As I have said before, the purpose of the forum is to give advice to federal and provincial governments on strengthening our health care system. That is the way we are going to proceed. Our objective is not to weaken the system but to make it better. That is why we think that the Bloc, as is the case for all the parties in this House, should be supporting the federal government in its efforts to create the system, and I am not referring to provincial members but to the Bloc, instead of asking questions which suggest that the Bloc does not have the same commitment as the Liberal government to having a better health care system for all Canadians.

Hepatitis C

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

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the Minister of Health unequivocally indicated in this House that she refused to assume her responsibilities in the area of public health as far as Canadians infected with the hepatitis C virus through blood transfusions are concerned. An estimated 5,000 individuals were infected without their knowledge and now pose a threat to others.

Does the Acting Prime Minister agree with the absolutely absurd and irresponsible remarks made by the Minister of Health who merely suggests that people see their doctor and refuses to take action to identify those who were infected?

[Ron Irwin, Liberal, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development]

Mr. Speaker, the Canadian blood supply is widely recognized as one of the safest in the world. It must be understood, however, that blood transfusions like other medical procedures cannot be entirely without risk. Hepatitis C infection is a case in point. It has long been understood to be a possible result of blood transfusions.

In spite of progress to reduce its occurrence by means of improved donor selection and the introduction of a screening test, infection happens infrequently. The testing of donors for hepatitis C beginning in 1990 has dramatically reduced the rate of transmission of this virus through blood transfusions.

The Ministry of Health encourages anyone worried about hepatitis C to discuss their concerns directly with their physician or, in the absence of their physician, directly with the Ministry of Health.

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

Mr. Speaker, I would have liked the Acting Prime Minister to give his opinion on this and I will direct my supplemental to him. This is a crucial issue, in fact a vital one.

Does the Acting Prime Minister not recognize that the Liberal government is making the same mistake it made in the early eighties when the AIDS epidemic broke out and that it is being careless about the threat posed by hepatitis C, since those infected can transmit the virus to others if they are not warned?

[Ron Irwin, Liberal, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development]

In the absence of the Minister of Health, Mr. Speaker, I would say to the hon. member that good health is almost analogous with Liberal philosophy. If you look at the history of health legislation in the country you have to look to the Liberal Party.

The member is concerned and he is addressing his concerns legitimately in the House. The Minister of Health has been working diligently in answering questions daily about this important and serious problem. I think she is doing a heck of a job.

Young Offenders Act

[Elwin Hermanson, Reform, Kindersley—Lloydminster, SK]

Mr. Speaker, over the past several months Canadians have told Reform members that any proposal to amend the Young Offenders Act must include the following three changes: That the age parameters be reduced from the current 12 to 17 years to a proposed 10 to 15 years; that repeat serious young offenders be automatically transferred to adult court and that the public has the right to know the identities of those involved in criminal activities in their communities.

My question is for the Minister of Justice. Yesterday the minister assured the House that the Liberal caucus is unified on the need to amend the Young Offenders Act. Can the minister today assure the House that the Liberal government is unified with Canadians and will introduce these three specific amendments?

[Allan Rock, Liberal, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada]

Mr. Speaker, the government too has been listening to Canadians about the Young Offenders Act. Indeed, when we arrived in Ottawa in November consultation with Canadians, launched by the last government, was under way. We extended that consultation until mid-January. We received hundreds of submissions from interested individuals and groups across the country, all of which we have taken carefully into account.

We discussed the issues involving the act with the provincial and territorial ministers of justice and attorneys general in late March. We have also engaged in broad consultation outside the parameters of those meetings.

I can assure my hon. friend and the House that the changes we will introduce will reflect those consultations and will address the needed changes in the Young Offenders Act.

[Elwin Hermanson, Reform, Kindersley—Lloydminster, SK]

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate that the minister has been receiving information. My concern remains that the proposed legislation may not live up to the expectations of Canadians. Members of the Reform Party have repeatedly demanded that these three specific suggestions outlined in my initial question be adopted.

Can the Minister of Justice tell the House if these three specific changes to the Young Offenders Act will be included in his proposal?

[Allan Rock, Liberal, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada]

Mr. Speaker, I can tell the hon. member that in the course of our campaign for office last fall and in statements that I have made since the election we have made it clear that we believe the maximum punishment for the crimes of serious violence should be increased. We have said there is a need for greater sharing of information about those convicted of violent crime who are young offenders where community safety is at stake. We have also made reference to a variety of other changes which will be reflected in the bill we will introduce within the coming weeks in this House.

We have also made it clear that some of the more fundamental questions about the statute will be the subject of study by the Standing Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs. At the same time as we introduce a bill for immediate changes we will ask the committee, for example, to look at broader questions such as the age application of the act. It will come back to us after consulting with knowledgeable people on those issues.

Some of the items the hon. member has mentioned will be covered in the statute that we are going to introduce to change the act in the short term and many other important questions will be addressed by the standing committee in its longer term analysis.