Debates of Nov. 24th, 1997

Lorie Kane

[Joe McGuire, Liberal, Egmont, PE]

Mr. Speaker, a great moment in Canadian sport occurred this past weekend when Lorie Kane, a native of Prince Edward Island, tied for first place in regulation play in the LPGA tour championship.

The top 30 women golfers of the world came together in Las Vegas for the final tournament of the year to determine who was the best.

To have a Canadian and a Prince Edward Islander tie for first place was a great achievement for Lorie and for Canadian women's golf. The fact that Lorie lost after three playoff holes to the top money winner and player of the year, Annika Sorenstam, does not diminish the pride all islanders feel in her performance.

Rightly or wrongly, a golfer's success is measured by money earned. By this standard Lorie's earnings of over $425,000 U.S. have established her as the best female Canadian golfer in history. To accomplish this as a rookie on the tour makes it all the more impressive.

Lorie is a great ambassador for the sport, for P.E.I. and for Canada. She always remembers those who have helped her along the road.

Lorie, we congratulate you and wish you continued success.

Catriona Lemay Doan

[Rob Anders, Reform, Calgary West, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to add this name to the long list of great Canadian athletes: Catriona LeMay Doan.

On Saturday, Ms. LeMay Doan became the first woman to shatter two speed skating world records within an hour of one another in the 500 metre and 1,000 metre races. Ms. LeMay Doan is the best female speed skating sprinter in the world and she represents Canada.

On behalf of the residents of Calgary West who hosted the World Cup Sprints at the Olympic Oval, I ask all parliamentary representatives to stand now and honour this remarkable achievement.

Senator Marcel Prud'Homme

[Guy St-Julien, Liberal, Abitibi, QC]

Mr. Speaker, laid low by a heart attack a week ago, Senator Marcel Prud'homme is now recovering in Montreal's Hôtel-Dieu hospital.

A colourful and loquacious politician, he had a successful parliamentary career in Ottawa from 1964 to 1993 as the Liberal member for Saint-Denis in Montreal. He was appointed to the Senate as an independent in 1993.

Here's wishing you a speedy recovery, Marcel, from your friends among the members and employees of the House of Commons in Ottawa.

Aboriginal Peoples

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

Mr. Speaker, one year after the tabling of the report by the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, I rise to criticize the government's failure to act on its main recommendations.

They include self-government, and negotiations on this point are still dragging on. This issue, however, is a fundamental right, which will allow Native peoples to free themselves from financial dependence on Ottawa.

The commission raised many social problems, which require the government's immediate and effective attention. Need I remind this House that the conditions Native people live in are beneath human dignity. Their health is precarious. The levels of drug and alcohol abuse and of suicide among Aboriginal people are the highest in Canada, and they are among the most poorly housed Canadians. In Quebec, on the other hand, the statistics are much more positive.

On behalf of the Bloc Quebecois, I urge the government to act in this matter. I ask it to draw on the commission's recommendations, which aim at correcting this unfortunate situation.

Diabetes Awareness Month

[Elinor Caplan, Liberal, Thornhill, ON]

Mr. Speaker, November is Diabetes Awareness Month.

Nearly 1.5 million Canadians have diabetes which is a major cause of premature death and other significant health problems. The chances of having diabetes increase with age. It affects more than 11% of Canadians between 65 and 74.

Diabetes rates for aboriginals are three times that of the general population. That is why in the Speech from the Throne this government identified the need to develop new initiatives to address the rapid increase of diabetes in aboriginal communities.

Health Canada plays an important role in the fight against diabetes by supporting research through the Medical Research Council, by facilitating the operation of the multisectoral Diabetes Council of Canada and by working with First Nations communities to develop effective diabetes programming.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in wishing the Canadian Diabetes Association and its many volunteers a very successful Diabetes Awareness Month.

Land Mines

[Keith Martin, Reform, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca, BC]

Mr. Speaker, today marks a historic day for Canada when we will pass in this House a law which will ban the use, production and sale of anti-personnel mines.

By doing this, Canada will be one of the first nations in the world to actually have a law banning these heinous devices that claim over 30,000 lives a year and lays to waste economies of some of the poorest nations of the world.

Canada, along with NGOs, has led the charge to ban these devices. Mines Action Canada, foreign affairs personnel and members of Parliament have stood together to pursue this. This is an example of what Canada can do on the international stage.

Now we must move beyond land mines and use this Ottawa process to address the larger security issues that affect us all. We must move from a reactive foreign policy to a proactive one. The 21st century needs a leader to pursue these objectives and Canada can be this leader.

The 21st century belongs to Canada. We must seize the day and move forward.

Olympic International Children's Festival

[Beth Phinney, Liberal, Hamilton Mountain, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I wish to inform the House of a remarkable event that will be held in Hamilton. The executive members of the International Children's Games have unanimously supported that the city of Hamilton host the first Olympic International Children's Festival July 1, Canada Day, through July 8 in the year 2000.

The plan calls for a program of 13 sports as well as a cultural festival and celebration of the Olympics being held that year in Australia.

As host, Hamilton's organizing committee's goal is to involve 100 cities and approximately 5,000 athletes from across Canada and the world in a celebration of sport and culture in the new millennium.

The festival's theme “The Spirit Unites” represents the aspirations of youth across the globe to come together and embrace the Olympic spirit. What a great way for Canadian youth to celebrate unity with each other and with youth from around the world.

The city of Hamilton hopes to count on the support of the Government of Canada as it prepares to host what will be one of the premier millennium events in Canada.

The Late Justice John Sopinka

[Eleni Bakopanos, Liberal, Ahuntsic, QC]

Mr. Speaker, we all learned with great regret this morning of the sudden passing of Supreme Court Justice John Sopinka after a short illness.

Mr. Justice Sopinka was appointed to the Supreme Court of Canada in June 1988. He was born in 1933 in Broderick, Saskatchewan. He was educated in Hamilton, Ontario, and graduated from the University of Toronto in 1958. Prior to his appointment to the Supreme Court, he was one of Canada's most renowned lawyers and had been called to the bar in five provinces and two territories.

Justice Sopinka was a great jurist who will be remembered for his contributions both to the court and to the Canadian justice system which he served with great distinction.

On behalf of all members of this House I wish to extend my deepest sympathies to the members of his family.

Journée Nationale Des Patriotes

[Stéphane Bergeron, Bloc, Verchères, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Journée nationale des Patriotes was celebrated yesterday in Saint-Denis-sur-Richelieu. This day was set aside to honour the memory of Quebec's patriots. This year is particularly significant because it marks the 160th anniversary of the events of 1837 and the 10th anniversary of the death of one of our greatest patriots, the late René Lévesque.

On October 30, 1995, nearly 94% of Quebeckers made their wishes known democratically on their collective future. However, for our precious democratic heritage that allows us to hold this basic exercise of consultation in an atmosphere of calm, civility and mutual respect, we must thank the patriots of a century ago.

We must put to good use their gift to us and the sacrifices they made so that today we might enjoy the individual and political freedoms so dear to us and the democratic and responsible institutions of which we are so proud.

We know that the noble mission of the patriots remains unfulfilled, but the people of Quebec following in their footsteps have resolutely chosen the road to sovereignty.

British Columbia

[Gurmant Grewal, Reform, Surrey Central, BC]

Mr. Speaker, since 1993 the Liberals have failed to address B.C.'s concerns.

The Liberals have their own agenda for APEC. It is not human rights, it is not job creation, it is not making BC the eighth tiger of the Pacific Rim. It is a failed attempt to heal the wounds. Real job creators for B.C., fish, wood and environmental products, have not made APEC's to do list.

The Liberals have failed to negotiate a Pacific salmon treaty with the U.S. It has turned off Pacific lighthouses. It has ripped the heart out of the Pacific coast guard. It has even closed CFB Chilliwack and left B.C. without emergency preparedness.

The Liberals have cut out the voice of British Columbians by excluding 25 BC MPs from participation at APEC. The Liberals would have preferred to have hosted APEC in Toronto or Montreal.

The Liberals are fanning the fires of B.C. alienation with $65 million. They are not creating jobs for B.C. British Columbians are too smart to be fooled by Liberals.

Anti-Sealing Lobby Groups

[John McKay, Liberal, Scarborough East, ON]

Mr. Speaker, as all members are aware, there has been an intense campaign by anti-sealing lobby groups using a 1-800 number and television ads. Members of the public are provided with scripts and told to phone their local MP.

My colleague the member for Mississauga West took objection to this practice and returned all phone calls directed to him. In addition he wrote a letter to the Toronto Star correcting certain factual errors in the presentation.

The response he received from the animal rights group was a letter from their lawyer instructing him to engage counsel. In other words, do not speak out on this issue, do not correct factual errors and do not ask pointed questions or we will sue you.

This is an outrageous abuse of a member's freedom of speech and duties and cannot be tolerated in a civil society. It is a disgraceful attempt to silence a member's right to speak on a subject of interest to Canadians. Simply put, it is wrong.

Employment

[Bill Blaikie, NDP, Winnipeg—Transcona, MB]

Mr. Speaker, the political leadership of the European Union has announced that it will set job targets and establish programs to combat unemployment. Meanwhile the Liberal Government of Canada seems content to have unemployment stay at 9% and rejects NDP proposals to set targets and timetables for job creation.

Indeed last week the Bank of Canada governor said that Canada's economy could reach full capacity next year at 8.9% unemployment. It seems that the Liberals and the Bank of Canada regard 1.5 million unemployed Canadians as redundant, as effectively non-participants in the economy.

This is a shameful approach. It should be replaced with a commitment to real jobs for real people instead of this idolatrous fascination for certain economic indicators and the false economic theories that they are a part of.

Employment Insurance

[Jacques Saada, Liberal, Brossard—La Prairie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, last Friday, the government announced a reduction in employment insurance premiums, which represents a tax break of $1.4 billion.

Starting January 1, 1998, the contribution rate for workers will drop from $2.90 to $2.70 per $100 in insurable earnings. As for the employers' share, their contribution rate will drop from $4.06 to $3.78. These reductions are the result of more optimistic federal government forecasts relating to its public finances. The government, moreover, has indicated its desire to reduce contribution rates in future as much as possible.

This government action is part of a broader objective to take every approach possible to ensuring the growth of the Canadian economy. That growth is linked to job creation and the maintaining of optimum conditions for public and private investment.

Curling

[Rick Borotsik, Progressive Conservative, Brandon—Souris, MB]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to inform the House of a great Canadian contribution to the sport of curling.

Next year in Nagano, Japan the Winter Olympics will include curling as a medal sport. This week in Brandon, Manitoba, my hometown, Canada is choosing its men's and women's representatives for those Olympics.

Canadians are being treated to the most awesome display of curling talent ever assembled under one roof. Canada's ten best men and ten best women's rinks are competing for the honour to be called Canadian Olympians. Needless to say I do have a provincial bias as four of those teams come from Manitoba. Nevertheless when the victors are crowned this weekend, regardless of what province they come from they will have the support of all Canadians in their quest for gold.

Congratulations to the Brandon organizing committee's President Pam Horn and the 900 volunteers who are once again showcasing southwestern Manitoba and the sport of curling. Brandon has earned its reputation as a host community and the distinction of the curling capital of Canada.

Diabetes Awareness Month

[Paul Bonwick, Liberal, Simcoe—Grey, ON]

Mr. Speaker, November is Diabetes Awareness Month. On November 14 Insulin Day was celebrated worldwide. These events are especially significant to me because the discoverer of insulin, Sir Frederick Banting, was born in the township of New Tecumseh which is part of my riding of Simcoe—Gray.

Dr. Banting has long held a special place in the hearts of Canadians and indeed the entire world for his discovery of a cure for diabetes. I am sure that each of us have a family member, friend or a neighbour who has directly benefited from Dr. Banting's discovery.

In memory of a great man and a great Canadian, I encourage everyone to actively promote the role of education in the prevention and care of diabetes. Diabetes is a serious and rising health problem throughout the world, disabling more than 100 million people.

We owe a debt to Dr. Banting. We can repay our debt through active participation in the prevention and care of diabetes. Colleagues, join me in this challenge.

Curtain Club Theatre

[Bryon Wilfert, Liberal, Oak Ridges, ON]

Mr. Speaker, November 21 marked the 25th anniversary of the Curtain Club Theatre at its location on Newkirk Road in Richmond Hill.

The Curtain Club has a proud tradition dating back to 1952. It has provided the residents of Richmond Hill and surrounding areas with first class theatre productions from comedies to tragedies, laughter and tears.

We are fortunate to have such a professional organization in our community and a group of very committed and dedicated volunteers who are involved in the production, the creation of sets and the superlative acting.

It should also be noted that the Royal Canadian Air Farce which is also celebrating its 25th anniversary had its first show in Richmond Hill at the Curtain Club Theatre. That tremendous Canadian comedy team has delighted Canadian audiences with their satirical comedy and down to earth humour. Their first radio broadcast was from Richmond Hill's Curtain Club.

Canadian theatre has been enriched by the dedication and commitment of individuals who are prepared to devote long hours of preparation, hours of hard work and effort to present entertainment to the community.

I salute both the Curtain Club Theatre and the Royal Canadian Air Farce.

Lebanon

[Mark Assad, Liberal, Gatineau, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to draw attention to the presence here of the former President of Lebanon, Amin Gemayel.

Mr. Gemayel, who is visiting Canada with his lovely wife, is known to us as a staunch defender of the independence and territorial integrity of Lebanon.

We would like him to know how grateful all Lebanese are to him, not only those still in Lebanon but also all those throughout this country, who share his hopes and struggle for a true Lebanese territory and peace after 17 years of conflict.

We are honoured to have this visit by former President and Mrs. Gemayel.

Canada Post

[Deborah Grey, Reform, Edmonton North, AB]

Mr. Speaker, we are now in the sixth day of a postal strike that is crippling the country from coast to coast. The cost to businesses and families is in the hundreds of millions of dollars. Thousands of workers are being laid off already.

Over the weekend this government mused about legislating the postal workers back to work, but that is all it was. It seemed to be musings and idle chatter.

I would like to ask the government how many more days and weeks is this postal strike going to go on? When is this government going to get these postal workers back to work?

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Minister of Labour]

Mr. Speaker, we are monitoring the situation very closely. The government is very concerned about the situation.

What we want is for the parties to get back to the table and come up with a collective agreement.

[Deborah Grey, Reform, Edmonton North, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I will tell you who is monitoring the situation. It is families with businesses like the Lorenzes in northern Alberta and thousands of family businesses like them.

This family decided to go into the mail order book business and to pay for it they mortgaged their own home. All they had to do was work hard and it would pay off for them, or so they thought. But then along came the postal strike. The Lorenzes could now lose their business, their dream and even their family home. So this kind of answer is not good enough.

Let me ask the government, which is monitoring this whole thing so clearly, when and what does it have to say to these thousands of people whose very lives are affected by this postal strike?

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Minister of Labour]

Mr. Speaker, I cannot imagine a party which always pushed for less government now pushing for more interference by government. This is a process that has worked. Let the process work and let the parties come up with an agreement.

[Deborah Grey, Reform, Edmonton North, AB]

Mr. Speaker, this official opposition is a party which is pushing for final offer arbitration so we do not need to get into these strike situations all the time, as this government talks about.

The labour minister has been saying day after day in the House of Commons that the government is not going to legislate an end to the strike, it is simply going to monitor the situation. Yet the public works minister mused over the weekend and said to the Canadian Direct Marketing Association in August that he would legislate this back to work.

I want to ask simply who is telling the truth here, flip or flop?

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Minister of Labour]

Mr. Speaker, final offer selection is a form of arbitration. Quite simply, we are not at that stage yet. What we want is a collective agreement. Final offer selection is a process that works in specific areas only and is not useful in this situation.

[Jim Gouk, Reform, West Kootenay—Okanagan, BC]

Mr. Speaker, back to work legislation also includes a strike alternative to settle the dispute.

It is well known the government is in a position of conflict of interest due to its plans to have Canada Post reap huge profits which it then turns over to a cash hungry Liberal government.

Given this conflict of interest what impartial dispute settlement mechanism does the government intend to use when it finally gets off its you know what?

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Minister of Labour]

Mr. Speaker, I have offered both sides the assistance of a mediator to help get them back to the table and come up with a collective agreement.

I ask my hon. colleague to let both sides deal with the issue and come up with an agreement that is better for both sides and let the mediator do his or her work.