Debates of April 27th, 1995

Welfare

[Francine Lalonde, Bloc, Mercier, QC]

Considering that 40 per cent of new welfare recipients were either on unemployment insurance or were denied access to UI, would the Prime Minister agree that these cuts in unemployment insurance totalling $5.5 billion over three years are simply--

[The Speaker]

Hon. members, we should be listening to questions and answers today.

The Prime Minister.

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, like the hon. member I too deplore this state of affairs in Quebec. And that is why, since we came to power, we have discussed the need for job creation, and we have had some results. Nearly 100,000 new jobs were created in Quebec since we formed the government, and unemployment in Quebec dropped by 1.3 per cent over the past 18 months.

Unfortunately, at a time when Quebec has the most serious social problems in Canada and unemployment is increasing, the Government of Quebec only thinks about independence, separation and the Constitution. And while it does its political fancy footwork, the poor in Quebec are paying the price. That is what is so unfortunate. We want to talk about job creation, while it dreams of separatism at the expense of the poor in that province.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear.

[Francine Lalonde, Bloc, Mercier, QC]

Mr. Speaker, it is because these people are not as well connected, and because we are convinced that only sovereignty will give Quebec a chance to deal with the terrible scourge of unemployment.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear.

[Francine Lalonde, Bloc, Mercier, QC]

Does the Prime Minister not realize that the federal system has failed us in this respect and that the situation will go on deteriorating under the Canada Social Transfer, which will further reduce federal funding for welfare assistance?

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, as a result of changes in unemployment insurance benefits, 250,000 families in Quebec now receive an additional $1,000 since the changes in the program came into force.

I am glad that we are starting to talk about these problems, because Quebecers like me, and other Canadians as well, are sick and tired of hearing about the Constitution and separation. At last we are going to talk about the real problems of Quebecers: unemployment and employment. If they would only stop bothering us with all this talk about separation.

Harbourfront Centre

[Barry Campbell, Liberal, St. Paul's, ON]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Public Works and Government Services.

There is concern in the greater Toronto area about the future of Harbourfront Centre, one of Canada's premier cultural, entertainment and recreational facilities.

Given the financial challenges facing the centre, would the minister provide an update on his recent discussions with representatives of the centre and on the status of the upcoming Today's Japan Festival?

[David Dingwall, Liberal, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member will know that in the past the Government of Canada has made contributions to this important cultural and tourism facility in the city of Toronto.

As a result of our fiscal situation and as a result of the financial pressures the group at Harbourfront is facing, I invited both parties to get together to see whether or not discussions could take place to see if we could find solutions to the problems.

Metro Toronto members of Parliament have been very helpful in providing suggestions and directions as to the ways in which we may proceed to find solutions to a very difficult situation.

I report to the hon. member that I am reasonably confident, as I stand here today and negotiations proceed, we will be able to find some common ground between ourselves and Harbourfront to ensure the facility and, most important, the Today's Japan Festival will be able to continue in the weeks ahead.

Seagram

[Ken Epp, Reform, Elk Island, AB]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday during question period the Prime Minister admitted that he consulted no government officials in regard to the Power Corp. deal.

In an interview the heritage minister indicated that there was no reason to consult. The Prime Minister has just now repeated again that there was no need to consult.

In view of the fact that in these affairs Liberal insiders stand to gain millions and maybe billions of dollars, why not ask the ethics counsellor to put the thing to rest, to have a free and open investigation?

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, the ethics counsellor told me that I am acting absolutely properly.

[Ken Epp, Reform, Elk Island, AB]

Mr. Speaker, during the campaign the Liberals said that they wanted to rebuild trust. We would like them to do it.

The way to do it is to have an independent investigator make an investigation and rule on the matter. Why does the Prime Minister resist having the ethics counsellor apply his skills to resolving the problem?

[John Manley, Liberal, Minister of Industry]

Mr. Speaker, the member needs to understand that he is asking for an investigation when we have in fact launched a process.

The process began yesterday with the tabling of a direction in the House of Commons. It is a process that includes Parliament. Parliament has the right to discuss the direction and to propose changes.

I have yet to hear from members of the Reform Party. Is it that they oppose competition? Is it that they oppose licensing? Is it that they oppose that part of the revenue of DTH undertakings

that should go to Canadian production? Which of those three things is it that they oppose?

Old Age Security

[Maurice Dumas, Bloc, Argenteuil—Papineau, QC]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Human Resources Development.

Since last Friday, Communication-Québec, MP's offices and even the PMO have been flooded with calls from obviously very concerned pensioners. According to the Consumer Help Office, approximately 258,000 pensioners will see their old age pension cheques reduced by 50 per cent.

How can the minister explain that so many seniors received or will receive this year a pension cheque not including the guaranteed income supplement to which they are entitled?

[Lloyd Axworthy, Liberal, Minister of Human Resources Development and Minister of Western Economic Diversification]

Mr. Speaker, I have no idea who is behind these unfounded rumours or where they come from, although I have my suspicions as to who is behind them, and I may be looking at them right now.

I would hope the hon. member would use his good offices to assure that there will be no 50 per cent reduction in seniors' pensions. In fact, just last month we increased them. On the basis of the improvement in the consumer price index, we improved seniors' pensions.

[Maurice Dumas, Bloc, Argenteuil—Papineau, QC]

Mr. Speaker, does the minister deny that the Department of Human Resources Development's difficulty in processing requests is creating hardship this year, mostly among seniors?

[Lloyd Axworthy, Liberal, Minister of Human Resources Development and Minister of Western Economic Diversification]

Mr. Speaker, if in some cases there have been overpayments or problems that do not fit the regulations, of course we will be sending out these letters. But to make the kinds of exaggerated claims the hon. member has, purely to frighten and scare people, is frankly not the responsibility of a good member of Parliament.

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh.

[Some hon. members]

Order.

Presence In Gallery

[The Speaker]

My colleagues, today, as on other days, but especially today, I want to draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of a man who has brought great distinction to our country. As a matter of fact, I would say that he gives us part of our identity. I want to introduce to you the world renowned Canadian photographer, Mr. Yousuf Karsh.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear.

[The Speaker]

This concludes question period, but I am going to hold a short reception in my chambers, 216-N, and I would invite you, my colleagues, to come with me and meet Mr. Yousuf Karsh.

Business Of The House

[Michel Gauthier, Bloc, Roberval, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I ask the Leader of the Government the typical question for a Thursday. What is on the agenda of the House for the next few days?

[Herb Gray, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Solicitor General of Canada]

Mr. Speaker, before some members of the House go to the Speaker's reception for Mr. Karsh I would like to present the weekly business statement.

On Friday we will call third reading of Bill C-43, concerning lobbyists. This will be followed by Bill C-67, the veterans bill, and by Bill C-70, the income tax bill.

On Monday we will call the motion in my name concerning a special joint committee on a code of conduct for parliamentarians. If this is completed before the end of the day, we would return to Friday's business at the point where it left off.

Tuesday shall be an opposition day. On Wednesday we will take up the business at the point of progress where we left off on Monday, followed by Bill C-41, concerning sentencing, and Bill C-54, concerning the old age security pension.

Mr. Speaker, this is the weekly business statement.