House of Commons Hansard #134 of the 35th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was budget.

Topics

Committees Of The HouseRoutine Proceedings

10:55 a.m.

Liberal

John English Liberal Kitchener, ON

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present in both official languages the fifth report of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade. This is the first report of the subcommittee on sustainable human development entitled: "Ending Child Labour Exploitation: A Canadian Agenda for Action on Global Challenges".

I would also like to thank the witnesses who appeared before the committee as well as the members of Parliament for their work on this committee. This is a very important report that I think will guide the government in its approach to this very significant question.

Committees Of The HouseRoutine Proceedings

10:55 a.m.

Bloc

Maud Debien Bloc Laval East, QC

Mr. Speaker, "The State of the World's Children" is the title of the latest Unicef report, from which I quote the following: "Today, over 250 million children around the world-in countries rich and poor-work and many of them are at risk from hazardous and exploitative labour. Denied education and trapped in cycles of poverty, their most basic rights, their health and even their lives are in jeopardy. The contributing factors are multiple and overlapping, including the exploitation of poverty, lack of access to education, and traditional restrictions, particularly for girls".

Today, the government is tabling the report of the sub-committee on sustainable human development on this same topic, along with a proposed action plan on this intolerable situation.

I must say that the Bloc Quebecois members took part in the activities of this sub-committee with interest. Our active participation contributed to improving the report, and the government party accepted almost all of our recommendations.

We must point out, however, first of all, that the conditions under which the final report was drafted and translated into French are unacceptable.

I would just like to indicate that we played a significant part in the drafting of this report, and we are calling for the government to implement its 19 recommendations as promptly as possible.

Citizenship ActRoutine Proceedings

10:55 a.m.

Saint-Henri—Westmount Québec

Liberal

Lucienne Robillard LiberalMinister of Citizenship and Immigration

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-84, an act to amend the Citizenship Act and the Immigration Act.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed.)

Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements ActRoutine Proceedings

11 a.m.

Bloc

Jean-Paul Marchand Bloc Québec-Est, QC

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-373, an act to amend the Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act (provincial legislation contravening the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms).

Mr. Speaker, I am, in fact, introducing two bills whose purpose is to wake up francophone members outside Quebec who are usually asleep or hide their heads in the sand when enforcement of the Official Languages Act in Canada is at stake. The President of the Treasury Board, when he was principal secretary at Foreign Affairs, even tossed out the Official Languages Act.

This bill is intended to give enforcement of the Official Languages Act in Canada more teeth. It would ensure that funding earmarked for Canadian francophone communities gets to those communities. Unfortunately, this money is appropriated by the provinces for other purposes.

The bill therefore suggests that transfer payments to those provinces be reduced, if the money does not go to these communities or if the provinces violate the Canadian Constitution as it applies to the minority rights of francophones. That is, in fact, the case in most Canadian provinces.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed.)

Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements ActRoutine Proceedings

11 a.m.

Bloc

Jean-Paul Marchand Bloc Québec-Est, QC

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-374, an act to amend the Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act (social services for the French linguistic minority of a province).

Mr. Speaker, the second bill is along the same lines as the first one. Its purpose is to ensure that the provinces that do not use the portion of transfer payments which is designated for francophone communities are fined accordingly by the federal government, in other words, an equivalent amount is cut from transfers to the provinces if the amounts allocated to francophone communities do not go to those communities.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed.)

Agreement On Internal Trade Implementation ActRoutine Proceedings

11 a.m.

Reform

Leon Benoit Reform Vegreville, AB

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-375, an act to amend the Agreement on Internal Trade Implementation Act.

Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure for me to introduce my private member's bill, an act to amend the Agreement on Internal Trade Implementation Act.

The agreement on internal trade that was signed nearly three years ago was a start. However, it has not yet been completed. The main obstacle to the completion of this agreement is the use of the term consensus as it has been used by the negotiating committee comprised of cabinet level representatives from federal, provincial and territorial governments.

This committee has interpreted the definition of consensus to mean unanimity. Therefore, any one government, regardless of population, can impeded the progress of the agreement, and indeed that of the Canadian economic union.

My bill will allow the federal government to use its constitutional responsibility under sections 91 and 121 of the Constitution to complete sections of the agreement on internal trade. It is important to note that this action will be taken only in situations where co-operative agreement between the provinces has been sought and not reached.

This proposed approval formula will require agreement among at least two-thirds of the provinces that have at least 50 per cent of the Canadian population. This provision will facilitate the removal of internal trade barriers and present growth opportunities to Canadian businesses which previously have been restricted by these barriers.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed.)

Main Estimates, 1997-98Routine Proceedings

11:05 a.m.

Hull—Aylmer Québec

Liberal

Marcel Massé LiberalPresident of the Treasury Board and Minister responsible for Infrastructure

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 81(4), as amended for the 1997-98 fiscal year, and Standing Order 81(6), I move that the Main Estimates be referred to the Standing Committees of the House.

Since the list is rather lengthy, I would ask that the list be printed in Hansard at this point without being read.

Main Estimates, 1997-98Routine Proceedings

11:05 a.m.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Milliken)

Is it agreed?

Main Estimates, 1997-98Routine Proceedings

11:05 a.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

Main Estimates, 1997-98Routine Proceedings

11:05 a.m.

Liberal

Marcel Massé Liberal Hull—Aylmer, QC

I move the following motion:

That the Main Estimates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 1998, laid upon the Table on February 20, 1997, be referred to the appropriate Standing Committees of the House, according to the detailed distribution list here appended.

To the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development

Indian Affairs and Northern Development, Votes 1, 5, 10, 15, L20, L25, L30, 35, 40, 45 and 50

To the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food

Agriculture and Agri-Food, Votes 1, 5, 10 and 15

to the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage

Canadian Heritage, Votes 1, 5, 10, 15, L20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 110, 115, 120, 125, 130, 140 and 145

To the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration

Citizenship and Immigration, Votes 1, 5, 10 and 15

To the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development

Environment, Votes 1, 5, 10 and 15 Privy Council, Vote 30

To the Standing Committee on Finance

Finance, Votes 1, 5, L10, 15, 20, L25, 35 and 40 National Revenue, Votes 1, 5, and 10

To the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans

Fisheries and Oceans, Votes 1, 5 and 10

To the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade

Foreign Affairs, Votes 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, L30, L35, 40, 45, 50 and 55

To the Standing Committee on Government Operations

Canadian Heritage, Vote 135 Governor General, Vote 1 Parliament, Vote 1 Privy Council, Votes 1, 5, 10 and 35 Public Works and Government Services, Votes 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 Treasury Board, Votes 1, 5, 10, 15 and 20

To the Standing Committee on Health

Health, Votes 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30

To the Standing Committee on Human Resources Development

Human Resources Development, Votes 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35

To the Standing Committee on Human Rights and the Status of Persons with Disabilities

Justice, Vote 10

To the Standing Committee on Industry

Industry, Votes 1, 5, L10, L15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 110, 115 and 120

To the Standing Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs

Justice, Votes 1, 5, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 and 45 Privy Council, Vote 40 Solicitor General, Votes 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50

To the Standing Committee on National Defence and Veterans Affairs

National Defence, Votes 1, 5 and 10 Veterans Affairs, Votes 1, 5 and 10

To the Standing Committee on Natural Resources

Natural Resources, Votes 1, 5, 10, L15, 20, 25, 30 and 35

To the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs

Parliament, Vote 5 Privy Council, Vote 20

To the Standing Committee on Public Accounts

Finance, Vote 30

To the Standing Committee on Transport

Privy Council, Vote 15 Transport, Votes 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40

To the Standing Joint Committee on Library of Parliament

Parliament, Vote 10

To the Standing Joint Committee on Official Languages

Privy Council, Vote 25

(Motion agreed to.)

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

11:05 a.m.

Reform

Randy White Reform Fraser Valley West, BC

Mr. Speaker, I have four petitions. The first petition suggests that the charter of rights and freedoms protects all Canadians, including those convicted of crimes. Victims of crimes require specific rights in the justice system.

Therefore the petitioners call on Parliament to support the private member's activities and developments of the victims' bill of rights in this House.

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

11:05 a.m.

Reform

Randy White Reform Fraser Valley West, BC

Mr. Speaker, the second petition says that in June 1996 the Prime Minister of Canada announced he would work toward diverting the Sable Island gas pipeline to Quebec City. It is unacceptable for the Prime Minister to decide the destination of Nova Scotia natural gas without consulting Nova Scotians.

Therefore, Nova Scotians assert their right to control the destination of Sable Island gas and demand that the federal government cease tampering in this issue.

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

11:05 a.m.

Reform

Randy White Reform Fraser Valley West, BC

Mr. Speaker, the third petition calls on Parliament to urge the federal government to join with provincial governments to make the national highway system upgrading possible.

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

11:05 a.m.

Reform

Randy White Reform Fraser Valley West, BC

Mr. Speaker, the fourth petition requests that Parliament not increase the federal excise tax on gasoline and strongly consider reallocating its current revenues to rehabilitate Canada's crumbling national highways.

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

11:05 a.m.

Lethbridge Alberta

Reform

Ray Speaker ReformLethbridge

Mr. Speaker, I would like to present a petition on behalf of 97 of my constituents who are concerned about the impeding March 31, 1998 expiry of the National AIDS Strategy.

The signatories call on Parliament to urge the Prime Minister and the Minister of Health to commit to a renewal of the National AIDS Strategy with at least the current level of funding.

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

11:05 a.m.

NDP

Len Taylor NDP The Battlefords—Meadow Lake, SK

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, I am pleased to present a petition signed by residents of my constituency, residents of the cities of North Battleford and Lloydminster and the towns of Paynton, Onion Lake and Battleford.

The petitioners note that 38 per cent of the national highway system is substandard, that the national highway policy study identified job creation, economic development, national unity, saving lives and avoiding injury, lower congestion, lower vehicle operating costs and better international competitiveness as benefits of the proposed national highway program.

The petitioners call on Parliament to urge the federal government to join with the provinces to make the national highway system upgrading possible.

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

11:10 a.m.

Reform

Monte Solberg Reform Medicine Hat, AB

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, I have two petitions to present. The first calls on Parliament to urge the federal government to join with the provincial governments to make the national highway system upgrading possible beginning in 1997.

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

11:10 a.m.

Reform

Monte Solberg Reform Medicine Hat, AB

Mr. Speaker, the second petition calls on Parliament to conduct a full public inquiry into the relationship between lending institutions and the judiciary, and to enact legislation restricting the appointment of judges with ties to credit granting institutions.

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

11:10 a.m.

Reform

Darrel Stinson Reform Okanagan—Shuswap, BC

Mr. Speaker, I wish to file a petition from residents of British Columbia pointing out that gasoline is a necessity and that most of today's gasoline costs to consumers are made up of taxes.

Nevertheless, two Liberal dominated committees have recommended still another federal gas tax increase added to the incredible 566 per cent increase in the past decade.

The petition requests no new gas taxes and for the government to use existing gas taxes to improve Canada's crumbling national highways.

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

11:10 a.m.

Liberal

Jim Jordan Liberal Leeds—Grenville, ON

Mr. Speaker, I have a petition from citizens in my riding, places like Merrickville, Brockville and North Augusta.

The petitioners request that Parliament support the immediate initiation and conclusion by the year 2000 of an international convention which will set out a binding timetable for the abolition of all nuclear weapons.

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

11:10 a.m.

Liberal

Paul Szabo Liberal Mississauga South, ON

Mr. Speaker, I have two petitions which have been circulating across Canada. The first comes from Delta, B.C.

The petitioners would like to draw to the attention of the House that our police and firefighters place their lives at risk on a daily basis as they serve the emergency needs of all Canadians.

They also state that in many cases the families of police officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty are often left without sufficient financial means to meet their obligations.

The petitioners therefore pray and call on Parliament to establish a public safety officers compensation fund to receive gifts and bequests for the benefit of families of police officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty.

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

11:10 a.m.

Liberal

Paul Szabo Liberal Mississauga South, ON

Mr. Speaker, the second petition comes from Calgary, Alberta.

The petitioners would like to draw to the attention of the House that managing the family home and caring for preschool children is an honourable profession that has not been recognized for its value to our society.

The petitioners therefore pray and call on Parliament to pursue initiatives to assist families who choose to provide care in the home for preschool children, the chronically ill, the aged or the disabled.

Questions On The Order PaperRoutine Proceedings

11:10 a.m.

Fundy Royal New Brunswick

Liberal

Paul Zed LiberalParliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

Mr. Speaker, I ask that all questions be allowed to stand.

Questions On The Order PaperRoutine Proceedings

11:10 a.m.

The Deputy Speaker

Is that agreed?

Questions On The Order PaperRoutine Proceedings

11:10 a.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.