Debates of May 28th, 1996

Supply

[Jim Abbott, Reform, Kootenay East, BC]

Madam Speaker, I wonder if my colleague is also aware that within the time of this Parliament there was actually a move by Progressive Conservative senators to get an increase in their research budget.

I do not know what they would be researching. It became very clear that the reason Conservative senators were asking for an increase in their research budget was they wanted to tap into the Senate research dollars and cents so that Progressive Conservative senators could use their budget for the benefit of a loan to Progressive Conservatives that remain in this Chamber. The Conservative Party had the same arrogant attitude the current government has and it was wiped down to two seats in the last election

Again it is a question of accountability. I am sure anybody who would go along with the idea in this case of 40 million Canada taxpayer dollars to be used at the whim and will of senators and particularly to divert these research dollars form the Progressive Conservative senators to the lonely two in the back row here, any Canadian of right thinking, would realize this is obscenity of the first order.

When will the Liberal government wake up to the fact that it has a responsibility Canadians for how taxpayer dollars are spent?

[Garry Breitkreuz, Reform, Yorkton—Melville, SK]

Madam Speaker, I was not aware of this. I was aware of some of the other things going on with regard to patronage appointments. This is a shame, an absolute atrocity, using taxpayer money to do research for the Liberal and Conservative parties to see how they can get re-elected. That is a complete misuse of funds and I find it unconscionable and totally unacceptable.

When members across laugh and joke about this issue, I think it is something all Canadian should know about. This is absolutely the lowest form of politics we could get, absolutely the worst. I hope all Canadians give a loud no to the government at the next election.

[Marlene Catterall, Liberal, Ottawa West, ON]

Madam Speaker, the member for Yorkton-Melville spoke but I have not heard anybody on this side of the House laughing, chuckling. I question that kind of comment-

[Garry Breitkreuz, Reform, Yorkton—Melville, SK]

Right over there.

[Marlene Catterall, Liberal, Ottawa West, ON]

The member keeps trying to interrupt me and it is a little difficult to concentrate. I question that kind of comment. It casts aspersions on the members of the House who are listening to the debate. I ask the member to show a little more respect for his colleagues and not to suggest to the public that something is happening in the House which is not happening.

[The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Ringuette-Maltais)]

Resuming debate.

[Marlene Catterall, Liberal, Ottawa West, ON]

Madam Speaker, on a point of order. As you noted, members spend time in committee. I have been in committee all morning and not in the House.

I wonder if you could clarify the procedure taking place here today. I had understood this is an opposition motion which was tabled late yesterday and it is the choice of the opposition party whether it wishes it to be a votable motion. The opposition did not choose to make it votable.

[The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Ringuette-Maltais)]

This is not a point of order, although I appreciate the clarification of the situation.

[Garry Breitkreuz, Reform, Yorkton—Melville, SK]

Madam Speaker, on a point of order. I want to know if I could reply to what the member said because behind her were the people who were laughing and joking.

[The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Ringuette-Maltais)]

The 10 minute period allotted for questions and comments is finished. We are now continuing debate.

[Pierre De Savoye, Bloc, Portneuf, QC]

Madam Speaker, in this land that stretches from coast to coast called Canada, every citizen is represented by three parliamentarians: a member of the provincial legislature, a member of the House of Commons-there are 295 of us playing this role-and a senator in the other House.

As you can see, this is a lot of representation. We could even talk about redundancy, although redundancy sometimes has its merits. For example, every airplane has two control circuits: one on the left and one on the right; the same goes for ships. Thanks to this built-in redundancy, if one circuit fails, the other can take over and ensure the safety of passengers. This shows that redundancy has its uses.

We must now ask ourselves whether redundancy in our parliamentary system, the so-called bicameral system, enhances the safety, reliability and effectiveness of government operations?

If the other House had helped us a few years ago to avoid plunging the country so deeply into debt, we would all undoubtedly agree that our bicameral system, our other House of Parliament, can be effective, but such was not the case. Despite its redundancy, our parliamentary system does not improve government operations or enhance public administration. In fact, the exact opposite is true.

I thank my colleagues from the Reform Party for allowing us today to reflect on the usefulness of the other House. What I find regrettable is that this reflection is restricted to the other House because this House has its own operating flaws. If you consider the obligation to toe the party line, the way the House fulfils its responsibilities, the extent to which each member can represent his or her constituents, you will agree with me that the problem extends to the whole parliamentary system.

We must contemplate a comprehensive review of the parliamentary system from coast to coast. In conclusion, let me say that the partnership proposed by Quebec would lead us not only to a review of the system but also to a modern system that would enable us to face the challenges of the 21st century.

[The Speaker]

It being two o'clock, we will now proceed to Statements by Members.

Volunteers

[Paul Szabo, Liberal, Mississauga South, ON]

Mr. Speaker, across Canada and around the world volunteerism has contributed immensely to the well-being of our communities.

Here are a few examples of my own community of Mississauga where volunteers play a major role: Interim Place, a shelter for battered women; Distress Line Peel; the cancer, heart and lung associations; the volunteers at hospitals, senior homes and others serving the needy; the many people who have helped coach and run youth activities; the service clubs such as Rotary, Lions and Kinsmen; and all the other men and women who serve on boards and committees to sustain operations, to raise money and to promote goodwill, good health and good communities.

All of their time is given freely without reservation to contribute to making Canada remain the best country in the world.

We all should take the time to thank volunteers for their very special contributions. We do not need to wait for a special day of recognition because I am sure all would agree that every day is a good day to say thank you.

Republic Of Macedonia

[Bob Mills, Reform, Red Deer, AB]

Mr. Speaker, over three weeks ago Reform urged the government to reverse its current policy on the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and grant immediate diplomatic recognition to this country.

Unfortunately the minister has not taken Reform's advice. I have been given a recent letter, dated April 4, 1996, sent by the minister on this topic in which he makes it clear that the government is not prepared to grant diplomatic recognition.

The reason given for this is "concerns regarding bilateral disputes between FYROM and the Republic of Greece". This is a poor excuse, considering that Greece willingly recognized this country on September 13, 1995 and signed an accord to this effect over nine months ago. I have a copy of the accord if the minister would like to read it.

The UN has also recognized the former Yugoslav republic of Macedonia, so why cannot the Canadian government get its act together, learn the facts and grant diplomatic recognition today?

Child Find

[Pauline Picard, Bloc, Drummond, QC]

Mr. Speaker, for several years now the month of May has been the month of the green ribbon of hope campaign sponsored by Child Find.

It is with sadness that I draw attention to this campaign, but at the same time I am convinced of the need to take action to combat this problem, terrible as it is. Tens of thousands of children go missing every year. Whether they just run away or are abducted by a stranger or a parent, the fact remains that, in all these cases, children are lost, which is unacceptable.

To combat this scourge, Child Find takes positive steps at various levels, such as establishing contact and information networks to help in the actual search for missing children and developing public education and training programs.

This year, the month of May is dedicated to awareness as well as fund raising. I urge everyone to support this organization.

Canadian Coast Guard

[Bill Blaikie, NDP, Winnipeg—Transcona, MB]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberal government is apparently on the verge of announcing a drastic reduction in coast guard services on Lake Winnipeg, the tenth largest lake in the world. The plan to de-commission the Numao and the Avocet and to downsize the coast guard facility in Selkirk demonstrates a unique combination of gall and shortsightedness.

In public hearings held last year the government was told time and again by the affected communities that Manitoba needs better, not fewer, coast guard services and that the services now being provided were both essential and appreciated.

The Liberals have caught the downsizing disease from large corporations and the result is a decline in the quality of essential public services and a loss of jobs that is deeply wounding to Selkirk, Gimli and other communities all around the country.

The NDP calls on the government to reconsider its plans and preserve this useful public service. Leave the boats in service. Public safety and public protection should be a top priority.

Craig Swayze

[Walt Lastewka, Liberal, St. Catharines, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I want to pay tribute to a great Canadian, Mr. Craig Swayze.

Craig Swayze started rowing in 1939 as a coxswain in Brockville. He competed in rowing for 13 years, winning a medal at the Royal Canadian Henley in 1947.

With a career in journalism, he promoted rowing with the Brockville Recorder and Times , the St. Catharines Standard and the Canadian Press .

He represented Rowing Canada at the highest international level, FISA, and has received a host of medals and awards for his work in the Canadian and international rowing community and in the media.

As an active member of the rowing community in St. Catharines he has coached high school and club crews, and worked with the rowing club and the Royal Canadian Henley Rowing Corporation.

In 1970 St. Catharines hosted the first world rowing championships outside Europe. Craig Swayze was the chair of that regatta.

The world rowing championship is coming to St. Catharines in 1999 and Mr. Swayze has played a major role in making that a reality.

On May 4 the rowing community in St. Catharines honoured Craig Swayze for his immeasurable contribution to rowing. His dedication to the sport and to his community is an example to all Canadians.

I know my colleagues in the House join me in honouring the man known as the voice of rowing in Canada, Craig Swayze.

PHARmaCEUTICAL RESEARCH

[Bernard Patry, Liberal, Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC]

Mr. Speaker, on May 16, the 1996 Galien Canada Prize, the highest honour for pharmaceutical research in Canada, was awarded to Hoechst Marion Roussel Canada, of Laval, for the research and clinical studies the company has conducted to determine the effectiveness and safety of the drug known as Sabril.

Research plays a leading role in our society, as it helps improve our quality of life while at the same time increasing our life expectancy and, just as important, reducing treatment costs.

Thanks to pharmaceutical companies, their breakthroughs and their entrepreneurship, Canada can be said to be a leader in pharmaceutical research.

I am proud to associate myself with all Canadians and Quebecers in congratulating the entire staff at Hoechst Marion Roussel Canada and thanking them for their perseverance, determination and professionalism.

Parti Quebecois

[Sheila Finestone, Liberal, Mount Royal, QC]

Mr. Speaker, 50 years ago, Jackie Robinson arrived in Montreal. Today, we are proud of his accomplishments. However, it is obvious that the Parti Quebecois is not inspired by his example.

The very day that Montreal recognized the key role played by Jackie Robinson in the fight against discrimination, my province of Quebec discriminates against students wishing to pursue their studies outside the province, most of them in English.

While Jackie Robinson overcame the colour barrier, the Parti Quebecois is imposing a territorial barrier and, by the same token, a linguistic barrier.

While Jean Lesage and the Liberal Party promoted freedom, Lucien Bouchard and the Parti Quebecois are driving Quebec back into darkness.

Quebecers no longer have the option of studying in other provinces, amongst their fellow Canadians with whom they built our beautiful country. They can no longer enjoy the freedom of expression, the freedom of movement and the freedom of choice.

It is obvious the Parti Quebecois does not have-

[The Speaker]

I am sorry to interrupt the hon. member, but her time is up.

Le Fleuve Daily Newspaper

[Suzanne Tremblay, Bloc, Rimouski—Témiscouata, QC]

Mr. Speaker, on May 16, the first issue of a much awaited publication was released. I am referring to the daily Le Fleuve , in the Lower St. Lawrence. The event did not go unnoticed, since Le Fleuve is the first daily to be launched in Quebec in several years.

Published by a team of some 30 workers forming a co-op, Le Fleuve has a circulation of 20,000 throughout the Lower St. Lawrence region. The newspaper provides national and international information, in addition to regional information on social, economic, cultural and sporting events.

Let us salute the first daily to be published in the Lower St. Lawrence. Thanks to this publication, people will be in daily contact with their region and with the world.

Congratulations to the whole team of Le Fleuve and long live this new media, which is a long awaited tool of collective development in the Lower St. Lawrence region.

Young Offenders Act

[Jay Hill, Reform, Prince George—Peace River, BC]

Mr. Speaker, when an 11-year-old boy commits a violent crime, the only thing that authorities can do is send him home or to the Children's Aid Society, nothing more.

Such was the case in Toronto this month when a 13-year-old girl was allegedly attacked by three young boys and then raped by an 11-year-old. Apparently this boy was already known to police for auto theft and robbery. He was and still is immune from charges because the Young Offenders Act exempts children under age 12.

The system is failing these young people and their victims. Bill C-228, which I introduced in March, would include children as young as 10 under the YOA. If members are actually listening to the outrage of Canadians over this tragic event, then I urge them to support this change. These kids are capable of committing violent crimes, they are certainly capable of knowing they have done wrong and they must be held accountable for their actions.

Colonel Sam Smith Park

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

Mr. Speaker, in my riding of Etobicoke-Lakeshore we celebrate Colonel Sam Smith Park on the shores of Lake Ontario.

With the support of Environment Canada's Great Lakes Clean Up Fund, this waterfront facility has developed into a regional park which provides a diversity of aquatic and wildlife habitat and a variety of shoreline enhancement projects.

This year visitors can learn about the environmental assets of the park through a new trail sign system which will point out the various projects. The rehabilitation of fish and wildlife habitat in an urban environment is both beneficial to the environment and to the growth of industries that will concentrate on new environmental technologies.

I recommend and commend the work of the Metro Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, the municipality of Toronto, the city of Etobicoke and the community of Etobicoke-Lakeshore for the creation of Colonel Sam Smith Park.

This co-operative adventure toward sustainable development demonstrates that when government and communities work together we can achieve a healthy environment, economic growth, and a better community.

Space Program

[Albina Guarnieri, Liberal, Mississauga East, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the government has renewed its commitment to the Canadian space program by investing another $317 million this year. This commitment will continue the proud accomplishments of Canadian astronauts.

Marc Garneau will return to earth tomorrow from his second mission in space, having successfully reeled in the Spartan science satellite using the Canadarm, a creation of Spar Aerospace headquartered, of course, in my riding of Mississauga East.

Canadians have reason to be proud of their nation's achievements at the forefront of space exploration and especially proud of the encore performance of our first astronaut, Marc Garneau.

Thanks to Marc Garneau and his Canadarm, Canada is now famous even in space. Congratulations.

Youth Employment

[Andy Mitchell, Liberal, Parry Sound—Muskoka, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I wish to thank several high school students and others in my riding who took the time on Friday to provide their views on youth employment initiatives. The chair of the ministerial task force on youth was good enough to stop in Parry Sound-Muskoka to listen to the ideas of youth representatives in my riding.

I thank Mike Sporar from Bracebridge and Muskoka Lakes Secondary School, David Lamy and Marc Baron from Huntsville High School and Danielle Gliddon and Lynn Kameka from Gravenhurst High School for their insightful presentations at the forum.

The government remains committed to improving the environment for youth in Canada so that our younger generations have access to the training, tools and support they need to prosper as adults.

However, improving the process starts with feedback from the young people themselves so I encourage young people from across Canada to participate and to provide their input.