Debates of March 25th, 1996

Byelections

[Jim Gouk, Reform, Kootenay West—Revelstoke, BC]

Mr. Speaker, today byelections are being held in six ridings across the country. In two of those ridings I am surprised the Liberals have the nerve to run candidates.

Excess power from Churchill Falls sells in the U.S. for $800 million a year, but Labrador and Newfoundland gets only $20 million of it. The trans-Labrador highway is in a deplorable state and needs $75 million to rebuild it. That is less than 10 per cent of the money lost every year due to Liberal inaction.

In Etobicoke North the Liberals cancelled the Pearson development contract which cost metro Toronto ridings like Etobicoke North 1,140 airport jobs, 560 direct off airport jobs and 3,000 indirect jobs as well as 14,000 person years of construction work.

The voters have a chance to set things right. The Liberals should hang their heads in shame and the voters in Labrador and Etobicoke North should hang the Liberals out to dry.

Canada Post

[Vic Althouse, NDP, Mackenzie, SK]

Mr. Speaker, today there is a byelection in the constituency of the former minister of external affairs. This reminds us that he is now head of Canada Post Corporation.

Mr. Ouellet inherits a Canada Post plagued with service problems. Cheques mailed from Saskatchewan to Edmonton take more than two weeks, resulting in late payment and interest penalties. I get reports of Christmas parcels still not delivered after six weeks. Photos sent two years ago are still not received.

A weekly newspaper goes from Tisdale, Saskatchewan to Swan River, Manitoba each week. The trip takes three hours by car, 20 hours by dog team, 25 hours on skis, 60 hours on foot and 288 hours by Canada Post.

May Mr. Ouellet find a technique to decrease the delivery time faster than he increases postal rates.

Government Spending

[Madeleine Dalphond-Guiral, Bloc, Laval Centre, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Bloc Quebecois was amazed to learn that there is no budget for the one million flag operation launched by the heritage minister, and that it does not come under any existing official program of the department. Nonetheless, 10 telephone operators are working on this project and are taking orders from Canadians.

While the CBC's budgets are blithely being slashed, with 1,000 additional layoffs planned, while cuts to the National Film Board will result in the dismissal of some 150 creators, it is disgusting that the department has introduced a propaganda initiative without any advance idea of the cost.

Are the people of Canada and Quebec entitled to know the costs associated with the Deputy Prime Minister's propaganda? A rhetorical question, obviously.

Ford World Curling Championships

[Beth Phinney, Liberal, Hamilton Mountain, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the Ford World Curling Championships are taking place in Hamilton this week. All of Hamilton is pleased to be hosting this event. We all extend our welcome to the athletes and the visiting spectators.

Thirteen countries are represented at the championships. Along with Canada, there are also teams from Japan, Australia, the United States, Scandinavia, England, Scotland and Europe.

Canada is represented by two teams, one led by Marlin Bodogh of St. Catharines, Ontario, and the other led by Jeffrey Stoughton of Winnipeg.

In the previous world championships the Canadian men came first and the Canadian women came second.

The competition has been very exciting so far. Both Canadian teams have won their first three games and are in first place.

Curling is now an Olympic medal sport and the order of finish in these championships will help determine which teams attend the 1998 winter Olympic games in Nagano, Japan.

I wish the members of the Canadian rinks the best of luck and continued success in the competition.

Lotbinière-Ouest Ciel

[Jean Landry, Bloc, Lotbinière, QC]

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I pay tribute to the CIEL de Lotbinière-Ouest, a job initiative centre in Lobtinière-Ouest. This non profit organization, run by volunteers, is concerned with job creation for those aged 18-40. The centre has 376 members, and is composed of individuals and companies. Its activities take in 12 municipalities in my riding.

The 29 venture capital loans made in 1995 totalled $62,500. At December 31, 1995, there were 33 active loans.

Since its inception 10 years ago, this organization has brought about the creation or consolidation of 221 jobs in my riding of Lotbinière. I am proud of this initiative and congratulate the centre on a job well done.

The Late Charles Joseph Clark

[Shaughnessy Cohen, Liberal, Windsor—St. Clair, ON]

Mr. Speaker, earlier this month Windsor lost one of its greatest citizens, Charles Joseph Clark.

Recently inducted into the Order of Canada, Charlie Clark was a fine lawyer, a community activist, a philanthropist and a businessman. He was indeed a great community leader, one to whom Windsor turned for counsel on many occasions such as when the local CBC station was threatened, when the casino became a reality and when we wanted to preserve our unique cultural and natural heritage.

Charlie Clark was also a mentor to many young lawyers, including the three current members of Parliament from Windsor.

I know all members will join me in remembering a great Windsorite, Charles J. Clark, and in offering our most sincere condolences to his family.

Family Violence

[Warren Allmand, Liberal, Notre-Dame-De-Grâce, QC]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday in Gatineau a woman died of injuries inflicted by her attacker. Family violence is a crime just like any form of aggression against a stranger. Gone are the days when society as a whole preferred not to get involved in or pass judgment on cases of violence to women or children, under the pretext that it was none of the neighbours' business.

The major stakeholders in our judicial system are now more aware and better trained to step in in situations of family violence. When such a tragedy takes place, it is of concern to our entire society, and we cannot remain unmoved.

Henceforth, we must work on lowering our tolerance for violence and increasing our understanding and efforts to help those who are suffering and have lost hope.

Reform Party

[Ken Epp, Reform, Elk Island, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I received an encouraging fax from a Canadian who confirmed the principles of why I am here:

I once supported the Liberals until I read Pierre Trudeau's remarks that Liberals will do anything, say anything and promise anything if it will get them elected. I believed him then and even more now. Just look at how they promised to kill the GST and broke that promise.

I supported the Conservatives but they abandoned me when they decided to become a mirror image of the Liberals. I flirted with the New Democratic Party but gave up when it became obvious the NDP is merely a collection of special interest and radical fringe groups.

Then I gave up on politics until I discovered the Reform Party and found a group of people like myself who believe our nation's future extends far beyond the next election.

From the concept of equality for all Canadians to the concept of a secure financial future for me and my children and their children yet to come, and every issue and concern that lies between, I draw my reasons for supporting and voting Reform.

Reform has seen the future and, unlike the three old-line parties, is living in the present. That is why I am a Reformer".

Byelections

[Stan Dromisky, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Atikokan, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the Reform Party's response to the government's national unity proposals were nothing more than the same old tired decentralization arguments spewed by right wing pontificators everywhere.

The danger of Reform's approach is that it would leave Canada without a sense of common national purpose.

The Reform Party's fifty plus one referendum standard revealed its hidden agenda for separation. Upon realizing it could never lead a federal government with Quebec as part of Canada, it opted for this agenda. Through separation Reform hoped its future electoral fortunes would brighten.

Voters in today's byelections in Quebec, Ontario and Newfoundland will not be fooled by Reform's devious tactics. Today the voters will say bye, bye to the Reform Party.

Domestic Violence

[Karen Kraft Sloan, Liberal, York—Simcoe, ON]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday a woman in the region of Gatineau who was a victim of abuse for many years died as a result of a stabbing. Subsequently her husband has been brought into police custody.

This case, like many others, once again brings to our attention the unfortunate tragedy of domestic violence. Family violence is a crime that affects all of us. It is a serious crime in which the police often hesitate to intervene, as the crimes often occur behind closed doors in the family home.

A tragedy such as this which occurred in Gatineau followed many years of abuse. We must bring the problem out from behind closed doors and into the forefront of public consciousness.

We must remain vigilant against these crimes against women, our children and our families. Fear and violence have no place in Canadian society.

I call on all members of the House to speak out against this serious problem and look at ways to rid society of domestic violence.

Krever Commission

[Grant Hill, Reform, Macleod, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the Krever inquiry into tainted blood was a victory for Canadians who wanted a safe, secure blood system.

The commission has spent countless hours receiving testimony under oath. There have been serious findings of wrong doing: untreated blood products used by the public when safer products were available; tainted donors not turned away in a timely fashion; tested infected blood products used when alternatives were available.

Other countries have made similar mistakes and have apologized in addition to making immediate corrections. Canada's reaction to individuals being held personally responsible is very different with court challenges that could literally stop Krever's final report.

If Krever has found criminal behaviour relating to blood safety, he must report it to the Minister of Health and to Canadians. Let Krever speak.

Centre La Mosaïque

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

Mr. Speaker, for almost 11 years now, the Centre d'action bénévole La Mosaïque, in LeMoyne, has been actively involved in the community.

The centre just opened a library for seniors who enjoy reading but are not mobile. Volunteers will bring to their door the books selected by these people.

La Mosaïque also took another initiative, in co-operation with local restaurant owners. Meals will be offered on a weekly basis, at a very low price, to seniors and volunteers accompanying them.

The idea is to provide an opportunity for seniors to go out and also develop healthy eating habits.

Congratulations to the Centre La Mosaïque for its worthwhile initiatives.

Taxation

[Paul Szabo, Liberal, Mississauga South, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians have said that reform of the Income Tax Act is necessary, and I agree.

Some argue a simple system such as a flat tax or a single tax is the solution. Although simplicity may be desirable, the fact remains that the only thing simple about a flat or simple tax approach is that it simply reduces taxes for high income earners and increases taxes for low and middle income earners.

The real objectives of tax reform should be to ensure the system is fair and equitable for all Canadians.

As an example, the child care expense deduction should be converted to a tax credit. Under the current system the value of the deduction favours high income earners whereas a tax credit is of

equal value to all families. This kind of progressive change would enhance fairness and equity for all Canadian families.

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

[Michel Gauthier, Bloc, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, last week, while talking about CBC funding, the Deputy Prime Minister said, and I quote: "What makes it difficult, every time we seek new avenues of funding, is the block we run into, the Bloc Quebecois".

I would like to remind the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Canadian Heritage that the Bloc Quebecois is the only party fighting for maintaining the mandates of the CBC, the NFB and Telefilm Canada, but that we are opposed to a CBC tax.

My question is for the Deputy Prime Minister. As the CBC faces cuts amounting to $150 million over two years, could the heritage minister finally tell us how she intends to go about funding this crown corporation?

[Sheila Copps, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Canadian Heritage]

Mr. Speaker, I am very happy to see that the Leader of the Opposition is open to new ways of funding the CBC. What is unfortunate is that the Leader of the Opposition's open-mindedness was not reflected by his own critics who, the day after the Juneau report was tabled, rejected any form of funding other than the current parliamentary appropriations.

If the Leader of the Opposition is willing, I, of course, will work in co-operation with the Minister of Finance to try to find new ways of funding the CBC in the long term and I would expect the Bloc Quebecois to support our efforts instead of blocking them as they have done so far.

[Michel Gauthier, Bloc, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Canadian Heritage should remember that, not so long ago, her predecessor's careless answers hurt his career.

My question is extremely serious and if we had an answer once and for all, we would move on to something else. The president of the CBC clearly stated-and he was the second president to do so-that they could no longer absorb $150 million in cuts without the corporation's mandate being affected. Yet the minister asserts that the CBC's mandate will be maintained.

Our question is very simple and quite legitimate and it deserves an answer: How will the minister allow the CBC to carry out its mandate if she cuts another $150 million?

[Sheila Copps, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Canadian Heritage]

Mr. Speaker, talking about careless remarks, it is not the government who, the day after the Juneau report was tabled, dismissed all funding recommendations. It was the Bloc Quebecois who immediately refused to consider any of the long term funding alternatives as proposed in the Juneau report.

I can assure the Leader of the Opposition that we in government are now considering all long term funding alternatives for the CBC. I hope that the Leader of the Opposition will at least lend his support, even though his former and current critics have not endorsed any new funding methods.

[Michel Gauthier, Bloc, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, I would remind the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Canadian Heritage that what we formally object to is the creation by the government of a new tax that would make Canadians pay twice for the CBC. We object to this. I understand that she is looking for ways to fund the CBC, but in the meantime the corporation itself is facing some serious problems. The minister should understand this.

This is not a trick question, but a request for information. How can the minister impose another $150 million in cuts without changing the mandate of a crown corporation which, at least according to its last two presidents, is unable to do what is required of it? What does she intend to do? It is her responsibility, and we want an answer. Is it possible?

[Sheila Copps, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Canadian Heritage]

Mr. Speaker, I see that the Leader of the Opposition still rejects the new funding methods recommended in the Juneau report, as they were by both the former and the current Bloc critics.

That said, when I work with the Minister of Finance on a new funding alternative, it is precisely so that we can achieve one of the major objectives in the Juneau report, namely the long term funding of organizations such as the NFB, Telefilm Canada and the CBC.

I think it is unfortunate that the Leader of the Opposition refuses to consider new funding mechanisms that could in the long term, as proposed in the Juneau report, eliminate the need for an annual budget review of the CBC.

[Gaston Leroux, Bloc, Richmond—Wolfe, QC]

First of all, Mr. Speaker, I would like to set the record straight. The Bloc Quebecois recognizes, and joins with others in recognizing, the importance of the CBC, the NFB and Telefilm Canada as cultural institutions, as set out in the Juneau report. Second, we also recognize the report's insistence on the need to settle the long term funding issue.

The Bloc is clearly opposed to a CBC tax being levied. Last week, the minister herself told me in this House that she was against imposing a CBC tax, but at the same time she is establishing a cultural production fund. My question is clear: What is the source of this cultural funding? Where will she get the money?

[Sheila Copps, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Canadian Heritage]

Mr. Speaker, the idea put forward by the member opposite, to support the recommendations made in the Juneau report while not rejecting any new method of funding, as the Juneau report proposed, is typical of the politics practised by the Bloc Quebecois by constantly talking from both sides of their mouths. In fact, we agree with the Juneau report that long term funding should be provided through instruments other than parliamentary appropriations. And that is precisely what my colleague, the Minister of Finance, and myself are looking into right now.

This lack of open-mindedness on the part of the Bloc Quebecois is unfortunate.

[Gaston Leroux, Bloc, Richmond—Wolfe, QC]

Mr. Speaker, it is quite simple, we are asking the minister to tell us what scenarios are being contemplated and what she is working on in terms of where the funds will come from. Given that both the past and the current presidents of the CBC agree that an extra $150 million in cuts will affect the CBC's mandate, are we to understand from the minister's response, since she stated that the mandate would not be modified, that the CBC will be allowed to run deficits, to be absorbed by the consolidated revenue fund?

[Sheila Copps, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Canadian Heritage]

Mr. Speaker, I want to reiterate that I am not surprised the Bloc Quebecois is speaking out of both sides of its mouth.

The day the Juneau report came out, one of its important messages was that for the survival and the growth of the CBC, alternate methods of financing must be sought in the long term. That is precisely the work I am now undertaking with my colleague, the Minister of Finance.

What is sad is that a party that claims to support public broadcasting has turned its back on looking at new and innovative methods of funding such public broadcasting.

Goods And Services Tax

[Deborah Grey, Reform, Beaver River, AB]

Mr. Speaker, across the province of Ontario, Liberal MPs have been trying to convince their constituents that what they really meant was harmonizing the GST, not eliminating it.

There is only one problem with that. Canadians still have copies of the Liberal campaign pamphlets from 1993. Two weeks ago the member for Niagara Falls said he did not promise to scrap the GST but his election flyer has just surfaced from 1993 and he promised in it to fight to eliminate the GST.

My question is this. Which Liberal is telling the truth? The Liberal candidate for Niagara Falls or the Liberal MP for Niagara Falls?

[Paul Martin, Liberal, Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, the position of Liberals throughout the campaign and the position of the government have been very clear. It was stated in the red book on page 22. It is conceivable that members of the Reform Party have not read the red book. I would suggest they do so as it would give them very good insight into what the country is all about.

In 1990 the leader of the Reform Party said that he would rip the GST out. Was he speaking for the Reform Party? Was he speaking for the Reform when he said it could not be repealed immediately because it would increase the deficit? Was he speaking for the Reform Party when he commended the government on its attempt to harmonize the tax with the provinces?