House of Commons Hansard #109 of the 35th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was c-42.
Judges ActGovernment Orders
The Speaker
There are comments and questions. Both are legitimate. However, I know in my heart that the hon. member is coming to his question.
John Bryden Liberal Hamilton—Wentworth, ON
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If my colleagues in the Reform Party would just give me the opportunity to pose the question I shall.
I remind the Reform Party that it banished two members from its caucus for speaking out and later lost a member entirely. It banished the member for Calgary Southeast entirely. Seven MPs will be resigning, all because of the form of party discipline that the leader of the Reform Party imposes.
My question for the hon. member for Medicine Hat-
Randy White Reform Fraser Valley West, BC
Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. The hon. member is stating something that is not true. The last individual he was talking about, who he said was banished, that is not true.
John Bryden Liberal Hamilton—Wentworth, ON
Mr. Speaker, the question is simple. Is the Reform Party not the party of the iron fist? Is this not the party of punishment? Is this not the party of intolerance when it comes to dissent among members of its caucus?
Monte Solberg Reform Medicine Hat, AB
Mr. Speaker, that is complete nonsense. I point out, as the member acknowledges, members in his party have been disciplined and kicked off committees. They have been warned that if they do not go along with legislation they will be kicked out of the party and will not have their nomination papers signed.
I also want to point out that it has been the Reform Party that has led the way in introducing parliamentary reform by allowing our members to speak up for their constituents. Our members stand up and vote for their constituents and have done so on numerous pieces of legislation. No one sees our leader saying that our members are not allowed to do that. Absolutely not. In fact I would argue that the Reform Party, of all parties, has introduced the whole notion of parliamentary democracy and democratic change. Hopefully some day the iron fist in the Liberal Party-
Judges ActGovernment Orders
The Speaker
I wish I had been here earlier. It sounds like it's a good one.
Not that I want to cut this off but it is almost two o'clock. I am going to stick around after question period because I want to hear the rest of it. We will go to Statements by Members.
Gerry Byrne Liberal Humber—St. Barbe—Baie Verte, NL
Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge the dedication of one special volunteer from my riding, Mrs. Doreen Janes of Corner Brook, Newfoundland.
Recently Mrs. Janes was selected to receive a Canada Volunteer Award Certificate of Merit. This award recognizes her involvement with the Huntington's Society of Canada since 1980.
Mrs. Janes lost her loving husband to this terrible neurological disease. Since that time she has been involved in numerous community events, leading the fight against Huntington's disease. Her unselfish work and dedication have helped rebuild the local chapter of the Huntington's Society. Doreen has enlisted family, friends and anyone who shared her genuine interest to donate their time to this deserving cause.
The local chapter is now able to provide a network of educational resources to persons affected by the disease and to their families. She continues to make herself available to sit down and talk to all those affected. Doreen shows us why Canada is one of the greatest countries in the world.
I would like to congratulate Doreen Janes.
Sharon Hayes Reform Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC
Mr. Speaker, today I want to speak briefly to the issue of child poverty.
Recently the Liberals have awakened to the human consequence of their misguided social and fiscal policies of the last quarter century: hungry children, fractured homes and hopeless youth.
A federal debt of over $600 billion is not just a number. It is $26 billion in increased annual tax grabs since the last election. It is an average family with $3,000 less than in 1993 to meet their needs. It is skyrocketing divorce, unchecked poverty, teen suicides and violence. It is the working poor working poorer.
More money and more Liberal programs with more bureaucracy will only perpetuate the failure.
Reform policies will leave hard earned money where it belongs, in the hands of families. Reform policies will remove over one million Canadians from the tax rolls altogether. Reform policies will allow parents to direct their attention to their children instead of the tax man.
Stéphane Bergeron Bloc Verchères, QC
Mr. Speaker, Amnesty International has just released its report on the human rights situation in Turkey.
According to the report, since the early 1990s the number of violations of fundamental rights in that country has multiplied, the excuse being national security. Extrajudicial executions, disappearances, torture and the repression of freedom of expression have become widespread in Turkey. This is an intolerable situation.
I therefore wish to ask the Canadian government to act as a responsible member of the international community and put pressure on the Turkish government to respect international law on fundamental rights, legislation which it freely ratified as indicated in its own Turkish legislation. Canada has, in any case, a duty to promote respect for human rights.
Len Taylor NDP The Battlefords—Meadow Lake, SK
Mr. Speaker, at a national child welfare conference in Ottawa yesterday, Premier Roy Romanow and the province of Saskatchewan were acknowledged as leaders in caring for our nation's children.
In the words of the award presented to the premier, Saskatchewan was acknowledged for its commitment to investing in children as a key priority and a co-ordinated approach to policy development and delivery.
We are very proud of our province, our provincial party and our provincial premier.
Members may remember that in 1989 a resolution brought forward by then NDP federal leader Ed Broadbent to eliminate poverty by the year 2000 was passed unanimously in this House. Since then 46 per cent more children are living below the poverty line, a shameful illustration of the failure of this government to act on one of this country's most critical issues.
In congratulating Premier Romanow and the province of Saskatchewan, I also encourage the federal government to follow Saskatchewan's lead and make the elimination of child poverty a priority and begin that effort today.
Jesse Flis Liberal Parkdale—High Park, ON
Mr. Speaker, this year marks the 25th season for the Canadian forces parachute team, the Sky Hawks. This team gave an outstanding performance at the 198th Permanent Joint Board on Defence meeting in Trenton. Indeed everyone was impressed with the show, including the audience from the United States. I was particularly pleased to see the Canadian flag on the team's parachutes which symbolizes our Canadian pride.
The Sky Hawks are an excellent role model for Canada's youth by demonstrating fitness, teamwork and professionalism. Together with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police the team works to
promote a drug awareness program which encourages a healthy lifestyle to Canadian youth.
I applaud the Sky Hawks for the excellent 25 years of service they have provided. They are a great source of pride for Canada.
Gary Pillitteri Liberal Niagara Falls, ON
Mr. Speaker, today I rise in this honourable House to recognize Miss Ruth Redmond, a constituent of Niagara Falls. On December 1, 1996 she will officially receive the Gabrielle Léger award for her work in preserving a significant part of the historical Lundy's Lane Battlefield site.
Miss Redmond was educated at Queen's University and has had a long and honourable career as a teacher, serving at Stamford Collegiate in Niagara Falls from 1926 until her retirement in 1967. Among the many students who considered Miss Redmond a mentor was Judy LaMarsh, former Liberal member of Parliament for Niagara Falls and a former federal cabinet minister.
The Gabrielle Léger award, given under the patronage of Madam Gabrielle Léger, wife of the late Governor General Jules Léger, is the highest award given by the Heritage Canada Foundation.
I am sure that all in this House will join me today in congratulating the efforts and the admirable commitment that Miss Redmond made to future generations by helping to preserve our past.
John Murphy Liberal Annapolis Valley—Hants, NS
Mr. Speaker, in recent weeks we have all heard about the valiant efforts of search and rescue teams on the Labrador Sea.
I am proud to say that the crew members of the Hercules 311 which rescued a crew member aboard a Danish fishing vessel on November 12 were dispatched from CFB Greenwood 14th Wing in my riding of Annapolis Valley-Hants. Members of this crew braved frigid temperatures and blizzard conditions in order to perform their duties.
I also want to recognize the work of the crew members aboard the Canadian forces Griffon helicopter that crashed, and their rescuers who are also from CFB Greenwood 14th Wing, for their bravery in the face of tremendous adversity.
I ask all members of this House to join me in recognizing the outstanding efforts of all those Canadians involved in search and rescue operations. They provide a service for which we should all be thankful.
Philippe Paré Bloc Louis-Hébert, QC
Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Bloc Quebecois, I would like to say we are profoundly disturbed by the intransigence of the Israeli Prime Minister. This week he again defied the Palestinians and the international community by going to the Jewish settlements on the West Bank to support their plans for expansion. Such plans are a real time bomb.
Instead of taking serious risks by pursuing a policy of confrontation, Prime Minister Netanyahu ought to speed up negotiations relating to the peace process and wind up the talks on the Israeli withdrawal from Hebron.
We hope that this new episode, which comes after the tunnel in Jerusalem, will not trigger a new wave of violence. The Canadian government should openly condemn this behaviour by the Israeli authorities.
Diane Ablonczy Reform Calgary North, AB
Mr. Speaker, why is it that Canadians are forced to put up with the elites of this country deciding what is good for us? We saw it when the Tories brought in the GST; people we elected to represent us said: "We don't care about your objections. This is good for you and we are voting for it".
This Prime Minister has followed that elitist tradition. For example, he intends to grant one of our provinces distinct society status even though that would go against the wishes of the majority of Canadians.
Now in the case of Canadian Airlines we have some of the union elites taking hefty dues from workers, then arrogantly telling them that workers are not capable of deciding what is in their own best interest. The CAW and CUPE members of Canadian Airlines should be allowed to decide for themselves whether the restructuring plan is good for them and their families.
The old way of thinking is to have elites tell us what is good for us. The new way of thinking, the Reform way of thinking, is to give Canadians more say, be it in the union halls or in the Parliament of Canada.
Pat O'Brien Liberal London—Middlesex, ON
Mr. Speaker, co-op housing in Canada has a long and successful history. This type of housing has given hundreds of thousands of Canadian families their only realistic opportunity to buy and own their own home. In the city of London and in my riding of London-Middle-
sex, co-op housing is the best solution to the housing needs of many of my constituents.
For many years the federal Government of Canada has played a vital leadership role in ensuring this important housing option is available to Canadians. As the provinces of Canada seek to assume the lead role in the field of housing, it is absolutely necessary that the federal government retain some involvement. My constituents feel that consistent and acceptable national standards in co-op housing will only be assured if the federal government maintains a presence in this vital field.
The irresponsible attacks on the health care system by the governments of Alberta and Ontario have caused serious concerns that the next victim of the right wing slashers will be co-op housing. This government must never let that happen.
Jean Payne Liberal St. John's West, NL
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to remind the House that Sunday, December 1 is World AIDS Day.
It is my hope and also that of all my colleagues in this House that World AIDS Day will further our awareness of AIDS. I hope in particular that it will spur our empathy and support for those suffering from this terrible disease.
I applaud the government's efforts in promoting groundbreaking research through its national AIDS strategy. With the assistance of this government initiative, drugs such as lamivudine, or 3TC, have benefited those who suffer from HIV.
I ask that our government continue its support for this cause and that it continue to engage in a search for therapy, treatment and indeed a cure for HIV.
Brent St. Denis Liberal Algoma, ON
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about the great things that are happening in Elliot Lake in my northern Ontario riding of Algoma. Known as the jewel in the wilderness, Elliot Lake has undergone an amazing transformation in the past few years, moving from a city dependent on uranium mining to one with a diverse economy, a growing population and a renewed sense of optimism.
Innovative efforts like the ongoing mine decommissioning research and Elliot Lake's retirement living program, which has attracted thousands of new residents to the area, have heralded the dawn of a new day for Elliot Lake.
Due to focused and concerted efforts on the part of Mayor George Farkouh, Elliot Lake city council and other community leaders, a number of promising economic diversification initiatives have been launched which should attract new and promising enterprises to the area.
We must build upon the successes to date to ensure this positive trend continues. I call upon both levels of government and the mining companies which benefited for so many years from operations in Elliot Lake to continue their commitment to work with the community to reach its goal of long term economic stability.
Maud Debien Bloc Laval East, QC
Mr. Speaker, teachers, parents and a number of stakeholders met in Ottawa this week to attend a conference on the children of Canada as the future of this country. In doing so, these people want to reiterate their commitment to the children and young people of Quebec and Canada and promote ways to create a better environment for their development.
At the same time, an entirely different event is taking place in Toronto, which also affects children. I am referring to the Canadian conference on young people as consumers. A major objective of this conference is to help companies sell their products to young people.
The Bloc Quebecois agrees with the position taken by teachers and parents who object to the philosophy behind this conference.
We condemn this marketing strategy which is targeted to vulnerable children. We cannot let all the values of our society be subordinated to the sole concept of profit.
Randy White Reform Fraser Valley West, BC
Mr. Speaker, a young girl in my riding was repeatedly sexually assaulted for 90 minutes in a car by Darren Adam Ursel. The terrible things this animal did to her will not be spoken of by me.
I do want to spend some time telling Canadians the disgraceful way Judge Harry Boyle handled the case. Judge Boyle sentenced Ursel to two years less a day conditional sentence, no jail time, and three years probation.
Judge Boyle sent some clear messages to criminals: in rape cases the first one is free; in sexual attacks female victims are no better than the criminals and we should feel sorry for the criminals, not the victims.
Judge Boyle said that Ursel had no criminal record, was remorseful and was trying to deal with the situation.
Darren Adam Ursel is on the streets in our community today. Women should be aware that Judge Harry Boyle put him there.
JusticeStatements By Members
The Speaker
Colleagues, I am always loath to interfere in statements by members, but we should be very careful not to directly attack the character of any of our judges and we were coming very close in that statement.
Eleni Bakopanos Liberal Saint-Denis, QC
Mr. Speaker, the Bloc member for Rosemont used his parliamentary privileges for partisan and unauthorized purposes, that is to support separatist candidates in an election.
He sent 500 letters, at the expense of the House of Commons, to separatist sympathizers in his riding, and even to a few constituents in my riding of Saint-Denis. In these letters, the member for Rosemont invited people to support the candidacy of two well-known separatist militants for the board of directors of a local community service centre, the CLSC La Petite Patrie.
He is not the first Bloc member to do this. His colleague from Laurier-Sainte-Marie also used public funds to promote his wife's candidacy during school elections.
Bloc members can attempt to circumvent all the laws and regulations they want, they will not convince Quebecers of the soundness of their separatist project by stacking boards of directors.
Bernard Patry Liberal Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC
Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the Japanese federation of economic organizations, which made a fact-finding trip to Canada this past September, submitted its report to our Prime Minister.
Let me quote some excerpts from this document. "Following our visit, we now wish to inform our business people of the favourable economic conditions they may find if they invest in Canada. Canada never provided a more conducive environment for Japanese investments".
Then, in reference to Quebec's political context, the federation said: "The Quebec issue is only a slight concern to us. That being said, we may be hesitant to invest in that province".
Generally speaking, we are very pleased with the report. We only hope that the Government of Quebec will put an end to the uncertainty generated by its separatist project, so that Quebec can also benefit from the investments that the Japanese are about to make in Canada.
Michel Gauthier BlocLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Transport made a last minute offer yesterday evening to save Canadian Airlines from financial disaster. He is apparently prepared to provide a rebate on fuel taxes.
My question is for the Minister of Finance. Could the Minister of Finance tell us whether the jet fuel tax rebate the Minister of Transport refers to is just for companies in financial difficulty, as we first learned?