House of Commons Hansard #18 of the 36th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was co-operatives.
The Speaker
As is our practice on Wednesday we will now sing O Canada , and we will be led by the hon. member for Pictou—Antigonish—Guysborough.
John Duncan Reform Vancouver Island North, BC
Mr. Speaker, in 1975 four rail tanks containing 340 tons of toxic chlorine fell off a barge during a storm on the lower west coast and have never been located.
In May when I requested a summer 1997 search, the Minister of the Environment assured me that the fisheries minister has prime responsibility for this issue. No search was initiated.
We now know that 12 months ago a proven salvage operator in B.C. approached the federal government with a proposal to find the tanks for the sum of $30,000. This risk free offer was rejected.
The clock is ticking on a potential lethal chlorine gas escape 22 years after the sinking. People living along the Strait of Georgia want the minister to stop sitting on his hands.
Does the minister think spending this $30,000 is somehow unimportant?
Bonnie Brown Liberal Oakville, ON
Mr. Speaker, questions about Canadian identity and unity have been debated for decades, but such debates have little relevance to the daily lives of Canadians.
One reality in our lives is that at this time of year our children are heading back to ice rinks to play a game ingrained in our identity. It is fall and therefore it must be the start of hockey season. Clearly hockey is Canada's great unifying force. We have all just been reminded of the enormous pride we felt at Team Canada's great victory in 1972.
In backyard rinks and community arenas, people are lacing up their skates to take part in a Canadian tradition. Therefore it is appropriate to thank the dedicated families and volunteers who facilitate Canada's game, for they are the torch bearers of an integral part of Canadian identity, unity, heritage and pride: the game of hockey.
Ted McWhinney Liberal Vancouver Quadra, BC
Mr. Speaker, the late Dorothy Lam was the wife of the first Chinese born Lieutenant-Governor of British Columbia, David Lam, and a most gracious chatelaine in her own right.
She will also be remembered in British Columbia as the driving force behind the David and Dorothy Lam Foundation which directed millions of dollars to universities and to cultural and charitable initiatives in B.C., including the remarkable Sun Yat Sen Garden in the centre of downtown Vancouver, in whose classical Chinese architectural design, as well as in the planning and financing, she was a main inspiration.
Louis Plamondon Bloc Richelieu, QC
Mr. Speaker, yesterday the hon. member for Vaudreuil made the following statement “Quebec is not as open to the minority rights of anglophones as Ontario, Manitoba or New Brunswick are to francophones”.
With this statement not only did the hon. member for Vaudreuil expose his ignorance and prejudices publicly, but he also echoed the government line, for all of its leading lights denigrate Quebec society, its tolerance, its democratic system.
Today reality is so distorted that the Quebec Liberal MPs firmly believe that francophone Canadians are better treated than English speaking ones by their provincial government. The reverse is true.
Rather than getting all indignant about the insulting words of his colleague yesterday, the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs ought, as should the Prime Minister and the President of Treasury Board moreover, confess to the same attitude, for he is directly—
Member For Vaudreuil—SoulangesStatements By Members
The Speaker
I am sorry to interrupt the hon. member. The hon. member for Malpeque now has the floor.
Wayne Easter Liberal Malpeque, PE
Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge the special achievements of some of my constituents in the riding of Malpeque.
I would like to congratulate Mr. Gordon and Mrs. Antje MacEachern who spent 13 weeks in Lodge, Guyana at the Convalescent Home for Children, an institute operated by the Red Cross Society. As members of the Canadian Volunteer Advisers to Business, the MacEacherns worked to improve the living standards with others in developing nations.
In Lodge, Guyana Mrs. MacEachern set up a system and trained staff in early childhood development which proved to be a great success. Through lectures, hands-on training, role playing and video feedback, Mrs. MacEachern helped provide an enjoyable setting for children and staff.
I would like to congratulate the MacEacherns for their work and dedication to improving our world one step at a time.
Karen Kraft Sloan Liberal York North, ON
Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend Environment Canada for initiating the Northern Star Award program. The Northern Star Award will recognize the environmental contributions of young people aged 16 to 24 in the areas of public policy, community service, communication and creativity, science and technology, and environmental entrepreneurship.
The 12 winners of the award will form a group called the Polaris Network. They will be provided with a group web site and will receive computer training. Over a period of one year, the 12 members of this network will share their experiences and their expertise. They will work together to inspire others to get actively involved in building healthier environments in their communities and regions.
I ask all members of the House to encourage young Canadians to apply for this award.
Bonne chance aux étudiants.
Ken Epp Reform Elk Island, AB
Mr. Speaker, our hearts go out to the family and friends of Donna Lee Hallett. She was brutally murdered, bludgeoned to death, in 1993. Now, four years later, her murderer was sentenced to two years. Adding to their pain and grief, the bereaved must now also bear the anger of having her murderer go virtually unpunished.
The judge, in trying to justify the sentence, said that the murderer was entitled to 10 years of credit for the four years he served in custody. Stephen Schwalm brutally murdered a defenceless woman in cold blood and in return he gets four years of free room and board in the Edmonton Remand Centre followed by two years in jail. Then he goes free.
When will the justice minister do something, anything, to stop this kind of travesty of justice, this one happening in her very own city?
Carolyn Parrish Liberal Mississauga Centre, ON
Mr. Speaker, I was pleased to be part of the Canadian delegation of NATO parliamentarians meeting in Romania last week which passed the following resolution: “Whereas more than 110 million anti-personnel land mines are placed in 65 nations around the world, aware that existing de-mining efforts and techniques clear fewer than 100,000 per year while 2 million to 5 million are laid yearly, the assembly urges member governments and parliamentarians to the North Atlantic Alliance to sign, ratify and implement a comprehensive ban on the production, stockpiling, transfer and use of anti-personnel land mines and to devote additional resources to the development of technologies intended to improve the efficiency of de-mining efforts and ensure they are rapidly made available to nations suffering the effects of the large scale use of land mines”. This passed at NATO.
I would also like to add my sincere compliments to the Minister of Foreign Affairs for all he has done and to the Prime Minister—
Hélène Alarie Bloc Louis-Hébert, QC
Mr. Speaker, as the Bloc Quebecois spokesperson on science, research and development, I am pleased to speak in this House to draw attention to national science and technology week, October 17 to 26.
Science and technology are the very lifeblood of a modern country, and this national week must make the government aware of the need to invest in research funding councils, rather than sprinkling small amounts here and there, and interfering in areas of provincial jurisdiction.
National science and technology week is an ideal opportunity for the people of Quebec and of Canada to become more aware of the importance of this sector of the economy. Our economic future depends on our ability to rise to the challenge of international competition.
Denis Paradis Liberal Brome—Missisquoi, QC
Mr. Speaker, two weeks ago, I had the pleasure of announcing the creation of new jobs for young people in my riding of Brome—Missisquoi.
A company from Bromont, Univirtuel-Multimédia & Interconnectivité, will create 30 jobs in the area of multimedia production. The Government of Canada will contribute $207,600 to support this job creation initiative.
By creating these new jobs for young Canadians, Univirtuel-Multimédia supports our government's youth employment strategy, which is designed to help our young people find that first job when they come out of school. The company will kill two birds with one stone since it will help Bromont strengthen its position in the high tech sector.
I congratulate Guy Désautels and his associates, and I urge other businesses to follow their example. Welcome to Bromont's high tech park and thanks to my colleague, the Minister of Human Resources Development.
Maurice Vellacott Reform Wanuskewin, SK
Mr. Speaker, the group Canadians Addressing Sexual Exploitation has sponsored white ribbon against pornography week and some of the members of the House are wearing white ribbons in support of this.
People who view pornography are affected in different ways, but they are all affected. Child molesters have been shaped by the pornography they view. Individuals who become rapists have by pornography been desensitized to the personhood and dignity of women.
And those seduced by pornography who do not become sexual criminals nevertheless develop a contaminated view of human sexuality. This breeds unfaithfulness to one's spouse and is therefore destructive to families.
We are reminded of the need to restrain the pornography industry which causes so much personal devastation and societal harm. Those opposing this cancer are to be commended for their courage and endeavours in these days.
Denis Coderre Liberal Bourassa, QC
Mr. Speaker, the PQ's loudspeakers in Ottawa made a lot of noise yesterday, in an attempt to cover the fact that separatists got caught trying to do things behind the back of Canada on the international scene.
In order to give more clout to Lucien Bouchard's visit to Paris, the PQ experts in international wheeling and dealing had managed to include in an agreement on child support wording that would have given the agreement a symbolic meaning that it was not supposed to have.
It is truly deplorable to see how far Bloc and PQ members are prepared to go to enlist France's support. When will separatists stop threatening the harmonious relations that everyone is trying to establish between France, Canada and Quebec?
Rick Laliberte NDP Churchill River, SK
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to comment on the climate change treaty to be signed in Kyoto, Japan this December.
Canadians know about global warming. However, empty Liberal promises, broken international treaties, misleading words and fearmongering uttered in this House are not giving Canadians an honest picture. The environment minister and Reform members keep stressing the supposed costs for all Canadians. Why do they ignore the potential benefits for our industry and our workers?
Canadians need to know that thousands of jobs would be created in any country dedicated to meeting international emission targets. There are more than environmental and economic benefits involved: There is our children's future. As we enter the new millennium, Canada should be in the forefront of developing efficient technologies to use existing fuels, while encouraging alternative and renewable energy sources.
Nancy Karetak-Lindell Liberal Nunavut, NU
Mr. Speaker, the popularity of Inuit art has brought great opportunities to many northern artists. Unfortunately, Inuit artists are not the only ones profiting from these opportunities.
An industry producing imitation Inuit carvings and prints, commonly referred to as fakelore, is making it harder and harder for legitimate artists to sell their work. This clearly must come to an end.
This fakelore is so common that a group of Inuit tourists from my riding were shocked to see that the parliamentary gift shop here in Centre Block is selling it.
I am pleased to inform the House that following our conversation, Mr. Speaker, we will be exploring options to promote legitimate Inuit art in the parliamentary gift shop.
Peter MacKay Progressive Conservative Pictou—Antigonish—Guysborough, NS
Mr. Speaker, a young west coast student. An east coast athlete. A mother and her son in Ottawa. Each belongs to a club for which membership was not an option. Each was killed on a Canadian highway by a drunk driver.
This association's membership was sadly increased again today by four, and does so every day. More than 400 people will also be injured today as a result of alcohol related crashes. And this will happen again tomorrow and the next day.
It is a fact that alcohol significantly increases the risk of motor vehicle crashes. It is also a fact that alcohol increases the severity of traffic collisions.
Canadians witness far too many tragedies that could be prevented.
Tomorrow the organization MADD, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, will be in Ottawa to reveal the results of an important survey. Following their press conference, I will host an informal reception where all members of Parliament are invited to meet with the board and members of MADD and discuss the proposed initiatives.
I encourage all my colleagues to participate in what will be a very informative session. Finally, I congratulate MADD for its tremendous efforts in combating the daily carnage on our highways caused by drunk drivers.
Preston Manning ReformLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, the environment minister is going to Kyoto, Japan in two months to sign a massive emissions treaty. Depending on how these negotiations unfold, this emissions deal could end up affecting the life of every Canadian.
Yesterday the environment minister told the House that the Liberals have already made up their minds to sign “legally binding targets in Kyoto”.
Why has the environment minister publicly committed to signing a treaty that has yet to be negotiated? Is that not putting the cart before the horse?
Christine Stewart LiberalMinister of the Environment
Mr. Speaker, the international community recognizes that climate change is a global problem every nation in the world must address.
The prime minister at the meeting of the G-8 in Denver at the end of May and again at the special session of the United Nations in June committed our country—and others did the same—to medium term legally binding commitments in Kyoto, Japan to address this very serious global problem.
Preston Manning ReformLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, yesterday we asked the environment minister whether she will sign the Kyoto deal even if the Canadian provinces do not agree to it. She refused to answer, saying only that she would negotiate with the provinces to implement whatever deal she signs in Japan.
Yesterday Alberta's environment minister said in no uncertain terms that Alberta will not accept as binding an emissions treaty arrived at in this way.
Does the Liberal government intend to force this emissions deal down the throats of Albertans exactly in the same way it enforced the national energy program?
Christine Stewart LiberalMinister of the Environment
Mr. Speaker, comparisons are odious.
I would like to inform the member across the floor that I have been, with my colleagues on this side, in dialogue with the various stakeholders on this issue across the country. I spent a day long session with my provincial counterparts discussing this issue. I just finished a meeting with all of them, including my counterpart from Alberta, and they all recognize the importance of this country addressing this important issue.
Preston Manning ReformLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, we remember the dialogue that preceded the national energy program, so excuse us if we do not have much faith in it.
Yesterday environment said that implementing the Kyoto deal will “incur costs”. The Conference Board of Canada estimates that those costs could reach $4,000 a year for the average family. Canadians have to be told where those moneys are going to come from. Are they going to come from fuel taxes? Are they going to come from carbon taxes? Are they going to come from other taxes? Or are they going to come from all of the above?
Which Canadians are going to have to pay for the Kyoto deal and how much will they pay?
Christine Stewart LiberalMinister of the Environment
Mr. Speaker, the federal government assures all Canadians that as a national issue we are all going to have to address the measures that will have to be taken. There will not be measures that are not discussed thoroughly with the major stakeholders on this important issue.
There are also important opportunities for this country attached to addressing this issue.
I would like to quote to the House a statement made by the chairman of British Petroleum some weeks ago in which he said “The time to contemplate action is not when the links between greenhouse gases and climate change can be conclusively proven”.
Chuck Strahl Reform Fraser Valley, BC
Mr. Speaker, on October 6 the minister of public works claimed that the government introduced new contracting rules in 1994, rules that were supposed to clean up the contracting fiasco in his department. Two years after the changes were supposedly made, his own director general of audits admits there is evidence of continuing contract manipulation in his own department.
How can the minister claim that the mess in his own department was cleaned up when his own officials were saying there was ongoing contract manipulation?
Alfonso Gagliano LiberalMinister of Public Works and Government Services
Mr. Speaker, if the member has proof that there is manipulation he should come forward and give it to us. We always try to improve the system. We have a good system and every day we find some discrepancies and we change them.
If the member has any proof he should come forward so that we can look at it properly.