Debates of May 1st, 1995

Code Of Conduct

[Don Boudria, Liberal, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

I wonder, Mr. Speaker, how can one explain such reasoning. The member opposite just said that senators are honest. I believe that parliamentarians in both chambers are all basically honest and that all of us who have been sent here by the Canadian people have an interest in doing what is best for our electors.

The member who spoke before me made certain accusations and he referred to the powers at the top and the family of those at the top. It was quite obvious that although he perhaps did not have what I would qualify as the fortitude of naming him, he wanted to describe the Prime Minister. He wanted to make-and he did, albeit in a less than totally courageous way, which he did not have the wherewithal to raise-accusations against the Prime Minister.

I want to bring to the attention of members an editorial in today's Toronto Star . The Toronto Star states: ``Phoney scandal over satellite TV''. This is the issue the member wanted to bring across.

In Ottawa, the opposition parties, with an almost audible cry of "gotcha", think they finally have a winning issue, one that will stick to the Prime Minister's teflon hide. It is not gun control, deficit, social spending cutbacks or Quebec. No, it is direct-to-home satellite TV.

The Liberals overturned the CRTC decision last summer granting an effective monopoly to one company, Expressvu, to bring satellite TV to people's homes. The commission decision, made without a public hearing, had prompted howls, not only from the competition, Power DirecTv, a subsidiary of Power Corp., but also from consumers and editorialists.

In response, the Liberals established a panel of three people of impeccable credentials, all former deputy ministers, to review the CRTC decision. They concluded that the CRTC had goofed, and called for an opening up of direct-to-home satellite TV to competition. The cabinet concurred.

The opposition complaint is not with the substance of the government's decision; rather, it is that Power Corporation's president, André Desmarais, is the Prime Minister's son-in-law.

I will read the last line as we approach question period. It states: "The cabinet's authority to overturn CRTC rulings in cases such as this was specifically envisioned by this legislation introduced by the Conservative government, of which Bouchard was a member. As for the Prime Minister's own role, he declared a conflict and stayed out of the decision." Case closed.

There have been no fewer than four such editorials. Did members across outline this? No. They continued today to make what I would qualify as less than honest comments impugning the integrity of the Prime Minister.

[The Speaker]

It being 2 p.m., pursuant to Standing Order 30(5) the House will proceed to statements by members.

Bala And District Lions Club

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today to acknowledge a special undertaking in my riding of Parry Sound-Muskoka.

The community of Bala, which is well known for its annual Cranberry Festival, is once again proving that its citizens have what it takes to launch worthwhile community initiatives.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Bala and District Lions Club, an organization that time and time again has contributed to the positive development of this close-knit community.

Now, to commemorate its 50th anniversary, the Lions Club intends to build an open-sided community pavilion at Jaspen Park in Bala for use by families and groups who spend time enjoying the park. Fundraising has begun in earnest and a concept drawing has been prepared by local artist and historian Lorne Jewitt.

I congratulate the Bala and District Lions Club for this welcome and generous initiative. I applaud the Lions members for the warmth and spirit behind this move, because when it comes right down to it these are the gestures that truly define our communities.

Immigration

[Osvaldo Nunez, Bloc, Bourassa, QC]

Mr. Speaker, after a week-long wait, Ms. Hafsa Zinaï Koudil, an Algerian filmmaker, finally set foot in Montreal. Ms. Koudil will now be able to attend the festival "Vues d'Afrique" and present her movie "Le Démon au féminin" in which she decries the intolerance and abuses of fundamentalism in Algeria.

The Minister of Immigration initially refused to grant an entry visa to Ms. Koudil despite having approved a special visa for a right-wing American activist one week earlier. Following vigorous pressure exerted by cultural and women's groups, supported by the official opposition, the minister finally granted the required visa.

Please be assured, Ms. Koudil, that despite the deplorable insensitivity some of our politicians have shown you, there is a lot of support here for the fight you have taken up.

Tax Inequity

[Art Hanger, Reform, Calgary Northeast, AB]

Mr. Speaker, this statement is inspired by the passionate and entirely justified complaint of Bruno Epp of Calgary.

Bruno, along with thousands and thousands of other Albertans, is fed up with decades of federal tax unfairness that has resulted in the following inequity. From 1961 to 1992 Albertans per capita and per year paid out over $2,000 more tax to the federal government than they received in services. The only other province whose citizens got less than they paid was Ontario.

This trend will only worsen now that the finance minister decided in his last budget to disproportionately punish Alberta for its fiscal responsibility. There is a basic injustice here that is not being ignored in Alberta.

Why should the citizens of one province pay out for three decades running billions more than they received? The country has taken Alberta for granted. Bruno Epp and thousands of other Albertans want Ottawa to know they have had enough.

Ontario Elections

[Gar Knutson, Liberal, Elgin—Norfolk, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to wish all candidates the best of luck in the upcoming provincial election. Their province and their country need them.

A Liberal government led by Lyn McLeod at Queen's Park will help get Ontario back on track. The performance of the current NDP government, including its obstructionist, unco-operative dismissal of federal-provincial relations, has left Ontario with uncontrolled government spending, rising debt, a stalled economy and one in nine Ontarians on welfare. Clearly the time for a change in government is now.

I wish Mr. Rudy Stikl and Mr. Barry Fitzgerald, the Liberal candidates in Norfolk and Elgin, all the best. Their own communities and all Ontario need their contribution at Queen's Park. Good luck to all Ontario Liberals.

Volunteers

[Dianne Brushett, Liberal, Cumberland—Colchester, NS]

Mr. Speaker, April 23 to the 29 marked provincial volunteer week in Nova Scotia, and throughout my riding numerous receptions were held to honour the wonderful people who volunteer in our communities.

There can be no dollar value placed on the selfless commitment of time and hard work by thousands of volunteers who make our communities better places to live.

Many seniors groups throughout Cumberland-Colchester have asked me to publicly thank the Ministry of Health for sponsoring the new horizons grants which help volunteers in so many communities to assist seniors projects helping seniors.

Volunteerism is alive and well. I thank the thousands of volunteers in Cumberland-Colchester who serve our communities which make Canada the number one country in which to live.

Grand River

[Jane Stewart, Liberal, Brant, ON]

Mr. Speaker, running through the centre of my riding is the beautiful Grand. On the shores of this heritage river is the flora associated with a rare and exotic Carolinian ecosystem.

Determined to sustain and improve our understanding of this ecosystem, the Grand Valley Trails Association applied to the federal government for support under the environmental partners fund so it could plant restorative vegetation and build pathways along the river front.

The Brantford environmental education project was approved and as a result we now have a remarkable partnership. The Brant Waterways Foundation, the Grand River Conservation Authority and the city of Brantford have all joined together to help manage this spectacular project in our community.

Last Thursday we all came together to celebrate the official opening of the pathways. They are marvellous. I congratulate the five partners in the project and invite everyone to come to Brantford to enjoy our Carolinian ecosystem along the Grand River.

Workers's Rights

[Jean H. Leroux, Bloc, Shefford, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I attended a celebration marking International Workers Day yesterday, in Granby. A representative of the former workers of the Simonds plant reminded me of our collective responsibility to defend workers' rights.

Simonds, a Granby tool manufacturing company which has now closed down, took over its employees' pension plan. Since 1988, Simonds' ex-employees have been pleading in court to recover the surplus from their pension plan. Last week, the company decided to challenge the unanimous Appeal Court decision to distribute the surplus among the workers.

It is time to expose this kind of fraud. We have a duty to let companies know that they have to fulfil their moral and legal responsibilities towards their employees.

West Coast Fisheries

[Philip Mayfield, Reform, Cariboo—Chilcotin, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans has been hailed as the hero of the east coast. At the other end of the country the B.C. fishery has taken a beating and, according to British Columbia's fisheries minister, 1995 will be no different.

Along the Quesnel River the chinook salmon run of 1994 was down 75 per cent. The Quesnel River hatchery released over 200,000 fish to support these levels but it is threatened with imminent closure.

Its last release scheduled for this month will consist of 200,000 one-gram chinook babies who only have a one in one-thousand chance of surviving because of their age and size. They are being released a whole year early. These fish are not crying out, "someone reach out and save us", like the minister quoted the turbot as saying in New York. After all, these chinook are not old enough to talk.

It is time for the minister to take his commitment to conservation seriously. It is time for him to show his commitment to protecting the chinook salmon. Preserve the salmon for our children and grandchildren by keeping this hatchery open.

Infrastructure

[Simon de Jong, NDP, Regina—Qu'Appelle, SK]

Mr. Speaker, the National Capital Commission has a proposed master plan for the development of a high tech park in the greenbelt area in Nepean. There already exists a high tech district in Kanata which is under utilized and ready for business.

Is it necessary to build when the infrastructure already exists? Is it necessary to destroy a green area when other areas are already serviced and desperate for business? Would more stable employment not be generated faster if the existing infrastructure were used?

Furthermore, the NCC's plans are bitterly opposed by the neighbourhood. Most residents of Crystal Bay have signed letters protesting the proposal. Earlier in March a public meeting was held and the residents clearly stated they wanted the greenbelt green, not paved.

The government repeatedly promises to be responsible and frugal in its spending. The Liberals say they are committed to

reducing the public debt and encouraging private sector growth in the areas of high technology and employment.

Therefore is it not time to shelve the NCC's master plan for a high tech park?

Physiotherapy

[Bill Graham, Liberal, Rosedale, ON]

Mr. Speaker, last week was national physiotherapy week. This year also marks the Canadian Physiotherapy Association's diamond jubilee.

National physiotherapy week is an annual campaign sponsored by the Canadian Physiotherapy Association to increase awareness of physiotherapy. This year's theme was: "Physiotherapy: Celebrating the Past, Shaping the Future". The theme related to the evolving role of physiotherapists in Canada's health care system.

For over 75 years, physiotherapists have helped Canadians get into top physical shape. In addition to this important role, they are now increasingly involved in promoting good health.

I join Canada's 12,000 physiotherapists in reminding Canadians of the important role physiotherapists play as members of our important health care system.

Firefighters

[Paddy Torsney, Liberal, Burlington, ON]

Mr. Speaker, people around the world have been deeply affected by the images of the recent and terrifying bombing of an Oklahoma government building.

One of the most vivid images of this decade and the most haunting is one that we have seen on the covers our our national newspapers and magazines, that of an Oklahoma firefighter holding a young child in his arms.

In Canada, as in the United States, we are proud of our firefighters, full time and volunteer, who put their lives on the line every time they go to work. Firefighting is one of the nation's most dangerous occupations, and the men and women who enter this profession do so in service to all Canadians everywhere. They are also the largest providers of field emergency medical care for Canadians.

This week the International Association of Firefighters is holding its fourth annual legislative conference in Ottawa.

Please join me, colleagues, in welcoming firefighters from across Canada to our nation's capital. Let us also thank them for their courage, bravery and altruism which they so readily share with our families and neighbours. Thank you for all your hard work.

Rights Of The Child

[Ronald J. Duhamel, Liberal, St. Boniface, MB]

Mr. Speaker, I was recently saddened to learn about the death of a young boy, Iqbal Masib, who was campaigning against the use of children in Pakistani carpet factories. Although his protest campaign resulted in the closure of several factories, it also led to his death at the hands of killers.

Children are hired as factory workers in several countries not only because they have small fingers but also because they do not complain about abuse and constitute a source of cheap labour for employers. That is very, very sad.

Canada must be vocal in its denunciation of child labour in all its forms. We must convince governments with existing legislation to enforce their laws with respect to the bonding of children as labourers. Those without existing laws must be singled out and denounced. Abuse of children is unacceptable. It is barbaric and it must not be tolerated.

The children of the world must be given a chance. Canada has a responsibility to help them.

Labour Relations

[Francine Lalonde, Bloc, Mercier, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I am sure that workers are not in the mood to celebrate this day, May 1, with members of the federal government. For the past 18 months, the government has been considering the possibility of introducing antiscab legislation. Yet, nothing has been done and we have learned that this is no longer a priority for the labour minister. Meanwhile, the 116 Ogilvie Mills workers on strike for the past 11 months see scabs crossing the picket line every day.

In two months, two special back-to-work bills were rammed through Parliament, ignoring the workers' right to negotiate and encouraging employers to remain inflexible.

One cannot serve Power Corporation and CN on the one hand and care about workers' needs and concerns on the other hand. The government chose between the two and it did not choose the workers.

Organ Donation

[Grant Hill, Reform, Macleod, AB]

Mr. Speaker, organ donors and recipients held an informal meeting in Ottawa last week hosted by the Deputy Speaker. They were particularly pleased when the Speaker of the House took time to address them in person.

These men and women embody the best in human endeavour. Donations of organs are often contemplated in times of sorrow so that a fuller life will be offered to someone else.

I encourage every MP in the House to open their driver's licence and sign the universal donor card. By this altruistic act we politicians can show compassionate leadership. Organ donation can provide hope to someone quietly slipping away.

Biennial Convention Of The Liberal Party

[Robert Bertrand, Liberal, Pontiac—Gatineau—Labelle, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the biennial convention of the Quebec wing of the federal Liberal Party was held in Trois-Rivières last weekend. This convention allowed the federalist troops to review various issues of national importance and get ready for the referendum to be held this fall.

Those in attendance participated in some very interesting workshops and discussions. The convention was a total success.

That is why I wish to congratulate all the organizers who contributed in varying degrees to the success of this event. The welcome we received from the people of Trois-Rivières also helped make it a success.

I am sure that all the participants left the Trois-Rivières region with a feeling of accomplishment. We are more ready than ever to face the separatist forces during the referendum campaign.

National Unity

[Pat O'Brien, Liberal, London—Middlesex, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the people in my riding of London-Middlesex are very concerned about Quebec's possible secession from Canada. Like most Canadians, they understand that Quebec is a very important member of the Canadian family.

They believe, however, that common sense will prevail in Quebec and that, faced with the choice, Quebecers will opt for a united Canada. Despite occasional difficulties, Quebec and Canada have always been good partners.

All concerned citizens should work to preserve national unity.

Gun Control

[John Bryden, Liberal, Hamilton—Wentworth, ON]

Mr. Speaker, this past weekend I attended a gun owners' rally in my riding organized by the Reform Party. The two featured speakers were myself and the member for Crowfoot. Not surprisingly, I found myself on the defensive for my support of the government's gun control bill.

However, it was most interesting to hear the Reform Party member for Crowfoot state he considers ownership of a firearm to be a right, not a privilege, and that every person should be entitled to use the threat of deadly force to protect his personal possessions, for example his television or VCR.

He told people in the audience that if someone steals from them or attempts to do so they should be able to reach for their guns. This is not the view of most Canadians or most gun owners. It is a view surely only of a few, a minority. The Reform Party needs to search its conscience and listen on this issue to the majority of Canadians.

Pearson International Airport

[Ed Harper, Reform, Simcoe Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Pearson airport, the current hub of Canada's transportation system, is falling behind the competition in its bid to become North America's gateway to the world. Partisan politics is obscuring the main task at hand. Pearson must prepare for the 21st century and increase its capacity.

Ninety-seven Liberal MPs represent Ontario in the current government; 97 MPs whose constituents would benefit from Pearson emerging as a viable force on the international scene. Yet no solution to the current log jam is in sight.

Why is the government delaying the inevitable? Let us hold an impartial judicial inquiry into the contracting process with a specific deadline. If evidence of wrongdoing is found let us move to punish those responsible. If no evidence of wrongdoing is found let us renew, renegotiate or re-tender the contract.

This is no rocket science but the old saying about safety in numbers obviously does not apply to Ontario's voice in Ottawa.

Social Assistance

[Lucien Bouchard, Bloc, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, in his speech to the Liberal party faithful in Trois-Rivières yesterday, the Prime Minister accused the Government of Quebec of ignoring poverty, adding that Quebec had more poor people than anywhere else in Canada.

My question is directed to the Acting Prime Minister, and I imagine it will be the Minister of Human Resources Development.

Would the minister agree that it takes a lot of nerve to accuse the Government of Quebec of neglecting the poor, when his own government, in its first two budgets, launched an attack on the poor and the disadvantaged in Quebec and Canada, thus putting thousands of people on welfare?

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

Mr. Speaker, I certainly share the public's concern about poverty, and especially child poverty.

However, our government has taken a number of steps to respond to these serious problems. For instance, we created thousands of jobs across Canada, and especially in Quebec, where we created 110,000 permanent jobs, including 73,000 in Montreal alone during the past year.

The best way to deal with poverty is to help people get a job. This year, the government's record on job creation has certainly been the best of any western country.

[Lucien Bouchard, Bloc, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, 40 per cent of new welfare recipients in Quebec are unemployed workers who have exhausted their unemployment insurance benefits. Who is to blame? Blame the man who launched those tirades on the weekend.

How can the federal government accuse the Government of Quebec of ignoring poverty, when the federal government, through cuts in unemployment insurance under Bill C-17 and reductions in federal transfer payments for social assistance, has aggravated the circumstances of thousands of people who, in Quebec, are already living below the poverty line?

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

Mr. Speaker, it is important to point out two very important figures. During the past year 86,000 fewer people applied for unemployment insurance as a direct consequence of improved job creation and employment development. In other words, the number of people applying for unemployment insurance has fallen drastically. The number of people who have exhausted their benefits has fallen by almost 25 per cent.

To say, as the hon. Leader of the Opposition tried to do in his statement yesterday, that the consequence of the problem is because of people exhausting UI benefits is simply not borne out by the facts.

We understand and certainly share a very strong concern about long term unemployment problems. They are faced by every country. There are major changes in the workplace. That is why we want to bring in reforms to our social, training and development programs. To go around pointing the finger, as the hon. member did, and saying that is the problem simply is not borne out by the reality of the facts.

[Lucien Bouchard, Bloc, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, job creation is the best way to fight poverty.

That being the case, the federal government is hardly in a position to blame Quebec, when that same government refuses to get involved in the conversion of Quebec's defence industry, refuses to help MIL Davie, cuts off regional development assistance and manages to chop $200 million from the infrastructures program, the only tangible job creation measure announced by this government since it came to power.