Debates of Dec. 2nd, 1997

Justice

[Anne McLellan, Liberal, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member raises a very important question and that is in relation to the judgment of Mr. Justice Noble in the Latimer case.

As the hon. member knows, I cannot comment on that specific case. It is up to the Attorney General of Saskatchewan to decide whether any appeal is to be commenced in that particular case.

However, I do want to acknowledge for everybody here in the House that Mr. Justice Noble acknowledged the exceptional circumstances in which he rendered his decision. He made a finding that the charter had been violated, that the rights of Mr. Latimer—

[The Speaker]

The hon. member for New Westminster—Coquitlam—Burnaby.

[Paul Forseth, Reform, New Westminster—Coquitlam—Burnaby, BC]

Mr. Speaker, that is a predictable answer, again a legal vacuum from this Liberal government.

Disabled groups fear this new loophole in the law will take Canada down a slippery slope of devalued life. What does the minister say to the disabled who are now in fear? What is the minister going to do to protect the helpless and also provide a meaningful Criminal Code?

[Anne McLellan, Liberal, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada]

As the hon. member should be aware, nothing that Mr. Justice Noble said yesterday impacts on the provisions in the Criminal Code that deal with second degree murder. There continues to be a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years.

Yesterday counsel for Mr. Latimer argued that in the circumstances of that particular case the imposition of that punishment would constitute cruel and unusual punishment. However, Mr. Justice Noble made it plain that his decision was specific and those provisions of the code in question remain in full force and effect.

The Environment

[Odina Desrochers, Bloc, Lotbinière, QC]

Mr. Speaker, in his report released this morning, the auditor general notes that the federal government has no internal policy governing the management, replacement and disposal of substances that deplete the ozone layer. Yet, according to the auditor general, federal departments are major users of such substances.

How can this government claim to be able to implement the agreement on greenhouse gases it will be signing in Kyoto, when its own departments are unable to set an example by cutting down on the use of ozone depleting substances?

[Christine Stewart, Liberal, Minister of the Environment]

Mr. Speaker, the auditor general's report is taken very seriously by my department. In fact, Canada took a leading role in putting in place the Montreal protocol which deals with reducing ozone depleting substances. We are aware of the fact that there is illegal traffic in these substances and we are developing a national action plan to make sure that all ozone depleting substances are controlled in this country.

[Odina Desrochers, Bloc, Lotbinière, QC]

Mr. Speaker, how can the federal government convince uncooperative provinces to comply with the objectives set in Kyoto when it cannot even lead by example by reducing ozone depleting substances?

[Christine Stewart, Liberal, Minister of the Environment]

Mr. Speaker, in fact, Canada has set a very good example internationally when it comes to reducing ozone depleting substances. We have set in place targets which we have exceeded. There were enormous economic benefits to this country, private business and individuals.

We hope this will set a good example for Kyoto.

Ted Weatherill

[John Williams, Reform, St. Albert, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the auditor general trashed Ted Weatherill and the Canada Labour Relations Board this morning in his report.

On 1,300 occasions Ted Weatherill went away beyond the Treasury Board guidelines on his expense account. This guy is completely out of control.

My question to the Minister of Labour is will he stand up right now and tell us that that guy is gone?

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Minister of Labour]

Mr. Speaker, I have received and reviewed the report and agree with the report.

Members of the Canada Labour Relations Board are appointed by governor in council and hold office during good behaviour. There are legal steps required in order for the governor in council to remove an appointee and I initiated these steps this morning.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear.

[Some hon. members]

Lawrence for leader.

[John Williams, Reform, St. Albert, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the minister did not tell us anything today that we did not know last spring, which has cost us tens of thousands of dollars. Is he going to reimburse the treasury because he could have done this six months ago?

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Minister of Labour]

Mr. Speaker, I think my hon. colleague is well aware of what I have just indicated. I have taken steps.

Asbestos Industry

[Suzanne Tremblay, Bloc, Rimouski—Mitis, QC]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Minister for International Trade stated that the premier of Quebec had specifically requested that the federal government back away from any WTO challenge.

On checking, we found that the premier of Quebec never made any such request, either directly or indirectly.

How could the minister make such a statement in this House?

[Sergio Marchi, Liberal, Minister for International Trade]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, I stated very clearly that the premier of Quebec had given instructions to the government, to federal officials. I am very proud to have made this statement yesterday and I reiterate it today.

[Suzanne Tremblay, Bloc, Rimouski—Mitis, QC]

Mr. Speaker, we have proof that Lucien Bouchard, the premier of Quebec, never made any such request to the minister. I ask that the minister table in this House proof that the premier of Quebec indeed requested that he not complain to the WTO?

[Sergio Marchi, Liberal, Minister for International Trade]

Mr. Speaker, I know the member is obviously very passionate when it comes to asbestos, but I think it is very clear to our officials that the government of Quebec has been certainly doing a doublespeak, one for the public and one behind the curtain.

I mentioned yesterday quite clearly that the Government of Canada has led on the asbestos issue, has organized an international conference, last week pulled together officials from the Government of Quebec together with industry, and they are firm and resolute on the strategy to take in—

[The Speaker]

The hon. member for West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast.

Immigration Appeal Board

[John Reynolds, Reform, West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast, BC]

Mr. Speaker, today the auditor general released a scathing indictment of the Immigration Appeal Board. The auditor general says there are serious difficulties with all stages of the refugee claim process.

My question to the Minister of Immigration: 20,000 people have been ordered deported. Only 4,000 have been deported. What is the government doing to speed up the process to get rid of these 16,000 people who have been ordered deported?

[Lucienne Robillard, Liberal, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to state first of all that we welcome the auditor general's report on the determination of refugee status, where he recommends that we review that process completely. That is what we will do and it is with that aim that an advisory group will be tabling a report and recommendations in December of this year. Therefore we will be able to use that to change the process.

As for the problem of removals, it is true that we are having problems in this area, but I would like to mention that compared to last year, removals have increased by 37%.

[John Reynolds, Reform, West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the minister knows that a minister that does something can get a standing ovation in this House. I quote the auditor general. He said: “To preserve the integrity of the immigration program, removal orders need to be carried out quickly.”

This department has 35,000 people in the backlog of refugees and we have 16,000 people ordered deported. What is the minister going to do, and tell the Canadian people, to solve this problem not next year or the year after, but right today?

[Lucienne Robillard, Liberal, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration]

Mr. Speaker, I would suggest that my Reform colleague reread the auditor general's report, where he states in fact that we have to be careful not to make piecemeal changes to the system, but that we should instead consider it as a whole because it is a very complex process. And that is exactly what we will be doing.

National Aids Strategy

[Réal Ménard, Bloc, Hochelaga—Maisonneuve, QC]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, in Toronto, the Minister of Health announced phase III of the national AIDS strategy. Nevertheless, during phase II, all the stakeholders had expressed their concern about the lack of co-ordination from Health Canada in the implementation of the national AIDS strategy.

In order to avoid the problems we experienced during phase II, can the minister tell us whom he has assigned to co-ordinate phase III of the national AIDS strategy?

[Allan Rock, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, I did in fact announce yesterday in Toronto that the government will be keeping its commitment to renew the national strategy on HIV and AIDS. We will spend $211 million during the next five years.

As for co-ordination of these initiatives, I have consulted the community groups concerned and I created a ministerial council to ensure representation of those involved in this issue.