House of Commons Hansard #75 of the 35th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was seniors.

Topics

Province Of QuebecOral Questions Period

2:25 p.m.

Some hon. members

Oh, oh.

Province Of QuebecOral Questions Period

2:25 p.m.

The Speaker

Order. The hon. member for Calgary Southwest.

Province Of QuebecOral Questions Period

2:25 p.m.

Reform

Preston Manning Reform Calgary Southwest, AB

Yesterday in Montreal the Prime Minister acknowledged that uncertainty concerning Canada's future is having adverse effects on the economy. In addition to growing uncertainty about the government's ability to manage the deficit and the debt, there is this increasing uncertainty caused by the debate over Quebec sovereignty.

Rather than just acknowledging or complaining about this uncertainty, does the government have any vigorous new initiatives to propose to reduce these uncertainties concerning Canada's future?

Province Of QuebecOral Questions Period

2:25 p.m.

Saint-Maurice Québec

Liberal

Jean Chrétien LiberalPrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, the most suitable reply-

Province Of QuebecOral Questions Period

2:25 p.m.

Some hon. members

Oh, oh.

Province Of QuebecOral Questions Period

2:25 p.m.

Liberal

Jean Chrétien Liberal Saint-Maurice, QC

-is to ask the leader of the Reform Party to help this Parliament to be a good Parliament, to offer a good government.

The people of Quebec know very well, as they read last weekend as we all did with joy, that of all the countries in the world the United Nations said that the best place to live is Canada. That is the best argument.

Province Of QuebecOral Questions Period

2:25 p.m.

Reform

Preston Manning Reform Calgary Southwest, AB

Mr. Speaker, I have a supplementary question.

Yesterday the Prime Minister also said that if the Quebec people were asked a clear question on separation in a referendum, using words and terms which clearly speak of separation, they would not support the separatist option.

Does the Prime Minister have in mind the wording of the question which he would like the Quebec people to answer?

Province Of QuebecOral Questions Period

2:25 p.m.

Some hon. members

Oh, oh.

Province Of QuebecOral Questions Period

2:25 p.m.

The Speaker

Order. I would point out the question is hypothetical. Perhaps the hon. member could rephrase his question.

Province Of QuebecOral Questions Period

2:25 p.m.

Reform

Preston Manning Reform Calgary Southwest, AB

Mr. Speaker, I am simply referring to words that the Prime Minister used yesterday in Montreal. He said that the wording of the question was all important. If the question is worded right, Quebecers would make the right decision. Could he tell us in his judgment-

Province Of QuebecOral Questions Period

2:25 p.m.

Some hon. members

No, no.

Province Of QuebecOral Questions Period

2:25 p.m.

The Speaker

Order. I thank hon. members for the advice they are giving me, but I will make up my mind. The question is hypothetical. Perhaps the hon. member could go on to his final supplementary.

Province Of QuebecOral Questions Period

2:25 p.m.

Reform

Preston Manning Reform Calgary Southwest, AB

Mr. Speaker, the only way to ensure that any question on Quebec sovereignty is put to Quebec electors in the form that the Prime Minister desires is for a federalist government to put the question.

Is the Prime Minister therefore suggesting that his government or the current Quebec government should put the question, Canada or separation, to Quebecers in a referendum perhaps in conjunction with the next provincial election?

Province Of QuebecOral Questions Period

2:25 p.m.

Saint-Maurice Québec

Liberal

Jean Chrétien LiberalPrime Minister

I think, Mr. Speaker, this question is a bit more suitable than the previous one.

The best way for Quebecers to have economic stability and to make sure that the rest of the country does not pay a price for political instability, is for the Quebec people to vote for the Liberal Party in the next provincial election so that we will dispose of the problem. This is the best option.

As for Mr. Parizeau, I hope he will never form a government. However, if he were to form a government, he should take the advice of the Leader of the Opposition and not try to cheat but be very honest and tell Quebecers, as the Leader of the Opposition said to the people in Washington, that they are separatists. If they say so, the Quebec people will remain in Canada.

Indian AffairsOral Questions Period

2:30 p.m.

Bloc

Michel Gauthier Bloc Roberval, QC

Mr. Speaker, work was continuing this morning in "The Pines" in Oka, in spite of the fact that this action had been declared illegal by Minister Sirros of the Quebec government. Tension has just risen one notch in Oka.

Can the Prime Minister tell us whether the government has instructed lawyer Michel Robert to make the stopping of illegal work in The Pines a precondition to any negotiations?

Indian AffairsOral Questions Period

2:30 p.m.

Saint-Maurice Québec

Liberal

Jean Chrétien LiberalPrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, if indeed work is continuing at this time, I think Minister Sirros stated clearly the law was to be enforced and that is also our position.

As for lawyer Michel Robert and Justice Paul, they have been instructed to undertake negotiations as soon as possible. Only, for negotiations to be held, all the parties must be at the table. And I hope that everyone will agree that it is in the interest of all concerned to sit around the table and look for a solution to this problem.

In any case, the Oka territory is not a reserve under federal jurisdiction; it falls under provincial jurisdiction. If the law is broken, it is up to the Attorney General and the provincial police to take the necessary steps.

Indian AffairsOral Questions Period

2:30 p.m.

Bloc

Michel Gauthier Bloc Roberval, QC

Mr. Speaker, Chief Jerry Peltier made payment of the $3 million demanded from the government by his group in December 1993 a precondition of any discussion with the government's negotiator.

My question is for the Prime Minister. Does the government intend to respond positively to this demand for $3 million, since its negotiator has referred the matter directly to it?

Indian AffairsOral Questions Period

2:30 p.m.

Sault Ste. Marie Ontario

Liberal

Ron Irwin LiberalMinister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development

Mr. Speaker, the answer is no. What we have on the table is the expansion of the cemetery, approximately doubling the size. We have agreed to do this with the town of Oka.

We have people in there now working with Mr. Peltier on restructuring the debt. He inherited $600,000 to $700,000 of legal bills through different hearings of cases that took place in the past. Some he incurred but I think he inherited the bulk.

We have agreed on the seigniory, that we would discuss a structure, the solution to which would not be implemented until long after we are gone from the House of Commons because it is a long process. We are talking about housing north of 344, not south of 344. That is independent and I expressed that to my friend over there this morning.

We are talking about a committee to work on housing with four from the membership, three appointed by the council, and some money for renovations. We are definitely not prepared to put up $3 million. I said that in the scrum this morning and I will say that today. That is not on the table.

InfrastructureOral Questions Period

2:30 p.m.

Reform

Ed Harper Reform Simcoe Centre, ON

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister responsible for Infrastructure.

On May 11 the minister said there was no money remaining for the highway 416 expansion. Yet two days later he reversed his position and committed approximately $60 million to the project.

While most would agree with improving highway 416, all infrastructure funds have already been allocated in Ontario. Where is the additional $60 million coming from?

InfrastructureOral Questions Period

2:30 p.m.

York Centre Ontario

Liberal

Art Eggleton LiberalPresident of the Treasury Board and Minister responsible for Infrastructure

Mr. Speaker, there is not within the allocations that have been made sufficient takeup to take all the money. I expect there will be other opportunities for reallocation. In that situation we certainly are committed to proceeding with the highway 416 project. It will be up to the province to bring forward a proposal within the Canada-Ontario infrastructure works program to do so.

InfrastructureOral Questions Period

2:35 p.m.

Reform

Ed Harper Reform Simcoe Centre, ON

Mr. Speaker, I have a supplementary question.

The Canada-Ontario infrastructure program specifically states that all programs are to be initiated by the municipalities and, moreover, that all projects are to be financed equally by the municipality, the province and the federal government.

Why has the minister committed funding to a project that is clearly outside the restrictions of his own program in the case of highway 416?

InfrastructureOral Questions Period

2:35 p.m.

York Centre Ontario

Liberal

Art Eggleton LiberalPresident of the Treasury Board and Minister responsible for Infrastructure

Mr. Speaker, there are different agreements in each province. There are many projects in different provinces initiated by the provinces. We did allow for that possibility, not entirely the municipalities.

It would take an amendment to the agreement which the Ontario government would have to propose in order to provide this. It would be completely in accordance with the goals, the objectives and the criteria of the infrastructure works program which is quite successful right across the country. If the Ontario government wants to do it, we are prepared to be there with it.

National Forum On HealthOral Questions Period

2:35 p.m.

Bloc

Pauline Picard Bloc Drummond, QC

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Prime Minister, who claimed that the National Forum on Health would give us the opportunity to discuss the precarious situation of the health-care system and enable us to find solutions to the existing problems. We have learned that the forum might be postponed.

Can the Prime Minister confirm that the National Forum on Health will be postponed as a result of the criticisms expressed by the provinces, which were excluded from this consultation process, although they are mainly responsible for health care?

National Forum On HealthOral Questions Period

2:35 p.m.

Saint-Maurice Québec

Liberal

Jean Chrétien LiberalPrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, we had many consultations. The Minister of Health had consultations with the provinces and, at one point, the ministers even established a committee of five ministers to make suggestions to her. She received these suggestions and included them in her proposal for next month.

All of a sudden, the provinces came up with other suggestions. Since we are a very flexible government, we said that we would look at their other suggestions. If, unfortunately, a few extra weeks are needed before we hold the conference, we are ready to delay it because we were elected for five years and we will not complain about another five weeks.

However, I would like to point out that the Minister of Health held consultations. She received a report prepared by five ministers. I think she accepted all of their requests, and they then asked for other things. Of course, we will look at what they want, but I am not ready to blame the Minister of Health. On the contrary, I wish to commend her for listening to the provinces and including their studies in her proposal. All of a sudden, they found her too flexible and asked for more concessions. I am certain that she will study their requests and, if they are reasonable, she will accept them.

National Forum On HealthOral Questions Period

2:35 p.m.

Bloc

Pauline Picard Bloc Drummond, QC

Mr. Speaker, does the Prime Minister confirm that the federal government, whose goal is to centralize, directly harms the provinces by trying to impose national standards while withdrawing financially?