Debates of April 26th, 1995

Lead

[Peter Adams, Liberal, Peterborough, ON]

Mr. Speaker, lead is a poison that can cause animals and humans to die. It certainly makes them sick.

In Canada we are moving steadily to eliminate lead from gasoline, paints and our drinking water systems. The U.S. is proceeding in this direction even faster than us.

I urge that we now move to eliminate the use of lead shot for hunting and lead sinkers for fishing. Non-toxic steel and bismuth shot is easily available. The U.S. has already banned lead shot for wild fowling. The only lead poisoned wildfowl seen down there are ours, birds that have flown from Canada.

This is a change which will not affect hunters and anglers and one which will simply make our environment more healthy.

Mr. Speaker, let us just do it.

Immigration

[Christiane Gagnon, Bloc, Québec, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the members of the Bloc Quebecois and Quebec's artistic community are outraged at the heartless attitude of the Minister of Immigration, who has denied an entry visa to Ms. Koudil, an Algerian filmmaker living in France.

This woman, whose courage is an example to all those who dare denounce publicly the treatment of women by Muslim fundamentalists, particularly in Algeria, has been unjustifiably denied entry into Quebec and Canada. Because of her honesty and courage, Ms. Koudil must be given this visa so that she can show her film here.

The stubbornness of Canadian authorities in this matter shows how subjective and arbitrary this kind of decision often is.

In the name of women and artists, we are calling on the minister to intervene on behalf of Ms. Koudil, whose film highlights the dangers of fundamentalist oppression.

Via Rail

[Jim Gouk, Reform, Kootenay West—Revelstoke, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the Government of Canada is deep in debt and continuing full speed ahead with government overspending toward the inevitable crash into the debt wall. The government claims to be using innovative ways to reduce its overspending but it is obvious it has no idea what it is doing.

The latest example is with the government owned VIA Rail system. This crown corporation receives over $800,000 a day in government subsidies. It was told to cut its costs but instead it cut its fares in half. It seems the only thing it can do well is lose money and now it is going to be twice as good at it. These fare reductions will continue until the end of May and they are devastating the private sector bus industry.

Using the taxpayers' money to subsidize poorly run crown corporations so they can unfairly compete with Canadian business is not only wrong, it is idiotic.

Manitoba Election

[Elsie Wayne, Progressive Conservative, Saint John, NB]

Mr. Speaker, it gives me a great deal of pleasure today to stand and congratulate Premier Gary Filmon of the Manitoba Progressive Conservative Party on his third decisive victory last night. Premier Filmon captured 33 seats, the New Democrats 22 and the Liberals only 3.

The Manitoba provincial Liberals campaigned on a platform using a copycat provincial Liberal red book. I am proud to say that the general electorate discovered the reality of the provincial red book and sent them a strong message saying that they wanted no part of it.

We have discovered the reality of the federal Liberal red book which is amounting to broken promises. This is a message to the

Liberal Party that it should heed that what happened in Manitoba is about to happen in the next federal election.

The PC party is back, alive and well. I welcome everyone to come to Hull this weekend to see our 1,500 delegates in action.

The Environment

[John Maloney, Liberal, Erie, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in the House today to draw attention to an event that will take place in the city of Hamilton this weekend.

Canada's Minister of the Environment is hosting a meeting of environmental ministers from the world's most industrialized countries, the group of seven. Also in attendance will be senior environmental officials from the European Commission and the United Nations.

The two days of discussions will focus on how G-7 countries can continue to work together to improve the world's economic and environmental health.

I would like to congratulate the minister on her fine work as Minister of the Environment both in Canada and internationally.

I am happy that the subjects under discussion will include, among other things, species conservation, climate change and international management of toxic substances. Discussion will also centre on how we as industrialized countries can encourage such organizations as the World Bank and the United Nations to take a more environmentally sensitive approach to development.

I urge the minister to use this conference to encourage all countries, including Canada, to live up to the commitments made at the Rio conference.

It is essential that when the leaders of the G-7 countries meet in Halifax this June, the concerns raised and discussed at the environment ministers conference this weekend are addressed.

Earth Day

[Geoff Regan, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

Mr. Speaker, Earth Day is an opportunity for all of us to celebrate the successes we have had in the environment which reminds us of the great work that remains.

This past Saturday was the 25th anniversary of Earth Day. The students, parents and teachers of Harry R. Hamilton Elementary School in upper Sackville in my riding of Halifax West marked Earth Day in a very fitting way. With federal government support, they have initiated a number of very important environmental projects.

I had the pleasure of joining them last Saturday morning for an outdoor spring cleaning. Working in rubber gloves and rubber boots, we removed garbage, tires, and even an old car from the pond behind the school. That pond will now be an excellent setting for those kids to learn about science and nature.

I want to congratulate all those involved for showing the kind of environmental responsibility we all need to exercise.

Forum For Young Canadians

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

Mr. Speaker, since its inception in 1975 the Forum for Young Canadians has become an institution for moulding a national identity.

For the past 20 years the forum has provided a rich and varied experience to approximately 10,000 young Canadians from across the country. Every year, 500 students from across Canada come to Ottawa to share their regional perceptions and concerns.

I believe that after living and working with their peers from all parts of the country these same students return home one week later having learned more about themselves and each other, their perceptions and concerns, as well as their common interests and bonds. They leave the program challenged, inspired and ready to play a leadership role in their communities.

I congratulate the students who have participated in this very valuable forum, the generous corporations and individuals who have made the work of the foundation possible, and the many volunteers and sponsors of the Forum for Young Canadians.

The Environment

[Monique Guay, Bloc, Laurentides, QC]

Mr. Speaker, when it first came out, the federal Green Plan was an unprecedented environmental initiative. After gradually cutting off funding, the Minister of the Environment recently confirmed that the Green Plan was dead.

Its replacement with a series of scattered and inconsistent guidelines shows that the Liberal government is giving up on the issue because it seems unable to set global objectives and propose a concerted approach.

Creating the position of environment commissioner, whose mandate and powers are very restricted, can never replace a concrete, global policy.

The minister is not fooling anyone by claiming that Canada is a world leader in environmental matters. She does not impress us either by proposing a so-called policy that does not even compensate for a dismal record.

The minister should consider the environment as an economic investment rather than something that can be managed haphazardly.

Official Languages

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

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the Commissioner of Official Languages told us that official bilingualism was, to all intents and purposes, a failure.

Moreover, he noted in his report that even government departments do not meet the standards set in the Official Languages Act. It is obvious that the Liberal government's commitment is purely symbolic. The time has come to review this policy to better serve the people of Canada, perhaps on the Swedish or Belgian model.

We believe that a language policy which leaves language and culture in the hands of the provinces will better serve the linguistic needs of each province.

The BNA Act of 1867 ensures minority language and education rights are respected. I will be tabling a private member's motion later in this session. I hope that members in this House will support me in bringing a practical alternative-

[The Speaker]

The hon. member for Bruce-Grey.

Tobacco Use

[Ovid Jackson, Liberal, Bruce—Grey, ON]

Mr. Speaker, tobacco use is one of Canada's greatest public health concerns.

Each year tobacco causes over 40,000 preventable deaths. While the number of Canadian smokers has declined over the last 20 years, there are still 6.5 million smokers. Even more distressing, thousands of young people begin to smoke every month.

Tobacco use is a major risk factor for stroke, heart disease, circulatory disease, cancer of the lungs, larynx, pancreas, mouth, esophagus, bladder, kidney and cervix.

Pregnant women who smoke increase their baby's risk of premature birth, low birth rate, inhibited child development and sudden infant death syndrome.

In Grey and Bruce counties 26 per cent of the population continue to smoke. As a result, the Hamilton Regional Cancer Centre predicts that 287 residents in my riding will die this year from tobacco related illnesses.

Northern Telecom

[Lyle Vanclief, Liberal, Prince Edward—Hastings, ON]

Mr. Speaker, tomorrow at its annual meeting in Montreal, Northern Telecom will be marking a century of progress. Founded in 1895 as a small manufacturer of telephones, it has since become a world leader with revenues of over $12 billion.

Today NorTel employs 21,000 Canadians. Four out of ten of those jobs are linked to export success. In the city of Belleville in my riding, close to 1,000 constituents are employed in NorTel's production of telecommunications equipment for use in over 90 countries.

I think it is particularly important to note NorTel's continuing investment in Canada. Not only does it invest in R and D to develop networks of tomorrow, it also commits itself to Canada's students. Last year NorTel hired over 600 new graduates from Canadian universities.

NorTel is an excellent example of the benefits that research and development and export success bring to Canada. I congratulate NorTel on its first 100 years and wish it all the best for the next century.

Hmcs Fredericton

[Andy Scott, Liberal, Fredericton—York—Sunbury, NB]

Mr. Speaker, on April 6 the crew of the British sailboat Longo-Barda , en route to England after competing in a race off the coast of Australia, was attacked by pirates near Somalia. They fired mortar at the ship and were prepared to hijack it when one of Canada's new warships, the HMCS Fredericton speeded to the rescue, responding to the crew's distress call. The would be thieves fled the scene at once.

The navy officers aboard the helicopter frigate had heard the sailboat's mayday call en route to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia where the ship is used to promote Canadian technology.

On behalf of all Canadians and particularly those in Fredericton, I congratulate and thank the captain and crew of the HMCS Fredericton for their act of heroism.

Quebec Liberal Party

[Francine Lalonde, Bloc, Mercier, QC]

Apparently, Mr. Speaker, the latest constitutional position of the Liberal Party in Quebec was another flash in the pan. Ridiculed in Quebec and without governmental support in Ottawa, it fizzled out in a matter of hours.

With the Martin budget and Bill C-76, the federal government has started to make changes in Canada that run counter to Quebec's traditional demands, which the Quebec Liberal Party has not even restated.

This morning, Lise Bissonnette indicated that the wishes of the committee, which is to some extent the last stronghold of the

Liberal Party in Quebec, are being trampled and even ridiculed by Bill C-76 and the recent budget measures behind it. Basically, she is reminding us that, with Bill C-76 and the Martin budget, Quebec Liberals are no longer able to defend Quebec's traditional interests.

Yom Hashoah

[Preston Manning, Reform, Calgary Southwest, AB]

Mr. Speaker, tomorrow will mark Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Memorial Day and the 50th anniversary of the allied liberation of the concentration camps in Europe.

Yom Hashoah is a day to reflect on the horrors of the Holocaust. It is a day to make a pledge for the future: never again. It is a day to rededicate ourselves to the sacred principle that all people are born equal regardless of race or creed.

When racist extremism flourished in Nazi Germany, the Jewish people were targeted for death and six million were murdered. Millions of others were also killed. When the rights of some are attacked on the grounds of race or religion, ultimately the rights and freedoms of all are undermined.

On behalf of the Reform Party, I solemnly vow that we shall honour the memory of those who perished in the Holocaust by remaining vigilant against those who would divide us by promoting hatred and discrimination.

Quebec Sovereignty

[Denis Paradis, Liberal, Brome—Missisquoi, QC]

Mr. Speaker, in a document entitled La souveraineté, des réponses à vos questions , the Parti Quebecois says: ``No new structure, nor a superstructure. There will be no need for a new political organization governed by another elected parliament. This is demonstrated by the increasing number of customs unions and free trade agreements throughout the world''.

After listening to the comments made on Monday by the Parti Quebecois leader, Quebecers find it difficult to understand this about-face by sovereignists. Indeed, this is not just a change of direction, it is a complete about-face which can only lead to a massive pile-up on the road to separation.

Let us not forget that we live in an extraordinary democracy and that changes are possible because of the flexibility of our Canadian political structure. That structure is based on dialogue and harmony. Let us work safely together to reach many new agreements.

Telecommunications

[Lucien Bouchard, Bloc, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, for the first time since the CRTC was established, the cabinet is about to force this independent body to change one of its decisions. Furthermore, this interference by the government will benefit a group whose main shareholders are friends of the government and even close relatives. In a new development which may have far reaching consequences, we heard today that, in a communication sent to the Minister of Canadian Heritage, the CRTC formally expressed its concern about this interference.

I therefore want to ask the Prime Minister to tell us from his seat whether he refrained from taking part in any discussions in cabinet on this matter, since his son-in-law is one of the directors of Power DirecTv, a subsidiary of Power Corporation?

[Michel Dupuy, Liberal, Minister of Canadian Heritage]

Mr. Speaker, later this afternoon, the government intends to table in the House a document that will clearly set forth the position of the Canadian government on direct to home satellite services.

[Lucien Bouchard, Bloc, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, first of all, this does not answer my question, and second, from what the minister just said, I must assume that the government ignored its fundamental responsibilities and decided to intervene directly and interfere with a CRTC decision on a matter that was crucial to the public interest.

I want to ask the Prime Minister, who has remained strangely silent on the matter and who is the leader of the government who is directly concerned by the ethical aspects of the case, to tell us whether he would confirm that his principal adviser, Eddie Goldenberg, intervened directly in the matter of Power DirecTv, this according to the Minister of Industry?

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I think the opposition leader's strategy is highly improper because-

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh.

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Saint-Maurice, QC]

If they have any accusations to make, let them make them. However, I can inform the House that, in this particular case, although I have no personal interest in the matter, in order to avoid laying myself open to criticism, I did not take part in any discussions and, when the time came to discuss this matter in cabinet, I abstained, and the acting Prime Minister presided over the rest of the meeting.

[Lucien Bouchard, Bloc, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, I must say I appreciate the fact that the Prime Minister rose in his seat to answer the question, so I will ask him another one.

We are talking about a very important matter which requires clarification as a matter of course, since according to the government's conflict of interest guidelines, subsection 23(3): "A public office holder shall not accord preferential treatment in relation to any official matter to family members or friends or to organizations in which they, family members or friends, have an interest".

I want to ask the Prime Minister whether he consulted his ethics counsellor on this matter.

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I must say I have no interest in the matter and did not participate in any discussions on the subject. I did not discuss it with anyone, including the ministers. That is my answer. I have nothing further to add.

[Michel Gauthier, Bloc, Roberval, QC]

Mr. Speaker, in a notice sent to the Minister of Canadian Heritage, the secretary general of the CRTC said that the federal cabinet would be overstepping its bounds if it went ahead with its proposal to use orders in council, which are too specific, too narrow and go much further than the general policy set out in the Broadcasting Act. The CRTC even believes that such orders in council could lead to legal action.

Will the Prime Minister acknowledge that, for the first time in history, cabinet orders in council would force the CRTC to reconsider its decision and that this action would constitute preferential treatment for Power DirecTv?