Debates of June 22nd, 1995

House Of Commons Security Services

[Bill Blaikie, NDP, Winnipeg—Transcona, MB]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my sincere congratulations to the men and women of the House of Commons security services who are celebrating their 75th anniversary this year.

In 1920 the House of Commons passed a bill which brought about the creation of the protective service. This service was given responsibility for the protection of members of the House, of visiting dignitaries and of the countless visitors and tourists who come to see the Parliament buildings every year.

I am now in my 17th year as a member of Parliament and I can say that I have never once had a complaint about the very professional service provided by these very dedicated men and women.

On behalf of the NDP caucus, and I am sure all members present, I commend them for a job well done. May we never see the day when anybody entertains the idea of contracting out this service. We have lost too many good public servants that way already.

National Unity

[Anna Terrana, Liberal, Vancouver East, BC]

Mr. Speaker, on Saturday, Quebecers will celebrate Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day. I would like to send all Quebecers my best wishes for a wonderful day.

All Canadians who want to keep the country together and who wish to say "My Canada includes Quebec" truly value the richness of the francophone culture.

According to the polls, most Quebecers want the same thing: united, we are strong, and we can remain united in our diversity.

Canada is a country which is very respected abroad. People everywhere think that we are the last paradise on earth. In one week, Canadians are going to celebrate Canada Day: on that day we celebrate wide horizons, vast prairies, high mountains, enormous lakes and the multicultural communities in our exceptional country.

All these special gifts can be enjoyed throughout Canada, including Quebec.

I would like to ask my colleagues and all Canadians to celebrate Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day and Canada Day together, in a spirit of harmony and peace.

Quebec Referendum

[Bernard Patry, Liberal, Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC]

Mr. Speaker, as usual, the leader of the Bloc Quebecois did not wait for his separatist partners to make an important announcement.

Yesterday, during a press conference, the leader of the Bloc declared that, starting tomorrow, the referendum will be its focus. From then on, the referendum issue will be its only concern.

This came as no surprise since, in fact, the Bloc Quebecois has always put its concerns as separatists before its responsibilities as the official opposition.

After having forced the PQ leader to "change his position" and the young Mario Dumont to become an "associate", are we to understand that, by being the one to announce the beginning of the referendum campaign, the leader of the Bloc Quebecois has proclaimed himself the leader of the yes side.

United Nations

[John English, Liberal, Kitchener, ON]

Mr. Speaker, 50 years ago on June 26, 1945, toward the end of the war that shattered nations and killed tens of millions of people, the governments of the world agreed to a United Nations charter.

With the hope of creating a collective security that would prevent future global conflicts, leaders envisaged the UN as the essential body for observing world peace. In exemplary fashion, Canada went to San Francisco committed to the dream of a world where swords would be replaced by ploughshares.

In co-operation with other nations, Canada has sought to realize the goals of the charter through a range of missions: from humanitarian aid to committing peacekeeping troops to troubled areas throughout the world.

As a middle power, Canada has earned world respect for its role in brokering peace agreements and in its unwavering efforts in fostering sustainable human development for those countries burdened by political and economic repression.

In this year, the 50th anniversary of the United Nations, I ask that all Canadians reflect on the values and principles of this body. Let us recall that the first words of the charter are "We the people". In truth, the UN is us, the dream of what we, the people, might best be.

Fête Nationale Du Québec

[Laurent Lavigne, Bloc, Beauharnois—Salaberry, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Quebecers will be celebrating the fête nationale du Québec on June 24.

For centuries, we have been celebrating the summer solstice with bonfires. In 1834, the newspaper editor Ludger Duvernay organized the first celebration symbolizing the struggle of French Canadians to survive. Over the years, this celebration has become an opportunity for Quebecers to show their determination to create a country for themselves.

Proclaimed fête nationale du Québec in 1977, June 24 has become a day for all inhabitants of Quebec.

This year, Quebecers are invited to celebrate their sense of community at over 700 sites throughout Quebec. Next year, if such is the wish of the people, we will be celebrating our country, our Quebec, on that day.

Pensions

[Deborah Grey, Reform, Beaver River, AB]

Mr. Speaker, as the government passes the MP pension bill this afternoon may it ponder this poem called The Man in the Glass :

When you get what you want in your struggle for life And the world makes you king for a day, Just go to a mirror and look at yourself, And see what that man has to say. For it isn't your father or mother or wife, Whose judgement upon you must pass, The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life, Is the one staring back from the glass. Some people may think you a straight-shooting chum, And call you a wonderful guy; But the man in the glass says you're only a bum, If you can't look him straight in the eye. He's the fellow to please, never mind all the rest, For he's with you clear up to the end, And you've passed your most dangerous, difficult test If the man in the glass is your friend. You may fool the whole world down the pathway of life, And get pats on your back as you pass, But your final reward will be heartaches and tears, If you've cheated the man in the glass.

MP pensions: Reformers opt out, Liberals cop out. Shame.

Dairy Industry

[Murray Calder, Liberal, Wellington—Grey—Dufferin—Simcoe, ON]

Mr. Speaker, there is a saying around my farm that if it ain't broke, don't fix it. In other words, if something is running smoothly, do not tempt fate to try to make it better.

That is what is happening within the Canadian dairy industry as it relates to the introduction of BST as an enhancer of milk production. Our milk is among the purest. Our cows are among the highest producing in the world. However, there are those who would tamper with this system even though the economic gain to farmers is insignificant when compared to the damage it will do to the dairy industry.

I cannot understand, given the health of the industry, why it is necessary to even contemplate the introduction of BST.

The moratorium on the sale of BST will expire on July 1 unless extended by Health Canada. I would ask that before any decision is made to licence BST, the minister not only consider the damage that might be done to the dairy industry, but the possibility that the long term health of both animals and humans may be at risk.

Village Of Oka

[Maurice Dumas, Bloc, Argenteuil—Papineau, QC]

Mr. Speaker, as the member for Argenteuil-Papineau, I rise in the House to speak on behalf of the people of Oka who met recently to discuss the catastrophic situation in their town, five years after what was referred to as the Oka crisis.

Every resident looks forward to the time when peace and calm will return to a municipality where all citizens can live together without fear, and those sentiments are shared by the vast majority of the Mohawks of Kanesatake.

The people of Oka want governments, both federal and provincial, to make a clear statement on all issues concerning aboriginal lands, so as to restore a normal social climate and public security, and to ensure that real estate values and insurance premiums revert to normal levels.

By requesting concrete political action on the part of both levels of government, the people of Oka want to recover their enjoyment of certain freedoms, a basic right that is part of the philosophy of all Quebecers and all Canadians.

Canada Post

[Ken Epp, Reform, Elk Island, AB]

Mr. Speaker, as the Reform critic for the post office, I keep receiving disturbing reports of the unfair competitive practices of Canada Post in ad mail delivery and courier services.

Private sector companies and individuals are being undercut and destroyed by Canada Post, which uses its first class monopoly revenue to subsidize the operations in these competitive fields.

It is unconscionable that the very firms which try to earn a living for their employees and pay taxes to the federal government are now being annihilated by this predatory crown corporation.

A recent consultant's report shows that 75 per cent of Canada Post's overhead is charged against its first class letter mail while only 1.7 per cent of the overhead is charged against competitive operations, despite the fact that the first class mail is only 45 per cent of its operation.

We believe that it is wrong, wrong, wrong to use the clout of a huge government granted monopoly to wipe out small businesses. Where is the conscience of the government? When will it bring this immoral practice to a halt?

Presence In Gallery

[The Speaker]

I would like to bring to the attention of members the presence in the gallery of the Hon. Anne Edwards, Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear.

[The Speaker]

I would also like to bring to the attention of members the presence in the gallery of the Rev. the Hon. Frederick Nile and the Hon. Elaine Nile, members of the Legislative Council of New South Wales.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear.

Chile's Accession To Nafta

[Lucien Bouchard, Bloc, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Minister of International Trade stated that, if Chile wanted to join NAFTA this would not require reopening the agreement and only technical changes would be necessary to admit a fourth country to NAFTA.

My question is directed to the Prime Minister. Would he confirm his minister's statement to the effect that Chile's admission to NAFTA would not require opening the agreement but merely some technical changes?

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, according to the agreement, Chile or other countries can join NAFTA if they accept the terms negotiated by Canada, Mexico and the United States. The consent of Mexico, Canada and the United States is required if another country wishes to join. Provided Chile does not request major changes, the agreement provides that other countries may join, subject to the approval of participating members of NAFTA.

I know Chile is anxious to join NAFTA, and Canada is very supportive of Chile's bid at this time. In fact, this government has always maintained it did not want an exclusively bilateral agreement with the United States. We feel it is very useful to have an agreement that includes Mexico and other countries, since this would counterbalance the enormous power of the United States.

[Lucien Bouchard, Bloc, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, what I understood from the Prime Minister's reply is that if Chile meets the criteria for membership, reopening the agreement will not be necessary.

I want to ask the Prime Minister whether we can assume from what he said that the same scenario and the same reasoning will prevail in the case of a sovereign Quebec?

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, that depends on whether the parties to NAFTA agree unconditionally. Personally, I think I am answering a purely hypothetical question. I know Quebec will not become independent. Since Quebec is already part of NAFTA, why get out and then get back in, when you are already in?

[Lucien Bouchard, Bloc, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, the question is not hypothetical, since the treaty exists and the parties felt the need to negotiate clause 2204, a clause of accession that opens membership to all those who wish to join.

I want to ask the Prime Minister whether he would agree that Canada alone does not have the power to prevent Quebec from joining NAFTA and that the only thing Canada can do is get out if Quebec becomes a member.

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Prime Minister]

No, Mr. Speaker. It is clear that Canada is a member of NAFTA and that Quebec is already part of NAFTA. If Quebec wants to get out of NAFTA, that is up to Quebec. However, if Quebec wants to get back in, the consent of all members is required, as in the case of Chile or any other country. A member may propose new conditions for membership, in which case NAFTA would have to be amended.

I do not know the status of current negotiations with Chile, but if Chile does not request changes to NAFTA, there will be no problem. If it requests changes to NAFTA, this will require the consent of Canada, Mexico and the United States. So it is certainly much better to be part of the agreement now, than to have to go and negotiate if you want to become a member.

[Michel Gauthier, Bloc, Roberval, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister's answers do little more than give Quebecers cause for fear or doubt. The Prime Minister has already cast doubt on the rapid inclusion of a sovereign Quebec in NAFTA.

My question is very simple and as follows. Given that trade between Canada and Quebec is 153 times that between Canada and Chile, will the Prime Minister undertake to work hard to have Quebec included in NAFTA quickly, following sovereignty?

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, Quebec is a member of NAFTA. Everyday I work to ensure that Quebec benefits from NAFTA. So why ask me to work harder than I am at the moment?

However, if we are talking hypothetically, I am not sure the rest of Canada will want to retain the privileges farmers currently enjoy. If consumers in Ontario can get milk, butter and cheese more cheaply from the United States, if Quebec leaves, and since dairy production is not a question of French or English, but simply of providing dairy products, they will want to take advantage of the better price. So the best way to protect products from Quebec within the Canadian market is to remain Canadian.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear.

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Saint-Maurice, QC]

Remaining Canadian means being a member of NAFTA. However, those who want to leap into the void may do so. But Quebecers know they are very happy in Canada and they want to stay here. This is clear, and I am convinced of it. I am all the more convinced because the Leader of the Opposition does not even have the courage to tell Quebecers the truth he told the Americans: "I am a separatist".

[Michel Gauthier, Bloc, Roberval, QC]

Mr. Speaker, speaking of having the courage to tell the truth, the Prime Minister is in no position to tell anyone anything.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear.