House of Commons Hansard #13 of the 36th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was debate.
The Speaker
As is our practice on Wednesday we will now sing O Canada , and we will be led by the hon. member for Winnipeg—Transcona.
Ted McWhinney Liberal Vancouver Quadra, BC
Mr. Speaker, Gwendolyn Elizabeth, Betty, Trainor who died in Vancouver on September 22 was a graduate of the Montreal General Hospital School of Nursing and of the Sloane Hospital in the Columbia Medical Centre in New York.
During her active practice of nursing in the Yukon Territory she also founded the Yukon Native Arts, a lifeskills program for native youth. Later in Ottawa she was cofounder of the Tweedsmuir Centre, which pioneered the use of megavitamins in the treatment of mental and behavioural disorders.
She and her husband, the late Justice William Joseph Trainor of the Supreme Court of B.C., were leaders in Vancouver in community affairs activities relating to handicapped persons and in church welfare organizations.
Myron Thompson Reform Wild Rose, AB
Mr. Speaker, as we speak, guards at Kingston Penitentiary are on the picket lines. They are saying the institution is out of control and ready to blow.
Kingston Pen was previously designated a multilevel institution dealing primarily with protective custody inmates. It now houses a greater percentage of non-protective custody offenders who are defiant, aggressive and organized. Past incidents reflect this aggression with numerous staff assaults, two hostage takings and two riots since August 27.
Unfortunately the physical layout and the daily operations at Kingston Pen are not conducive to managing these maximum security offenders. Staff now work in extremely hazardous situations.
The guards want action from management and have come up with their own cost effective solutions. Once again it is the frontline workers who can predict what is going to happen if these changes are not forthcoming.
Mark my words. If management does not act now, we are going to see destruction, both physical and human, that will put the $3.1 million Headingley riot to shame.
Karen Kraft Sloan Liberal York North, ON
Mr. Speaker, Pat McIintosh and Janice McLaughlin have worked tirelessly with the Newmarket area youth in an equal and full participatory partnership to make a longtime dream reality. The Newmarket Youth Centre opens its doors next week.
Young people were hired through a Canada youth service corps project to complete renovations for the centre. The local Canada HRD office, the town of Newmarket and local business and community service partners should be commended for their contribution to and support of Newmarket area youth.
Surrounding communities have shown interest in replicating the unique Newmarket Youth Centre model as it has proven to be an effective and successful way to empower and engage youth with community partners.
Paul Bonwick Liberal Simcoe—Grey, ON
Mr. Speaker, for my first S.O. 31 statement I would like to concentrate on the importance of the tourism industry and the role it is playing in my riding.
The riding of Simcoe—Grey is one of the most beautiful areas in Canada. It offers the majestic Niagara escarpment rolling down into the pristine waters of Georgian Bay. With areas like Wasaga Beach, home of the world's largest freshwater beach, and Collingwood's beautiful turn of the century main street, it is a tourist's dream.
Tourism is a significant and vital component of the Simcoe—Grey economy. It is a major job creator and a great many small businesses depend on tourism for their livelihood.
I am proud of the initiatives brought forward by the government to assist in the continued development of the tourism industry. I am proud of the great strides made within the tourism industry within our riding.
I encourage all Canadians to come and visit my riding and see the many splendours it has to offer.
Ghislain Fournier Bloc Manicouagan, QC
Mr. Speaker, yesterday the hon. member for Bourassa exhibited the pettiness and partisan narrow-mindedness for which he is already legendary, by omitting congratulations to the newly elected PQ member for Duplessis, Normand Duguay, a native of the village of Rivière-au-Tonnerre in my riding.
The population of this fine North Shore riding, the country of Gilles Vigneault, which is known for its vast spaces and its people's joie de vivre, has staunchly and proudly supported the sovereignist option.
The people of Duplessis withstood the Liberals' blackmail and threats during this campaign.
In the context of cuts Quebec has been forced into by the federal government, this election of October 6 is a great victory, and a tie between the parties.
People of the North Shore—
Provincial Riding Of DuplessisStatements By Members
The Speaker
I regret having to interrupt the hon. member. The hon. member for Scarborough Centre now has the floor.
John Cannis Liberal Scarborough Centre, ON
Mr. Speaker, today I recognize a company in my riding of Scarborough Centre that has had major successes in the international trade community.
Berg Chilling Systems is a family owned business employing 81 people which manufactures industrial refrigeration systems. Its systems are exported to 29 countries around the world, and in 1996 exports accounted for 68% of its total sales.
On Monday of this week the company was awarded the 1997 Canada Export Award by the Minister for International Trade at a ceremony in Quebec City. This award recognizes outstanding performance by a smaller exporter in the global forum.
I congratulate Berg's chairman Lorne Berggren and its president Don Berggren on their achievements. I wish them and the company continued success.
Jim Pankiw Reform Saskatoon—Humboldt, SK
Mr. Speaker, monopoly giant BCE wants it all and this Liberal government is giving it to them on a silver platter. Despite the Liberals' commitment to competition and growing small businesses, here are the facts.
BCE's Teleglobe was just licensed by the CRTC to operate a wireless cable system in Ontario. BCE's Bell Canada has been licensed to operate the Expressvu direct to home satellite system.
Now the Liberals have created team Canada to assist small business with exports, and who have the Liberals named as chief of team Canada? Why, BCE chairman Lynton Wilson. Surprise. Surprise. And who has contributed over $70,000 to the Liberals in the past two years? BCE. Surprise. Surprise.
So listen up small business. Here is how to get preferential treatment from the Liberals. Become a subsidiary of BCE and donate liberally to the Liberal Party of Canada.
It should not have to be that way. The Liberal Party is an affront to small business.
David Pratt Liberal Nepean—Carleton, ON
Mr. Speaker, many members have spoken recently on the subject of breast cancer, a devastating disease that has become the leading cause of death among women 35 to 55 years of age.
Breast cancer has had a profound effect on my own family. My grandmother had breast cancer 35 years ago and survived. While, I lost my mother to breast cancer five years ago, I am very proud to say that one of my sisters is now doing leading edge research at the University of Ottawa.
Every 30 minutes another Canadian woman is diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 5,400 women die of the disease every year. While these statistics are alarming, we have made great strides in the fight against this disease. The benefits of extensive awareness programs and early detection screening are starting to be felt as mortality rates for breast cancer in Canada have begun to decline.
October is breast cancer awareness month. Let us all wear the pink ribbon and show our support for women confronting this dreaded disease.
Paul Mercier Bloc Terrebonne—Blainville, QC
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister trumpets in his Speech from the Throne “We have put our public finances in order”. Patting himself on the back like that makes one wonder, when one knows that these same Liberals are the ones who left behind a $38 billion deficit when they were booted out of office in 1984.
Let us remember the performance of the present Prime Minister when he was Minister of Finance from 1977 to 1979. He doubled the deficit. He increased the federal government's debt by 50%.
But that impudence changes to cynicism when one realizes that the Liberals are reducing the deficit with provincial funds for health and education, as well as with funds hijacked from employment insurance.
They are tickled pink to announce that they will soon be able to put out a fire which they themselves started. The Liberal pyromaniac turns into a firefighter, and then uses the neighbour's well to extinguish the fire he has started. Really now!
Claude Drouin Liberal Beauce, QC
I am honoured to be able to pay tribute to the extraordinary efforts of the thousands of courageous and determined men and women volunteers and Canadian military personnel who fought the Saguenay floods in Quebec and the Red River floods in Manitoba.
A mere mention of these two events is sufficient to remind us of the immensity of the disasters which struck these areas and the immensity of the needs they created. These unprecedented natural disasters led to the greatest expression of generosity and solidarity modern-day Canada has ever known.
The Saguenay and Manitoba floods have not only left their mark on the geography of those regions. They have also left their mark on the hearts of all Canadians, with an undying memory of a people standing up against adversity and reaching out to help those in need.
Dick Harris Reform Prince George—Bulkley Valley, BC
Mr. Speaker, once again under these Liberals we see the voices of Canadians being trampled under the hooves of a government that clearly prefers dictatorship to democracy.
By the introduction of closure on Bill C-2, the Liberals are saying one of two things: that the Liberals just do not care if the Canadian people are concerned about the biggest tax grab in the history of this country; or that the Liberals just do not want the Canadian people to find out exactly how destructive these new pension proposals are.
Whatever their agenda, the bottom line is that these Liberals are refusing to allow enough informed and constructive debate to clearly show Canadians what this is all about. The last time I checked, this was a democratic country. It is obvious today that those Liberals do not believe that.
David Iftody Liberal Provencher, MB
Mr. Speaker, the Manitoba flood has changed us forever. Today in the riding of Provencher many families are still in the process of returning to a normal life. However the generosity expressed from across Canada was remarkable and will never be forgotten.
Thousands of donations and boxes full of food and clothing arrived to help fellow Canadians. Thousands of volunteers selflessly gave their time, skill and energy to ensure the safety of their fellow citizens. Our communities will never forget the francophone armed forces and reserve members from Quebec who fought alongside Mennonite families to save their homes.
These demonstrations of unity from across Canada express who we really are as a people. Today I am most proud to be here in the House of Commons to recognize these great Canadians.
Bill Blaikie NDP Winnipeg—Transcona, MB
Mr. Speaker, many members would agree, I am sure all, that this Parliament is off to a good start. We face difficulties with five official parties but the general feeling is that we are off to a good start.
In that context I would like to say how much we in the NDP regret that the government has fouled that good start by moving to closure on a major national policy issue after only one day of debate. One day of debate. The Liberals cannot even tolerate a day and a half of debate before they move to closure on CPP reform, a major policy issue.
Shame on the Liberals. Shame on the Liberals. Shame on the Liberals. This is a travesty when it comes to parliamentary democracy and they should be ashamed of themselves. Was it the NDP amendment they were ashamed of? They did not want to vote for it, they did not want to discuss it. What is going on?
Presence In GalleryStatements By Members
The Speaker
My colleagues before we begin oral questions, I would like to draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of Mr. Arthur Donahoe, Secretary General of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.
Preston Manning ReformLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, there is no doubt about it, Irish eyes are smiling today. Brian Mulroney's legal team will now cash a cheque from the taxpayers of Canada for more than $2 million. This is what the government had to pay out for the bungled Airbus investigation. Libel lawyers across the country are calling this payout immense, astonishing and stunning.
My question for the prime minister is will he apologize to Canadian taxpayers for this fiasco and in particular for the huge payout to former Prime Minister Mulroney?
Jean Chrétien LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, there was an inquiry by the RCMP and there were some problems that arose during that inquiry. This led to a case which would have taken the government to court and the case was settled out of court.
There was an arbitrator, Mr. Justice Gold, who asked the government to pay the bills which were submitted by the lawyers and the public relations people working for Mr. Mulroney. It was agreed between the Minister of Justice at the time and the lawyers at the moment of settlement that the bills would be presented and those that were justified were to be paid and they have been paid.
Preston Manning ReformLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, in January the justice minister at the time swore that the government would never pay Mulroney's legal team a cent. That is what he said. Now they have cut a cheque so big that Dennis Rodman would blush. This cheque includes $600,000 for Luc Lavoie, the PR man hired to polish Mulroney's image.
Why would the government pay Brian Mulroney's bills including his huge PR tab but it will not pick up the $30,000 legal bill for the government's fall—
Andy Scott LiberalSolicitor General of Canada
Mr. Speaker, the amount of the settlement was decided by former Chief Justice Gold.
It was determined in that settlement that he would determine what were reasonable expenses. It has been done. It is binding. Case closed.
Preston Manning ReformLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, this whole problem started when the current health minister was the justice minister. In pursuing this politically motivated goose chase he embarrassed himself, embarrassed the justice department, embarrassed the RCMP, embarrassed the House and cost taxpayers millions of dollars.
My question is for the Prime Minister. Will there be any disciplinary consequences for the current Minister of Health, or will the government spend another $600,000 rehabilitating his image?
Jean Chrétien LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, as is the custom, investigations by the RCMP are always made at arm's length from the government. It is always like that.
We do not intervene in investigations by the RCMP. They decide when there will be an investigation. They decide when to launch actions against individuals and they decide when to settle out of court.
It is the practice in Canada that the government does not dictate to the police.
Deborah Grey Reform Edmonton North, AB
Mr. Speaker, a senior Liberal Party official, Luc Desbiens, said that there is absolutely nothing unusual about the RCMP raiding Liberal Party offices.
I want to tell the prime minister that I will not put up or shut up until the prime minister coughs up whose offices—cabinet ministers, MPs, the prime minister or any departmental official—have been raided by the RCMP in this ongoing Shawinigan shemozzle.