Debates of March 20th, 1995

Environmental Assessments

[Monique Guay, Bloc, Laurentides, QC]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of the Environment. We have

discovered from reading the budget that the government is proposing to require the provinces pay for environmental assessments undertaken by the federal government.

Not only is this government persisting in maintaining costly duplications, it is adding more this time by asking Quebec to pay for services it does not need, because it already has its own, equally effective tools.

Does the Minister of the Environment not realize that, by asking the provinces and other interested parties to assume the costs of environmental assessments, she is forcing Quebec taxpayers to pay the federal government for a service they have already paid the Government of Quebec for?

[Sheila Copps, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Environment]

Mr. Speaker, if the hon. member has taken the time to read the documents, she will have seen that the federal government requires payment for those under the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal environment service. Those under the BAPE will be covered by provincial laws.

The Speaker: I draw the attention of hon. members to the presence in the gallery of Mr. Stavros Kambelis, General Secretary for the Island of Crete, Greece.

Presence In Gallery

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear.

[The Speaker]

I also draw the attention of hon. members to the presence in the gallery of four of the five recipients of the Queen Elizabeth Silver Jubilee endowment fund for second language education award program.

I will read the four names and then we will recognize them. Miss Genevieve Currie, Miss Christine Desmarais, Miss Echelle Kerr and Mr. David Matte.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear.

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 37 petitions.

Journée Internationale De La Francophonie

[André Ouellet, Liberal, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Madam Speaker, in 1990 the 47 countries and governments of the francophone community declared March 20 the Journée internationale de la Francophonie. It was on March 20, 1970 that the Agence de coopération culturelle et technique (ACCT) was founded in Niamey, Niger. This year, the Journée internationale de la Francophonie marks the 25th anniversary of the ACCT, which, as it happens, is directed by a Canadian, Jean-Louis Roy. It is interesting to remember that the first secretary general of that organization, Jean-Marc Léger, was also a Canadian.

Today, I would like to pay tribute to the visionaries of the Francophonie, men like Senghor, Diori and Bourguiba from newly independent countries who dreamed of an assembly that would establish new lines of dialogue, co-operation and solidarity between French-speaking nations. Madam Speaker, let me quote Léopold Senghor, who attributed to the Francophonie "an all-encompassing humanism that encircles the planet". Today more than ever, we must be guided by this humanism if the Francophonie is to become an even more dynamic forum.

The recent tragic events in French-speaking countries concern us directly, indeed command our attention. The Francophonie is being called upon to take a stand and I give my word in this House that Canada will support it in its efforts.

Next week, as I said in reply to a question from a colleague in this House during question period, I will have the honour of meeting my colleagues from French-speaking nations around the world. Together we will discuss ways of strengthening French-speaking institutions in preparation for the next Summit of heads of state and government in Cotonou, Benin.

These summits provide an opportunity to promote common objectives. Canada plays an important role at the summits, represented by the Canadian government, and also of course by the governments of Quebec and New Brunswick, who play a very important and useful role there.

This felicitous formula, which led to harmonious relations between France, Canada and Quebec, was the result of lengthy negotiations by intelligent, resourceful people respectful of the interests of the parties concerned.

Because he is here with us in this House, I would like to mention the exceptional contribution of one of the great archi-

tects of this historic success, the present Leader of the Opposition, who as Canadian ambassador at the time, did an outstanding job of resolving this matter satisfactorily in the interest not only of Canada but also in the interest of Quebec and of the good relations we have always had and wish to maintain with France.

This felicitous formula enabled all speakers of French in Canada, and especially in Quebec, to play a role internationally. This formula still allows Quebec to play an important and vital role within the Francophonie.

We will continue to promote, within the Francophonie, the basic values which are so dear to our fellow citizens. Earlier, in answer to a question in the House, I mentioned the values of democracy, human rights, equality for women, child welfare and education.

To mark this important day, we had the pleasure to participate in a ceremony where we unveiled, along with officials from member countries of the Francophonie, their ambassadors and several fellow citizens who are active in that field, a postage stamp commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Canadian Technical and Cultural Co-operation Agency.

I also had the pleasure of handing out Francophonie awards to deserving students and teachers from across Canada. This initiative is a reminder that the vitality of our linguistic and cultural heritage was, and remain, essential to our unity, our specificity and our existence as an independent entity.

Canada is well aware that the Francophonie is not a territorial issue. The greatest lesson we learned is that Francophonie knows no boundaries: It is a universal reality. The Francophonie in Canada, which thrives in Quebec, New Brunswick, Ontario, Manitoba and other regions, and which I salute, must of course rely on a strong, dynamic and credible worldwide francophone movement.

Let us not forget that over eight million Canadians can speak French. This number includes of course close to 75 per cent of Quebecers, but also over 25 per cent of the other Canadians, including close to 1.2 million in Ontario, half a million in western Canada, and some 400,000 in the Maritimes.

In closing, today, we celebrate the Francophonie and a language which is so dear to us. The French language spread throughout the world and is enriched by the different accents from various islands, plains, ricefields and bushes, where it is thriving.

I invite all members in this House and in other Canadian legislative assemblies to celebrate together this Journée de la Francophonie internationale, which marks the beginning of a week dedicated to the Francophonie in Canada.

[Philippe Paré, Bloc, Louis-Hébert, QC]

On behalf of all my colleagues in the Bloc Quebecois I am especially proud today to mark the Journée internationale de la Francophonie.

On this day, it is fitting to point out that Quebec's opening up to the world has been nowhere more evident than in its participation in the international francophone community. Since the early sixties, Quebec has been forging special bilateral links with France. This intense co-operation between Quebec and France has contributed significantly to the strengthening of multilateral contacts with francophone communities, resulting in numerous exchanges between Quebec and its main francophone partners, especially Europe and Africa, in many areas such as culture, education, scientific development, high technology and industry.

The Journée internationale de la Francophonie is especially significant this year as it happens to be the 25th anniversary of the founding of the Agence de coopération culturelle et technique. In the early seventies, the agency provided the focus for the development of the international francophone community. Quebec's right to formally participate in the agency's proceedings was quickly recognized, as was its right to sit as a participating government in the francophone summit.

There is no doubt that Quebec's participation in the international francophone community is vital to its opening onto the world. Moreover, rediscovering the way to a vibrant solidarity with francophone and Acadian communities in Canada, Quebec will be able to play a central role in building a francophone space in North America.

Last May, while making public the Bloc's commitment to the American francophone community, the Leader of the Opposition rightly pointed out that by building bridges between francophone communities in North America and the rest of the world, Quebec will be able to help make the voices of francophone and Acadian communities in Canada heard in the concert of nations, and will be thus in a better position to promote their cause.

Francophones in America have a common future and, when Quebec becomes a full partner on the international scene, freed from the constraints of being a mere province, it will be able to play this role fully. We are eagerly looking forward to that day.

[Bob Ringma, Reform, Nanaimo—Cowichan, BC]

Mr. Speaker, as critic of the Reform Party for official languages, I am pleased to commemorate this Journée internationale de la francophonie.

The Reform Party recognizes how much the French-speaking population has contributed to the development of our great country, which continues to be enriched by them. Conscious of that fact, the Reform Party supports the principle of using English and French within key federal institutions such as Parliament and the Supreme Court. We also support the right of

all Canadians to speak in either of these two beautiful languages.

By being part of an organization like the Francophonie, Canada maintains relations with 46 other member states having a combined population of 400 million people. As a member of this organization, Canada can play an active role at the international level, whether it is in technological and medical breakthroughs in some African countries or in promoting democracy in certain Caribbean states such as Haiti.

Although this international co-operation offers limitless opportunities, we must remain conscious of our responsibilities towards taxpayers.

In this regard, most Canadians support our efforts to restore democracy in Haiti. However, there are those who question the $9 million spent by the Agence de coopération culturelle et technique in French-speaking countries, as well as the $7 million allocated to the implementation of projects and development activities agreed upon at the Francophonie summits.

What we have to do, in fact, is balance our responsibilities towards our partners in French speaking countries and those towards Canadian taxpayers. This is a difficult exercise which warrants special attention. On behalf of the Reform Party, I congratulate francophones all over Canada and around the world on this day celebrating the Francophonie. I would also like to take this opportunity to challenge the government: Let us hope that it will be bold enough to ensure some balance between its commitments to this alliance and its responsibilities towards taxpayers.

[Sheila Finestone, Liberal, Secretary of State (Multiculturalism) (Status of Women)]

Madam Speaker, today marks the beginning of la Semaine nationale de la Francophonie, and this year's theme is ethno-cultural diversity. One of the awards this morning was made in recognition of a multicultural and anti-racist educational project called Leadership Camp.

Tomorrow, March 21, we celebrate the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

These two events will be an opportunity to celebrate the rich diversity of this country.

The Prime Minister of Canada has often said that the unity of our country is based on diversity, and that diversity is also our strength. It is, in fact, the fundamental characteristic of our nation. A country based on diversity cannot afford to let racism, hatred and intolerance to take root in its soil.

To do otherwise would be to jeopardize a social peace for which Canada is envied around the world. Social peace does not come from wishing it. It comes from hard work and from vigilance. The duty to be vigilant carries with it the responsibility to address racism by public response or by force of law.

The greatest asset of any country is its people. The challenge is not to assimilate this diversity into a simple mould, but to weave its many varied strands into a distinctive national culture. Canadian culture is much more than the sum of its many parts.

From a global perspective Canada is seen as a role model, a country united through common values based on fairness, equity, democracy and respect for human rights.

While racial, religious and ethnocultural discrimination have helped to make the 20th century a byword for inhumanity and violence, Canada is exceptionally fortunate in the extent to which it has been spared the worst of these excesses.

We must do more than trust our luck. We must work very hard to make sure our country is not open to racist sentiments, whatever their form and whatever their source.

It is in this context that I hope all members will see the March 21 campaign on their screens and in their movie theatres. It will be a campaign asking Canadians to stop and think about the harm that racism does to others and to society. Understanding is the key to eliminating racism.

What better way to encourage Canadians to think about the effects of racism than to put themselves in the other person's shoes. Mettez-vous dans la peau des autres. Only then can we learn what it means to live in a society of mutual interdependence. Sometimes we need to be reminded of what we so often take for granted.

Such a reminder came very recently from President Bill Clinton of the United States who in addressing the House lauded our nation: "as a model of how people of different cultures can live and work together in peace, prosperity and understanding".

The message of the March 21 campaign embodies the sentiment expressed by the Prime Minister of Canada, reinforced by the President of the United States.

I urge all members to join with me in carrying this message to the people of Canada.

[Christiane Gagnon, Bloc, Québec, QC]

Madam Speaker, tomorrow, March 21, 1995, Canadians and Quebecers celebrate the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. As pointed out by the Secretary of State for Multiculturalism and the Status of Women, this event coincides with la Semaine internationale de la Francophonie.

It is therefore a time to think about this social and cultural dimension of our individual and collective lives. Quebec and Canada are societies in a state of flux that are facing many challenges. One that is of particular interest to us in this House is the contribution of immigrants and their participation in the development of our social fabric.

However, there are two visions of Canadian society: The Canadian vision that favours unity in diversity, and the Quebec vision that favours integration while respecting cultural differences. These two opposing social concepts are based on two different political visions of our world. In Quebec, since the initial Quebec-Canada agreements on immigration, the linguistic and economic integration of newcomers in the host society has been an imperative for the development and growth of the majority culture, in other words, the French-speaking majority. The very survival of our culture, the cultural heritage we received from our ancestors, is at stake.

In Canada, multiculturalism has been repeatedly analysed, criticized and challenged, especially in recent years. I may recall that this policy, which was intended to impose a political vision of Canada instead of reflecting the place that cultural communities occupy in Canada, was developed at a time when Quebec nationalism had reached a decisive turning point in its history.

It was an attempt to diminish the position of Quebec within Canada by relegating to the past the concept of two founding peoples and two dominant cultures. That is why multiculturalism never took root in Quebec, despite the claims of the present federal government and its Prime Minister.

We could quote, on this point, a letter by the former Premier of Quebec, Mr. Robert Bourassa, who said in 1971, replying to Mr. Trudeau on the question of multiculturalism: "The document tabled in the House dissociates culture and language-Quebec does not agree with your government's approach on the concept of multiculturalism. That notion hardly seems compatible with Quebec's reality where there is one predominant presence of a French language and French culture majority and an important minority of English language and culture among many other minorities".

Mr. Bourassa ended his letter by stressing the fact that the role of the Premier of Quebec was to ensure that the French culture would radiate within North America and that he intended to go on doing just that, with all he had available to him, while respecting others.

However, we do believe that the integration of communities into the common public culture of Quebec does have a positive impact on racism and intolerance.

This position was supported in Quebec yesterday during the opening ceremony for the Semaine de la Francophonie, when the president of the Maison internationale de Québec, Mr. Augustin Raharolahy, who immigrated to Quebec 20 years ago, said: "Mastering a language is central to the integration process and is a prerequisite for a full participation in the economical, social and political life. Furthermore, it also gives a feeling of ownership in our society. Mastering the French language as a common language is fundamental, but it does not mean linguistic and cultural assimilation". He then concluded by saying that: "A common language, the French language, solidarity, and the pride of being a Quebecer are the strengths with which we can build a country, a modern society".

One can hardly find a better description for Quebec's policy and reality. However, like all other nations, Quebecers and Canadians must increase their efforts in order to fight against racial intolerance and all the prejudices that invariably come with it.

The fight is a constant one, but a victory against racism would result in a better quality of life for future generations.

[Jan Brown, Reform, Calgary Southeast, AB]

Madam Speaker, it is an honour and a pleasure to rise and speak in acknowledgement of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination which takes place tomorrow.

Recently I had occasion to speak in Kingston, Ontario to a group of seniors about my vision for Canada. I received from one of those who was in the audience that day a most remarkable letter. She called it "Acceptable Behaviour in a Global Village". I would very much like to share it with members because it gives expression to what we are addressing today and tomorrow.

She writes:

The world of human beings has grown smaller and populations all over the world have become so mixed that we have to learn to get along peacefully with each other. The global village is no longer somewhere else. It is here and all of us are mixed in with it. It does not matter whether someone of a different race or nation lives next door or down the street or in a different part of town or half way around the world, we have to learn to live peacefully with all of those peoples whose racial or national origins are different from our own. To do otherwise is to bring about an end to our world. The intolerance, conflicts, fighting and wars between peoples will bring an end to our civilization and the earth as a planet much quicker than any pollution or natural disaster.

All peoples have some members who are great people, who have accomplished things which are beneficial for all humankind. All peoples have some members who are difficult people who make life miserable for those around them. No one is perfect. Most people of all races are a mixture of good and bad. It is necessary to recognize the best and the positive in others regardless of what they look like, what language they speak or where they have come from. The positive values of honesty, integrity, the ability to do the job required of them, the ability to care for family and

other people, and the ability to live peacefully together with others; all provide the basis for a good and worthwhile society.

Every race and nation of people has those individuals whose performance is excellent in all of those values. Every race and nation has many who fail to uphold those positive values. We need to change our attitudes to become more objective and non-judgmental. We need to become more accepting of all people.

The woman concludes her letter with the thought that:

This is not an easy thing to do but if enough of us who feel this necessity start to put these attitudes into our own lives and encourage others to also do so, we will have a better world.

These are the sentiments of an ordinary Canadian with some considerable life experience. Her words echo not only my thoughts but also those of all of us here in the House who have given expression to our basic belief in human dignity and the equality of others.

Budget Implementation Act, 1995

[Doug Peters, Liberal, for the Minister of Finance]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-76, an Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on February 27, 1995.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed.)

[Peter Milliken, Liberal, Kingston and the Islands, ON]

Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I wonder if you would ask the House if there would be consent to introduce the bill, of which I sought introduction this morning, to order the resumption of railway operations in Canada, in light of the very serious strike that is ongoing.

I know the Minister of Labour is anxious to bring the bill before Parliament. With the consent of the House we could give it first reading this afternoon.

[The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Maheu)]

The House has heard the terms of the motion. Do we have unanimous consent?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[Some hon. members]

No.

[The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Maheu)]

We do not have unanimous consent.

Petitioners

[Myron Thompson, Reform, Wild Rose, AB]

Madam Speaker, I have two petitions; actually I have five but four of them relate to the same thing.

The first petition calls on Parliament to enact legislation that re-evaluates and amends the Canadian justice system providing protection to and giving precedence to victims' rights, stricter sentencing guidelines, stronger penalties for all major crimes, immediate deportation of convicted non-Canadians with all appeal costs financed by the accused, all juveniles charged with major crimes be tried in adult court and all violent criminals to serve their full sentences.

This petition comes from the Canmore, Exshaw and Banff district.

[Myron Thompson, Reform, Wild Rose, AB]

I have four other petitions, Madam Speaker, that call on Parliament to oppose any amendments to legislation that would provide for the inclusion of sexual orientation.

[John Richardson, Liberal, Perth—Wellington—Waterloo, ON]

Madam Speaker, I have three petitions to present. The first two request that the government not include the phrase sexual orientation in any of its upcoming bills.

[John Richardson, Liberal, Perth—Wellington—Waterloo, ON]

Madam Speaker, the second petition requests that Parliament convene a public inquiry that supersedes any that may be operating at present and to investigate and report on all matters affecting the armed forces of Canada in its operations, tasking its resource allocation and affecting its morale and welfare.

[John Richardson, Liberal, Perth—Wellington—Waterloo, ON]

My third petition, Madam Speaker, calls on Parliament to reverse the decision of the Supreme Court of Canada to allow extreme intoxication as a defence for sexual assault or physical assault.

[Jan Brown, Reform, Calgary Southeast, AB]

Madam Speaker, I rise again to present another petition in this course of action undertaken on behalf of constituents who wish to halt the early release from prison of Robert Paul Thompson.

The petitioners I represent are concerned about making our streets safer for our citizens. They are opposed to the current practice of early release of violent offenders prior to serving the full extent of their sentences.

The petitioners pray that our streets will be made safer for law-abiding citizens and the families of the victims of convicted murderers.

[Walt Lastewka, Liberal, St. Catharines, ON]

Madam Speaker, I have two petitions to present.

The first petition calls on Parliament to condemn the actions of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and to request that in accordance with its responsibilities as the national broadcaster, the CBC withdraw its application to televise the Paul Bernardo case.