Debates of March 24th, 1995

Port Of Churchill

[Bill Blaikie, NDP, Winnipeg—Transcona, MB]

Mr. Speaker, recently I had the opportunity to meet with a delegation concerning the future of the port of Churchill. It consisted of Manitoba MLAs, Saskatchewan MLAs, representatives of the city of Churchill, representative of the Hudson Bay Route Association and others.

I go on record as recommending to the government that it pay heed to the recommendations of the task force and of the delegation. Given the possibilities for the spaceport in Churchill, new possibilities perhaps for the port of Churchill as a port and a number of other things, the money that needs to be spent there would be money well spent.

I urge the government to spend the money and to see it not as spending in the pejorative sense but as an investment in the future of the Canadian north and in the future of Churchill and northern Manitoba.

The Beaver

[Andy Mitchell, Liberal, Parry Sound—Muskoka, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today to recognize the 20th anniversary of a significant day in our history. Twenty years ago today Bill C-373 received royal assent, officially proclaiming the beaver as the national Canadian symbol.

The beaver appeared on Canada's first postage stamp, on our five-cent piece and was generally considered a symbol of industry and the sovereignty of the nation.

My predecessor, Mr. Stan Darling, tells the story of a call he received 21 years ago from Kearney resident Mr. Ralph Bice. That set the ball rolling for Stan who worked diligently with Bill C-373's originator, Mr. Sean O'Sullivan, to safeguard the beaver as a Canadian symbol. As the story goes New York State was trying to beat us to it.

In the words of the originator: "There must be things to touch one's soul, heart and emotions if we are to be complete persons and a whole nation". "That", he said, "is the importance of symbols".

Please join me today in celebrating the 20th anniversary of the beaver as the national symbol.

Violence Against Women

[Mary Clancy, Liberal, Halifax, NS]

Mr. Speaker, violence against women is one of the worst horrors of our world. We strive for zero tolerance in Canada and we use our international reputation to fight for the protection of women worldwide.

Sadly some people still do not get it. Some people think that the torture and imprisonment of women for not wearing a veil is no different from the requirement that men wear jackets in our parliamentary restaurant.

Some people think that Canada cannot afford to offer a haven to women who flee the practice of genital mutilation. Incredible as it seems, some people do think this and some of them actually sit in the House. Thank God they do not sit on the government side.

Hate Crimes

[Karen Kraft Sloan, Liberal, York—Simcoe, ON]

Mr. Speaker, trickle down homophobia that results in hate crimes committed against homosexuals happens when political and social leaders trash gay people, when they equate gays with pedophiles, and when they state that granting gays rights enjoyed by other Canadians is granting them special privileges.

A Reform member opposite recently stated that gays are responsible for bashing gays and that gay bashing is simply one gang going against another gang. These actions give gay bashers encouragement and justification. These politicians are equally responsible for the violence that ensues.

In spite of what the Reform member opposite thinks, hate crimes against gay men and lesbians are a harsh reality. We must take these hate motivated crimes seriously so that our streets are safe for everyone to walk, so that gay bashing and homophobia will be relics of the past.

I urge all members of the House to support Bill C-41.

Burundi

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

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the Secretary of State for Latin America and Africa told the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs that a wave of massacres, the likes of which swept through Rwanda last year, could hit Burundi this year.

By saying this, the Secretary of State has aligned herself with the Bloc Quebecois, which has already expressed concern about the deterioration of the political and social situation in Burundi.

In fact, the ethnic make-up of the two countries is very similar, Burundian extremists have been stepping up their operations and political crises keep on erupting. In addition, there has been no improvement in the situation of Rwandans who have fled to Burundi.

The federal government, through the Minister of Foreign Affairs, must support the people and the Government of Burundi in their effort to find a lasting solution in their country. Canada cannot wait for a catastrophe to hit Burundi before acting.

Public Service

[Paul Forseth, Reform, New Westminster—Burnaby, BC]

Mr. Speaker, government administration in Canada is in crisis. The federal public service must become smaller, work better and be more cost effective. If it were a private conglomerate it would be in receivership.

Public enterprise must focus on outputs, what gets done; make decisions transparent, accessible and reliable information; provide real incentives for performance and consequences for failure; establish constraints through modernized budget techniques; promote competition by enhancing consumer choice; and develop competitive benchmarks with the private sector using multiple suppliers.

Contracting out is favoured such as more non-profit organizations for social care. The federal public service can be smaller and provide services more competitively. Government must be more businesslike. We must change our expectations and let the public service concentrate on what it should do. Let it work to become smarter rather than larger.

Rail Strike

[Ronald J. Duhamel, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to President of the Treasury Board]

Mr. Speaker, why has the Bloc Quebecois decided to prevent rail workers from returning to work?

It is jeopardizing jobs across Canada. This is an irresponsible action causing jobs to be lost nation wide. The Bloc could not care less about Canadians and the Canadian economy, including that of Quebec. It is wasting public money, the money of Canadians from all regions of the country.

Its agenda is the separation of Quebec. That is its priority. Is this the kind of economic co-operation separatists want from Canada? Is this the kind of action it really believes Quebecers and Canadians want?

I urge them to join forces with the government, as the New Democratic Party has done, and support the bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, another day into the rail strike is taking its toll on the Canadian economy.

In Etobicoke-Lakeshore the strike has affected activity at the food terminal, passengers using the Mimico station, and manufacturing, industrial and commercial businesses in the area.

As rail service slows so too has the export of manufactured goods, grains and natural resources. While trains sit idly in the yards so do the thousands of workers whose jobs are dependent on the rails to ship their products across the country.

The self-interest of the Bloc Quebecois in this labour dispute has resulted in the suffering of small and medium size business, commuters, and Canada's reputation as a reliable international supplier.

Since collective bargaining and government efforts to facilitate an agreement have failed so far, now is the time for all members of Parliament to unite and act in the interest of all Canadians.

[Jesse Flis, Liberal, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I too offer a few statistics to Bloc Quebecois members who are deliberately destroying the economies of Quebec and the other provinces by delaying an end to the railway strike.

Every morning $200 million worth of exports to the United States are being interrupted. This week alone the delay will cost the Canadian economy $3 billion to $5 billion worth of productivity, all courtesy of the Bloc Quebecois.

Somehow the image of the Bloc as champions of the collective bargaining process is shattered by the fact that even Buzz Hargrove of the Canadian Auto Workers has said there is no benefit whatsoever to delaying the legislation.

The Liberals strongly believe in collective bargaining, but when it fails and results in economic turmoil the government must act in the public interest. Obviously this concept escapes the Bloc Quebecois, a party that is losing its credibility as the official opposition.

Canadian National

[Paul Crête, Bloc, Kamouraska—Rivière-Du-Loup, QC]

Mr. Speaker, with each passing day we see how carefully the federal government and Canadian National have orchestrated their campaign to attack the working conditions of their employees. Now we are seeing televised messages by Canadian National about the importance of rationalizing the company.

These messages were certainly not put together in the course of the week and are proof of CN's bad faith in these negotiations. Is it not completely unacceptable that the employer is running down its employees publicly, on the eve of the mediation-arbitration process that the federal government so prefers to what the Bloc has proposed?

If CN is so confident, it is because it knows it has the backing of the federal government, which in the end bears sole responsibility for the present labour conflict. Through its collusion with the employers and its inflexibility with respect to the special legislation, the federal government is disrupting negotiations, acting in a cowardly manner, and indicating clearly its lack of regard for the rights of workers.

Deathnet

[Keith Martin, Reform, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I was recently shocked to learn that graphic step by step instructions on how to commit suicide are now widely available through Internet.

Deathnet, an on line Internet service, is based in my riding and has been offering the information to subscribers since early in the new year. The service puts at risk thousands of teenagers and others prone to suicide.

Furthermore, 4,500 individuals have already logged on to it, many of whom are teenagers. The dangers are obvious. We have heard about tragic cases such as that of Bobby Steele who committed suicide.

As a physician I have seen firsthand the tragic results of depression in society. If the service continues it would lead to an increased number of suicides among those who are most vulnerable in society.

The simple fact is that making how to kill oneself information widely available on the Internet raises some serious ethical questions that must be addressed. I for one will not sit idly by and allow the service to continue.

Maintenance Of Railway Operations Act, 1995

[Raymond Bonin, Liberal, Nickel Belt, ON]

Mr. Speaker, some rail union leaders in my riding have expressed serious concern over the rail legislation, especially clause 12.

Although there seems to be differing opinions in the membership, it is important to note that back to work legislation is far from our first choice. We prefer a negotiated settlement within the collective bargaining process but the shutdown of operations is crippling the economy.

I would ask that the union leaders prevent this legislation by telling CN, CP and VIA that they will go back to work tomorrow with a guarantee of no work disruption for a set period of time and that CN, CP and VIA be directed by the Minister of Labour to negotiate in good faith.

After all, the best guarantee of job security is good labour relations and a strong and competitive rail industry.

Rail Strike

[Glen McKinnon, Liberal, Brandon—Souris, MB]

Mr. Speaker, the rail strike continues and the availability of goods for the service and manufacturing industries grows scarce. Grain stocks lie dormant in the elevation system throughout western Canada.

While some members opposite have seen fit to support the government in this matter and the government has great reluctance to be engaged in direct dispute settlement, there reaches a time when economic damage exceeds the right to negotiate.

I commend the minister for her timely and appropriate actions. The long term structural changes to eliminate these difficulties remains a challenge for this House. I congratulate the minister. We will support her in the future in these matters.

[Jim Silye, Reform, Calgary Centre, AB]

Mr. Speaker, you are fully aware of the infamous Liberals copy Reform awards. Today we have the first instalment of the Bloc copy Reform awards.

We congratulate the member for Longueuil who had the courage and conviction to break party ranks and vote with the Reform Party and the government to end the multibillion dollar railway strike that hurts all Canadians from sea to sea, including Quebecers. As for the rest of the official opposition, they are living back in the times of the steam locomotive and conjure up

the image of nothing more than cows standing on the tracks blocking the train.

We compliment the member's courage and wisdom. The political consequences of his actions will likely be re-election, unlike what his leader and his colleagues say. Putting the interest of all of Canada before self-serving political goals is what is needed this week.

It is unfortunate that the Liberals did not copy Reform ideas and suggestions two weeks ago on this issue when they had a chance to prevent this strike from happening in the first place. The Reformers saw the train coming down the track, why did the government not?

[Translation]

[Gilles Duceppe, Bloc, Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, comments made yesterday by the Minister of Transport and CN President Paul Tellier confirmed the government's strategy, which had been described by Commissioner Hope.

That strategy is obvious: for 18 months, the government and the railway companies let the situation deteriorate; for 18 months, they hinted at the possibility of special legislation; for 18 months, their only concern was to create an impasse so they could impose terms and conditions of employment.

Does the Minister of Labour realize that with this legislation, she is merely finishing the job of breaking the unions so that CN can be quickly privatized?

[Lucienne Robillard, Liberal, Minister of Labour]

Mr. Speaker, does the Bloc Quebecois realize that since last Sunday it has been obstructing back-to-work legislation that has a major impact on the Canadian economy from coast to coast? Is it aware of the repercussions of its decision not to co-operate on the passage of this bill?

We had to table this bill in the House as a last resort. We did because we saw it as our duty to do so, and today, we would ask the Bloc Quebecois to act accordingly.

[Gilles Duceppe, Bloc, Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the government is to blame for blocking a settlement. If the minister is so concerned about the economic repercussions, why did she not deal with the problem on Monday, on the basis of proposals made by the Bloc Quebecois which, in fact, worked very well in the case of the Port of Montreal? Employees would have been back to work five days ago if this government had not stubbornly insisted on this indecent settlement mechanism.

[Lucienne Robillard, Liberal, Minister of Labour]

Mr. Speaker, I would ask the members of the Bloc Quebecois to stop playing politics with the Canadian economy. Millions of workers are affected because the railways are not operating. Do we realize that? What does the Bloc Quebecois hope to achieve by obstructing this bill? This week, we heard the Leader of the Opposition say "on with the referendum". Now, Mr. Speaker, let us get on with this bill.

[Gilles Duceppe, Bloc, Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, there was never any explanation from the other side of the House for refusing the solution proposed by the Bloc Quebecois, which provided for a return to work on Monday. Sixty days, no strike, no lockout. Never! The only explanation given by the government was that negotiations had been dragging on for 17 months. Does the minister realize that in the Port of Montreal, negotiations had been dragging on for 25 months and that thanks to the proposal by the Bloc Quebecois, work has now resumed in the Port of Montreal?

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear.

[Lucienne Robillard, Liberal, Minister of Labour]

Mr. Speaker, the Bloc Quebecois seems to think that it was the one who appointed a mediator in the Port of Montreal. They have a real identity problem. They really have a problem, I must say.

I decided to appoint a mediator in the Port of Montreal because the circumstances so required. I have already said that we consider each particular situation in the railways on its merits. All these discussions and negotiations have been taking place for more than a year. Unfortunately, we have reached an impasse. And at least one member of the Bloc Quebecois agreed, the hon. member for Longueuil.

Turkey

[Stéphane Bergeron, Bloc, Verchères, QC]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Deputy Prime Minister.

While the Turkish air force and artillery continue to pound Kurdish positions in northern Iraq, the European "troika", on a visit to Ankara, formally demanded that the Turkish army withdraw from Iraq. Otherwise, the European Parliament could block the customs union deal reached with Turkey.

Does the Canadian government, which, incidentally, is still negotiating the sale of its CF-5 fighter jets to Turkey, intend to follow in France's and Germany's footsteps by demanding that Turkey withdraw from Iraq as soon as possible?

[Fred Mifflin, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of National Defence and Minister of Veterans Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, I want to assure the hon. member that discussions with any country that is looking at the CF-5 aircraft, which I want to reiterate is a training aircraft, will be done as we always do business in these instances which is with the strictest export controls. There will be no change.

[Stéphane Bergeron, Bloc, Verchères, QC]

Mr. Speaker, my supplementary question is also for the Deputy Prime Minister.

Since Turkey has clearly indicated its intention to keep troops in the border area with Iraq until a buffer zone is established, does Canada intend to submit this sensitive matter to the UN Security Council?

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

Mr. Speaker, this issue is of great concern to the Government of Canada. At this very moment we are meeting with the ambassador of Turkey and requesting that Turkey respect the human rights of the minority group being targeted in this situation. We are asking Turkey to take a moderate stand by trying to dialogue with the group and respect their cultural rights.

At the same time, we understand the difficulties in dealing with acts of terrorism. However we are officially asking the Government of Turkey to take a moderate stand and to try to come to some form of agreement with the Kurds.