Debates of April 26th, 1996

Goods And Services Tax

[Randy White, Reform, Fraser Valley West, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I doubt whether a response like that would be acceptable in British Columbia where I come from.

If the finance minister will not explain to Canadian people how deceptive Liberal governments can be, I would be glad to do so.

The tax grab is under way in Nova Scotia already. Yesterday it announced the first new tax to help cover the inevitable shortfall which harmonization has created.

How could the finance minister sit there yesterday and say nothing when the people in Atlantic Canada demanded an answer to this question: Why did he tell them they were going to get a tax break during the election when it is plain that taxes will increase in Atlantic Canada, not decrease?

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

Mr. Speaker, that is simply not true. Taxes will be reduced in Atlantic Canada. Taxes will be lower. The sales taxes will be considerably lower in Atlantic Canada. Our calculations show that in each of the provinces in Atlantic Canada that have harmonized individual families will be paying lower taxes. They will be paying as much as $400 less in Newfoundland. It is less than that in the other two provinces, but there will be substantially less taxes in each one of those provinces.

The Environment

[Mauril Bélanger, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

Mr. Speaker, public attention has recently been focused on the issue of air quality in urban centres. The coming summer brings concern about rising smog levels and ozone depletion. Vehicle emissions are a major contributor to air pollution.

What is the government doing to promote alternative methods of transportation with a view to addressing air quality issues?

[Karen Kraft Sloan, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of the Environment]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. member for his question.

Those of us who live in large urban centres are all very aware of the effects of summer air pollution. I am very pleased to announce to the House that the federal government will contribute $200,000 to the establishment of a centre on sustainable transportation in Toronto.

This centre of excellence will provide leadership in achieving sustainable transportation systems in Canada. It will contribute to a cleaner environment. It will improve health for Canadians. It is a tremendous opportunity for Canadian business and another fine example of many levels of government working together.

Fisheries

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

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans.

With the tabling of his crab fishery plan, the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans has spread confusion, once again, by allocating part of the quota to other categories of fishermen. In so doing, the Minister has sown division in the ranks of the fishermen and thus weakened the industry.

Since the traditional crabbers are taking twice the available resource, does the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans intend to finally speed up and improve the plan for buying back permits, as in the B.C. salmon fisheries?

[Fred Mifflin, Liberal, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his question, but I think there may be some confusion as to what is happening.

I would like to set the hon. member straight. The total allowable catch was 16,100 tonnes. The traditional catch was basically divided between the traditional crabbers, the large crabbers, and the non-traditional crabbers, those smaller ships and boats of the inshore fleet. Therefore, 77.5 per cent went to the large crabbers and 22.5 went to the inshore fleet.

Essentially this was done in the years when we had larger than traditional quotas in such a way so there would be a balance between the inshore fleet and the large crab fishermen at a time when fishermen have a great deal of difficulty coping with the situation.

I think the tenor of his question is that he may have been against the inshore fishermen. I am sure that is not his intent.

Marine User Fees

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

Mr. Speaker, we have heard a lot this morning about Liberal consultation. Unfortunately, Liberal consultation means either stack the meeting and get people who agree with you or else ignore what they say.

Recently at a meeting of the fisheries and oceans committee, 35 of the 42 users who came in said: "We accept the user pay concept, but let coast guard first rationalize their costs and do a socioeconomic impact study so that you do not destroy the surface of the ocean the way you have destroyed what is underneath it".

Can the minister explain to the House why expensive hearings are held if the wishes of the 35 of the 42 of those people who came forward are ignored?

[Fred Mifflin, Liberal, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans]

Mr. Speaker, let us put this in context.

First, the study of the fees is a decision of the Government of Canada passed by Parliament. The system fee was put forward by the marine advisory board that controls what happens in this regard in Canada. There were 850 consultations with members of the industry and there was a final look by the committee, as the member suggested. The majority report of the committee said that the fees should go forward with the system which is very complex and developed.

The premise of the hon. member that their views were not taken into consideration is very wrong. It is for that very reason that I am still studying the minority report as well as the majority report. He is wrong.

Trade

[Brent St. Denis, Liberal, Algoma, ON]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister for International Trade who has already distinguished himself in this role since his appointment in January.

In view of Canada's important role on the world stage, can the minister advise the House of the progress that has been made as a result of the recent quadrilateral meetings in Japan?

[Art Eggleton, Liberal, Minister for International Trade]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his question.

The meeting of what is called the quad recently took place in Kobe, Japan. The quad is made up of four major trading entities in the world, the United States, Japan, the European Union and Canada.

At that series of meetings we were able to advance the cause of world trade, greater market access and more of a rules based system in quite a number of ways. It means jobs for Canadians. It helps to provide more secure access to markets, more security for investment and that means jobs for Canadians.

Canada Post

[Ken Epp, Reform, Elk Island, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the Reform Party, courier businesses, advertising businesses and others have long held that the government dominated tax advantaged crown corporation, Canada Post, should be privatized.

Now the government's own bureau of competition policy is recommending that Canada Post should be stripped of its monopoly.

My question is for the Minister of Public Works and Government Services. Will the government begin planning to take this old and long overdue step?

[John Harvard, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Public Works and Government Services]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for his question.

Members of the House know that the Radwanski commission is in progress right now, hearing ideas, concerns and proposals from all Canadians. This particular proposal has been heard. The work of the commission will continue. According to the current schedule, Mr. Radwanski will report mid-summer, approximately.

Securities

[Roger Pomerleau, Bloc, Anjou—Rivière-Des-Prairies, QC]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Acting Prime Minister.

Last week, Jean Martel, the president of the Commission des valeurs mobilières du Québec and former national board member of the Investment Dealers Association of Canada, voiced his vehement opposition to the creation of a Canadian securities commission. His comments backed up the equally vehement criticism of the minister's plan by the president of the Montreal stock exchange.

The government is constantly claiming that it enjoys the support of the industry for its planned Canadian securities commission. Will it finally admit that the only consensus in place in Quebec in this connection is around opposition to the creation of such a commission?

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

Mr. Speaker, I remind the hon. member that the proposal is not a federal one. The proposal was brought forth by some of the provinces that asked us whether we would arrange a Canadian securities commission.

The objective of this was to improve the efficiency of Canada's capital markets, to reduce investment barriers and costs to Canadian issues and make Canadian companies more competitive, which means more competitive for Quebec and more jobs in Canada. That is the objective of this and if any province-

[The Deputy Speaker]

The hon. member for Saskatoon-Humboldt.

War Crimes

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

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Foreign Affairs, who recently travelled to the former Yugoslavia to see firsthand the tragic impact of this war on human lives.

Given the importance of fostering respect for human rights and building a lasting peace, can the minister tell the House of Canada's role in the prosecution of war criminals?

[Lloyd Axworthy, Liberal, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, about two weeks ago I visited Bosnia. One of the major questions was how we can support the whole civil reconstruction.

The key to peace in Bosnia is to have a proper implementation of the whole war crimes procedure. Canada is making a major contribution. As we know, Justice Arbour is now the chief prosecutor.

My colleague, the minister for international development, has made a major contribution on the economic and social investment, much of which will go into supporting the work of the war crimes tribunal.

As a government and as a country we have offered every assistance we can to the parties within Bosnia and Serbia to help them ensure the rights of those individuals are protected and that we provide full security for all investigations taking place in that area.

Member For Nanaimo-Cowichan

[Bob Ringma, Reform, Nanaimo—Cowichan, BC]

Mr. Speaker, can I have a two-part question? I decline.

Government Response To Petitions

[John Richardson, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of National Defence and Minister of Veterans Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8), I have the honour to

table, in both official languages, the government's response to 14 petitions.

Chernobyl

[Lloyd Axworthy, Liberal, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, today is the 10th anniversary of the disaster of the Chernobyl nuclear station. On behalf of all Canadians I express anew our profound sympathy and condolences for the survivors of this tragic accident, for those who lost family and friends, for those who lost health and peace of mind and for those who lost their homes and their livelihoods.

We pay particular tribute to the courage, commitment and competence of the many Ukrainians, Russians, Belarusans and others who took determined and effective action to contend with the costs and impact of the accident, often at the risk of their own lives. Many have since perished.

Chernobyl symbolizes the necessity for the operators of nuclear reactors worldwide to put safety first. We must all learn the lessons of Chernobyl so that such a tragedy never recurs.

The Moscow nuclear summit contributed to this goal by highlighting the absolute priority of the safe use of nuclear energy and by strengthening international co-operation in security and safety issues.

Both the Canadian government and the Canadian private sector have provided assistance through many channels to the victims of the accident. We have committed some $32 million to projects aimed at relieving the suffering caused by the accident and to nuclear safety projects aimed at ensuring such an accident will not happen again.

Canadians have shown their solidarity with the citizens of the affected areas in many different ways, from inviting to their homes young people living in areas exposed to radiation to participating in projects setting up systems to monitor the environment in radiation fallout areas.

Canada has been particularly active in the G-7 to enable Ukraine to meet its energy needs while closing the Chernobyl nuclear station and containing its lingering dangers. As the chair of the G-7 last year, we led the successful negotiation of the memorandum of understanding on the closure of Chernobyl signed with Ukraine in Ottawa last December by the Deputy Prime Minister. The Prime Minister was also active at last week's Moscow summit in reaffirming the mutual commitment to the implementation of this agreement.

Our decision to organize and host the Winnipeg conference on Ukraine's economic transition has served as a catalyst for the subsequent efforts of leading industrialized nations to come to the assistance of Ukraine.

We intend to continue our political and economic co-operation with Ukraine in nuclear safety and energy sector development and other vital fields both bilaterally and multilaterally. We will work to help Ukraine lend meaning to its precious new independence and to win a better life for its people. That is the best way to help the victims and to honour the memory of those who lost their lives.

Today, the 10th anniversary of the disaster at Chernobyl, I speak on behalf of all Canadians in expressing our support and friendship for the people of Ukraine, Russia and Belarus who have all suffered the consequences of this accident. Let us keep working together to ensure a similar tragedy never happens again.

[Roger Pomerleau, Bloc, Anjou—Rivière-Des-Prairies, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order with respect to the motion just tabled-

[The Deputy Speaker]

I will hear your point of order after the minister's statement.

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

Mr. Speaker, April 26, 1996 marks the 10th anniversary of the tragedy in Chernobyl. According to the Ukrainian authorities, this tragedy has, in the ten years, killed over 4,220 people, more than half of whom had been assigned to decontaminate the site after the explosion.

The official opposition wishes to offer its most heartfelt condolences to the survivors of the tragedy and to all those who lost someone near to them in this accident.

In addition, it is estimated that more than 3.5 million people, including thousands of children, have been seriously affected by radiation, which continues to wreak its devastation. We wish all these people the courage they need to get through this terrible ordeal.

The members of the Bloc Quebecois, on behalf of all their constituents, wish to thank all people and governments providing technical and financial assistance and comfort to the Ukrainians affected.

Chernobyl is a tragedy with a lesson for us all. It must lead to a tightening of standards and safety requirements for nuclear power plants. However, most importantly, we must not forget that no technology is perfect, however sophisticated it may be.

Political decisions compounded the effects of the catastrophe at the time it occurred and subsequently. While the events at Chernobyl may be due to a technical error, they were due just as much to political error, from which no government can claim to be exempt.

The recent incidents at Pickering, Ontario, although of a very different scope, show that the Government of Canada is not above trying to hide information from people on the potential dangers they face.

We hope that the minister's speech today will encourage the heads of this power plant to respond to the pressing questions of people in the region and of environmental groups, who are entitled to answers.

Today we are recalling the 10th anniversary of Chernobyl. May it be an event that is the last of its kind.

[Keith Martin, Reform, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca, BC]

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Reform Party I extend to the victims of Chernobyl our deepest and heartfelt sympathy to them and their families on the 10th anniversary of this nuclear disaster.

We express our commitment to working with the former Soviet Union states and Russia in working with the international community to clean up Chernobyl and get it under control.

Chernobyl is only the tip of the iceberg. Massive dumping of nuclear waste into the Bering Sea has occurred in Russia, twice the amount of the other 12 nuclear countries in the world. Western Siberia is an ecological disaster. The people themselves have called western Siberia an ecological disaster as there are massive levels of long lived radionuclides, cesium-137, carbon-14, strontium-90. They have all existed and they are affecting humans with radiation. The fallout is affecting our arctic regions and is found in our indigenous peoples.

The result is that over the last 25 years there has been a 75 per cent increase in cancer rates and a 250 per cent increase in birth defects in children in this area. Our arctic does not have similar amounts and yet, as the minister well knows, the cancer and birth defect rates of aboriginal people living in the arctic are higher than they ought to be.

On the Kola Peninsula there has been a massive nuclear waste dump. Large parts of the peninsula are contaminated beyond what we have seen virtually any where else. There are high levels of these radionuclides found in the tissue of animals, plants and indigenous peoples

Russia is decommissioning its nuclear submarines. Over the next 10 years it will have to decommission 200 nuclear submarines and ships. Historically it has dumped most of its nuclear waste into the environment. This is not isolated in the former Soviet Union but it is something that affects us all.

We have to push together with the international community for a comprehensive test ban treaty and the enforcement of its principles. We have to push the non-signatories to the nuclear proliferation treaty, those with nuclear capabilities, to sign it. International co-operation will be required to do this.

We have to work with the former Soviet Union states to catalogue and identify these waste dump sites and also have international groups to monitor the clean-up and the fallout.

We must encourage trade and economic ties with the former Soviet Union states. By doing this we will push forward trade liberalization, movement toward democratic principles. We will dampen the rise of ethnic nationalism occurring with the likes of Mr. Zhirinovsky and dampen the rise of the Communist Party in the former Soviet Union. By increasing ties we do much for increasing international co-operation between our countries.

We have in the former Soviet Union an ecological and nuclear disaster which most of us do not know much about. It is the Chernobyls of the future that are waiting to occur. They will affect the former Soviet Union and our people through the ebb and flow of waters and through the movement of air masses. These nuclear materials will affect all arctic countries. Because these radionuclides spend so long in the food chain they it will affect Canadians with higher levels of birth defects and higher cancer rates.

I implore the minister to work co-operatively with the international community and the former Soviet Union states to develop methods to get this under control to avoid the Chernobyls of the future.

National Day Of Mourning

[Alfonso Gagliano, Liberal, Minister of Labour and Deputy Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, as hon. members know, April 28 is the National Day of Mourning. Every year, we pay tribute to Canadian men and women who were killed or seriously injured in the workplace.

Since, this year, April 28 falls on a Sunday, I would like to take this opportunity to draw attention to this commemoration.

In Canada, work accidents requiring workers' compensation benefits to be paid out happen every 39 seconds on average. Every day, one worker out of every fifteen is injured at work and two die. These figures speak volumes. The loss of lives sustained, and the ensuing pain and suffering of family, friends and coworkers, are unbearable. Such losses are simply unacceptable.

In economic terms, work accidents cost the Canadian economy more than $15 million per day, or 10 times the total number of days lost to strikes and lockouts.

In 1994, the direct and indirect costs of work accidents amounted to more than $10 billion.

The good news is that occupational injuries, illnesses and fatalities in Canada have declined substantially over the past decade. While we are making progress, these tragic incidents are still far too high. It is imperative that we improve occupational safety and health.

That is why, on the occasion of the National Day of Mourning, we pay tribute to those injured or tragically killed in the workplace. We reiterate our commitment to reducing the incidence of accidental death and injury.

We can be proud of Canada's occupational safety and health expertise, which is recognized worldwide. I believe that to a large extent we owe our success to the approach we have taken. Canadian occupational safety and health legislation is based on the internal responsibility system.

I believe it is important for hon. members to note that the federal occupational safety and health system has three partners: employers, employee and government. All three have rights and legal responsibilities to ensure safe and healthy working environments.

This is the continuing challenge we are facing. This is what the national day of mourning accomplishes. It raises our awareness about these issues, the awareness of all Canadian employers and employees who must address occupational safety and health concerns on a daily basis if we are to reduce work related injuries and deaths.

This challenge must be met by strengthening our effectiveness, developing innovative measures to prevent loss of life, and finding viable alternatives to increase efficiency. To that end we must consider the impact of new technology, frequent changes in duties and the international competitive market.

The foundation upon which this system functions is evident in the roles of the federal, provincial and territorial authorities. They are responsible for helping to ensure compliance, to monitor how responsibilities are fulfilled and to address matters of non-compliance.

It is clear that occupational safety and health concerns are always on the minds of Canadian workers and employers. We all share in this responsibility. And the Government of Canada recognizes and fully appreciates the vital role played by unions and employee representatives in that regard.

I now urge my hon. colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Canadian workers who paid such a high and tragic price. They will not be forgotten. Their memory will act as a constant reminder of our duty to preserve and to work together to substantially improve occupation health and safety conditions across Canada.

If you do not mind, after my hon. colleagues are through with their remarks, we could observe a minute of silence in memory of all those killed in the workplace.