Debates of Dec. 9th, 1997

Canada Marine Act

[Eugène Bellemare, Liberal, Carleton—Gloucester, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the member for Thunder Bay—Nipigon left because he did not want to vote on this bill.

[The Deputy Speaker]

Then I guess the name of the hon. member for Thunder Bay—Nipigon will not appear on the list.

(The House divided on the motion, which was agreed to on the following division:)

Division No. 66

[The Deputy Speaker]

I declare the motion adopted.

(Bill read the third time and passed)

The House resumed consideration of the motion.

Amendment To The Constitution Of Canada (Newfoundland)

[The Deputy Speaker]

The next deferred recorded division is on Motion No. 6 under Government Business.

During the taking of the vote:

[The Deputy Speaker]

Could the hon. member for Scarborough—Agincourt please indicate whether he is voting yea or nay on this motion.

[Jim Karygiannis, Liberal, Scarborough—Agincourt, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I would like my vote to be recorded as no.

[David Iftody, Liberal, Provencher, MB]

Mr. Speaker, I believe there was an error in the last counting of my vote. I would like my vote to be recorded as no on the last motion. I would seek the unanimous consent of the House to have it recorded as no.

[The Deputy Speaker]

Is it agreed that the hon. member's vote will be counted as a no?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Deputy Speaker]

Agreed and so ordered.

(The House divided on the motion, which was agreed to on the following division:)

Division No. 67

[The Deputy Speaker]

I declare the motion carried.

The House resumed consideration of the motion that Bill C-17, an act to amend the Telecommunications Act and the Teleglobe Canada Reorganization and Divestiture Act, be read the third time and passed.

Telecommunications Act

[The Deputy Speaker]

The next recorded division is on the motion at the third reading stage of Bill C-17.

(The House divided on the motion, which was agreed to on the following division:)

Division No. 68

[The Deputy Speaker]

I declare the motion carried.

(Motion agreed to, bill read the third time and passed)

[Paul Martin, Liberal, Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, in the process of applying votes earlier I was registered as voting in favour of Bill C-9. I should be recorded as not voting on Bill C-9. In the words of the chief government whip last week, I should be “deleted”.

[The Deputy Speaker]

Is it agreed that the Minister of Finance's name be deleted and the vote on Bill C-9 agreed to?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Deputy Speaker]

So ordered.

A motion to adjourn the House under Standing Order 38 deemed to have been moved

[Gordon Earle, NDP, Halifax West, NS]

Mr. Speaker, as the New Democratic Party's aboriginal affairs critic, I am deeply troubled by this government's continuing silence regarding the royal commission's final report and recommendations. Obviously there is a pressing need to radically redefine the relationship between aboriginal peoples and the federal government.

The tragic events of recent years at Oka and Ipperwash prove how urgently action is needed. As time continues to pass, aboriginal peoples and other Canadians are left with the impression that this government has no clear idea of what should be done.

The New Democratic Party has for a long time been calling on the government to put an end to the dependency and marginalization of aboriginal peoples. As the royal commission clearly stated, to recognize our mistakes is the first step toward a new relationship based on mutual respect.

There is compelling information in the royal commission's report about systemic physical, sexual and emotional abuses in residential schools, all in the name of our government's assimilationist policies.

To make sure justice is done to the victims of abuse would be one small remedy which would begin an essential healing process. Formal apologies and compensation were offered to Japanese Canadians for treatment during the second world war. Now is the time for apologies to and the healing of aboriginal peoples.

I strongly believe that a true partnership cannot be achieved without mutual respect and recognition. The royal commission stressed the importance of recognizing that aboriginal peoples in Canada form distinct nations and, as such, have a right to fashion their societies in ways which reflect their values and cultures. I certainly share this vision.

In that sense, both explicit constitutional recognition and concrete actions to implement the inherent right to self-government are essential.

The government finally established a policy regarding self-government negotiations in 1995. These negotiations are a first step to replacing the paternalistic relationship established under the Indian Act, but the unacceptable requirement of exchanging treaty rights for extinguishment of aboriginal rights is still part of the negotiation process. How could we have a relationship based on trust and mutual respect with such a policy?

I also share the view of the royal commission that aboriginal governments must be considered as a third legitimate government, like the provinces and the federal government. Nations are not like municipalities and this should be reflected in these agreements.

Aboriginal nations should be able to decide which power they want to exercise in accordance with the charter of rights and freedoms and the fundamental principles of the Canadian constitution.

Given the dramatic situation regarding health, education, housing and the employment of aboriginal peoples on and off reserve, these are a matter of priority.

Aboriginal peoples are better placed than anyone else to find solutions adapted to their own realities and traditions, but the government must not simply transfer its responsibilities and run. This situation must be addressed in true collaboration.

Another important aspect of restructuring the relationship is to establish a fair base for dispute settlement. The NDP is a long time supporter of an independent land claims commission. Such a commission should have a tribunal-like decision power and report its activities to Parliament.

A land base is essential to the exercise of self-government. The NDP supports the process presently in place for the creation of Nunavut. It is also important that the Métis people, who have been ignored by governments since the last century, be recognized as having full aboriginal rights and a land and resource base to exercise self-government.

I could go on for hours talking about the changes which I believe are necessary to correct centuries of abuses and wrong policies. My colleagues in the NDP certainly share the view that the very principle of a new relationship based on mutual respect lies in our ability to listen to aboriginal peoples. History cannot be forgotten, but we can certainly act on it to create a better future.

[Bernard Patry, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to respond to the hon. member for Halifax West on behalf of the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development concerning the government's response to the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples.

The government has every intention of publicly responding to the RCAP report in the near future. Contrary to the hon. member's belief, the government has not been silent on this matter. Over the last year we have been consulting partners while undertaking an in-depth government-wide review of the commission's recommendations.

This is a lengthy, serious and important document that cannot be implemented overnight. The government is committed to making significant structural change in its relationship with aboriginal peoples. Therefore, we cannot proceed in isolation. Many partners, aboriginal people, provincial and territorial governments and the private sector and other interested parties are involved in the development of responses to the recommendations.

The royal commission set out a 20 year program for change. It would be a disservice to the commission and the aboriginal people if we responded to the report in haste or without thorough consultation.

Let me also add that many of the changes recommended by RCAP are already in place or under way. For example, this government recently expressed its commitment to the creation of a national aboriginal health institute, which was called for by RCAP.

This government will not table a response for the sake of tabling a response. We want to address the many issues raised in the RCAP report in a manner that is reasonable and that best serves aboriginal people. We want to table the right response to address the needs of aboriginal people.

[Libby Davies, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

Mr. Speaker, earlier this year two reports on sexually exploited youth were released in British Columbia. In September the Downtown Eastside Youth Activity Society released a report examining the situation in the Downtown, Eastside and Strathcona neighbourhoods in my constituency of Vancouver East.

In November a similar report of the sexually exploited youth committee of the Capital Regional District released a report on the situation in Victoria and the surrounding communities.

Both reports came to a similar conclusion. That conclusion is that we cannot isolate the problem of sexually exploited youth from other problems that face our communities and our young people.

In the Victoria study, poverty and homelessness emerged as key issues. Two-thirds of the youths surveyed reported that they were afraid of not having enough money to survive. Almost half of them said that they were living on the street when they first became involved in the sex trade. One-third reported trading sexual favours for a place to sleep.

Housing and poverty were also identified as the problem in the Vancouver study. The difficulty sex trade workers have getting housing and other services contributes to their isolation and makes it harder for sexually exploited youths to get off the street.

Both studies found high levels of drug use among sexually exploited youth. In Victoria 25% were intravenous drug users. In Vancouver the figure was 75%.

The most appalling finding of the study was the number of sexually exploited youth who had been sexually abused prior to their entry into the sex trade. Between 70% and 95% of youth surveyed in Vancouver were sexually abused prior to their entry into the sex trade.

In both studies the picture painted of sexually exploited youth was one of young people who felt betrayed by society and who were struggling to survive. These young people are extremely marginalized.

We understand that there are no quick fixes. We do need solutions that make it easier for exploited youth to leave the sex trade and easier for them to survive until they make the decision to leave.

Among the measures which were put forward in these reports was a network of safe houses, a witness protection program to ensure the safety of sexually exploited youth involved in court proceedings, a change in the age of consent and changes in the law to allow more successful prosecutions against those who sexually exploit children and youth. I will be working with the local community on these particular issues in the New Year.

In addition, there are concerns about how we address some of the problems facing these youths, including homelessness and the treatment of drug addiction. Action on the solutions to these studies identified does require the active co-operation of the federal government. I would urgently ask the federal government to examine these reports with a view to assisting with solutions.

The fact is that the federal government has abandoned social housing. We have not set any targets on poverty. There is no doubt that increasing numbers of children are now at risk.

Many of the young people in the sex trade have completely lost faith with all government and with all authorities. We have to be committed to this. There have been too many reports produced and they all say the same thing, that increasing numbers of our young people are at risk.

It is time for this government to take action to provide housing, to end poverty, to provide better services, to provide better treatment programs for addiction, to assist these sexually exploited youth.

[Eleni Bakopanos, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada]

Mr. Speaker, the involvement of young people in prostitution is a serious and tragic problem that has become more evident over recent years as the hon. member says. I want to thank the hon. member for bringing this to the attention of the House. It is particularly troublesome because young people by virtue of their age and legal status are more vulnerable than adults to danger, exploitation and abuse.

The federal government is extremely concerned about this problem, despite what the member said. For this reason it introduced Bill C-27, which Parliament passed last spring, to address some of the issues surrounding the involvement of young people in prostitution.

These new laws are intended to give the police more efficient means to enforce the offence of obtaining the sexual services of a person under the age of 18.

In addition to easing the burden of young witnesses in prostitution related cases, Parliament also created a very severe penalty for those procurers who use violence or intimidation against youth involved in prostitution.

One thing is clear, however. Criminal law alone will never suffice to eradicate child and youth prostitution. It is a community problem that must be dealt with on many fronts, including the areas of social policy and education as the hon. member indicated.

It is only by co-operating together at all levels, federal, provincial and territorial, that we will be able to tackle the root causes underlying the involvement of youth. It is anticipated that in late December, the federal-provincial-territorial working group on prostitution will be presenting to the federal, provincial and territorial ministers responsible for justice, its recommendations on legislation and policy practices concerning prostitution related activities.

A status report was presented recently at the federal-provincial meeting in early December in Montreal. The issue of child sexual exploitation was a matter of concern to ministers. At the urging of British Columbia, the Minister of Justice agreed to draft amendments to the Criminal Code to strengthen enforcement efforts against those who buy sex from children.

Also, the British Columbia and other provincial ministers further requested to increase the age of consent to sexual activity to 16. This also will be seriously considered.

Therefore we will be coming back to the House with some recommendations.

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

Mr. Speaker, a few days ago, I asked the health minister what he intended to do to help sports and cultural events, which are facing a transition period that is way too short. As we know, I was alluding to the harmful and undesirable effects of Bill C-71.

We supported the objectives pursued in the fight against tobacco consumption through this legislation. However, we think the means used to achieve these goals are not appropriate.

The three major producers concerned by the issue of sponsorship invest $31 million annually, which is nothing to sneeze at, and are facing an extremely sensitive situation. First, because the act is very coercive.

The European Union decided to grant a seven-year transition period. Perhaps tobacco producers must stop sponsoring events. I agree that the issue must be considered, but it is not true that sports and cultural events should disappear, and I am referring to major events that have a very significant impact for large cities such as Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver.

Under the current wording of the act, which we were urged to pass in the last Parliament, sponsorship by tobacco producers will be prohibited as of next October.

This is an extremely thoughtless move fraught with consequences, because you can understand that it is not possible for the Jazz Festival, the Grand Prix in Trois-Rivières and the open golf championship to find partners who will invest several million dollars in sponsorhsip on a notice as short as a few months.

Let me tell you that, compared to what was done elsewhere in terms of the planning period provided, other countries had concerns similar to the ones the Minister of Health has about tobacco use and the bad influence publicity may have on young people. Yesterday, in a press conference, and again today, we were reminded that the European Union, which is confronted with a rather similar problem, has given sponsors seven years to withdraw.

Why is this period so important? Because tobacco companies are the main sponsors. When $5 million, $6 million or $7 million are invested to support a sports or cultural event, this has a significant impact and taking away this support without first finding new sponsors is not an alternative, and I hope the government will reconsider.

[Bob Nault, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Human Resources Development]

Mr. Speaker, last spring the government acknowledged the concerns of the organizers of the Grand Prix of Canada in Montreal and the Molson Indy in Toronto and Vancouver. These concerns were about the potential impact of the Tobacco Act's restrictions on the promotion of motor sport events that receive support from tobacco companies.

The former health minister committed to finalizing before the end of 1997 consultations with motor sports promoters and to present amendments that will respect the international standards concerning the use of logos on cars, drivers, pit crews and transport equipment. The former minister also stated that this could be done in a manner consistent with the charter and our health objectives.

The Tobacco Act gives the government authority to regulate the production, promotion, labelling and sale of tobacco products and the access by minors to tobacco products. The act is part of the federal government's broad strategy to reduce the use of tobacco in Canada. This strategy includes legislation, research, public education and tax policy.

The government took the direction of the supreme court with respect to the freedom of expression that must be accorded the tobacco industry to communicate with adult consumers. The government also listened to the concerns of arts and sports groups and we incorporated a transition period to allow these groups to find alternative sponsors.

The Minister of Health has been involved in consultations with affected parties on both sides of the issue. An amendment will be prepared that will meet the commitment made last spring.

There are three criteria any amendment to the act must be weighed against: international standards, the charter of rights and freedoms, and our health objectives. The charter and our health objectives are fundamental considerations and the issue of international standards is also important. We must ensure that any change to the act reflects these considerations and we will see that this is done.