House of Commons Hansard #78 of the 35th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was workers.
Antoine Dubé Bloc Lévis, QC
Mr. Speaker, could the Deputy Prime Minister or the Solicitor General tell us why the government did not consider the recommendations made by Quebec, since the Quebec minister of justice said yesterday: "The law, as it is, is perfectly adequate"?
Herb Gray LiberalLeader of the Government in the House of Commons and Solicitor General of Canada
Mr. Speaker, we answered the concerns of Canadians everywhere in the country. They expressed the desire for more secure homes and streets. This is also a commitment we made in the red book, and I believe we have the support of a majority of Canadians.
Val Meredith Reform Surrey—White Rock—South Langley, BC
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Solicitor General.
On Monday, in response to a question about the release of Larry Fisher, the Minister of Justice stated that he had identified the matter as one requiring action. However he went on to say that he was talking to the provinces about having them amend the Mental Health Act to permit assessment if necessary for continued confinement.
Does the minister not believe that since these individuals are incarcerated for committing violent crimes they should be treated as criminals and not mental health patients?
Herb Gray LiberalLeader of the Government in the House of Commons and Solicitor General of Canada
Mr. Speaker, the law at present does not permit the detention of prisoners beyond the sentence imposed by the courts.
We recognize there are prisoners whose situation is such that they may continue to provide a serious risk to the public after the end of the sentence imposed by the courts. We are examining with the provinces how we can deal with that situation in a way that is consistent with the Constitution of Canada and will be upheld by the courts.
We are proceeding through a federal-provincial task force which is expected to report shortly. On the basis of that report we will formulate proposals which will be discussed in the House.
I look forward to the discussion leading to a response with which we will deal with the kinds of concerns we have expressed and which have been expressed on the other side of the House as well.
Val Meredith Reform Surrey—White Rock—South Langley, BC
Mr. Speaker, last year the Parole Board detained 200 prisoners because they were too great a risk to let out. Some of these violent prisoners will complete their sentences and once again be out on our streets.
My private member's bill before the House would prevent these dangerous offenders from unsupervised release into our communities.
Is the House not the place where laws should be amended to address the problem of violent offenders that threaten our citizens?
Herb Gray LiberalLeader of the Government in the House of Commons and Solicitor General of Canada
Mr. Speaker, we are dealing with a situation which involves both federal and provincial jurisdictions under our Constitution. While the Constitution says that criminal law is something that is dealt with in the House of Commons and the Senate of Canada, the
administration of justice according to the Constitution is a provincial responsibility.
Therefore, in order to deal seriously with the problem and go beyond mere words and into the field of meaningful action, we need a co-operative effort involving both the federal government and the provinces. That co-operative effort will, I am sure, involve legislation that will be dealt with in the House leading, as I have said, to action rather than words.
That is what Canadians want and that is what they are going to get: not just words but real action.
Gurbax Malhi Liberal Bramalea—Gore—Malton, ON
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration.
Yesterday the minister released a report on business immigration. Could the minister advise the House what benefit initiative the minister has proposed for business immigration to Canada?
Sergio Marchi LiberalMinister of Citizenship and Immigration
Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his question. It is true that yesterday the government tabled a report it had commissioned on a non-remunerated basis by a practitioner in the field, Mr. Mendel Green.
The report will certainly lead the way in terms of a review of how we can strengthen what has generally been a very successful program. In the last seven years some $2.5 billion of investment has been attracted, creating an estimated 30,000 jobs.
The attempt is to try to strengthen the success stories and to try to correct some areas of concern namely in the investor category. Since 1993 amendments put through the House have improved that. We should continue to find ways of strengthening our mechanisms and our monitoring to ensure that those who do invest and want to create jobs and create economic wealth do so and, second, to keep it in context.
This year it represents approximately 10 per cent of overall immigration, which I think is just about right because we do not want to leave the suggestion that only those with deep pockets can come to this country.
Roger Pomerleau Bloc Anjou—Rivière-Des-Prairies, QC
Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to the Minister of the Environment. It seems the government is preparing to refloat the wreck of the Irving Whale , which contains more than 3,000 tons of oil, off the coast of the Magdalen Islands. Apparently, the decision was made although studies have shown that the pumping option is much safer than refloating.
Are we to understand that to save $14 million, the government is prepared to take considerable risks that may affect the fisheries and the local tourism industry, by opting for refloating which is less costly but not as safe as pumping?
Sheila Copps LiberalDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Environment
Certainly not, Mr. Speaker. The hon. member ought to know that as the minister responsible, I tabled three reports in the House which looked at the best way to deal with the Irving Whale . The third option, the one we chose, is not only less costly but also safer, which was confirmed by scientists with the Coast Guard and the Department of the Environment.
Roger Pomerleau Bloc Anjou—Rivière-Des-Prairies, QC
Mr. Speaker, on a supplementary. Could the minister indicate who will pay the cost of dealing with the problem of the Irving Whale ? The taxpayers, the oil companies' compensation fund or Irving, the company responsible for this time bomb?
Sheila Copps LiberalDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Environment
Mr. Speaker, as I said on the day we announced that we had accomplished something while his leader did nothing at all for three years, after 1,000 days we at least had something to show for it. We have advanced federal funds, and we intend to recover the full amount from a fund to which all ship owners, including those of the Irving Whale , contribute.
Leon Benoit Reform Vegreville, AB
Mr. Speaker, in recognition of National Transportation Day I would like to address the issue of grain transportation. My question is for the Minister of Transport.
Payments to farmers under the WGTA have been reduced by about $100 million a year. At the same time nothing has been done to make the system more efficient by allowing farmers increased access to alternate shipping modes for grain.
When will the minister put this money in farmers' hands and allow them to choose the best market for their grain without this distortion?
Ralph Goodale LiberalMinister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
Mr. Speaker, the issues to which the hon. member is referring are under active examination at the present time.
As he will know, the previous government had established a consultative and advisory process, including an examination of transportation efficiencies or inefficiencies which was conducted by the Grain Transportation Agency and a study being conducted by an independent organization known as the Producer Payment Panel to examine the possibility of different methods of payment of the Crow benefit under the Western Grain Transportation Act.
My colleague, the Minister of Transport, and I have received a copy of the efficiency study conducted by the Grain Transportation Agency. We are awaiting the final report of the Producer Payment Panel with respect to alternate methods of payment.
We have indicated that while those processes were started by a previous government, and therefore we are not necessarily bound by the outcome of those various studies and recommendations, we will obviously be interested to see what those studies produce. We will consider that input together with the very valuable input of a number of others that have an interest in this situation, most especially western farmers, as we arrive at a decision in respect of the matter in the coming months.
Leon Benoit Reform Vegreville, AB
Mr. Speaker, this issue has been studied to death for more than 25 years. If all the money that was spent on studies was put into a safety net program, I suggest there would be no need for any further spending on agriculture.
Will the minister stop studying and start acting on this important transportation issue?
Ralph Goodale LiberalMinister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
Mr. Speaker, the government has indicated that this issue is very high on its agenda for action in the coming months.
In addition to some of the issues referred to by the hon. gentleman in his question, we also have some important considerations to take into account with respect to the impact of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, especially the new GATT which is to come into effect in 1995. That is a most recent matter that comes to bear on the situation with some very direct consequences that we have to take into account.
The hon. member may rest assured that he and his colleagues, and most especially farmers across western Canada, will see a very vigorous, active agenda on the subject in the time between now and this time next year.
Len Taylor NDP The Battlefords—Meadow Lake, SK
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Deputy Prime Minister.
Today in London the Prime Minister and about 300 Canadian veterans are participating in the unveiling of a very special commemorative memorial. This weekend all across Canada special celebrations in honour of the 50th anniversary of D-Day are taking place. We remember that many veterans who served Canada and the world were aboriginal veterans from Canada.
As we celebrate this commemoration of the 50th anniversary of D-Day, is the government prepared to take steps to address some of the grievances that have been held over these 50 years by aboriginal veterans?
Lawrence MacAulay LiberalSecretary of State (Veterans)
Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his question.
I remind my hon. colleague that aboriginal veterans have the same rights under veterans legislation as any other veterans in the country.
Len Taylor NDP The Battlefords—Meadow Lake, SK
Mr. Speaker, I have a supplementary question for the Secretary of State for Veterans Affairs.
As the minister is aware, the other place is currently studying grievances brought forward by aboriginal veterans acknowledging that in fact aboriginal veterans have not been treated the same as other veterans returning to Canada.
Will the minister undertake to examine the grievances in testimony being presented in the other place and return to the House with perhaps a better answer?
Lawrence MacAulay LiberalSecretary of State (Veterans)
Mr. Speaker, yes, certainly I want to mention the very importance of D-Day and the celebrations that are taking place on June 6.
Any studies that have taken place that indicate there are any problems with veterans, veterans pensions or anything involving veterans affairs would be looked at by myself and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
If my hon. colleague has any information that would indicate any aboriginal veteran did not receive the same as any other veteran in the country, I would certainly want to hear about it.
Paul Crête Bloc Kamouraska—Rivière-Du-Loup, QC
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the minister responsible for regional economic development in Quebec.
Industrial conversion is a concern for all economic stakeholders in Quebec. Last May 15, a report commissioned by the Federal Office of Regional Development-Quebec indicated that the federal government should move quickly to introduce a process to facilitate the conversion of Quebec's defence industry. As it happens, the minister responsible for the FORD-Q has dissociated himself completely from his own study.
Why has the minister dissociated himself so quickly from his own office's studies? Could it be that he is caving in to the pressure exerted by Ontario ministers, particularly the Minister of Industry?
Paul Martin LiberalMinister of Finance and Minister responsible for the Federal Office of Regional Development-Quebec
Mr. Speaker, as the Minister responsible for the FORD-Q, as the Minister of Finance and as a minister from Quebec, I do indeed support, and I stated this repeatedly during the election campaign, our government's position with respect to helping defence industries convert to civilian production.
Moreover, the Minister of Industry has stated himself on numerous occasions that we have a fund and that we intend to work on this area.
Paul Forseth Reform New Westminster—Burnaby, BC
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Justice. Yesterday he made announcements and was quoted in the press to have said that the juvenile system needed change.
Will the minister admit that the current Young Offenders Act brought to Canadians by a previous Liberal government is fundamentally flawed?
Herb Gray LiberalLeader of the Government in the House of Commons and Solicitor General of Canada
Mr. Speaker, any law after it has been in place for a number of years can be updated and often improved in the light of experience. That is what we are doing, because we want to respond to the concerns of Canadians with respect to the safety of their homes and their streets. At the same time we want to make sure, as part of our broader strategy, to get at the root causes of criminal behaviour.
We want to update the law, but we want to have a more fundamental review. I hope we have the support of this House in this activity.
Bonnie Brown Liberal Oakville—Milton, ON
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the President of the Treasury Board. I understand the minister is going to introduce more computers in order to improve service to Canadians by their government.
My concern is, will this mean fewer human conversations between Canadians who require help from their government and the public servants who are there to help them?