Debates of April 25th, 1996

Budget Implementation Act, 1996

[Maurice Godin, Bloc, Châteauguay, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I listened carefully to what our colleague from Ontario said. I think this was his maiden speech in this House. My congratulations. I would, however, like to comment on some of his remarks. I think that he is right when he says that good government should be restored, it should be. Today more than ever, we need very good government, especially when those in power make promises that they do not keep.

He raised another point: economic difficulties resulting from political instability. But he failed to discuss the problem of the debt and the deficit, the economic raiding that has been going on for so long in Quebec and mismanagement, proof of which we now have. While we, in Quebec, have managed to harmonize the GST with our sales tax without getting a penny in compensation from Ottawa, the federal government is about to set up the same system in eastern Canada at a cost of $1 billion.

For the longest time, and particularly since the early 1970s, billions have been devoted to building symbols of Canadian unity, without getting anywhere. But again, they always forget to mention this.

There is simple explanation: Quebec is almost always 25 years ahead of the pack. It was evident in the free trade debate and today again concerning the harmonization of the GST and the PST. Quebec has been asking for many years already that the federal government's spending power be capped, duplication and overlap eliminated and powers decentralized to the provinces. It is starting to happen now. More and more the other provinces are asking for the same thing. Unfortunately, Quebec has moved ahead again and now wants economic sovereignty. Every province will eventually have to become politically and economically sovereign if we want this debt problem to be resolved.

I would like my hon. colleague to tell me something. Soon, by 1997-98, the debt will be $600 billion, $50 billion of which will just be in interest charges. If $50 billion did not have to be paid out in interest charges each year and could be used to create jobs instead, would we not be short of unemployed instead of short of money right now? Would the unemployment problem not be resolved must faster this way than the way the federal government is going about it right now?

[Roy Cullen, Liberal, Etobicoke North, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the member covered a number of points.

My information is that we have been re-engineering the federal government and the operations of the federal government for some time and with great success. The federal government has had an operating surplus for a few years. That operating surplus is going to continue to grow.

I agree with the member that we need to get at the debt. As the member knows, the only way to reduce the debt is to attack the deficit. Until we can put our budget into a surplus position, we will not be reducing the debt.

What we have here is a phenomenon of governments of all description. Looking at the budget situation the province of Quebec is in and looking from province to province, over the years we have made the mistake of spending beyond our means. We are now trying to come to grips with that.

The answer does not lie in reducing expenditures at a rate that does not allow for the infrastructures of government and the delivery of services which impact on people who are in need. We should not try to solve a problem that has developed over 15 or 20 years in two or three years. I agree with the member that we need to attack the debt and redeploy those resources to programs. To do that, we need to reduce our deficit.

In terms of the deficit and the debt situation, the financial markets basically invest capital in our country. I do not believe we need to necessarily take all our cues from the financial markets, but they are very important to listen to. The budget direction we are heading in has been endorsed by the markets which is reflected in the interest rates this country now has.

Again I would say that the only impediment to growth and investment in Canada is trying to bring some stability to the politics of Quebec. Hearing Bloc members in this House from time to time, perhaps other Canadians are as concerned as I am when I hear how Quebec has been mistreated, the errant child who cannot get a fair deal.

I suppose that is the mandate of the member's party, but if we are going to try to build a country and move forward, certainly from my perspective and political agenda this is not constructive. It does not allow us to move forward. I would hope to hear more on how we can build together and less on how Quebec is aggrieved from time to time.

[Jim Abbott, Reform, Kootenay East, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the member said he would not have sought his seat if he did not believe he could make a difference. Seeing as he ran for the Liberal Party,

how does he feel about the fact that on Bill C-31 which he is speaking to and which was introduced to the House just yesterday, the government has chosen to bring in closure? In other words, it is ending democracy. Can he justify that for us?

Surely if the member thought he could make a difference he must have thought the Liberals were going to be democratic and not autocratic in the way they have shown themselves to be. Does he have any comments about that?

[Roy Cullen, Liberal, Etobicoke North, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the decision to institute closure is not my decision but I do support it because to my mind our government has a positive and constructive agenda and program to put in place. All of us, as Canadians, expect our government to do something. If we sit in this House and debate forever, what are we doing for Canadians who put us in this House to try to improve things?

[The Speaker]

We will now move to statements by members.

Independent Order Of Foresters

[Gar Knutson, Liberal, Elgin—Norfolk, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to pay tribute to one of the oldest and largest fraternal organizations in the world. One hundred and twenty years ago, on April 26, 1876, the first Canadian Court of the Independent Order of Foresters was instituted in London, Ontario.

Through Court No. 1, London served as Canadian headquarters of the IOF until 1888. Since that time the IOF in Canada has expanded to nearly 500 family oriented courts. There are more than one million members in Canada, the United States and Britain.

An outgrowth of the Friendly Societies that originated hundreds of years ago to help one another in times of distress, Forestry continues these noble traditions in the community.

London's Court No. 1 has logged thousands of volunteer hours in numerous charitable endeavours. Its members are to be saluted on this memorable occasion.

Canada Employment Centres

[René Laurin, Bloc, Joliette, QC]

Mr. Speaker, in July 1995, the federal government decided to transfer over 40 public servants from the Canada employment centre located in Joliette to the one in Repentigny.

The Bloc Quebecois condemned this illogical decision, since the CEC in Repentigny had to rent premises to meet the needs of its clientele, while the facilities in Joliette were already owned by the federal government and met the requirements of the Canada employment centre.

In the April 9, 1996 issue of L'Artisan , Public Works Canada asked for the submission of letters of interest regarding the lease of 1,741 square metres of office space for the Canada human resources centre, in Repentigny. Since renting this space will cost about $115 per square metre, taxpayers in the Joliette area will have to shell out about $200,000 more per year for lower quality services.

We have seen better reorganizations that this.

Penitentiaries

[Art Hanger, Reform, Calgary Northeast, AB]

Mr. Speaker, in an April 15 memo, the commissioner for Canada's prisons ordered universal distribution of bleach kits for inmates.

Each inmate will now receive a bottle of bleach and instructions on how to properly clean needles and syringes used for injecting, tattooing and body piercing. This is ludicrous. Injection of illicit drugs is a Criminal Code offence. More, the commissioner's directive states that syringes and drug paraphernalia are prison contraband and, therefore, must be seized.

On one hand, the commission's office promotes a program which encourages inmates to break the law and on the other hand, the commissioner intends to arm prisons with bleach and needle usage, both potential weapons to be used against other inmates and prison staff.

Rank and file prison guards state the obvious. Either Correctional Service Canada bureaucrats are incompetent or they have lost complete and total control of the administration of Canada's prison system, or both.

There is a drug problem in Canadian prisons. Clearly, it is time to clean up corrections and end this ridiculous program.

Goods And Services Tax

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

Mr. Speaker, while the Reformers are counting up how many promises the Liberals have broken over the GST and the Liberals are counting how many times Reformers have changed their minds on the GST, New Democrats are counting up how much the Liberal expanded GST will cost ordinary Canadians.

The new Liberal tax is one more burden taken off the shoulders of corporations and put on to the shoulders of ordinary taxpayers.

In Saskatchewan the finance minister estimates that harmonization would cost average families $400 million because they would have to pick up the share of the provincial retail taxes now paid by business.

As a result of all of this, Canada is now tied with Britain as the two countries with the lowest corporate taxes in the G-7. The Liberals have, in fact, kept one promise on the GST. They have kept their promise to Canada's corporate leaders to protect them from any obligation to fulfil their civic responsibility to pay their fair share of taxes.

National Textiles Week

[Murray Calder, Liberal, Wellington—Grey—Dufferin—Simcoe, ON]

Mr. Speaker, April 22-28 marks National Textiles Week in Canada. Among those celebrating is Coats Bell, a thread manufacturer located in my riding in Arthur, Ontario.

As we stated in the red book, Canadian firms, especially small and medium sized businesses, must adopt an aggressive trading mentality and a strong outward orientation to take advantage of export markets.

Canada's textile industry has proven itself up to the challenge. Over the past 10 years Canada's textile exports have tripled and now amount to $2 billion annually.

The 54,000 Canadians employed by the textiles industry are justifiably proud of their achievements. Using innovative technology and a highly trained workforce, the textile industry is a sure bet to contribute further to Canada's economy.

Canada Book Day

[Georgette Sheridan, Liberal, Saskatoon—Humboldt, SK]

Mr. Speaker, today is Canada Book Day. As a self-confessed bookworm, I am proud of the government's record in promoting literacy, a prerequisite to full participation in Canada Book Day.

We promised in the red book to restore the national literacy program. Not only has this been done, but the Prime Minister has also appointed a minister responsible for literacy. Under her able leadership, the national literacy program has been restored and many Canadians are on their way to acquiring the literacy skills needed to participate fully in the workplace and in society.

It takes more than government policy and initiatives to implement this however. Tribute must also be paid to the thousands of volunteers across Canada who show their commitment to the cause of literacy by working with their local literacy groups.

This being National Volunteer Week, I can think of no better time to acknowledge the efforts of the Saskatoon Literacy Coalition. Each year, volunteers like Eleanor Charman and Ruth Thompson, and many others, organize a fundraising spelling bee in which I have had the honour and pleasure of participating. Thanks as well to the contributions of small businesses like the Broadway Theatre that housed the spelling bee.

The slogan of Canada Book Week is: "Read a book and see what happens".

Canadians Of Portuguese Origin

[Eleni Bakopanos, Liberal, Saint-Denis, QC]

Mr. Speaker, today, Canadians of Portuguese origin are celebrating the day of liberty. For 48 years, Portuguese were subjected to a dictatorship that denied basic democratic freedoms.

On April 25, 1974, the Portuguese people declared its freedom. After a peaceful revolution, Portugal underwent a gradual transition towards democracy. Moreover, its economic growth led it to join the European Union, in 1986.

Successive generations of Portuguese immigrants have contributed to the rich multicultural mosaic of my province of Quebec and that of Canada as a whole. They embraced our democratic traditions and became active members of their communities.

On the occasion of the 22nd anniversary of the day of liberty, and as president of the Canada-Portugal Parliamentarians Friendship Group, I wish to extend my best wishes to all Canadians of Portuguese origin, particularly those in my riding of Saint-Denis, and to thank them for their contributions to Canada.

Vancouver International Airport

[Val Meredith, Reform, Surrey—White Rock—South Langley, BC]

Mr. Speaker, today the Vancouver International Airport Authority celebrates the opening of its new international terminal building. This event marks a significant milestone for YVR, as the airport is known locally. In less than four years the authority has made the airport North America's premier Asia-Pacific gateway without government funds, subsidies or guarantees.

YVR has been an economic boon to the greater Vancouver area. It employs 17,000 people, and that number is projected to grow by 2,000 over the next four years.

This has been a win-win situation for everyone. The consumer, the airlines, the employees and even the federal government have benefited from YVR's privatization and local management. All this

without the scandal that has plagued the proposed sale of Toronto's Pearson airport.

The Liberal government should take a lesson from YVR. Privatization and decentralization work. Congratulations to the board of directors, the executive management and the employees of the Vancouver International Airport Authority on this auspicious occasion.

Cernavoda, Romania

[Elsie Wayne, Progressive Conservative, Saint John, NB]

Mr. Speaker, I was pleased to read that the Prime Minister was in Cernavoda, Romania for the inauguration of the Candu reactor.

When I was mayor of Saint John, the citizens played a major role in the development of that project. Thirty-eight senior staff members from Point Lepreau II and their families from greater Saint John moved to Cernavoda, Romania where they used their expertise to build the reactor to the same specifications as Point Lepreau II, the most modern and efficient Candu reactor in the world, which is located in my riding.

Hundreds of Romanians from Cernavoda travelled to Saint John where they were trained at Point Lepreau on how to run a Candu reactor. Throughout this project the people of Saint John and Quebec performed tremendous outreach in Cernavoda as they built a community centre and a day care centre. The Church of England built a hospital for babies born with AIDS that were abandoned.

There is a need for even greater outreach. I want to thank the Prime Minister for being there to experience firsthand the commitment which Canadians have made to assist in the development of a better nation for Romanians.

Canada Post Corporation

[Paul Crête, Bloc, Kamouraska—Rivière-Du-Loup, QC]

Mr. Speaker, on April 13, 1996, the public forum held in Quebec City on the theme "The postal service of today and tomorrow", concluded that there was a need for a postal service of equal quality for all citizens.

The government will have to make the moratorium on the closing of post offices a permanent one, and it will have to recognize that the management of Canada Post Corporation has a real impact on rural development.

The government will soon receive the recommendations of the Radwanski committee on the mandate of Canada Post Corporation. The Bloc Quebecois reminds the Liberal government that 91 per cent of Canadians want a universal service at a universal cost.

When the government will propose a revised mandate for Canada Post Corporation, it will be judged based on how it complied with the clearly expressed will of Canadians and Quebecers.

Regional Development

[Paul Zed, Liberal, Fundy Royal, NB]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today not in defence of ACOA the agency, but in defence of ACOA the concept.

In the 45-page report on crown financial institutions, the banking committee of the other place runs roughshod over the regional development agencies and, in the words of one senator, suggests ACOA be put out of its misery. The committee has not done its homework and demonstrates little appreciation for this agency's work or for Atlantic Canada's current and future economic circumstances.

The other place appears to forget its constitutional mandate to defend the interests of the region. The status quo is not what Atlantic Canada needs. We want our region to continue the drive to self-sufficiency.

The Senate committee has recommended that we throw out the baby, the bath water and even the tub. We in this House will not stand idly by.

Harmonization Of Sales Taxes

[Nick Discepola, Liberal, Vaudreuil, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the members of the Bloc Quebecois are trying to convince the public that our government has done an about-face with the GST. In reality, we did what we said we would do in our red book in obtaining the agreement of three new provinces in order to harmonize sales taxes.

Quebec's finance minister is delighted that the harmonization of taxes has now been extended to other provinces, and the vast majority of Quebec's editorial writers are in favour of the move.

Now that we have the support of the PQ, the Bloc Quebecois is in a tight corner. It does not want the public remembering that last year it tabled a minority report in which it opposed a harmonized national tax, when this year the PQ government is applauding what we have done. The flip flop is on their side.

Four down, six more provinces to go and then we will have a national harmonized tax.

Prison For Women In Kingston

[Christiane Gagnon, Bloc, Québec, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Judge Arbour's report could not be clearer: there was a violation of human rights at the prison for women in Kingston.

As a result, eight of the victims have filed civil suits against the solicitor general. The Bloc Quebecois proposes that, instead of multiple lawsuits, the government find a humanitarian solution in the case of these eight women.

According to one of them, the prisoners would have greatly appreciated being believed and receiving an apology from the government when the initial evidence was published. Instead, it took three inquiries before they were proved right.

In addition to putting in place the corrective measures recommended by Judge Arbour, the government also has an obligation to recognize that it was in the wrong and to implement immediately all the report's recommendations, in order to prevent the recurrence of such a situation.

Canadian Wheat Board

[Jake Hoeppner, Reform, Lisgar—Marquette, MB]

Mr. Speaker, western farmers are angered because the Canadian Wheat Board will not honour barley contracts in their entirety. Apparently the board cannot sell farmers' grain with some of the strongest prices and record low supplies.

Does the government not realize that farmers must sell their products in order to survive? The CWB refuses to allow farmers to ship into the lucrative U.S. market. The government uses Revenue Canada and Customs as its personal hound dogs in cracking down on farmers who are forced to go outside the board's monopoly.

It is never okay to break the law, but when farmers are losing their farms and have no cash flow to plant a spring crop, the government had better act.

Western provincial governments know that farmers are needed. The Alberta agriculture minister and his Liberal critic realize that the federal government has ignored farmers' concerns with their inaction.

I urge the government to listen to these concerns and implement no cost export licences so farmers can protect their livelihoods.

Chernobyl

[Charles Caccia, Liberal, Davenport, ON]

Mr. Speaker, tomorrow is the 10th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. As exemplified by the thousands who have died or are sick with cancer, the health, environmental and economic impacts of Chernobyl are still felt today.

In Canada, the nuclear energy industry is subsidized to the tune of $5 billion since 1952. In addition, the auditor general reports there is a $10 billion radioactive waste disposal problem. Canada should move toward renewable energy production and phase out large subsidies to the fossil fuel and nuclear industries. In addition, economic benefits could be achieved through energy efficiency programs.

Finally, we need policies that support science and technology for renewal energy production to ensure a safe, clean and sustainable energy future for all Canadians.

Vaisakhi

[Gurbax Malhi, Liberal, Bramalea—Gore—Malton, ON]

Mr. Speaker, it is my great pleasure to rise today in honour of Vaisakhi, the 297th birthday of the Sikh nation, which is being celebrated around the world.

Sikhs have been living in Canada for almost a century, and over 240,000 Sikhs participate in every facet of Canadian life. Sikhs are peace loving people who have made a valuable contribution in various fields, including professional and political spheres, as my presence here today illustrates. Sikhs believe in justice and the protection of human rights for all people regardless of colour, creed, sex or origin.

I hope fellow members of Parliament will join me in wishing Sikhs across Canada a happy Vaisakhi by accepting my invitation to a reception in the Commonwealth Room following question period.

Middle East

[Mark Assad, Liberal, Gatineau—La Lièvre, QC]

Mr. Speaker, this is the first time I have seen the Lebanese community in Canada so affected by the situation in Lebanon. Its religious and its civil leaders have told me how helpless they feel and how concerned they are for their brethren in the Middle East.

I ask the House to observe a moment of silence in memory of the innocent victims of the tragic events in Lebanon.

[The Speaker]

I have a request to make before we begin question period. It is very important I know when members are going to ask for a moment's silence in the House. I would appreciate prior notice if it is at all possible. It disorients the statements in the House. I would simply ask your co-operation.

Goods And Services Tax

[Michel Gauthier, Bloc, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister stubbornly defended the agreement with the maritimes yesterday, by claiming to have met his commitments, despite the fact that the Minister of Finance, accompanied by the Minister of Revenue, apologized for being unable to follow through on the Liberals' promise to scrap the GST.

My question is for the Prime Minister. How are we to interpret the attitude of the Prime Minister, who dismisses his Minister of Finance with a wave of his hand, although as everyone agrees the minister simply acted with integrity acknowledging the Liberals' mistake with the GST?

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I do not think the Minister of Finance and I are in disagreement. The Minister of Finance is carrying out the Liberal Party's program, as it appears on page 22 of the red book in English and on page 20 in French.

He said, obviously, and I agree with him, that he would have preferred we proceed more quickly. He thought a system could be set up right away and more easily. However, we have chosen to go the route of co-operating with the provinces.

At this point we have the agreement of four provinces, and we hope that the other provinces will join with us, because it will ease things for consumers. For companies and people in business, it will be a lot easier, and we will have a harmonized tax all across the country.

I think the hon. Leader of the Opposition should read the statement by the Quebec finance minister, Mr. Landry, on this subject.