Debates of Oct. 22nd, 1997

Small Business

[John Manley, Liberal, Minister of Industry]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for the question highlighting the important contribution that the small business sector is making to the over one million jobs that have been created by the private sector in Canada over the last four years. This becomes particularly important in firms that we know are going to grow. These are the firms that export to markets broader than their own local markets and that adapt and use technology.

For that reason we have initiated a range of programs to support their entry into foreign markets, to help them acquire and use technology. We made an election commitment to increase the funding available for the industrial research assistance program. We will continue to support the efforts of small business.

War Medals

[Jim Abbott, Reform, Kootenay—Columbia, BC]

Mr. Speaker, Colonel John McCrae was the World War I doctor who penned In Flanders Fields .

The heritage minister has known for six weeks that his medals were coming up for auction this Saturday. The medals have been authenticated by many historical authorities. The people of Canada have contributed over $25,000 to this.

I want to know from the government what specific steps it has taken to ensure these medals end up in a Canadian war museum.

[Hedy Fry, Liberal, Secretary of State (Multiculturalism)(Status of Women)]

Mr. Speaker, I reiterate that one must be respectful to the family of Lieutenant-Colonel McCrae. In this instance the family has questioned the medals. As a result we are talking with the family and once those medals are authenticated the Canadian government will do everything in its power to ensure that those medals remain here and we will give financial support.

National Defence

[Jocelyne Girard-Bujold, Bloc, Jonquière, QC]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of National Defence.

Rumours are still circulating regarding the possibility that the federal government will acquire British submarines for the Canadian Forces.

Given the magnitude of such expenditures and the fact that they are so hard to justify, will the minister tell us clearly, once and for all, whether there is still a possibility that submarines will be bought for the Canadian Forces?

[Art Eggleton, Liberal, Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, no final decision has been made with respect to acquisition of submarines. However, the matter is being looked at very carefully. There are further discussions which are now going on with the British with respect to the matter, but no final decision has been made by the government.

Nigeria

[Bob Mills, Reform, Red Deer, AB]

Mr. Speaker, two years ago Nigeria's rulers killed Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight others. Canada helped to suspend Nigeria from the Commonwealth.

The minister is now going to travel to the Commonwealth meetings this weekend to ask it to extend the suspension. Everyone agrees the suspensions have not worked.

At McGill last week the minister said that we may have to take more coercive measures. What kind of coercive measures is the minister talking about?

[Lloyd Axworthy, Liberal, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, during the past two years the Commonwealth ministerial advisory group has worked very closely on the Nigerian file. I am pleased to report to the House that we have been able to arrive at a very clear consensus including counties from all regions of the Commonwealth.

A report has been prepared that will be presented to the heads of Commonwealth during the Commonwealth meeting. The measures being recommended, if accepted by the heads of government, will provide the right and proper balance of measures which will bring about the proper signal that we want to see democracy and human rights restored in Nigeria.

Presence In Gallery

[The Speaker]

I draw the attention of hon. members to the presence in our gallery of members of the Standing Committee of Internal Affairs of the German Bundestag.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear.

[The Speaker]

I would also like to draw the attention of the House to the presence in our gallery of Bernard Thériault, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear.

Oral Question Period

[The Speaker]

I propose to address myself to an incident that occurred during question period. I am sure all hon. members are aware that the give and take of question period is rather accelerated these days. Most members seem to think this is a good thing.

Also with the acceleration many times we do not always have a chance to reflect upon the words we use. Sometimes words are used in the course of the question period which border on being unparliamentary. When that is the case I usually caution hon. members to be very judicious in their choice of words.

From the chair I try to hear as much as I can and to see to it that debate is carried on in an orderly fashion. Whereas some words are borderline in my view and I use words like judicious and cautious, there are some words that we cannot accept. Many times these words are used in the heat of battle and after reflection we find that perhaps we could have had a better choice of words.

In this question period, probably because there was not enough time to react or to think, one of our members used words which in my view were unparliamentary.

In trying to carry out a question period which is both informative and at the same time gives us a chance to air our questions properly, I hope all hon. members would agree that we should use words that are more than anything parliamentary.

Had the hon. member for Beauharnois—Salaberry had a little more time, he probably would have used words other than the ones he used during the course of debate.

I can only deal with the words that I heard outright and I would appeal to the hon. member for Beauharnois—Salaberry to withdraw the words “il a menti”. If he would do that then we could get on with the business of the House.

Would the hon. member please withdraw the words “il a menti”?

[Daniel Turp, Bloc, Beauharnois—Salaberry, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I would be quite prepared to withdraw these words, as long as I was sure that the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs will also withdraw his accusation that my leader had lied.

[The Speaker]

I understand, from his words, that the hon. member for Beauharnois—Salaberry has withdrawn—

[Some hon. members]

No.

[Yvan Loubier, Bloc, Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot, QC]

No, it is the one on the other side who must withdraw his comments.

[The Speaker]

Dear colleagues, there is no question of setting conditions. Again, I must ask my colleague, the hon. member for Beauharnois-Salaberry—and, with all due respect, I hope his answer will be a simple yes—whether or not he withdraws his comments.

[Daniel Turp, Bloc, Beauharnois—Salaberry, QC]

Mr. Speaker, with all due respect, I think it would be completely responsible for the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs to withdraw the word he used.

[The Speaker]

I intend only to deal with one matter at a time. I will deal with other matters which arose from question period after I have dealt with this matter.

Without further discussion I once again appeal to the hon. member to withdraw the words “il a menti”. I will deal with other matters after I have dealt with this one. It is a simple yes or no. Will the hon. member for Beauharnois—Salaberry withdraw the words?

[Daniel Turp, Bloc, Beauharnois—Salaberry, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my comments, and hope that the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs will withdraw his.

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh.

[The Speaker]

My colleagues, I always caution you that we are dealing with the institution of Parliament.

The Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs is seeking the floor.

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

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to repeat what I said a moment ago: I did not say that the hon. member did not lie.

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh.

[The Speaker]

I have a transcript of what was said. It would facilitate matters a great deal if the hon. minister would simply withdraw the words. All I want is a yes or a no from the hon. minister.

The hon. minister is said to have said:

<“I will not accuse the hon. member of lying, as the Leader of the Bloc Quebecois is forever doing. I merely point out to him that he is mistaken”.

I am simply asking the hon. minister if he withdraws these words, yes or no?