Debates of March 14th, 1995

Internet

[Sarkis Assadourian, Liberal, Don Valley North, ON]

Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, March 7, 1995 Ernst Zundel, a leading Nazi propagandist, confirmed to the Globe and Mail that he is preparing a link to the global information network through a computer to be based in the U.S. or Europe.

His plans for Internet include posting the transcripts of his trials as well as material regarding the second world war, what the Canadian Jewish Congress calls Holocaust denial material.

Mr. Zundel's plan shows why it is necessary to regulate Internet. Other media outlets are accountable to someone. Internet is not.

I urge the House to condemn Ernst Zundel and Zundels afterward for racist and hate mongering activities. All members of the House must stand together and send a loud and clear message that promotion of hatred against any identifiable group is unacceptable and will not be tolerated by Canadians.

Violence Against Women

[Christiane Gagnon, Bloc, Québec, QC]

Mr. Speaker, to our dismay and indignation, we heard yesterday that Algerian Islamic fundamentalists took another young girl as the innocent victim of the intolerance that now rocks that country.

Since five leaders of the Islamic Front were sentenced to death by a symbolic tribunal of women gathered in Algiers to commemorate International Women's Day, other innocent women have been slaughtered.

The list of Algerian girls and women assassinated, tortured and raped by fundamentalists is getting longer as the months go by. The official tally of women assassinated by armed fundamentalists between the months of August 1993 and December 1994 is 112, including 6 students.

As parliamentarians, we insist on denouncing in the strongest terms possible these gratuitous and premeditated murders which violate the most basic rights of Algerians and which deprive them of the hope of being free and safe in their own country.

Forum For Young Canadians

[Dick Harris, Reform, Prince George—Bulkley Valley, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise to give tribute to the Forum for Young Canadians and its participants who, as hon. members will know, are in Ottawa this week to learn more about the process of government at the federal level.

I know all members will join me in praising the organizers, the sponsors and the many volunteers who make this annual event possible. Special tribute goes to each one of the participants, our future leaders and in particular to my young constituents, Tashia Davalovsky and Lisa De Hoog.

I am sure all members will join me in welcoming them and wishing them the best in their visit to Ottawa.

Mining Industry

[Hedy Fry, Liberal, Vancouver Centre, BC]

Mr. Speaker, we all believe that developing a strong economic base for this country is the key to global competitiveness.

As a British Columbian, I urge the members of this House to recognize the importance of the mining industry to all Canadians. The government's 1995 budget made a first step toward improving our mining industry's ability to maintain and create jobs for Canadians.

Besides providing 400,000 direct and indirect jobs in Canada, mining sustains 150 Canadian communities and their one million residents, thus having a great impact on their daily lives in future.

Besides adding $10 billion to our annual trade balance, mining contributes $20 billion a year to the Canadian economy and accounts for 14.8 per cent of Canada's total exports. Mining is therefore a key engine for the export driven economy, jobs and growth benefiting all of Canada and not only those who live in mining regions.

Canada is seen by the rest of the world to be a country blessed with the wealth of natural resources. The interest and support of this House in developing an environmentally sound and sustainable mining industry-

Patricia McCraw

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

Mr. Speaker, on March 8, Guelph-Wellington Liberals met to elect a new president for the Guelph-Wellington Federal Liberal Association. At this meeting we also paid tribute to outgoing president, Patricia McCraw.

Patricia has been a longstanding member of the Liberal Party at both the federal and provincial levels. She has worked hard for her party and her country. Besides her work in politics, she volunteers for many organizations, including Canadian Save the Children.

Patricia's work and dedication has again proven that liberalism is more than a political party. First and foremost it is people, people who care deeply about Canada, people who are never satisfied with the status quo and who work hard to make their country the best in the world.

I join Pat's family and her many friends in thanking her for her service to our association and her commitment to me as member of Parliament. Well done, Pat.

Judy Feld Carr

[Jim Peterson, Liberal, Willowdale, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the recent history of Syrian Jewry has been one of terror and bitter repression.

This grotesque chapter of modern history is now thankfully closed, due to the efforts of one Canadian, Judy Feld Carr. Over the past 23 years, she has worked unceasingly and surreptitiously to build an underground railway. She has raised funds to sustain these hostages, co-opt officials and to pay ransom. Because of her, 2,500 Syrian Jews are now free.

Judy Feld Carr and all those who supported her deserve our praise, our gratitude and our thanks. When this heroic story is fully told, may it inspire others to realize that one person can make a difference. Judy, you have made a difference, an incredible difference. You have earned a place in our hearts and in the history of humanity.

Artists For Sovereignty

[Madeleine Dalphond-Guiral, Bloc, Laval Centre, QC]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday a number of Quebec artists spoke out in support of Quebec's march to sovereignty.

These artists wanted to express publicly their determination to see Quebec become a country. Singer Paul Piché delivered a clear message to Quebecers: "We know you. We imitate you.

We heal your pain in love. We give words to your fears, your desires and your hopes. We have faith in you. You can have faith in us; you are entitled".

The Bloc Quebecois is delighted by the artists' action, inspired not by political affiliation, but by a desire to express their profound convictions and to share, with their fellow Quebecers, aspirations that go well beyond the political.

Copyright Act

[Jim Hart, Reform, Okanagan—Similkameen—Merritt, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on behalf of the constituents of Okanagan-Similkameen-Merritt and local radio stations in my riding to warn the Minister of Canadian Heritage that his actions will kill jobs and small businesses.

The people I represent are suspicious that once again the Liberal government is attempting to fool Canadians, this time by introducing amendments to the Copyright Act. What the Liberals are really trying to do with neighbouring rights is to foist a killer tax on local radio stations.

The Minister of Canadian Heritage is silently planning to kill locally owned radio stations. They already pay royalties to authors and composers of music aired on their stations. Additional fees to performers and record companies is unjust.

Broadcasters maintain that free air play is what creates Canadian stars and sells records, not a Liberal government tax hidden in a bill of amendments. Canadians are confident that our culture can develop and grow without the Liberal government intervening with a radio station killer tax.

Carleton Civic Centre

[Harold Culbert, Liberal, Carleton—Charlotte, NB]

Mr. Speaker, on the afternoon of Thursday, March 16, 1995 the Carleton Civic Centre will officially open its doors in Woodstock, New Brunswick. It is a wonderful new facility that will be enjoyed by the area's citizens for many years to come.

While this is wonderful news, the even more important component has been the method in which the goal of completing this facility has been realized. It is important to note that the completion of this project was achieved through true partnership. This partnership included groups, organizations, businesses, individuals, surrounding communities, as well as all three levels of government.

I congratulate the Carleton Civic Centre committee and all those who contributed to the success of this most worthy project.

Manitoba Sports Teams

[Ronald J. Duhamel, Liberal, St. Boniface, MB]

Mr. Speaker, I rise in recognition of two recent Canadian championship teams from Manitoba.

This past weekend Mr. Kerry Burtnyk and his team members, Keith Fenton, Rob Meakin who is a constituent of mine, and Jeff Ryan captured the brier in Halifax. It was Burtnyk's second win. He first won the brier 14 years ago. Mr. Burtnyk and his team will go on to represent Canada at the world curling championships in Brandon beginning on April 8. We wish him and his teammates the very best of luck.

I also wish to give my wholehearted congratulations to the University of Winnipeg Wesman women's basketball team. They won their third consecutive university championship this past weekend. The Wesman beat the University of Manitoba Bison squad 72 to 61. A healthy rivalry exists between these two teams. In fact it was earlier this year that the Bisons ended the Wesman's world record setting 88 game winning streak.

These athletes deserve recognition for their skill.

These athletes are champions; these Canadians are a source of inspiration to us all.

Gun Control

[Shaughnessy Cohen, Liberal, Windsor—St. Clair, ON]

Mr. Speaker, come with me now to those wonderful days of yesteryear, back to the days when the NDP thought themselves a force to be reckoned with.

Where are the NDP members today? Well, I will tell you that eight out of nine members of the NDP caucus are going to vote against gun control.

I look to the left and see Buzz Hargrove and the CAW. They support gun control. I look to the left and see Bob White and the CLC. They support gun control. I look to the mainstream and 80 per cent of Canadians are what I see. They support gun control.

Where are the NDP? Oh, there they are on the right.

[The Speaker]

I see the NDP.

Cuba

[Svend Robinson, NDP, Burnaby—Kingsway, BC]

Mr. Speaker, speaking from the left, Canada has maintained unbroken diplomatic relations with Cuba for 50 years and has established important trade and investment links with Cuba.

The U.S. government and Congress have imposed an illegal and immoral blockade in Cuba. Now U.S. Senator Jesse Helms, chair of the foreign relations committee, is trying to target foreigners, including Canadians, who invest in Cuba, barring entry to the U.S. and cutting off preferential trade rights.

I call upon the Government of Canada to strongly condemn and lobby against this bill which would have a particularly grave

impact on sugar product exports to the U.S. and investment projects in Cuba.

The Helms bill has been referred to as the Canada bashing act of 1995 by Cuban expert Jorge Dominguez of Harvard University.

Finally, the leader of the Reform Party may wish to raise this issue with his political soulmate Newt Gingrich during this love-in in Washington today.

Quebec Sovereignty

[Richard Bélisle, Bloc, La Prairie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, in a study by the highly reputable firm of Rogers and Wells of New York, commissioned by the Government of Quebec, lawyers David Bernstein and William Silverman concluded that Canadian-American trade rules would not change with Quebec sovereignty.

According to these experts, the United States would renew Canadian-American treaties with Quebec, including the free trade agreement, in order to protect their economic interests.

Therefore, the rest of Canada will have nothing to say about trade between Quebec and the United States and even less effect on preventing Quebec from enjoying the benefits of the free trade agreement.

In other words, the day after sovereignty in Quebec, it will be business as usual.

Curling Championships

[Jake Hoeppner, Reform, Lisgar—Marquette, MB]

Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to rise in this House today to congratulate a fellow Manitoban on a great performance.

Manitoba's skip, Kerry Burtnyk, led his team to victory at the Canadian men's curling championships in Halifax over the weekend. The Manitoba team, which also includes Keith Fenton, Rob Meakin and Jeff Ryan, persevered through some tough competition to give Manitoba the Canadian men's curling championship.

This victory also solidifies Manitoba's claim to curling excellence. We now enjoy the men's and women's titles as well as the junior women's and men's titles.

Best of luck to the Manitoba squad at the upcoming world curling championships in Brandon starting April 8.

Reform Party

[Don Boudria, Liberal, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the Reform Party has sent its boss to Washington to try and impress Republican leader Newt Gingrich with its brand of politics. This gives a whole new meaning to the expression "a meeting of the minds".

Let us read today's agenda for these public officials: Republican whip meeting, closed to the public; meeting with the undersecretary of state, no photo op; briefing with officials of the secretary of defence, no photo op; Concord Coalition briefing, closed; Progress and Freedom Foundation briefing, in camera. Finally, the leader of the Reform Party is enjoying a Heritage Foundation private luncheon and you guessed it, it is private.

We cannot understand why the leader of the third party prefers to have closed meetings. Yesterday, Washington reporters paid him the ultimate compliment by saying he was a Liberal.

Premier Of Quebec

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

Mr. Speaker, during a press conference held at the end of the first day of the Parti Quebecois' caucus meeting, the Quebec premier stated that what the Martin budget says is that we will be pretty nice to you this year and that way we can be sure that you will be gullible enough to vote no. This statement is totally unacceptable.

By expressing himself in this way, Quebec's premier really shows how much he respects those who do not share his opinion. This deplorable comment is but one in a slew of pitiful and bigoted things that many separatist spokespersons have been saying recently.

After spending millions of dollars to give Quebecers a say in their future, with that statement alone, the premier totally negated the process's basis.

We are therefore obliged to state that separatists in Quebec only respect people who agree with them.

The Deficit

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

Mr. Speaker, we have asked and asked the Minister of Finance how long it will take to eliminate the deficit. He has been completely unable to give us an answer.

Now we discover that the President of the Treasury Board has it all under control. The year 2000 will be the year that Canadians will start to move out from under the deficit cloud, that is, if the cloud has not descended upon us by then.

The minister and his colleagues said they will "hum the same balanced budget tune". This is no time for a cowardly rendition of the "lower the deficit only if you can" song. It is time for the minister to produce the deficit requiem mass. By the way, would he please be sure to send a copy to the Minister of Finance as he seems to have been left out of the choir.

National Debt

[Lucien Bouchard, Bloc, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, despite the spending cuts announced in the Budget, the government is faced with a substantial increase this year, from $42 billion to $50 billion, in the cost of servicing the debt. This increase is, of course, a direct consequence of our growing cumulative debt. In other words, the debt problem has not been addressed, despite the government's commitments.

My question is directed to the Minister of Finance. Will the minister confirm that even with the spending cuts announced in the Budget, the government's cumulative debt will total nearly $800 billion five years from now?

[Paul Martin, Liberal, Minister of Finance and Minister responsible for the Federal Office of Regional Development-Quebec]

No, Mr. Speaker, I believe the estimate given by the Leader of the Opposition is a little too pessimistic. We certainly intend to continue our efforts to put our fiscal house in order, but we did inherit a very substantial debt. In fact, that is why we took some very specific and very decisive steps in our latest Budget.

[Lucien Bouchard, Bloc, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, the figure I quoted is based on the data given in the Budget, on the minister's own figures over three years, projected according to the same parameters. He cannot deny those figures.

More specifically, I want to ask him whether he would agree that the debt problem will not be solved as long as nothing is done about the political structures of an ossified federal system that has turned Canada into a country that is overgoverned with, for instance, 40 per cent of federal spending targeted to areas that come under provincial jurisdiction?

[Paul Martin, Liberal, Minister of Finance and Minister responsible for the Federal Office of Regional Development-Quebec]

Mr. Speaker, projections like those just made by the Leader of the Opposition are based on the assumption that the government does not intend to intervene. However, we have just made it quite clear that we intend to use budget after budget to introduce decisive measures to deal with the legacy we received from the previous government.

That being said, as far as government structures are concerned, we have again made it very clear in the Budget that we are capable of taking action in this respect. If anyone is in favour of the status quo, it is, unfortunately, the Leader of the Opposition and his party.

[Lucien Bouchard, Bloc, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, the minister was into his usual rhetoric, but I would remind him that the figures I just mentioned were computed directly on the basis of his own figures, assuming that he meets the objectives he has set, however inadequate they may be.

I want to ask him how he can deny the federal government's very obvious inflexibility, when we consider the $5 billion tax on employment, and I am referring to the surplus created by excessively high UI premiums, which the government will use to fund new incursions into the area of manpower training, instead of reducing UI premiums to stimulate job creation.

[Paul Martin, Liberal, Minister of Finance and Minister responsible for the Federal Office of Regional Development-Quebec]

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Human Resources Development and I have said repeatedly that we plan to reduce unemployment insurance premiums. In fact, one of the first announcements the minister made a year ago was in that vein.

Yes, we are creating a surplus, but I would have thought the Leader of the Opposition would welcome that. We inherited an incredible deficit, and we are turning it into a surplus. That is quite a feat.

[Yvan Loubier, Bloc, Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot, QC]

Mr. Speaker, once again, the Minister of Finance has delayed the needed reform of the Canadian tax system instead of ensuring that all taxpayers and corporations pay their fair share of taxes. He chose once again to go after the middle class and the most disadvantaged in trying to address his deficit problem.

Given the extent of his budget problem, how can the minister deliberately spare the banks, which made over $4 billion in profits last year, by requiring from them a symbolic, temporary effort of only $100 million?