Debates of March 12th, 1996

Reform Party

[Brenda Chamberlain, Liberal, Guelph—Wellington, ON]

Mr. Speaker, we have recently learned of Club R, a reward system for Reformers who get points for letters to the editor and other mailings.

We have a few suggestions for prizes. Fifty letters to the editor gets you a pair of binoculars so that you can look for Conservatives in your desperate attempt for official opposition status. One hundred letters to the editor gets you a waffle iron. We all know how much Reformers like to waffle. With 200 letters to the editor, the leader's office would get six months of plumbing to stop those nasty leaks.

Sadly all of these gifts must be returned once they are received because we all know that Reformers never keep their promises. Once they are returned, Club R members will learn what every other Canadian already knows, there are no rewards to being a Reformer.

Krever Commission

[Bonnie Brown, Liberal, Oakville—Milton, ON]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Minister of Health announced he was taking the lead in making Canada's blood system the safest in the world.

Justice Krever made 43 recommendations in his report on the blood system in Canada. Seven of those were aimed at the federal government. It has now responded to all seven.

Now the government is going even further. It is responding to the challenge of leadership. It is going to the provinces and territories where it will renew and redefine the blood system for the benefit of all Canadians.

More than 300,000 Canadians receive transfusions of blood and blood products each year. It is a vital element of our health system and one that demands care and attention. This government is placing on it the emphasis that it deserves.

Dictée Des Amériques

[Pierrette Venne, Bloc, Saint-Hubert, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Jean-François Bouthillette, a student at the international school in Saint-Hubert, will take part in the international finals of the third Dictée des Amériques, which will be broadcast on Radio-Québec and around the world.

On Saturday, March 30, Jean-François will compete against champion spellers from 11 countries in America and Europe. The finalists will meet in the Quebec National Assembly's red room to take the dictation, which will be given by the songwriter Luc Plamondon.

The finalists were chosen among 37,000 secondary IV and V students from 168 schools throughout Quebec. This competition gets more popular with every passing year. This year, close to 6,000 people in Quebec competed in the Dictée des Amériques in the general public category.

Congratulations, Jean-François, on winning this round and good luck during the next one.

Montreal Forum

[Laurent Lavigne, Bloc, Beauharnois—Salaberry, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Montreal Forum has been the home of many acclaimed stars. Who can forget Maurice and Henri Richard, Butch Bouchard, Jean Béliveau, Guy Lafleur, Guy Carbonneau, Serge Savard, Bob Gainey and many others. Yesterday, the curtain fell on Quebec's most popular venue after 72 years, 2,322 games and 16 Stanley cups. Of all the incidents that occurred at the Montreal

Forum, one really stands out: the March 17, 1955 riot that broke out after Clarence Campbell decided to ban Maurice Richard from the playoffs.

Today, the Bloc Quebecois wishes to pay tribute to the thousands of employees who worked at the forum in the course of those 72 years and thank them for their outstanding dedication. The forum will remain forever etched in the collective memory of Quebecers and Canadians, since it occupied a central place in our sports and cultural life.

Bloc Quebecois

[Jim Hart, Reform, Okanagan—Similkameen—Merritt, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on behalf of Canadians from across the country who have contacted me as the national defence critic for the Reform Party of Canada.

These Canadians have been offended by the October 26 communiqué released by Her Majesty's loyal opposition. The Bloc Quebecois calls for Quebec members of the Canadian Armed Forces-

[The Speaker]

This matter is now before the House and I would rule that out of order.

The Budget

[Joe McGuire, Liberal, Egmont, PE]

Mr. Speaker, a statement in the Minister of Finance's excellent budget of March 6 reads:

-the present restriction on banks selling insurance will be maintained. The present framework for selling insurance through agents and brokers will be preserved. The white paper concerning this and all other aspects still under review will be released in the coming weeks.

The reaction of members of the House and Canadians generally shows that this was one of the most popular measures of the entire budget.

This prohibition of banks selling insurance to their branches should be followed by a prohibition of banks entering into the automobile leasing market. Due to the role banks play in the financing of present leasing operations they would enjoy an almost insurmountable advantage over existing automobile leasing operations.

In 1994 banks financed over 40 per cent of car leases, giving banks the additional right to be commercial lessors. This would allow them an unfair advantage over consumers, as well as seriously disadvantaged private companies involved in the vehicle leasing market.

Members of Parliament from both sides of the House should ensure that this not be allowed to happen.

The Forum

[Sheila Finestone, Liberal, Mount Royal, QC]

Mr. Speaker, last night we bid adieu to the Forum as the Canadiens played their last game in that building. The cheers and tears of those in the stands testified to its special place in the hearts, minds and memories of Montrealers.

Over the past 72 years the Forum has had high points of cultural expression which link the diversity of our people.

The forum was a place for all Montrealers, whether they were anglophones or francophones.

Memories span the interests of many beyond hockey. There were events for every age and stage of life.

Let us not forget the turning point of the 1980 referendum, the big "rally of the Yvettes", at which 15,000 women gathered to say yes to Canada and sing no to separation.

We could also add fantasy and grace, spring and fall, at the Ice Capades and Ice Follies. Drama, hype, the big voice and rock and roll shows-

-the joys of the circus for children, and so on.

Just as the torch was passed on from generation to generation of great Montreal Canadians hockey players, today, the forum's tradition is being handed on to the Molson Centre, a symbol of renewal. We are ready. We will keep on winning.

Nisga'A Land Claims

[Mike Scott, Reform, Skeena, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister would do well to affix a sign on the Indian affairs minister's desk in the House to read: "Engage brain at least 10 seconds before engaging mouth". If he were to do that it might cut down the excess of bovine scatology emanating from that end of the House.

Aside from the minister's bizarre and outrageous comments, he has now taken to making blatantly false statements in the House, such as the one he made yesterday when he said that I had never raised the Nisga'a land claim issue in this Chamber.

He back-pedalled furiously when challenged and said he meant to say that I had never taken sides with the Nisga'a. He reveals himself. To him resolving native land claims is all about taking sides. Small wonder the editorial page of the Toronto Star recently described the Liberals thus: ``The federal Liberals are the walking dead. They seem vibrant but the centre is empty. Poke at them and you can feel the dry rot.''

Taiwan

[Michel Gauthier, Bloc, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, the events in China at the moment are extremely perturbing. The Minister of Foreign Affairs yesterday met with the Chinese ambassador for the second time in three days in order to express Canada's deep concern over the crisis between China and Taiwan.

My question is for whoever can answer on behalf of the government. With the crisis in the Taiwan Strait escalating daily and the United States' decision to deploy a number of ships there, would the minister or the secretary of state inform this House of the discussions between the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese ambassador and of the Government of Canada's position in this matter?

[Raymond Chan, Liberal, Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific)]

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased the opposition has asked this question.

The foreign affairs minister has met with the Chinese ambassador in Ottawa to express our deepest concerns about the situation in the Taiwan Strait. We continue to advocate that the political differences between Taiwan and China should be resolved politically and peacefully.

Because of our strategic importance in the Asia-Pacific region any escalation of tensions in that region would impact on Canadian interests. This is why we have advocated to the Chinese and the Taiwanese that any miscalculation of actions on either side would be very harmful to the situation in the strait.

[Michel Gauthier, Bloc, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, given the upcoming presidential elections in Taiwan, to be held on March 23, and the strong warning given the Chinese authorities by the American secretary of state, what position will the Canadian government take should the Chinese government continue its intimidating manoeuvres?

[Raymond Chan, Liberal, Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific)]

We understand, Mr. Speaker, that the tension is continuing to build up.

We have expressed our concern to the Chinese government. Hopefully it could start winding down those tensions in the strait. The United States deploying vessels to stand by in areas of interest is no reason to interpret this as anything but a cautious and prudent move.

[Michel Gauthier, Bloc, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, could the secretary of state tell us if meetings are planned between Canada and its allies in the coming days in an effort to find ways to make the Chinese officials listen to reason? Does the Government of Canada intend putting this matter before the Security Council?

[Raymond Chan, Liberal, Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific)]

Mr. Speaker, I think it is inappropriate for us to comment on any discussions we are trying to have with our allies. It is important that all western democracies express their concerns about the situation.

Unemployment Insurance Reform

[Francine Lalonde, Bloc, Mercier, QC]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Human Resources Development. The minister said yesterday that those who protest against the UI reform are being led on by bored and lazy seasonal workers. Bored and lazy. He added, and I quote the press release:

"These guys have to find something to do every Sunday. Some people drive around the block, some people go to the movies, some go to demonstrations. I guess it just depends on what turns them on".

This is what the minister thinks of the unemployed.

Given the current situation, how can the minister make such comments on protesters and unemployed workers? Does he not realize that his primary responsibility is to understand them, help them, protect them, including within cabinet, and not to belittle them, or worse, to despise them?

[Douglas Young, Liberal, Minister of Human Resources Development]

Mr. Speaker, the first responsibility of any member of this House is always the same: to be honest and tell the truth.

This is a principle which I have been applying for a long time. I have so much respect for the hon. member that I know she believes the comments attributed to me are truly what I said.

The hon. member should read the report published by the Canadian Press in the paper L'Acadie nouvelle . The comments reported in that article are absolutely accurate. The comments that I made yesterday to the media and that were reported in L'Acadie nouvelle truly reflect my opinion.

And my opinion is this: the professional agitators who organize protests-and I named the two gentlemen in question, Yvon Godin and Mr. Basque-have been known for a long time. These people should find better things to do on a Sunday afternoon than going from protest to protest and raising the emotions and concerns of people who are being exploited by union leaders. I am also deeply concerned that the hon. member wants to do the same.

Because the quote was read in English, I want to be absolutely accurate. I have said that I understand the problems faced by people who have concerns about the reform to the unemployment insurance legislation.

The report in the Canadian Press, the report in the Telegraph Journal , the report in L'Acadie Nouvelle were accurate. I know the hon. member would want to check the facts before she attributes statements to me where I would allege that anybody on unemployment who was walking in those demonstrations was lazy or not doing their job properly. What I said was that well-paid people like Bob White, Basque and Godin who work the year round agitating the poor and the unemployed should stop exploiting vulnerable people in our society.

[Francine Lalonde, Bloc, Mercier, QC]

They are upset. Mr. Speaker, government members are all worked up following this call from a labour confederation president to condemn the government. Yet, this person does his job just as honourably as the minister.

If it were not for labour confederations and organized groups, we would not often hear about the hardships and problems of the unemployed. We would not hear anything about their plight.

Mr. Speaker, I ask the minister to retract his comments.

[Douglas Young, Liberal, Minister of Human Resources Development]

Mr. Speaker, it is very, very important when we are dealing with people in our society. Real men and real women with real families and real problems every day are concerned about what they have to face when they are unemployed.

I will spend my political career and my political capital defending the people I represent. The hon. member can spend her time with her friends like Bob White who makes more money than she does and more money than I do going around exploiting the poor people of northern New Brunswick.

Goods And Services Tax

[Preston Manning, Reform, Calgary Southwest, AB]

Mr. Speaker, in the last election the Liberals went around promising to abolish, scrap and kill the GST. It was a cornerstone of their campaign. When Liberal candidates went from door to door they were not talking about harmonizing the GST; they were talking about abolishing and scrapping an iniquitous tax.

The government has clearly broken its promise. It is making matters worse by denying that it broke that promise. Now when that is not working, the Minister of Finance has the nerve to blame the provinces for his failure to keep that promise.

Why will the government not simply admit that it has no intention of ever scrapping, abolishing or killing the GST?

[Doug Peters, Liberal, Secretary of State (International Financial Institutions)]

Mr. Speaker, must we repeat again that we promised to replace the GST. The GST and the provincial sales tax, according to consumer groups, business groups and all consumer advocates is not a good system. What we need is a harmonized system. That is what we said we would do and that is what we will do.

[Preston Manning, Reform, Calgary Southwest, AB]

Mr. Speaker, this is not an argument about semantics or interpretation, it is a matter of credibility.

On October 18, 1993 the Deputy Prime Minister publicly promised to resign if the GST was not abolished. That cannot be denied. Over two years later it is quite obvious that the government has no intention of getting rid of either the GST or the Deputy Prime Minister. It is stuck with both of those millstones around its neck.

Why did the government ever make a promise, especially on the vital subject of taxation, that it had neither the will nor the political courage to keep?

[Doug Peters, Liberal, Secretary of State (International Financial Institutions)]

Mr. Speaker, not only did we say we would replace the GST and not scrap it, we asked the Standing Committee on Finance to examine the various options for reform. The committee consulted with Canadians and with tax experts and recommended a national harmonized tax, which I might add the Reform Party members on that committee endorsed.

I repeat that business, consumer advocates and consumer groups have all said a harmonized system would be best. Is the Reform Party now going to say we are better off with the system we have?

We want a harmonized system. We will work toward that and we will get it.

[Preston Manning, Reform, Calgary Southwest, AB]

Mr. Speaker, this is about a broken promise and the finance minister attempting to download the responsibility onto the provinces.

The government has perfected the art of passing the buck. When it almost lost the country in the last referendum, it blamed Daniel Johnson. When it cannot deliver on its promise of jobs, jobs, jobs, it blames the private sector. Now when it cannot deliver on the promise of revoking the GST, it is the fault of the provinces.

Why does the government not accept responsibility for these events, starting with the broken GST promise instead of always blaming others for its own failures?

[Doug Peters, Liberal, Secretary of State (International Financial Institutions)]

Mr. Speaker, we are not blaming others, but the fact is it does take two sides to make an agreement.

Again, business groups and consumer groups have said that a harmonized tax system is best. That is what we promised in the red book. That is what I promised when I went door to door in my constituency. I said we would harmonize it and that is what we will do.