Mr. Speaker, let me take this occasion to say how happy I am to see you in your place.
I propose that Motion No. 221, tabled by my colleague, the hon. member for Kamouraska-Rivière-du-Loup, be rejected for a number of reasons. However, let me say how pleased I am that by proposing an amendment to this fine institution the Bloc is recognizing the legitimacy of the Canadian Constitution.
Opening up the constitutional debate at this time, even for the purpose of abolishing the Senate, is far removed from the concerns and aspirations of ordinary Canadians. Indeed it is unfortunate that the Bloc is ignoring the real needs of its constituents who are looking for jobs, who want to achieve a decent standard of living, who are concerned about the future of social programs and who want their governments to work together constructively.
On this side of the House we firmly believe that job creation, economic and social development should be the top priorities of all elected members. They are the top priorities of Canadians.
Since the Liberals were elected we have kept our commitment to work toward the creation of a climate for opportunity for Canadians. We have put forward tangible measures to help make government more efficient, renew the federation, keep the country united and forge new partnerships with the provinces. All Canadians, including Quebecers, want change. They want Canada to work better. They want the different orders of government to be more efficient and to fulfil their respective roles more effectively. Much of it can be done without constitutional amendment.
Accordingly, the government has made a commitment to modernize the federation step by step, focusing on co-operation with the provinces and territories to serve Canadians better. Canadians have said they want to see government roles and responsibilities clarified, and the government has responded. We are withdrawing from areas of activity that are more appropriately the responsibility of the provinces or the private sector, forestry, mining development, recreation and some aspects of transport.
In the area of labour market training the government submitted a proposal to the provinces in May and this enables them to takeover responsibility for active employment assistance measures. The provinces can therefore, if they wish, manage the approximately $1.9 billion per year the federal government currently spends on active employment assistance measures and implement their own programs such as wage subsidies, income supplements, self-employment assistance and private sector job creation partnerships, as well as many other labour services such as screening and job counselling.
The framework we are putting in place will provide a maximum flexibility for the provinces, making it possible to meet local and regional needs more effectively.
At this June's first ministers meeting, new avenues for partnership with the provinces were explored, including initiatives in the fields of social housing, freshwater fish habitat and environmental management.
In the area of social housing, negotiations have started with the provinces including Quebec on the orderly transfer of social housing management and the billions in grants that go with it.
In the sector of freshwater fish habitat, the federal government tabled a bill in the House of Commons on October 3 to amend the Fisheries Act. This bill will substantially modernize and update the legal framework for fisheries, conservation and habitat management in Canada. It will allow industry, including fisher people, to participate directly in fisheries management through partnership agreements. Discussions are under way with interested provinces.
With respect to the environment, the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment adopted a work plan on May 31 which was approved by the first ministers meeting on June 20 and 21 to strengthen co-operation and eliminate duplication while maintaining the highest standards. Progress was made on developing a framework agreement, setting out principles and objectives for co-operation between the federal and provincial governments. Progress was also made on negotiating two subsidiary agreements on effective inspection and high environmental standards.
With the Canada health and social transfer we have also ensured that the principles of the Canada Health Act will be respected throughout the country. In this way we will ensure the universality of health insurance and social programs in line with our commitments and the values that Canadians cherish.
The government has also for the first time in history made a commitment to limit its spending power. We have said that we will no longer use that power to establish new, cost shared programs in areas of exclusive provincial jurisdiction without the consent of the majority of the provinces. Provinces which do not wish to participate but which nevertheless choose to implement a comparable program will be compensated.
The Bloc should acknowledge that our plans for renewal are serious, concrete and affect the day to day realities of all Canadians including those it represents.
A bill has been tabled to bring all food inspection services, comprising 4,500 employees, under one body. This move is yet another step toward working more effectively with provincial agencies to set up a co-operative Canada-wide food inspection system that will lessen the regulatory burden on the food industry.
Discussions are continuing with those provinces interested in this project and in other federal-provincial joint initiatives such as a national revenue collection body and a national securities commission.
All our initiatives will help eliminate overlap and duplication, thus yielding substantial savings and more efficient services for Canadians.
Canadians from coast to coast want their government to make the country work better. They want their governments to put their public finances in order, improve economic growth and bring about an economic climate conducive to job creation. In fact, I am surprised to see that Bloc, in tabling this motion, is out of touch with the concerns of the very people it represents.
For its part, this government is already working closely with the provinces and all its social and economic partners to explore new options and find new ways to do things so as to serve Canadians better and respond to their immediate concerns.
I therefore consider the motion tabled today by the hon. member from Rivière-du-Loup to be inappropriate. For that reason, I call on the House to reject it.