Debates of June 14th, 1995

Bloc

Pierre Brien Bloc Témiscamingue, QC

Mr. Speaker, the cuts announced at Telefilm threaten successful festivals like the international film festival in Abitibi-Témiscamingue and the Carrousel festival in Rimouski, which will lose their subsidies entirely.

These festivals, however, have proven their success, often on shoestring budgets, with the quality of their events and their popularity with the public. They are local initiatives that are the pride of their region and of all of Quebec.

Telefilm's director, François Macerola, revealed his true colours with the dispassionate comment that the cuts had to be made somewhere. Clearly, the aim is to cut in the regions and concentrate everything in the major centres to benefit the money-making cultural events and industries. That is what it is all about. Quebecers cannot imagine their future as a people without the support and vitality of all the regions in Quebec.

This is another example of Quebec solidarity that the federal government fails to grasp. We wonder whether the directors should not attend one of the Minister of Canadian Heritage's $2,000 a plate dinners to ensure the survival of the regional festivals. When is the minister's next dinner?

House Of Commons Security ServicesStatements By Members

Reform

Monte Solberg Reform Medicine Hat, AB

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate a select group of men and women we as parliamentarians have come to know on a professional basis. The people of whom I speak are the men and women of the House of Commons security services which is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year.

The history of the security services may be traced from the original two parliamentary door guards appointed to keep watch on the newly constructed departmental buildings in 1865 through the creation in 1868 of the Dominion Police Force which was absorbed into the Royal North West Mounted Police in 1920, to the creation of the House of Commons protective staff. In recent years, in recognition of the broader scope of its activities, the House changed the title to security services. It has and continues to provide an excellent service, not only to the members of this House, but to all who enter these buildings.

I invite all members of this House to join me in congratulating members of the House of Commons security services on a job well done as well as wishing them continued success in the years to come.

Interest RatesStatements By Members

Liberal

Jag Bhaduria Liberal Markham—Whitchurch-Stouffville, ON

Mr. Speaker, the battle lines continue to grow each day concerning who is right and who is wrong in analysing the Canadian economy. On one side people such as Lloyd Atkinson, former head economist at the Bank of Montreal, are saying that unless the Bank of Canada eases up on interest rates, our economy will be heading toward a recession within a year. On the other side is Bank of Canada Governor Gordon Thiessen who feared a move to decrease the interest rate because it would undermine his bank's inflation fighting credentials.

Still other noted economists strongly believe that the Bank of Canada will have no choice but to either lower interest rates or let the dollar weaken to keep the economy afloat. Yesterday's unexpected announcement by the Bank of Canada of a reduction rate by 19 basis points to 7.19 per cent was a welcome relief for Canadians. Our standard of living has steadily declined over the past four years. We need a made in Canada interest rate policy.

Spina BifidaStatements By Members

Liberal

Hedy Fry Liberal Vancouver Centre, BC

Mr. Speaker, bringing to the attention of the House the plight of lesser known diseases is neither exciting nor titillating, but the tragedies they leave in their wake are real.

This is Spina Bifida Week in Canada. This illness occurs within the first four weeks of pregnancy and causes various levels of permanent nerve damage and lower limb paralysis. One in every 750 children born in Canada has spina bifida.

We now know that giving folic acid to a woman during early pregnancy can reduce the risk of spina bifida in the fetus. The Spina Bifida Association would like to raise awareness of the benefits of folic acid among women of child bearing age and among the population in general.

In 1994-95 Health Canada contributed $55,000 to assist the national level of the Spina Bifida Association of Canada in its many developmental, promotional and service activities across the country.

I congratulate the Spina Bifida Association and its many volunteers for their quiet but excellent work, and ask members to join me-

Spina BifidaStatements By Members

The Speaker

The hon. member for Perth-Wellington-Waterloo.

Stratford Chefs SchoolStatements By Members

Liberal

John Richardson Liberal Perth—Wellington—Waterloo, ON

Mr. Speaker, culinary writer Marcella Hazan refers to it as the best of its kind in the world. A Cornell University study called it the best all round training school.

The success story they are referring to is the Stratford Chefs School. The school is operated by Stratford restaurant owners James Morris and Eleanor Kane. From November to March, their restaurant kitchens are transformed into classrooms and their cooks into teachers.

By learning from professionals in a working atmosphere, graduates are able to make the transition to the workforce without missing a step. Today, graduates are being snapped up by the world's hottest restaurants in Germany, England, New York and Japan.

Considering the 100 per cent employment record of the school, there is little mystery surrounding the yearly flood of applications to fill the 65 available positions.

I congratulate the Stratford Chefs School and wish it continuing success in the international sphere.

Tainted BloodStatements By Members

Bloc

Pauline Picard Bloc Drummond, QC

Mr. Speaker, more damning revelations were made yesterday by Dr. Perrault in connection with the work of the Krever Commission.Dr. Perrault, formerly of the Red Cross, stated that only one national political authority could have resolved the impasse at the time and prevented the infection of hundreds of hemophiliacs.

For the first time, Dr. Perrault indicated that this political authority was the federal Minister of Health, since the products used by hemophiliacs were clearly under federal jurisdiction.

Despite these allegations, Justice Krever still does not intend to ask the federal politicians involved in the matter to testify before the commission. Why this stubbornness? Whose interests are being served by not having this whole disturbing business come to light? The Bloc Quebecois is wondering about the real reasons keeping the whole truth on this terrible tragedy from coming out.

Gun ControlStatements By Members

Reform

Jim Gouk Reform Kootenay West—Revelstoke, BC

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the hon. member for Waterloo asked me when I was going to poll my constituents on Bill C-68 and follow the results. I did. The results of an impartial question were 84 per cent opposed to government legislation.

Last night after the Liberals rammed through the passage of Bill C-68, a CTV program held a phone in poll asking whether or not the public supported the government legislation. The program Canada Tonight which is broadcast from Vancouver to Toronto made use of two 1-900 numbers for the listening audience to phone in and cast their vote. Twenty-three thousand six hundred people made their wishes known. Eighty-four per cent opposed the government legislation.

For Liberal backbenchers who wanted to represent their constituents, the Prime Minister had a warning in caucus this morning. Vote against me once, that is once too often. Vote against me twice, you are out. That is Liberal democracy.

The Minister of Justice thought his problems were over last night. They are only just beginning.

Ontario ElectionStatements By Members

Progressive Conservative

Elsie Wayne Progressive Conservative Saint John, NB

Mr. Speaker, it is usually not my style to rub salt in a wound, but after sitting in the House last week listening to all the Ontario Liberal MPs state how they were going to sweep the provincial election and wipe out the Conservatives, I feel it is time for me to have my say. Therefore, first and foremost, I am serving a special lunch tomorrow in my office. I invite all of them to come. They will eat crow as the entrée.

Also, it is truly sad to hear the Reform members taking credit for the Conservative party win when they did not get a single solitary Reform member candidate elected.

Let us give credit where credit is due. Let us congratulate Premier-elect Mike Harris and the PC party on such a decisive victory.

All I have to say to the Liberals and the Reformers is that in 1997 I will see them once again. I will be serving the entrée of crow.

Brian DucharmeStatements By Members

Liberal

Shaughnessy Cohen Liberal Windsor—St. Clair, ON

Mr. Speaker, today the Minister of Health presented Canada volunteer awards to several outstanding Canadians. Among them was Brian Ducharme of Tecumseh, Ontario in the riding of Windsor-St. Clair.

Brian Ducharme has served as a volunteer board member with Hiatus House in Windsor since 1981. Hiatus House is a shelter for battered women and their children. Because of the contributions of Brian Ducharme and others like him, it is a shelter with a difference. Indeed, it is the premier facility of its kind in Canada.

I am proud to be able to acknowledge Mr. Ducharme and his contributions in this House.

Public Service Of CanadaStatements By Members

Liberal

Dianne Brushett Liberal Cumberland—Colchester, NS

Mr. Speaker, this week we paid tribute to the tremendous contribution of the federal Public Service of Canada. With all the pain associated with downsizing where many employees are deemed surplus and unnecessary, it is critical during this difficult period that we dispel the many stereotypes that exist about our public service.

It is also critical particularly at this time that we offer support to those public servants and their families who have been affected. We are at a crossroads in our history where the role and direction of government is being scrutinized.

Canada is a great nation that is making great strides to remain competitive in an ever changing global marketplace. Canada's public service is known as one of the best in the world. All Canadians benefit from the many services they deliver which makes Canada the number one country in which to live.

Today I salute the many public servants in my riding of Cumberland-Colchester. I thank them for their dedicated quality service and their commitment to finding better ways to improve Canada.

Claire CulhaneStatements By Members

Liberal

Anna Terrana Liberal Vancouver East, BC

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce that Mrs. Claire Culhane of Vancouver East has been selected as one of the 23 recipients of the 1995 Canada Volunteer Medal and Certificate of Honour.

Mrs. Culhane is a respected and admired Canadian who is a competent fighter for justice. Some of her campaigns against injustice include: anti-Franco activities in Spain in the 1930s; anti-poverty activities in Montreal in the 1940s; assisting her husband with the Shipyard Labour Organization in 1944; leading the Workers Education Association in 1945; and opposing Canada's involvement in the Vietnam war.

She is currently forming the Association in Defence of the Wrongly Convicted. She became involved in the support group for the wrongful imprisonment of Christine Lamont in Brazil. She has written books which are required reading for criminology courses in many of Canada's universities.

Mrs. Culhane received the commemorative medal for the 125th anniversary of Canada's Confederation and is an honorary member of the British Columbia Humanist Association.

I would like to thank Mrs. Culhane for her outstanding work and congratulate her for her many achievements.

BosniaStatements By Members

Bloc

Maud Debien Bloc Laval East, QC

Mr. Speaker, twelve Canadian peacekeepers are among the hostages still being held by Bosnian Serbs, while several other UN peacekeepers and observers were released yesterday.

We hope that they will not be used as the ultimate bargaining chip and demand that they be released immediately and unconditionally.

We deeply regret the rather low key involvement of the Canadian government in this crisis. Not only is Canada not a member of the contact group, which considerably limits its influence, but it has no policy regarding a Canadian contribution to the new rapid reaction force.

Such a lack of leadership could harm not only Canada's reputation but also the efforts of peacekeepers on the site, as the Bosnian army prepares to launch an offensive north of Sarajevo, which could lead to another crisis.

Sentencing LegislationStatements By Members

Reform

Jack Ramsay Reform Crowfoot, AB

Mr. Speaker, Bill C-41 destroys the principle that as Canadians we all stand equal before the law. Section 718.2 of this bill would have the courts administer greater penalties for violent crimes committed against certain groups identified by the justice minister in this bill.

The courts already take aggravating and mitigating circumstances into consideration when determining the penalty to impose on an offender. This section tells the court that some acts of violence are to be taken more seriously than others because of who the victims are. This creates special status and is unacceptable.

Section 718.2 serves absolutely no purpose other than to grant an opportunity for the justice minister to make a politically correct statement. The Criminal Code, the law of this land, is not the place for the government to be making politically correct statements. The Criminal Code must uphold the most fundamental principle of law: that all Canadians, all citizens must stand equal before the law.

Nuclear Non-Proliferation TreatyStatements By Members

NDP

Audrey McLaughlin NDP Yukon, YT

Mr. Speaker, the Government of France has just announced that it plans to resume nuclear testing in the South Pacific, ending a moratorium on testing that has held since 1992.

The statement of principles from the nuclear non-proliferation treaty signed in May of this year commits all nuclear weapons states to exercise utmost restraint on nuclear testing pending the signing of a comprehensive test ban treaty. The French announcement is clearly a step in the opposite direction.

The Canadian government was one of the many nations that pushed to make this treaty binding and permanent. Now, just one month after that signing, the spirit of the agreement is threatened.

I call on the Canadian government to show that it means what it says by protesting France's decision and to restate this country's commitment to a ban on all nuclear testing.

Deputy Premier Of QuebecStatements By Members

Liberal

Nick Discepola Liberal Vaudreuil, QC

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the Deputy Premier of Quebec took the opportunity, while visiting the Parliament in Strasbourg, to make waves and try to discredit Canada over the issue that has become known as the turbot war.

"We were extremely disappointed", he said,"to see our country reduced to opening fire on fishing vessels from friendly countries".

Must we remind the Deputy Premier of Quebec of the extraordinary support received by Canada both at home and abroad in this conflict? Perhaps he should be reminded that the Bloc Quebecois and a very large majority of Quebecers also supported our position.

These remarks on the part of the PQ Deputy Premier are unjustified and reek of separatist expediency. A certain premier's personal totem is vibrant weasel; did we witness the birth of the thoughtful catfish, yesterday?

Carol ColangeloStatements By Members

Liberal

Walt Lastewka Liberal St. Catharines, ON

Mr. Speaker, on June 19 the city of St. Catharines will honour one of its own with a special certificate of merit for the heroic events of Carol Colangelo.

Last September a little girl fell into the water off the west pier in Port Dalhousie. The little girl's aunt who could not swim saw Carol Colangelo and her husband and ran to them for help.

Carol kicked off her shoes and jumped in. Four-year old Kaitlyn Theobald was unconscious and sinking when Carol

reached her. The heavy clothing Carol was wearing made it difficult to rescue Kaitlyn. With the help of her husband Ron, both Carol and Kaitlyn were pulled to safety.

I join with the city of St. Catharines in congratulating Carol Colangelo for her heroic actions.

Carol ColangeloStatements By Members

The Speaker

The hon. member for Nepean.

Carol ColangeloStatements By Members

Some hon. members

Hear, hear.

Member For NepeanStatements By Members

Liberal

Beryl Gaffney Liberal Nepean, ON

Mr. Speaker, I wish you would have waited until I had finished my statement before you did that. It makes it more difficult for me.

I would like to publicly thank the members of the House and the constituency of Nepean for the many kindnesses shown to me these past few months during my surgery and illness. I have been overwhelmed with letters, phone calls, flowers and gifts, personal testimonies, prayers, love and good wishes. I have quickly come to realize how important it is to have friends like I have. For this I thank you.

I must also thank the surgical team headed by Dr. Rolando Del Maestro of Victoria Hospital in London, Ontario. I am so grateful that the professionalism of his team has allowed me to quickly return to this House.

Member For NepeanStatements By Members

Some hon. members

Hear, hear.

Member For NepeanStatements By Members

The Speaker

Welcome home, Beryl. I like your hat.

Member For NepeanStatements By Members