House of Commons Hansard #62 of the 35th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was jury.

Topics

Child PovertyOral Question Period

11:50 a.m.

NDP

Nelson Riis NDP Kamloops, BC

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Prime Minister, who will be aware that seven years ago the House unanimously passed a resolution affirming that members would seek to eliminate child poverty by the year 2000. He will also be aware of the United Nations report that said Canada has the second highest number of poor children among 18 industrialized nations.

How does he feel about this status of Canada and what is he and his government doing about it?

Child PovertyOral Question Period

11:50 a.m.

Saint-Maurice Québec

Liberal

Jean Chrétien LiberalPrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, we are always preoccupied with that type of social problem in our society. In the last budget the Minister of Finance had some concrete proposals to deal with this problem. I know provincial governments are working on it as well. We are very preoccupied and we will take steps within the means of the government to improve the situation.

The best way to improve the situation is to have an economy that creates jobs and produces more income for families. In doing that, children will be in a better position. It is a preoccupation and we are working on it.

The EnvironmentOral Question Period

11:55 a.m.

Liberal

Gar Knutson Liberal Elgin—Norfolk, ON

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Environment.

This week the Sierra Club's 1996 Rio report gave Canada failing marks for its efforts to reduce greenhouse gases which contribute to global warming and climate change. Furthermore, a recent report of the northern river basins study provided further evidence of serious effects of climate change.

How is the government addressing this very serious issue of destruction to the atmosphere?

The EnvironmentOral Question Period

11:55 a.m.

York—Simcoe Ontario

Liberal

Karen Kraft Sloan LiberalParliamentary Secretary to Minister of the Environment

Mr. Speaker, the northern river basins study has very clearly indicated that climate change is happening now. All of the research and data in this study will help us move forward on this very important agenda.

Canadian Wheat BoardOral Question Period

11:55 a.m.

Reform

Jake Hoeppner Reform Lisgar—Marquette, MB

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Justice and it is not on the Airbus.

About two weeks ago there was a report that western Canadian barley producers lost about $180 million probably because of the bungling of the Canadian Wheat Board's sales and irregularities.

I asked the minister to do a judicial inquiry into that. I was wondering if he could inform the House whether he has become informed on the issue and what action he has taken.

Canadian Wheat BoardOral Question Period

11:55 a.m.

Essex—Kent Ontario

Liberal

Jerry Pickard LiberalParliamentary Secretary to Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

Mr. Speaker, at the present time I think it is inappropriate to comment on what is happening with western grain transportation.

We have a grains panel in place which will report at the end of this month. My colleague well knows the commission will come back with recommendations on what should be happening.

Child PovertyOral Question Period

11:55 a.m.

Bloc

Stéphan Tremblay Bloc Lac-Saint-Jean, QC

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Human Resources Development.

On November 24, 1989, the House of Commons passed a unanimous resolution to eliminate child poverty before the year 2000. But UNICEF tells us that, of all the industrialized countries, Canada has the highest rate of child poverty, second only to the United States.

Does this observation about child poverty give the Minister of Human Resources Development an incentive to put back on the table the $630 million he had available last December to fund day care in Canada?

Child PovertyOral Question Period

11:55 a.m.

Acadie—Bathurst New Brunswick

Liberal

Douglas Young LiberalMinister of Human Resources Development

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member is undoubtedly aware that the government has already recognized in the budget its obligation to try to come to the assistance of low income families and, in particular, to try to protect children living in such situations.

With regard to the proposal to which the hon. member is referring, which was made last fall, before Christmas, as everyone knows, the provinces' reaction was very lukewarm. They were concerned that the Government of Canada was once again interfering in their affairs, that the proposal would have meant interference in a strictly provincial matter.

Is this the only way we can intrude in situations where the provinces must take responsibility? Because, what happens? We see that in the employment insurance bill, for example, we have a proposal that could, in fact, provide relief for these people who need help with the cost of day care for their children, among other things.

TourismOral Question Period

11:55 a.m.

Liberal

Wayne Easter Liberal Malpeque, PE

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

Tourism is the key growing economic activity in Canada. In 1995 more than 777,000 people visited the wonderful province of Prince Edward Island, adding $178 million to the province's economy. This is a growth industry.

Given that the Prime Minister committed $50 million to the Canadian Tourism Commission to promote tourism across Canada, can the minister report on the progress of this initiative and how these funds are being spent?

TourismOral Question Period

11:55 a.m.

Ottawa South Ontario

Liberal

John Manley LiberalMinister of Industry

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the question. After the Prime Minister issued the challenge to the private sector to match the contribution of the government of $50 million a year, in the first year we raised from the private sector contributions virtually $40 million. In the second year we expect to make the target of $50 million, thereby doubling the contribution of the federal government.

The Canadian Tourism Commission is an example of how federal, provincial and private sector contributions working together can create jobs and economic growth for Canadians in all parts of the country.

Employment InsuranceOral Question Period

June 14th, 1996 / noon

Reform

Ian McClelland Reform Edmonton Southwest, AB

Mr. Speaker, earlier the Minister of Human Resources Development said that there needs to be an upper limit on the funds going into employment insurance. Has the minister yet determined what that should be? Is it $5 billion?

Second, will the minister tell the House whether the fund will be made discrete and not part of general revenues so it will truly be an insurance fund?

Employment InsuranceOral Question Period

Noon

Acadie—Bathurst New Brunswick

Liberal

Douglas Young LiberalMinister of Human Resources Development

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member has raised a couple of questions.

With respect to the nature of the obligations of the Government of Canada, it is one thing to have a separate fund when it is in a surplus, and it is another thing to have it separate when it is in a deficit.

If the hon. member is suggesting that when the fund is in a deficit position which would ordinarily occur in a recession, premiums would have to rise to make it self-sustaining. I think that would be very counterproductive.

As far as the upper limit amount of the surplus, I think everyone recognizes it is a question which has to be addressed. We have historical data demonstrating what happens when there is a downturn in the economy. We have only had a situation for the past few months where the fund has been a real surplus position.

I have no doubt that the Minister of Finance, myself and other members of the government will deal with this problem in an appropriate way at an appropriate time.

Presence In The GalleryOral Question Period

Noon

The Deputy Speaker

Colleagues, I draw to your attention the presence in the gallery of His Excellency, Dr. Jagan Cheddi, President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana

Presence In The GalleryOral Question Period

Noon

Some hon. members

Hear, hear.

Report On Access To Information And PrivacyOral Question Period

Noon

Saint-Léonard Québec

Liberal

Alfonso Gagliano LiberalMinister of Labour and Deputy Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2) and to section 72(2) of the Canada Labour Relations Board Act, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, copies of the annual report on the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act for the 1995-96 fiscal year.

Government Response To PetitionsOral Question Period

Noon

Saint-Léonard Québec

Liberal

Alfonso Gagliano LiberalMinister of Labour and Deputy Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's response to six petitions.

Human Reproductive And Genetic Technologies ActOral Question Period

Noon

Saint-Léonard Québec

Liberal

Alfonso Gagliano Liberalfor the Minister of Health

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-47, an act to respecting human reproductive technologies and commercial transactions relating to human reproduction.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed.)

Federal Court ActOral Question Period

Noon

Saint-Léonard Québec

Liberal

Alfonso Gagliano Liberalfor the Minister of Justice

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-48, an act to amend the Federal Court Act, the Judges Act and the Tax Court of Canada Act.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed.)

Administrative Tribunals (Remedial And Disciplinary Measures) ActOral Question Period

Noon

Hull—Aylmer Québec

Liberal

Marcel Massé LiberalPresident of the Treasury Board and Minister responsible for Infrastructure

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-49, an act to authorize remedial and disciplinary measures in relation to members of certain administrative tribunals, to reorganize and dissolve certain federal agencies and to make consequential amendments to other acts.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed.)

Canada-Yukon Oil And Gas Accord Implementation ActOral Question Period

12:05 p.m.

Saint-Léonard Québec

Liberal

Alfonso Gagliano Liberalfor the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-50, an act respecting an accord between the Governments of Canada and the Yukon territory relating to the administration and control of legislative jurisdiction in respect of oil and gas.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed.)

Nunavut Waters ActOral Question Period

12:05 p.m.

Hull—Aylmer Québec

Liberal

Marcel Massé Liberalfor the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-51, an act respecting the water resources of Nunavut.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed.)

Business Of The HouseOral Question Period

12:05 p.m.

Saint-Léonard Québec

Liberal

Alfonso Gagliano LiberalMinister of Labour and Deputy Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise the House that Wednesday, June 20 shall be the eighth allotted day in the present supply period instead of Thursday, June 21 as I announced earlier.

Since the annual summer adjournment rumour mill is already working overtime, I think I ought to give it a rest and clarify the reasons for this change. It is simply to accommodate the needs of

the House to deal with bills that may be sent back by the Senate as late as Wednesday afternoon. The government wishes to be in a position to deal with a bill if one should come from the Senate.

I apologize to my colleagues in changing from Thursday to Wednesday, but with co-operation we hope that by Friday the House can adjourn as scheduled.

Business Of The HouseOral Question Period

12:05 p.m.

Bloc

René Laurin Bloc Joliette, QC

Mr. Speaker, I request a clarification from the hon. minister. I think there is some confusion. He talked of Wednesday, June 20, and Thursday, June 21. Thursday is the 20th and Friday, the 21st. I wonder if he would clarify this point.

Business Of The HouseOral Question Period

12:05 p.m.

Liberal

Alfonso Gagliano Liberal Saint-Léonard, QC

Mr. Speaker, I got my dates mixed up, my apologies. We had announced that the final opposition day for this period would be on Thursday, June 20. Unfortunately, with the possible return of some bills from the Senate, we would like to move it to Wednesday, June 19.

PetitionsOral Question Period

12:05 p.m.

Reform

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

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to present two petitions to the House. The first petition from my constituency has 160 signatures.

The petitioners pray and request that Parliament not amend the Canadian Human Rights Act or the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms in any way which would tend to indicate societal approval of same sex relationships or of homosexuality, including amending the Canadian Human Rights Act to include in the prohibited grounds of discrimination the undefined phrase sexual orientation.