Debates of Nov. 6th, 1995

The Late Yitzhak Rabin

[Peter Adams, Liberal, Peterborough, ON]

Mr. Speaker, this evening at the Beth Israel synagogue in Peterborough people of all faiths will be meeting to mourn and remember Mr. Yitzhak Rabin.

I met Mr. Rabin once. He impressed me greatly.

Israel is an extraordinarily democratic nation. The struggles of the great majority of Israelis to solve their enormous problems through the democratic process are an example to us all.

Mr. Rabin's career was a key thread in the fabric of a democratic Israel from its birth to today. He showed us the path of moderation is not a soft option. It is a tough road beset by the pitfalls and traps of extremists. It is a path often shrouded by the fogs of apathy.

Our thoughts are with Mr. Rabin's family and the state of Israel at this difficult and tragic time.

The Economy

[Dale Johnston, Reform, Wetaskiwin, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the government's head in the sand approach to running the country must stop. Our debt is $567 billion and Stats Canada reports the October jobless rate increased to 9.4 per cent.

The Pollyannas across the way no doubt have been told: "Don't worry, be happy; the economy is improving". The 65,000 new entrants into the job market will not be happy until they find a job.

The increase would have been even higher if it were not for the spinoff from the resurgence of the U.S. economy. While the Prime Minister and his cabinet were perfecting their do-nothing routine during the referendum, they failed to realize the status quo approach to the economy will bring Canada even closer to financial collapse.

The minister of HRD's orchestrated leaks about new job creation schemes show he is still clinging to the socialist notion that governments can create jobs. History has proven this approach to be an unmitigated failure.

Why does the government not get out of the way so the private sector can create some real jobs?

Tragic Death Of Prime Minister Of Israel

[Pauline Picard, Bloc, Drummond, QC]

Mr. Speaker, following the tragic death, two days ago, of Yitzhak Rabin, Israel and the whole international community have lost a great statesman.

Yitzhak Rabin was one of the main architects of the peace process in the Middle East. His death must not end the hope for lasting peace between Israel and its Arab neighbours.

Yitzhak Rabin was like a reflection of his country and of the whole Middle East. Born in a country under foreign control, he fought for national independence before becoming his country's defence chief of staff, and eventually ambassador, prime minister and peacemaker. It is thanks to his dedication to peace if, in recent years, we witnessed a rapprochement between Israel and its Arab neighbours.

More than anything else in his distinguished career, Yitzhak Rabin will be remembered as a man of peace who was loved by his people, by neighbouring nations, and by us all.

The Late Yitzhak Rabin

[Rey D. Pagtakhan, Liberal, Winnipeg North, MB]

Mr. Speaker, only two years ago Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin proclaimed to the world: "Enough of blood and tears. Enough".

Today citizens of the world remember those courageous words as they mourn the tragic loss of this great peacemaker. It is indeed ironic that a man of peace should be taken from the world so violently.

Today as we mourn his death we also celebrate his life. We shall continue to remember him for the legacy he has left behind: peace in the Middle East which will be treasured by every child who comes of age in a better world.

Mr. Rabin knew the soul of his people and his people came to him for leadership in war and in peace.

As we grieve with his family and his nation, let us resolve that his death shall not still the life of peace.

[Jane Stewart, Liberal, Brant, ON]

Mr. Speaker, when a man of war becomes a general of peace, we have surely witnessed a miracle. When a man can turn a hawk into a dove, we have surely witnessed a miracle. When a man can learn to give instead of take, we have surely witnessed a miracle.

This miracle will be remembered as Yitzhak Rabin. The history he has written will become a beacon of hope, a symbol of peace, a miracle of humanity for all the world to share.

As but one who has watched his leadership and listened to his words, I share the grief, I feel the sorrow and I know we have lost someone rare.

Government Spending

[John Williams, Reform, St. Albert, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the first set of supplementary estimates was tabled last week and with these estimates the government is proposing $936 million in new spending; spending that only six months ago was unforeseen, unimagined and completely unanticipated by the government.

I am appalled by some of this spending. The government's failure to collect information and its efforts to hide information have led to an expensive Somalia inquiry budgeted at $7.4 million. This could have been, would have been and should have been avoided if the Department of National Defence had done its job correctly.

There is a $4 million subsidy to Canada Post Corporation for providing services to the north. I thought Canadian postage rates are supposed to pay for delivery everywhere in Canada. Does Canada Post need an additional $4 million subsidy to do the job it is already paid to do?

Pharmacy Awareness Week

[Paul Szabo, Liberal, Mississauga South, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to bring to the attention of all Canadians that November 1 to 7 is Pharmacy Awareness Week.

Each year there are 12,500 deaths, two million lost work days, and $150 million in lost earnings in Canada because people do not take their medications properly.

The purpose of Pharmacy Awareness Week is to recognize the important role pharmacists play in health care, particularly in the use of medication. It also serves to encourage a dialogue between pharmacists and their patients on the proper and safe consumption of prescription drugs. Pharmacy Awareness Week is an opportunity for patients and pharmacists to reduce the risk involved with unsafe medication consumption.

I recognize the efforts of pharmacists in the field of health and I encourage them to continue their efforts to ensure that medications and their proper use continue to improve the good health of all Canadians.

The Constitution

[Gilles Duceppe, Bloc, Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, last Wednesday, in response to a question, the Prime Minister said he was in favour of a veto right, not for the Government of Quebec but for Quebecers.

When asked about this last week, both the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and the Deputy Prime Minister were unable to explain what the Prime Minister meant.

Could the Minister of Justice explain what the Prime Minister means when he talks about a veto right for Quebecers?

[Marcel Massé, Liberal, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada]

Mr. Speaker, last week we said that the best way by far to give Quebecers the vote was to proceed with the good government we had started to put in place and implement the changes and reforms that were

clearly demanded by the public. That was the best way to prevent the next referendum.

[Gilles Duceppe, Bloc, Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I directed my question to the Minister of Justice because I thought that directing it to the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs would not give us more of an answer than we had last week.

I will again put my question to the Minister of Justice. Could he confirm his government's plans to table legislation in the House of Commons authorizing federal referendums in five regions in Canada, including Quebec, for the purpose of amending the constitution?

[Marcel Massé, Liberal, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada]

Mr. Speaker, obviously the government speaks with one voice, whether it does through the Prime Minister, who is in charge, the Minister of Justice or myself. Furthermore, the questions now being asked by the hon. member for the opposition are about purely speculative matters on which the government is not prepared to commit itself.

[Gilles Duceppe, Bloc, Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, we will keep trying to find out a little more about the vacuum that exists on the other side.

Does the Minister of Justice realize that this plan to hold federal referendums that might amend the Canadian constitution means that his government intends to go over the head of the Quebec National Assembly, as it did in 1982?

[Marcel Massé, Liberal, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada]

Mr. Speaker, the purpose of a referendum is to find out how the public feels. We know how the public feels. People want to stay in Canada, and they want changes made within Canada. They expressed their opinion. It is over. Because we believe in democracy, we concluded that their no was a real no, and we are acting on that basis. That is why we are going to put reforms in place in Canada.

[Michel Bellehumeur, Bloc, Berthier—Montcalm, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Justice refuses to rule out, as a scenario for amending the constitution, the possibility that the federal could hold its own referenda in the five regions of Canada, including Quebec.

My question is for the Minister of Justice. In this context, are we to understand that the right of veto for Quebecers the Prime Minister of Canada referred to would consist in violating the authority of the Quebec national assembly by flouting its prerogative to hold its own referenda?

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

No, Mr. Speaker.

[Michel Bellehumeur, Bloc, Berthier—Montcalm, QC]

Everyone but the Minister of Justice answered, Mr. Speaker.

My second question is for the Minister of Justice. Is this federal initiative not an indication that Ottawa is trying to pave the way for another dirty trick like the one it played on us in 1982 by amending the constitution without the consent of the Quebec national assembly? They are at it again.

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

No, Mr. Speaker.

Security Of Prime Minister

[Deborah Grey, Reform, Beaver River, AB]

Mr. Speaker, all Canadians were shocked to hear of the break-in at 24 Sussex Drive on Saturday night.

The Prime Minister deserves to be protected. He must be protected, especially in his own home. The more Canadians learn about this, the more outraged they are at this breach of security.

I ask the Solicitor General of Canada, where in the world did our security system go wrong on Saturday night?

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

Madam Speaker, this is a very unfortunate situation.

I met with the commissioner yesterday and discussed it with him again this morning. I can confirm that I have asked for a full investigation and he has agreed that such an investigation be carried out into the security of the Prime Minister and that of all official residences.

A full investigation is being carried out into this incident by a senior officer of the RCMP not connected with the management of the security system. The purpose of this investigation is not only to find out what happened but to make sure it does not happen again.

[Deborah Grey, Reform, Beaver River, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the minister says it was an unfortunate incident. In fact it was terrifying. I have my sympathies for Mrs. Chrétien, who went to the door and found such a frightening thing. It is not acceptable that it just be deemed unfortunate, especially on the heels of the tragic murder on that same day of the Israeli Prime Minister.

It took the RCMP almost 10 minutes to respond. If Mrs. Chrétien had called the fire department, their response time would have been three and a half minutes. Why did it take so long?

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

Mr. Speaker, I have already pointed out that this incident is totally unacceptable.

The commissioner of the RCMP had a press conference earlier today and expressed his shock and dismay at what happened.

Obviously a full investigation has not been completed. It would appear that the RCMP officers on the site did not follow procedures. Instead of moving immediately to the house, they surrounded the house before going in and arresting the person who had broken into the house and placing him under control.

[Deborah Grey, Reform, Beaver River, AB]

Mr. Speaker, platitudes and investigations and all these kinds of things are one thing, but Canadians are demanding more. They are demanding action, not just reports and tabling reports and all that. They do not feel safe in their own homes. Now they find out that their Prime Minister is not safe in his.

How can the solicitor general assure Canadians that this government has taken immediate steps so that this will never happen again? Will he commit today to tabling the report that is brought forward so that all Canadians can look at it?

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

Mr. Speaker, the report is going to be made to me by the commissioner. I will review it. To the extent that information can be made public without undermining security, I will certainly attempt to bring it forward to this House.

I can also confirm to this House that enhancements and improvements to the security at 24 Sussex have already been made. The RCMP and the government are not waiting for the report before making necessary improvements in security.

Above all, this incident is shocking and dismaying. It is unacceptable. As far as I am concerned, everything possible will be done to make sure it never happens again.

The Constitution

[Pierre De Savoye, Bloc, Portneuf, QC]

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

Saturday he confirmed that the federal government is opposed to any constitutional recognition of the distinct status of Quebec and that it is preparing instead to table in the House of Commons a simple and inconsequential resolution which will not change anything concretely for Quebec.

Are we to understand that the fact that only one Canadian in three outside Quebec would be prepared to modify the constitution explains the federal intention to offer Quebecers only a simple resolution on the distinct society which will serve no useful purpose to the men and women of Quebec?

[Allan Rock, Liberal, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada]

Mr. Speaker, I never said that, but it is our intention to respect the Prime Minister's commitments.

As my colleague stated today, the most important thing is to ensure good government; then another referendum campaign will not be necessary.