House of Commons Hansard #123 of the 35th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was culture.

Topics

Somalia InquiryOral Question Period

2:40 p.m.

Acadie—Bathurst New Brunswick

Liberal

Douglas Young LiberalMinister of National Defence and Minister of Veterans Affairs

Mr. Speaker, it is getting easier and easier to respond to the ethics manual produced by the Reform Party in question period. When you get that kind bafflegab in a question, you can actually respond on the basis that the Reformers have told their supporters what they would like to have.

In the guidance given to members before this session Reformers were told that questions should not be used to get straight information. I do not think that means you cannot ask a straight question.

Air Canada Labour DisputeOral Question Period

2:40 p.m.

Bloc

Réal Ménard Bloc Hochelaga—Maisonneuve, QC

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Labour.

Air Canada's 900 regional pilots, whose collective agreement expired in May of 1995, have been out on a legal strike since December. The federal mediation and conciliation service made two unsuccessful attempts at bringing the two parties together. This strike has been going on for too long. It is seriously affecting the economy of the regions.

Since labour relations at Air Canada come under the provisions of the Canada Labour Code, will the minister undertake to do everything in his power to bring the parties together and set the stage for serious negotiations, conducted in good faith, on the basis of the December 4 proposal?

Air Canada Labour DisputeOral Question Period

2:40 p.m.

Saint-Léonard Québec

Liberal

Alfonso Gagliano LiberalMinister of Labour and Deputy Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for his question. I welcome this opportunity to give you an update on the situation.

As he rightly pointed out, from the outset the federal mediation and conciliation service provided assistance to the parties to try to achieve a negotiated settlement. Federal mediation and conciliation officials are still working at it as we speak. They are trying to get the parties to at least come back to the bargaining table and look for a solution.

I do hope common sense will prevail and that they will start negotiating again so that this whole issue can be settled as soon as possible and service restored to Canadians.

Air Canada Labour DisputeOral Question Period

2:45 p.m.

Bloc

Réal Ménard Bloc Hochelaga—Maisonneuve, QC

Mr. Speaker, I find that answer a bit disconcerting because there are no negotiations going on at the table.

The minister must have been told of Air Canada's management using strikebreakers from the U.S. through AV Atlantic, of Miami, and Reknown Aviation, of Santa Maria.

Does the minister not think he has the duty, as a minister, to condemn such a practice?

Air Canada Labour DisputeOral Question Period

2:45 p.m.

Saint-Léonard Québec

Liberal

Alfonso Gagliano LiberalMinister of Labour and Deputy Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member knows the situation full well. In fact, he sits on the House of Commons human resources development committee and the committe tabled its report before the Christmas

break. I take this opportunity to thank the committee for the outstanding job it has done.

The bill is now before the House, at report stage, and I hope I can count on the co-operation of all hon. members for a speedy passage. The bill contains amendments to the Canada Labour Code that would help both parties remedy certain ongoing situations, which, though regrettable, are nonetheless legal.

FisheriesOral Question Period

2:45 p.m.

Liberal

Herb Dhaliwal Liberal Vancouver South, BC

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the foreign affairs minister.

Canada signed the Pacific salmon treaty with the United States over a decade ago. This treaty is crucial to B.C.'s coastal communities and to a sustainable Pacific salmon fishery. The Americans have failed to live up to the equity provisions of this treaty.

Could the minister brief the House on the measures that the government will take to resolve this ongoing dispute with our U.S. neighbours on the Pacific salmon treaty?

FisheriesOral Question Period

2:45 p.m.

Winnipeg South Centre Manitoba

Liberal

Lloyd Axworthy LiberalMinister of Foreign Affairs

Mr. Speaker, we all know how important the Pacific salmon treaty is for ensuring the proper management of the Pacific stock on the west coast. Unfortunately, the breakdown of discussions several months ago have led to a series of disputes.

I am very pleased to announce today that through discussions with the United States government, we have come to an agreement on the beginning of a new initiative. We are beginning new negotiations that will involve the major stakeholders at the regional level to deal with some of the crucial issues such as equity and conservation.

There is a very strict timetable between ourselves and the Americans. The meetings will begin February 10. We will review progress in the middle of March. This demonstrates what can happen when there is a constructive dialogue between two countries.

Department Of HealthOral Question Period

2:45 p.m.

Reform

Grant Hill Reform Macleod, AB

Mr. Speaker, a senior health department bureaucrat, Dr. Jo Hauser, shredded sensitive blood committee documents in 1989.

Would the health minister tell us exactly when he knew of this bureaucrat's identity?

Department Of HealthOral Question Period

2:45 p.m.

Cape Breton—East Richmond Nova Scotia

Liberal

David Dingwall LiberalMinister of Health

Mr. Speaker, in responding to the hon. member's question all I can say is that the information was forwarded to the deputy. Action was commenced by her and recommendations which have come from the information commissioner have been acted upon.

In terms of the specifics, I will have to check my files and get back to the hon. member.

Department Of HealthOral Question Period

2:45 p.m.

An hon. member

Hopefully they are not shredded.

Department Of HealthOral Question Period

2:45 p.m.

An hon. member

We will wait it out.

Department Of HealthOral Question Period

2:45 p.m.

Reform

Grant Hill Reform Macleod, AB

Mr. Speaker, I have a declassified letter that tells me that the minister clearly knew all about the scandal on December 3, 1996.

It is interesting that Dr. Hauser was then conveniently let go by the department just days before this information was made public by the information commissioner. That information was made public January 23, 1997. That information said that this was done to thwart the public's ability to know.

Instead of punishment and instead of investigation, he ends up with a golden handshake. Why?

Department Of HealthOral Question Period

2:45 p.m.

Cape Breton—East Richmond Nova Scotia

Liberal

David Dingwall LiberalMinister of Health

Mr. Speaker, the House should be aware that the accusations and the implications of the hon. member's questions have to be understood.

The incidents to which the hon. member refers occurred in 1989. The hon. member is trying to imply that somehow someone in this administration did something wrong.

The information commissioner has filed a report. We have accepted all of the recommendations of the information commissioner. Furthermore, we have forwarded a copy of that report to Justice Krever for his adjudication. In addition to that we have forwarded all of the information to Royal Canadian Mounted Police so they can examine it in its entirety.

Quebec Pharmacare PlanOral Question Period

2:50 p.m.

Bloc

Richard Bélisle Bloc La Prairie, QC

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Health.

On January 1, Quebec's new pharmacare plan came into effect. While the Quebec government managed to reach an agreement with the majority of employers and insurers in the province, Treasury Board, which is the employer for federal public servants, refuses to adjust its employees' insurance plan according to Quebec's new pharmacare plan.

Will the minister confirm that his government refuses to adjust the federal public service insurance plan to Quebec's new pharmacare plan?

Quebec Pharmacare PlanOral Question Period

2:50 p.m.

Hull—Aylmer Québec

Liberal

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

Mr. Speaker, the federal insurance policy, which covers at least 30,000 federal public servants in Quebec, offers more than the minimums required by the Quebec legislation for 98 per cent of those insured.

Our policy covers a wider range of drugs. It includes medical items such as glasses, which are not covered under Quebec's health insurance plan. Our deductibles are also lower.

Therefore, given that 98 per cent of our members have a better policy than the one available, we feel justified in keeping it.

Quebec Pharmacare PlanOral Question Period

2:50 p.m.

Bloc

Richard Bélisle Bloc La Prairie, QC

Mr. Speaker, given that the vast majority of employers and insurers in Quebec have already agreed to adjust to the new provincial pharmacare plan, will the minister admit that Ottawa's refusal to co-operate with the Quebec government does, in any case, adversely affect over 100,000 people, including retired public servants and their family members?

Quebec Pharmacare PlanOral Question Period

2:50 p.m.

Hull—Aylmer Québec

Liberal

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

Mr. Speaker, it is false to say that keeping our policy unchanged adversely affects 100,000 federal public servants in Quebec because, as I just indicated, 98,000 out of those 100,000 are better protected by our policy than they would be if we made adjustments like those made by private employers in Quebec.

Under the circumstances, there is no doubt that we provide better protection of the rights of Quebecers who are or were public servants, and of their families, by keeping them under the protection provided by our policy.

AirbusOral Question Period

February 5th, 1997 / 2:50 p.m.

Reform

Jack Ramsay Reform Crowfoot, AB

Mr. Speaker, the justice minister had the opportunity to head off the million dollar Airbus fiasco. He had a choice and he chose not to end it. The result was the waste of millions of taxpayers' dollars.

Why did the justice minister not issue his half-hearted apology over a year ago, as soon as he knew of his department's slanderous mistake?

AirbusOral Question Period

2:50 p.m.

Etobicoke Centre Ontario

Liberal

Allan Rock LiberalMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

Mr. Speaker, it is important to remember what the facts of this case are.

This case, in terms of the sending of the letter of request, was processed like any other over the last 11 years since this procedure was put in place by the last government. The letter of request was initiated and drafted by the RCMP and it was sent after being signed by an official of the justice department to the Swiss government.

After it came to my notice, after the complaint was made about it, a second letter was sent to Switzerland underlining and emphasizing the fact that the statements made in the first letter were allegations only. That was done and it was clearly stated.

Since then various steps have been taken to change the system. I am the first to concede it had shortcomings and should have been improved. It has now been improved. We have afforded an independent third party to do an audit of those improvements and let us know whether we have done enough.

That is the approach we have taken to this problem and it reflects ministerial responsibility.

AirbusOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Reform

Jack Ramsay Reform Crowfoot, AB

Mr. Speaker, it is clear the justice minister bungled this case. He could have stopped this action by withdrawing the letter on which the $50 million lawsuit was based. He chose not to do it.

The million dollar Airbus deal was designed to protect the reputations of the justice minister, the solicitor general and Brian Mulroney. The justice minister apologized to Mr. Mulroney. Is he now prepared to apologize to the Canadian taxpayers for the needless waste of millions of their dollars?

AirbusOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Etobicoke Centre Ontario

Liberal

Allan Rock LiberalMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

Mr. Speaker, I am the first to acknowledge because I am the minister responsible that the procedure put in place 11 years ago had its shortcomings. It has now been fixed.

The hon. member refers to accountability and responsibility. I want to remind the hon. member that he and his colleagues in the Reform Party are accountable as well. They are required to act responsibly.

Earlier today in question period the leader of the Reform Party in a question to the Prime Minister referred to my use of the justice department for a political witch hunt. I want the hon. member and his leader to know that if they know anything, if they have any allegation against me to justify the assertion that I used the justice department in a political witch hunt then they should put it on the record. They are accountable and if they use that kind of irresponsible language without something to show for it, they will be held responsible when we go to the people.

In vernacular I hope the hon. member will understand, on that account he ought to put up or shut up.

TobaccoOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Liberal

Walt Lastewka Liberal St. Catharines, ON

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Health. Tobacco lobbyists are telling young people who work in variety stores that they will be fired if Bill C-71 is passed. The Canadian Tobacco Manufacturers' Council is distributing information alleging that anyone under 18 years of age will lose his or her job in a corner store under the new anti-tobacco law.

Can the minister put an end to the tobacco lobby fearmongering and assure young Canadians that this legislation will not take away their jobs?

TobaccoOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Cape Breton—East Richmond Nova Scotia

Liberal

David Dingwall LiberalMinister of Health

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for the question. He is quite correct. A lot of misinformation is being put out concerning the contents of Bill C-71. The hon. member knows this information is inaccurate and the claims people are suggesting are absolutely false.

I wish the record to be clarified and I thank the hon. member for the question. Yes, retailers will be able to continue to hire persons under the age of 18 to sell tobacco products.

EmploymentOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Liberal

John Nunziata Liberal York South—Weston, ON

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Deputy Prime Minister. In the last election campaign the Liberal Party promised to create jobs and, in fact, was given a mandate to create jobs. Three years later the unemployment rate is still at 10 per cent and there are over a million and a half Canadians unemployed.

In her heart does the Deputy Prime Minister believe the promise to create jobs has been fulfilled? Can she indicate whether she can feel the pain and anguish of unemployed Canadians not being able to pay rent or to put food on the table? If she does, what does she intend to do-

EmploymentOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

The Speaker

The Deputy Prime Minister.