House of Commons Hansard #19 of the 35th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was main.

Topics

Canada Transportation ActGovernment Orders

10:45 a.m.

Liberal

Don Boudria Liberal Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON

Mr. Speaker, for greater clarity in regard to the unanimous consent that was given some 10 minutes ago where the motions are all deemed to have been read, I believe that for the purpose of the record it should have been said at the time that Motions Nos. 2, 28, 29 and 30 should have been deemed to have been moved by the hon. member for Mackenzie and deemed to have been seconded by the hon. member for Regina-Qu'Appelle.

Motion No. 31 should have been deemed to have been moved by the hon. member for Blainville-Deux-Montagnes and deemed to have been seconded by the hon. member for Louis-Hébert.

Motion No. 32 should have been deemed to have been moved by the hon. member for Mackenzie, seconded by the hon. member for Regina-Qu'Appelle.

Motion No. 35 should have been deemed moved by the Minister of Transport, seconded by the minister of fisheries.

Motions Nos. 36, 37 and 38 should have been deemed moved by the hon. member for Kootenay West-Revelstoke, seconded by the member for Calgary Centre.

Motions Nos. 39 to 55 should have been deemed to have been moved by the hon. member for Mackenzie and seconded by the hon. member for Regina-Qu'Appelle.

Canada Transportation ActGovernment Orders

10:45 a.m.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Kilger)

I thank the chief government whip. I believe that procedurally now the table officers and everyone else can rest comfortably. We are up to speed.

Canada Transportation ActGovernment Orders

10:45 a.m.

NDP

Vic Althouse NDP Mackenzie, SK

Mr. Speaker, I rise to support the concept that drives all of the motions which are before the House in this grouping, namely that the act should apply to main lines equally as it applies to branch lines. The abandonment of a main line would fall under the same requirements of the abandonment of a branch line.

This was a shortcoming in the previous act. Had the previous act recognized that railways may someday want to abandon main lines, the motion today by my hon. friend from Saint John would not have been required because no one foresaw that the main line to her region was in fact abandoned. No one had taken that into account and the act ignored the problem.

I am from the province of Saskatchewan which is crossed by four main line railways. The farmers and shippers who use those main lines would like to have some assurance that the railways could not just willy-nilly abandon those main lines, that they would have to submit to some sort of process.

These rather detailed amendments do in fact outline a process which would require those railways before abandonment to show their costs and their losses. They would have to make a case for why they think they have to abandon these lines. Those numbers would be made public so that the shippers and users of those lines would have access to them in trying to make their case for maintaining the line to the agency which will make the final decision.

With regard to the one or two amendments that refer to provinces and provincial governments being involved, you are darn right they have to be involved, Mr. Speaker. They are the ones who are going to have to pick up the slack and pay for the cost of the highways and the road system to take the place of the abandoned railway.

I make no apologies for having those requirements in there. I think the concept of railways wanting to abandon main lines is for some reason in a state of denial in this place, in spite of the fact that pieces of main lines have been abandoned and are being considered for abandonment and resale. I hope most members of the House will agree that those requirements of railways for abandoning stretches of a main line should be precisely the same requirements as we put them through when they abandon a branch line.

Just because the government members and the Department of Transport are in a state of denial saying that railways will never abandon main lines does not mean it should not be in the bill. I note the case by the member for Saint John where a main line was abandoned. There have been proposals to abandon slices of main line in northern Ontario. There are proposals to abandon here and there. We have service across the prairie region for collecting grain of four main lines.

When we look at any of the maps into the future, most of the railways are considering having to abandon some of those main lines. If they are going to be doing that, then the restrictions on abandoning a main line should at least be equivalent to the restrictions applied to abandoning a branch line.

I cannot see why some of the members would go into a state of denial by simply putting forward the same requirements for abandoning a piece of main line as we already have accepted for a number of years should apply to abandoning a branch line.

I would hope that those members who have already stated their position would reconsider. They are doing the communities served by what are known now as main lines a disservice if Bill C-14, the bill that will guide the transportation future of this country does not contain such clauses.

Canada Transportation ActGovernment Orders

10:50 a.m.

Reform

Jim Gouk Reform Kootenay West—Revelstoke, BC

Mr. Speaker, I wonder if we could seek unanimous consent to have me speak very briefly on this same set in response to what the hon. member has just mentioned. There are other members who perhaps can talk on this but I can keep it very short and succinct and address from the committee's perspective why it has taken the position it has for the enlightenment of the member who just spoke.

Canada Transportation ActGovernment Orders

10:50 a.m.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Kilger)

Is there unanimous consent.

Canada Transportation ActGovernment Orders

10:50 a.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

Canada Transportation ActGovernment Orders

10:50 a.m.

Reform

Jim Gouk Reform Kootenay West—Revelstoke, BC

Mr. Speaker, under the former system, rail abandonment took place after the railroad could prove financial hardship. Therefore, any rail company that wanted to abandon a railroad first made absolutely certain it had financial hardship, even though it may not have existed. I have spoken to the rail companies and they will never admit this on record but it is undeniable.

What the rail companies do is they first demarcate the line. In the case of a rail line abandonment in my own riding they wrote a confidential trucking contract to a reload centre so that the customer would be gone and would not exist on that rail line.

The second thing is they do absolute minimal maintenance. They do not break any safety standards but they do the minimal maintenance which may mean running their cars at half loads, at five kilometres an hour over the track so that it requires prohibitive capital investment if someone else were to come in or if they were ordered to continue to operate that line. Ultimately, they get abandonment but by that time no short line operator in their right mind is going to come in and buy this line that needs this tremendous capital infusion and has no customers.

The intent of the new abandonment procedures contained in the bill is to ensure that does not happen. As the hon. member has suggested, if they start putting all kinds of restrictions and prohibitions in the way of the rail companies, they would simply revert to the old system and we will not get any short line development in this country.

The new system allows a rail company to sell off a line or abandon it. It is the company's choice. The company first has to offer the line, market it publicly by a set series of advertisements and a time parameter set out in this bill. If it does not find a customer, it then has to offer it to the federal government, then the provincial government, then the local government at net salvage value without first demarcating and running the line into the ground.

The bill will enhance the viability of any lines considered for abandonment. I have talked to short line operators who are eager to expand their networks and to increase-

Canada Transportation ActGovernment Orders

10:55 a.m.

NDP

Vic Althouse NDP Mackenzie, SK

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. The House granted the hon. member the right to explain why he opposed the inclusion of main lines in the legislation. He has not once mentioned main lines. He has dealt with branch lines. He has not fulfilled the promise in his remarks. I suggest we should move on or have him get to the topic.

Canada Transportation ActGovernment Orders

10:55 a.m.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Kilger)

I can only apply the rules of the House. Unanimous consent was granted. Certainly that is available to each and every member at any occasion. I remind the House we only have a few minutes before we move on to members' statements and question period.

The hon. member for Mackenzie respectfully was engaging in debate.

Canada Transportation ActGovernment Orders

10:55 a.m.

Reform

Jim Gouk Reform Kootenay West—Revelstoke, BC

Mr. Speaker, I will wrap this up and address-

Canada Transportation ActGovernment Orders

10:55 a.m.

NDP

Vic Althouse NDP Mackenzie, SK

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a new point of order. Perhaps I was not clear enough. The reason the House granted the member the right to additional remarks was for him to clarify the position on main lines. He has not once mentioned main lines and I-

Canada Transportation ActGovernment Orders

10:55 a.m.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Kilger)

Again we are engaging in debate. With the greatest respect to all members of the House, the Chair does not grant unanimous consent; the membership, the House itself, grants one of its members unanimous consent. The Chair cannot withdraw that unanimous consent.

With the greatest of respect again, the hon. member for Mackenzie has a point a view but which very respectfully is not a point of order.

I see The Speaker is now here and I assume we will now proceed to members' statements and question period. I will be back following that and we will resume the debate at report stage.

Canada Transportation ActGovernment Orders

10:55 a.m.

The Speaker

Colleagues, it being 11 a.m., we will now proceed to Statements by Members.

ImmigrationStatements By Members

10:55 a.m.

Liberal

Paul Szabo Liberal Mississauga South, ON

Mr. Speaker, this morning the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration announced the establishment of four centres of excellence for research on immigration and integration.

Located in Montreal, Toronto, Edmonton and Vancouver, these centres represent the combined talents of 15 of Canada's leading universities. Their objective is to examine the impact of immigration on cities around the world and to identify the best ways to promote successful integration. Their partners include local community groups, private sector organizations, international experts and governments at all levels.

A number of federal departments and agencies are collaborating to fund this visionary project because it has enormous practical applications in city planning, health services, housing and education to mention a few. Numerous countries will watch and learn from the work done at these centres which are Canada's major contribution to the international Metropolis research project.

MiningStatements By Members

10:55 a.m.

Reform

Darrel Stinson Reform Okanagan—Shuswap, BC

Mr. Speaker, yesterday I heard the president of the Mining Association of Canada testify before the natural resources committee. I was sorry to hear him say that the mining industry remains very disappointed at the pace of improving federal mining regulations.

The media claim that the natural resources minister wants binding timelines for environmental reviews. That would be a good start, but many other improvements are needed.

As a Liberal member of the committee pointed out, mining approvals in our NAFTA partner, Mexico, commonly take six months. In Canada it can take two to ten years.

I supported the committee's interim report on improving mining regulations which was tabled in December. The government is allowed 150 days to produce a believable response. I urge the government to use its time well and be able to announce it has achieved clarity, promptness and certainty in mining regulations, not just more good intentions tied up in government red tape.

RefugeesStatements By Members

10:55 a.m.

NDP

Simon de Jong NDP Regina—Qu'Appelle, SK

Mr. Speaker, our country is about to close its doors to refugees who travel through the United States to get here, which is approximately one-third of refugee claimants.

The proposed Canada-U.S. agreement allows for the returning of a refugee to whichever of the two countries they had reached first. The U.S. has a sorry record when it comes to dealing with refugees, especially those from South and Central America. It has a record of rejecting and refouling 98 per cent of refugee claimants from El Salvador and Guatemala. Amnesty International has warned that the U.S. is not a safe destination for refugees.

This proposed agreement is just another example of the downsizing to the lowest common denominator. It strips away compassion from our society. It abrogates our moral responsibility to those fellow human beings fleeing danger and persecution. It makes our country less.

This agreement will be signed by a Liberal government that in opposition strenuously opposed this measure. Concerned Canadians would say, shame to this government.

World Meteorological DayStatements By Members

10:55 a.m.

Liberal

Ron Fewchuk Liberal Selkirk—Red River, MB

Mr. Speaker, every year on March 23 we celebrate World Meteorological Day, commemorating the establishment of the United Nations World Meteorological Organization.

This year's theme is Meteorology in the Service of Sports as this year marks the 100th anniversary of the modern Olympic Games.

Weather is important in the world of sports. The safety of athletes, spectators and the staging of events all depend on weather forecasts and environmental information such as temperature, humidity, wind and air quality. The Department of Environment Canada receives 50 million calls per year on its weather lines.

This year marks the 125th anniversary of the Canadian Weather Service, one of the oldest national institutes in Canada. It is fitting to salute Canada's 125 years of expertise in providing weather information to Canadians. Environment Canada, your window on the weather since 1871.

Francophones Outside QuebecStatements By Members

10:55 a.m.

Bloc

Stéphane Bergeron Bloc Verchères, QC

Mr. Speaker, la Semaine nationale de la Francophonie, which is drawing to a close, provides an opportunity to emphasize the key role played by the

Francophonie in Quebec and Canada, which, it must be emphasized, ranks second in the world after France.

Beyond the statements and the official ceremonies, this event makes us realize how extremely vulnerable the French language is in Canada. On Wednesday, the Journée internationale de la Francophonie, I shared with this House distressing statistics regarding the rate at which francophones are being assimilated outside Quebec, especially in British Columbia, where the assimilation rate of francophones is as high as 75 per cent.

That was the precise moment that one of our colleagues from the Reform Party picked to utter in a very loud voice: "It can't be soon enough", suggesting by this petty and uncalled for remark that francophones can never be assimilated quickly enough and that a 75 per cent rate of assimilation is not high enough.

I am sure that you will want to join me, Mr. Speaker, in condemning such deplorable expressions of intolerance.

IndustryStatements By Members

10:55 a.m.

Liberal

Harold Culbert Liberal Carleton—Charlotte, NB

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the industries in Carleton-Charlotte that have recently expanded, announced expansion or have rebuilt.

Sabian Cymbals in Meductic, New Brunswick has relocated its new, expanded and ultra modern facility, employing an addition 12-15 people. McCain Foods recently announced that it will substantially expand its Florenceville, New Brunswick data processing centre, thus allowing for the addition of 30 new employees. Briggs and Little Woolen Mills of York Mills recently rebuilt following its fall of 1994 fire, and will soon be reopening, allowing for several area jobs.

These and the many other examples in Carleton-Charlotte, indicate the upward trend of economic growth and job creation.

We offer our congratulations to these companies and to the hundreds of other companies across Canada that are expanding, creating economic growth and productive full time jobs.

Semaine Nationale De La FrancophonieStatements By Members

11:05 a.m.

Liberal

Jesse Flis Liberal Parkdale—High Park, ON

Mr. Speaker, we are now celebrating the Semaine nationale de la Francophonie. I am taking this opportunity to make my first statement in French and to emphasize the contribution made by French speaking people of all origins to Canadian society.

There are currently more than 8.5 million French speaking people in our country; one Canadian in three speaks French. As a founding member of the Francophonie, Canada actively promotes the French language and culture. Canada is the only French speaking country to be a member of both the Francophonie and the Commonwealth.

Our unique multicultural heritage and our linguistic duality eloquently show the world that to be different does not mean to be divided. During this Semaine nationale de la Francophonie, let us stress the contribution made by French speaking people to Canada and to the whole world.

Revenue CanadaStatements By Members

March 22nd, 1996 / 11:05 a.m.

Reform

Jim Silye Reform Calgary Centre, AB

Mr. Speaker, the Liberal government is undertaking a major tax grab by reassessing thousands of Canadians in the oil patch who were past recipients of the overseas employment tax credit.

Revenue Canada claims that these people were not entitled to the credits so "pay up". Why did it wait for three years? Is it that hard to trace Canadian based subsidiaries? Now it is a hardship on these taxpayers. Cannot the department handle the complexities of its own tax act? Another argument for a simplified tax system.

Let us not complain. In a way, the government may be doing us a favour. It is saying that if an individual has obtained moneys from the taxpayers improperly then the money must be paid back with interest and penalties.

The MPs gold plated pension plan has been improper since the 1970s when its provisions began to exceed those permitted in the private sector. I hope the Liberals and their friends will not scream too loud if the tax man finds a loophole and comes after their fat pensions in a few years retroactively.

Quebec Week For The Mentally ImpairedStatements By Members

11:05 a.m.

Bloc

Philippe Paré Bloc Louis-Hébert, QC

Mr. Speaker, last Sunday, close to 1,000 people from the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean area got together to mark the beginning of the Quebec week for the mentally impaired.

Under the theme "Formerly excluded, now integrated: together we make changes", various activities took place throughout the week in Quebec to make people more aware of the problems

related to the integration of the mentally impaired. If we respect our differences and stand united, we can provide an egalitarian environment for these people, so that they can have the social life they are entitled to.

The Bloc Quebecois also wants to pay tribute to organizations such as the Saguenay association for the development of the mentally disabled, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. We say 1,000 thanks to Louisette Couture, Stella Beaulieu and the members of their board, for their dedication to this noble cause.

Racial DiscriminationStatements By Members

11:05 a.m.

Liberal

Mac Harb Liberal Ottawa Centre, ON

Mr. Speaker, I pay tribute to the day observed around the world as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

I stand as a Canadian aware of my own cultural origins that makes me unique and distinct and, at the same time, an integral part of the greatest nation in the world.

As a country, we have come a long way in our journey toward respect for diversity but we still have a distance to go. There are still racial tensions in our schools, some of our communities ghettoize themselves because of anxiety.

As a model to the world, we must remember to look closely in the mirror. As a society, we have a role to play in effecting change, to bring people together to talk about hopes, aspirations, challenges and fears and to find Canadian solutions to eliminate racism.

Racial DiscriminationStatements By Members

11:05 a.m.

Liberal

Ovid Jackson Liberal Bruce—Grey, ON

Mr. Speaker, today is an important day. It is the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. When I look around at my colleagues in the government, I can see what we have achieved as a country.

People talk about a melting pot as the answer to our racial problems. If we are all alike, we will surely get along. However, we are not all alike. That is the beauty of Canada.

We talk about being one people but we also allow ourselves to be unique and different. That is what I respect. Instead of a melting pot, Canada is just a great stir-fry with many colours and textures cooked together in one pot but letting the individual flavours remain distinctive. That is Canada's secret.

I believe that if any country can eventually eliminate racism we can. We have the right recipe. The main ingredient is not tolerance which means merely putting up with something, but a respect that says that I admire you, you have something to offer. We can share and learn from each other and create a wonderful new reality.

Nisga'A Land ClaimsStatements By Members

11:10 a.m.

Liberal

Marlene Cowling Liberal Dauphin—Swan River, MB

Mr. Speaker, today history is being made in British Columbia with the signing of an agreement in principle by the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, the provincial Minister for Indian Affairs and the Nisga'a people.

The way is being paved for the first modern day treaty in that province. Today's signing marks an important step in the long struggle of the Nisga'a people to have their rights to the beautiful Nass river valley formally recognized.

The agreement which is being signed today follows extensive consultations with members of the wider British Columbia community. Today's ceremony takes us a long way to achieving certainty and establishing stability, and with these a new era of growth and prosperity can begin.

I would like to congratulate all parties to this historic agreement, particularly the Nisga'a people who have persevered for so long and have overcome so much.