House of Commons Hansard #29 of the 36th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was gst.

Topics

Alice TaylorStatements By Members

2 p.m.

The Speaker

The hon. member for Edmonton East.

Remembrance DayStatements By Members

2 p.m.

Reform

Peter Goldring Reform Edmonton East, AB

Mr. Speaker, whilst skies rained shells and proud men died, a soldier penned prose of bitter truths. His pen spoke out from the fields of war 82 years ago. He spoke for all that have faced their soul in the finality of the theatre of war.

Whether Korea, the gulf or two world wars, he could well be speaking of all brave men that have soldiered the world for Canadians' beliefs. His words are carved in the walls of this House and are enduring as the threat of future wars.

For our honourable war veterans and remembered war dead we pause to give our respect. “If ye break faith with us who die, we shall not sleep lest we forget”.

Candu ReactorsStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Bloc

Stéphane Bergeron Bloc Verchères, QC

Mr. Speaker, not so long ago, the government decided to abruptly withdraw its annual contribution of $7.2 million to the Tokamak project in Varennes, a research project on the development of nuclear fusion. It preferred to concentrate its efforts on Candu reactors, which still function with the virtually outmoded technology of nuclear fission.

Recently, Ontario Hydro decided to close seven of its Candu reactors. Why? Because after 15 years of use, these reactors are no longer safe. So now, after billions of dollars in investments, these reactors will be replaced by thermal power plants, which increase pollution levels by at least 50%.

By putting all its eggs in one basket, the government tried to hoodwink Quebeckers and Canadians. It went for profits in the short term rather than looking to the future and showing respect for the environment, which would be possible with nuclear fusion. In light of the proposed sale of two Candu reactors to Turkey and the Kyoto conference, we must conclude that the federal government has no vision whatsoever.

The EnvironmentStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

Yvon Charbonneau Liberal Anjou—Rivière-Des-Prairies, QC

Mr. Speaker, starting this evening and until November 10, delegates from some 40 francophone countries will be gathering at a forum in Montreal on the subject of education and the environment.

This event of unprecedented scope, which was prepared long ago, is the logical next step to the hopes raised by the Brundtland report in 1982 and the Rio earth summit.

I would like to point out that our government has provided support for this event, which was organized primarily by the Centrale de l'enseignement du Québec and the Association québécoise pour la promotion de l'éducation relative à l'environnement.

On behalf of all Canadians with school age children, I am grateful for this remarkable initiative, which will make our children not only better citizens, but “envirocitizens” and citizens of the world better prepared to face the challenges of the 21st century. This initiative will serve as a solid base for a vast network of partners in matters relating to the environment and sustainable development.

Remembrance DayStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Reform

Randy White Reform Langley—Abbotsford, BC

Mr. Speaker,

In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.

John McCrae was a Canadian physician and fought on the western front in 1914 but was then transferred to the medical corps and assigned to a hospital in France. He died of pneumonia while on active duty in 1918.

Sommet De La FrancophonieStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

Bernard Patry Liberal Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC

Mr. Speaker, as many members of this House know, the Sommet de la Francophonie will be held in Hanoi, Vietnam, from November 14 to 16.

The seventh summit will be a turning point in the development of multilateral francophonie. Indeed, this summit will elect a new secretary general, who will become a political spokesperson and arbiter of multilateral francophone co-operation.

The summit will also formalize the move of the Francophonie into a new era, by focusing on the information highway and promoting economic development.

Canada has been a leader of the Francophonie since its inception more than 25 years ago. The fact that the Prime Minister will lead the Canadian delegation to the Hanoi summit shows how important he feels our participation in this international forum is. He will be accompanied by the Minister for International Cooperation and Minister responsible for Francophonie.

I wish them both a successful participation in the seventh Sommet de la Francophonie.

South Asian CommunityStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

NDP

Gordon Earle NDP Halifax West, NS

Mr. Speaker, I bring to the attention of the House that 1997 marks the centennial of the south Asian community in Canada.

It was in 1897 that the first official documents regarding the arrival of south Asians in Canada were recorded. The year 1997 marks a century for a community that today contributes fully to the cultural and economic dynamism of the country, yet continues to fight daily against discrimination.

Only in 1947, 50 years ago, were the south Asians awarded full rights of citizenship, including the right to vote.

Today Canadians of south Asian origin are active in all sectors of our society: professors, skilled workers, doctors or here in the House of Commons. This remarkable achievement should remind us of the importance of an open immigration policy based on the recognition of immigrants' contributions to development. Diversity is at the heart of our country's history and future.

For this reason I want to join my voice with others in congratulating Canadians of south Asian origin and heritage and commit to working against any initiative that would threaten to weaken—

Quebec GovernmentStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Liberal

Denis Coderre Liberal Bourassa, QC

Mr. Speaker, another scandal has rocked the beautiful Quebec City area. According to a secret memo from Quebec's international relations department, the separatist government plans to establish bilateral relations with secessionist regions of Europe.

The separatist government continues to act like a virtual sovereign government.

The same government will not take a stand on the sovereignist aspirations of Tibet, arguing that because of its current status Quebec cannot hazard an opinion on the matter.

A few days ago, the same separatist government admitted making an error in judgment with respect to Guadeloupe.

If we pay attention, next we will hear that Sylvain Simard is going to Corsica to promote its liberation.

The separatists should stop acting like amateurs and start behaving responsibly in a matter of such importance to Quebec and Canada.

Once again, the colonized separatists are acting like colonials. Quebec deserves better.

The EconomyStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Progressive Conservative

Jim Jones Progressive Conservative Markham, ON

Mr. Speaker, last Friday the Older Adults in Action group in my constituency of Markham shared their grave concerns with me regarding the level of the national debt. This group with over 700 members indicated that their number one priority is the paying down of the debt to lessen the burden their children and grandchildren face.

I urge the Liberal government to apply the suggestions received from Canadians. Let us eliminate this debt now by applying the surplus to the debt, stimulating job growth and implementing tax reductions.

An Angus Reid poll released last Saturday indicated that when asked what we should do with budget surpluses, 84% of Canadians favoured either paying down the debt or implementing a tax reduction. The government must commit to balance the budget and stimulate financial growth. This means giving Canadians tax breaks in the form of lower EI deductions to offset proposed hikes in CPP premiums.

We must commit to securing our financial future so that generations are left unburdened.

Jacques VilleneuveStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Liberal

Claude Drouin Liberal Beauce, QC

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, Quebeckers paid a vibrant tribute to a new Canadian hero, Jacques Villeneuve. However, I was shocked to see the Société Saint-Jean-Baptiste use this event to try to score political points.

The SSJB's president, Guy Bouthillier, even boasted about it when he said that all events have a political dimension.

Jacques Villeneuve showed once again that he was a true champion by not falling into this disgraceful separatist trap. Yesterday, we saw that Jacques Villeneuve, like the Liberal government, had firm control of the steering wheel.

Bravo Jacques, our new Formula One world champion.

John McCraeStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Liberal

Brenda Chamberlain Liberal Guelph—Wellington, ON

Mr. Speaker, Canadians will pause next week to honour our war dead. The poem In Flanders Fields will be read often on November 11. In Flanders Fields was written by Guelph native John McCrae. Guelph—Wellington is the proud home to the McCrae Museum, John McCrae School and John McCrae Branch of the Canadian Legion.

Last month Toronto businessman Arthur Lee purchased John McCrae's war medals at an auction and promptly donated them to the McCrae Museum. In doing so, Mr. Lee reminded us all of the importance of being Canadian and asked that Canada remain united.

On behalf of the residents of Guelph—Wellington and every Canadian, I rise to thank Mr. Lee, who is with us here today. Mr. Lee, thank you for your generosity, for your love of Canada, the best country in the world.

John McCraeStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Some hon. members

Hear, hear.

EnvironmentOral Question Period

2:15 p.m.

Calgary Southwest Alberta

Reform

Preston Manning ReformLeader of the Opposition

Mr. Speaker, government members profess to be the great guardians of the environment. Greener than grass they are. They are going to save the planet at Kyoto.

Yet this same government, when it smells cash, bypasses its own environmental review laws to sell nuclear reactors to China and bypasses its own environmental protection standards to sell nuclear reactors to Turkey.

Why does the government violate its own environmental standards?

EnvironmentOral Question Period

2:15 p.m.

Wascana Saskatchewan

Liberal

Ralph Goodale LiberalMinister of Natural Resources and Minister responsible for the Canadian Wheat Board

Mr. Speaker, in handling all these transactions the government is confident that we have followed all appropriate rules and regulations both in our country and internationally in countries that are potential purchasers of Candu reactors.

There are certain matters that certain parties have referred to the courts for litigation. Obviously we will await the results of that litigation to see what the courts might say.

EnvironmentOral Question Period

2:15 p.m.

Calgary Southwest Alberta

Reform

Preston Manning ReformLeader of the Opposition

Mr. Speaker, forgive us if we are a little sceptical about the reply of the Minister of Natural Resources.

Yesterday he tried to hide the fact that the Liberals sold nuclear reactors overseas without following Canadian environmental protection standards. He said “The policies of AECL are to conduct environmental analyses of all its projects”, but last night AECL said that it does not do these assessments on foreign sales.

I ask the minister of natural resources who is telling the truth, the minister or AECL.

EnvironmentOral Question Period

2:15 p.m.

Wascana Saskatchewan

Liberal

Ralph Goodale LiberalMinister of Natural Resources and Minister responsible for the Canadian Wheat Board

Mr. Speaker, the hon. gentleman should have a research department that extends beyond monitoring CBC news. What was quoted on the news last night was 15 or 20 seconds out of perhaps a 20 minute or half an hour interview.

The hon. member might be interested in AECL's position. It will be issuing a statement later today that will demonstrate complete consistency with what I said yesterday.

EnvironmentOral Question Period

2:15 p.m.

Calgary Southwest Alberta

Reform

Preston Manning ReformLeader of the Opposition

Mr. Speaker, the minister is emitting a cloud of confusion. Yesterday the prime minister said in the House that everything was made public when he signed the nuclear deal with China, but that is not true.

The Liberals refused to reveal whether Canada must accept China's nuclear waste. They will not reveal the secret financing deal and it is still a secret whether or not Canada has agreed to be held liable for nuclear accidents in China.

Why does the government not clear the air and make public all details of the AECL sales to China and to Turkey?

EnvironmentOral Question Period

2:15 p.m.

Wascana Saskatchewan

Liberal

Ralph Goodale LiberalMinister of Natural Resources and Minister responsible for the Canadian Wheat Board

Mr. Speaker, everything that is required according to law to be released is released. If there are further matters that are subsequently dealt with by the courts, of course those court judgments will be followed.

In the meantime, the hon. gentleman should understand that Candu and AECL are involved in commercially competitive situations. I am sure the hon. gentleman would not want to expose a major Canadian corporation to a competitive disadvantage internationally as long as that corporation is following all the relevant rules and regulations, which it is.

EnvironmentOral Question Period

2:15 p.m.

Reform

Deborah Grey Reform Edmonton North, AB

Mr. Speaker, the Canadian corporations the minister talks about do not know which set of laws to follow. There are two of them, the government operates with such a double standard.

The government waives its own laws for the China Candu reactors. Its own justice department told it that it may well lose a court case over it. Then what do government members do? They turn around and make the same kind of bargains with Turkey. They just do not get it.

How can we be sure that the double standard the government operates by will not cause a global disaster? Where is the proof?

EnvironmentOral Question Period

2:15 p.m.

Wascana Saskatchewan

Liberal

Ralph Goodale LiberalMinister of Natural Resources and Minister responsible for the Canadian Wheat Board

Mr. Speaker, at least part of the proof is in the record of Candu internationally so far, which is recognized as one of the world's leading technologies with respect to the generation of nuclear power.

The hon. lady should know that in developing any of these facilities, whether they are in Canada or anywhere else in the world, they must be licensable according to Canadian standards as established by the Atomic Energy Control Board. They must meet and they do meet every nuclear safety regulation established by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

EnvironmentOral Question Period

2:20 p.m.

Reform

Deborah Grey Reform Edmonton North, AB

Mr. Speaker, Canadians are nervous about the double standard. It looks like watermelon. The Liberal government looks so green and caring on the outside, but when it is cut open it is still Liberal red. That is all there is to it.

It waives its own laws to outbid the U.S., Japan and the French-German consortium, and the minister knows it. It has one law for Canada and another law for other countries in the world. Frankly we are sick and tired of this double law.

I want to ask the minister one more time. When we say the government is throwing out its ethics just so it can make a shameless sale of Candu reactors in Turkey, why?

EnvironmentOral Question Period

2:20 p.m.

Wascana Saskatchewan

Liberal

Ralph Goodale LiberalMinister of Natural Resources and Minister responsible for the Canadian Wheat Board

Mr. Speaker, I am sure the tens of thousands of employees across Canada involved in working in connection with the Candu technology will be very interested in the hon. lady's condemnation of them.

In fact Candu complies with every rule and regulation of the Atomic Energy Control Board and every rule and regulation of the International Atomic Energy Agency. The Candu has an exceptional record of technical performance everywhere that it has been established either in this country or around the world.

Drinking WaterOral Question Period

November 6th, 1997 / 2:20 p.m.

Bloc

Gilles Duceppe Bloc Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC

Mr. Speaker, two letters written by officials from the Quebec health department—one dated September 26, 1995, and the other May 2, 1996—clearly stated that drinking water comes under the jurisdiction of Quebec's environment department.

However, the federal government went ahead with Bill C-76 in December 1996, and then Bill C-14 last Friday. Yesterday, the Quebec environment minister stated unequivocally that he disagrees with this measure.

Will the Prime Minister or the Acting Prime Minister admit that the federal government never had Quebec's support on this bill?

Drinking WaterOral Question Period

2:20 p.m.

The Speaker

The parliamentary secretary.

Drinking WaterOral Question Period

2:20 p.m.

Eglinton—Lawrence Ontario

Liberal

Joe Volpe LiberalParliamentary Secretary to Minister of Health

Mr. Speaker, the hon member well knows there is a letter from the minister of health of Quebec, the Minister of Health's correspondent in Quebec.

Correspondence and consultation took place. There was an exchange of letters. There was an indication by the minister of health, in an area that is under the competence of the Minister of Health of Canada, that there was agreement. Consultations took place and the result is a piece of legislation that we see as Bill C-14 today and that was before us in the last parliament—