House of Commons Hansard #252 of the 35th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was c-61.

Topics

Canadian UnityStatements By Members

2 p.m.

Liberal

Andy Scott Liberal Fredericton—York—Sunbury, NB

Mr. Speaker, Monday's events in Quebec showed us that in fact the glass is half full.

During the past few weeks we have witnessed an outpouring of emotion from Canadians across the country who went from passive observation to active participation in the affairs of their country.

We should all be struck by the depth of their feelings and their willingness and openness to change. This will is generous and the challenge for Parliament is to facilitate the development of this expression of commitment to Canada. As parliamentarians we must strive to nurture and encourage Canadians who want to be involved in the process of reshaping Canada.

Canadians need to be thanked for their willingness and openness to change. They must be valued and implicated in the process of redefining their country.

Quebec ReferendumStatements By Members

2 p.m.

Reform

Mike Scott Reform Skeena, BC

Mr. Speaker, during the past two years we have sat in this House with members of the Bloc Quebecois who have made no secret of their agenda. While we profoundly disagreed with it, I treated these members with respect, and I must add, they treated me with respect. Such is the nature of democracy.

I was absolutely shocked by Mr. Parizeau's comments on referendum night and those of Mr. Bouchard a few weeks ago. The leaders of the separatist movement should be more concerned with equality within and outside Quebec and not the ethnic origin of the voting public.

That Mr. Parizeau has now resigned does not alter what he said. Nowhere has he apologized for his remarks. He has resigned and that is good, but even his resignation is clouded in duplicity.

In the days ahead one hopes the vast majority of Quebecers will distance themselves from Parizeau's and Bouchard's narrow view of Quebec's position and-

Quebec ReferendumStatements By Members

2 p.m.

The Speaker

I would remind all hon. members that while we are members in this House we should address each other by our ridings and not by our names.

David McIntoshStatements By Members

2 p.m.

Liberal

Marlene Catterall Liberal Ottawa West, ON

Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I bring to the attention of the House the passing of a notable Canadian journalist and author, Dave McIntosh.

Mr. McIntosh served valiantly in World War II as a bomber navigator, winning the Distinguished Flying Cross. In 1946 he joined Canadian Press where, for the next quarter century, he earned a reputation as a remorselessly inquiring and rigorously honest journalist. He was a well-respected authority on defence matters and a delightfully mischievous reporter of Ottawa's and Parliament's foibles.

The Parliamentary Press Gallery honoured Mr. McIntosh when it named him an honorary life member as he left journalism. He published a number of books, including a lighthearted but chillingly honest account of his war service Terror in the Starboard Seat as well as a highly amusing collection of his governmental anecdotes Ottawa Unbuttoned .

We join his wife, Jean, his children, his grandchildren and his many friends in mourning the passing of an outstanding Canadian.

Quebec PremierStatements By Members

2 p.m.

Liberal

Bernard Patry Liberal Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC

Mr. Speaker, as the member for Pierrefonds-Dollard, a Quebec riding that is representative of the Canadian mosaic-its composition being 30 per cent allophone from a total of 52 different ethnic groups, 40 per cent anglophone, and 30 per cent francophone-, not only was I shocked by the deliberately chosen and well thought out words of

the Premier of Quebec concerning who was responsible for the defeat of the referendum, but I was also offended by his refusal to retract his words.

This attitude must be vigorously denounced, for Quebec, like Canada, offers a warm welcome to all of the world's citizens. The Premier of Quebec's words are a serious matter, having been spoken after careful consideration by a first minister, but I wish to reassure my colleagues in this House and the people of Canada that they are far from representing reality. Quebecers of all origins are proud people, and newcomers from anywhere in the world will always find an open door in Quebec.

The SenateStatements By Members

2 p.m.

Reform

Jim Abbott Reform Kootenay East, BC

Mr. Speaker, in the recent referendum the Quebec electorate set off an alarm. People in Quebec and indeed all of Canada demand change to the Canadian federation that does not involve constitutional wrangling.

The Prime Minister's outdated, outmoded, traditional political practices of stuffing the Senate with patronage appointments is unacceptable. He must begin a transition to a new Senate which would be effective, elected and equal. And the first non-constitutional step to validate that place is to elect members to the upper house.

The Reform Party demands changes based on the model of the 1989 Alberta senatorial selection act which allowed the election of the late Senator Stan Waters.

The referendum has issued a wake-up call to the federal government. The Reform Party stands as the only federal party with answers to that wake-up call. Canadians note that while the alarm has gone off, the Prime Minister continues to hit the snooze button.

Canadian UnityStatements By Members

2 p.m.

Liberal

Jean Payne Liberal St. John's West, NL

Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today to thank all those Canadians who travelled to the no rally in Quebec this past weekend, particularly those from my riding of St. John's West.

My office has been overwhelmed with letters of support expressing kind regards to all Quebecois and a hope that Quebec will remain within Canada.

I would like to read an excerpt from one of the letters that was written to me by a woman from Argentia in my riding which expressed her feelings on returning from the no rally in Montreal:

Dear Jean:

I have never felt more Canadian than when we arrived in Montreal last weekend and were greeted with such expressions of love and appreciation for attending the rally. The people we met were the same-their expressions of gratitude for our presence was really heartwarming.

"Thank you so much for your consideration", said one woman. "We need it; we don't want to be separate from Canada; we are suffering very much at this moment".

Studies On DuplicationStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

Denis Paradis Liberal Brome—Missisquoi, QC

Mr. Speaker, in the wake of the Quebec referendum the message from Quebecers could not be any clearer. Quebecers want sweeping and rapid changes. I have made a promise to my constituents in Brome-Missisquoi to bear the torch of change to Ottawa.

From the floor of this House, I would humbly request that the Government of Quebec provide us as quickly as possible with the studies on duplication and overlap in their possession, so that we may set to work immediately.

Let us get moving right away, so that very soon, from one end of the country to the other, we can all together tell the people of Canada: Here is the Canada of change you have demanded.

René LévesqueStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Bloc

Laurent Lavigne Bloc Beauharnois—Salaberry, QC

Mr. Speaker, on November 1, 1987 we lost the founding father of the Parti Quebecois and of the sovereignist movement, René Lévesque.

More than anyone else, Mr. Lévesque incarnated Quebecers' confidence in themselves. He was one of the key figures who shaped the quiet revolution through his lead role in the Lesage government and he contributed to the creation of modern day Quebec, particularly by nationalizing our electrical power.

As the Premier of Quebec, he has left a lasting heritage. We need only think, for instance, of the charter of the French language and the recognition of aboriginal right to self-government.

His legacy to us was a faultless sense of democracy and healthier politics; his proudest accomplishment in this area was enactment of the legislation on political funding.

I am sure that René Lévesque, great democrat that he was, would have been proud of the 94 per cent turnout, as Quebecers exercised their right to vote this past Monday.

Ken Saro-WiwaStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

NDP

Svend Robinson NDP Burnaby—Kingsway, BC

Mr. Speaker, yesterday Nigerian author and environmentalist Ken Saro-Wiwa, the winner of the 1995 Goldman environmental prize for Africa, was sentenced to death by a special tribunal after a show trial. There is no right of appeal.

Saro-Wiwa is a founder of Nigerian PEN, an honorary member of PEN Canada, president of the Nigerian Association of Authors, president of the Ethnic Minority Rights Organization of Africa and leader of the movement for the survival of Ogoni people.

For 37 years these people have been exploited and their land ravaged by international oil interests which have taken more than $30 billion in oil and left an ecological disaster area.

I join with Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and PEN Canada in condemning this death sentence. I call on the government to condemn the death sentence in the strongest possible terms, impose sanctions on Nigeria and call for the immediate and unconditional release of Saro-Wiwa, who has always flatly denied any involvement in these killings.

Quebec Sovereignist MovementStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

Eleni Bakopanos Liberal Saint-Denis, QC

Mr. Speaker, a fundamental question is being asked today by millions of Quebecers who voted in the referendum on Monday.

What kind of soil nourishes the deep roots of Quebec's sovereignist movement? Territorial nationalism, mentioned so often in the past few months, seems increasingly difficult to reconcile with the many intolerant statements from various spokespersons for the yes side.

The time has come for solidarity and co-operation. Quebecers from every part of the province expect their governments to pick up where they left off several months ago.

We must now meet the challenge of continuing to build a strong and dynamic Quebec within a united Canada. This kind of blueprint for society cannot afford the invariably disastrous impact of segregation and intolerance.

Quebec PremierStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

Nick Discepola Liberal Vaudreuil, QC

Mr. Speaker, Monday night, the leader of the yes side put the blame for the defeat of his option on the ethnic communities. Yesterday, when he announced his resignation as premier, he did not even have the decency to apologize and in fact repeated and attempted to justify what he had said.

This throws a troubling light on the very foundations of a Quebec nationalism that apparently shows contempt for the election rules prevailing in Quebec, according to which only age, citizenship and place of residence are used as criteria for being eligible to vote.

This troubling statement, made at a crucial moment in the history of Quebec and Canada, forces us to reflect on the democratic nature of the question by which it was inspired. We want to say today that Canada is and will always remain the country of all Canadians.

Quebec PremierStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Bloc

Madeleine Dalphond-Guiral Bloc Laval Centre, QC

Mr. Speaker, we were very moved yesterday when we heard the news of Mr. Parizeau's resignation. All Quebecers recognize of his outstanding contribution to the building of a modern Quebec.

As an adviser to several Premiers, he took part in the development of a number of projects of which we are particularly proud. From the nationalization of electric utilities to the creation of the Quebec Pension Plan and the Caisse de dépôt et de placement,Mr. Parizeau forged the tools that are indispensable to Quebec society.

His outstanding contribution to our economic development was particularly apparent in the stock savings plan, the solidarity fund and, more recently, the regional development funds. He was known as an innovator and a man who held strong convictions.

On behalf of all Quebecers, Mr. Parizeau, I want to say a heartfelt thank you.

The ConstitutionStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Reform

Diane Ablonczy Reform Calgary North, AB

Mr. Speaker, Atlantic Canadians are wondering why the Liberals are going down the same old path with talk of giving Quebec distinct society status.

All Canadians recognize Quebec's cultural, social and historic distinctiveness but they do not want one province given special powers and status in the federation.

New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Prince Edward Island are equally proud of their social, historical and cultural distinctiveness. In fact, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick were two of the four original founders of our country, along with Ontario and Quebec.

Every single province in Canada should be an equal partner in this federation. Every single province in Canada is proud of its unique history and distinctiveness. Every single province should participate in our country on an equal footing.

Reform will vigorously defend the right of the Atlantic provinces to be given the same powers and entitlements as every other province. Our Constitution should never be changed to rob them of equal status.

Canadian UnityStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Progressive Conservative

Elsie Wayne Progressive Conservative Saint John, NB

Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today to thank all those New Brunswickers who travelled to Montreal last week for our rally. It was absolutely marvellous.

I also want to thank all the members of Parliament and all the senators who helped me to get 6,000 flags to take down to the harbour station. Members should have heard them when I asked them to sing "O Canada".

They sang it so you could hear it in Victoria, you could hear it in Newfoundland and in the Northwest Territories. The walls of the building started to shake. I say to my hon. friends from the Reform Party, the people in Atlantic Canada are being well looked after. We are looking after them.

The Ottawa SunStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Liberal

Mauril Bélanger Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON

Mr. Speaker, Canada owes its excellent reputation on the international scene to, for instance, its high standards of tolerance, freedom and respect. We encourage debate because the clash of ideas generates the spark of understanding.

These fundamental values which are the pride of our country were crudely trampled yesterday in a caricature published by the Ottawa Sun . This caricature is not only in poor taste, it is insulting and offends any sensible person who sets moral values above basely partisan considerations.

I know I am speaking for all my colleagues when I clearly and unequivocally condemn this attack on our colleague, the hon. member for Lac-Saint-Jean. I hope that in future we will take an even firmer stand and show we will not tolerate this kind of degrading caricature that attacks an individual's physical integrity.

Tribute To Quebec PremierStatements By Members

November 1st, 1995 / 2:15 p.m.

Bloc

Lucien Bouchard Bloc Lac-Saint-Jean, QC

Mr. Speaker, I would like to offer a tribute today to the Premier of Quebec, Jacques Parizeau. Through his exceptional contribution to the development of Quebec, he has been one the shapers of the self-confidence the people of Quebec have now acquired.

Tribute To Quebec PremierStatements By Members

2:15 p.m.

An hon. member

What?

Tribute To Quebec PremierStatements By Members

2:15 p.m.

Bloc

Lucien Bouchard Bloc Lac-Saint-Jean, QC

A little respect for a great man who is leaving politics, if you please. There is no one here worthy of holding a candle to him.

Tribute To Quebec PremierStatements By Members

2:15 p.m.

Some hon. members

Hear, hear.

Tribute To Quebec PremierStatements By Members

2:15 p.m.

Bloc

Lucien Bouchard Bloc Lac-Saint-Jean, QC

Mr. Speaker, there will be a special place reserved for Jacques Parizeau in the annals of history-

Tribute To Quebec PremierStatements By Members

2:15 p.m.

Some hon. members

Oh, oh.

Tribute To Quebec PremierStatements By Members

2:15 p.m.

The Speaker

As is usual in the standing orders this is the time for members to make statements. We have always and we will continue to respect one another in the House.

I again recognize the hon. member for Lac-Saint-Jean, and am prepared to listen to his statement.

Tribute To Quebec PremierStatements By Members

2:15 p.m.

Bloc

Lucien Bouchard Bloc Lac-Saint-Jean, QC

Mr. Speaker, history will reserve for Jacques Parizeau a special place along Quebecers' path toward sovereignty. A pillar of the sovereignist movement, he-

Tribute To Quebec PremierStatements By Members

2:15 p.m.

Liberal

Douglas Young Liberal Acadie—Bathurst, NB

All Quebecers, or just some of them?