Debates of Oct. 29th, 1998

Leader Of Bloc Quebecois

[Nick Discepola, Liberal, Vaudreuil—Soulanges, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Bloc Quebecois leader came out with quite a comment yesterday “A vote for the PQ is a vote for a referendum”. His boss in Quebec must be very proud of him.

For weeks now, Premier Bouchard has been wriggling out of saying that his government will hold a referendum during a future term of office.

What a momentous statement by the Bloc Quebecois. The sovereignists can now thank the leader of the Bloc Quebecois for finally letting the cat out of the bag.

Because of his sincerity and sense of direction, everyone is now on the same wavelength. A vote for the PQ is a vote for a referendum, and therefore a vote to throw Quebec into uncertainty once more.

DISCOVERY

Space Shuttle

[Deepak Obhrai, Reform, Calgary East, AB]

Mr. Speaker, students from the city of Calgary will share an historic experience with U.S. Senator John Glenn when the famous astronaut is launched into space today. The signatures of 500 Calgary students will accompany Senator Glenn on the space shuttle Discovery .

Today students from G. W. Skene Community School, James Short Memorial Elementary School and Saint Peter Elementary School are thrilled to be part of space history. These young Calgarians are taking part in the Student Signatures in Space Program. It is not inconceivable that some of the students watching today will find themselves on a space mission one day.

I would like to thank the Penbrooke Community Association and the Penbrooke Boys and Girls Club for their support of this initiative and congratulate the students of Calgary for being part of this historic event. I say well done to those boys and girls.

Election Campaign In Quebec

[Marlene Jennings, Liberal, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the members of the Bloc Quebecois are nervous these days. Since yesterday, we know where the sovereignists stand. If the Parti Quebecois is reelected, there will be a referendum on the future of Quebec.

That is what it boils down to, despite the Quebec premier's hesitations and backtracking on whether or not he would hold a referendum. The Leader of the Bloc Quebecois, for his part, could not have made it clearer. Yes, if a sovereignist government is elected, Quebeckers will once again be called upon to decide their future in a referendum.

Now we know, and so do the people of Quebec: a vote for the PQ is a vote for a referendum.

Quebec Election Campaign

[Denis Coderre, Liberal, Bourassa, QC]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the leader of the Bloc Quebecois enlightened us: a vote for the PQ is a vote for a referendum. Finally, Quebeckers now know what to expect. A vote for the PQ is a vote for the separation of Quebec.

The people of Quebec will have a golden opportunity, on November 30, to make clear their support for a united Canada and a stronger Quebec. Quebec will choose the real priorities when it opts in favour of continuing its dialogue with Canada. It will have an opportunity to vote in support of its values of belonging, of sharing and of openness, elements of its Canadian and Quebec identity.

We thank the leader of the Bloc Quebecois, who brought the real issue of the upcoming election to light. On November 30, let's vote for a stronger Quebec. Let's vote Liberal.

Social Programs

[Christiane Gagnon, Bloc, Québec, QC]

Mr. Speaker, by reducing Quebec's traditional demands to a shopping list and by claiming they can be met in his general store, the senior manager has shown his utter scorn for Quebec.

I would remind the Prime Minister that his government continues to reject the legitimate demands of Quebec, which wants to withdraw with full compensation from the national child tax benefit program. This same government continues to refuse to allow Quebec to use the money allocated for parental leave.

The senior manager heaps further scorn by preparing to sell off products he has no license to sell, in family matters, for example, by sponsoring a conference on childhood related problems in an area of jurisdiction that is Quebec's alone.

Out of concern for Quebeckers, the Bloc rejects the moves by this senior manager, who is using parents and children to defeat family policy in Quebec.

Women's History Month

[Michelle Dockrill, NDP, Bras D'Or, NS]

Mr. Speaker, during Women's History Month we are paying tribute to women who have worked to improve the lives of women and of all Canadians, women who have been pioneers in their fields and who opened doors for the women who came after them.

At a women's career day at Malcolm Munroe Junior High School in Sydney River I was reminded of the progress women have made. The women who spoke ranged from an archaeologist to an RCMP officer, jobs which not so long ago were closed to women.

These victories have come through the efforts of millions of faceless women who have stayed at home in their roles as wives and mothers. We are removing some of the barriers which used to restrict women. Seventeen years ago women and labour activists had to strike for maternity leave. Today it is becoming our right.

Women's History Month is a time to recognize those who have kept up the fight for equality in the face of tremendous odds. For 14 years the federal government has done everything it can to delay or prevent a fair pay equity settlement. Women in the public service have refused to give up.

Group Of Parliamentary Friends Of Unesco

[Yvon Charbonneau, Liberal, Anjou—Rivière-Des-Prairies, QC]

Mr. Speaker, at an organization meeting held yesterday, 75 Canadian parliamentarians from all the political parties represented in both Houses set up a group of parliamentary friends of UNESCO.

This main objectives of this new parliamentary friendship group are to provide its members with more information on UNESCO programs throughout the world, particularly those that relate to North American realities, and to support Canada's participation in UNESCO, which includes taking part in the activities of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO.

The parliamentary group appointed an executive made up of eight members of Parliament and three senators. As chair of this new parliamentary friendship group, I am pleased to see the strong interest generated among our colleagues by this UNESCO contact group. We will now develop a plan of action to support UNESCO's major commitments in the areas of education, culture and science.

St. John's Harbour

[Norman E. Doyle, Progressive Conservative, St. John's East, NL]

Mr. Speaker, on April 23 I was present with Premier Tobin and other dignitaries celebrating the start-up of the St. John's Harbour clean-up. At that time $4.5 million had been committed, one-third each by the municipal, provincial and federal governments involved. At that ceremony Premier Tobin announced the commitment of the provincial and municipal shares to the next phase of the project.

Noticeably missing on the platform that day was the minister of the federal cabinet. Also missing from the speeches was a further federal commitment to the project which, when completed, will have cost in excess of $140 million.

St. John's is one of Canada's 11 capital cities. If the federal government can spend $78 million a year keeping Ottawa beautiful, surely it can also help keep the other capitals clean and beautiful.

Today I call upon the federal government and the minister for Newfoundland to make funding available for the St. John's Harbour clean-up.

Small Businesses

[Walt Lastewka, Liberal, St. Catharines, ON]

Mr. Speaker, October 25 to 31 is Small Business Week in Canada. Small business represents one of our most important areas of economic activity. In fact small business is responsible for 43% of private sector output.

Small business is also a major job creator. More than 50% of private sector employment comes from small business. In the past year 430,000 new jobs have been created. Over 70% of these jobs were created by small business.

The federal government has an important role to play in supporting small business in Canada. Across the country we have set up Canada community investment plans, held local small business info fairs, opened one stop shop business service centres and supported projects under the industrial research assistance program.

These programs support the small business people and entrepreneurs who create economic growth and jobs in Canada. I salute them for their efforts.

Aboriginal Affairs

[Howard Hilstrom, Reform, Selkirk—Interlake, MB]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to tell the House and the Canadian people about the beginnings of a new grassroots organization. The purpose of this organization is to enhance democracy, the cornerstone of any society where all members are treated equitably.

These people see their elected officials abusing their authority, conducting elections with serious irregularities and becoming wealthy on moneys that were meant to be equally shared in the community. I am talking about the First Nations Accountability Coalition of Manitoba which is associated with like organizations in Saskatchewan and Alberta.

On October 31 the coalition will be holding its first national grassroots accountability summit in Winnipeg, Manitoba. As host of this summit I invite everyone who is interested in aboriginal affairs to attend.

If this group is successful in effecting change, today's generation of aboriginal children along with future generations will be the main beneficiaries.

Camille Laurin

[Francine Lalonde, Bloc, Mercier, QC]

Mr. Speaker, it is with great personal emotion, and from a historical perspective, that I would like to pay tribute to Dr. Camille Laurin, who just announced that he was leaving public life for health reasons.

A page of history was written by the one who was called the “father of Bill 101”, or Quebec's charter of the French language.

We can never truly measure the energy, perseverance, receptiveness and generosity displayed by Dr. Laurin in achieving this resounding success in spite of numerous efforts made to downplay, if not destroy, his achievement.

Quebeckers of all political stripes recognize the courage—motivated by a deep love for his people—of this humanist, who always managed to maintain very good relations with his fellow citizens.

As editorial writer Murray Maltais points out in today's edition of Le Droit , “Today's Quebec society owes 101 thanks to Dr. Laurin”.

Railways

[Stan Dromisky, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Atikokan, ON]

Mr. Speaker, today over 100 railway industry representatives have been meeting with MPs, senators and officials to discuss issues vital to the Canadian economy.

Canada's railways play a vital role in the country's economy. Some 40% of the nation's efforts depend on safe and efficient rail transportation.

Today Canada's railways represent a combined investment of more than $12 billion in track, roadway, facilities and equipment. In addition to 46,000 railway employees, some 30,000 workers in communities across Canada are employed directly or indirectly by those companies which supply the rail industry.

I would encourage all members to meet with the representatives at a reception this afternoon in room 200 in the West Block beginning a 5 p.m.

Fred Gillies

[John O'Reilly, Liberal, Victoria—Haliburton, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the outstanding volunteer efforts of Mr. Fred Gillies.

Mr. Gillies lives in Minden, Ontario which is located in the beautiful riding of Haliburton—Victoria—Brock. Fred was part of the Canadian Volunteer Advisers to Business organization.

This organization is part of Canada's effort to stimulate development in disadvantaged economies. Last year this organization provided almost 23,000 days of service valued at $8 million.

Fred, accompanied by his wife Goldie, spent 12 weeks in Georgetown, Guyana assisting proprietors of a specialty food processing company. Fred trained quality control personnel in microbiology and employees in sanitation procedures and processing techniques.

Thanks to Fred Gillies, disadvantaged countries can gain the tools needed to be successful. Great job, Fred.

Employment Insurance

[Chuck Strahl, Reform, Fraser Valley, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister would have Canadians bow and scrape before him because he has tinkered over the last while with employment insurance premiums.

However, he knows that insurance premiums are still way too high and the average Canadian worker is paying $350 per worker per year too much. The average business is paying $500 a year too much every single year.

The Prime Minister knows it is against the law to use this in general revenue. The Employment Insurance Act states this.

Canadians and I want to know from the Prime Minister why he is planning to skim the employment insurance fund when the law states that he is not allowed to do it.

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, since our first budget, our policy has been to reduce the EI premium. We did not follow the advice of Reform Party members who were telling us at that time to use the surplus to reduce the deficit.

Despite our deficit, we reduced EI premiums every year in a systematic, reasonable and responsible way.

The EI surpluses have come into the government's consolidated revenue fund since the time the auditor general asked—

[The Speaker]

The hon. member for Fraser Valley.

[Chuck Strahl, Reform, Fraser Valley, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I am certainly glad the Prime Minister wants to listen to the auditor general. The auditor general says that it is illegal, and he will report to parliament that it is illegal, to use the employment insurance funds for general revenue. He says that money has to be used for insurance reasons and if it is not he will report it as illegal.

The auditor for the EI fund says that it is wrong to use the funds this way. The auditor general says it is illegal to use the funds this way. Why is the Prime Minister going to use the EI funds illegally when Canadians deserve a break and deserve it today?

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I am surprised to hear the auditor general say that it is illegal to do what his predecessor asked the previous government to do. We will wait for the report.

We have a policy of not listening to Reform members because they always change their policy. When we first used the money to reduce the premiums, they wanted us to use the surplus to reduce the deficit.

[Chuck Strahl, Reform, Fraser Valley, BC]

Mr. Speaker, what the Reform Party has said is that those premiums and those benefits belong to Canadian workers and Canadian businesses and that the Prime Minister should keep his claws off them. Every single paycheque workers have EI reductions which amount to $350 a year. This is too much taken from their paycheques. Every year businesses have $500 in deductions. This is too much taken off those paycheques.

Organized labour and the Canadian Federation of Independent Business want a cut in employment insurance premiums.

Why does the Prime Minister not quit breaking the law and give a break to businesses and Canadian workers who deserve a break today?

[The Speaker]

Colleagues, the word “illegal” was a bit close but “breaking the law” I think is over the line. I would prefer that we not use it anymore.

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, on the other hand, we have BCNI and other business organizations telling us that rather than reducing the EI premiums we should give a tax reduction to the public. They are telling us that rather than deducting money for corporations, it would be better deduct money for the employees.

We are listening to representations from everybody. One thing is for sure. In the last five years we did not follow the advice of the Reform Party. We did not use the EI surplus to reduce the deficit. We have used it to reduce the premiums.

[Dick Harris, Reform, Prince George—Bulkley Valley, BC]

Mr. Speaker, this Prime Minister, this man of great deception—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh.

[The Speaker]

I ask the hon. member to withdraw those last few words.

[Dick Harris, Reform, Prince George—Bulkley Valley, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I withdraw with respect.