Debates of Feb. 5th, 1997

The Late Jean-Robert Roy

[René Laurin, Bloc, Joliette, QC]

Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, we did not know Mr. Roy. However it is clear from the tributes paid him by his former colleagues and those who knew him that his reputation was well deserved, and I would therefore like to join with his colleagues in offering his wife and two children the most sincere sympathy of all members of the Bloc Quebecois.

The Late Norman Fawcett

[Raymond Bonin, Liberal, Nickel Belt, ON]

Mr. Speaker, last week I was saddened to learn of the loss of a former member of this House, the hon. Norman Fawcett. Mr. Fawcett served in this House as the member of Parliament for Nickel Belt from 1965 to 1968.

Norman was a community leader in the town of Capreol and in the region of Sudbury. More important, he was a family man and a highly respected member of his community. He will be sadly missed by his family, friends and the community.

Norman was originally from Adanac, Saskatchewan where he grew up and later took up farming before moving on to British Columbia to take a job as a logger. He later settled down in northern Ontario, in Capreol, where he worked as a miner and then as a conductor with the CNR. He retired from the CN in 1975. This breadth of experience and pan-Canadian view of things provided Norman with a unique and penetrating insight that served him and his constituents well throughout his political career.

In my youth I vividly recall following his political career in Capreol and Ottawa. His years of public service began in the late forties with his election to the executive of a local of the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen as it was then known.

In this difficult period for the labour movement, Norman was known as a man who stood by his members and his principles. The membership later rewarded Norman and I believe they rewarded themselves by appointing Norman to various positions of strategic importance to workers' rights and to collective bargaining.

In the early 1960s he entered municipal politics where he served as a councillor and deputy mayor for the town of Capreol. In 1965 he moved to the federal scene as the member of Parliament for Nickel Belt. In 1969 he returned to municipal politics and served as the mayor of Capreol and later on as a councillor and deputy mayor. He retired from municipal politics in 1991.

I do not think it is possible to walk through Capreol without seeing or touching the works to which Norman contributed, the parks, the athletic field, the museum, the library and so many others.

However, for Norman elected office was only one part of public service. The other was community activism and volunteerism. I believe that Norman will be remembered as much for his volunteerism as for his political contributions. I believe it is what defined him as an individual. He gave of himself.

The library board, the horticultural society, the local conservation authority, the Capreol Credit Union, the Lions Club, the Capreol senior's housing development and more all benefited from his leadership and commitment to his community. Public service, volunteerism or to offer one's self to the democratic process is a noble calling.

Mr. Norman Fawcett's life, his accomplishments and his contributions testify to this statement. However, as all members of the House know, it is family and friends that really matter. Norman lacked neither. Norman lacked neither.

He was a committed and devoted family man. He leaves behind his wife Elizabeth, seven children, 20 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren. I know they will miss him.

On behalf of the people of Nickel Belt and the members of the House, I wish to offer Elizabeth and her family our sincerest condolences on the loss of her husband. He was a great Canadian.

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

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my colleagues in the Reform Party, I would like to pay tribute to a former member of this House, Norman Fawcett, who passed away on January 26 at the age of 86.

One word comes to mind when reading about Norman Fawcett, and the word is devotion.

Although Norman Fawcett only served in the House for one term from 1965 to 1968 as the member for Nickel Belt, his entire life was devoted to public service. Besides his involvement in various community organizations and boards, he served on the municipal council for the town of Capreol where he held the positions of councillor, deputy mayor and mayor before finally retiring from politics in 1991.

He was a conductor with CNR for over 30 years and was also a lifelong member of the United Transportation Union and also of the New Democratic Party.

Mr. Fawcett's dedication to public service is carried on through other members of his family with their service to their community. Several of his family members are currently involved in municipal and provincial politics in the province of Ontario. His legacy and commitment live on through them.

On behalf of the Reform Party, I would like to express our sincere condolences to his wife, children and other members of his family. He will most surely be missed.

[Bill Blaikie, NDP, Winnipeg—Transcona, MB]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on behalf of the federal NDP caucus to pay tribute to Norm Fawcett, who died on January 26, 1997 at the age of 86.

As has been pointed out, he was federal NDP MP in the House starting in 1965 and served for three years. Norm spent his whole life, not just his time in the House, but an entire lifetime working on behalf of other people. Although his service in this House was brief, he had a lifetime of service to his community and to his country. He was very much a community based man. He started by helping his fellow workers with the railway unions in the 1950s. He was a conductor with CNR for over 30 years, retiring in 1975.

Although I never met Mr. Fawcett, I certainly sense in him, coming from Transcona, a railway town, a kindred soul and of course, given his origins in western Canada, my fellow New Democrats appreciate that as well, those of us who come from the west.

He was chairman of his union's grievance committee and served as the local union representative. Norm Fawcett served as chairman of the Capreol Association of Railway Running Trades and worked hard to represent the united front on behalf of union members from conditions imposed by CNR.

This power struggle resulted in a wildcat strike. As a result of the strike, he was one of two members appointed to appear at board of transport commission hearings to present the union's case.

Even during these tense times, Norm Fawcett was described as a man who spoke with quiet authority. He gave thought and heart to what he said and people listened.

As well as being a federal politician, Norm Fawcett served as a municipal councillor in 1962 and also deputy mayor. He was elected as mayor of Capreol in 1969 and served four years. He was again elected to council in 1976 and served seven out of nine years as councillor and deputy mayor, retiring in 1991. He also served on the Capreol hydro commission.

It was not enough, however, for Norm to be involved just in collective politics on behalf of his community of Capreol; he was also involved in sports projects such as the minor baseball league, economic development with the Capreol Community Credit Union and served as a represent with the Nickel district conservation authority. He was a life member of Masonic Order and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Capreol Lions' Club.

Norm Fawcett is survived by his wife Elizabeth and his children Donna, Gaye, Penny, Pat, Ken and Heather. He was a grandfather to 20 grandchildren and great grandfather to 21 great grandchildren.

Norm Fawcett was a role model for many NDP activists. They were inspired by Norm's quiet and persuasive ways. They watched in awe as Norm fought CNR from closing the Coniston, Ontario railway station. His thoughtful manner won the day and the station remained open.

In 1972 Norm Fawcett did not run again in the federal election and passed the NDP mantle along to John Rodriguez who went on to represent Nickel Belt for many years.

His hard working and steadfast style also inspired his own family members. His son-in-law is former NDP MPP Elie Martel who represented the provincial riding of Sudbury East from 1967 to 1987. Elie was always proud of the fact that for one year, in 1967, he was the provincial NDP representative at the same time as his father-in-law was the federal representative.

Norm Fawcett's granddaughter, Shelley Martel, also followed in her grandfather's footsteps and was elected as the NDP MPP for Sudbury East in 1987 and remains the MPP today.

The NDP federal caucus offers its deepest condolences to the family.

[Elsie Wayne, Progressive Conservative, Saint John, NB]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of my colleague, the hon. member for Sherbrooke, and the Progressive Conservative Party to pay tribute to the late Norman Fawcett. We wish to extend our heartfelt condolences to Mr. Fawcett's family.

Although I did not know Mr. Fawcett personally, after reading his background I wish I had had that opportunity for I found out that Mr. Fawcett and I shared many similarities. Mr. Fawcett was a railway man. He served as a railroad conductor with CNR for over 30 years and he knew the importance of rail and watched how its introduction built this great nation of ours.

Mr. Fawcett also served on municipal council. He was first elected in 1962 and was again elected in 1964. He also served as the deputy mayor.

In 1965 Mr. Fawcett was elected to Parliament as a New Democratic member representing the riding of Nickel Belt. As the MP for the area, he fought successfully to prevent the Canadian National Railway from closing the Coniston station. He served one term as MP and later went on to be elected mayor of Capreol.

His political career spanned 17 years of dedicated service to his community and his country.

The Progressive Conservative Party extends our prayers and our best wishes to Mr. Fawcett's wife Elizabeth, his children, as well as the many members of his extended family.

[René Laurin, Bloc, Joliette, QC]

Mr. Speaker, as we did for Jean Roy, and for the same reasons, we wish to offer Mrs. Fawcett, his children and all those Mr. Fawcett leaves behind, our sincerest condolences.

Government Response To Petitions

[Paul Zed, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's response to 15 petitions.

Official Languages Act

[Jean-Paul Marchand, Bloc, Québec-Est, QC]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-367, an act to amend the Official Languages Act (enforcement of the duties of the government).

Mr. Speaker, this bill is to ensure that the federal government complies with the Official Languages Act. As you know, sections 41 and 42, set out in Part VII of the act-a crucial part in terms of enforcement-are being flouted by the federal government. They act in this matter as if there were no legislation.

The bill will require the federal government to enforce its own legislation.

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

[Jack Frazer, Reform, Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. When the member for Scarborough Centre was asked by the Speaker to withdraw his remarks, he qualified his withdrawal by saying that he had not intended it to be in the singular but rather in the plural-

[The Deputy Speaker]

The hon. member will have to accept the fact that the Speaker ruled that the matter was finished.

[Jack Frazer, Reform, Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC]

Mr. Speaker, this is a new point of order.

[The Deputy Speaker]

If it is on a different matter, the hon. member may continue.

[Jack Frazer, Reform, Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the member withdrew his statement, but what he said was that he intended it to be in the plural, which means that he was calling me and every one of my colleagues in the House a racist. That is not acceptable and I think it should be withdrawn.

[The Deputy Speaker]

I understand the hon. member's point very well. The hon. member is aware, as all of us are, that what happened yesterday has hurt all of us. I hope the hon. member-and everyone heard his remark-will realize that the faster we get this thing behind us, the better it is going to be for all of us and probably for all elected people across the country.

I note what the hon. member has said, but I hope that the matter is now a bit behind us.

Petitions

[Ovid Jackson, Liberal, Bruce—Grey, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to present a petition which is signed by 32 people from the riding of Bruce-Grey. The petitioners want to draw to the attention of the House that 38 per cent of the national highway system has fallen below accepted standards and that the national highway policy study identified job creation, economic development, the saving of lives and the avoidance of injuries among the benefits of the proposed national highway program.

The petitioners call upon Parliament to urge the federal government to join with the provincial governments to make the highway system upgrading possible, beginning in 1997.

[Audrey McLaughlin, NDP, Yukon, YT]

Mr. Speaker, I have the pleasure to present petitions from over 900 Yukoners who are concerned and want to draw to the attention of the House that these citizens believe that the provocation defence as it is currently used in wife slaughter cases inappropriately and unjustly changes the focus of a criminal trial from the behaviour of the accused and his intention to murder to the behaviour of the victim, who from then on is identified as the one responsible for the accused's violence.

The undersigned request that Parliament review and change the relevant provisions of the Criminal Code to ensure that men take responsibility for their violent behaviour toward women.

[Peter Adams, Liberal, Peterborough, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I have a petition from more than 300 citizens of Peterborough who are concerned about social housing in Canada, particularly co-op housing.

The petitioners point out that Parliament is negotiating with all provinces to assume the administration of all social housing. The government of the province of Ontario has not respected its legal operating agreements and it has said publicly that it wants to sell off public housing. The co-operative housing sector is unique and separate from all other social housing.

Therefore, these petitioners call on Parliament to recognize the co-operative housing sector as a unique and separate entity from all other social housing and that Parliament seriously consider the transfer of the administration of co-operative housing to a non-government organization as proposed by the Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada.

I endorse that petition myself.

[Peter Adams, Liberal, Peterborough, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I have a second petition. This petition is also from citizens of Peterborough who are concerned about making streets safer for children and who believe that sexual abuse of children or anyone in society is intolerable.

Since it cannot be demonstrated sufficiently that sexual offenders such as pedophiles can be cured or rehabilitated, these petitioners pray that Parliament will enact legislation to establish a pedophile registry.

[George S. Rideout, Liberal, Moncton, NB]

Mr. Speaker, I too have a petition in support of a highways program and a national highways upgrading system. It is signed by numerous members of my riding as well as other constituents in other ridings in New Brunswick.

[Paul Steckle, Liberal, Huron—Bruce, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I have a petition with a great number of names of people from various parts of my riding.

These people are concerned about the injustice in the way those who are convicted of driving while intoxicated are sentenced. They believe there are profound inadequacies in the sentencing practices concerning individuals convicted on impaired driving charges.

Therefore they pray and request that Parliament proceed immediately with amendments to the Criminal Code which will ensure that the sentence given to anyone convicted of driving while impaired or causing injury or death while impaired reflects both the severity of the crime and zero tolerance by Canada toward this crime.

[Benoît Sauvageau, Bloc, Terrebonne, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to table a petition in this House on behalf of more than 260 petitioners from my riding and elsewhere in Quebec.

This is such an important petition that I must read you the preamble. "We ask that the other House, whose members are not elected nor held accountable for their actions and whose operating budget totals $43 million, the other House that will not account to this House for the use of its appropriations, fails to fulfil its regional representation mandate and duplicates the work done by the members of this House, be abolished".

This petition is signed by 260 people in my riding.

[Benoît Sauvageau, Bloc, Terrebonne, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I have a second petition, signed by some 50 people from my riding and from elsewhere in Quebec, asking the Canadian government to neither finance nor subsidize the sale of Candu reactors to China, and to take into consideration that country's poor environmental track record.

[Val Meredith, Reform, Surrey—White Rock—South Langley, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I have two petitions to present today. One of them addresses the appalling condition of our national highways.

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

[Val Meredith, Reform, Surrey—White Rock—South Langley, BC]

Mr. Speaker, my second petition deals with people who are caught in the disability system where they have a disability and there is no financial support for them.

The petitioners pray and request that Parliament introduce mid-term disability benefits legislation which allows working Canadians who suffer from a debilitating illness or injury to receive continuous sickness benefits in the following form: (a) 15 weeks UIC; (b) mid-term disability; and (c) Canadian disability pension plan.

[Bill Blaikie, NDP, Winnipeg—Transcona, MB]

Mr. Speaker, I have a number of petitions.

The first petition calls on Parliament to have our present laws on obscenity strictly upheld, demonstrating a will to protect the men, women and children of Canada from pornography's impact, thereby also fostering recognition and treatment for sexual addictions which most often have been fueled by the use and impact of pornography.