House of Commons Hansard #170 of the 35th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was budget.

Topics

Borrowing Authority Act, 1995-96Government Orders

1:30 p.m.

Some hon. members

Nay.

Borrowing Authority Act, 1995-96Government Orders

1:30 p.m.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Kilger)

In my opinion the yeas have it.

And more than five members having risen:

Borrowing Authority Act, 1995-96Government Orders

1:30 p.m.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Kilger)

Call in the members.

(The House divided on the motion, which was agreed to on the following division:)

Borrowing Authority Act, 1995-96Government Orders

1:30 p.m.

The Speaker

I declare the motion carried. When shall the bill be read a third time? Later this day?

Borrowing Authority Act, 1995-96Government Orders

1:30 p.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

Borrowing Authority Act, 1995-96Government Orders

1:30 p.m.

Liberal

Don Boudria Liberal Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I think you would find unanimous consent to call it two o'clock, thereby allowing for 15 minutes for statements under Standing Order 31 and continuing with the question period for 45 minutes so that no time is lost for either statements or questions.

Borrowing Authority Act, 1995-96Government Orders

1:30 p.m.

The Speaker

Is there unanimous consent?

Borrowing Authority Act, 1995-96Government Orders

1:30 p.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

Borrowing Authority Act, 1995-96Government Orders

1:30 p.m.

The Speaker

It being 2 p.m., pursuant to Standing Order 30(5) the House will now proceed to Statements by Members pursuant to Standing Order 31, with the proviso that question period will end at approximately 3.08.

Journée Internationale De La FrancophonieStatements By Members

1:30 p.m.

Liberal

Martin Cauchon Liberal Outremont, QC

Mr. Speaker, today, March 20, is the Journée internationale de la Francophonie.

Moreover, this year is the 25th anniversary of this celebration of French culture and language, which was marked by the creation of the Cultural and Technical Co-operation Agency.

The Francophonie, which unites 47 countries, can be described as the community of peoples who speak French to varying degrees.

Since 1970, Canada has played a leading role in the development of the Francophonie. Through its membership in the Francophonie, Canada shares with the rest of the world our physiognomical traits and gives French speaking Canadians, who number 8.5 million, access to the world and development possibilities in a wide range of countries located in all parts of the world.

I would like to wish all francophones and francophiles in Canada a happy Journée internationale de la Francophonie.

Journée Internationale De La FrancophonieStatements By Members

1:30 p.m.

Bloc

Jean H. Leroux Bloc Shefford, QC

Mr. Speaker, today, francophones the world over celebrate the Journée internationale de la Francophonie. On this day, we must reflect on the future of the Francophonie in light of the social and cultural changes shaping our societies.

Despite the fact that parliamentarians observe this day each year, Bloc Quebecois members deplore the omission of any mention of the Francophonie's flag in the Minister of Canadian Heritage's document entitled: "Canadian Flag, Flag Etiquette in Canada". However it does describe the flags of three important international organizations, the United Nations, NATO and the Commonwealth, of which Canada is a member.

The Francophonie, must we remind the Minister of Canadian Heritage, is celebrated in all countries of the world, starting with Canada.

We send our best wishes to francophones the world over.

Canada Winter GamesStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Reform

Jack Ramsay Reform Crowfoot, AB

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate four young people from my riding and home town of Camrose, Alberta, on their outstanding performances at the Canada Winter Games recently held in Grand Prairie, Alberta.

All are members of the Camrose Composite High School ski club. They competed in the biathlon, the same sport in which Canada won a gold medal at the 1994 Winter Olympics.

Seventeen-year old Kristine Saugen won three gold medals. Amy Ford, 18 years old, won a gold, silver and bronze medal, while 18-year old Erin Phillips placed fourth in the 10-kilometre individual race and received a gold and silver medal. Finally 19-year old Carlos Settle won a bronze medal in the 15-kilometre individual race while placing fourth in the 10-kilometre sprint.

Congratulations to Kristine, Amy, Erin and Carlos. They are all true champions and fine athletes.

RailStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

NDP

Bill Blaikie NDP Winnipeg—Transcona, MB

Mr. Speaker, I ask the House to imagine how different the situation might be today if the government had kept its promises to abandon the Mulroney agenda.

Imagine if instead of announcing the privatization of CN it had announced new investment. Imagine if instead of abandoning the Crow benefit it had stood up for the necessity of rail subsidies. Imagine if instead of continuing with deregulation and commercialization in the transport sector it had reregulated in favour of rail, an environmentally superior form of transport. Imagine if instead of keeping and adding to the cuts at VIA Rail it had finally made the investment promised for so many years by so many governments in passenger rail.

Maybe railroaders would have a different attitude today and certainly less anxiety about job security.

Walter OstanekStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Liberal

Walt Lastewka Liberal St. Catharines, ON

Mr. Speaker, St. Catharines' polka king, Walter Ostanek, has made us proud once again.

Earlier this month he was honoured with his third consecutive Grammy award at this year's 37th annual award ceremony in Los Angeles.

Walter Ostanek won his award in the polka album category for his recording called "Music and Friends". This is his 46th recording and his 7th time to be nominated for a Grammy award.

While many other talented Canadians were nominated for awards, the polka king was the only Canadian to be chosen for a Grammy.

Congratulations to Walter Ostanek. Our hats are off to him for his continued excellence in music.

Learning Disabilities MonthStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Liberal

John Murphy Liberal Annapolis Valley—Hants, NS

Mr. Speaker, I am wearing a pin on behalf of the Learning Disabilities Association of Nova Scotia to commemorate Learning Disabilities Month.

Across Canada learning disabilities associations and schools perform vital work. Without their success in generating greater public awareness and without their preventive efforts to diagnose and assist those with learning disabilities, school dropout rates would dramatically increase. The number of juvenile offenders would be on the rise and the long term costs of Canada's social programs would spiral.

I offer my support particularly to the Learning Disabilities Association of Nova Scotia. The many hours offered by committed volunteers and staff have made a tremendous difference in the lives of those who live with learning disabilities.

I urge all members of the House to promote the valuable role played by these voluntary organizations in communities across our country. Their efforts are truly making a difference.

Kids Help PhoneStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Liberal

Stan Keyes Liberal Hamilton West, ON

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of Kids Help Phone. This non-profit service was started by the Canadian Children's Foundation back in 1989. Since then Kids Help Phone, which offers 24-hour bilingual counselling service to troubled youth, has grown tremendously. Kids Help Phone receives over 3,000 calls a day from frightened, lonely and often abused children.

Just last month Kids Help Phone received an astonishing 2,041 calls from troubled youth in my home town of Hamilton. Unfortunately, however, Kids Help Phone only has enough staff and telephone lines to handle about one-quarter of the calls. Who knows what kind of a crisis each one of those unaddressed calls for help might entail on a daily basis?

Although Kids Help Phone does not solicit government funding, I call upon my colleagues in the House to lend their support and raise awareness of the Kids Help Phone line 1-800-668-6868. After all, helping a young person in trouble can make a difference that will last a lifetime.

Low Level FlightsStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Bloc

Jean-Marc Jacob Bloc Charlesbourg, QC

Mr. Speaker, the Innu held a protest on Parliament Hill last Saturday to denounce the recommendations of the environmental assessment panel reviewing low level flights in Labrador and Northern Quebec.

The Bloc Quebecois joins the Innu in denouncing the contradictory recommendations of the panel who admits in its report the need for further study of the impacts on the health of human and animal populations, yet recommends that twice as many

flights be allowed, thereby jeopardizing the fragile balance of the Arctic environment.

This review offhandedly casts aside the legitimate concerns of those who face daily the stress caused by such flights. Under these circumstances, the Canadian government must flatly reject this report and start a new scientific process which, this time, will take into account the demands of the environmentalists and the local people.

EntrepreneursStatements By Members

2:15 p.m.

Reform

Ian McClelland Reform Edmonton Southwest, AB

Mr. Speaker, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business recently released a report stating the Canadian banking industry has a bias against women entrepreneurs because women had a 20 per cent higher refusal rate than men on commercial loans and paid 1 per cent more than male entrepreneurs on average.

It could be argued the Canadian Federation of Independent Business is wrong. A Statistics Canada national survey of small business in November 1994 said the difference was 6 per cent-18 per cent for males, 24 per cent for women-and the difference may be reflective of industry preference and not gender bias. In August 1994 an Industry Canada report concluded that gender did not influence interest rates charged on commercial loans.

We should be careful not to create problems. We have enough as it is. Engendering a victim mentality based on gender will do nothing to inspire men or women to become entrepreneurs.

DefenceStatements By Members

2:15 p.m.

Liberal

Jesse Flis Liberal Parkdale—High Park, ON

Mr. Speaker, from March 7 to 9 the permanent joint board on defence between Canada and the United States had its 195th meeting.

The permanent joint board dates back to a 1940 agreement between Canada and the U.S. to share common security interests and to co-ordinate joint defence. Composed of both civilian and military officials, the 195th board discussed security in the western hemisphere and NATO's infrastructure and possible expansion.

The Americans had the opportunity to study our government's white paper on defence and foreign policy statement while Canadians had the opportunity to review the U.S. national military strategy.

Mr. Dwight Mason, the American co-chair, and I as the Canadian co-chair were both impressed with the depth of discussion and strongly encourage continuing support for these meetings.

Managing one of the world's largest defence arrangements requires close co-operation between Canada and the United States. The permanent joint board on defence is an excellent vehicle to help administer this important relationship.

SpringStatements By Members

2:15 p.m.

Liberal

Ted McWhinney Liberal Vancouver Quadra, BC

Mr. Speaker, spring, which came to our west coast in January, has now officially reached the rest of Canada.

B.C. citizens, radio station CKNW, home of Rafe Mair and Bill Good, Lumberland and General Paint offer each MP today a token of the new season of hope and renewal. In the poet's words:

Daffodils That come before the swallow dares and take The winds of March with beauty.

They remind us of the infinite beauty of our country, but also of its fragility.

Canadians have led the world in building the strong new international law on conservation and sustainable development of the earth's dwindling natural resources, including fisheries, as the common heritage of all mankind.

Member For NepeanStatements By Members

2:15 p.m.

Liberal

Mac Harb Liberal Ottawa Centre, ON

Mr. Speaker, my good friend and buddy Beryl Gaffney is currently undergoing surgery in London, Ontario. I wish her well and want her to know she is in our thoughts and prayers.

Beryl, your energy and drive can be a lesson to us all. I know you have the spirit and strength to see yourself through the days and weeks ahead. After all, as a friend and neighbour you put up with so many of us for so many years.

I know you will be back in your seat in the House very soon. On behalf of all of my colleagues, I wish you a quick and easy recovery. We miss you and look forward to your return soon.

Member For NepeanStatements By Members

2:15 p.m.

Some hon. members

Hear, hear.

Canada Health ActStatements By Members

2:15 p.m.

Bloc

Michel Daviault Bloc Ahuntsic, QC

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister stated in Saskatoon Wednesday that the founda-

tions of the Canada Health Act were not negotiable. As it turns out however, the national forum on health, chaired by the Prime Minister himself, has a mandate to review this act without the full participation of the provinces.

The only legitimate players in the health field, namely the provinces, have been excluded from this process. The true meaning of the Prime Minister's "not negotiable" therefore becomes apparent.

Moreover, the last federal budget called for major budget cuts in transfer payments to the provinces. Again, this is not negotiable.

Are we to understand that this so-called flexible federalism means that nothing is negotiable? Transfer payments are cut, yet the provinces must comply with standards dictated by Ottawa. Now, they are being excluded from the national forum on health. And that is not negotiable either.

Canada CouncilStatements By Members

2:20 p.m.

Reform

Jan Brown Reform Calgary Southeast, AB

Mr. Speaker, we used to pay a penny for our thoughts, but thanks to an artist in Halifax we are now paying a nickel.

The artist, Stephen Ellwood, is an American who came to Canada because we give more money to artists than do our southern neighbours. Today Mr. Ellwood will be throwing away $300 in nickels-6,000 nickels-some off a building, others discarded on the street, to make a politically artistic statement. All of this money is at the expense of the Canada taxpayer thanks to the Canada Council.

I believe in the freedom of expression in Canada. I do not believe Canadian taxpayers should be left on the hook for every political and artistic problem we have. The Canada Council needs to overhaul its granting practices to ensure greater accountability as to how funds are distributed. It is time we looked at the current structure of the Canada Council and ask how it can continue to exist as we know it today.

Thanks to the Canada Council the Liberal government is not the only one throwing money away. Mr. Ellwood is so good at it he deserves a seat at the cabinet table as well.

Racial DiscriminationStatements By Members

2:20 p.m.

Liberal

Jean Augustine Liberal Etobicoke—Lakeshore, ON

Mr. Speaker, last week marked the third anniversary of the end of apartheid in South Africa.

Tomorrow around the world people will commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, raising awareness that racism still exists in our communities and that we must work toward its complete elimination.

In Canada equality is the law but is not always the reality, as many people must be bear the burden of racial discrimination. It is everyone's responsibility to acknowledge and address racism and its presence in employment, social life, housing and the justice system.

Through education true respect and equality can be achieved. By sharing the differences in our heritage and increasing awareness of each other's struggles and strengths we will end much of the discrimination that plagues our society.