Debates of June 8th, 1994

Portugal Week

[Tony Ianno, Liberal, Trinity—Spadina, ON]

Mr. Speaker, this week across the country Canadians of Portuguese origin are hosting Portugal Week, a festival of celebration and good cheer. The highlight of this week is June 10, the Portuguese national day, a celebration of the many accomplishments of the Portuguese Canadian community. This day has historic significance as well for it is the anniversary of the death of the great poet, Luis Vaz de Camoes.

In my riding of Trinity-Spadina, the week's festivities are organized by the Alliance of Portuguese Clubs and Associations of Ontario. Among the events scheduled are a soccer tournament, art exhibits, a parade, as well as numerous concerts featuring internationally recognized Portuguese entertainers.

I would like to salute members of the Portuguese community in my riding for their contribution to the cultural life of Toronto and of Canada during this their week of celebration.

Collège Militaire Royal In Saint-Jean

[Claude Bachand, Bloc, Saint-Jean, QC]

Mr. Speaker, on June 6, the Deputy Prime Minister challenged the figures quoted in Le Devoir to the effect that officer cadet training at Kingston's military college was more costly than the training provided at the Collège militaire de Saint-Jean.

The Deputy Prime Minister did so in spite of the fact that the Ministerial Committee on Canadian Military Colleges tabled a report in May 1993 containing figures which support the claim that the cost of officer cadet training is higher in Kingston than it is in Saint-Jean. Training costs were assessed at $71,291 at the Kingston facility, compared to $58,356 at the college in Saint-Jean. Training costs are, therefore, 22 per cent higher in Kingston.

This government refuses to reconsider its decision to close the Collège militaire de Saint-Jean. We can only conclude that its decision must be politically motivated.

Kemano Completion Project

[Bill Gilmour, Reform, Comox—Alberni, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the Kemano completion project in British Columbia is currently under review by the B.C. Utilities Commission. However the terms of reference of this commission do not address reduced water flows into the Nechako and Fraser River systems and the subsequent impact on fisheries, municipalities and industry.

A petition from 1,100 constituents of Comox-Alberni shows the deep concern that this project has the potential of becoming the worst environmental disaster B.C. has yet encountered. The only way to avoid this potential disaster is to ensure a full federal environmental review is carried out on this project. Until this review is conducted, there is no process where all activity that occurred behind closed doors among the previous Conservative government, the B.C. government, DFO and Alcan is out in the open.

I encourage the government to order a full environmental review of the Kemano completion project in order to alleviate the concerns of many British Columbians.

Riding Forum

[Andy Scott, Liberal, Fredericton—York—Sunbury, NB]

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to report on the success of Fredericton-York-Sunbury's latest public consultation meeting held last Sunday. Over 100 participants gathered to debate gender related issues ranging from housing and child care to abortion and same sex spousal benefits.

This marked the fourth in a series of riding forums since February. The first dealt with health care, the second, national defence and the third, human resources development. I wish to thank my colleagues from Perth-Wellington-Waterloo for participating in the defence forum, from York North for contributing to the HRD debate and from Halifax for input on gender related issues. Thanks also to provincial ministers Russ King,

Vaughan Blaney and New Brunswick Deputy Premier Marcelle Mersereau for their contributions.

Canadians want to debate public policy. I am grateful to the more than 40 volunteers and over 400 participants who contributed their time and talent to making this possible in Fredericton-York-Sunbury.

Literacy

[Pat O'Brien, Liberal, London—Middlesex, ON]

Mr. Speaker, congratulations go out to Katie Johnson, the grade one pupil at Centennial Central elementary school in Arva who recently placed first in a CBC radio story writing competition with her story entitled "Henry". Katie exemplifies the importance of the ability to read and write and the personal rewards they can bring.

As an educator, I recognize there are people in every walk of life who, through no fault of their own, may not be able to read to their children or be able to fill out a job application.

I wish to commend the work of the organizers of the National Adult Literacy Database which is located in my riding of London-Middlesex. I praise the efforts of all of the individuals who are working hard to provide literacy training to thousands of Canadians. Their work and the restoration of the national literacy fund by the government will significantly improve literacy skills.

Juliette Catelani Corsini

[Eleni Bakopanos, Liberal, Saint-Denis, QC]

Mr. Speaker, recently Centraide of Montreal honoured one of my constituents with the Antoinette Robidoux prize for her outstanding volunteer contributions. I rise in the House today to pay tribute to Juliette Catelani Corsini who has dedicated the past 40 years of her life to volunteer work. She is one of the unsung heroes of our society.

For over 40 years, Juliette Corsini has combined her family obligations with her ongoing commitment to the community. She continues to work actively for the Moisson Montréal food bank which she helped found. Mrs. Corsini also devotes her time to Jean-Talon hospital and to L'Arche-Montréal.

As a volunteer, Mrs. Corsini performs numerous tasks, from taking part in food drives to compiling data and handling accounting and secretarial duties.

I wish to congratulate Juliette Catelani Corsini for her constant commitment and enthusiasm. She is a fine example we should all follow. I wish her continued success.

Association Canadienne-Française De L'Ontario

[Gérard Asselin, Bloc, Charlevoix, QC]

Mr. Speaker, according to Mr. André Lalonde who will take over at the helm of the Association canadienne-française de l'Ontario next month, ACFO intends to reach out and grasp the hand extended to it last Friday by the Leader of the Bloc Quebecois.

We congratulate ACFO for its courage and determination and for refusing, in spite of the pressure put on it by Liberal franco-ontarian members and ministers, to allow a partisan line to be dictated to it and for its desire to remain faithful to franco-ontarian interests.

We encourage leaders in the rest of Canada to follow ACFO's example and to come to the realization that their relations with Quebec are about to take on an entirely different complexion.

The Bloc Quebecois hopes that this gesture is the first step to achieving greater co-operation between francophones in Quebec and those in the rest of Canada.

Betty Larke

[Jake Hoeppner, Reform, Lisgar—Marquette, MB]

Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today to pay a special tribute to one of my constituents, Betty Larke of Morden, Manitoba.

Betty has recently been awarded the 1994 Kinsmen community service award. She has been a member of the Royal Canadian Legion auxiliary for 50 years. In 1985 she was awarded the jubilee medal and the meritorious award. Betty has also worked extensively with the Salvation Army's Red Shield Appeal, Meals on Wheels, the United Way, the community's senior home and her local church.

In this, the Year of the Family, it is very appropriate that we recognize Betty's dedication to her community and her respect for family and values.

Betty Larke has enriched the lives of many people in our community through her strong desire to help others. All Canadians can learn from her example.

Oceans Day

[Charles Caccia, Liberal, Davenport, ON]

Mr. Speaker, today, Oceans Day, we celebrate our oceans, the source of life on our planet. First declared in Rio, Oceans Day inspires and challenges us to become caretakers of our ocean environment.

Oceans supply the world's people with more animal protein than any other source. The sea has given us anti-leukemia drugs from sea sponges, bone graft materials from coral, and diagnostic chemicals from red algae. The ocean is the economic lifeline for coastal communities and fish workers by the millions.

For this reason we must keep in mind that human activities have a direct impact on coastal waters. For example, activities which take place inland account for nearly 80 per cent of marine pollution. Inshore dams can cause declining coastal fisheries. Oil spills from ships are to be prevented.

For all these reasons we need to protect and appreciate our oceans.

University Of Guelph

[Brenda Chamberlain, Liberal, Guelph—Wellington, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the University of Guelph has embarked on a strategic planning process which will create the blueprint for its development into the next century.

The university's planning process allows for consultation with university and non-university participants. The eight task forces will study a number of issues, including identifying external factors, assessing its values and culture, and identifying the strengths and weaknesses of existing programs and resources.

The University of Guelph is an important part of Guelph-Wellington. Its remarkable international reputation can only be enhanced by this process.

I congratulate the president of the university, Mordechai Rozanski, on this important initiative. This process will result in a clear vision of the values and the strengths of the university. It will prepare the staff and student body to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

National Transportation Week

[Bob Wood, Liberal, Nipissing, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to have the opportunity this afternoon to commend the activities of National Transportation Week to the House.

As Canadians we are all aware of the major importance transportation has in the life of a nation that borders on three oceans and ranges across mountains, tundra, prairies and rolling countryside.

On the export market 18 to 45 per cent of the price of Canadian primary products such as coal and forest products is transportation costs. For manufactured goods at least 5 per cent of the price is the result of transportation and in some cases that figure can be as high as 17 per cent. Domestically the cost of transporting goods is equally important. An estimated 40 per cent of provincial exports are sold in regions other than where they are produced.

Government and industry must work together to build the operational links that will ensure the seamless transportation systems that will do justice to the professionalism, dedication and hard work of the hundreds of thousands of men and women who keep our transportation systems running safely, efficiently and effectively.

Please join me in a salute to these Canadians workers during National Transportation Week '94.

Status Of Women

[Christiane Gagnon, Bloc, Québec, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the percentage of women in the labour force has been decreasing since 1990. Women between 15 and 24 are the main victims. The Minister of Human Resources Development claims that his Youth Service Corps will help turn the situation around by allowing participants to spend $2,000 on child care when this money has already been earmarked for other purposes.

This measure discriminates against women since it is primarily women who have custody of children and nearly 60 per cent of these women live below the poverty line. Without a specific program to help them find jobs or go back to school, these women will not be able to get out of this intolerable situation. What is the government waiting for when it should be formulating a job-creation policy that takes these women's reality into account?

Teledemocracy

[Ted White, Reform, North Vancouver, BC]

Mr. Speaker, there is just one week to go before voting begins on referendum '94.

I am pleased to advise the House that secret PIN numbers have now been distributed to all registered voters and more than 700 high school students in the riding of North Vancouver, to all MPs and also to yourself, Mr. Speaker. I believe this will be the first secret vote by MPs on any issue other than the election of the Speaker of this House.

When we vote between June 15 and 20 we will be making history as we test a Canadian developed technology that could revolutionize democracy as we know it. I would like to thank

MT&T Technologies Inc. of Halifax for pioneering this system of electronic voting.

I hope that all members will take part in this experiment in direct democracy.

Gasoline Prices

[John Solomon, NDP, Regina—Lumsden, SK]

Mr. Speaker, the price of gasoline has gone up again in Regina and other parts of Canada with no explanation. There have been no new taxes and the price of crude has declined from one year ago.

The price of gas jumped three cents a litre for no reason except to make oil companies richer. Energy consumers are angry and want an investigation into why they must pay more to line the pockets of big oil giants.

The government must put an end to the gouging at the pumps now. Canadians need an energy price review commission to encourage fair competitive pricing and to review monopoly pricing.

Last year Esso Canada made a profit of $582 million and 75 per cent of that money went to the U.S. as dividends. Companies like Esso show little respect for the consumers in this country. Huge profits do not mean fair prices but higher prices. Why? We want to know why.

The government must put an end to this outrageous practice of price gouging. I look forward to seeing what action the government will take on this matter.

Democracy

[Nick Discepola, Liberal, Vaudreuil, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I was relieved to hear the Leader of the Opposition yesterday make a commitment to respect the democratic process guaranteeing everyone the right to express themselves freely on our country's future. He said that the last 30 years have led us to a dead end. What a gross misstatement! In the last 30 years, Canada and Quebec have enjoyed the highest rate of economic growth and the highest standard of living of all OECD countries.

Just imagine what this country would be like if instead of splitting up, we joined forces. It remains to be seen whether Mr. Parizeau shares the ideas of his friend and ally in opposition regarding the democratic process. It is ironic that the Bloc leader tries to pass himself off as a champion of democracy when his own troops and his separatist confederate threaten to boycott and retaliate against any group or institution daring to question their independence plans.

That is a very strange conception of freedom of expression!

Oceans Day

[Francis Leblanc, Liberal, Cape Breton Highlands—Canso, NS]

Mr. Speaker, today is Oceans Day. First declared on June 8, 1992 during the Rio earth summit, Oceans Day is meant to remind us and challenge us to become better caretakers of our oceans' environment.

Regardless of where you live, marine life and oceans are important to every Canadian. Not only does what happens in the marine environment affect us but what we do affects it.

No better example of this exists than in my riding where the sea is an economic lifeline for many coastal communities. This lifeline has been placed under considerable strain over the past few years.

Oceans Day serves to remind us that individuals can make a difference through the many projects, exhibits and conferences which are taking place today across the country.

I encourage all members of the House to help raise public awareness among our constituents about the importance of oceans to our lives.

Canadian Special Service Medal

[Art Hanger, Reform, Calgary Northeast, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the degree of danger and very real battle conditions that our brave men and women of the armed forces are facing in the former Yugoslavia is a source of both worry and pride.

We feel pride when we recognize our maple leaf emblazoned on the uniforms of those brave people who are putting their lives on the line to represent Canada and to bring a modicum of justice and humanity to that desperate part of the world.

Despite the obvious bravery of our troops and the harsh battle conditions they can be exposed to, we have not chosen to honour our troops with the Canadian Special Service Medal. This medal was authorized in 1984 and was created to recognize the service of Canadians in special circumstances. It has been awarded to Canadian troops serving with NATO in western Europe and has not been extended to our brave men and women in the former Yugoslavia.

I pray that the minister of defence will realize the oversight of the department in not extending this award and will take steps to bestow recognition as that recognition has most definitely been earned.

Education

[Stan Keyes, Liberal, Hamilton West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today in honour of the students in my riding of Hamilton West and across Canada who will graduate from elementary, secondary and post-secondary institutions this month.

This year over 260,000 students will graduate from high school, over 83,000 will graduate from college and approximately 170,000 will graduate from university.

It is my hope that as these students progress through our system of education and training they will continue to achieve new levels of accomplishment in the lifelong learning process.

I have said in the House before that education will be the salvation of our society. In the present information age this statement is proving to be more and more important as we approach the 21st century.

I am sure that all members of the House will join me in congratulating the class of 1994.

Job Creation

[Lucien Bouchard, Bloc, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, in a speech he gave yesterday in Paris at the annual meeting of the OECD, the Minister of Human Resources Development said that Canada's present job-creation program does not fit the socio-economic reality and must be revised. I quote from the Canadian press, where the minister is reported to have said: "We must build a new program that will put Canadians back to work, while ensuring income security for those who need it."

My question is for the Deputy Prime Minister. Does she admit that this statement by her fellow minister is a stinging denunciation of the government's job-creation strategy, which only creates temporary jobs in the infrastructure program? Are we to conclude that this government will finally do something specific to create jobs?

[Sheila Copps, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Environment]

Mr. Speaker, I do not accept the opposition leader's statement. Obviously, we are reforming social security because the present system is not working.

[Lucien Bouchard, Bloc, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, with all due respect, I believe that I must apologize to the Deputy Prime Minister, who told us yesterday that ministers' trips to Europe were worthwhile.

In fact, this trip has brought out the truth, an admission of failure, since in this moment of sincerity, the minister admitted abroad that the government's job-creation program, the one in the red book, is not working and will be replaced.

I would ask the minister to continue to own up and tell us whether her government intends to review its budget strategy, which involves reducing the deficit on the backs of the poor by taking food from their mouths, as the finance minister himself said, the very man who imposed an unprecedented cut in unemployment insurance benefits.

[Sheila Copps, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Environment]

Mr. Speaker, that is exactly what the minister did not say. If the Leader of the Opposition is interested in the truth, perhaps I can read exactly what the minister said, and I quote:

The message is that it is time for a change and we must move toward a very strong approach to relieving structural unemployment. It is very much a part of our unemployment strategy.

Obviously the reason for the social security reform is because there are too many unemployed people who have not found jobs for weeks, months and years. We have a structural problem and that is what we are going to try and solve.

[Lucien Bouchard, Bloc, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, I wonder if the Prime Minister should not send the Deputy Prime Minister to Europe; it seems that things are clearer in Europe when Canadian affairs are discussed.

I would ask the Deputy Prime Minister if she admits that the substantial cut in unemployment insurance benefits penalizes even more heavily local communities in several regions of Quebec and Atlantic Canada, where a large proportion of seasonal workers face conditions that restrict their eligibility for unemployment insurance.

[Sheila Copps, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Environment]

Mr. Speaker, trips to Europe were mentioned. It seems to me that the hon. member, when he was in Europe a long time ago, was a federalist.

While things are happening in Europe, it is also obvious that the reason the Minister of Human Resources Development is now adopting a new social policy is that workers in Matapédia, Matane, Lac-Saint-Jean and Roberval have not found work for years. That is why the system must be changed.

Collège Militaire Royal In Saint-Jean

[Michel Gauthier, Bloc, Roberval, QC]

Mr. Speaker, over the last few days, the federal government demonstrated on numerous occasions that it was constantly improvising when negotiating with the Quebec government regarding the future of the military college in Saint-Jean. This is evidenced by the project proposed by the president of the Université de Sherbrooke, who is anxiously waiting for an agreement between the two governments.

Is the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs aware that each day that negotiations with the Quebec government are delayed jeopardizes the implementation of a project such as the one proposed by the president of the Université de Sherbrooke, since the teachers at CMR may make commitments to other institutions and no longer be available? Is the minister aware of that?