House of Commons Hansard #141 of the 35th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was reform.
Points Of OrderOral Question Period
The Speaker
Now members see the dilemma into which the Chair is put. Now you see the dilemma that the Speaker is put into because if the question-
Chuck Strahl Reform Fraser Valley East, BC
You let them go with seven questions in a row on the tobacco bill. Two days in a row they had seven questions in a row.
Points Of OrderOral Question Period
The Speaker
At best you are putting your Speaker virtually in an untenable position. I would invite hon. members to discuss this with me if they like in my Chambers, but this is surely not the place.
Points Of OrderOral Question Period
The Speaker
I would like to let this point rest right now and we will proceed from here.
Paul Zed LiberalParliamentary 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 four petitions.
Christine Stewart LiberalSecretary of State (Latin America and Africa)
Mr. Speaker, today is Commonwealth Day. It is observed every year on the second Monday in March by all Commonwealth countries to celebrate the Commonwealth, its values and principles.
The theme for this year's Commonwealth Day is "Talking to One Another". Communication has always been an important feature of the Commonwealth whether it is between governments, non-governmental organizations or simply interested individuals. Although the Commonwealth consists of 53 diverse countries, it is a family of nations with many shared values and beliefs. By talking to one another, whether at intergovernmental meetings or increasingly through the Internet, we in the Commonwealth have advanced the causes of democracy and human rights and the fight against poverty and injustice that are extremely important to us.
Last year was an important year for the Commonwealth. Canada played an active role in the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group on the Harare Declaration, CMAG, which has met seven times in the last 15 months to discuss serious and persistent violations of the Harare declaration.
CMAG was created as a result of the last Commonwealth heads of government meeting in New Zealand in 1995 to study the situations in Nigeria, the Gambia and Sierra Leone. This was part of a wide ranging plan adopted by leaders for increased action to promote democracy, development and consensus building.
The action group will be presenting its report to the heads of government in Edinburgh in October. At the Edinburgh meeting the Harare declaration will be consolidated and strengthened as we revisit the issues of democratic development in our member states. In addition, for the first time, the broader economic issues of trade, investment and development among our member states will be a major focus of our discussions. A non-governmental organization forum and a business forum will be held in conjunction with the governmental meeting, which will draw together the vitality of the private and public spheres.
The Commonwealth is much more than governments and officials. It is also a vibrant and growing association of ordinary people in every part of the globe. Thousands of Canadians are active in the professional, development and service associations which are the strength of the Commonwealth. The relationships built between Canadians and individuals through these organizations are an important force in developing international understanding.
This year we went one step further by looking beyond governmental meetings to actively consult with both the private sector and the Commonwealth NGO community on how government can best promote and preserve democratization and human rights. The round table sessions were successful and several good initiatives are being developed as a result. We look forward to more consultative sessions in the future.
The Commonwealth is a force in the world for the values Canadians cherish, and I urge all members to join me today in saluting the Commonwealth.
Philippe Paré Bloc Louis-Hébert, QC
Mr. Speaker, it is impossible not to notice the paradox between this theme, communication, and the lack of transparency and information that characterizes this government.
Why is it so difficult if not impossible for members of Parliament, who are the elected representatives of the people, to obtain the right to take part, even if only as observers, in consultations with various groups in our society? Why is it that the government, which is constantly promoting communication, especially through the Internet, has cut subsidies to the NGOs responsible for making the Canadian public aware of the importance of development? We know that the key to gaining support for our efforts toward sustainable human development depends mainly on raising public awareness in donor countries.
Why is silence the only response we get when we try to find out what is happening within the ministerial action group since the disguised failure of the special mission sent to Nigeria to examine the situation with regard to democracy and human rights?
In the meantime, General Abacha's regime continues to hold sway with complete impunity. The Commonwealth is even considering welcoming that country back as a member although the situation has not improved in any way since the execution of Ken Saro Wiwa and eight other Ogoni political opponents.
The Commonwealth is indeed a valuable forum to discuss important issues as long as the political will is there. Canada has succeeded in distinguishing itself in the past when it fought against apartheid in South Africa. Despite this positive example, which shows that communication is possible, it remains extremely difficult to reach a consensus when it comes to democracy and human rights, even within a group as limited as the ministerial action group.
Canada can and must exercise strong leadership within the Commonwealth in order to promote democracy and human rights. There are signs of a tendency to use all multilateral forums, including the Commonwealth, to deal with trade issues as separately as possible from human rights and democracy.
In these times of increasing globalization, there is a great risk that vital questions will be overlooked. Canada must not give in to this tendency and must continue to defend human rights and democracy, as it began to do in the case of Nigeria, with the support of Parliament and of the people of Quebec and of Canada.
That having been said, I would also call on the government, next year and in subsequent years, to implement one of the unanimous recommendations of the report by the Sub-Committee on Sustainable Human Development. The committee recommended that the Canadian government play a leadership role within the Commonwealth and elsewhere, in order to raise the issue of child labour and to bring about concrete solutions.
Given that the problem of the exploitation of child labour is one that affects a number of Commonwealth countries, including India, Canada must seize the opportunity provided by this multilateral forum to help move the cause of children throughout the world significantly forward.
In this regard, the Bloc Quebecois intends to keep an eye on the results of the next meeting of Commonwealth heads of government, scheduled to take place in Edinburgh next October 24 to 27.
Ray Speaker ReformLethbridge
Mr. Speaker, it is certainly a pleasure to respond to this noble day called Commonwealth Day and the remarks that have been made in the House.
I have listened to what the minister and the member from the loyal opposition said. I take note of the fact that one of the messages trying to be transmitted throughout the Commonwealth at this point is talking to one another. That is certainly a good message, very idealistic and is an attempt to bring these countries that form the Commonwealth together so that they can have some common aim or purpose. I think we should have that.
However, as a nation and a participant in the Commonwealth, one of the responsibilities we have when we are talking to one another is to make sure we are not just talking about things that are politically correct and somewhat acceptable. There are times when we must talk about human rights and the actions taken by some of our fellow countries in the Commonwealth that are not appropriate as such, and if they are not appropriate we should clearly say that in the most positive critical to bring them to task to live up to the expectations that we have in Canada where human rights is certainly an item of top priority.
I would think, in speaking with regard to this more noble idea of countries in the Commonwealth talking to one another, that the same thing should apply in this assembly where we talk to one another in an open and fair manner, where we have the opportunity to speak on behalf of western Canadians, central Canadians and eastern Canadians equally and where it is heard. Sometimes we forget that in this major partisanship forum, as is the case today. Question period today was no exception.
Certainly the noble cause to talk to one another in the world is good. To keep peace and harmony in the world is good. However, let us remember the lesson right at home as well.
Interparliamentary DelegationsRoutine Proceedings
The Deputy Speaker
Pursuant to Standing Order 34, I have the honour to present to the House, in both official languages, the report of the meeting of the Standing Committee of the Conference of Commonwealth Speakers and Presiding Officers held from January 2 to 8, 1997 in Cape Town, South Africa.
Paul Zed LiberalParliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present the 58th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs pertaining to the list of associate members of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade.
With leave of the House, I intend to move for concurrence in the 58th report later this day.
Dan McTeague Liberal Ontario, ON
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-381, an act to amend the Competition Act
(protection of those who purchase products from vertically integrated suppliers who compete with them at retail).
Mr. Speaker, it is a great honour for me to present and table this bill entitled Act to amend the Competition Act (protection of those who purchase products from vertically integrated suppliers who compete with them at retail).
The evolution of this bill follows the recognition that small business is the backbone of our economy and the recognition that there is certainly ample evidence of abuse of dominant predatory pricing going on in this country but we seem to have a lack therein or a shortage of legislative levers in order to address this reality, particularly in the oil industry.
This enactment will give a basis for the enforcement of fair pricing for a manufacturer who sells a product at retail, either directly or through an affiliate, and also supplies the product to a consumer who competes with the supplier at the retail level in order to give the customer a fair opportunity to make a similar profit.
As I indicated, other provinces, such as Quebec, are proposing the same bill in their jurisdiction. The text also states that a supplier forcing or trying to force a client to establish a retail pricing policy or a marketing policy for retail sales is guilty of anticompetitive practice.
(Motions agreed to, bill read the first time and printed.)
Paul Zed LiberalParliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, with leave of the House, I move:
That the 58th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs be concurred in.
Committees Of The HouseRoutine Proceedings
The Deputy Speaker
Does the parliamentary secretary have unanimous consent to move this motion?
Jean-Guy Chrétien Bloc Frontenac, QC
Mr. Speaker, following the tragic events that occurred in the city of Disraeli, in the Eastern Townships, I wish to table a very important petition bearing more than 22,200 signatures.
The promoters, André Beaulieu and Jeannot Talbot, supported by the petitioners, call upon the government to ensure stricter enforcement of conditional release legislation and increase surveillance. I support these 22,200 people in their undertaking and I hope the Minister of Justice will be attentive to their demands.
Paul Szabo Liberal Mississauga South, ON
Mr. Speaker, I have two petitions to present today.
The first petition comes from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. The petitioners 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.
Paul Szabo Liberal Mississauga South, ON
Mr. Speaker, the second petition comes from Edmonton, Alberta. The petitioners draw to the attention of the House that managing the family home and caring for preschool children is an honourable profession which has not been recognized for its value to our society.
The petitioners therefore pray and call on Parliament to pursue initiatives to assist families that choose to provide care in the home for preschool children, the chronically ill, the aged or the disabled.
Rose-Marie Ur Liberal Lambton—Middlesex, ON
Mr. Speaker, I have a petition to present today pursuant to Standing Order 36. The petition comes from constituents in Regina, Saskatchewan.
The petitioners 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 citizens.
The petitioners call on Parliament to establish a public safety officers compensation fund for the benefit of the families of public safety officers killed in the line of duty.
Dan McTeague Liberal Ontario, ON
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to present a petition signed by many of the constituents of my riding from Pickering, Ajax and Whitby who call on Parliament to adopt legislation which would require gasoline companies to give 30 days notice to the appropriate minister of an impending
significant increase in the price of gasoline and that such notice also contain the reasons for the increase and when it will take effect.
Lee Morrison Reform Swift Current—Maple Creek—Assiniboia, SK
Mr. Speaker, I have a petition with signatures of Canadians collected at a filling station on the Trans-Canada highway in my riding.
The petitioners draw attention to the fact that 38 per cent of the national highway system has fallen below accepted standards, that Mexico and the United States are upgrading their national highway systems, and that the national highway policy study identified job creation, economic development, saving lives, avoiding injuries, lower congestion, lower vehicle operating costs and better international competitiveness as benefits of the proposed national highway upgrading program.
Therefore the petitioners call on Parliament to urge the federal government to join with provincial governments to make the national highway system upgrading possible in 1997.
Janko Peric Liberal Cambridge, ON
Mr. Speaker, I have the privilege to present to the House a petition signed by 125 concerned citizens from my riding of Cambridge and southwestern Ontario.
The petitioners pray and request that the Parliament of Canada enact legislation prohibiting convicted criminals from profiting financially from writing books, setting up 1-900 numbers or producing videos which detail the stories of their crimes.
The petitioners also request that legislation be enacted which would prohibit convicted criminals from selling their stories to others for publication through books, movies or videos, and from selling details of their crimes to publishers and producers outside Canada.
