Debates of June 7th, 1995

Krever Commission

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

Mr. Speaker, I got the minister's answer and would like to ask her another question.

Considering that at the time of the tainted blood scandal, Connaught Laboratories were controlled by the Canada Development Corporation, a federal corporation, how does the minister explain that no one on the board or in management of this corporation between 1978 and 1985 has been invited to testify at the national hearings of the Krever Commission?

[Diane Marleau, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, the Krever inquiry is to look into what happened in the past.

I personally or as the Minister of Health will not make any comments concerning any of the witnesses or any of the evidence that is being brought before Mr. Krever.

We await his final report. Mr. Krever is independent in deciding how to conduct his inquiry and we will continue to ensure that independence. We think it is very important.

Canada Post

[Ken Epp, Reform, Elk Island, AB]

Mr. Speaker, on seven previous occasions I have asked for a full public inquiry into the Perez affair. It has been denied every time.

The Prime Minister says he wants proof. Here are several documented instances. A Liberal member of the other place

received $5,000 per month from Perez for several years. The chairman of Canada Post had his hotel in Spain paid for by Perez and his son received over $100,000 from Perez.

We have more proof. An associate of Perez considered the payments to the chairman's son as part of the Canada Post deal. There is the proof.

Will the Prime Minister prove to Canadians that he has the high ethical standards that he claims to have by authorizing a full, independent investigation into the scandal?

[David Dingwall, Liberal, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member opposite has raised this question on a previous occasion.

It would be inappropriate for the government to do anything because an RCMP investigation is presently under way. Proceedings are taking place under the Bankruptcy Act. This question was put to the president of the Canada Post Corporation when he appeared before the standing committee.

I understand the hon. member's desire to make further accusations against the individuals involved but it would be highly inappropriate for us to take action until those proceedings come to a full and complete ending. Thereafter decisions can be made.

[Ken Epp, Reform, Elk Island, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the bankruptcy investigation is one thing. The ongoing business of Mr. Perez with the government is what the government ought to be concerned about and that is current.

Mr. Perez is still very much a player here in Ottawa and seeking government contracts. My question is specifically for the Prime Minister.

Has he at any time received money from Perez? If so, is this clouding his decision-

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh.

[The Speaker]

Colleagues, both the questions and the answers today have been quite forceful. I suggest with all respect to the hon. member that the question is impugning great motive. I would like him to withdraw the question if he would.

I will permit him to rephrase another question but I would like him to withdraw that question if he would.

[Ken Epp, Reform, Elk Island, AB]

Mr. Speaker, my sincere apologies. I meant no disrespect. I apologize and I withdraw the phrase.

I would like the Prime Minister to state very clearly to us what his reason is for not advancing an investigation with respect to the current operations of Mr. Perez and the dealings of the government. It is a matter of ethics.

[David Dingwall, Liberal, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency]

Mr. Speaker, the issue should be very clear to the hon. member.

An RCMP investigation is under way. Proceedings before the bankruptcy court are taking place. For any minister of the crown, including the Prime Minister, to take any other kind of action would be inappropriate.

I suggest to the hon. member that he wait for the appropriate time when all of the proceedings are concluded. Thereafter decisions will be made.

Agriculture

[Wayne Easter, Liberal, Malpeque, PE]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.

During the appearance of Assistant Deputy Minister Comeau before the agriculture and agri-food committee last week, extensive reference was made to memos written by officials of agriculture Canada that left the impression the government might not be fully supportive of the supply management system.

Could the minister clarify the issue and give his commitment to the government's support for supply management?

[Ralph Goodale, Liberal, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food]

Mr. Speaker, with respect to the documents referred to in the hon. member's question, I am advised that Madam Comeau was not the author of the documents being complained about. That material was prepared for the previous federal government, before October 1993, and not for this government.

We have defended Canada's supply management system. If our Canadian supply management system is at some future date challenged by some legal means, by the United States or any others, Canadians may rest assured that we will continue our strong defence of supply management because we believe it is right as a matter of trade policy and trade law.

[The Speaker]

This brings to a conclusion the question period for today.

Commission Of Inquiry On The Blood System In Canada

[Diane Marleau, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, I have the pleasure to table, in both official languages, a

report entitled "Government Response to the Interim Report of the Commission of Inquiry on the Blood System in Canada".

Government Response To Petitions

[Peter Milliken, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's response to 12 petitions.

Committees Of The House

[Warren Allmand, Liberal, Notre-Dame-De-Grâce, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the eighth report of the Standing Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs.

Pursuant to the order of reference of Wednesday, April 5, 1995, your committee has considered Bill C-68, an act respecting firearms and other weapons. Your committee has agreed to report it with approximately 61 amendments.

I want to mention that in considering this bill the committee heard 70 witness groups over a two-month period, representing all points of view. I want to thank all witnesses for their views on this important matter. I also want to thank the members of the committee, who co-operated through many long meetings to improve and to clear this bill.

[Peter Milliken, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present to the House the 81st report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, relating to changes to the standing orders as they relate to private members' business and particularly to Standing Order 98.

The committee recommends that the prohibition against the second sitting day of the report and third reading stages of a private member's bill on Mondays and Fridays be deleted.

I urge all hon. members to read this fascinating report from the committee.

Department Of Human Resources Development Act

[Lloyd Axworthy, Liberal, Minister of Human Resources Development and Minister of Western Economic Diversification]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-96, an act to establish the Department of Human Resources Development and to amend and repeal certain related acts.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed.)

Criminal Code

[John Nunziata, Liberal, York South—Weston, ON]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-331, an act to amend the Criminal Code (taking a sample of a bodily substance).

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to have the opportunity today to introduce this private member's bill, which deals with what is considered to be a gaping hole in the criminal justice system.

The bill I am introducing today would give the police the authority to require a suspect in a criminal investigation to provide a DNA sample.

It is unfortunate today in Canada that a person suspected of drinking and driving could be forced to provide a breath sample, yet someone who is suspected of committing a murder or a rape cannot be forced to provide a DNA sample.

The bill will allow the police to obtain a warrant from a justice of the peace requiring the person to provide a sample. Failure to provide the sample will result in a criminal prosecution of that particular individual, and the person's refusal to provide the sample can be used in court against the accused in the criminal proceedings.

As I indicated, this bill will fill a gaping hole in the criminal justice system. DNA evidence is a powerful, reliable form of evidence, which can be used to solve hundreds of serious crimes in the country that are unsolved at present. Not only can it establish guilt, but it can also be used to establish innocence.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed.)

[Ian McClelland, Reform, Edmonton Southwest, AB]

Mr. Speaker, on a point of order, given the gravity and the importance of the bill just introduced by my hon. colleague opposite, I wonder if hon. members present would give consideration to unanimous consent to allow the bill to go to second reading immediately.

[The Deputy Speaker]

Is there unanimous consent?

[Some hon. members]

No.

Program Cost Declaration Act

[Alex Shepherd, Liberal, Durham, ON]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-332, an act to provide for improved information on the cost of proposed government programs.

Mr. Speaker, this bill, an act to provide for improved information on the cost of proposed government programs, is something that is long overdue in this place.

Basically the bill would provide that any new programs introduced into the House are properly costed beforehand. That costing and the methodologies used therein would be supported by the auditor general. In other words, the auditor general would actually review the costing methods used and certify them as being appropriate. That legislation, wherever it is advertised and promoted, would also include certification by the auditor general and also the actual cost, not only of the total program but also on a per capita basis for all the taxpayers of Canada.

I believe this would give us more control over our financial picture and would certainly give better information to the public on how much these programs cost.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed.)

Committees Of The House

[Peter Milliken, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, I think you will find consent for the following motion.

I move:

That pursuant to its order of reference dated February 10, 1994, the date for the Standing Committee on the Environment and Sustainable Development to present its report to the House on its review of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act be extended to June 20, 1995.

(Motion agreed to.)

[Peter Milliken, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, I think you will find unanimous consent for the following motion.

I move:

That the Subcommittee on HIV-AIDS be authorized to send a member of its research staff to the fifth annual conference on HIV-AIDS research, to be held in Winnipeg, Manitoba, June 8 to 11, 1995.

[The Deputy Speaker]

Is there unanimous consent for the motion just made by the parliamentary secretary?