Debates of March 13th, 1995

National Defence

[David Collenette, Liberal, Minister of National Defence and Minister of Veterans Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, this occurred in 1992 at CFB Chilliwack and involved the reserve forces.

A former British commando was brought in for instruction. He happened to bring someone else along. Neither was paid by the Department of National Defence and the kind of instruction that was given to those young men was not in conformity with the normal training of the armed forces.

I have asked our officials to look into why the commanding officer at the time did not report what was obviously some behaviour that was not ordered by the military and not paid for by the armed forces.

Presence In The Gallery

[The Speaker]

I would like to draw to the attention of members the presence in the gallery of Mr. Chalermphol Sanitwongchai, First Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Kingdom of Thailand and three of his fellow parliamentarians.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear.

Privilege

[The Speaker]

On Friday before we broke, the hon. member for Sherbrooke brought up a question of privilege.

At that time the Chair said we would wait to make a decision until we heard from the member who had allegedly made certain comments.

I have received notice in writing that the hon. member for Guelph-Wellington would like to speak to this question of privilege.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to respond to a question of privilege raised by the hon. member for Sherbrooke on March 3, 1995.

On March 2, I was contacted by the chief government whip. He informed me that a possible question of privilege could be raised in the House. Following the conversation, I prepared a written statement for the chief government whip and for all members of the House of Commons.

This statement was put on the record by the government whip on March 3 and I thank him. The Hill Times column discussed at length by the hon. member for Sherbrooke on March 3, 1995 contains a quote by me regarding the budget.

In my comments to the Hill Times I was referring to the measures announced by the President of the Treasury Board on February 21, 1995. These measures were presented publicly prior to the budget and resulted from concerns as expressed by members of all parties, including the Liberal caucus, for the future downsizing of the public service.

The number of public servant reductions was not known until the budget, although measures such as the early retirement incentive and the early departure incentive were announced earlier.

While never informed of the details, we were told the budget would be tough but fair. I was not privy to any confidential information, nor am I aware of any other member's having knowledge of the contents of the budget before it was presented to all Canadians.

We know the importance of budget secrecy. It is a tradition, respected and practised by the Minister of Finance. I appreciate the opportunity to provide my response to the question of privilege raised the previous sitting day.

[Elwin Hermanson, Reform, Kindersley—Lloydminster, SK]

Mr. Speaker, it would be valuable for the entire House to have clarified in the question of privilege whether the article as reported in the Hill Times is inaccurate. The heading says: ``Is there too much secrecy surrounding the budget?'' The member did respond to that.

The quotation talks about major cuts to programs rather than a downsizing of the civil service which was announced prior to the budget in a general way.

There are some specifics quoted in this paper that were not responded to by the member. This House deserves a more clear response. Either this is wrong or else the member is not clear in her response.

[The Speaker]

I have had the opportunity to reread Hansard of Friday, March 3. I will be seeing the television recordings later this afternoon.

I will reserve my decision now that the hon. member for Guelph-Wellington has explained what she said. I will come back to the House with a decision at the earliest possible time if necessary.

Government Response To Petitions

[Peter Milliken, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's response to petitions.

Commonwealth Day

[Christine Stewart, Liberal, Secretary of State (Latin America and Africa)]

Mr. Speaker, today is Commonwealth Day, observed every year on the second Monday in March by all its member countries to celebrate the Commonwealth, its value and principles.

Built on common traditions, the Commonwealth successfully demonstrates the continuing importance of multilateral co-operation. Its strength is unity with diversity.

The Commonwealth now consists of 51 countries and 1.5 billion people of different languages, races, faiths and traditions. It serves as a forum for both governmental and non-governmental dialogue on a vast array of subjects from health and justice to youth, education and development.

Last year Canada hosted the very successful Commonwealth Games in Victoria, celebrating sport, art, culture and friendship.

Canada has been part of the Commonwealth since its inception in 1931 and takes pride in its many accomplishments. The first secretary general, Arnold Smith, a Canadian, helped strengthen the foundations on which the Commonwealth continues to stand.

Last year was a momentous year for the Commonwealth with the return of South Africa following its first free elections. The Commonwealth had pushed hard for an end to apartheid and Canada believes it should continue to act as an instrument to promote democracy and human rights.

Later this year the Commonwealth heads of government will meet in New Zealand, giving the leaders an opportunity to discuss world issues in an informal, unstructured manner. We value this opportunity to renew our relationship with other Commonwealth nations and to elaborate on Canadian foreign policy objectives.

I urge all members to join me today in saluting the Commonwealth.

[Jean H. Leroux, Bloc, Shefford, QC]

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of all the Bloc Quebecois members, I am pleased to note that today is Commonwealth Day. Last year, my colleague for Laurier-Ste-Marie had the opportunity to express, on this commemorative occasion, the importance of Canada's membership in the Commonwealth and to note that a sovereign Quebec would wish to remain a member of this organization in order to maintain and strengthen its relations with the 51 member countries.

The Secretary of State rightly noted South Africa's return to the Commonwealth. As you know, Mr. Speaker, Canada applied enormous pressure to bring about the end of apartheid.

This is therefore the time to remind the government today how regrettable it is that it decided to turn its back on the promotion of human rights and democracy, despite what the Secretary of State would have us believe, by setting a course according to its commercial interests alone, with South Africa just now having had its first free elections.

It is this same mercantilistic logic that prompted the government to cut more than $1.3 billion over three years in international aid, thus dropping its assistance to the planet's poorest people and countries to nearly 0.29 per cent of its GNP. This action confirms the government's change in course.

How can this government, which committed itself, in its statement of foreign policy, to moving closer to objectives of 0.7 per cent, justify that, within the international budget, programs intended for the most disadvantaged that are being cut more than those with a mercantilistic focus?

Are we to assume that the international aid program, which has earned Canada the profound respect of the international community, will also be based on the new Liberal policy of promoting business first and foremost? The government will definitely have some accounting to do when it participates in the next Commonwealth meetings in New Zealand. Canada must give meaning to its membership in the Commonwealth.

[Bob Mills, Reform, Red Deer, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I am very happy today to have the opportunity to speak on Commonwealth Day, celebrated in 51 countries around the world.

As the secretary of state mentioned, Canada has been a proud member of the Commonwealth since 1931. Over the years Canada has established a leadership role in the Commonwealth

and provided an example for other countries to follow. It must therefore appear strange to our friends and partners in the Commonwealth that there are still separatists in Quebec who want to break up this great country.

I think everyone will see in the referendum this year, though, that the vast majority of Quebecers would rather stay to build a nation of prosperity and harmony than pursue their own narrow interests. With the referendum behind us a united Canada will continue to be a model for the Commonwealth ideal of unity with diversity.

Since this is Commonwealth Day it is only fair that we consider the renewal of this partnership and its institutions. As all parliamentarians now admit, Canada must do more with less. Therefore it is essential that the Commonwealth review its goals and practices to make sure that all member countries are receiving the greatest possible benefits. I trust that the minister will carry this to the meeting in New Zealand.

The Commonwealth has proven over the years the value of international co-operation through multilateral organizations. All member states can benefit through such a process. It is therefore fitting that Canada should set aside one day a year to remember Commonwealth Day.

Supplementary Estimates (D), 1994-95

[Peter Milliken, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, I think you will find unanimous consent for the following motion:

That, notwithstanding the resolution of this House adopted on March 2, 1995 to refer vote 30d of the estimates of the Department of Finance to the Standing Committee on Finance, the said vote 30d of the said estimates is hereby withdrawn from the Standing Committee on Finance and referred to the Standing Committee on Public Accounts.

[The Deputy Speaker]

Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

(Motion agreed to.)

Petitions

[Peter Adams, Liberal, Peterborough, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I have two petitions on a similar topic. In the first petition, with 200 signatures, the undersigned draw to the attention of the House that at the time of Leonard Peltier's extradition from Canada to the U.S. the information provided to the Canadian government regarding Mr. Peltier's case was fabricated by U.S. authorities.

Since that time new information has emerged that indicates Leonard Peltier was framed for a crime he did not commit and has spent the last 18 years in prison for. Clear evidence was suppressed, as found out under the freedom of information act. Perjury was rampant throughout the trial. Key witness Myrtle Poor Bear recanted publicly.

Therefore, the petitioners request that Parliament lobby the U.S. government for Mr. Peltier's return to Canada.

The second petition is similar. It has over 400 signatures. The petitioners request that Parliament hold an external review of the 1976 extradition hearings and that he be brought back to Canada for asylum.

[Robert Bertrand, Liberal, Pontiac—Gatineau—Labelle, QC]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, I am presenting today a petition from Heidi Peterson of Quyon, Quebec, in my riding and 40 other petitioners requesting that Parliament oppose any amendments to the Canadian Human Rights Act or the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms that provide for the inclusion of the phrase sexual orientation.

[Jean Augustine, Liberal, Etobicoke—Lakeshore, ON]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, I have two petitions to present.

In the first one the undersigned petitioners of Canada draw the attention of the House to the fact that the inclusion of sexual orientation in the Canadian Human Rights Act will provide certain groups with special status, rights and privileges. These special rights and privileges will be granted solely on the basis of sexual behaviour. Inclusion would infringe on the historic rights of Canadians such as freedom of religion, conscience, expression and association.

Therefore they petition Parliament to oppose any amendment to the Canadian Human Rights Act or the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms that would provide for the inclusion of the phrase sexual orientation.

The second petition is more or less in the same tone. It calls on Parliament not to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act or the Charter of Rights and Freedoms in any way that would tend to indicate societal approval of same sex relationships or of homosexuality, including amending the Canadian Human Rights Act to include in the prohibited grounds of discrimination the undefined phrase sexual orientation.

[Gérard Asselin, Bloc, Charlevoix, QC]

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to table in this House today three petitions signed by 96 residents of the riding of Charlevoix. The petitioners are opposed to the plan to use voice mail for seniors services. I would

like to inform the House that I share the opinion of the petitioners.

[Jim Silye, Reform, Calgary Centre, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I have the privilege today to present two petitions.

The first petition has a total of 125 signatures from Calgary area constituents calling on Parliament to reduce government spending and implement a taxpayers protection act to limit federal spending.

[Jim Silye, Reform, Calgary Centre, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the second petition has a total of 32 signatures from Calgarians who ask Parliament to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act to protect individuals from discrimination based on sexual orientation, sending a clear message of equality for everyone.

[Philip Mayfield, Reform, Cariboo—Chilcotin, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present eight petitions signed by over 2,000 constituents from my riding of Cariboo-Chilcotin.

The petitioners are of the opinion that existing gun controls on law-abiding responsible firearms owners are more than enough to ensure public safety.

Therefore they call upon Parliament, first, to support laws that will severely punish all violent criminals who use weapons in the commission of a crime; second, to support new Criminal Code firearms control provisions that recognize and protect the right of law-abiding citizens to own and use recreational firearms; and, third, to support legislation that will repeal or modify existing gun control laws that have not improved public safety, or have proven not to be cost effective, or have proven to be overly complex so as to be ineffective or unenforceable. I concur with the petitioners.

[Philip Mayfield, Reform, Cariboo—Chilcotin, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I also present a petition signed by over 700 constituents from the city of Quesnel.

The petitioners pray and request that Parliament reduce government spending instead of increasing taxes and implement a taxpayers protection act to limit federal spending. The petition is presented with my concurrence.

[Philip Mayfield, Reform, Cariboo—Chilcotin, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I also present a petition signed by 25 people from Quesnel.

The petitioners call upon Parliament to oppose any amendments to the Canadian Human Rights Act or the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms that provide for the inclusion of the phrase sexual orientation. The petition is presented with my concurrence.

I also present a petition from constituents in Williams Lake. The constituents request that Parliament not pass Bill C-41 with section 718.2 as presently written and in any event not include the undefined phrase sexual orientation. The petition is presented with my concurrence.

[Philip Mayfield, Reform, Cariboo—Chilcotin, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I present a petition containing over 100 signatures mainly from Quesnel in my constituency of Cariboo-Chilcotin.

The petitioners pray that Parliament act immediately to extend protection to the unborn child by amending the Criminal Code to extend the same protection enjoyed by born human beings to unborn human beings. The petition is presented with my concurrence.

[Philip Mayfield, Reform, Cariboo—Chilcotin, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present three petitions signed by over 250 constituents from Williams Lake, Quesnel, Horsefly, 100-Mile House, 150-Mile House and Alexis Creek.

The petitioners pray and request that Parliament reduce government spending instead of increasing taxes and implement a taxpayers protection act to limit federal spending. The petition is presented with my concurrence.