Debates of May 10th, 1996

Trade

[Art Eggleton, Liberal, Minister for International Trade]

Mr. Speaker, as question period draws to a close, I am happy to bring some good news. Over the last three years since the government took office exports have increased by 40 per cent.

Last year the trade surplus was some $28 billion. Trade has gone up from 26 per cent to 37 per cent of GDP in just four years. The future also indicates that there will continue to be big increases in export and trade investment.

That means that the government is delivering on its promise of jobs and growth because for every billion dollars of new trade 11,000 jobs are created for Canadians.

Health Care

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

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Health.

A recent poll showed that a majority of Canadians would like to be able to buy private health care insurance and private medical services. Will the government do the right thing and allow Canadians to do this by amending the Canada Health Act forthwith?

[Joe Volpe, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, the member has failed to indicate that the same poll suggests that Canadians are overwhelmingly in favour of the Canadian health care system as it currently exists.

There are enormous inconsistencies in the party position of the member on health care. One day its members insist that the one tier system is the best system and on another day they have a different position. Today must be that day.

However, he should be aware, as all Canadians are, that the government will maintain the integrity of the system and make sure that it continues to provide the services required by Canadians everywhere on the same basis and not on a per pay basis.

Institut Maurice-Lamontagne

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

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

The minister has already clearly indicated to us that, despite projected financial cuts, the Institut Maurice-Lamontagne will continue to exist. However, it remains to be seen whether the minister will not make an empty shell out of it.

How can the minister explain that he wants to reduce funds allocated to the Institut Maurice-Lamontagne, when we know the Department of Fisheries and Oceans allocates only 9 per cent of its scientific research budget to Quebec and the situation will deteriorate further if the minister goes through with his plans?

[Fernand Robichaud, Liberal, Secretary of State (Agriculture and Agri-Food]

Mr. Speaker, it is true that the Department of Fisheries and Oceans went through a review of all the programs it was providing and had to make certain adjustments.

But I want to assure the hon. member the programs at the Institut Maurice-Lamontagne will not be affected more than those elsewhere and the institute will continue to play a major role in fisheries in Canada.

Unemployment

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

Mr. Speaker, unemployment statistics released today show that the maritime provinces, and Newfoundland in particular, have apparently benefited the most from the 40,000 new jobs created last April.

Could the minister outline the main reasons why, in his opinion, Atlantic Canada did so well?

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

Mr. Speaker, all the provinces are making every effort to find ways, in co-operation with the Government of Canada, of resolving the unemployment problem that affects us all. Of course, some are more successful than others.

I would like to assure my hon. friend that, in Atlantic Canada and across the country, the indicators are nevertheless favourable. Unemployment reduction has slowed down slightly, but I hope that, with the private sector, the provinces and the Government of

Canada working together, we will continue to reduce unemployment in all parts of the country.

Government Response To Petitions

[Paul Devillers, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to present the government's response to several petitions.

Transport

[Paul Devillers, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2) and in accordance with subsection 13(3) of the Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board Act, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the annual report of the investigation board for the 1995 calendar year.

Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), this report is deemed permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Transport.

Committees Of The House

[Don Boudria, Liberal, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present the 16th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs regarding the membership and the associate memberships of various standing committees.

With leave of the House, I intend to move for concurrence later this day.

Petitions

[John Harvard, Liberal, Winnipeg—St. James, MB]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36 I am pleased to present a petition bearing the signatures of about 1,500 fellow Manitobans.

The petitioners call on Parliament to establish national policies to control and contain the incidents of myalgic encephalomyelitis, fibromyalgia, and multiple chemical sensitivities in Canada and to ensure care, treatment, comfort and dignity for persons afflicted with these illnesses.

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

Mr. Speaker, I present a petition from 29 of my constituents who ask that peace tax legislation be passed into law and specifically that the conscientious objection act be made into law.

[Andy Scott, Liberal, Fredericton—York—Sunbury, NB]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to present two petitions. The first petition is signed by 220 New Brunswickers. The second petition is signed by 455 Nova Scotians.

The petitioners call on Parliament to establish national policies to control and contain the incidents of chronic fatigue syndrome, known as ME, fibromyalgia, and multiple chemical sensitivities in Canada and to ensure care, treatment, comfort and dignity for persons afflicted with these illnesses.

[Nick Discepola, Liberal, Vaudreuil, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to table a petition signed by 372 people from Quebec who are asking the government to set national policies to control and contain the incidence of chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia, and to ensure care, treatment, comfort and dignity for those afflicted with these illnesses.

[Bonnie Brown, Liberal, Oakville—Milton, ON]

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure today to present a petition from British Columbia with 751 names collected in order to ask the government to begin to act on chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia and multiple chemical sensitivities, and to take care of these people, have treatment for them and to assure them dignity when they are afflicted with these illnesses.

[Beryl Gaffney, Liberal, Nepean, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I have a petition with 10,818 signatures from people in the province of Ontario. These people are also calling on Parliament to establish national policies to control and contain the incidents of myalgic encephalomyelitis, fibromyalgia, and multiple chemical sensitivities in Canada, and to ensure care, treatment, comfort and dignity for persons affected with these illnesses.

[Wayne Easter, Liberal, Malpeque, PE]

Mr. Speaker, I too have the pleasure to present a petition which calls on Parliament to establish a national policy to control and contain the incidents of

chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and multiple chemical sensitivities in Canada, and to ensure care, treatment, comfort and dignity for persons affected with these illnesses.

The petition contains 211 names from the province of Prince Edward Island.

[John Loney, Liberal, Edmonton North, AB]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, I present a petition on behalf of 262 residents of Alberta.

The petitioners call on Parliament to establish national policies to control and contain the incidents of myalgic encephalomyelitis, fibromyalgia, and multiple chemical sensitivities in Canada, and to ensure care, treatment, comfort and dignity for persons afflicted with these illnesses.

[Jean Augustine, Liberal, Etobicoke—Lakeshore, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I have several petitions from Newfoundland asking Parliament to establish national policies to control and contain the incidents of chronic fatigue syndrome and multiple chemical sensitivities in Canada, and to ensure, care, treatment, comfort and dignity for persons afflicted with these illnesses.

Committees Of The House

[Don Boudria, Liberal, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I move that the 16th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, presented to the House earlier this day, be concurred in.

(Motion agreed to.)

Questions On The Order Paper

[Paul Devillers, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, I ask that all questions be allowed to stand.

[The Deputy Speaker]

Is that agreed?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[Elwin Hermanson, Reform, Kindersley—Lloydminster, SK]

Mr. Speaker, I tabled a question on February 28, 71 days ago. It is the same question that I had on the Order Paper since September 15 of last year. It was on the Order Paper when the House prorogued.

I was assured by the former parliamentary secretary to the government House leader that the government was diligently pursuing the answer and that an answer would be forthcoming last year.

I asked the current Parliamentary Secretary to the Government House Leader if progress was made and I would expect an answer soon. He promised to get back to me a couple of weeks ago and I have heard absolutely nothing. It has been well over half a year since the question was initially asked. It is not a hard question. It is information the department should have at its fingertips. I would really like to have an answer very soon.

[Paul Devillers, Liberal, Simcoe North, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I would be prepared to take the matter up with the parliamentary secretary and get back to the hon. member as early as next week.