House of Commons Hansard #152 of the 35th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was billion.

Topics

CyprusStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

Eleni Bakopanos Liberal Saint-Denis, QC

Mr. Speaker, during the recess I and other parliamentarians had the opportunity to visit the Republic of Cyprus as members of the Canada-Cyprus Parliamentary Committee.

For years I had read and spoken about the Cyprus issue. However, I could never have imagined feeling the way I did that day as I looked on to the ghost town of Famagusta, occupied by Turkish troops since the invasion of the island in 1974, more than 20 years ago.

To this day there are still 1,619 missing persons, 200,000 displaced people. Religious and archaeological sites continue to be desecrated.

As members of Parliament in a country that has always defended human rights, we have a duty to rise against any violation of these rights. Furthermore, Canada must make every effort to convince our southern neighbours and the international community that it is important to find a fair and viable solution to the Cyprus problem.

It is my hope that I can return to Cyprus one day and see a reunited Cyprus and visit Famagusta and Kirinia, admire the view from the Pendahtila mountains and taste the fresh oranges from the orange groves of Morphou.

Member For Ottawa-VanierStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

Peter Adams Liberal Peterborough, ON

Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure as president of the Liberal caucus of Eastern Ontario to welcome our new colleague, the hon. member for Ottawa-Vanier. Even though he has not yet been sworn in as a member of Parliament, Mr. Bélanger attended our caucus meeting at 7.45 this morning.

Our new colleague brings a great deal of valuable business and political experience to Parliament. He has worked on the Hill. He knows Ottawa and the national capital region well.

It must be rare for a new MP to attend an official meeting before breakfast on the morning after a tough election campaign.

Mr. Bélanger's willingness to serve augers well for the future of this House. The positive results of all last evening's byelections auger well for the future of Canada.

Bienvenue and welcome to the new member for Ottawa-Vanier, Mauril Bélanger.

Arts And CultureStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Bloc

Christiane Gagnon Bloc Québec, QC

Mr. Speaker, today, many representatives of national cultural institutions and arts organizations are participating in a cultural sector summit to discuss the future of the artistic community.

In the meantime, the federal government seeks to help spread Canadian culture through its foreign policy. How can it make such a claim when, at the national level, it is slashing the arts and culture budgets, in particular at Telefilm and the CBC?

This government even has the nerve to undertake phoney, improvised and botched consultations through the Canada Council to ask artists where it should make further cuts.

The heritage minister's complicity speaks volumes about this government's respect for culture and the artistic community.

Income TaxStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Reform

Ed Harper Reform Simcoe Centre, ON

Mr. Speaker, I had the privilege of attending and speaking at a tax rally alert last night in St. Catharines sponsored by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.

The event drew an overflow crowd of some 800 concerned taxpayers with a strong message for the finance minister: "No new or increased taxes". Several of those in attendance spoke about where they felt spending cuts could be made and how important it was for the government to understand it has a spending problem and not a revenue problem.

As a result of this addiction to tax and spend, our debt clock this morning was $549,892,000,000.

The crowd's reaction to the reported comment of the revenue minister that the government will not be influenced by protests was one of the loudest of the rally, second only to a demand for cuts, not scrapes, to our MP pension plan.

You choose to ignore the people we work for at your peril. No longer are Canadians prepared to roll over and take it from politicians who are not listening.

Saint-Henri-Westmount And Brome-MissisquoiStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Liberal

Robert Bertrand Liberal Pontiac—Gatineau—Labelle, QC

Mr. Speaker, I am extremely proud and happy today to draw attention to the fine victories achieved by Lucienne Robillard in Saint-Henri-Westmount and by Denis Paradis in the by-election in Brome-Missisquoi last night.

In addition to underscoring the hard work by the members of his team, Mr. Paradis' victory is a strong warning to separatist forces. It is also a good indicator of the mood of the people of Quebec in this period before the referendum, whatever one might say. Quebecers will not be fooled by separatist rhetoric. They are well aware of the issues in this debate. The many still unanswered questions about an independent Quebec in year one contributed as well to this victory by the Liberal Party.

This message the people of the ridings of Brome-Missisquoi and Saint-Henri-Westmount have given to the separatist forces should encourage the Quebec minister of finance to present his famous year one budget. Quebecers will then have an opportunity to see the hidden face of independence for the first time.

Mr. Speaker, the third period is well underway, and Canadians are in the lead.

Land Claims AgreementStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Liberal

Raymond Bonin Liberal Nickel Belt, ON

Mr. Speaker, this is an historic day for all residents of the Yukon, indeed for all Canadians. Today the Yukon Land Claims, Self-Government and Surface Rights Board Acts come into effect marking the culmination of a process that began exactly 22 years ago.

For Yukon First Nations this means a secure land and financial base, and greater control over their own affairs. For the Yukon territory as a whole this opens an era of greater stability and opportunity.

Today aboriginal and non-aboriginal Yukoners alike stand in partnership to celebrate this long awaited achievement. I am certain that hon. members will join me in extending congratulations to all residents of the Yukon on this historic day.

ByelectionsStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Reform

Grant Hill Reform Macleod, AB

We watched with great interest three byelections here; Showing to Canadians that Liberals have naught to fear. The seats were all so safe no one else need apply, The rest should just watch hockey No sense to even try. Ha! we've got them on their haunches, We'll drop the writ when no one's here,

Even if they wanted, No votes for them, I fear. But when it comes to safe seats, The Liberals should not feel too warm. For Kevin Gaudet with his worthy team Gave a glimpse of the Reform swarm.

ByelectionsStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Liberal

Jean Chrétien Liberal Saint-Maurice, QC

Resign and we'll have a byelection.

National DefenceOral Question Period

2:15 p.m.

Bloc

Michel Gauthier Bloc Roberval, QC

Mr. Speaker, obviously to give the impression that he is always in control of his department, the minister of defence has called for the suspension of Major-General Brian Vernon, thereby throwing him to the wolves, using him as a scapegoat to calm public opinion. But Major-General Vernon should not bear the sole burden of responsibility for the incidents in Petawawa.

Does the minister of defence intend to suspend or relieve of their duties all officers in charge of the Airborne Regiment who took part in incidents violating army regulations or officers who failed to intervene to put a stop to such activities?

National DefenceOral Question Period

2:15 p.m.

Don Valley East Ontario

Liberal

David Collenette LiberalMinister of National Defence and Minister of Veterans Affairs

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member does not obviously listen to answers that I have given before.

The removal of General Vernon was a decision taken by the chief of the defence staff. It is his and his alone. It is a decision in which I concurred.

National DefenceOral Question Period

2:15 p.m.

Bloc

Michel Gauthier Bloc Roberval, QC

Mr. Speaker, whereas I am accused of not listening to the answers, the minister does not listen to the questions; that is not what I asked.

Can the minister of defence-and I hope he will understand my second question better-confirm that the government will soon award the Order of Military Merit to Lieutenant-Colonel Kenward, the very person who was supposed to have cleaned up the Second Airborne Regiment of Petawawa and who was commander-in-chief at the time of the incidents recorded on the third video-cassette? Does he still intend to award the Order of Military Merit to this lieutenant-colonel?

National DefenceOral Question Period

2:15 p.m.

Don Valley East Ontario

Liberal

David Collenette LiberalMinister of National Defence and Minister of Veterans Affairs

Mr. Speaker, that particular decoration was decided a number of months ago by a panel in the military following normal practices and will go ahead as planned.

National DefenceOral Question Period

2:15 p.m.

Bloc

Michel Gauthier Bloc Roberval, QC

Mr. Speaker, does the Prime Minister consider it normal that his minister of defence still intends to decorate Lieutenant-Colonel Kenward, the former commanding officer of the Second Airborne Regiment, and in fact to do so even before the start of the inquiry which is supposed to get to the bottom of the events in Petawawa? Does he consider that normal?

National DefenceOral Question Period

2:15 p.m.

Saint-Maurice Québec

Liberal

Jean Chrétien LiberalPrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, the minister of defence just gave a very clear explanation. If I heard him right, his peers decided to award that individual the decoration. That will not prevent the committee from asking him the appropriate questions when he comes before the commission.

National DefenceOral Question Period

2:15 p.m.

Bloc

Jean-Marc Jacob Bloc Charlesbourg, QC

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the minister of defence.

The latest information revealed regarding the Petawawa incidents shows that the minister of defence does not know what is going on in his department. Incidentally, we have been waiting, since last fall, for a reply from the minister regarding the use of an Airbus A-310 by generals who went to Florida to go play a game of golf during Operation William Tell.

Will the minister of defence tell us whether he knows anything about the Canadian army's Eagle River exercise?

National DefenceOral Question Period

2:15 p.m.

Don Valley East Ontario

Liberal

David Collenette LiberalMinister of National Defence and Minister of Veterans Affairs

Mr. Speaker, this is the kind of question, as you have advised members before, that should be reflected in an Order Paper approach rather than in question period.

National DefenceOral Question Period

2:20 p.m.

Bloc

Jean-Marc Jacob Bloc Charlesbourg, QC

Mr. Speaker, once again, I will have to tell the minister what is going on in his department. How can the minister of defence, in this time of fiscal restraint, not realize that the Eagle River exercise was a sham, designed to hide a sumptuous fishing trip to Labrador for senior officers of the Canadian army, at a cost of over $1.6 million for taxpayers in 1993?

National DefenceOral Question Period

2:20 p.m.

Don Valley East Ontario

Liberal

David Collenette LiberalMinister of National Defence and Minister of Veterans Affairs

Mr. Speaker, certainly as far as I am concerned this is the type of question that should be for the Order Paper. When it is put down we will give all the details and costs of any particular program.

I remember some facility in Labrador was closed a couple of years ago. It had the name eagle in it. Perhaps this is the one. Certainly I will take notice of the question and get back to the hon. member.

The BudgetOral Question Period

February 14th, 1995 / 2:20 p.m.

Reform

Preston Manning Reform Calgary Southwest, AB

Mr. Speaker, today the provincial finance ministers are meeting with the federal finance minister to discuss the federal budget.

At least half the provincial finance ministers are doing a better job at balancing their budgets than the federal government. One of their greatest concerns is that the federal government will simply offload its own debt problem on the backs of the provinces, particularly those that have managed their finances efficiently.

My question is for the Prime Minister. What assurances could he give to fiscally responsible provinces that their reward is not simply going to be an offloading of the federal debt?

The BudgetOral Question Period

2:20 p.m.

Saint-Maurice Québec

Liberal

Jean Chrétien LiberalPrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, I just want to tell the member that he should wait to see the budget. We have set some extremely clear goals and we will meet them all.

Since I have the floor, I would like to applaud everyone who voted in the by-elections yesterday and all of the candidates from all parties who ran. In particular, I would like to congratulate the three Liberals who won.

The BudgetOral Question Period

2:20 p.m.

Reform

Preston Manning Reform Calgary Southwest, AB

Mr. Speaker, yesterday Liberal Premier Clyde Wells of Newfoundland said that the best thing the federal government could do would be to stop direct spending in such areas as education, health and forestry. He argued that all these services could be better provided at less cost by the levels of government closest to the public.

Will the Prime Minister follow the Newfoundland premier's advice and give the provinces real control over these areas including appropriate tax points? In other words, will he make clear his government's philosophy on decentralization including the transfer of tax points to the provinces?

The BudgetOral Question Period

2:20 p.m.

Saint-Maurice Québec

Liberal

Jean Chrétien LiberalPrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, I do not know how the hon. member's arithmetic works. If we do not spend and we give tax points, the deficit remains at exactly the same level. If we are not collecting and we are not paying, it is exactly the same. You should have checked that before asking the question.

The BudgetOral Question Period

2:20 p.m.

The Speaker

I remind all hon. members to address the Chair.

The BudgetOral Question Period

2:20 p.m.

Reform

Preston Manning Reform Calgary Southwest, AB

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister's replies are hardly inspiring confidence. The provincial premiers have joined thousands of Canadians in saying no to tax increases, no to new taxes, and no to tax grabs in the name of tax equity.

As provinces like Alberta, New Brunswick and Saskatchewan reduce their deficits their citizens are looking for tax relief. The last thing they need to see is a tax grab by a fiscally irresponsible federal government.

What assurances could the Prime Minister give to the citizens of those provinces that their reward for practising fiscal responsibility is not going to be a tax grab by a fiscally irresponsible federal government?

The BudgetOral Question Period

2:20 p.m.

Saint-Maurice Québec

Liberal

Jean Chrétien LiberalPrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, I said the Minister of Finance would bring in a budget very soon. It will be a very responsible budget.

When we talk with the provinces they know that the federal government has to do what is needed to control its deficit. They will benefit if we control our deficit because the Canadian bond rating will be better for everybody. They have an interest just like us that we do very well in the next budget.

Everybody knows that 3 per cent of the GDP for the deficit is a very reasonable level. I had a discussion yesterday with the chancellor of Austria who has exactly the same goal as we have in Canada.