House of Commons Hansard #33 of the 36th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was farmers.
The Speaker
As is our practice on Wednesday we will now sing O Canada , and we will be led by the hon. member for Halifax West.
Janko Peric Liberal Cambridge, ON
Mr. Speaker, Canadian businesses wishing to compete in the global market often face hurdles in obtaining timely information on financing, laws and natural and human resources in the provinces and municipalities in which they wish to invest.
To address these challenges, the Minister of Industry launched a powerful new business support web site called the Canadian Business Map. The Canadian Business Map provides links to over 3,500 municipal, provincial, national and international government and private sector sites.
The introduction of this new product by Industry Canada shows that this government recognizes the need to support Canadian business in this competitive and information age.
Derrek Konrad Reform Prince Albert, SK
Mr. Speaker, Liberals it seems believe in nothing and therefore can stand for absolutely everything.
Let us take equality. Liberals say that everyone in Canada is equal. Their vision of equality however is summed up in George Orwell's novel Animal Farm where he wrote that all animals are created equal, only some are created more equal than others. This represents the Liberal vision for Canada.
Equality is linked with unity and I suggest that Liberals start thinking about the benefits of true equality.
Yesterday a majority of Canadian premiers added an official aboriginal position to the Calgary declaration on national unity.
Now if the Liberal government believes in equality and national unity, I invite it to take a stand here and ensure that grassroots aboriginals, not just the leadership, have a say in the Calgary declaration.
Mr. Speaker, I ask you: would not true equality be a tremendous unifying principle for such a great country?
Carmen Provenzano Liberal Sault Ste. Marie, ON
Mr. Speaker, I wish today to congratulate Sault Ste. Marie's number 2310 Army Cadet Corps on its upcoming 50th anniversary.
Since its establishment in 1948, the corps has given over 5,000 young Saultites a chance to develop leadership skills and improve their physical fitness. It has also taught them civic responsibility and respect for Canada's rich military history.
Past and present instructors at the 2310 can take pride in the fact that they have helped prepare young Saultites for both the challenges and opportunities of adult life.
It is for this reason that former Sault army cadets have met with success in many walks of life. It is also for this reason that the lessons learned by our cadets truly become lifelong lessons.
I therefore invite all former cadets and their families to participate in the corps' 50th—
2310 Army Cadet CorpsStatements By Members
The Speaker
The hon. member for Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup—Témiscouata—Les Basques.
Paul Crête Bloc Kamouraska—Rivière-Du-Loup—Témiscouata—Les Basques, QC
Mr. Speaker, I am proud to inform you today that the Aster scientific research station in Saint-Louis-du-Ha-Ha in the Témiscouata region has received the Michael Smith award. This award goes to Canadian and Quebec organizations that have contributed to advancing, promoting and popularizing science.
The station's director, Guylaine Carrière, received the award at a prize giving ceremony yesterday at the Science World Hot Seat Theatre in Vancouver, British Columbia.
The achievements of the Aster scientific station are many. They include the establishment of the Inforoute Globe-Trotter summer camp in co-operation with the Conseil du loisir scientifique de l'est du Québec and Industry Canada. There is as well the Léonard workshop, which has enabled students in mechanical and electrical engineering at the University of Quebec at Rimouski to come in contact with an impressive range of engineering fields.
On behalf of the Bloc Quebecois, my congratulations to the entire dynamic team of the Aster scientific station in the Témiscouata region.
Jean Augustine Liberal Etobicoke—Lakeshore, ON
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to take this opportunity to recognize and congratulate Mr. Peter Ruderman, a constituent of Etobicoke—Lakeshore, for his tremendous volunteer efforts in assisting a state-run medical fund to make a successful and efficient transition to a private fund in Kazakhstan.
As a volunteer with the Canadian Executive Service Organization, Mr. Ruderman shared his expertise on the organization of the Canadian health care system through a series of lectures and discussions with health care professionals.
Mr. Ruderman's work is an example of the spirit of volunteerism. The people of Etobicoke—Lakeshore are proud of his efforts.
Congratulations, Mr. Ruderman.
Denis Paradis Liberal Brome—Missisquoi, QC
Mr. Speaker, the goals of Katimavik are simple: to allow young people to develop through community service and to enable them to become aware of their environment by knowing and understanding Canada better.
In other words, Katimavik allows a young person to share the life of a Canadian family in a new community, to live differently, to work for a non-profit organization and, generally, to improve his or her skills in the other language. A real school of life, I would say.
The student work exchanges we initiated in Brome—Missisquoi two years ago must continue and develop along the same lines.
A number of colleagues in this House want to be part of this student exchange program next summer. I head a committee working on this, and I invite suggestions from all my colleagues.
If Katimavik could become the vehicle of choice for this summertime exchange program, I think young people across Canada now and in the future will be thanking Senator Jacques Hébert.
Jason Kenney Reform Calgary Southeast, AB
Mr. Speaker, I rise to extend on behalf of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition and all of the people of Canada greetings and best wishes to Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness Prince Philip on the occasion of their Golden Wedding Anniversary. They were married 50 years ago tomorrow.
It was the 11th year of the reign of King George VI. Britain was beset by economic problems. Monarchies and democracies in half of Europe had fallen under the hammer of Soviet communism. The empire, which Canada helped to defend through the dark days of the second world war, was coming apart.
At 11.15 on the morning of November 20, 1947, Princess Elizabeth, then 19 years old, set out from Buckingham Palace in the Irish state coach from Westminster Abbey where she was given in marriage by her father, the King, to 25-year old Royal Navy Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten.
The Leader of the Official Opposition, Winston Churchill, described the royal wedding of 1947 as “a flash of colour on the hard road we have to travel”.
I join with all Canadians in marking this bright moment in a year marked by tragedy for our royal family. God save the Queen.
Gar Knutson Liberal Elgin—Middlesex—London, ON
Mr. Speaker, I stand today in recognition of the Elgin regiment. This fine military unit has recently received the official designation as a combat engineering regiment of the 31st Canadian brigade group.
The Elgin regiment dates back to 1866 with the establishment of the 25th Elgin battalion of infantry. The regiment was called out on active service on several occasions and served during World Wars I and II, earning numerous battle honours. As an engineering regiment, they now typically will participate in cleaning land mines and building bridges as well as many other ways of contributing to our peacekeeping mandate.
History has shown that the members of the Elgin regiment are used to change. Serving first as an infantry battalion and subsequently assuming armoured and reconnaissance status, the Elgin regiment now embarks upon a new chapter in its long and proud history as the 31st combat engineering regiment, the Elgins.
I want to congratulate the members of this regiment and say that I am proud to represent such a committed group of Canadian citizens.
Caroline St-Hilaire Bloc Longueuil, QC
Mr. Speaker, the only Quebec MPs who are opposed to the proposal for independent arbitration to settle the matter of GST harmonization in Quebec and the $2 billion in compensation are the Liberal MPs.
All of the Quebec Liberal MPs in this House have spoken out against the interests of their own constituents, against a non-partisan process to settle the Ottawa-Quebec dispute, against a unanimous request by the members of the socioeconomic summit in Quebec, and against a position expressed by all of the provincial premiers at St. Andrews.
All of the federal Liberal MPs for Quebec, who are again down on all fours, have again shown how justified Quebeckers are in their massive support of the only party devoted to defending their interests in Ottawa: the Bloc Quebecois.
Bernard Patry Liberal Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC
Mr. Speaker, like everyone else, I was horrified by the shocking images transmitted by Egyptian television after the carnage involving more than 60 innocent tourists in front of the temple of Hatchepsut in Luxor.
This massacre, for which the group al-Gamaa al-Islamiya has taken credit, demonstrates just how irresponsible its perpetrators are and, in the long run, accomplishes nothing except to push back peace efforts.
I wish to express our sincere condolences to the relatives of the victims, and to assure the Egyptian people of our support in their fight against terrorism.
Grant McNally Reform Dewdney—Alouette, BC
Mr. Speaker, today marks the beginning of the APEC summit in Vancouver. APEC represents the fastest growing market in the world with a combined GNP of over $22 trillion.
Many of Canada's trade links to the Asian markets have been established by immigrants residing in B.C. Their efforts have helped B.C. emerge as the eighth tiger of the Pacific.
As host, Canada has the opportunity to showcase Vancouver, North America's third busiest port, which boasts a booming economy and state of the art communication and transportation links. However, if Canada is to truly prosper, this government must take the necessary steps to remain competitive.
This government must lower personal, corporate and payroll taxes which deter investment, growth and job creation. It must break down interprovincial trade barriers which stifle growth and inhibit international competitiveness.
There is no question that Canadians across the country will benefit from increased trade with Asia-Pacific. The question is, will the government be proactive, reduce taxes and prove to the world that Canada is indeed open for business.
Judy Wasylycia-Leis NDP Winnipeg North Centre, MB
Mr. Speaker, skyrocketing drug costs are threatening the future of medicare and putting an impossible burden on Canadians who need medically necessary drugs.
Liberal policies are to blame. Instead of a responsible program, what do we have, a complete flip-flop on Bill C-91 and 20-year patent protection for big brand name drug companies, a whitewash of last spring's review of Bill C-91, the elimination of the drug research bureau and now evidence that Industry Canada edited the Ernst & Young audit of research commitments made by PMAC.
Who is in charge? Why is the big brand name drug company running this country? Today, on behalf of seniors everywhere and Canadians who are concerned about the future of medicare, we call on this government to ensure need, not greed, is the basis of drug pricing policy in Canada.
Peter MacKay Progressive Conservative Pictou—Antigonish—Guysborough, NS
Mr. Speaker, the Liberal government and the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans have obviously forgotten about the people in Atlantic Canada who want to improve the economy of their local fishing communities.
For the past six months, the Canso Trawlerman's Co-op Limited has been actively pursuing an Enterprise Allocation to put 60 people in Nova Scotia back to work.
Since May of this year, these hard-working individuals in the co-op have made every effort to get the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans to meet with them in Canso, one of Atlantic Canada's oldest and most historic fishing communities. Unfortunately, the minister has refused these repeated requests. Co-op members have nevertheless met with the minister's former caucus colleague, who is now the current Premier of Nova Scotia, in efforts to gain support for the co-op's cause.
On behalf of the Canso Trawlerman's Co-op, I urge the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans to meet with the co-op members from Canso to listen to their concerns and address these proposals in a direct and positive manner. Time is of the essence. I bring this to the House and I will hand deliver it to the minister today.
Eleni Bakopanos Liberal Ahuntsic, QC
Mr. Speaker, tomorrow the people of Canada will be marking the fifth National Day of the Child.
This is an opportunity for us all to focus on the important place children hold in our society. It is our responsibility as members of Parliament, and in a number of cases also as parents and grandparents, to ensure that each of our children in Canada does not live in poverty, die of hunger, fall victim to sexual abuse, or be exploited for the purpose of pornography or prostitution.
The National Crime Prevention Council which our government established during its first mandate has provided us with blueprints for developing and implementing prevention strategies that invest in children and our youth.
I would like to draw particular attention to the exceptional work done by the volunteers and administrators of the NGOs in my riding of Ahuntsic, among them Alternatives Jeunesse, Maison Buissonière, and the Centre Mariebourg. Speaking on behalf of all the children of Ahuntsic, my congratulations to them all.
We have a responsibility as parliamentarians to leave this world a little better. We do not own this world, we are only its keepers for future generations.
Preston Manning ReformLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, for weeks Canadians have been enduring the threats and counter threats of strikes and lockouts at Canada post. The government says that negotiations will produce a settlement. But last night we got the chief negotiator for Canada post and the negotiators for the union wrestling on the floor in Hull. They are going to be on WWF next.
My question to the Prime Minister is, why does the government not get off the sidelines and legislate a labour dispute settling mechanism for Canada post that works?
Jean Chrétien LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, the parties are discussing and apparently there was a lively meeting yesterday. Those things happen once in a while. But I think it is in the best interests of the workers that there is a system of negotiated settlement, and we do hope there will be one. They have a right to have a union and the right to negotiate.
Preston Manning ReformLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, strikes, lockouts, even back to work legislation are traditional instruments of the past and they do not work. None of these are protecting the long term consumer interest and the delivery of the mail.
We are asking the government why it does not use some creative thinking to change the labour dispute settling mechanism, like final offer arbitration. It used that in the dock strike in 1994. It is in the Transportation Act.
My question is, why will the government not legislate final offer arbitration for Canada post?
Lawrence MacAulay LiberalMinister of Labour
Mr. Speaker, mostly because final offer arbitration does not work. The government wants a collective agreement and it wants both sides to sit down.
As the Prime Minister indicated, there was a lively meeting last night. We want them to settle down and come up with a collective agreement that will be better for CUPW, the post office and for the people of Canada.
Preston Manning ReformLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, if final offer arbitration does not work, why is it the mechanism that is included in the Canada Transportation Act to settle disputes between shippers and the railways? Why is it in its own legislation?
My question. If the government does not want to intervene in the bargaining process, why does it not fix the process? Why will the minister not act in the long term public interest and legislate a long term solution to Canada post labour problems?
Lawrence MacAulay LiberalMinister of Labour
Mr. Speaker, collective agreements under the federal jurisdiction have worked over 94% of the time. That is what the government wants, a collective agreement that will be better for the people of Canada. That is what the government supports. We want them back at the table to come up with an agreement that will serve us all well.
Rahim Jaffer Reform Edmonton Strathcona, AB
Mr. Speaker, on the first sitting day of this Parliament, I asked the Prime Minister if he would be consulting Quebeckers on the Calgary declaration since Lucien Bouchard was not going to. He said maybe.
I asked the same question a few weeks ago and was told that the government was not planning anything in this regard.
When will consultations start in Quebec? Or is the Prime Minister afraid of stepping on Lucien Bouchard's toes?
Jean Chrétien LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, a process is currently under way to hold consultations in all the other provinces. We are waiting to see what the outcome will be. If it is appropriate to consult Quebeckers afterwards, we will see to it.
But for the time being we think it best to wait and see what the other provinces will decide. Then we will make a decision. We are not saying that we will not hold consultations in Quebec but at the same time we are not saying that we will.
Gerry Ritz Reform Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK
Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Secretary of State for International Financial Institutions admitted something that ordinary Canadians have always known. He said that the Liberals are “very familiar with the fact that our income taxes are very high”. This is quite an admission from the Liberals.
Now that we all know our taxes are very high, when will the government do the responsible thing and bring in some tax relief?