House of Commons Hansard #87 of the 35th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was crime.

Topics

Internal Trade AgreementStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

NDP

Bill Blaikie NDP Winnipeg—Transcona, MB

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my concern about the current negotiations between federal and provincial governments to complete an internal trade agreement by the end of this month. I share these concerns with the labour movement and organizations such as the Canadian Environmental Law Association and the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives.

The drafts of this agreement are not available to the public. It is being negotiated behind closed doors and with little consultation. I call upon the governments involved to open up this internal economic constitution to an open and public debate and delay the signing date until this consultation has taken place.

It is one thing to negotiate co-operative agreements which put a stop to practices of some governments, like tearing up bricks in a sidewalk because they were purchased in the wrong province. It is another to duplicate within Canada a free trade agreement that will hamper the ability of governments to establish, maintain and improve labour, consumer and environmental standards, and to regulate corporate activities.

Atlantic CanadaStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

Pierrette Ringuette-Maltais Liberal Madawaska—Victoria, NB

Mr. Speaker, comments made in this House two weeks ago by the opposition parties concerning the people of Atlantic Canada were an insult, not only to Atlantic Canada, but to anyone residing in a democratic society. Today, I will accept the apologies of the Reform Party member and of the leader of the Reform Party.

But the people of Atlantic Canada are all awaiting appropriate apologies from the Bloc Quebecois member for Rimouski-Témiscouata and her leader.

Mr. Speaker, we await these apologies.

Ethics PackageStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

Ronald J. Duhamel Liberal St. Boniface, MB

Mr. Speaker, we said we would do it in the red book and we have done it.

We have delivered the goods.

Today the Prime Minister announced the following:

The appointment of the first ethics counsellor in the history of this great nation.

Second, the strengthening of the Lobbyists Registration Act.

The clarification and strengthening of the conflict of interest code.

And that is not all. This Parliament will develop a code of conduct for members of Parliament and senators. We have met our commitments and more.

Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary Internship ProgramStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

Morris Bodnar Liberal Saskatoon—Dundurn, SK

Mr. Speaker, today I wish to thank the Foundation of Ukrainian Studies, the sponsor of the Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary Internship Program.

Because of the hard work and financial support of this foundation, seven young students from Ukraine are now in Ottawa participating in the program. This is the third year of the program. If the demand for these industrious and personable interns is any indication, this program will continue for many years.

I have the privilege to share the time of Alex Lysenko, one of the interns. Alex will be travelling to my constituency in Saskatoon where I am sure everyone will mutually benefit from this exchange.

I am of Ukrainian heritage and many of my constituents are proud descendants of the hard working and stalwart pioneers from Ukraine.

This program is one that will ensure a close working relationship with the new Ukraine as it evolves into a strong and viable entity in the global community.

Referendum On Quebec SovereigntyStatements By Members

June 16th, 1994 / 2:10 p.m.

Bloc

François Langlois Bloc Bellechasse, QC

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs stunned everybody this week when he stated that the federal government itself could organize a referendum on Quebec sovereignty. What contempt for Quebecers, for their National Assembly and for their sacred right to self-determination!

This right belongs positively, legitimately and unquestionably to the people of Quebec and to nobody else. This was recognized by the Conservatives and the New Democrats. It was even recognized by the federal Liberals as well as by the Prime Minister when they took an active part in the 1980 referendum in Quebec.

Officially, this government says it does not want to talk about the Constitution. Yet, in secret, they are preparing a new constitutional offensive. This double talk does not fool anybody. Quebec has now realized that the rest of Canada no longer wants to offer anything to Quebec. It is "take it or leave it". It will soon be up to Quebecers to draw their own conclusions.

Arts And CultureStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Reform

Monte Solberg Reform Medicine Hat, AB

Mr. Speaker, we have an industry in our country called Canadian culture. It is run by bureaucrats, financed by subsidies, yet virtually unaccountable to the government from which it gets its funding.

This explains why we have what looks like a pile of carpet underpadding on display in our National Gallery and boxes of Brillo pads stacked up to the roof. It is why for years we have subsidized the homosexual theatre group, Buddies in Bad Times, despite the fact that this group advertises violent sado-masochism seminars featuring abduction, guns, knives, forced confinement, blood sports and rape play.

For those of you who say art must be subsidized in order to survive, read your history. The finest theatre in the English language was produced by Shakespeare. His plays were considered popular art at the time, as were Chaucer, Dickens and endless others.

The finest painters or sculptors had patrons, but they at least were accountable. Not in Canada though. Slap something on a canvass, call it Canadian, make friends with the bureaucrats and you will get your funding.

Let us leave these funds in the hands of taxpayers so they can-

Arts And CultureStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

The Speaker

The hon. member for Peterborough.

Welsh HeritageStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Liberal

Peter Adams Liberal Peterborough, ON

Mr. Speaker, the St. David's Society of Peterborough recently hosted the Gymanfa of the Ontario Welsh Festival. A highlight of the event was a performance by the Cantorion Glan Alun from Mold, Wales. As a result of that choir's visit to Ottawa, I rediscovered two Welsh facts associated with Parliament Hill.

First, the inscription in the Peace Tower chapel, "All's well for over there, among his peers, a happy warrior sleeps", is from the poem "The Returning Man" by John Ceredigion Jones.Mr. Jones was a Montrealer who was born in Wales and died in Chapleau, Ontario in 1947. He wrote the poem in Calgary in 1921-22.

Second, the name of 24 Sussex Drive is Gorffwysfa which means place of rest in Welsh. The house was built in 1867 by John Currier. I am not sure why a Welsh name was chosen.

I refer members interested in Welsh heritage to the Ottawa Journal for Remembrance Day, 1948 and to Maureen McTeer's book, Residences-Homes of Canada's Leaders .

Infrastructure ProgramStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Liberal

John Loney Liberal Edmonton North, AB

Mr. Speaker, this is further to my statement of June 13 in this House when I made mention of an Angus Reid survey which showed that 52 per cent of Albertans support the initiatives of this government.

I rise today to congratulate the Prime Minister for his demonstrative commitment to our party's election promises made in the red book. I would also like to thank him for personally showing that commitment to the constituents of Edmonton North when he visited a repaving project in my riding. That project was made possible in part by this government's increasingly successful infrastructure program. As well, I convey the gratitude of my constituents to the ministers involved for their co-operation with local authorities.

D-Day CelebrationsStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Reform

Bob Ringma Reform Nanaimo—Cowichan, BC

Mr. Speaker, I wish to draw the attention of the House to the fact that there are Canadians who are serving their country well while being conscious of our indebtedness.

I was in Normandy last week with the official veterans delegation observing the 50th anniversary of D-Day. We remarked on the dedication and efficiency of Colonel (retired) John Gardam who has organized for Veterans Affairs a guard of honour, trumpeter, piper, and flag party made up of Canadians serving in the militia.

This group is doing an excellent job representing Canada at ceremonies throughout Europe. They are doing so in the most economical way possible, by staying at barracks rather than at hotels.

I salute Colonel Gardam and his troops for demonstrating that excellence does not necessarily equate to the expenditure of money.

Occupational Health And Safety WeekStatements By Members

2:15 p.m.

Liberal

Stan Keyes Liberal Hamilton West, ON

Mr. Speaker, next week is Canadian Occupational Health and Safety Week sponsored by the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering.

The purpose of Canadian Occupational Health and Safety Week is to focus public attention on the importance of preventing injury and illness in the workplace.

Every 12.3 hours an employee is killed on the job. In 1992, 714 workers were killed on the job and another 864,000 workers were injured. It is estimated that the cost of occupational injuries and illnesses in Canada is close to $11 billion.

Clearly we have a fiscal and social responsibility to ensure that the general public is empowered with information designed to prevent injuries and illnesses in the workplace and save lives.

In this regard I would like to express my sincere appreciation for all the individuals and organizations such as the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety in my riding of Hamilton West that produce general information and research on injury and illness prevention in the workplace.

Social Program ReformOral Question Period

2:15 p.m.

Lac-Saint-Jean Québec

Bloc

Lucien Bouchard BlocLeader of the Opposition

Mr. Speaker, in a letter to a meeting of his provincial counterparts in Halifax, the Minister of Human Resources Development included a requirement that the provinces get back to him on his proposed reform of social programs within 36 hours. Not three weeks, not one week, not three days, not 48 hours but 36 hours. An unrealistic and unacceptable deadline, considering the extent of a reform that has met with legitimate opposition from the provinces.

I want to ask the minister whether this means he still insists on imposing his views on the provinces by making them feel they are up against the wall, since he sent them a 36-hour ultimatum.

Social Program ReformOral Question Period

2:15 p.m.

Winnipeg South Centre Manitoba

Liberal

Lloyd Axworthy LiberalMinister of Human Resources Development and Minister of Western Economic Diversification

Mr. Speaker, the hon. Leader of the Opposition is once again building a question on a strong base of fantasy. Never, in a letter, comment or direction did I say that there would be any limit of 36 hours.

This morning I spoke directly to the chairman of the social services ministers, Dr. James Smith. I asked him where he heard it and he said it was brought up by somebody in the meeting and the press asked about it and he responded. I asked: "Had you heard it from me?" He answered: "No. You are talking about10 days, two weeks, whatever time is necessary for a response".

I would say to the hon. Leader of the Opposition that before he asks a question he should get his facts straight.

Social Program ReformOral Question Period

2:15 p.m.

Lac-Saint-Jean Québec

Bloc

Lucien Bouchard BlocLeader of the Opposition

Mr. Speaker, in a democracy like ours, the best way to be informed is to read respectable and respected newspapers. The Ottawa Citizen said today-

Social Program ReformOral Question Period

2:15 p.m.

Some hon. members

Oh, oh.

Social Program ReformOral Question Period

2:15 p.m.

Bloc

Lucien Bouchard Bloc Lac-Saint-Jean, QC

The Ottawa Citizen is a very good newspaper. It reported today that provincial ministers were given 36 hours to get back to the minister.

I want to ask the minister whether he realizes that by being so uncompromising and setting this deadline for a quick response from the provinces, he is aggravating the impasse between Ottawa and the provinces.

Social Program ReformOral Question Period

2:15 p.m.

Winnipeg South Centre Manitoba

Liberal

Lloyd Axworthy LiberalMinister of Human Resources Development and Minister of Western Economic Diversification

Mr. Speaker, I would like to read the press release from the Minister of Health and Social Services: "The ministers have reiterated their commitment to reform of our social programs. They also stressed the need to find more effective ways to implement social programs so as to reduce poverty and improve services to the neediest in our society".

Mr. Speaker, the ministers of social services understand the priority: get down to work to find new answers to deal with poverty. The only person who is not engaged is the Leader of the Opposition and his party.

Social Program ReformOral Question Period

2:15 p.m.

Lac-Saint-Jean Québec

Bloc

Lucien Bouchard BlocLeader of the Opposition

Mr. Speaker, the provincial ministers want social reform, but they do not want the minister's reform. That is the difference. Does the minister not realize that instead of his usual unhealthy obstinacy, he should show-

Social Program ReformOral Question Period

2:20 p.m.

Some hon. members

Oh, oh.

Social Program ReformOral Question Period

2:20 p.m.

Bloc

Lucien Bouchard Bloc Lac-Saint-Jean, QC

Unhealthy-misguided.

Social Program ReformOral Question Period

2:20 p.m.

An hon. member

It is a synonym.

Social Program ReformOral Question Period

2:20 p.m.

Bloc

Lucien Bouchard Bloc Lac-Saint-Jean, QC

Instead of being so obstinate, would the minister agree he should show some common sense and make a point of not only involving the provinces in his reform but especially of respecting their practically exclusive jurisdiction in this area?

Social Program ReformOral Question Period

2:20 p.m.

Winnipeg South Centre Manitoba

Liberal

Lloyd Axworthy LiberalMinister of Human Resources Development and Minister of Western Economic Diversification

Mr. Speaker, we have said always that this reform is bigger than any one government, any one level of government. It is a reform that requires the full participation of all Canadians. We will work with anybody: provincial governments, interest groups, Canadians on an individual basis. We did that during the first phase of the Commons hearings and we intend to do it again in the second phase.

I said specifically in the letter I wrote to the ministers of social services-if the hon. Leader of the Opposition would take the time to read the letter and find out what was really said-where I said this must be based on the full participation of all partners in this process. The only people who are avoiding participating are the Bloc Quebecois and we know the reason why.

Social Program ReformOral Question Period

2:20 p.m.

Bloc

Francine Lalonde Bloc Mercier, QC

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Human Resources Development. The Ottawa Citizen , referring to off-the-record remarks by a government spokesman, disclosed parts of the social program reform being considered by the federal government, a reform that will be made public at the end of July, during the summer holidays, after Parliament has adjourned.

Can the minister confirm that his reform will require that all income security program recipients, be it welfare or unemployment insurance, will have to do community work or take training courses in order to receive their benefits? The National Anti-Poverty Organization said this will amount to a cheap labour policy, and will not form the basis of a real employment policy.

Social Program ReformOral Question Period

2:20 p.m.

Winnipeg South Centre Manitoba

Liberal

Lloyd Axworthy LiberalMinister of Human Resources Development and Minister of Western Economic Diversification

Mr. Speaker, I have not yet had the time or opportunity to read the press report referred to by the hon. member.

However, I would suggest to her that any press report at this stage is purely speculative and hypothetical. We will know the kind of options we want Canadians to debate is when we table the report.