House of Commons Hansard #272 of the 35th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was quebecers.
The Speaker
As is our custom, we will be led today in the singing of the national anthem by the hon. member for Kootenay East.
Stan Dromisky Liberal Thunder Bay—Atikokan, ON
Mr. Speaker, this is National Safe Driving Week.
Ten years ago, vehicle collisions killed 4,364 Canadians and injured another 259,200. It was estimated then that approximately 43 per cent of driver fatalities involved the use of alcohol.
By 1994, even with the doubling of vehicles on the road, vehicle collision deaths had fallen by 25 per cent to 3,260 and the number of injured by 5 per cent to 245,000. However, of those collisions, 44 per cent of driver fatalities involved the use of alcohol.
The conclusion is obvious. We have made great strides in reducing the number of Canadians killed and injured on our roads, but impaired driving continues to demand our attention. That is why the theme of this year's national safe driving week is "The Hidden Face of Impaired Driving". Canadians are still having accidents that could have been prevented by not mixing drinking and driving.
Hugh Hanrahan Reform Edmonton Strathcona, AB
Mr. Speaker, the Liberal so-called unity package is going to have a negative effect on Canada. This package will divide the country more than it will unite it. The distinct society clause will be seen as giving Quebec special status. By lending the federal government's constitutional veto to provincial governments rather than the people, the government will pit one province against the others.
The net effect of the government's package is to increase inequality. Without a doubt, denying all citizens constitutional equality will entrench the notion that all Canadians are unequal.
My constituents in Edmonton-Strathcona and I support the Reform's blue book policy which states clearly our commitment to Canada as one nation and to our vision of Canada as a balanced federation of 10 equal provinces and citizens.
Colleen Beaumier Liberal Brampton, ON
Mr. Speaker, Sri Lanka is a country consumed in violence by the ongoing conflict between the Sri Lankan army and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. Since 1983, 50,000 people have been killed and another 500,000 Tamils have been forced into exile.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs has stated Canada's position: There can be no military solution to the problems in Sri Lanka. Both the minister and the secretary of state have stated on a number of occasions that Canada is willing to become involved in resolving the conflict if asked by both sides.
The situation in Sri Lanka is grave. Innocent people are being subjected to terrible violence, hunger and despair. Amidst this terrible violence, allegations have arisen that aid money is being used to buy military equipment.
I applaud the efforts of the minister and the secretary of state in issuing a standing offer to become involved in resolving this dispute, and encourage them to act to ensure that aid reaches those who need it the most.
Pauline Picard Bloc Drummond, QC
Mr. Speaker, today is a very special day.
Every year for the past six years, December 6 has been a day to reflect on violence against women. Since the day when 14 young women were shot and killed at the École polytechnique in Montreal, Canadians and Quebecers have become less and less tolerant of all forms of violence, particularly violence against women. How
can one not be appalled by the fact that three out of ten women in Canada have been hit at least once by their spouses?
The Quebec government understands the need to act and it has chosen this day to table its policy on violence against women.
The federal government should follow in its footsteps and deal with the causes of violence, which are mostly psychological distress and despair linked to unemployment, indebtedness and poverty.
Elsie Wayne Progressive Conservative Saint John, NB
Mr. Speaker, I rise to bring to the attention of the House the deep concerns of many of my constituents regarding pornography.
The local chapter of the Saint John Catholic Women's League has sent me several little ribbons in recognition of White Ribbons Against Pornography or WRAP week. The CWL took part in WRAP activities from October 22 to 29.
The members of the CWL and their parishioners wore the ribbons, wrote their names on the backs of them and sent them to me to show their opposition to pornography in any form. We need stronger laws to protect us from this destructive menace in our society.
Today we remember the 14 young women who were brutally and tragically murdered at École Polytechnique in Montreal five years ago. As we honour their memories let us remember that pornography contributes to the type of violent act that took their lives.
I commend my constituents for their efforts and I wholeheartedly agree with them. I urge the government to stand up for Canadians and pass stronger anti-pornography laws.
Derek Wells Liberal South Shore, NS
Mr. Speaker, today we remember the tragedy that occurred on December 6, 1989. It has been six years since 14 young women at École Polytechnique in Montreal lost their lives. The pain of that day is still fresh in our minds.
Although much has been done to improve public awareness with respect to violence against women, we have only to read the papers to see that it is still happening every day. One look at the statistics demonstrates that women continue to be the target of violent acts.
Steps have been taken by the Liberal government over the last two years to curb violence against women and to promote women's equality both within Canada and internationally. Within Canada, the federal plan for gender equality was announced while internationally, Canada played a leading role at the United Nations World Conference on Women. However, we still have a long way to go.
Today, on the national day of remembrance and action on violence against women, take a moment to remember the 14 young women who died, as well as countless others who have suffered, both here in Canada and around the world.
Rose-Marie Ur Liberal Lambton—Middlesex, ON
Mr. Speaker, today marks the sixth anniversary of the tragic deaths of 14 young women at the École Polytechnique in Montreal.
In honour of this national day of remembrance and action on violence against women, the Government of Canada calls on all Canadians to recognize that violence against women is a violation of women's human rights and has no place in Canadian society.
Unfortunately too many women continue to suffer various forms of abuse at the hands of their partners, acquaintances or strangers. Therefore, eliminating violence remains a priority of the Canadian government.
Since the tragedy in Montreal, the federal government has stepped up its efforts to eliminate violence against women. In fact, Canada is viewed as a world leader in recognizing and addressing the problem through community based action, information exchange and awareness, and shelters for battered women and children.
I call on all Canadians to assume responsibility for the eradication of all forms of violence against women in this country.
Jim Abbott Reform Kootenay East, BC
Mr. Speaker, yesterday a Senate committee proposed an amendment to Bill C-103 that would grandfather the Canadian version of Sports Illustrated . In so doing, it joined the Reform Party, the task force on the Canadian magazine industry and the current Minister for International Trade in making this recommendation.
Unbelievably the Minister of Canadian Heritage is compromising our international reputation by insisting that Sports Illustrated be banned retroactively as of March 1993. If the Senate, a special task force on split runs and the Minister for International Trade all
recognize the legitimate rights of Sports Illustrated to run a split run in Canada, why does not the Minister of Canadian Heritage?
Maybe the answer is that he clearly does not know what he is doing. Yesterday he said: "What we are trying to do is make sure our Canadian industries remain Canadian, are able to grow and export, because export is part of their ability to mature". But get this: Bill C-103 will impose a Canadian 80 per cent excise tax on our magazine exports. Unbelievable.
Bill Blaikie NDP Winnipeg—Transcona, MB
Mr. Speaker, five years ago former NDP MP Dawn Black gained unanimous support in the House of Commons for her bill making December 6 a national day of remembrance and action on violence against women. As we have each year since 1990, today we remember and mourn the lives of the 14 women killed six years ago in Montreal.
Today is not just a day of remembrance but a day of action. In this respect the Liberals have not lived up to their commitments to women. In the past year the federal government has wiped out the Canadian advisory council on the status of women. While the government says it is committed to ending violence against women, it dismantles the very programs that provide vital support to women.
Many such programs are funded through the Canada assistance plan or federal transfer payments to the provinces and territories, payments which are being cut back drastically, threatening the survival of emergency shelters for women, child care and other programs to help women and their families.
The Liberals must show their commitment to women through action, not words.
Hedy Fry Liberal Vancouver Centre, BC
Mr. Speaker, today is a day of national mourning and remembrance for the 14 young women whose lives were cut off in mid-stride six years ago for one reason only: they were women.
As we mourn we should be mindful that over 50 per cent of women in Canada, one in three in B.C., are the object of physical, mental and emotional violence. Battered body and soul, living with chronic helplessness and pain, it is a legacy of bitterness that they pass on to their children, Canada's children.
As parliamentarians, women or men, Liberal, Reform or Bloc, we have a duty to stop this endless nightmare that so many women endure as an excuse for living. The Minister of Justice, the Minister of Health and the Secretary of State for the Status of Women have shown clear leadership on this issue but it is not enough.
We must mobilize our communities, the media and businesses. We must make this issue a cause nationale. Violent crimes cost this country over $4 billion a year in money but the real cost in terms of human life and hope is immeasurable.
John Maloney Liberal Erie, ON
Mr. Speaker, today we mark December 6 as Canada's national day of remembrance and action on violence against women.
Today we remember, we mourn and we act. We remember the 14 students who tragically lost their lives at École Polytechnique in a senseless act of violence against women. We mourn the loss of 14 of our best and brightest young women and what could have been.
We vow to act with resolve to eliminate abuse against women everywhere. On average, a woman is killed every six days in Canada, often in a home and by someone she knows. The weapon of choice is generally a gun. These are startling, sobering facts, but true.
The government is responding with initiatives, including tougher firearms control, elimination of the extreme drunkenness defence, more effective peace bonds and much more. However, eradication of violence against women requires the full participation of all members of society: government, media, business, communities, individuals and families.
I encourage everyone to join in the partnership to eliminate violence against women. Just do it.
John English Liberal Kitchener, ON
Mr. Speaker, six years ago in a university, a place of learning, a Canadian tragedy occurred. On this day in 1989 a lone male directed his rage at 14 innocent women at École Polytechnique in Montreal.
In a country such as Canada where so many women have experienced some level of injury, physical or sexual, we must make every effort to live up to our reputation as being the best country in the world in which to live by ensuring a society which is safe from ethnic or gender based violence.
We mark this day of remembrance for the victims of the Montreal massacre and to raise Canadians' awareness that violence against women is not only a crime, but an infringement of human rights.
Violence against women reflects not power over others but the fear of cowards.
Michel Guimond Bloc Beauport—Montmorency—Orléans, QC
Mr. Speaker, a few days ago, the government introduced a motion to recognize Quebec as a distinct society.
However, this declaration of love toward Quebecers has turned out to be a complete crock, in light of the incendiary comments made by some Liberal and Reform members of the heritage committee.
What Quebec federalist can believe in the sincerity of Liberal members when they strongly object to Telefilm Canada's subsidies to French-language audiovisual productions, which they see as overly generous in relation to the demographic weight of francophones?
No Quebecer can remain indifferent to these members' shameless blackmail tactics against the Canada Council last week and Telefilm yesterday, if they maintain their policy of subsidizing any artistic project on the basis of creative merit rather than on the basis of Quebec creators' partisan commitment to federalism.
This spectacle is a clear indication that-
Canadian Heritage CommitteeStatements By Members
The Speaker
I am sorry, but your time has expired. The hon. member for New Westminster-Burnaby.
Paul Forseth Reform New Westminster—Burnaby, BC
Mr. Speaker, today I rise to commemorate December 6 which remains in our national conscience for the death of the women students in Montreal. Last year on this day, in response to hyperbole on the government side, I questioned the sincerity of some Liberal members. A year has now passed and it is time to examine the government's record of how little has been accomplished to really change things on behalf of victims.
We now have more gun regulation that will not make the Montreal murders less likely to occur again. Victims still have no comprehensive special standing in the courts and the Criminal Code. We still have section 745 which releases murderers early and my private member's bill for victims is still to be dealt with by the House.
I call on the government, in view of the well-meaning sentiments that are always heard on this day, that by this time next year may we have substantive changes to the law which will bring meaning to the remembrance of this day. May it be said of the House that while being right, we could also do what is right.
Mary Clancy Liberal Halifax, NS
Mr. Speaker, six years ago the unspeakable happened in Montreal. I want to pay special tribute to my former colleagues, Dawn Black and Mary Collins. Five years ago the House, in a rare show of unanimity, passed Ms. Black's private member's bill creating this day in perpetuity as a day of remembrance and action.
I would also like to pay tribute to the hon. member for Saint-Hubert. She is another individual who supports very strongly many of the measures which we fought for across party lines in the House.
Violence against women is a very special horror which this country deals with. It is not one which responds merely to platitudes. It is not one which responds to political responses with respect to social programs or gun-
Violence Against WomenStatements By Members
The Speaker
The hon. member for Richmond-Wolfe.
Gaston Leroux Bloc Richmond—Wolfe, QC
Mr. Speaker, this week, the very loquacious member for Bonaventure-Îles-de-la-Madeleine was determined to show that he could take arrogance and absurdity one step further.
Mistaking this place for the defunct youth Parliament of Canada, the gentleman nicknamed "Monsieur 31" confirmed that he had all it takes to hold the part of the leading man in a vaudeville show.
In her editorial, Lise Bissonnette of Le Devoir reported that the young MP had launched an all-out attack against the Société québécoise de développement de la main-d'oeuvre, which he accused of being unable to carry out its mandate, adding that his government could easily deal directly with its partners. Ms. Bissonnette ironically described the member's remarks as follows: ``As we know, out of the mouth of babes-''.
Balzac wrote that power only benefits the powerful. This lesson in humility-
Member For Bonaventure-Îles-De-La-MadeleineStatements By Members
The Speaker
I am sorry to have to interrupt the hon. member but his time is up. The hon. member for Outremont.
Martin Cauchon Liberal Outremont, QC
Mr. Speaker, on this day, we are all reminded of the 14 promising young women full of hopes and dreams who were murdered at l'École polytechnique.
We are also reminded that violence is a daily reality for thousands of other women.
Each of us has a duty and a responsibility to stop all forms of violence. That is what our government is doing, especially through the Firearms Act that we just passed.
I wish to thank the families of the victims of l'École polytechnique for being so vigilant and courageous in their efforts to create awareness and their support for gun control. I am sure that they are helping to save lives.
Michel Gauthier Bloc Roberval, QC
Mr. Speaker, on the weekend, the Minister of Labour announced on all tv and radio stations in Quebec that as part of its unemployment insurance reforms, the federal government will create a reserve fund to cushion the impact of future economic recessions or slowdowns.
On the other hand, the 1995 budget of the Minister of Finance provides that UI fund surpluses will be used to absorb the federal deficit. That is what it says on pages 89 and 94 of the Budget Plan. Yesterday, the Minister of Finance did not answer our questions. Today, I will put the question to the Prime Minister.
Considering that the statement by the Minister of Labour is a clear and direct contradiction of what is indicated in the government's budget, could the Prime Minister tell us which minister is right?
Michel Gauthier Bloc Roberval, QC
Mr. Speaker, in that case, I will put the following question to the Prime Minister.
If they are both right, how does this tally with the facts? There are no two ways about it: either the Minister of Labour is right, and a reserve fund will be created to cushion the impact of economic problems, or the budget's provisions are no longer accurate. How can the Prime Minister say in all honesty and sincerity that both ministers are right, when they are contradicting each other?
Jean Chrétien LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, when the Unemployment Insurance Fund shows a surplus, it is entered as a surplus, and the money is used in the government's current accounts. On the books, however, it is considered as a debt we owe this fund. Instead of borrowing on the market, we use this fund. It is on record as a reserve that will have to be paid back if necessary. However, because we have worked very hard to reduce unemployment since we formed the government, the Unemployment Insurance Fund has shown an annual surplus because of our good management.