House of Commons Hansard #79 of the 35th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was justice.
Pierre De Savoye Bloc Portneuf, QC
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the hon. member's answer, but the fact is that consumers will pay more, not less. Incidentally, the federation of consumers' associations and the National Anti-Poverty Organization proposed the setting up of a fund to ensure universal access to telecommunications for low-income people and the regions.
Will the Minister of Industry follow up on this suggestion?
Morris Bodnar LiberalParliamentary Secretary to Minister of Industry
Mr. Speaker, the suggestion that has been made is a matter we will take under advisement and discuss with the Minister of Industry.
Keith Martin Reform Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca, BC
Mr. Speaker, a moment of sympathy, please, for the Minister of Health who has been suffering under the tough and personal attacks by the tobacco lobby. But while he is suffering, 10,000 Canadian children take up smoking every single month. They suffer from premature illness and death.
Would the Minister of Health like to come out from underneath his suffering and put tobacco under the Hazardous Products Act?
David Dingwall LiberalMinister of Health
No, Mr. Speaker.
Keith Martin Reform Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca, BC
Mr. Speaker, one year ago the Supreme Court decided to revoke its ban on advertising, and while 40,000 Canadians die every year from tobacco the Prime Minister plays golf with the president of Imperial Tobacco.
If the minister is not prepared to put tobacco under the Hazardous Products Act, I would like him to tell this House what he is prepared to do to prevent 40,000 Canadians from dying every year from this most preventable disease.
David Dingwall LiberalMinister of Health
Mr. Speaker, I am happy to receive the support of the Reform Party as it relates to our blueprint and the direction in which we wish to proceed in terms of tobacco.
The hon. member has quite wrongly described the best solution as it relates to tobacco consumption in this country. We hope to move forward in a comprehensive way which will address a variety of things from enforcement to the proliferation of youth smoking.
The hon. members yell out from their seats. It has taken them three weeks to come up with a question with regard to tobacco. I say to the hon. members opposite that the legislation we are intending to introduce will come relatively soon.
Alex Shepherd Liberal Durham, ON
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Finance.
At a meeting this past weekend the minister agreed that Canada along with other countries would forgive certain debt to third world countries. At a time when Canadians are being asked to bear the burden of our own deficit and debt reduction measures, why are we forgiving other nations?
Paul Martin LiberalMinister of Finance
Mr. Speaker, this was indeed a landmark decision taken by the G-7, the IMF, the World Bank and the creditor nations of the Paris Club. As a result, some $5 billion to $7 billion of debt of the poorest of the poor countries in the world will be forgiven and they will be put in a position where they can put their existing debt on a sustainable basis.
We should not discuss this in terms of the arid numbers on a sheet of paper. We should realize that as a result of this, millions of children who otherwise would not get vaccinated will receive vaccinations. As a result of this, children who would otherwise not
have a chance to learn to read and write will get school books. As a result of this, food will be put on their tables and decent hospitalization will be provided.
The reason that this Canadian initiative, among others, has taken hold is because this nation understands that we are one world and we must take care of each other.
Nelson Riis NDP Kamloops, BC
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Prime Minister, who along with everybody else was very proud yesterday when we applauded the Olympians on the floor of the House of Commons, including many of my Liberal colleagues. But as we were applauding, the Liberal government was gutting the support program for Canadian Olympians.
In light of the support shown yesterday by the representatives of Canadians on the floor of the House of Commons, would the Prime Minister consider shutting down the information office with its $27 million allocation and provide that money to support Canadian Olympians?
Sheila Copps LiberalDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of Canadian Heritage
Mr. Speaker, at a time when we are cutting across the board and at a time when we are facing very difficult decisions, we increased the individual payments to athletes by 25 per cent. Last year we invested $20 million of the taxpayers' money assisting our athletes in what proved to be the absolute best performance ever at the Olympics.
I hope that with the support of the Minister of Finance, having turned the corner on some of our economic problems, that in future years we can build an even stronger national mandate for national sport as a nation builder.
Jean Charest Progressive Conservative Sherbrooke, QC
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Prime Minister.
Even when he is reminded of the very high level of unemployment, the Prime Minister does not seem to want to budge on the unemployment issue. When he is reminded that the unemployment rate in Canada has remained above 9 per cent for 71 consecutive months, the longest stretch since the 1930s, he does not seem to be moved to action either. A report released by the Conference Board this week shows that the real unemployment rate among young Canadians exceeds 25 per cent.
I would like to give the Prime Minister another chance to tell this House he welcomes this opportunity to announce a reduction to Canadians in their unemployment insurance overcontributions-an extra $10 billion that will be taken out of the pockets of small business workers.
Will he not reconsider, cut unemployment insurance premiums-this tax on employment-and restore hope to those who, at present-
Unemployment InsuranceOral Question Period
The Speaker
The hon. Minister of Human Resources Development has the floor.
Douglas Young LiberalMinister of Human Resources Development
Mr. Speaker, there is no doubt that, whenever the hon. member shows up in this House, he speaks quite boldly. Today, he dared to come and tell us about the unemployment rate and the rates of premiums paid by workers and employees. When he was in government, when his party formed the government, these rates were higher than they are today. The unemployment rate was higher than it is today.
The longer he stays at home, the better off we will all be.
Presence In GalleryOral Question Period
The Speaker
I wish to draw the attention of members to the presence in the gallery of a parliamentary delegation from South Africa led by Mr. Geoffrey Doidge.
Presence In GalleryOral Question Period
The Speaker
We will now proceed, before the routine order of the day, to tributes to Mr. Robert Bourassa, the former premier of the province of Quebec.
Jean Chrétien LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, it was with great sadness that I learned this morning of the death of Quebec's former premier, Robert Bourassa.
I would like, first of all, to mention the exemplary courage he demonstrated during his long battle with the illness that finally claimed his life.
He met this ultimate test, as he met all the other tests in his life, quietly and with determination.
I extend my sincerest condolences, of course, to his wife Andrée, with whom I had the opportunity to speak earlier this morning, and to his children and grandchildren, as well as his former colleagues and friends.
In Robert Bourassa, our country has lost a great Canadian, who always worked to improve the lot of his fellow Canadians.
I first met him in the early 1960s, when he was a tax advisor with the Department of National Revenue, here in Ottawa. He went on to teach at the universities of Ottawa, Laval and Montreal, and took up a position as director of research with the Bélanger commission on taxation.
He began his political career in 1966, when he was elected MNA for Mercier. Four years later, at the age of 36, he became the youngest premier in the history of Quebec.
His first term of office will be remembered primarily for the contribution he made to the modernization of Quebec through the massive James Bay hydroelectric project. In launching this project and introducing social programs, such as health insurance, Robert Bourassa showed his keen long term vision in trying to equip Quebec with the economic and social tools it needed to meet the challenges of the future.
After his defeat in 1976, he withdrew from active political life to teach and reflect on the future of Canada. He was again elected leader of the provincial Liberal party in 1982 and resumed the position of premier of Quebec from 1985 to 1993.
The memory I will carry of his long career in politics is the following: Robert Bourassa was at once a proud Quebecer and a proud Canadian. He was always an ardent federalist, who defended Quebec's interests within Canada. He remained convinced that, despite the challenges and complexities of Canadian federalism, Quebec's place was with Canada. He sought the cultural and linguistic development of French Canadians, while holding firmly to the belief that Canada would continue to serve Quebecers well in this regard.
Robert Bourassa served Quebecers well during his time as premier. He was always a voice of moderation and reason. He was convinced that Quebec's future prosperity lay within Canada and Canada's with Quebec.
Mr. Bourassa devoted himself to public service for more than 30 years. I know, today, all Canadians will wish to express their appreciation for his life and work.
I pay tribute to the memory of Robert Bourassa, who gave his life in the service of his fellow citizens. On behalf of the government of Canada, of members in this House, and of all Canadians, I share the pain felt by Mrs. Bourassa, his family and all Quebecers. On behalf of all of them, I say to Mr. Bourassa: We thank you.
Michel Gauthier BlocLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, today Quebec mourns the passing of the former Premier of Quebec, Robert Bourassa, a man who spent nearly 30 years of his life serving Quebecers to the best of his ability.
In 1960, Mr. Bourassa started to make his mark as a professor at the University of Ottawa, Laval University and the University of Montreal. Elected for the first time in 1966 in the riding of Mercier, Mr. Bourassa embarked on a long and brilliant political career.
In 1970, his perseverance, his talent as a communicator and his energy made him, at the age of 36, Quebec's youngest premier. He was an excellent politician, and was responsible for a number of impressive achievements that remain today as symbols of Quebec society. The decisive role he played in building a modern Quebec is reflected, as the Prime Minister mentioned earlier, in our health insurance system and the James Bay project, for instance.
Mr. Bourassa was always concerned about Quebec's future. He was responsible for the signing of the Meech Lake Accord, whose demise was certainly not his fault. He did everything to save the accord. His efforts to renew the Canadian federation were praiseworthy, even if they were to no avail.
I had the pleasure of sitting with Mr. Bourassa in the Quebec National Assembly when I was elected for the second time as a member of the Parti Quebecois in 1985. I soon realized he was a very human person who profoundly respected his opponents. In fact he taught me a very useful lesson in politics when I was the energy critic and stood opposite him: he taught me that in politics one must never underestimate one's opponent.
A man of consensus and discipline, Mr. Bourassa was until the very end an enduring benchmark in the political history of a province that is gradually evolving towards political sovereignty.
On my own behalf and on behalf of my colleagues and the people of Quebec, I wish to extend my most sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Bourassa. Today, Quebec has lost a great man.
In concluding, I would like to quote something that Mr. Bourassa said, in which there is a lesson for us all: "Happiness is being able to fight for one's convictions".
Preston Manning Reform Calgary Southwest, AB
Mr. Speaker, I rise to join with other colleagues in paying tribute to Robert Bourassa on the sad occasion of his death.
Allow me first of all to express sympathies to his family and to the people of Quebec on this loss of a husband, father and a political leader. These sympathies are expressed on behalf of the Reform members of Parliament and their constituents, many of
whom live in constituencies and areas a long way from Quebec and yet who feel the loss that Quebecers feel today.
My wife Sandra and I wish to extend our heartfelt sympathy to his wife, Andrée, and their two children, François and Michelle.
In paying tribute to his memory we could focus on a number of things as other speakers have done: his academic contributions, his political work, the acts of his government and his commitment to keeping Quebec within Canada.
The attribute that I would like to select for tribute is a more human one. We in this Chamber, who spend all our time on politics, do not spend enough time paying tribute to human characteristics, and that is his courage in adversity, particularly in his latter years. In his latter years he carried out all his political and governmental work while suffering from a painful illness. The willingness and ability of a public servant to attend to the affairs of others while enduring personal pain and suffering is a rare attribute. It is one which should be recognized and praised particularly on this occasion.
We salute today the many contributions of the late Robert Bourassa, but particularly his courage in adversity.
Bill Blaikie NDP Winnipeg—Transcona, MB
Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my colleagues in the New Democratic Party, I wish to offer a tribute to Mr. Bourassa, as well as to convey our sympathies to his family and friends.
Canada and Quebec have lost one of their masters in the art of politics, and a great public resource. The political life of Robert Bourassa reflects in many ways the history of Quebec since the quiet revolution.
He also played a central role in some of the most important moments in the history of the Canadian federation, namely the October crisis and the negotiations around the Meech Lake accord.
History no doubt will attest to the difficulties he encountered in trying to accommodate the aspirations of Quebecers and those of other Canadians within our federal institutions. It will also attest, however, to the fact that there were people of good will, like Mr. Bourassa, who made that effort, and that the effort is worthwhile.
I first met Mr. Bourassa when I was vice-chairman of the special committee of the House of Commons on federal-provincial fiscal relations. We met with former premiers in 1981 in the parliamentary dining room. We gathered a lot of former premiers to receive their advice on how to deal with federal-provincial fiscal affairs. At that time Mr. Bourassa was a former premier, but he was to go on from there to make one of the political comebacks of the century and to become premier again.
I remember also that he first came to my attention when I was a teenager as the premier of Quebec during the October crisis. All Canada was riveted on the events happening in Quebec at that time.
I see him as someone who tried to balance his perception of Quebec as a community and his perception of Canada as a community where Quebec could thrive not just as individual Quebecers but also as a community.
My sadness today is not just for Mr. Bourassa; it is for the fact that the ambivalence and the ambiguity which he expressed so well has been broken. Many of his critics-critics not of him but of the things which he stood for-have prospered. The kind of Canada which he sought to build is on the ropes.
I say to all of us here that the one thing we could do to honour his memory would be to revitalize the kind of Canada which he had in mind. I did not always agree with him, but he knew that the best place for Quebec was within Canada and that the best kind of Canada was a Canada open to Quebec.
Jean Charest Progressive Conservative Sherbrooke, QC
Mr. Speaker, today is a day of great sadness for all those who had the pleasure, indeed I would term it a privilege, of knowing Robert Bourassa.
I would like to pay tribute to his courage, his constant companion throughout his political career, as well as throughout his illness. My most heartfelt condolences, and those of my party, to Mrs. Bourassa, their children and grandchildren.
Robert Bourassa was the incarnation of modern Quebec. Throughout his long career, economic issues were his main concern. In 1970, he headed the government at a crucial time in Quebec history. In that context, he was able to stay the course and focus on his fundamental objectives: Quebec's cultural security and its economic progress.
Quebecers' unshakeable belief today in their ability to be the masters of their own economy is, in large part, the work of Robert Bourassa.
Mr. Bourassa was the incarnation of modern Quebec in all of its dimensions. He spoke to us knowingly of our own ambitions and also reflected our ambivalence.
Canadians would often remark that Mr. Bourassa for them was an intriguing political figure. Those of us who knew him well and
were from Quebec were always tempted to reply that he was a true reflection of the people of Quebec.
Robert Bourassa too felt ambivalence, the ambivalence of a person with a very great responsibility. He was always concerned with protecting and furthering the interests of a mainly francophone population.
This concern was ever-present, whenever discussions and negotiations were held on the future of Quebec and of Canada, in Victoria in 1971 and in the 1980 and 1995 referendums, and especially in the negotiations around the Meech Lake accord.
What needs to be kept in mind concerning that event is that he had obtained an agreement which satisfied both Quebec and the other Canadian partners. Events, unfortunately, took a different turn, and history will be the final judge.
On a personal note, I remember Mr. Bourassa as a generous and affable man, one who was able to resist the temptation to lower debates to a personal level and one who, of all the politicians I have had the opportunity to observe, was without a doubt the one who always treated his colleagues, his opponents, the media and the general public with the utmost respect.
The second quality that characterized Robert Bourassa was, without a doubt, his exceptional perseverance. Who, after the 1976 election, would have dared predict that he would return to public life? Yet he did, and stronger than ever, at the head of majority governments in 1985 and 1989. Twenty years ago, who would have thought that people would one day hold him in such affection?
We shall all keep in our hearts the undying memory of an exceptional head of government and, what is more, a great man who never admitted defeat.
Homage To Robert BourassaOral Question Period
The Speaker
I ask you all to rise for a minute of silence in memory of Mr. Robert Bourassa.