Debates of Oct. 24th, 1997

Solicitor General

[An hon. member]

Talk to the real people.

[Chuck Cadman, Reform, Surrey North, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the solicitor general seems intent on disputing the findings of his own department. Now we find that he has hired a private public relations firm to put a positive spin on negative numbers.

Will the solicitor general please tell the House what is more important, public relations or public safety?

[Andy Scott, Liberal, Solicitor General of Canada]

Mr. Speaker, once again I want to go back to the statement made by the Union of the Solicitor General Employees which got together with CSC and said very specifically that it does not help and in fact it is counterproductive to have outside critics attacking the professionalism of the staff they pretend to protect by intentionally raising fears and making inflammatory statements.

Aboriginal Affairs

[Louise Hardy, NDP, Yukon, YT]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development.

The Canadian Human Rights Commission in its report recommended that the concerns of the Micmac Indians of Newfoundland be addressed. When Newfoundland joined Confederation the Canadian government decided the Indian Act would not apply, and these people have never been treated fairly. There are 11 members of the Federation of Newfoundland Indians.

Will the minister commit to negotiating and settling agreements with all Indians of Newfoundland?

[Bernard Patry, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development]

Mr. Speaker, that is a very good question.

Yesterday I had a conversation with Mr. Watso of the Micmac Indian Band. We addressed the problem. It is a very serious problem coming from the report of the Canadian Human Rights Commission released on October 6. We are looking at it. When the minister returns we will have more consultations with the Micmacs of Newfoundland.

[Peter Stoffer, NDP, Sackville—Eastern Shore, NS]

Mr. Speaker, my question today is for the Deputy Prime Minister.

Yesterday the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development said that they hoped to implement some aspects of the aboriginal commission. Today in questioning he led the same line, that he hopes. Would the Deputy Prime Minister please make a release to the House?

You have been sitting on the commission for almost an entire year. When will you be speaking—

[The Deputy Speaker]

The hon. member is not in his seat, but if the minister wishes to make a reply he may do so.

Search And Rescue

[Bill Matthews, Progressive Conservative, Burin—St. George's, NL]

Mr. Speaker, I want to pursue a line of questioning started this morning by the member for Fundy Royal and answered by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence.

The parliamentary secretary very clearly stated to the House that the EH-101 helicopter would not have the range capability to search for the people fighting for their lives right now in the North Atlantic and those who have already died.

Will the Minister of National Defence admit and confirm for the House that if we did indeed have EH-101 helicopters they could have at least gone to the Hibernia platform to refuel and those people who have already died may still be alive—

[The Deputy Speaker]

The hon. Minister of National Defence.

[Art Eggleton, Liberal, Minister of National Defence]

That is absolutely wrong, Mr. Speaker. Our search and rescue people are out there. They are using other kinds of aircraft.

The range is far beyond the capability of our helicopters or the helicopters of any of the companies that are bidders on the current contract, including the one the member has talked about, the one the Conservative government fouled up.

International Trade

[Hélène Alarie, Bloc, Louis-Hébert, QC]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of International Trade.

Since 1995, imports of oil, butter and sugar mixtures have doubled annually. All dairy producers are concerned about this situation, for makers of ice cream are turning increasingly to milk substitutes. The dairy industry estimates its quota losses at 3%, or $50 million in lost revenue, for 1997-98.

Will the minister admit that these oil, butter and sugar mixtures have been created to get around the tariff measures put in place by Canada, and will he act quickly to resolve the situation?

[Julian Reed, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Minister for International Trade]

Mr. Speaker, the government is very much aware of and giving serious consideration to this very new thing called butter oil which has been put on the market.

I assure the hon. member the government is committed to maintaining an effective supply management system for the dairy industry, one which is consistent and continues to be consistent with our international trade obligations.

Computer Systems

[René Laurin, Bloc, Joliette, QC]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the President of the Treasury Board.

With respect to the year 2000 computer problem, the auditor general said in his latest report, and I quote: “Systems that are most critical in supporting major programs may fail and could affect public health and safety and other essential services to the public”.

While the government's priority seems to be lavish spending to celebrate the year 2000, can the President of the Treasury Board give an immediate assurance to citizens who depend on pension, unemployment and disability payments for their survival that they will not be affected—

[The Deputy Speaker]

The President of the Treasury Board.

[Marcel Massé, Liberal, President of the Treasury Board and Minister responsible for Infrastructure]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for his question.

He is quite right. Programming computers for the year 2000 is a major problem. We have talked with the auditor general. Numerous working groups have been set up in various departments to examine the very matter to which he is referring. No government can give a complete guarantee, but I can tell him that we are now working very seriously to find solutions to the problem and to avoid negative consequences to the greatest extent possible.

Solicitor General

[Myron Thompson, Reform, Wild Rose, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I wish the solicitor general would talk to real people once. He talks to the elite all the time.

We have guards with us again today who would love to have a conversation with him but he will not talk to them. They are just lowly guards. That is the problem with his department.

It was reported to me today that when the guards were demonstrating and had a little picket line in Kingston, the warden promised the inmates a rumpus room if they would behave themselves. I understand there has been a rumpus room installed with a pool table, shuffle board and a big screen television. Please would the—

[The Deputy Speaker]

The hon. solicitor general.

[Andy Scott, Liberal, Solicitor General of Canada]

Mr. Speaker, as I have said and I think it is very important to repeat, we cannot count on the facts that are presented by Reform.

The union of the employees issued a statement this morning saying that the union and CSC both feel it is counterproductive to have outside critics questioning the professionalism of the service by intentionally raising fears and fearmongering and making inflammatory statements.

[The Deputy Speaker]

That will conclude question period for today.

Nunavut Implementation Commission

[Bernard Patry, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development]

Mr. Speaker, under the provisions of Standing Order 32(1), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, copies of the 1996-1997 annual report of the Nunavut Implementation Commission.

Pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, copies of two reports by the Nunavut Implementation Commission, a compilation of the supplementary reports published by the Nunavut Implementation Commission in 1996, and Footprints in New Snow, volume 2.

Committees Of The House

[Peter Adams, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present the fifth report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs regarding membership of the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans and the associate membership of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade.

If the House gives its consent, I intend to move concurrence in the fifth report later this day.

Parliament Of Canada Act

[Mike Scott, Reform, Skeena, BC]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-265, an act to amend the Parliament of Canada Act and the Canada Elections Act (change of political affiliation).

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to introduce this bill today. Its effect, when enacted, would ensure that the seat of a member of the House of Commons becomes vacant when that member gives up membership in the political party for which that member was elected or where a member of the House sitting as an independent informs the House that he or she is joining the membership of a political party.

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

Committees Of The House

[Peter Adams, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, if the House gives its consent, I move that the fifth report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, presented to the House earlier this day, be concurred in.

(Motion agreed to)

Petitions

[Mike Scott, Reform, Skeena, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise to table two petitions today on behalf of constituents. The first one reads: “We the undersigned citizens of Canada draw the attention of the House to the following”—

[The Deputy Speaker]

Order. I caution the hon. member. He is not to read the petition but he is to give a brief summary of the petition and presentation. I sense that he is reading it from what I am hearing. I would invite him to comply with the rule and give the House a summary.