House of Commons Hansard #113 of the 35th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was firefighters.
Jean Chrétien LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, the law is clear. We do not have the right under the law to make public cabinet documents produced under previous prime ministers. The law is very clear on that.
Grant Hill Reform Macleod, AB
Mr. Speaker, the Canada Evidence Act clearly gives discretion to the Prime Minister. It does not preclude those documents being released at all.
In fact, Krever tried to get Monique Bégin to testify at the inquiry. Her lawyer said "no way". Let us get that excuse out of the way as well. Now the Prime Minister, as we look for open disclosure, is saying "no way".
Will the Prime Minister make the right decision this time and release those documents of truth to Krever?
Maurice Bernier Bloc Mégantic—Compton—Stanstead, QC
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Human Resources Development. I hope to have more luck than my colleagues in getting an answer from the minister.
In its report tabled in October, the Liberal task force on people with disabilities recommended that the federal government continue to financially support national organizations for people with disabilities. In its report, the group said that the federal government's commitment in that respect should include, but not be limited to, core funding totalling $5 million per year.
Can the minister tell us if this recommendation means that the financing of all organizations promoting the rights of people with disabilities will be restored to pre-1994 levels?
Pierre Pettigrew LiberalMinister of Human Resources Development
Mr. Speaker, before answering the opposition member's question, I should first congratulate the hon. member for Fredericton-York-Sunbury, and all the members of his task force whose exceptional work contributed to a greater understanding of people with disabilities.
I must tell you that the Minister of National Revenue, the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Justice and myself were impressed by the quality of their work. The recommendation regarding the financing of organizations for people with disabilities was taken under consideration and we will follow up on it at the earliest opportunity.
Maurice Bernier Bloc Mégantic—Compton—Stanstead, QC
Mr. Speaker, this is unbelievable. I have never seen such a bad performance in the House before. The minister can congratulate his colleagues, he can tell me to get lost, but when it comes to people with disabilities, we expect action from the government, not just lip service.
Let the minister wait. I am not through with my question. In any case, we are in no hurry, because we will not get an answer. Will the minister admit that his inaction amounts to shelving the report of his Liberal colleagues and confirms his contempt for the needs of people with disabilities?
Pierre Pettigrew LiberalMinister of Human Resources Development
Mr. Speaker, comments by the opposition accusing us of showing contempt for people with disabilities are totally uncalled for. The reason people have so little respect for politicians is because we do not debate issues more intelligently. I am sorry, but this sanctimonious tone by people who do not even have an agenda is totally uncalled for.
What I can tell you is that I was very proud, last week, when the ministerial council on Canada's social union, which is co-chaired by Minister Stockwell Day, representing the provinces, and myself, made the plight of people with disabilities a top priority. We are looking at the reality faced by these people, because Canada needs their full commitment.
Beryl Gaffney Liberal Nepean, ON
Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Against all democratic principles, the Serbian government has refused to honour the local elections that recently took place in Belgrade and other cities. Citizens have taken to the streets to demonstrate to show their outrage over abuse of authority.
Could the secretary tell me what our government is doing to defend the rights of citizens of the federal republic of Yugoslavia in order that they may enjoy free and democratic elections?
Francis Leblanc LiberalParliamentary Secretary to Minister of Foreign Affairs
Mr. Speaker, Canada is deeply concerned that Belgrade has chosen to ignore accepted international norms for conducting democratic elections.
Today in London at the peace implementation conference for Bosnia, where Serbian leaders were present, the Minister of Foreign Affairs voiced Canada's concern that opposition candidates in Serbia have been deprived of their rightful places on local councils.
He also drew attention to the closure by the council of the federal republic of Yugoslavia of independent radio stations, an affront to democratic principles.
In Belgrade Canada's ambassadors conveyed to the government of the federal republic of Yugoslavia our serious concerns. Are you listening?
Francis Leblanc Liberal Cape Breton Highlands—Canso, NS
They urged authorities to exercise constraint in dealing with peaceful demonstrations. Canada will continue to follow with great care developments in Serbia. We have made it clear to the government of the federal republic of Yugoslavia that its failure to respect the democratic process and ensure full media freedom could have an impact on the pace and content-
Elwin Hermanson Reform Kindersley—Lloydminster, SK
Mr. Speaker, after three years of waiting farmers now see the agriculture minister's totally inadequate blueprint for changes to the Canadian Wheat Board.
Farmers wanted a more accountable, flexible and transparent wheat board, one they could govern and call their own. Instead, the minister is proposing a powerless, partially elected board where the minister calls the shots.
Ontario wheat boards have had their own farmers direct the boards for many years and, believe it or not, have been able to manage their own affairs.
Why does the minister show such blatant disregard and lack of respect for Canadian farmers by not proposing that they run their own wheat board?
Ralph Goodale LiberalMinister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
Mr. Speaker, the legislation that we have put before the House of Commons does in fact provide for a more accountable, more flexible, more transparent Canadian Wheat Board, to use the language of the hon. gentleman.
It does call for a majority of the board of directors of the Canadian Wheat Board to be elected by farmers across western Canada and of course the board itself will be accountable to that new board of directors including a producer elected majority.
The fundamental difference between this government and that party is that party has an agenda with respect to the Canadian Wheat Board that would utterly destroy the institution and this government will defend it.
Elwin Hermanson Reform Kindersley—Lloydminster, SK
Mr. Speaker, I do not think the minister has read his own bill.
The primary reason to reform the wheat board was to allow farmers to actually manage the board that they pay for. Instead, the minister wishes to retain his tight leash on the board by handing out the key management positions himself. He will appoint the chairman of the board. He will appoint the CEO of the Canadian Wheat Board. Can the minister not see that farmers want a board that is accountable to them and not to him?
Why does the minister feel that a farmer elected board of directors is incapable of choosing its own chairman and selecting and hiring its own CEO?
Ralph Goodale LiberalMinister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
Mr. Speaker, the fundamental point is that the direction and control of the Canadian Wheat Board will be placed in the hands of a board of directors, the majority of which will be producer elected across western Canada. The hon. gentleman fundamentally misunderstands corporate governance.
René Laurin Bloc Joliette, QC
Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to the revenue minister.
For a number of months now, the disabled have run up against the inflexibility of Revenue Canada officials in the application of the disability tax credit and a number of other tax measures affecting them. The official opposition voted in favour of a Liberal motion that should serve as a guide to the government if it truly wishes to respect the disabled.
Given the obvious and urgent need to review all tax measures that affect the disabled, what recommendations will the minister make to her colleague, the Minister of Finance, in order to resolve this unacceptable situation?
Jane Stewart LiberalMinister of National Revenue
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member is referring to the disability tax credit. As I have mentioned several times in the House, my department is
working proactively and co-operatively with people who have made applications for that particular credit. The advice and direction has been given to our tax centres across the country to deal in a humane and compassionate way with individuals who have had complexities and difficulties with the department on this particular tax credit. But we apply the law as it stands right now.
As my hon. colleague, the Minister of Human Resources Development, mentioned just a few moments ago, he along with the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Justice and myself will be responding to a very good and thorough report presented to us by members of our caucus with specific focus on ways to improve those programs that we have to help Canadians with disabilities to participate actively and as full citizens in our country.
John Cummins Reform Delta, BC
Mr. Speaker, in a recent decision a federal court judge found that the Department of Fisheries and Oceans manipulated a consultative process in establishing halibut quota in B.C. He also stated that a DFO official's unwillingness to face the obvious meaning of his own words caused the judge to doubt the reliability of the evidence offered in defence of the minister's, DFO's and his own position. The judge found that DFO rigged the vote to get the result it wanted. He said that rules were simply broken because it was necessary to do so to reach the planned objective.
Does the minister condone the actions of his officials and, if not, what is he going to do about it?
Fred Mifflin LiberalMinister of Fisheries and Oceans
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member and this House know that this is a court ruling and I am not going to comment on that.
Paddy Torsney Liberal Burlington, ON
Mr. Speaker, in a recent media release the Reform critic for the status of women said that the women she talks to despise the notion of equality used by the status of women, that the Department of the Status of Women is forcing society to change in ways that most Canadians would not choose for themselves.
Could the secretary of state tell the House how status of women is helping Canada become a better society for all Canadians?
Hedy Fry LiberalSecretary of State (Multiculturalism)(Status of Women)
Mr. Speaker, not only that but the critic also said that she did not think women needed special programs.
This is a country in which 90 per cent of families headed by women are poor. This is a country in which one woman is shot every six days.
The hon. member does not even understand the status of women in this country. Canada is a country that believes in removing the barriers to every individual so they achieve their potential and be able to be independent contributors to society.
This is what status of women does. It is a pity that Reform Party members do not even understand that fundamental value.
Len Taylor NDP The Battlefords—Meadow Lake, SK
Mr. Speaker, yesterday Louise Comeau on behalf of people everywhere who are concerned about the future of the planet pointed out that Canada is not going to meet its international commitments on climate change. It appears that federal and provincial ministers will do nothing to rectify this deplorable situation when they meet on December 12.
Will the Minister of the Environment reaffirm his personal commitment today and tell the House and the people of Canada that on December 12 he will acknowledge that Canada is not doing enough and that he will talk about concrete measures which will actually reduce greenhouse gas emissions to ensure Canada meets its international obligations by the year 2005?
Sergio Marchi LiberalMinister of the Environment
Mr. Speaker, let me thank the hon. member for his question. It was the federal government at the recent CCME meeting of federal-provincial ministers of the environment that put climate change on the agenda in preparation for the meeting that my colleague, the natural resources minister, and I will attend.
We have been very clear and transparent with the Canadian public that we made international commitments in 1992, as did the international community, and it is time that the international community meets its obligations.
We have also said that Canada, together with most of the world, is falling behind in meeting those obligations. It is imperative that the federal government, together with the provincial government ministers of the environment and energy try to do everything in their power to come up with new initiatives to improve the voluntary program so we can, together with the world, meet our obligations together with industry and the NGO community.
Presence In GalleryOral Question Period
The Speaker
I draw the attention of hon. members to the presence in the gallery of Her Excellency, Carme Sala Sansa, Minister of Education, Youth and Sport for the Principality of Andorra.