Debates of Oct. 27th, 1997

Singer Retirees

[Claude Bachand, Bloc, Saint-Jean, QC]

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

In 1987, 600 retirees from the Singer company sought their pension fund from the federal government. Today there are only 350 of them and their average age is 82.

Because this is a matter to be handled humanely and not technically or legally, would the minister not agree to the proposal made by the Singer retirees of calling on Claude Castonguay to act as mediator, particularly since Mr. Castonguay is prepared to—

[The Speaker]

The Minister of Human Resources Development.

[Pierre Pettigrew, Liberal, Minister of Human Resources Development]

Mr. Speaker, I understand very well the concerns raised by the former employees of the Singer company, but, as the hon. member knows, the Singer case is now before the courts.

I would repeat what I have already said to the member. The government properly managed the money it was responsible for at the time. What it cannot do is assume responsibility for a plan it was not responsible for. The member will understand that the financial consequences for the government would be considerably greater.

Public Service

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

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

At a meeting this past weekend of the Professional Institute of the Public Service its president, Mr. Hindle, said that the pride of the public service will never be restored as long as it is run by paternalistic managers who do not treat workers as equals and who keep them from speaking out on politically sensitive issues. He also stated that mismanagement of Canada's fisheries illustrates how public service managers keep employees from speaking the truth.

When will the Liberal government remove the suppression or gag order from scientists who work in the fisheries and oceans, health and environment departments and allow the truth to come forward—

[The Speaker]

The hon. government House leader.

[Don Boudria, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, in answering on behalf of the minister of fisheries, no attempt at all has been made by the government to suppress the views of scientists.

The scientists have a structure by which to respond collectively to individual issues as they are raised. There is no effort at all to suppress the views of scientists. That is false.

Search And Rescue

[David Price, Progressive Conservative, Compton—Stanstead, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Canadian search and rescue did a fantastic job last week. Canadians should all be proud of what was accomplished. But how many ships have to sink before the government realizes that helicopters are not about partisan politics but about saving lives?

On Friday the minister told the House the capabilities of the new helicopters were limited. During the weekend some of the manufacturers went on record as saying they could have done the job.

Who understands the capabilities of these new helicopters, the manufacturer or the minister of defence?

[Art Eggleton, Liberal, Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, the people who know the best are the fine dedicated men and women who are part of our search and rescue operation. They do a terrific job in saving lives. They know the kind of equipment they need. They know the kind of aircraft they have in addition to helicopters. They also know any of the helicopters that are being suggested do not have the range that was involved here.

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member talks about not making it partisan. It is unfortunate and ludicrous that they try to exploit this most unfortunate case.

The Economy

[Preston Manning, Reform, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, we have just been advised that the Toronto and New York stock exchanges have shut down to avoid a major collapse of the equity markets.

Would the minister like to comment on this and advise the House of the government's position on restoring stability?

[Paul Martin, Liberal, Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition knows there has been market turmoil in the Asian markets for a period of weeks. In fact last week the situation deteriorated and then came back.

As far as Canada is concerned—in fact as far as North American markets are concerned—our fiscal situation has improved substantially. I am very confident that the structural reforms that are required in Asia to prevent contagion are in place and I feel very confident about the situation in North America and in Canada specifically.

Finance

[Sarkis Assadourian, Liberal, Brampton Centre, ON]

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

Some critics have claimed that the multilateral agreement on investment would remove Canada's ability to place restrictions on foreign investment.

Can the minister tell the House how the MAI will affect Canada's right to control foreign investment in this country?

[Sergio Marchi, Liberal, Minister for International Trade]

Mr. Speaker, essentially the fundamental goal of the MAI negotiations currently under way in Geneva is to ensure non-discrimination for foreign investment, investment in Canada as well as investment overseas by Canadians.

Second, it is to uphold the standards and laws of one's own country. That is why every country is permitted to put forward exemptions and that is exactly what Canada will do in order to promote and protect her interests.

Canadian International Trade Tribunal

[Benoît Sauvageau, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

Mr. Speaker, earlier the Minister of Finance told us that he had new information following the decision handed down on July 22. As is the practice of the Canadian International Trade Tribunal, all witnesses were heard prior to July 22 and the final decision was rendered on July 22.

Will the minister comply with the decision of the Canadian International Trade Tribunal?

[Paul Martin, Liberal, Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, the tribunal sets its own rules. The tribunal advised us that it had received additional information and it requested more time to review the situation.

Penitentiaries

[Chuck Cadman, Reform, Surrey North, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I have the minutes of the Joyceville inmate committee for August 26. Canadians will be outraged to hear of the acting deputy warden's support for some “type of payment plan” to inmates in trouble with drug and gambling debts.

Does the solicitor general believe that drug loans help to rehabilitate inmates?

[Andy Scott, Liberal, Solicitor General of Canada]

Of course not, Mr. Speaker.

The Environment

[John Herron, Progressive Conservative, Fundy Royal, NB]

Mr. Speaker, last week the United States announced its position on greenhouse gas emissions for the Kyoto conference on climate change. Canada is the only G-7 country that has not made its position public. It is unacceptable that the government is not prepared for an international treaty that is less than two months away.

Will the minister make public prior to the Kyoto conference Canada's position on greenhouse gas emissions? Will the minister guarantee the full support of her provincial counterparts? If so, does a strategy to implement the—

[The Speaker]

The hon. Minister of the Environment.

[Christine Stewart, Liberal, Minister of the Environment]

Mr. Speaker, the Government of Canada will make its announcement on targets and time lines when it feels it is appropriate.

Presence In Gallery

[The Speaker]

I draw the attention of hon. members to the presence in the gallery of the members of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Security from the Senate of the Czech Republic.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear.

Criminal Code

[Jay Hill, Reform, Prince George—Peace River, BC]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-266, an act to amend the Criminal Code (alcohol sensing ignition controls for automobiles).

Mr. Speaker, first I would like to thank my hon. colleague from Crowfoot for seconding the bill.

Alcohol is involved in more than 40% of all traffic fatalities. As Mothers Against Drunk Driving noted last week, on average 4.5 Canadians are killed each and every day in alcohol related crashes. Even when their licences are suspended many impaired drivers continue to drive, endangering more lives.

This private member's bill promotes the use of ignition interlocks in the sentencing of drunk drivers. If they cannot start their car because they have been drinking, they will not be on the road killing innocent people.

It has been demonstrated that the use of interlock reduces the rate of reoffending by up to 70%. That will save a lot of Canadian lives.

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

Petitions

[Yves Rocheleau, Bloc, Trois-Rivières, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to present a petition signed by some 600 Quebeckers who are calling upon Parliament to take action so that part II of the Canada Labour Code can be amended to make it mandatory to reassign any pregnant worker if her health or the health of her unborn child is threatened and, in such cases, to provide for preventive withdrawal from work with pay.

This petition is signed by people from almost all of Quebec's regions.

Questions On The Order Paper

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

Mr. Speaker, I ask that all questions be allowed to stand.

[The Acting Speaker (Mr. McClelland)]

Is that agreed?