Debates of Dec. 10th, 1997

Taxation

[Paul Martin, Liberal, Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, the Reform Party continues to come back to the same point despite the fact that it is in flagrant contradiction with its own party program.

The simple fact is that no matter how many examples the Reform Party wants to cite, we have already begun to reduce personal income taxes. The Reform Party opposed it when we did it for students and for poor families. The Reform Party's program is that it will not reduce taxes until such time as the deficit is eliminated. Why does it now stand up and pretend otherwise?

[Jason Kenney, Reform, Calgary Southeast, AB]

Mr. Speaker, had we been in power, the budget would have been balanced two years ago and tax relief would have been delivered by now.

Government revenue has gone up by $26 billion. The minister may call that a tax cut but I call it a tax hike. People like Bernice Lee are struggling today and still have not seen any tax relief. They are struggling to get by. That kind of political answer is not offering help.

When is this minister going to get off his moral high horse and tell people like Bernice Lee what real compassion is? Give her a break. Give her tax relief and give it to her today.

[Paul Martin, Liberal, Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, let us understand what the Reform Party would have done if it had cut taxes two years ago.

Ask any one of those Canadians who are writing in if they wanted to see their health care cut by the $3.5 billion the Reform Party said it would do. Ask Canadians who are over the age 65 if they are prepared to accept a $3 billion cut in their old age pensions, because that is what the Reform Party would do. If these people live in Manitoba or Saskatchewan, ask them if they are prepared to see their basic services cut because the Reform Party would cut $3 billion. That is how it would cut taxes.

Sable Island Gas Pipeline

[Hélène Alarie, Bloc, Louis-Hébert, QC]

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

The National Energy Board has just approved a proposal for a pipeline that will go directly from Sable Island to the United States. However, in June 1996, the prime minister wanted, and I quote “natural gas to first serve the needs of the people of New Brunswick and Quebec, before it goes to the United States”.

Since cabinet must decide on the pipeline route, is the prime minister prepared to set the decision aside, as long as the second proposed pipeline, which passes by Quebec and New Brunswick, has not been—

[The Speaker]

The hon. Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources.

[Gerry Byrne, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Natural Resources]

Mr. Speaker, perhaps the best advice I could give the hon. member on this matter comes from the premier of Quebec in a letter he wrote to Premier Klein of Alberta in which he said we had agreed that the issues surrounding the transmission of natural gas are best left to the market and to the regulatory agencies to decide. The National Energy Board has provided advice. This government is reviewing the advice, but no decision has been made.

Canadian National

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

Mr. Speaker, we have just learned that the CN will soon announce the closure of the Victoria Bridge on December 19 to buses for safety reasons. This closure will directly affect my riding in Montérégie.

What measures has the Minister of Transport taken or will he take to resolve the dispute with CN in a manner that is satisfactory to everyone in my region?

[David Collenette, Liberal, Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, I have learned that the CN intends to close the Victoria Bridge to buses for safety reasons.

Under an agreement with the CN, the Government of Canada has been paying a portion of maintenance costs for 35 years. However, because of the dispute with the CN over financial responsibility for repairs, we are prepared to go to commercial arbitration. In the meantime, we have offered over $6 million and asked CN to begin work immediately.

The Senate

[Rob Anders, Reform, Calgary West, AB]

Mr. Speaker, in 1990 the prime minister promised to fix the Senate. He said “I want to work for a Senate that is elected”.

In 1993 he said “as prime minister I can take steps to make it happen”.

On Monday we asked the government what it was going to do about the Senate. The Deputy Prime Minister told us that it was not the Liberals' problem.

Is the Deputy Prime Minister right? Is reforming the Senate just another GST promise by this big talking, do nothing prime minister?

[The Speaker]

I do not know that the question deals with administrative responsibility, but the way it is framed I will permit it.

[Herb Gray, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member has misstated what I said in the House. I did not say Senate reform is not the Liberals' problem. I said that dealing with Senator Andrew Thompson's pay and benefits was the problem of the internal management of the Senate, and that is a fact.

We are still interested in Senate reform, unlike the Reform Party which voted against it when it had a chance to do something about it.

[Rob Anders, Reform, Calgary West, AB]

So much for Liberal election promises, Mr. Speaker.

The Senate is less accountable than ever. Andrew Thompson is tanning his dog down in Mexico and Trevor Eyton is not paying his $120 no-show penalty even though he is a no-show.

My question is very specific, so listen carefully. If Alberta holds a Senate election during the province-wide municipal elections of October 1998, will the prime minister listen to Albertans and place their democratically chosen candidate in the Senate when the next Alberta vacancy comes up?

[Herb Gray, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, speaking of dogs, that term applies to the hon. member's question. That dog don't hunt.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear.

Military Sites

[Dick Proctor, NDP, Palliser, SK]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the prime minister.

Last night Canadians had the opportunity to see on television the toxic mess left behind when Americans closed military sites in Canada. The CBC documentary clearly showed this government is letting the Americans walk away, leaving their toxic trash and a $1 billion clean-up bill behind. Moreover, our Canadian ambassador in Washington defends this bad deal.

Why will the prime minister not fire the ambassador and put someone there to protect Canadians from this toxic nightmare?

[Art Eggleton, Liberal, Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, every effort is being made to carry out clean-up of these sites as quickly as possible. Given the American usage of many of these sites we have an agreement with them, an agreement which involves some hundred million dollars in U.S. funds.

We have had a bit of a hold-up in Congress on this matter, but the commitment from the United States administration is there. I believe we will get it to deliver on this. We will get these sites cleaned up.

[Dick Proctor, NDP, Palliser, SK]

Mr. Speaker, one of the abandoned sites is in Stephenville, Newfoundland where people are afraid to drink the water because they believe it is contaminated.

Stephenville is one of dozens of Canadian communities affected by this truly terrible deal with the Americans.

Why will the government not put Canadian health and safety as well as our economic health ahead of American interests and negotiate a deal whereby the polluters pay?

[Art Eggleton, Liberal, Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, the matter of Stephenville and U.S. involvement goes back a long time. There have been many uses of that site since then.

The matter is still being examined to determine what kind of clean-up operation is needed. We are committed to carrying out clean-up on all our former military properties.

Nav Canada

[Bill Casey, Progressive Conservative, Cumberland—Colchester, NS]

Mr. Speaker, last week I asked the Minister of Transport about a reported shortage of air traffic controllers in NavCan's operation. Since then we all know of two tragic accidents.

One was in Mascouche, Quebec where only 24 months ago NavCan closed a temporary air traffic control tower, giving as the reason a shortage of staff.

Considering this very dangerous and critical situation, will the minister move today to instruct NavCan to restore that air traffic control tower at Mascouche, Quebec.

[David Collenette, Liberal, Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, we all regret these occurrences when they happen. Obviously an investigation is required to determine the facts.

I think it is misleading the Canadian public when we give the impression that all air strips Canada have or should have air traffic controllers and air traffic control facilities. Many airports are under visual flight rules. Obviously that means in certain types of weather accidents sometimes occur. All these—

[The Speaker]

The hon. member for Cumberland—Colchester.

[Bill Casey, Progressive Conservative, Cumberland—Colchester, NS]

Mr. Speaker, we understand that NavCan said it justifies an air traffic control tower but it did not have the staff.

Regarding the crash last night at Little Grand Rapids, we understand the pilot depended on private weather observers. Obviously the crash last night was weather related.

Could the minister tell us what these private weather observers have for qualifications and standards and did they meet those standards at Little Grand Rapids?

[David Collenette, Liberal, Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, this very tragic accident occurred only last night.

Transportation Safety Board officials are yet to be on the scene. They will be conducting a thorough review and Transport Canada will be participating and helping them along with others.

Once we get the facts on this case I am sure we can address some of the hon. member's questions.

Status Of Women

[Carolyn Parrish, Liberal, Mississauga Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Canada has been a staunch defender of women's rights as an integral part of human rights and has committed to do a gender analysis of all federal programs.

Since the budget is the principle policy document of any government, and as a good team player, what coaching is the Secretary of State for the Status of Women giving to the Minister of Finance on how do a gender analysis of this year's federal budget?

[Hedy Fry, Liberal, Secretary of State (Multiculturalism)(Status of Women)]

Mr. Speaker, that is a very appropriate question considering that today we recognize the 50th anniversary of human rights in the world.

Human rights are about women's rights, and human rights are the same as said in Beijing, and women's rights are not special interest rights.

The hon. finance minister has been doing a great deal of work to do some gender analysis. We have been assisting him. We will continue with gender based analysis to assist the Minister of Finance and all ministers in every department to ensure that women take their place economically, socially and politically in this country.