Debates of May 10th, 1995

Environment

[Walt Lastewka, Liberal, St. Catharines, ON]

Mr. Speaker, recently the Hamilton-Niagara region hosted a meeting of the environment ministers from the G-7 countries. My work on the House of Commons Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs has reinforced for me the necessity of acting on a global level. As nations, our economies and environments are intrinsically linked and must be addressed globally. The G-7 visit gave the Hamilton-Niagara region an opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to environmental sustainability.

As a well respected member of the international community, Canada has every reason to be proud of its environmental accomplishments in local communities like Hamilton-Niagara and on a national level. Later this year we will host the G-7 summit in Halifax. This will give us an additional opportunity to show the world Canada's achievements.

Opération Dignité

[René Canuel, Bloc, Matapédia—Matane, QC]

Mr. Speaker, anyone who has watched the activities of Opération Dignité in eastern Quebec knows that it is fully committed to keeping small rural communities alive.

Today, I would like to pay tribute to one of the pioneers of Opération Dignité, Jean-Marc Gendron, who passed away recently. The heart and leader of Dignité II, he inspired people living in rural Quebec to live with dignity. Unfortunately, his relentless work negatively affected his health, which had been deteriorating for many years.

Jean-Marc, you gave your life so that others could take charge of theirs. Everyone living in rural areas thanks you. The foundation you created will ensure that you will never be forgotten. Thank you, Jean-Marc, and long life to all small rural parishes.

Forestry And Mining Industries

[Darrel Stinson, Reform, Okanagan—Shuswap, BC]

Mr. Speaker, this week has been declared both national forestry week and national mining week. Last year these two industries jointly provided 421,000 direct Canadian jobs. For 1993, forestry and mining together accounted for $10 billion more to Canada's balance of trade, meaning exports minus imports, than the combined production of energy, automotive vehicles and parts, agriculture and fishing.

Last week I had the pleasure of attending the AGM of the B.C. Interior Lumber Manufacturers Association. Far from being a sunset industry, these people represent world leading companies, which are constantly inventing better ways to use our natural resources with improved environmental safeguards and full cooperation with all who depend on our beautiful but limited land base.

On behalf of all Canadians, I want to thank the forest and mining industries for their continued contribution to making Canada one of the most prosperous nations on earth.

Forestry

[Len Taylor, NDP, The Battlefords—Meadow Lake, SK]

Mr. Speaker, this is national forestry week in Canada and I want to bring to Parliament's attention the fact that this year's designated forestry capital of Canada is the town of Meadow Lake in northwest Saskatchewan.

This week Meadow Lake residents are celebrating the occasion in fine style, with events focusing not only on the forest but also on the outdoors, on youth, on children, on seniors and on the community itself.

The Meadow Lake forestry capital society has done a tremendous job to make this special week a successful one within the town. It deserves our support and congratulations.

At the same time, all parliamentarians must take account this week of the value of the forest to Canada's long term economic and environmental security. Forestry work can be well managed at the local and provincial levels, as has been illustrated in

Meadow Lake. However, there is a real and pressing role for the federal government in forestry matters.

During national forestry week we should renew our national commitment to the forest and all that it embodies.

Lincoln Heights School Production

[Andrew Telegdi, Liberal, Waterloo, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the students and teachers of Lincoln Heights school presented "We Canada, Oui", a variety show production in celebration of Canada, on May 3 and 4, 1995. Two hundred and fifty students from kindergarten to grade eight and their teachers recognized the Canadian arts and history by sharing their talents through acting, dancing, singing, and gymnastic displays.

With the Quebec referendum expected sometime this year, teachers Pat Wilson, Nancy Tanguay, and Sue Thorne-McCaffrey, coordinators of the show, proposed a theme celebrating Canada for a school-wide production as a way of supporting a united Canada and feeling good about our country. "We Canada, Oui" evolved into a total school effort as teachers and students from all grades at the school worked together and shared in the excitement of creating a performance that blended their efforts and originality with Canadian content and tradition.

The teachers and students of Lincoln Heights school, Waterloo, Ontario, are to be congratulated. The commitment to a united Canada, our youth, and our future are strengthened through efforts such as "We Canada, Oui".

Housing

[Anna Terrana, Liberal, Vancouver East, BC]

Mr. Speaker, last week I had the privilege of speaking to the Habitat for Humanity board of directors, whose members were meeting in Ottawa.

Habitat for Humanity is an international non-profit organization dedicated to the elimination of poverty housing. Habitat builds homes for low income families, relying on volunteer labour and donated materials from various sources.

Those who qualify for houses are required to pay a reasonable mortgage and the money they pay goes towards the construction of other houses. They must also help build their own and other Habitat houses. To date, Habitat has constructed more than 22,000 houses in 40 countries of the world.

In Vancouver East, my riding, they say that approximately 8,000 people are without acceptable housing. I am pleased to announce that my riding will be the first in British Columbia to have Habitat houses.

Habitat is truly a humanitarian effort. It is vital that we encourage the initiatives of organizations like Habitat for Humanity.

Immigration

[Paul Szabo, Liberal, Mississauga South, ON]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Reform Party and particularly its immigration critic again demonstrated that they have succumbed to the radical views of the extreme right in the United States.

The Reform critic finally bared his soul, not in the House, not in Canada, but at a right wing rally on the steps of the U.S. Capitol. He finally showed his true colours by sharing a platform with those who are promoting controls against immigrants, who link immigrants to violent crimes, and who accuse immigrants of murdering our children. In the Reform Party critic's comments he linked immigrants to violent crime, which he said is the number one concern of Canadians and Americans.

The Reform Party's persistent intolerance brings shame not only to this House but to all of Canada. The Reform Party does not speak on behalf of Canada, and Canadians will make sure that they never will.

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

[Bernard Deshaies, Bloc, Abitibi, QC]

Mr. Speaker, this morning's Toronto Star announced that the CBC's English network is forced to coproduce television shows with foreign companies, especially from the United States. Therefore, we will slowly but surely watch the Americanization of the CBC. This is neither a coincidence nor a deliberate change in the CBC's programming.

Could it be that the budget cuts affecting the English and French networks of the CBC are dramatically reducing the production of Canadian television shows? It is very likely that this is the case. The English network no longer has the means to produce its own shows.

The Liberal government is therefore presiding over the systematic dismemberment of what has long been cherished as a pillar of Canadian culture. The English Canadian culture, with the unwilling help of the CBC, is on its way to becoming a carbon copy of the North American culture.

Gun Control

[Garry Breitkreuz, Reform, Yorkton—Melville, SK]

Mr. Speaker, the answers to my Order Paper Questions 134 and 138 clearly show that the Minister of Justice has no idea if his multi-million-dollar registration system is going to improve public safety, reduce violent crimes, or save lives.

He admitted he does not even know how many crimes have been solved by the 60-year old handgun registration system. He does not know how many seized handguns have been traced to their legal owners. He does not know how many legal handgun owners have been charged with a firearms offence as a result of a successful trace. He does not know how many legal handgun owners had their registrations revoked as a result of being convicted of a violent crime. He does not even know how many registered handguns have been used by registered owners in homicides, suicides, or other firearms-related crimes.

How much more evidence do we have to present before someone in the Liberal cabinet finally wakes up to the fact that the justice minister has not done his homework?

Canadian Jewish Congress

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

Mr. Speaker, on May 14 and 15 the Canadian Jewish Congress will be holding its 24th triennial plenary assembly in Montreal.

One thousand delegates from communities across the country will be gathering to elect the new CJC president, vote on policy resolutions, and participate in workshops and sessions dealing with a wide variety of national and international issues. These issues include anti-Semitism and racism in Canada; domestic social policy issues; national unity; Israel and Jewish communities throughout the world; and a commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi death camps.

The theme of the meeting which will be held this weekend is "Going beyond history: Building a better future". The Canadian Jewish Congress, which works with many different communities, is an important non-governmental organization which fights for human rights, among other things. We hope that the CJC's discussions will be fruitful.

Quebec Finance Minister's Budget

[Martin Cauchon, Liberal, Outremont, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Quebec Minister of Finance tabled his first budget yesterday.

This budget is a timid step-too timid-towards getting Quebec's finances on a sound footing. In fact, it is quite unfortunate that, for reasons that have to do with the referendum, the real decisions have been postponed until next year.

And what about the statement by the Quebec Minister of Finance that a vote in favour of sovereignty would prevent future tax increases in Quebec? This is, at the very least, an outrageous attempt to blackmail the people of Quebec.

Once again, the Péquistes have shown that no matter how important the items on the government's agenda, they are incapable of rising above petty politicking.

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

Mr. Speaker, in a way I was glad that for once the Quebec government was talking about figures instead of their everlasting refrain about separation.

However, the Péquiste finance minister simply had to make a connection between tax increases and Quebec's constitutional future. Quebecers know perfectly well that separation may cost us a lot of money in taxes. They also realize that the spectre of separation creates an uncertain economic climate.

Let us look with optimism to the future and to the day when the Government of Quebec will be rid of this uncertainty and those who cause it and will consider taxing company profits, not payrolls, in an economy that works.

Situation In Sarajevo

[Stéphane Bergeron, Bloc, Verchères, QC]

Mr. Speaker, with Sarajevo suburbs under intense and brutal bombardment, which has added 11 dead and 40 wounded to the casualty list in this conflict, UN peacekeepers are no longer able to protect the Bosnian capital from future Serbian bombardment since their commanding officer refuses to authorize NATO airstrikes.

We want to express our grave concern about the fact that the UN is powerless to defend this safe area. Need I recall that the Serbs continue to prevent the reopening of Sarajevo Airport, which has been closed to humanitarian flights for one month?

As the UN and NATO do nothing, the noose continues to tighten around Sarajevo, where Serbian tanks have re-entered the 20-kilometre exclusion zone and are firing mortar shells into the heart of the city.

We can only hope that the UN will quickly take control of the situation again, to prevent further casualties.

Obligations Of Members

[Ed Harper, Reform, Simcoe Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, when I arrived in Ottawa almost two years ago I decided to make a concentrated effort to support the government whenever I thought it was doing the right thing. I gladly rise today to partially fulfil that pledge.

Reformers believe the duty of elected members to their constituents should supersede their obligations to their political parties. Three Liberal members recently adhered to those principles. I would like to congratulate the members for Kent, Huron-Bruce, and Timiskaming-French River for their commitment to the voters in their ridings.

Unfortunately, other Liberal members of Ontario have yet to illustrate the same commitment. They will be given the opportunity in the near future. Hopefully their ridings will be foremost in their minds at that time.

As long as the voters take second place to partisan politics in this House, the old saying about safety in numbers will not apply to Ontario's voice in Ottawa.

Ontario Election

[Sarkis Assadourian, Liberal, Don Valley North, ON]

Mr. Speaker, on June 8, 1995, Ontario voters will be going to the polls to elect a new provincial government. This time they will do it right.

In 1993 we promised to restore hope to Canadians while creating jobs and building a strong economy. The red book outlined some of these campaign promises. Over the last 18 months the Prime Minister has governed with integrity and honesty, as he said he would.

Last week Lyn McLeod unveiled the Ontario Liberal plan, reiterating that her party's top priority is to get Ontario working again after five years of NDP misery. On June 8 Premier McLeod will be able to put the Liberal plan into action, as we did 18 months ago.

I wish Lyn McLeod and all the members of the Liberal team success in their campaigns. On June 8 I will be supporting my provincial representative, Elinor Caplan, MPP for Oriole.

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

Mr. Speaker, certain things always seem to go together: warm weather and barbecues, summer cottagers and Muskoka, an election in Ontario and a Liberal plan that works for the voters.

Municipalities across Ontario have benefited tremendously by our federal job creation initiatives, and specifically by the Canada-Ontario infrastructure program. When Lyn McLeod is premier of this province, Ontarians stand to benefit even more. Lyn McLeod and her Liberal team are committed to job creation and will work in partnership with the federal government to achieve the objectives of the infrastructure program.

The infrastructure program has been a resounding success. More than 14,000 jobs will be created in this province. All projects previously approved under the program will proceed fully funded and on schedule. That is the mark of good leadership, the mark that Lyn McLeod will bring to this province on June 8.

Veterans

[Jag Bhaduria, Liberal, Markham—Whitchurch-Stouffville, ON]

Mr. Speaker, celebrations were recently held all across Canada and in parts of Europe honouring the thousands of veterans who fought in the second world war.

In my constituency I was privileged to take part in ceremonies held in Markham and Stouffville commemorating the 50th anniversary of the end of the second world war. It was indeed an honour to meet with these veterans and talk about their many memories of the battles that were fought.

During these conversations an extremely disturbing problem was brought to my attention by a group of veterans. They informed me that the Sunnybrook Medical Centre Veterans' Wing, located in Toronto, has recently raised the monthly in-residence rent by 35 per cent. This is having a major impact on some 300 veterans who reside in this clinic. I was extremely saddened by this news. These veterans gave the ultimate gift to our country and now they seem to be left to fend for themselves.

I urge the government to immediately intervene in the matter. These veterans simply cannot afford such a dramatic increase in their cost of living expenses.

Presence In Gallery

[The Speaker]

Colleagues, before we begin question period, I would like to draw to your attention the presence in the gallery of Dr. Alfred Sant, Leader of the Official Opposition of Malta.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear.

Transfer Payments

[Lucien Bouchard, Bloc, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday in his budget speech, the Quebec Minister of Finance brought home the negative impact of the massive cuts to the federal transfer payments used to fund social programs, which were announced in February's budget. While hastening its financial withdrawal, Ottawa intends to maintain its national standards, indeed impose new ones.

The Quebec Minister of Finance said yesterday, and I quote: "By the end of the decade, the federal government will no longer be making any transfer payments to Quebec for social programs. In fact, Quebec will be making payments to the federal government".

My question is for the Minister of Finance. Would the minister confirm the conclusion reached by his Quebec counterpart to the effect that the massive cuts made in his most recent budget to transfer payments to the provinces to fund social programs will mean a shortfall of $650 million next year for Quebec and of $1.9 billion in 1997-98, if the federal government continues its practice of allocation on a per capita basis, as he himself has said?

[Paul Martin, Liberal, Minister of Finance and Minister responsible for the Federal Office of Regional Development-Quebec]

Mr. Speaker, we have discussed this repeatedly. The shortfall next year will be $350 million. As regards the following year, we will have discussions and negotiations to decide how we will allocate federal transfers to the provinces.

[Lucien Bouchard, Bloc, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, I am not surprised by the deficits we are running up, because the Minister of Finance seems unable to count. He continues to deny figures that are perfectly clear, figures arrived at through his own budget calculations.

Would the minister acknowledge that, as of 1999, in four years' time, Quebec will no longer receive any transfer payments for social programs, but will in fact have to send a cheque to Ottawa for the Canada social transfer paid to other provinces?

[Paul Martin, Liberal, Minister of Finance and Minister responsible for the Federal Office of Regional Development-Quebec]

Mr. Speaker, ages ago, discussions were held between the provinces and the federal government, and tax points were transferred to the provinces as the result of these discussions. Quebec in fact received more tax points than other provinces.

However, the Minister of Human Resources Development, the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and I have clearly indicated our intention to begin negotiations with the provinces to enable both the federal government and the provinces to straighten out and stabilize public finances.

Now, as to the first point, where the Leader of the Opposition was finding fault with my figures, I would suggest that, if he does not agree with equalization payments, he should say so. However, if he agrees that Quebec benefits enormously from equalization payments, he will acknowledge that my figures are valid.

[Lucien Bouchard, Bloc, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, if I were the minister, I would feel somewhat embarrassed about alluding to equalization payments, given that his first act in January 1994 was to cap equalization payments thereby depriving the provinces of $1.5 billion over the next five years.

The minister acknowledges that the federal government is hastening its withdrawal from transfer payments for social programs. Under these conditions, how can he talk seriously of a cost effective and flexible federal system, when he will be depriving Quebec of $2.5 billion over the next two years and when Ottawa will no longer pay a cent to fund social programs by 1999, all the while maintaining its tax base and claiming to set national standards in Quebec?

[Paul Martin, Liberal, Minister of Finance and Minister responsible for the Federal Office of Regional Development-Quebec]

Mr. Speaker, I do not know where the Leader of the Opposition keeps getting these misleading figures, which have no basis in reality. Perhaps they help his argument. Some of his figures are global, but, as we have already said, we are going to have to negotiate with the provinces individually.

As for equalization payments, we have signed the agreement with the provinces. In other words, we have succeeded in reaching an agreement, something the previous government, of which the Leader of the Opposition was a member, had refused to do during its term of office.