Debates of May 30th, 1995

Supply

[Sheila Finestone, Liberal, Mount Royal, QC]

Madam Speaker, I would say that all along the issue has been structural unemployment, systemic discrimination, the vital need for changes to the way one uses our unemployment insurance and the way programs are put into place, which have demonstrated that all people have not had the same kinds of opportunity. The world has changed dramatically. We need new jobs and new kinds of skills.

It may be the children of the very wealthy who may not get the jobs or the PhD who cannot find the opportunity, although the one who has the PhD has a much better chance of getting a job than those who are under-educated.

We have a target population because the system does not work without it. If the member finds that antithetical to his views that is just fine. The people of my riding and the people we represent realize we need a public policy to give people a helping hand. It is not gratuitous. It is good, constructive public policy.

[Jay Hill, Reform, Prince George—Peace River, BC]

Madam Speaker, I find the hon. member's comments very enlightening of the Liberals' position. It reminds me of what took place in British Columbia just before and during the Charlottetown accord. At that time the NDP government in British Columbia decided in its wisdom to promote the idea of Senate reform based on gender equality. It decided that if we were going to reform the Senate and make it elected, it would legislate an equal number of men and women senators. However it very quickly found out the people of British Columbia did not support that type of action.

Interestingly enough, one of the sitting women senators was the most outspoken against that. She found it personally demeaning that a government would consider legislating-

[Mary Clancy, Liberal, Halifax, NS]

Name her.

[Jay Hill, Reform, Prince George—Peace River, BC]

If you must know, it was Senator Pat Carney. She said she could get elected to the Senate of Canada on her own merits not because some government took it upon itself to legislate equality.

[Mary Clancy, Liberal, Halifax, NS]

Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I would like to make the point to the hon. member opposite that the Senate in this country is appointed not elected.

[Jay Hill, Reform, Prince George—Peace River, BC]

I am well aware the Senate in this country is appointed because this government continues to fill the other place with its appointments. We are very well aware it is appointed.

The senator was trying to say that if the Charlottetown accord had gone ahead with a provision for an elected Senate, that she would have ran at that time and felt she had a good opportunity to be elected. However, it would not have been because she was a woman but because she was good at her job and would have run on that basis.

I ask the hon. minister to actually cite some statistics and some examples of where the people of Canada support this type of reverse discrimination.

[Sheila Finestone, Liberal, Mount Royal, QC]

I suggest you read the standing committee report. You will find-

[The Speaker]

Order. The hon. secretary must always address the Chair. I get lonesome sometimes.

[Sheila Finestone, Liberal, Mount Royal, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I want to remind my hon. colleague that of those who appeared before the standing committee, 90 per cent supported employment equity.

I would also like to bring to the attention of the hon. member that Senator Pat Carney is a very staunch supporter of qualified women. At no time would anyone on this side or anyone who believes in fairness and equity suggest that factors other than quality and merit be taken into consideration. I would like to tell the hon. member that there are as many, if not more, competent, qualified women as there are men.

Last but not least, if someone has reasonable job qualifications, competence and equivalency, there is no discrimination in the ultimate selection. In short, with numerical goals a key ingredient of employment equity legislation is aimed at fighting rather than facilitating unjust discrimination and lack of representation.

Women make up 52 per cent of the population. I guarantee we can find competence among that-

[The Speaker]

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

Infrastructure

[Mary Clancy, Liberal, Halifax, NS]

Mr. Speaker, as a member from Nova Scotia I rise today to congratulate the Nova Scotia government for demonstrating vision and leadership with its solution for the redevelopment of Route 104.

In these times the Nova Scotia solution to highway 104 offers the safest redevelopment possible and safety is the most important issue here.

The $29 million federal-provincial investment will kickstart a $110 million private and public partnering project that will create over 800 jobs and ensure that this dangerous stretch of highway is developed in only two years, contrasting sharply with the public sector only alternative which would see redevelopment over seven to ten years.

The safety of Nova Scotians cannot be put on hold for 10 years. It is irresponsible to even suggest it can be. However, this is exactly what the western based Reform Party is calling for and so are the Tories, Brian Mulroney's friends in the other place. It is a shame these out of touch parties are willing to play old style politics with the safety of those travelling the Nova Scotia highway system. Nova Scotians want immediate action. They deserve nothing less.

The province should be congratulated on its innovative solution, which offers the quickest, safest and most cost effective redevelopment possible.

Access Awareness

[Maurice Bernier, Bloc, Mégantic—Compton—Stanstead, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to point out that it is National Access Awareness Week.

One of the things that this event permits us to do is to take stock of the headway made over the past few years in the area of accessibility for handicapped persons. In fact, fortunately, our society has recently taken strides towards the social and professional integration of handicapped persons. There remain, however, many more physical obstacles and wide-spread prejudices to overcome.

We must go beyond merely examining our consciences and actually ensure that concrete measures will be taken to permit these people to take their rightful places in our community, especially at this time when the federal government has committed itself to reviewing the Employment Equity Act.

Gun Control

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

Mr. Speaker, the legislative measures proposed in Bill C-68 imply that gun owners are a risk to both themselves and to others and thereby a threat to public safety.

The Minister of Justice is unable or unwilling to provide empirical evidence to prove that gun owners present a greater risk to themselves, to the people they live with or to their neighbours.

The Library of Parliament has been in contact with the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association and the Insur-

ance Bureau of Canada and has learned that insurance companies do not ask their applicants if they own a gun because they are not an identifiable risk group.

If gun ownership represented any risk or liability, insurance companies would charge gun owners a higher premium for life, health, disability, liability and property insurance. They do not.

How can the justice minister say gun owners are an identifiable risk when insurance companies disagree? Unlike the minister who makes his arguments based solely on emotion, insurance companies make their decisions based on empirical evidence because they make their living assessing real risk.

York Region Senior Games

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

Mr. Speaker, yesterday I was pleased to attend the opening ceremonies of the York Region Senior Games being held in Whitchurch-Stouffville, the federal riding I have the privilege to represent.

The games are held annually in the York region and provide senior citizens with an opportunity to participate in numerous sporting events. From badminton and bowling to golf, tennis, swimming and even triathlon, seniors from across the region engage in extremely competitive matches. The winners of events at the games will go on to compete internationally in their respective sports.

These games, jointly sponsored by the federal new horizons program and the Ontario Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Recreation, provide many seniors with an outlet for physical fitness as well as the opportunity to establish and maintain friendships with their extended community.

I wish each and every competitor success and, more important, a good time over the course of the senior games.

Fredericton Chamber Of Commerce

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

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I extend congratulations to the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce on winning the 1995 Chairman's Award. This award is given to the Atlantic province's chamber of the year.

The award was in recognition for the Fredericton chamber's business development initiatives in 1994-95. The Fredericton Chamber of Commerce contributes annually to the Greater Fredericton Economic Development Corporation. In addition to financial support, the chamber has a member on the board.

Further, the chamber has played a leading role in the commercialization initiative at the Fredericton airport and has contributed generally to the growth of Fredericton's information based economy.

Congratulations to past president Stuart Blair, present president Bill Macmakin and Krista Hamilton and her staff. It is thanks to these people and to these kinds of initiatives that my riding continues to find success in attracting new businesses and providing leadership in the growing new economy.

Tourism

[Francis Leblanc, Liberal, Cape Breton Highlands—Canso, NS]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Nova Scotia government for showing strong leadership in the area of tourism development across the province and in particular on Cape Breton Island.

For the past 37 years the people of Cape Breton have been patiently waiting for the development of an infrastructure system worthy of its international tourist destinations, including the beautiful Cabot Trail, salmon fishing on the Margaree and Canada's best kept secret, the magnificent Fortress of Louisbourg.

Tourism is an $834 million industry accounting for over 35,000 jobs across Nova Scotia. On Cape Breton Island this translates into almost 7,000 jobs and $177 million in revenues. The potential for growth here is almost unlimited as new markets are sought.

For a region that has been devastated by a downturn in the fisheries and a 24 per cent unemployment rate, the completion of the Fleur-de-lis highway is more than just about a tourist trail. It is the completion of a transportation system that offers hope, survival and vital long term economic growth to coastal communities which would otherwise disappear. It is a road that paves the way to a self-sufficient and proud future.

As the member for Cape Breton Highlands-Canso I say congratulations to the Nova Scotia government. I invite all Canadians to come to Cape Breton this summer for a vacation to remember for a lifetime.

Bike L.A.

[John Richardson, Liberal, Perth—Wellington—Waterloo, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today to pay tribute to a constituent, Elaine Strawbridge.

Presently Ms. Strawbridge is participating with 50 fellow Canadians in Bike L.A., a fundraising bike tour to support the Habitat for Humanity Organization.

The 4,000-kilometre bike trek began in Winnipeg on May 20 and is travelling through six states for 30 days before reaching

the California destination. Local churches along the route are providing meals and lodging to the cyclists.

Through her participation, Ms. Strawbridge hopes to raise $25,000 for the local Habitat for Humanity Organization. This non-profit organization builds affordable housing for low income families through volunteer work.

I commend Ms. Strawbridge and all Bike L.A. participants for their commitment to helping those less fortunate. On behalf of all Canadians I wish Ms. Strawbridge a safe and successful trip.

Reproductive Technologies

[Madeleine Dalphond-Guiral, Bloc, Laval Centre, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Royal Commission on New Reproductive Technologies issued a report on November 30, 1993, after four years of deliberations which cost the taxpayers of Canada and Quebec over $28 million.

Despite the promises made by the Minister of Justice and the Minister of Health, the government has yet to determine how it will follow up on this report. The government is waffling, is killing time. Is it waiting for the end of the world to come or is it waiting for brighter days? Hard to say.

In the meantime, the flourishing embryo business is turning a brisker and brisker trade and genetic manipulation is being put to commercial uses. And once this trade has assumed such proportions that it will be increasingly difficult, maybe even impossible, to control the situation, the government will be faced with the loathsome task of justifying its inaction.

Refugees

[Art Hanger, Reform, Calgary Northeast, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the refugee system does not work. The Immigration and Refugee Board is bankrupt and the government does not have what it takes to fix the problem. However, we do the Reform Party has produced a paper on refugee settlement which contains 13 proposals that would, if enacted, bring genuine refugees to Canada while halting widespread abuse of the system by economic migrants and the immigration industry.

We call for increased co-operation with the UN to bring in more refugees from abroad, tightened airline security, a safe third country list from which people could not make claims, restricted availability of some social services for those who are found not to be genuine refugees, especially legal aid, the dismantling of the IRB and the restoration of accountability in the system, among others. These proposals would bring sense back to the refugee system, would save hundreds of millions of dollars and would protect those most in need.

I sincerely hope the government has the sense to study and implement these reasonable, common sense proposals. Let us make the system work for everybody's interests, not just special interests.

Kamloops Blazers

[Nelson Riis, NDP, Kamloops, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Kamloops Blazers hockey team on winning the 1995 Memorial Cup and on the extraordinary accomplishment of winning three out of the last four Memorial Cup championships.

For the Blazers it was a Memorial Cup matinee masterpiece before 5,500 enthusiastic fans at Riverside Coliseum in Kamloops. The western hockey league champion Blazers crushed the Ontario pennant winning Detroit Junior Red Wings in an 8 to 2 upset as the Brandon Wheat Kings and the Hull Olympics looked on.

Congratulations to the team players, coach Don Hay, manager Bob Brown and all the others who worked so hard to make the Kamloops Blazers the number one hockey club in Canada.

Optimist Club

[Colleen Beaumier, Liberal, Brampton, ON]

Mr. Speaker, for more than 75 years Optimists have found ways to help young people feel better about themselves, learn, feel happy and build solid foundations of character.

Youngsters have gained self-confidence through the oratorical contest, learned about their attributes through Youth Appreciation Week and experienced the power of leadership through their Optimist youth clubs. Recently Optimists have learned that brick by brick they can help young people to build on themselves through positive mentoring and tutoring programs.

On June 3, 1995 Optimist International is celebrating Optimists in Action Day around the world. The theme this year is: "Our Children, Our Future". The Optimist Club of Brampton will be holding an event to mark action day which involves other Optimist clubs in the area, youth clubs and other organizations.

I ask all members of the House to join me in wishing organizers and participants in the Optimist Club of Brampton's Action Day all the best.

Vancouver Public Library

[Ted McWhinney, Liberal, Vancouver Quadra, BC]

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Senate and the House of Commons Joint Standing Committee on the Library of Parliament, I congratulate Mayor Philip Owen of Vancouver and Kyle R. Mitchell, chair of the Vancouver Public Library Board, for the eight years of planning and community effort which have

culminated in architect Moshie Safdie's imaginative, post-modern Vancouver Public Library.

It is a true symbol of the intellectual vivacity and creativity of Vancouver today.

Housing

[Gurbax Malhi, Liberal, Bramalea—Gore—Malton, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the minister responsible for CMHC recently announced a one year extension of the affordability and choice today program or ACT.

The purpose of the program is to identify, demonstrate and promote changes in planning and building regulations that could help to improve housing affordability, quality and choice and to stimulate regulatory innovations in municipalities across Canada. The extension means that grants for at least 10 more projects will be provided.

Affordable housing is very important to the constituents of Bramalea-Gore-Malton. I commend the minister and CMHC for their actions and initiatives in this area. Anything the government can do to help promote the building of affordable housing is a step in the right direction.

Ontario Election

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

Mr. Speaker, in the Ontario election Mike Harris and the Conservatives are claiming they can balance the province's budget while massively reducing revenues through a reckless 30 per cent, or is it now 35 per cent, income tax cut.

In 1993 Mike Harris said he could balance the books in three years. In 1994 he said in four years. Now he says it will take until 2001. That is six years and six budgets. Mike Harris cannot add.

The Tory plan contains billions of dollars of errors, omissions and exaggerations. There are billions not accounted for. Ontarians must know what Mike Harris is afraid to tell them, that he will gut the province's social programs to find the extra money. Mike Harris says: "Vote for me now and I will tell you later what I am going to do to social programs". That is being dishonest.

Lyn McLeod will balance the budget within her government's mandate. Liberals are prepared to be accountable to voters if they fail instead of putting tough decisions off into the future. Only the Ontario Liberals have a realistic plan to balance the province's budget without devastating social programs.

World Report On Human Development

[Claude Bachand, Bloc, Saint-Jean, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Charles Castonguay, mathematician and University of Ottawa professor, denounces the shameful and pernicious use to which the federal government is putting the latest UN world report on human development by claiming that Canada ranks number one in the world in this area.

The government bases its claim on Canada's rank on the human development index. However, the purpose of this index is to measure the gains that developing countries are making on developed countries. A close look at these statistics reveals that Canada's unemployment rate is the fourth highest in the world and that our youth unemployment rate ranks eighth among all countries on the index.

Canada also ranks eighth for the income spread between its richest and poorest citizens. The propaganda campaign of the Prime Minister and his government shows that they are stretching reality to hide the fact that they have given up on the social front.