Debates of June 11th, 1996

Cfb Greenwood

[John Murphy, Liberal, Annapolis Valley—Hants, NS]

Mr. Speaker, for the second year in a row an Aurora crew from CFB Greenwood in my riding of Annapolis Valley-Hants has won the Fincastle Trophy.

At a recent competition in New Zealand our Canadian contingent beat out crews from Australia, Great Britain and New Zealand in a competition testing the surveillance skills of maritime patrol crews.

As well, the Aurora crew won the Fellowship Trophy, awarded for teamwork and professionalism, and the Maintenance Trophy for professionalism and dedication to duty.

I am extremely proud of the accomplishments of these Canadian Armed Forces members. They are excellent ambassadors for our country. I believe their achievements are representative of the teamwork, professionalism and dedication to excellence Canadian forces are known for both at home and abroad.

Mexico

[Maud Debien, Bloc, Laval East, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to draw attention to the visit to Canada of the President of Mexico, Mr. Ernesto Zedillo. I am delighted that Canada and Mexico enjoy such excellent relations. There has been a remarkable increase in economic exchanges under NAFTA, notably those with Quebec.

The two governments need to take advantage of this meeting to reiterate their rejection of the American Helms-Burton bill, which creates a dangerous precedent. What is more, Mexico and Canada must continue to join battle against drug trafficking and to develop effective economic, social and environmental policies to improve the standard of living of our populations.

The Bloc Quebecois acknowledges Mexico's efforts to get out of its economic crisis, and we hope the Mexican people will be able to reap the benefit of those efforts as soon as possible.

Agriculture

[Cliff Breitkreuz, Reform, Yellowhead, AB]

Mr. Speaker:

Farmer David Sawatsky had just won his case, The court said: "Hey, wheat board, get out of his face", The feds used French law because they say we are bound, But Sawatsky stood strong and held his ground. But only forty-five minutes is the time that it took, For the minister and his cronies to rewrite the book, Now back to court the grain farmer must go, And fight for his rights to sell the seeds he had sown. Again he will try to beat these Goliaths of gaff, Give farmers freedom-get out of their path, This is the nineties and the Liberals should know, That producers want change, so the monopoly must go. When will these old Grits give farmers a say, Just look to Alberta-they voted for yea. "I promise a plebiscite", came from the aggie minister's chops, Another broken Liberal promise-maybe he should join Sheila Copps.

North American Free Trade Agreement

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

Mr. Speaker, the president of Mexico's address to Parliament has given the Liberals one more chance to sing the praise of the NAFTA, the free trade agreement they were elected to oppose.

Canadians who were suspicious about the NAFTA during the last election still ask who really benefits from the NAFTA. Ordinary Canadians? No, wages have not been falling fast enough for investors so Canadian manufacturing jobs continue to move to low wage Mexico. Just ask the workers cast off at Kenworth in Montreal.

Have ordinary Mexicans benefited? No, their standard of living was decimated after the peso crisis and, as reported today by the Inter-Church Committee on Human Rights in Latin America, human rights abuses continue to plague the political system, and not just in Chiapas.

New Democrats speak for those who want to build a North American prosperity that is widely enjoyed by all the citizens of our countries, not only by the financial markets. At the very least the Canadian government needs to press the Zedillo government to respect human rights. The NAFTA needs an enforceable code of

labour rights and enforceable environmental standards that would hold up a basic standard of responsible corporate citizenship.

The Late Steve Neary

[Roger Simmons, Liberal, Burin—St. George's, NL]

Mr. Speaker, when former Liberal leader Steve Neary died in his sleep last Friday, Newfoundland lost a renowned native son, the poor and the downtrodden lost their most passionate champion, and I lost a close friend.

Steve Neary gave a lifetime to public service. As a labour leader and then as a politician he quickly earned a deserved reputation as a populist and a communicator.

When I first went into politics Steve was one of my mentors. His straight talk, his uncanny ability to get right to the heart of an issue with lightning speed and his disdain for people who take themselves too seriously made me an early convert to his brand of politics.

Steve's unblinking courage, his stubborn persistence, his unwavering loyalty and his non-stop love of life will be his legacy to us.

Steve, we miss you already.

Via Rail

[John English, Liberal, Kitchener, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to Kitchener representatives of the local branch of Transport 2000, notably George Bechtel and Mary Pappert.

Yesterday morning I had the pleasure of accepting letters from them which express concern for the maintenance of VIA Rail service to Kitchener and the potential impact its privatization may have in the area. Residents have long held the belief that its rail service is essential to the life of our community.

Clearly the local representatives have demonstrated an important role for ensuring VIA service to the area. Indicative of this was a recent promise from Terry Ivany, president of VIA Rail, assuring us of its continuation, which is excellent news for Kitchener.

While the Government of Canada proceeds with downsizing and streamlining, I am extremely encouraged by the efforts of Kitchener's local branch of Transport 2000. Much of what has been achieved thus far in retaining train service would not have been possible without its help.

Whatever the final outcome on the issue of rail service, I assure our friends at Transport 2000 that our combined efforts in both Kitchener and Ottawa will ensure for the future a viable and effective rail service to the area.

Public Service Awards

[Rey D. Pagtakhan, Liberal, Winnipeg North, MB]

Mr. Speaker, it was exciting to witness yesterday's presentation by the President of the Treasury Board of 12 awards of excellence to federal employees for their ingenuity, courage and service beyond the call of duty.

Lives were saved and missing children were reunited with their parents. Financial savings were achieved, as well as international renown and market access, forensic application of DNA analysis, merging of human resource and business plans, and partnership to preserve aboriginal heritage.

Ms. Flora Beardy from the Department of Canadian Heritage, a Manitoban, is one of the awardees. Her diligent documentation of the aboriginal history at York Factory, Manitoba gives an aboriginal perspective to the largely European accounts of northern Manitoba history.

Ms. Beardy and the other awardees richly deserve the appreciation of the Canadian citizenry and the gratitude of the House.

Quebec Referendum Act

[François Langlois, Bloc, Bellechasse, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Quebec's directeur général des élections has laid formal charges against certain private corporations and members of the Liberal Party of Canada, for offences against the Quebec Referendum Act on the occasion of the mammoth no rally last October 27. In English Canada, some Liberal MPs are expressing the opinion that freedom of expression is in jeopardy because of the charges laid by the DGE.

I would remind the House that the Quebec legislation does not prevent freedom of expression. On the contrary, in fact. The present debate again raises the question of the justification of limiting third party expenditures during the time leading up to elections, and their impact on the outcome on voting day.

How would English Canada react to a Quebec citizen's spending like there was no tomorrow in order to influence the results of a provincial election? Must it be pointed out that even the Canada Elections Act limits election expenses? This attack by English Canada against a Quebec law is just one more illustration of its double standard.

Liberal Party

[Philip Mayfield, Reform, Cariboo—Chilcotin, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberal government has often portrayed the Reform taxpayers budget as slash and burn policy, but this accusation only reflects the government's attempt to mislead Canadians.

The real facts of this matter are these. Hidden in the Canada health and social transfer, the Liberals intend to chop billions in transfers to the provinces over the next four years: a $3.3 billion cut to health care, a $1.3 billion cut to education, a $1.7 billion cut to social services.

Reform's taxpayers budget, however, recommended reductions to health care of only $800 million; education, $200 million; social services, $2.5 billion. That is a total of $2.8 billion less than the Liberals will cut.

Now you tell me, Mr. Speaker, who is slashing and burning Canada's social programs? It is the Liberals who are putting the country's most cherished and valued social programs in danger.

Peter Bosa

[Sheila Finestone, Liberal, Mount Royal, QC]

Mr. Speaker, last week it was my privilege to table a report of the Canadian IPU group about its activities at the interparliamentary conference.

I would like to pay tribute today to the leader of our group, Senator Peter Bosa.

At the Istanbul conference Senator Bosa was presented with the order of merit of Italy, known as the Grande Ufficiale della Repubblica Italiana, awarded by the president of Italy, Luigi Scalfaro.

This honour, similar to our Order of Canada, was awarded to him in recognition of his services in the advancement of multiculturalism.

Prior to becoming a senator in 1977 Senator Bosa was the chairman of the Consultative Council on Multiculturalism. He is the founder of the chair in Canadian-Italian Studies at York University as well as the Canada-Italy Parliamentary Friendship Group. It is nice to see someone honoured this way.

Our sincere congratulations.

Youth

[Tony Valeri, Liberal, Lincoln, ON]

Mr. Speaker, on May 21, 1996 I had the pleasure of hosting another workshop in my riding of Lincoln, this one focused on the challenges facing our youth.

The issues of concern to today's youth are the issues of concern to all Canadians, issues like effectively addressing the school to work transition, tackling real barriers to labour market entry and understanding the changing world of work.

The government recognizes that without proper investment in the future of our youth Canada will not enjoy a competitive advantage in the 21st century. Funding of programs that encourage entrepreneurship and proper skills training enhance our ability to compete globally.

As a government we have no greater responsibility than to provide the youth of Canada with a country full of opportunities and to prepare them to compete internationally.

Justice

[Jack Ramsay, Reform, Crowfoot, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the Canadian public demands the sentence given to first degree murderers be the sentence served.

The Canadian Police Association, Victims of Violence, the Reform Party and an overwhelming number of Canadians are all on record demanding the complete elimination of section 745, making life mean life.

Half measures making section 745 off limits to serial killers and other multiple murderers but open to those who only kill once is unacceptable. The justice minister is playing politics with this very serious issue.

Allowing some murderers the right to appeal their parole ineligibility while denying it to others demeans the worth of a human life and is an insult to victims and murder victims' families. Anything other than the complete removal of section 745 from the Criminal Code will be unacceptable.

Maritime Pipeline

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

Mr. Speaker, last week, at their meeting last week, the Prime Minister of Canada and the premier of Quebec approved the Maritimes pipeline project.

This important project will finally make this energy available to Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and a number of regions in Quebec.

The project is estimated to be worth over $1 billion, with nearly one quarter of this amount to be invested in Quebec.

Had it not been for the meeting of the two first ministers, the odds are that the route across Quebec planned by the two oil companies exploiting the pool on Sable Island, off the coast of Nova Scotia, would have never been possible.

Here again, we have proof that co-operation between governments provides the best assurance of Quebec's prosperity.

High School Graduates

[Ronald J. Duhamel, Liberal, St. Boniface, MB]

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of parliamentarians, I would like to congratulate all those graduating from high school across Canada.

Congratulations to all our high school students.

Whatever their future, whether they continue their studies or head into the labour market, we wish them every success.

Graduation normally means parties, and we want to alert young people to be careful. Driving to and from parties can be dangerous. Sometimes it is difficult to avoid drinking. If possible, it should be avoided. If that cannot be done there is a program called Safegrad, managed almost totally by students.

Safegrad is almost entirely managed by students and aims to reduce the risks of accident by ensuring that alcohol consumption does not become a threat to safety.

To all graduates,

-on behalf of all those who love you a lot-

Be careful.

Gulf Canada Resources Limited

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

Mr. Speaker, on Monday, the president of Gulf Canada Resources Ltd., J.P. Bryan, said he wanted to send separatists on a boat back to France or confine them to a North American Bantustan.

Mr. Bryan is acting like a Rhodesian full of scorn for Quebecers. Before hiring this U.S. born executive, Gulf Canada should have made sure he had some basic notions of history, manners and democracy.

What is even more troubling is the fact that, instead of condemning such an outburst, 700 executives of the Canadian oil industry applauded. Where have understanding and respect for democracy and freedom of expression gone? Where I come from, we call this intolerance and provocation.

Officials of the company in Quebec ought to condemn Mr. Bryan's antidemocratic and profoundly unacceptable remarks.

Newfoundland Fisheries

[Mike Scott, Reform, Skeena, BC]

Mr. Speaker, just when we thought the fisheries minister could not create any more chaos in Canada's fisheries we learn the worst is yet to come.

Advancing its policy of discrimination in the Atlantic food fishery, the government feels stabbing Newfoundland in the back is not enough. Rubbing salt in the wound might make things a little more festive. Not only is every Atlantic province permitted to fish for food except Newfoundland, Tourism Canada is now paying for advertising to attract tourists to those other provinces.

The latest insult is the permitting of an unlimited food fishery for the French islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon where French locals and tourists can fish their little hearts out as close as three miles from Newfoundland's Burin Peninsula.

Once again the province with the greatest cultural and economic dependency on the cod fishery is the province kicked the hardest.

A few years ago a Newfoundland organization called Cod Peace adopted the slogan "In Cod We Trust". Perhaps the House should adopt a similar motion: "For Fred We Show Disgust".

Medicare

[Roy Cullen, Liberal, Etobicoke North, ON]

Mr. Speaker, this weekend Canadians witnessed another flip-flop in Reform Party policy on medicare, but this is nothing new.

The leader of the Reform Party said in September 1993 his party would eliminate universality and then in October 1993 he said Reform is opposed to private health care.

The member for Macleod has said in the House that medicare is bad for everybody. He has also said medicare is important to all Canadians.

On April 22, 1996 the member for Calgary Centre complained in the House that his party's health care policy was being portrayed as a two tier system. However, at its assembly this weekend that is exactly what his party proposed, a two tier system that will give top quality care to the rich and leave a lower quality and less responsive system for everybody else.

Today's article in the Toronto Star indicates the Ontario Medical Association fully understands Reform Party policy. It knows Reform is proposing a two tier system. It is time for Reform to come clean with the rest of Canadians.

Member For Jonquière

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

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to salute today the presence in this House of the hon. member for Jonquière who is back among us after a three-month absence.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear.

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

It is when the going gets tough that the tough get going. This is how we recognize men and women of courage. I would like to acknowledge here the remarkable determination of our colleague from Jonquière and, on behalf of my colleagues from the official opposition, and of all the other members of this House, I am sure, wish him all the best upon his return to the Hill.

First Ministers' Conference

[Gilles Duceppe, Bloc, Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs.

The Prime Minister's letter to his provincial counterparts concerning the agenda of the first ministers' conference says this: "We will discuss, among other things, the realignment of the roles and responsibilities of our partnership in areas such as manpower training, federal spending powers, mining, forestry, and so on".

Are we to understand from the Prime Minister's letter that, for the federal government, partnership means that, as in the area of manpower training, Ottawa will set the national standards, guidelines or objectives and monitor the implementation of these standards, while the provinces will have to be content with administering the programs?

[Stéphane Dion, Liberal, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, the government's objective is to clarify as much as possible the division of responsibilities between the various levels of government to ensure that the federal government is highly effective and competent and in a position to help Canadians in its areas of jurisdiction, that the provinces, too, are highly competent and effective in their own areas of jurisdiction, and that there is a very strong partnership between the two levels of government.

The June 20 and 21 conference will give us an opportunity to take a major step in that direction by addressing each of these issues in a concrete and sound manner, always keeping in mind the need to improve government services for all Canadians.

[Gilles Duceppe, Bloc, Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, are we also to understand that, according to this notion of partnership, the federal government will, once again, follow the same model as for manpower training, that is to say, it will withdraw or say it will withdraw from operations and then refuse to pay full compensation to the provinces, forcing them to foot the bill while-let us not forget-it continues to pocket taxpayers' money?

[Stéphane Dion, Liberal, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, a while ago, the Minister of Human Resources Development, Mr. Young, revealed an offer made by the federal government to all the provinces. This offer proposes a general framework under which each province will be able to set its own policies in its own areas of jurisdiction to better serve its people.

This offer was acclaimed everywhere in Quebec as a great step forward, if not the finishing line for a concrete solution. We can now say that job training is on the right track. We will soon have in Canada one of the most admired parliamentary models.

[Gilles Duceppe, Bloc, Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, we in Quebec were happy to hear that negotiations would be held. There was mention of a starting point. I now realize that, for the minister, the starting point is the finishing line.

This is in keeping with the federalists' faultless logic. They say: "We are at the starting point in initiating negotiations"; they then turn around and say: "No, no, it is the finishing line". Thank you very much; that is quite interesting.

In the federal government's effort to reorganize the federation, does it not intend, in the final analysis, to reproduce the Charlotte-

town accord, since it is very similar? So the Charlottetown accord gets in through the back door, piece by piece. This agreement, need we remind the House, was rejected not only by Quebec but by all of Canada, as it was too much for some and not enough for others.