House of Commons Hansard #136 of the 35th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was grain.
François Langlois Bloc Bellechasse, QC
Mr. Speaker, can the Minister of Justice undertake to act before the next election and amend the Criminal Code in order to prohibit human cloning, in which case he will have the full support of the official opposition to quickly pass such an amendment?
David Dingwall LiberalMinister of Health
Mr. Speaker, the substance and the purpose of the bill to which I referred is to address the kinds of concerns that he has raised.
I only hope that members can focus on this subject matter in a non-partisan way and have it passed expeditiously in the House so that the kinds of fears that he has raised will not continue in this country at least.
Bob Mills Reform Red Deer, AB
Mr. Speaker, unbelievably the French government is going to issue a stamp to glorify de Gaulle's vive le Quebec libre visit .This is utterly reprehensible and is a direct attack on Canadian sovereignty and unity.
Is the government unwilling to defend the country's unity and sovereignty and demand that the French government stop supporting Quebec separatists?
Lloyd Axworthy LiberalMinister of Foreign Affairs
Mr. Speaker, we are aware that some consideration is being given to a stamp of President de Gaulle but no decision has been taken. The hon. member should tone down his rhetoric and his inflammatory remarks until we get a full explanation.
We have been in touch with officials of the French government to ask for information and an explanation. As soon as we receive that we would be very glad to inform the hon. member.
Once again the Reform Party is jumping the gate too quickly. It should not draw conclusions until the proper information is received. I know the Reform Party does not like to be confused by the facts but in this case we prefer to know exactly what is going on.
Bob Mills Reform Red Deer, AB
Mr. Speaker, this sounds very much like what was said during the referendum: be happy, keep quiet, do not say anything.
The Prime Minister just completed a visit to France and he said that relations have never been better. Is this stamp an example of the relationship getting better? Will the Prime Minister stand up for Canada? Will he stop catering to the separatists and will he call the French ambassador in and tell him to butt out or get out?
Jean Chrétien LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, this is the first time I have been accused of being on the side of the separatists.
Jean Chrétien Liberal Saint-Maurice, QC
I can see the leader of the separatist party smiling. He has never been my biggest problem.
We will wait for the facts. What the Minister of Foreign Affairs said is reasonable. There are rumours about it. There are a lot of rumours about the Reform Party too but we do not believe them all the time.
Anna Terrana Liberal Vancouver East, BC
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Industry.
I am concerned because the province of British Columbia has announced that it will withdraw from the agreement concerning the free flow of goods and services between Canadian provinces. This is at a time when all of Canada, especially the economy of B.C., is benefiting from freer trade.
Would the minister comment on how he thinks B.C. businesses will be affected by this decision when trying to enter into contracts in other provinces?
John Manley LiberalMinister of Industry
Mr. Speaker, the issue to which the member refers is the announcement by the province of British Columbia that it will not proceed with
negotiations to extend the application of the internal trade agreement to municipal governments as well as schools, hospitals and administrative agencies of its government.
As was agreed in 1994 when the federal government and the provinces signed the internal trade agreement, it was foreseen that we would complete negotiations to extend that chapter within a year. The third anniversary is now approaching.
This decision is regrettable from the point of view of the benefits that could be enjoyed by British Columbia taxpayers if procurement were opened to firms from other parts of Canada. It is also regrettable because other provinces may choose not to extend the benefits of the agreement to firms based in British Columbia.
It is my hope that the Government of British Columbia, which entered into this agreement in good faith and negotiated by the current premier of the province, will reconsider its position.
Réal Ménard Bloc Hochelaga—Maisonneuve, QC
Mr. Speaker, instead of working ferociously to bring about the demise of sports and cultural events, the Minister of Health should give researchers the money they need to pursue the fight against AIDS.
Can the minister tell the House if the government intends to continue supporting the research and prevention activities undertaken as part of the national AIDS strategy after March 31, 1998?
David Dingwall LiberalMinister of Health
Mr. Speaker, yes. we have embarked on a consultation process with various stakeholders, including the advisory group to the minister, on the issue of AIDS and the difficulties that it provides our citizens.
We were hoping to raise the matter in a larger forum with provincial governments as well. As the hon. member knows, funding for the second phase is not due to terminate until March 1998. We have some time in which to line things up in the proper way.
We are giving careful and due consideration to the suggestions that a variety of groups are making, including the hon. member opposite.
Sharon Hayes Reform Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC
Mr. Speaker, 16-year-olds cannot buy cigarettes, 16-year-olds cannot vote but in 1988 the Conservative government reduced the age of consent from 16 to 14.
Liberal proposals continue to do nothing to prevent children from being commandeered by adults for sex. It is no accident that the average age of recruitment for prostitution is 14. What will the justice minister do to protect our most vulnerable citizens? When will he raise the age of consent from 14 to 16?
Allan Rock LiberalMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Mr. Speaker, we have done a wide variety of things with respect to children being exploited through prostitution. One of the issues, but only one of them, is the issue of age.
For example, we put before the House legislation which would impose mandatory minimum penitentiary terms on those who serve as pimps for children in prostitution. It is legislation that will make a difference.
We have worked in concert with provincial attorneys general and authorities throughout the country in a co-ordinated effort to crack down on child prostitution.
On those occasions when I visited cities throughout Canada I have driven with the police in their cars. I have seen the tragic sight of children working the streets as prostitutes. I have conferred with those in the provinces who are working with the social services because this is more than just a matter of criminal law.
I use this occasion to say to the hon. member that I fully share her objectives. We have taken concrete legislative and policy action against children in prostitution and I urge her to join us in those continued-
Vic Althouse NDP Mackenzie, SK
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the minister of agriculture.
During the government's move to deregulate the branchlines in our railway system it assured Canadians who lived on those branchlines that the loss of protection to the year 2000 would not matter because they could set up short lines to provide their own service.
We are now finding out that the railways and the elevator companies seem to have an alliance whereby the lines will not be sold without the condition that no grain will move on them.
What does the government plan to do to offset this, now that it has set this program in motion? How will these communities be able to use their short lines if no elevators can be situated on their rights of way?
Ralph Goodale LiberalMinister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
Mr. Speaker, the purpose of the new Canada Transportation Act is at least in part to shift the emphasis away from what used to be a policy of branchline abandonment as the only game in town toward a new policy where at least there is the alternative of considering seriously a short line operation where it makes economic sense to do so.
In my province, which is also the hon. gentleman's province, it would be a big help to the short line industry if the provincial NDP government would change the law with respect to successor rights so short lines could exist in Saskatchewan.
Presence In GalleryOral Question Period
The Speaker
I draw the attention of hon. members to the presence in the gallery of Jordan Sokolov, MP, President of Parliamentary Group Union of Democratic Forces of the National Assembly of Bulgaria.
Herb Gray LiberalLeader of the Government in the House of Commons and Solicitor General of Canada
Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I should like to designate March 5, March 7, March 10 and March 12 as allotted days pursuant to Standing Order 81.
Paul Zed LiberalParliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to table in the House today, in both official languages, a number of Order in Council appointments which were made recently by the government.
Pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 110(1), these are deemed referred to the appropriate standing committees, a list of which is attached.
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 13 petitions.
Doug Peters LiberalSecretary of State (International Financial Institutions)
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 83(1) I wish to table a notice of ways and means motion to amend the Income Tax Act, the income tax application rules and another act related to the Income Tax Act, and I ask that an order of the day be designated for consideration of the motion.
A message from His Excellence the Governor General transmitting supplementary estimates (B) for the financial year ending March 31, 1997, was presented by the President of the Treasury Board and read by the Speaker of the House.
Charles Caccia Liberal Davenport, ON
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour today to present, in both official languages, the fourth report of the Standing Committee on the Environment and Sustainable Development. It relates to Bill C-65, an act respecting the protection of wildlife species in Canada from extirpation or extinction, and to its reporting with amendments.
The committee wishes to thank witnesses and interested citizens in all parts of the country for their thoughtful contributions to this timely and important piece of legislation.
Paul Zed LiberalParliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present the 57th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, regarding the membership and the associate membership of standing committees and standing joint committees.
If the House gives its consent, I intend to move concurrence in the 57th report later this day.