House of Commons Hansard #201 of the 35th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was trade.

Topics

Cn Commercialization ActGovernment Orders

1:55 p.m.

Some hon. members

No.

Cn Commercialization ActGovernment Orders

1:55 p.m.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Kilger)

All those in favour of the motion will please say yea.

Cn Commercialization ActGovernment Orders

1:55 p.m.

Some hon. members

Yea.

Cn Commercialization ActGovernment Orders

1:55 p.m.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Kilger)

All those opposed will please say nay.

Cn Commercialization ActGovernment Orders

1:55 p.m.

Some hon. members

Nay.

Cn Commercialization ActGovernment Orders

May 15th, 1995 / 1:55 p.m.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Kilger)

In my opinion the yeas have it.

And more than five members having risen:

Cn Commercialization ActGovernment Orders

1:55 p.m.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Kilger)

Call in the members.

And the division bells having rung:

Cn Commercialization ActGovernment Orders

1:55 p.m.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Kilger)

Pursuant to Standing Order 45(5)( a ), the division on the question now before the House stands deferred until 6.30 p.m. today, at which time the bells to call in the members will be sounded for not more than 15 minutes.

Cn Commercialization ActGovernment Orders

1:55 p.m.

The Speaker

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

Hearing Awareness MonthStatements By Members

1:55 p.m.

Liberal

Hedy Fry Liberal Vancouver Centre, BC

Mr. Speaker, you might agree that in your chair you are more often a listener than you are a speaker, but not all Canadians share the luxury of hearing as you do.

May is Hearing Awareness Month and as such is an occasion to promote greater public understanding of Canadians who are deaf or hard of hearing. It is also a time to help those with related communication disorders and to emphasize the importance of protecting our hearing.

More than one million Canadians have a hearing loss. For these people communication is not a simple task. It means using teletypewriters, close captioning for television, listening devices, sign language and oral interpreters.

This year the hearing awareness campaign will focus on access and communication. Hearing organizations will be working together to promote programs and services that improve the lives of the hearing impaired in Canada.

Please join me in saluting the Canadian Hearing Society and the Canadian Association of Speech Language Pathologists and Audiologists for their devotion to improving the lives of Canadians with hearing difficulties. Thank you all for listening.

Mining ExplorationStatements By Members

1:55 p.m.

Bloc

Bernard Deshaies Bloc Abitibi, QC

Mr. Speaker, on April 25, I attended the official opening of the largest copper mine in operation in Quebec, the Louvicourt mine, near Val-d'Or.

This mine, which will employ over 350 people for more than 10 years, is the result of a roughly $300 million investment by partners Aur, Teck and Novicourt. This impressive achievement shows how important government assistance, in the form of flow-through shares, is to mining.

We deplore the fact that the government has rejected the Standing Committee on Natural Resources' recommendation to enhance the federal contribution to the flow-through share system. The Minister of Natural Resources should be reminded that the government's involvement in mining is not an expenditure but a profitable investment that would benefit a number of mining regions in Canada and Quebec as well as thousands of workers.

Liberal Party Of CanadaStatements By Members

1:55 p.m.

Reform

Jim Abbott Reform Kootenay East, BC

Mr. Speaker, the Liberals in this House are very proud of their connection with the Ontario Liberals. They believe Lyn McLeod is going to be the next premier of Ontario.

The federal Liberals support the Ontario Liberals' red book policy. The Canadian finance minister has gone so far as to interfere in the provincial election by ridiculing Ontario Tory policies. However, speaking of ridicule, I wonder just how proud Lyn McLeod is of the federal Liberals. Why does she not ridicule federal Liberal policy that will see the continuation of the MPs' very own porky pension plan?

Ontario Liberals understand the revulsion that Canadians feel toward their MPP pension plan and say in their Ontario red book they are going to scrap the porky plan.

Meanwhile, federal Liberals are poised to vote for their pension plan. They want to hide it from Canadian taxpayers in committee, which makes me wonder if federal Liberals are proud of Lyn McLeod. Is she ashamed of them?

Cn RailStatements By Members

1:55 p.m.

NDP

John Solomon NDP Regina—Lumsden, SK

Mr. Speaker, the Liberal red book highlighted the importance of Canada's infrastructure to our economy. Yet the Liberal government has done another about face by selling off CN Rail which takes away a vital link in our transportation infrastructure.

The Canadian people will no longer be participants in our rail economy, the transportation link that built Canada.

In preparation for the sell-off, CN laid off 11,000 Canadians. As a former trainman for CN Rail, I saw firsthand the good work done in bringing grain and other Canadian products to market. I am one of thousands of Canadians who are deeply concerned about even further job loss caused by putting CN Rail on the auction block.

With no rules on foreign ownership, CN is destined, with the Liberal government's blessing, to be purchased by individuals and corporations with no interest in Canada's future. The Liberal government is exchanging an east-west transportation system for a north-south system that will see even more foreign control of the Canadian economy.

Bill C-89 brings to an end Canadians' ownership and control of their own railway and only leaves further job loss and more debt for Canada.

Port Perry Cadet CorpsStatements By Members

1:55 p.m.

Liberal

Alex Shepherd Liberal Durham, ON

Mr. Speaker, we are being visited today by the Port Perry Cadet Corps. This corps of young men, who attend both elementary and secondary school, has a long history of achievements.

Having been formed in 1898, they are now fast approaching their 100th anniversary. The purpose is not to train soldiers but to train young men for the responsibilities of citizenship.

Being a part of the Department of National Defence, they have expressed to me their concerns about possible reduced funding, especially since they are often dependent on the local forces base, many of which are now closing. They also expressed to me the need to get funding down to the level of local decision makers. Highly centralized authority often makes inappropriate decisions with respect to local needs.

I would like to thank Major Doodley and the 40 young men of the Port Perry Cadet Corps who have made such a major contribution to our community.

International Day Of FamiliesStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

Andy Mitchell Liberal Parry Sound—Muskoka, ON

Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today to recognize the United Nation's International Day of Families which is being celebrated today.

The United Nations calls the family the most crucial link between generations, the purveyor of human culture, the primary source for love, sustenance and shelter. I too call the family the most important grouping of people in our society. On this day to honour families I want to take a moment to honour my own.

The family unit is fundamental to our society. Through our families we strive to make the world a better place. Through our families we hope to achieve harmony in the world by promoting healthy values and instilling tolerance, understanding and compassion in our children.

Families struggle to maintain cohesiveness in these stressful times of social and economic change. Households are changing but the family unit remains intact and strong as each member supports the others.

The family is our strongest bond. I invite my colleagues to join with me today in honouring our families.

National Mining WeekStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

Elijah Harper Liberal Churchill, MB

Mr. Speaker, the second week of May is National Mining Week, when we focus attention on the contribution this industry makes to Canada.

I would like to focus on mining in my constituency. This industry is the main employer in many of our communities. The mining industry makes a significant contribution to the northern Manitoba economy through salaries and royalties.

I would especially like to pay tribute to the men and women of northern Manitoba who work hard in our mines and smelters. They are an important part of our northern community and they deserve our appreciation.

Power CorporationStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Bloc

Jean-Guy Chrétien Bloc Frontenac, QC

Mr. Speaker, at the Power Corporation stockholders' meeting, chairman of the board and CEO Paul Desmarais, who is also the father-in-law of the Prime Minister's daughter, said that, in the current circumstances, it was not in his corporation's best interest to invest in Quebec.

We learned at the same time that Power Corporation had increased its stake in Southam, which is about to build a $55 million printing plant for the Gazette . Bloc members deplore this blackmail campaign aimed at Quebecers on the eve of the referendum campaign.

Everyone knows that, because of its influence, its family ties, and the professional past of its senior executives, Power Corporation has benefited from orders-in-council regarding satellite broadcasting that were custom-made for one of its subsidiaries, Power DirecTv.

Are we to understand from Mr. Desmarais's declarations that he is now returning the Liberal government's favour?

National Police WeekStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Reform

Paul Forseth Reform New Westminster—Burnaby, BC

Mr. Speaker, this week being National Police Week, I acknowledge the RCMP detachment in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada's second largest municipal contract detachment, with approximately 240 officers. In every aspect, this detachment exemplifies what is meant by serving the community.

On January 15 the local RCMP began a community policing pilot project, forging a new relationship with citizens. By dividing the city into four districts, the force will eliminate a central command, making officers more accessible to citizens, essentially assigning each officer to his or her own turf. By providing a greater presence in the local neighbourhoods, through full service community stations, storefront contact offices and a restructuring of the organization, this five-year strategic plan is sure to make a difference.

There is much concern for safety on our streets and in our homes. I congratulate the Burnaby force for its innovation and diligence, and making my part of British Columbia a safer place to live.

National Police WeekStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

Patrick Gagnon Liberal Bonaventure—Îles-De-La-Madeleine, QC

Mr. Speaker, the week of May 14 to May 20 marks the 25th anniversary of National Police Week in Canada, an event aimed at strengthening co-operation between the police and the public.

As you know, the Liberal government cares about the safety of Canadians. We must ensure that this co-operation between all members of the community remains strong, to ensure that Canadian law enforcement services continue to be efficient.

The police play a vital role in public safety and security and this year's police week theme "Partnerships with the Community" underscores this special relationship.

To mark the 25th year anniversary of police week, police services across the country are undertaking activities to underscore the importance of partnerships and co-operation between the police and the community in the fight against crime.

Police forces in Canada do an extraordinary job. Their achievements must not go unnoticed, and this is why we invite all Canadians to pay tribute to those who work tirelessly to protect them.

International Day Of FamiliesStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Liberal

Martin Cauchon Liberal Outremont, QC

Mr. Speaker, today, May 15, is recognized by the United Nations as International Day of Families.

This day provides us with an opportunity to reflect on the new realities facing the modern family. Social, technological and economic changes have significantly changed the make-up of the so-called traditional family unit.

This day must be an occasion to reflect on the evolution of the major role played by the family, which is the cornerstone of our society.

In spite of above-mentioned changes, one thing remains certain: generations follow one another, but the family will always play a fundamental role by providing our children with an essential and special environment to foster their development.

On this International Day of Families, I wish everyone the very best.

Cultural CommunitiesStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Liberal

Eleni Bakopanos Liberal Saint-Denis, QC

Mr. Speaker, last Friday, five members of the Bloc Quebecois' commission of cultural communities resigned to denounce the fact that they were being manipulated by Bloc officials.

With their resignation, the cultural communities representatives wanted to show that they would not have a real role to play in an independent Quebec.

The few reactions from Bloc spokespersons following these resignations clearly show the deep malaise which exists between the Bloc and the cultural communities.

This is one more example of the failure of the Bloc as well as the PQ to sell their separatist option to Quebec's cultural communities. These Quebecers have seen through the PQ's fearmongering and desperate tactics.

Quebec's cultural communities deserve respect; they do not want to be ignored. Quebec's future will not be decided without their input, in spite of what the Bloc and the PQ may think.

International Day Of FamiliesStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Bloc

Gilbert Fillion Bloc Chicoutimi, QC

Mr. Speaker, today, on the International Day of Families, the Bloc Quebecois wishes to emphasize the importance of this primary social unit for each and every one of us.

Many believe that the family is the place where the individual is formed, for better or for worse. That is why it is so important to aim for more equality in our society, and I mean not only equal opportunities but also some basic equality in living conditions.

In 1993, more than one million families in Canada were living below the poverty line. For us as elected representatives, this should be a day to reflect on what we hope to achieve in this House and how we can improve the lives of families in Quebec and Canada.

Ontario ElectionStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Reform

Ken Epp Reform Elk Island, AB

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Finance has gone on the hustings for Lyn McLeod and the son of red book. In a speech to the Liberal faithful, the minister heaped praise on the Ontario Liberals for setting a four-year target for the elimination of the deficit, calling their so-called strategic spending cuts laudable and their tax cuts sensible. This is very ironic. In a classic case of Liberal doublespeak, it is another example of do as I say not as I do. It is just like their MP pension plan reform.

Despite constant Reform pressure, the minister has repeatedly refused to set a date to eliminate the deficit and has actually increased taxes by over $1.5 billion. Liberals love taxes so it is not surprising that they would tax logic along with everything else.

Not to worry. The son of red book will end up with the garbage with its federal parent. Ontario voters will have the sense to realize that it is only by the application of the sound Reform principles of deficit elimination, debt reduction and the resultant tax reductions which will ultimately work to-

Ontario ElectionStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

The Speaker

The hon. member for Bruce-Grey.

Official LanguagesStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Liberal

Ovid Jackson Liberal Bruce—Grey, ON

Mr. Speaker, within the last number of days I was troubled by some incidents in connection with a francophone woman by the name of Johanne Harvey living in my riding of Bruce-Grey, in the city of Owen Sound of which I was the mayor.

I want to assure the House that the city of Owen Sound and the Government of Canada are strongly committed to supporting linguistic minorities across the country and promoting language duality as an essential element of Canadian unity and identity.

We will continue to speak out on behalf of tolerance and ensure that there are harmonious relations between linguistic communities in Canada.

Our actions over the past year as a government are clear. We have reaffirmed the vision of Canada in both our language and in our community. We want to make sure all Canadians feel at home right across this great country.

On another note, I have been in contact with the mayor of the city of Owen Sound and he takes the matter extremely seriously and will look into it personally.