Debates of March 13th, 1996

[The Speaker]

As is our custom, we will now sing O Canada which will be led by the hon. member for Pierrefonds-Dollard.

Canada-United States Twinning Program

[Sarkis Assadourian, Liberal, Don Valley North, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to familiarize the House with my idea to twin Canadian ridings with United States congressional districts.

Twinning Canadian ridings with United States congressional districts would encourage the exchange of ideas and build channels of communication between Canadian and U.S. legislators. The twinning program would provide opportunities for politicians on both sides to gain a better understanding of the problems facing both nations.

One critical aspect of the twinning program is the initial twinning process. I hope to elicit the support of my fellow members of Parliament in determining the possible twinnings. I would greatly appreciate their assistance with this process.

Banks

[Gilles Bernier, Independent, Beauce, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Canadian banks are reporting enormous profits. Great. Shareholders are happy. Banks pay taxes and so do their shareholders. The government has also imposed a 12.5 per cent surtax on the banks. So far, so good.

What I, however, find indecent, prohibitive, shocking, even outrageous, are the interest rates charged by the banks on consumers' credit card balances as well as their service charges on banking transactions.

The government's role is to protect users from this kind of shameless exploitation. Bankers should be called to order. This calls for some serious reflection on the part of these powerful bankers and the government.

Health Services Research Fund

[Sharon Hayes, Reform, Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to challenge the government on its decision to unconditionally spend $65 million on a health services research fund.

I have heard from Canadians from coast to coast who are incensed to learn of the existing Health Canada research funding priorities or lack thereof. For instance in 1994-95 the federal government spent some $43.4 million on the AIDS strategy, yet in the same year it spent a mere $4 million for breast cancer.

All illness traumatizes individuals and families and all death is tragic. However, a total of 10,700 HIV cases with 7,400 deaths since 1980 does nothing to answer to the feeling of abandonment in 1995 alone of the almost 18,000 families affected by breast cancer or the 5,400 who buried their loved ones on account of this epidemic disease.

Clearly this government has demonstrated no supportable criteria for the allocation of precious health care and research resources. How can we trust it with a new arm's length research sinkhole of precious tax dollars?

Employment

[Len Taylor, NDP, The Battlefords—Meadow Lake, SK]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians are starting to understand the failures of the completely unaccountable free market economic system.

Statistics Canada released the results of a study yesterday showing that most of the jobs being created in Canada are low wage often temporary service sector jobs which are demoralizing the

people who must rely on them for their family incomes. This comes at a time when the corporate and government sectors are also downsizing and laying off reasonably well paid long term employees despite their recording of large corporate profits.

The work world is changing dramatically and it is obvious the federal government is pushing the negative aspects of that trend. New Democrats believe that corporations must be accountable. That is why we support the implementation of a new Canadian code of corporate citizenship.

We call on the government to stop apologizing for their friends in the banks and instead ask them to take some of the responsibility for the long term healthy future of the Canadian economy.

[Translation]

Regional Economic Development

[Jean Landry, Bloc, Lotbinière, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I am extremely pleased to salute my riding's local investment association for employment development, which is doing a remarkable job in co-operation with the Lotbinière economic development corporation and the regional county municipality of Lotbinière.

The Lotbinière investment association is very profitable and helpful; by approving 11 applications for a total amount of $495,000-in venture capital, I might add-it has helped maintain 132 jobs and create 73 new ones. In total, 205 jobs were directly affected in my riding of Lotbinière.

To the investment association and the regional county municipality of Lotbinière, I say: "Well done!"

Stan Darling

[Andy Mitchell, Liberal, Parry Sound—Muskoka, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the achievements of a former long serving member of this House. Mr. Stan Darling who served for over 20 years as the member of Parliament in my riding of Parry Sound-Muskoka is not only an accomplished politician, he is now an author as well.

Despite our political differences, I consider Stan a true statesman and a good friend. He is a generous man and that generosity extends to his most recent project with all the profits from the writing of his memoirs being donated to charity.

I congratulate Stan Darling and wish him well as he continues to tell his political tales. Stan Darling, who is visiting with us today in Ottawa, has distinguished himself as a hardworking servant of the people. I salute you Stan.

[The Speaker]

Colleagues, I would remind all of you that I will be giving a reception for our former colleague in my chambers this afternoon at 5 p.m.

National Farm Safety Week

[John Maloney, Liberal, Erie, ON]

Mr. Speaker, today is the last day of National Farm Safety Week.

Farming can be a hazardous occupation. The farm is not only a home but an industrial work site. It has been estimated that 200 people die every year in farm related accidents. Children are especially at risk, with reports indicating that approximately 20 per cent of farm fatalities are youth under the age of 14.

There is no other occupation in Canada where children live on an industrial work site. This makes farm safety a very important issue and something every farm family must work to improve. Farm safety is an important issue that warrants more attention.

I applaud the efforts of the Canadian Coalition for Agricultural Safety and Rural Health, which includes organizations such as Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, to educate the public and to address the serious problems of accidental death and injuries suffered by farmers and their families.

I encourage our farming sector to make a determined effort to eradicate dangerous environments on their lands. Let us all work together to eliminate farm tragedies in 1996 and into the future.

[Rose-Marie Ur, Liberal, Lambton—Middlesex, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Farm Safety Week is being observed Canada wide from March 7 to 13. The 1996 theme is child safety.

The Farm Safety Association has announced that farm related fatalities were down by 21 per cent in 1995. Still, 19 people were killed on Ontario farms during the course of farm work. Of the 19 individuals killed, two were children under the age of 15.

A safety project last year promoted safety among rural children and their families. Parents were reminded that agriculture is the only industry where the home is also an industrial work site, thus placing farm children at an increased risk of injury. I have always lived on a farm and as the member representing the largely agricultural riding of Lambton-Middlesex I know how vitally important farm safety is.

My congratulations to the Farm Safety Association and the 100 agricultural commodity groups and others who have become partners in this very successful project.

Curling

[Charlie Penson, Reform, Peace River, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the Junior Women's World Curling Championships are being held this week in Red Deer, Alberta. I am pleased to say that the team representing Canada curls out of the Grande Prairie Curling Club which is in my riding. The Peace River country has many avid curlers and many teams have competed in national finals.

The Heather Godberson rink joins a long list of accomplished curlers from this region. The team is curling well and at last report is tied for first place. I would like to congratulate the skip, Heather Godberson; third, Carmen Whyte; second, Kristie Moore; lead, Terelyn Bloor; and spare, Rona McGregor on their performance so far.

Curling has played an important role in Canada's culture and heritage. Hundreds of thousands of Canadians enjoy this roaring game.

I wish the members of the Grande Prairie curling team the best of luck in their quest to be the next world champions.

Standing Committee On Justiceand Legal Affairs

[Pierre De Savoye, Bloc, Portneuf, QC]

Mr. Speaker, as part of the organization process of the Standing Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs, the hon. member for Windsor-St. Clair was elected as chairperson while the hon. member for Burlington and the hon. member for Saint-Hubert were elected as vice-chairpersons. I think that this is the first time in our history that three ladies have been appointed to the executive of a House of Commons committee.

Aside from their undeniable talents and skills, what made this selection by the justice committee possible is the fact that these women ran in nomination conventions to begin with, that they had their supporters behind them and that they won the trust of the electorate.

Consequently, their election to the executive of the justice committee was the result of successive decisions made by the people and recognizes the fact that men and women make fundamentally equal and complementary contributions to modern society. May this recognition intensify.

First Baptist Girls Choir

[Dianne Brushett, Liberal, Cumberland—Colchester, NS]

Mr. Speaker, today I would like to welcome the First Baptist Girls Choir from Truro, Nova Scotia to this honourable House. This young choir is an ecumenical group comprised of secondary school girls.

Under the able directorship of Jeff Joudrey, this choir has performed internationally both in Europe and in the United States winning awards of very high acclaim.

During the March break the choir is touring Quebec, Ontario and New Brunswick. I am very pleased that they can enjoy a visit to Parliament Hill today.

Through their music and message of song, these young Canadians are excellent ambassadors for this great country.

I offer my congratulations to the First Baptist Girls Choir of Truro. I invite all members of the House to meet these girls at a reception in the Commonwealth room immediately following question period.

Dunblane School Tragedy

[Jesse Flis, Liberal, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I offer the sympathy and condolences of the government and the people of Canada to the families and friends of the 16 school children and their teacher who were killed in Dunblane, Scotland today. The sudden death of so many children and their teacher strikes the sensibility of all Canadians.

We trust those wounded in this attack will recover completely from their physical wounds. We pray that the psychological scars of the wounded and the children at Dunblane School will be healed.

We share the shock and horror of the people of Dunblane and the whole country at this cruel and wanton act.

Earlier today, Canadian High Commissioner Royce Frith sent the following message on behalf of Canada:

May I express on my own behalf and on behalf of my compatriots, our most profound shock at the horrible events in Dunblane this morning.

Our hearts and warm sympathies go out to the families of those killed and our thoughts and prayers to those injured and their families.

No words are adequate but we hope they and our continuing sympathies will be of some comfort to them during this very time.

Missile Tests

[Ted McWhinney, Liberal, Vancouver Quadra, BC]

Mr. Speaker, missile tests by the People's Republic of China in the straits of Taiwan fall athwart recognized international air corridors used by Canadian Airlines, Air Canada and commercial airlines of other states. These air corridors are established under the ultimate

authority of the United Nations specialized agency, the International Civil Aviation Organization.

We should bring to the urgent attention of the governing council of ICAO this interference with the freedom of the air and the danger to the lives of innocent civilian passengers. We should also ask for appropriate sanctions or control measures to be taken within the Chicago Convention of 1944.

Unemployment Insurance Reform

[René Canuel, Bloc, Matapédia—Matane, QC]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday in Amqui, more than 4,500 people demonstrated against the new employment insurance. Back home, we call it destitution insurance.

In light of the contemptuous and insulting remarks made by the Minister of Human Resources Development regarding union leaders in particular, the people of my riding have every reason to be concerned. Such remarks make us fear for the future.

These demonstrators are not seeking minor reforms. They are rightfully calling for the withdrawal of this bill, no more, no less. A bill which-may I remind you-is unfair and regressive and which creates unemployment and poverty.

You can rest assured, Mr. Speaker, that all Bloc members support the unemployed who are only asking for their fair share.

Reform Party Of Canada

[Ken Epp, Reform, Elk Island, AB]

Mr. Speaker, today is the anniversary of a most significant event in Canadian history. It was on this date in 1989 that the citizens of Beaver River decided there was an alternative to the politics of cynical pragmatism, of winning at all costs, of special interests and backroom deals choking out the national interest. They voted for someone to speak for them, not to them; for a platform of fiscal responsibility and deficit reduction; for democratic reforms to make members of Parliament accountable to their constituents; for fairness and common sense in government.

Yes, seven years ago today the residents of Beaver River used the opportunity of a byelection to send a clear message to Ottawa. They elected the first Reformer to the House of Commons and thereby set off an avalanche of democratic and fiscal reform which cannot be stopped.

In a few days the voters in six ridings can make their mark by sending the same common sense message to Ottawa. The message is the same now as seven-

[The Speaker]

The hon. member for Timmins-Chapleau.

Mining Industry

[Peter Thalheimer, Liberal, Timmins—Chapleau, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the mining industry is very important to Canada's economy, particularly to northern Ontario. Allow me a minute to give an example.

Falconbridge Limited recently announced it will upgrade its smelter in Sudbury over the next two years. It may not sound like much but consider this: this project will create 200 jobs during construction and millions of dollars will be pumped into the northern economy.

The smelter is being upgraded to process ore being shipped from the Raglan project. Falconbridge is investing more than $400 million in the Raglan mine in northern Quebec which should last at least 25 years.

I ask members to consider the jobs, the social benefits and the economic contributions just one mine can make to Canada. I encourage the government and all members to support the mining industry in Canada.

Quebec's English Speaking Community

[Robert Bertrand, Liberal, Pontiac—Gatineau—Labelle, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the PQ premier invited prominent people representing Quebec's English speaking community to an important meeting that took place in Montreal on Monday evening.

The event was really meant to be an opportunity for the new PQ leader to rebuild bridges with Quebec's English speaking community, following the unfortunate comments made by his predecessor on the evening of October 30.

We salute Mr. Bouchard's initiative, which shows a willingness to get closer to an important community in Quebec and to co-operate with it. However, like the majority of the participants in that meeting, we deplore the fact that the PQ leader stubbornly wants to pursue, even against the will of the people, his objective of separating Quebec from the rest of Canada.

If he sincerely wants to get Quebec's economy back on track and improve public finances, the PQ leader must set aside the main obstacle to his province's economic well-being, namely his plan for separation.

Unemployment Insurance Reform

[Michel Gauthier, Bloc, Roberval, QC]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday in this House the Minister of Human Resources Development continued full steam ahead with his attack against not only those demonstrating against his planned cuts to unemployment insurance, but the labour leaders as well, who are also protesting these unacceptable measures the government wishes to implement.

Does the Minister of Human Resources Development still believe today that the 4,500 people in Amqui who demonstrated against his planned unemployment insurance cuts are professional agitators?

[The Speaker]

The Leader of the Opposition has the floor.

[Michel Gauthier, Bloc, Roberval, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Human Resources Development has nothing more to say here in this House than he has to say to Canada's unemployed.

The minister wants people to have confidence in him, because it appears a consultation process is going to be starting up on the planned unemployment insurance reform. What can the public expect from a consultation which starts off with confrontations between the minister and the key witnesses who will be called before the commission?

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

Mr. Speaker, it is important to treat such a problematical matter seriously. I can assure the Leader of the Opposition that, in the consultations to be held with the parliamentary committee, we will be consulting many more people, taking care to listen, to evaluate what they have to say.

There will be a greater number of people consulted on bill C-12 than there were involved in selecting the Leader of the Opposition.

[Michel Gauthier, Bloc, Roberval, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the minister is talking about something he knows nothing about, since obviously he will never be selected leader of his party. Instead of being concerned about the Leader of the Opposition, he ought to be concerned about the unemployed, for whom he is responsible.

The minister is announcing major amendments to his bill. It would appear that his mind is already made up, yet he is talking about consultations. Will he finally admit that his intention to cut benefits to all Canadian unemployed persons is indeed already finalized and his decisions have already been secretly included in the Minister of Finance's calculations?