House of Commons Hansard #179 of the 35th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was troops.

Topics

Generic DrugsStatements By Members

2 p.m.

Liberal

Jim Jordan Liberal Leeds—Grenville, ON

Mr. Speaker, residents of my riding of Leeds-Grenville have expressed grave concern about skyrocketing health costs.

Approximately 40 people from the community of Merrickville have signed a letter to me indicating their support for an increased availability of generic drugs as one way of reducing health care costs.

It has been estimated that Canadians now have 36 per cent of their prescriptions filled with generic drugs. On average, generic drugs are 40 to 50 per cent less expensive. This saving is achieved without compromising the quality of health care.

The greatest concern of seniors in today's economy is that they will not be able to afford proper health care when they get sick.

Citizens of my riding are asking the drug manufacturers to respond to dwindling resources in health care by putting more prescribed drugs on the generic drug list.

City Of HullStatements By Members

2 p.m.

Bloc

Suzanne Tremblay Bloc Rimouski—Témiscouata, QC

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, when Marcel Beaudry, chairman of the National Capital Commission, appeared before the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage, I made some exaggerated comments about the City of Hull to make the point to Mr. Beaudry that the NCC invariably passes over Hull in favour of Ottawa in the choices it makes.

Taken out of context, my remarks offended the people of Hull. I would like to apologize to them in this House. It really was not my intention to hurt anyone.

The tendency to inflated language, which sometimes afflicts those involved in politics, surfaced in my attempts to ensure that Mr. Beaudry, who makes no distinction between a Liberal Party fundraising dinner and a committee for a no vote fundraising dinner, really understood my explanation.

To the people of Hull, I again offer my most sincere apologies.

Bob's BirthdayStatements By Members

2 p.m.

Reform

Jim Hart Reform Okanagan—Similkameen—Merritt, BC

Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the constituents of Okanagan-Similkameen-Merritt to congratulate film makers Alison Snowden and David Fine for winning an Oscar at the Academy Awards on Monday night for their film "Bob's Birthday". Their success demonstrates that Canadian film projects can compete effectively in the global marketplace.

Reform members believe it is high time for the federal government to get out of the way and allow Canadian entrepreneurs to take their place as the producers of Canadian film projects.

Canada has proven that we can win Oscars. Let us do it without federal funding. Canadian taxpayers want to know why the Liberals continue to spend dollars to make films. Our film industry can stand on its own two feet and should be supported by the investment from Canadian entrepreneurs, not government subsidies.

This side of the House wants to congratulate "Bob's Birthday" for proving once again that Canadian film productions can prosper in a global marketplace.

Greek Independence DayStatements By Members

2 p.m.

Liberal

Eleni Bakopanos Liberal Saint-Denis, QC

Mr. Speaker, this past weekend a sea of Greek, Canadian and Quebec flags flooded my riding of Saint-Denis as over 50,000 Canadians of Greek origin celebrated Greek Independence Day.

It was a tremendous turnout with people from every generation dressed in national costume in celebration of their rich

heritage. It was also a day to be proud that we live in a country that recognizes the significant contributions that Canadians of Greek origin have made over the years.

We live in a country that celebrates its diversity and for which it has become the envy of the world.

We are all lucky to live in a country where diversity is something to celebrate. I think I speak for all Canadians of Greek extraction who want to continue to live and participate fully in the development of a country like Canada, an example to the world of generosity and open-mindedness.

[Editor's Note: Member spoke in Greek.]

[English]

New Democratic PartyStatements By Members

2 p.m.

Liberal

Beth Phinney Liberal Hamilton Mountain, ON

Mr. Speaker, today in the Ottawa Citizen a former adviser to Ed Broadbent stated that the NDP must either be revived or declared dead. I would like to respond by stating that it is my sad duty to declare the NDP dead.

The New Democratic Party in the past has made valuable contributions to Canadian political debate. However its recent performance is showing it to be increasingly divided and irrelevant.

The current NDP seems bereft of ideas for dealing with the challenges of the global economy. As the article stated, it has been a long time since a member of the NDP has had anything innovative to say about Canada's economy. To quote: "They project no civic mission for the country as a whole, no intelligent reflection on the consequences of their mumblings and no credible grappling with contemporary issues".

Those hoping for renewal of the NDP are going to be disappointed. A party with no visionary candidates for its leadership is not in a position to begin to renew itself. No ideas, no leadership, no renewal, no party.

Land MinesStatements By Members

2 p.m.

Liberal

Jane Stewart Liberal Brant, ON

Mr. Speaker, one of the greatest barriers to international development efforts comes as a result of the devastating impact of buried land mines. I would like to draw to the attention of the House the fact that there are 110 land mines buried in 62 countries across the world. Each month 800 people, many of them children, die as a result of stepping on one of these.

The problem is getting worse because the international community can only clear about 100,000 mines in a year. In the same time frame nearly two million more are buried.

Land mines obstruct post-war reconstruction. In Angola, 25 per cent of the food production capacity is lost because farmers cannot get into the fields. In Mozambique, a serious drought has been exacerbated.

Land mines do not stop for foreign aid. They do not stop for development and they do not stop for peace. They are always at war. I call on our government to work carefully and closely with our international partners to find the solution to this modern day plague.

AlgeriaStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Bloc

Michel Daviault Bloc Ahuntsic, QC

Mr. Speaker, Mohammed Abder Rahmani, the chief editor of the Algerian daily El Moudjahid was buried yesterday in Algiers. He is the 35th journalist to be assassinated in Algeria in the unending struggle between Islamic and government forces.

Mr. Abder Rahmani, the dean of the country's journalists, openly criticized the actions of armed Islamic groups. Intimidated and fearing for their lives, over 200 journalists have already fled the country.

These murders of people who have the courage to express their opinions, their ideas and their values, risking their lives in doing so, is an affront to us all. All too often, we remain silent and unmoved in the face of obscurantism and intolerance. We must denounce Mr. Abder Rahmani's assassination and see to it that his killers are brought to justice.

Voltaire said: "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it". Freedom of expression is a fundamental value in our society. May all Canadians-

The DebtStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Reform

Herb Grubel Reform Capilano—Howe Sound, BC

Mr. Speaker, recently I received numerous suggestions for getting Canadians to buy government debt now held by foreigners. While tax concessions or special interest rates can bring home the bonds, Canada's vulnerability to falling and fluctuating exchange and interest rates will not be eliminated.

First of all, the purchase of these government bonds from foreigners will crowd out other domestic securities. Therefore, net foreign indebtedness will not change.

Second, the existing vulnerability would exist even if foreigners held no Canadian obligations at all. Both foreigners and Canadians could still speculate in spot and futures markets.

The simple fact is that Canada's exchange and interest rates respond to news about the government's ability to service the debt. The downward trend in exchange rates will end, interest rates will stop rising and fluctuations will become less severe only when government deficits are eliminated.

As much as we all wished it were true, financial gimmicks cannot alter this basic truth.

Money SpeculatorsStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

NDP

Bill Blaikie NDP Winnipeg—Transcona, MB

Mr. Speaker, it was interesting to note the governor of the Bank of Canada said he was opposed to the Tobin tax. He did not think there was anything wrong with the effect that money speculators were having on national and regional economies.

I wonder whether this reflects the real position of the government. Over the last little while I have been asking the government to show some leadership at the G-7 in Halifax in trying to bring about a tax that might dampen speculation and in making some proposals for a new financial world order. It would be a sort of second Bretton Woods that would prevent money speculators from doing this kind of thing to our economy, to our dollar, or to anyone else for that matter.

What is it the governor of the Bank of Canada has in common with the money speculators? I think it is this. We could ask these questions of both of them: Who elected them? Who elected the governor of the Bank of Canada to make the policies he makes? And who elected the money speculators?

It is a democratic question. Who really runs the world, the money speculators and the banks or democratically elected parliaments like this one here?

FederalismStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

Nick Discepola Liberal Vaudreuil, QC

Mr. Speaker, a new study by two economists from the University of Calgary, soon to be published in the Canadian Business Economic Journal , shows that the Province of Quebec is the biggest winner in Canadian federalism.

The researchers compared the total amount of money that each province paid to Ottawa in the form of taxes, etc, with the amount of money directly transferred to each province over the last 32 years.

Between 1961 and 1992, Quebec has gotten $168 billion more out of the federal government than it put in in taxes and other payments to Ottawa. The province has netted an average annual bonus of $803 per person.

Quebecers are not gullible. And the polls prove it. The opposition's lame arguments are not winning over flocks because federalism is working in Canada, despite its imperfections, and Quebec benefits from it.

Member For Rimouski-TémiscouataStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

Raymond Lavigne Liberal Verdun—Saint-Paul, QC

Mr. Speaker, the people of the Outaouais, in particular Hull residents, are still reeling from the shocking statement made by the Bloc member for Rimouski-Témiscouata yesterday.

Her statement was as follows: "Behind the wall, in Hull, which is the ugliest town I have seen on the face of this earth, if you look beyond the shadows of the buildings, all you will see are tenements". Obviously, the poor performance of the sovereignist propaganda machine is slowly making this Bloc member take leave of her senses.

Instead of continuing her bitter tirade, she decided to offer her apologies to the people of Hull. For this, I thank her.

Member For Rimouski-TémiscouataStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Liberal

Denis Paradis Liberal Brome—Missisquoi, QC

Mr. Speaker, in making her comments about the City of Hull, the hon. member for Rimouski-Témiscouata probably got carried away. She apologized and we thank her for that.

It is unfortunate that the radicalization of political options compels some elected officials to make such comments or take that kind of attitude when people-and, in this case, a whole region-do not share their vision of the future.

Must we remind Bloc members that not only local residents but the whole region take pride in the city of Hull.

The hon. member for Rimouski-Témiscouata was wrong. The region does not come under the responsibility of the national commission on Quebec's future but under the mandate of the National Capital Commission.

I proudly salute its chairman, Mr. Beaudry, for his commitment to his city, his region and his country.

Canadian FederationStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Bloc

François Langlois Bloc Bellechasse, QC

Mr. Speaker, never in Quebec history have we seen Quebec members, in this case Liberal members, reject a motion to protect Quebec's political weight within the Canadian federation.

Yes, Mr. Speaker, Liberal and Reform members joined forces yesterday in an effort to defeat a Bloc Quebecois motion recognizing Quebec's right to a minimum of 25 per cent of seats in the House of Commons.

This Bloc motion would have guaranteed a quarter of the seats to one of Canada's two founding nations and met Quebecers' historical and legitimate demands to maintain a minimum amount of political weight within the Canadian federation.

The attitude displayed yesterday by Liberal members is an example of double talk in that-

Members Of Parliament PensionsStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Reform

Cliff Breitkreuz Reform Yellowhead, AB

Mr. Speaker, the Liberals just do not understand. Their promise to reform the big bucks for life club, euphemistically known as the MP pension plan, has gone by the wayside. Despite the token changes to the plan, MPs' pensions still have unlimited protection against inflation and will grow in value at a rate twice the legal maximum in the private sector.

If the Deputy Prime Minister retires in three years, she will stand to collect a cool $2.7 million until age 75. She fought to maintain her cushy pension plan, which comes courtesy of hard working Canadians.

Perhaps she fought so hard for her pension because she thought she would be forced to keep her promise and resign. We all remember when the Deputy Prime Minister said she would quit if the GST was not scrapped by her government. Lucky for her, she has an understanding boss who will let her keep her job, despite the millions of Canadian taxpayers who despise both the GST and the outrageous MP pension plan.

Member For Rimouski-TémiscouataStatements By Members

March 29th, 1995 / 2:10 p.m.

Liberal

Mauril Bélanger Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the hon. member for Rimouski-Témiscouata displayed her good taste in urban planning, and her appreciation of urban beauty in particular, a science the popularity of which would no doubt have increased dramatically following her statement, had it not been for her apologies today, apologies that the people of Hull graciously accept.

What the hon. member did not realize is that, in the Hull neighbourhood she referred to, we find "matchstick" houses, a style apparently unique to Canada.

Reporters must be very grateful to the hon. member who, time after time, week after week, has managed to make the news and shock at the same time. In a recent radio interview, the hon. member indicated she had considered an acting career. Well, in this case, she gave us a fine example of her talent as a comedian.

If the hon. member for Rimouski-Témiscouata did not already exist, she would have to be invented.

City Of HullStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Liberal

Don Boudria Liberal Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON

Mr. Speaker, let me tell you a thing or two about one of the most important towns in Quebec: the City of Hull.

With its numerous parks, the Museum of Civilization, the Maison du Citoyen, its golf courses and fine restaurants, Hull is a very nice place where very nice people live. Just to show how great a place it is, Hull even has a street named Boudria.

I encourage Bloc members to cross the river once in a while and visit the town where my ancestors and myself were born and take a good look. They will see a great community to live in.

City Of HullStatements By Members

2:15 p.m.

The Speaker

Before we get into question period, generally speaking the Chair has always given a great deal of latitude in the statements made. I would encourage all hon. members to keep that in mind. It seems to me, as we come closer to individual attacks, that whatever words we use, we use them judiciously.

Also, I would like to remind you that you cannot reflect in the statements on a vote that has been taken. I just bring that to your attention for future reference.

Pearson AirportOral Question Period

2:15 p.m.

Lac-Saint-Jean Québec

Bloc

Lucien Bouchard BlocLeader of the Opposition

Mr. Speaker, in the absence of the Prime Minister, my question will be directed to the Deputy Prime Minister.

The number of accusations is growing concerning the role played by the Liberals in the process of privatizing Pearson airport, including allegations that appeared recently in the Financial Post about a possible involvement of the Prime Minister himself. Today, an influential newspaper, the Globe and Mail , is demanding a public and independent inquiry to get all the facts on this murky business.

In view of the troubling allegations that question the integrity of the Prime Minister and of his government, does the government intend to establish a genuine commission of inquiry into the contract for the privatization of Pearson airport, something

the official opposition has been requesting for over a year and, in a major editorial, the Globe and Mail is asking for today?

Pearson AirportOral Question Period

2:15 p.m.

Hamilton East Ontario

Liberal

Sheila Copps LiberalDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Environment

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Prime Minister himself made it clear that the allegations reported in the Financial Post were absolutely false, and there is nothing more to be said.

Pearson AirportOral Question Period

2:15 p.m.

Lac-Saint-Jean Québec

Bloc

Lucien Bouchard BlocLeader of the Opposition

Mr. Speaker, it could not have been that clear since it did not convince the Globe and Mail , which today responded with an editorial on the subject.

I want to ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether she agrees that only a public inquiry, a genuine public inquiry, would make it possible to clear up any doubts about the circumstances around the contract to privatize Pearson and also about the decision of the government and of investigator Robert Nixon to keep under wraps, in other words, hide, an important report drafted in November 1993 by senior officials of the Department of Transport?

Pearson AirportOral Question Period

2:15 p.m.

Hamilton East Ontario

Liberal

Sheila Copps LiberalDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Environment

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the Minister of Transport gave the facts on all the events that led up to this report. And if the Leader of the Opposition is so interested in the opinion of the Globe and Mail , why does he not call the referendum, as requested by this newspaper?

Pearson AirportOral Question Period

2:15 p.m.

Lac-Saint-Jean Québec

Bloc

Lucien Bouchard BlocLeader of the Opposition

Mr. Speaker, we are not playing games here. The government's ethics are involved, and this is a very fundamental issue.

Pearson AirportOral Question Period

2:15 p.m.

Some hon. members

Hear, hear.

Pearson AirportOral Question Period

2:15 p.m.

Bloc

Lucien Bouchard Bloc Lac-Saint-Jean, QC

Any government should be ashamed of using the Quebec referendum as a diversion, to prevent the truth from coming out.

My question is straightforward, a question all Canadians and Quebecers are asking: Why does the Prime Minister stubbornly refuse to establish a commission of inquiry, if he or his government have nothing to hide?

Pearson AirportOral Question Period

2:15 p.m.

Hamilton East Ontario

Liberal

Sheila Copps LiberalDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Environment

Mr. Speaker, I think the Leader of the Opposition has always been known as a man of honour. If he has any accusations to make against the Prime Minister, let him make them here in the House. And if he does not, it is dangerous to claim that certain facts were hidden, and coming from him, it is absolutely and totally irresponsible.