Debates of June 2nd, 1994

Lighthouses

[Douglas Young, Liberal, Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, for anyone to suggest that on the coast of British Columbia or on the coast of eastern Canada lighthouses are not essential would be totally irresponsible.

We have said that what we intend to do is to look at the staffing of lighthouses. The technology of 1994 has allowed the United Kingdom, Australia, the United States, countries around the world, including Canada on the east coast, to make major changes in how to protect and make sure that people who use the sea are safe.

The Department of Transport understands its obligation to people who earn their living on the sea or who spend leisure time on the sea. We have no intention of doing anything on the west coast of Canada or anywhere else that would put the safety of Canadians at risk.

[John Cummins, Reform, Delta, BC]

Mr. Speaker, what price does the minister put on public safety?

Lightkeepers make a major contribution in offering comfort and advice to maritime travellers. Why not shut down 36 desks in Ottawa rather than 36 B.C. light stations?

[Douglas Young, Liberal, Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member undoubtedly raises a question which is of great importance to many people who do not understand what has happened in many other parts of the world.

With all due respect, all of us recognize the magnificence of the British Columbia coast, its harbours and bays and the tremendous amount of marine activity which takes place out there. I would simply suggest to the hon. member that he look at what happened on the west coast of the United States. It is very similar. The situation in the U.K., the United States, Australia and around the world is that technology is replacing human beings in lighthouses. It is going to happen on the west coast, but it will only happen when we take into account the safety and security of people who use marine facilities in that area.

Goods And Services Tax

[Sarkis Assadourian, Liberal, Don Valley North, ON]

Mr. Speaker, in keeping with the tradition of this 35th Parliament of providing open and constructive debates on major issues affecting Canadians such as the ones we had previously on peacekeeping and defence, I wish to ask the hon. government House leader the following question.

Will he consider the idea of a special debate in the House on the ways and means of replacing the GST so that MPs from all sides of the House will have a chance to voice their concern on this very important issue?

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

Mr. Speaker, in the next few weeks the Standing Committee on Finance will be making a report to the House on the matter of the replacement of the GST. After this report is tabled I think there will be opportunities to debate the matter in the House. I would be happy to consult with members on both sides of the House as to how we can use this report as a basis for debate.

Construction Of A French-Language School

[Suzanne Tremblay, Bloc, Rimouski—Témiscouata, QC]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Canadian Heritage.

Yesterday, the minister confirmed the commitment made by the Prime Minister that a French-language school will be built in Kingston as quickly as possible, given the appalling conditions of the existing facilities, which have no toilets nor running water, and which have been used as a school for over six years.

Considering that the Kingston French-language school board has decided to build a school on the Olan Mills site, considering that the Ontario Department of Education has approved the $7-million contribution for the construction of the school on that site, and considering that the minister himself and the Ontario minister of culture have authorized a budget of over one million dollars for the construction of a cultural centre adjacent to the school, will the minister pledge to ensure that the French-language school will be built on the site selected and bought by the school board?

[Michel Dupuy, Liberal, Minister of Canadian Heritage]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to repeat what the Prime Minister and myself have already said. It is our wish and our will to see that school move to new facilities in Kingston.

We have indeed allocated funds in this regard, which reflects our will to see the issue solved. The primary responsibility lies with the provincial department, municipal officials and concerned school board.

We have already contacted provincial authorities to express our concern. Right now, school board members are negotiating with Kingston officials to speed up the process. I think we must trust those who are primarily concerned, namely the school board officials, and give them a chance to solve the issue with our general support.

[Suzanne Tremblay, Bloc, Rimouski—Témiscouata, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I have a supplementary. Since the approval of Kingston city council is the only thing delaying the construction of the school, does the minister not realize that, at this stage, the search for another site, or any delay in the council decision, would unduly postpone the timely construction of an adequate French-language school in Kingston?

[Michel Dupuy, Liberal, Minister of Canadian Heritage]

Mr. Speaker, clearly we want to see this issue come to a conclusion as quickly as possible. I think that the best way to do so is to give a chance to those who are currently negotiating to reach an agreement, rather than disturb the process with all the political considerations which the party opposite is trying to bring up.

Health

[Keith Martin, Reform, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca, BC]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Health.

The minister stated in a Toronto Star article on May 28, 1994 that she has the terms of reference for the National Health Care Forum. This forum would have a four-year mandate and a budget of $12 million.

Will the minister acknowledge today that our health care system is in critical condition and requires emergency care? Is she going to take four years to make decisions to save Canada's health care system?

[Diane Marleau, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, I have said it before and I will say it again. The national forum is meant to be a process. It is a series of meetings to put forward ideas for the renewal of our health system, not just our health care system, for the 21st century. It is not meant to take the place of the Conference of Federal-Provincial Ministers of Health who are meant to take the day to day decisions having to do with our health care system.

[Keith Martin, Reform, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca, BC]

Mr. Speaker, nothing grates the sense of an opposition member more than to continue to have our serious questions not answered with truthful straight answers.

[Some hon. members]

Shame.

[Some hon. members]

Withdraw.

[The Speaker]

I know the hon. member, as many members sometimes in putting questions, will have a certain sense that the question is not being answered, but I would hope that the hon. member would withdraw the allegation that the answers are not truthful. Would the hon. member withdraw.

[Keith Martin, Reform, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca, BC]

I will say this much, Mr. Speaker. I would just like to have-

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh.

[The Speaker]

Order. I put it to the hon. member, with all respect, would the hon. member withdraw.

[Keith Martin, Reform, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I will withdraw the statement about truthful.

I would though like to have a straight answer on this if I may. What are the terms of reference of the health care forum?

[Diane Marleau, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, often many statements are made in the House and many statements were made in the last election, especially by that particular party across the way, but in all honesty, we upheld the principles of the Canada Health Act and we have not moved from our commitment to those.

In recent articles I have read, the hon. member believes the rich should pay for their health care. In Canada and many other countries there are many things which are available to people who can pay for them, more suits among other things. With regard to health care, we believe there should not be any kind of cash register approach to it. It should be equal for everyone.

The terms of reference for the forum will be released when we are ready to release them.

Goods And Services Tax

[Audrey McLaughlin, NDP, Yukon, YT]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the minister of revenue. After the election, the minister said that he would abolish the GST within a year, but now we have learned that he will be bringing in changes, not to abolish but rather to hide the GST.

In the meantime, his department has released a flyer that we have read today. It says: "Don't miss out. Take advantage of the $100,000 capital gains exemption".

The minister has refused to close some of the tax loopholes. Why has he not agreed to eliminate tax loopholes such as the capital gains exemption and the family trusts, instead of going after the poor and the underprivileged? Maybe because he wants to increase the GST instead of abolishing it.

[David Anderson, Liberal, Minister of National Revenue]

Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate the hon. member for her question. Since she is not here very often, she made the most of it and included a lot of things in her question.

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Speaker]

I am sure the hon. minister will want to answer the question directly.

[David Anderson, Liberal, Victoria, BC]

Of course, Mr. Speaker.

First of all, the hon. member mentioned the GST. It is true that, one hour after becoming minister of National Revenue, I thought it was possible to abolish the GST within a year of my appointment. I still have a few months left. I am waiting. Maybe I have become more realistic and less optimistic. We will need another year, maybe two at the most. Like everyone else in this House, I am waiting for the report of the House committee reviewing the GST.

Mr. Speaker, I am waiting to receive the report of this all-party committee. Once I get it, I will review it, like every other cabinet member.