Debates of Nov. 19th, 1998

Latvia

[Sarmite Bulte, Liberal, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to rise today to pay tribute to the people of Latvia and Latvian-Canadians who, along with me, celebrated the 80th anniversary of Latvia's independence yesterday, November 18.

In Latvia the occasion was commemorated by the laying of wreaths at the Freedom Monument to symbolize the attainment of liberty from foreign rule. The day was recognized by ceremonies throughout Latvian-Canadian communities and here in Ottawa by flying the Latvian national flag at city hall.

Canada has never wavered from its recognition of Latvia's sovereignty throughout the period of Soviet occupation. Since its re-independence, Latvia and Canada have enjoyed wonderful partnerships in such areas as technical co-operation, NATO's partnership for peace program, as well as humanitarian and civil rights issues.

This spirit of co-operation will continue to thrive in the atmosphere of a free market economy where both Canada and Latvia will benefit.

As the first member of parliament of Latvian heritage to take a seat in the House, I am proud to offer my best wishes on this memorable anniversary.

Liberal Government

[Gurmant Grewal, Reform, Surrey Central, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberals are not giving Canadians want we want in terms of health care, tax relief, democracy, parliamentary reform and tougher penalties for criminals. The list goes on.

As we see in question period, the arrogance of Liberal ministers goes too far. They ridicule members and frequently confuse the public regarding opposition positions on issues. They often pretend they know what Canadians want but actually they do not. They fail to learn.

This attitude is best shown by the following quote. “He who knows not and knows not that he knows not can never learn. Shun him”. They are the Liberals. “He who knows not and knows that he knows not can learn. Teach him”. They are the PCs and NDP. “He who knows and knows not that he knows is asleep. Awake him”. That is the united alternative. “He who knows and knows that he knows is a prophet. Follow him”. Here we are, the official opposition. We speak for all Canadians. We know what Canadians want.

World Track And Field Championships

[John Harvard, Liberal, Charleswood—Assiniboine, MB]

Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pride to rise and congratulate Edmonton's bid for winning the right to host the 2001 World Track and Field Championships.

This the first time that the International Amateur Athletic Federation has ever awarded this event to North America. I want to highlight the strong support for the bid given by the Minister of Justice, the MP for Edmonton West and the Government of Canada.

Yesterday the Prime Minister wrote the president of the International Amateur Athletic Federation. As the Prime Minister wrote, on behalf of all Canadians, we are hopeful that Canada's bid will be successful.

Today we know that Edmonton has been successful and hats off to everybody involved. Way to go.

National Child Day

[Paul Szabo, Liberal, Mississauga South, ON]

Mr. Speaker, November 20 marks the sixth anniversary of National Child Day as proclaimed by parliament. This is a day when children all over the country are being celebrated for their uniqueness and importance as valued members of our society.

National Child Day is a day that calls on us to address the rights of our children and children around the world. These rights should include but are not limited to proper nutrition, access to health care, education, protection from exploitation and abuse and the right to express themselves.

This year's objective on National Child Day is to increase awareness and understanding of the importance of healthy child development, particularly in the early years of life. In valuing children we can and should take action to help our children reach their full potential.

Investing in children through promoting good physical, mental and social health outcomes benefits all Canadians. I therefore encourage all hon. members to work to ensure that investing in children is a significant priority in our parliamentary agenda.

[Eleni Bakopanos, Liberal, Ahuntsic, QC]

Mr. Speaker, it is an honour for me today to point out that November 20 will be the sixth edition of national child day, which was proclaimed by an act of parliament as a result of the efforts of the member for Ottawa Centre.

As members of parliament, as parents and as concerned citizens, we must never forget that our children are our responsibility.

We must make a commitment to their welfare, safety and education and remember that as citizens it is our obligation to make a difference in the lives of future generations.

I quote the elders of the Cree Nations. There is a common belief among the Cree Nations that a child is a gift or a loan from the Great Spirit and that one is given the responsibility to raise and care for that child. Since that child is a gift from the Great Spirit the child is sacred and must be treated with respect and dignity.

Employment Insurance

[Gerry Ritz, Reform, Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK]

Mr. Speaker, the finance minister finds himself on the horns of a dilemma because of his EI cash cow.

The minister has chosen over the past year to gouge hardworking Canadians but I advise this minister to back off before he finds out that those horns can also gouge.

The official opposition has been calling for a cut in EI premiums, not only because they are too high but because fully half those funds are not going to employment insurance at all.

There are over 900,000 small and medium size businesses in the country that can use that extra $500 per employee to create new jobs. There are nearly one million self-employed Canadians who can use the extra $850 being taken from them every year, and of course there are 14 million workers who have overcontributed $6.5 billion in income taxes in this past year who can make better use of their own money rather than financing the minister's rainy day fund.

Information Conferences/Fairs

[Bernard Patry, Liberal, Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to use my allotted time to highlight an excellent government initiative designed to help present and future entrepreneurs in Quebec regions do business.

This fall, Canada Economic Development organized a series of information conferences/fairs. The first one, which was held in Shawinigan on September 24, attracted almost 1,200 business people.

On November 13, it was the Hull region's turn to host an information fair. Two more of these events are scheduled, for November 21 in Saint-Hyacinthe and December 4 in Chicoutimi.

With this one stop approach to promoting government programs and services, we are hoping to help build tomorrow's businesses and provide them with the best opportunities for the future.

This is an unequivocal commitment our government is making to our follow citizens.

Tara Singh Hayer

[Chuck Cadman, Reform, Surrey North, BC]

Mr. Speaker, it is with deep regret that I inform this House of the death of Mr. Tara Singh Hayer who was assassinated last night in my community of Surrey North.

Mr. Hayer, a prominent Sikh leader, published the Indo-Canadian Times newspaper and was well known for his views against militancy.

This courageous man's freedom of speech and his freedom to publish his moderate views were continually being challenged by threats and attacks on his person.

In 1988 he was shot at his newspaper office, resulting in his confinement to a wheelchair. He has now been silenced.

I urge this government to provide all appropriate means of support to local authorities to ensure his killer is brought to justice swiftly. A sense of security and faith must be restored to the citizens of my community.

Mr. Hayer was a man with the courage to give voice to his convictions and for that he paid the ultimate price.

On behalf of myself, my family and the constituents of Surrey North, I extend my deepest condolences to the family of Mr. Tara Singh Hayer.

Quebec Election Campaign

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

Mr. Speaker, a vote for the Parti Quebecois is a vote for a referendum on separating Quebec from the rest of Canada.

A vote for the Parti Quebecois is a vote for breaking up the country. A vote for the Parti Quebecois is a vote for the continued economic uncertainty that is costing Quebec so dearly.

A vote for the Liberal Party is a vote for a brighter future for Quebec within Canada. A vote for the Liberal Party is a vote for the economic growth of Canada and Quebec. A vote for the Liberal Party is a vote for a leader who will be able to stand up for the rights of Quebec within the Canadian federation.

On November 30, I will be voting for the Liberals. I urge all Quebeckers to do the same.

Governor General's Literary Awards

[Wendy Lill, NDP, Dartmouth, NS]

Mr. Speaker, I welcome, recognize, celebrate and thank the artists who are with us today, the poets and playwrights, the storytellers and translators, this year's winners of the Governor General's Literary Awards.

Those stout hearts who wrestle with characters and words and story arcs and stories that fall apart and Canada Council grants applications and sleepless nights and cold light of day reviews; wet babies and telephone bills and no money or diapers or printer ribbons; long dry years where no praise comes; kids who ask “why don't you get a real job”, and you asking the same question.

Yet because of it all and out of it all springs new life. A feast of stories rise out of our earth, our precious northern souls to delight us, to lighten us and to move us through the darkness toward the stars.

We thank you, we salute you and we need you, so do not stop, do not ever stop. You are our heritage and our hope.

Fertilizer Industry

[George Proud, Liberal, Hillsborough, PE]

Mr. Speaker, one of the many Canadian industries has often overlooked is our fertilizer industry.

This industry employs nearly 12,000 people in the manufacture, wholesale and retail levels. This does not include the thousands of jobs in transportation and related sectors supported by our fertilizer industry or the function that fertilizers serve in Prince Edward Island agriculture and agriculture throughout Canada.

From our 23 million tonnes of production, $2.5 billion worth is shipped within Canada and $3 billion is exported.

Today, while we have representatives of the fertilizer industry here in the gallery, I compliment them on creating an internationally competitive Canadian industry.

Election Campaign In Quebec

[Denis Coderre, Liberal, Bourassa, QC]

Mr. Speaker, if the PQ were returned to power, work on a referendum would resume apace.

However, Quebeckers are no fools. They understand that the Bouchard referendum is another way to hold a referendum and that, for the next four years, we would again have the sword of Damocles hanging over our heads, with its uncertainties and problems.

According to Lucien Bouchard, Quebec cannot deny itself. However, Quebec has not only twice said no to separation, it has said no to another PQ referendum.

We do not want the winning conditions for a Bouchard referendum. We want guarantees of a better future for Quebeckers. This guarantee means a yes to a stronger Quebec within Canada.

On November 30, let us vote Liberal. On November 30, let us vote for a guaranteed future.

Fertilizer Industry

[Rick Borotsik, Progressive Conservative, Brandon—Souris, MB]

Mr. Speaker, farmers are currently suffering one of the worst financial crunches in years. It is through no fault of their own. They have followed prudent management but they do not have the tools to compete fairly with other countries.

As a result other players in the industry are starting to feel the aftershocks of the farm income crisis. Particularly I am speaking of the fertilizer industry.

Farmers will have no choice but to drastically cut back on their input costs by whatever means they can. This means other industry stakeholders will be at risk, not only the primary producers.

This, combined with the government's hasty environmental commitments at Kyoto, will greatly affect the fertilizer industry. A carbon tax would be deadly.

If our domestic industry faces a greater burden than foreign competitors we will not remain competitive. That can translate into fewer jobs, fewer jobs in my riding and across the country.

Perhaps it is time for Canada to stop playing the boy scout and develop a plan that will not put our domestic industry at risk.

I would also like to welcome members from the Canadian fertilizer industry in the gallery this afternoon.

House Of Commons Parliamentary Internships

[Suzanne Tremblay, Bloc, Rimouski—Mitis, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to draw attention to the presence in the gallery of political science students from the University of Sherbrooke, who, as part of a parliamentary internship, have been twinned with Quebec members from the Bloc Quebecois, the Liberal Party of Canada and the Progressive Conservative Party.

I would also point out that, of all the faculties of political science in Quebec and Canada, that of the University of Sherbrooke is the only one we know of offering this sort of internship. For three days, these students have followed their MP and have seen political life from the inside.

We are delighted to have them here in the House of Commons, because their presence means that Quebec young people are interested in politics, something that is healthy for democracy. Congratulations to the organizers of this program and a tip of the hat to the students on their interest in parliamentary democracy.

Quebec Referendum

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

Mr. Speaker, the PQ has a very unusual conception of a referendum debate. A future referendum would be a winning referendum only for the PQ. This is a strange way to preserve democracy. By preparing for another referendum, the PQ would once again lead Quebec on the road to uncertainty and insecurity. This is a dangerous approach that looks like intellectual fraud. It is an approach that looks like contempt for Quebeckers.

It is hard to be more biased than the PQ. We are talking here about the future of a society, not a PQ convention.

Scrapie

[Odina Desrochers, Bloc, Lotbinière, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Quebec's Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food announced that special assistance would be provided to Quebec sheep producers who are experiencing serious financial problems.

Those who were abandoned by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and who lost 11,000 sheep between January 1, 1997 and October 27, 1998, will be eligible for a three-year interest-free loan of up to $100,000 per business.

Quebec has taken action. It is now up to the federal Minister of Agriculture to do his share after doing a major injustice by creating two classes of producers in Quebec, one of which is the victim of the minister's lack of compassion.

The Bloc Quebecois has confidence in the Bouchard government and it salutes the courageous measure taken by a credible and responsible government which Quebeckers will be proud to re-elect on November 30.

Lobster Fishery

[Mark Muise, Progressive Conservative, West Nova, NS]

Mr. Speaker, on November 30 thousands of West Nova fishers will once again brave the icy cold conditions to mark the official beginning of the 1998-99 lobster fishery.

It seems that each year opening day is marred by very adverse weather conditions, yet these brave fishers battle the elements and go out to set their traps, praying that once again they will reap the benefits of our rich ocean floors.

This year there is a completely different feeling of anxiety among fishers. Following a contemptuous summer in which illegal lobster fishing was allowed to operate almost unabated by DFO, registered commercial lobster fishers feared that their catches could be severely affected by the illegal activity.

Another major concern arising from the illegal lobster fishery is whether market prices will be affected by the glut of illegal lobsters that pervade our markets. I have continually raised these concerns with the minister of fisheries and I sincerely hope for all concerned that these fears do not come to pass.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all fishers in West Nova a very safe and prosperous season.

Apec Inquiry

[Preston Manning, Reform, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, the solicitor general can run but he cannot hide. There is now concrete proof that the solicitor general publicly discussed a sensitive police issue which was under investigation and has prejudiced that investigation. For six weeks he has denied that in this House, counting on an old friend to back up his alibi. But yesterday that old friend decided to tell the truth rather than perjure himself.

When will the solicitor general be held accountable for his actions and resign from his position?

[Herb Gray, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, my hon. friend's question is wrong. Mr. Toole in his affidavit said very clearly that he heard nothing from the solicitor general that indicated that he had a role in determining the outcome of the APEC commission. Mr. Toole went on to say “nothing in our conversation suggested to me that Mr. Scott knew what the outcome of the APEC commission would be”. My hon. friend's premise is wrong and his question is off base as well.

[Preston Manning, Reform, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, the solicitor general said that an RCMP sergeant had to take a hit for this whole affair. The Liberal solicitor general has lost the trust of the country and he must resign. If he does not have enough sense to resign, he must be fired.

Earlier today in Asia the Prime Minister ducked out of a meeting with Canadian reporters and has refused to answer questions.

Why did the Prime Minister not make firing the solicitor general his number one piece of business today?

[Herb Gray, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is in China with a very important list of commitments to advance the interests of the entire country, not to help the leader of the Reform Party play unnecessary political games.

[Preston Manning, Reform, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, I think we should get to the real question which is still floating around here. Two witnesses have alleged that the solicitor general said that RCMP Sergeant Hugh Stewart might have to take a hit or a fall for pepper spraying protesters. This House and Canadians are wondering for whom is Sergeant Stewart supposed to take a hit. Is it for the solicitor general? Is it for the Minister of Foreign Affairs? Or is it for the Prime Minister himself and that is the reason for this exactly?

[Herb Gray, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I reject the unwarranted and unjustified premise of the leader's question because Mr. Toole in paragraph 21 of his affidavit said “At no time during our conversation did Mr. Scott suggest to me nor have I learned subsequently that he was a person who had a role in determining the outcome of the APEC commission”.

Why does the Leader of the Opposition not put that on the record instead of his unwarranted innuendoes and premises?

[Monte Solberg, Reform, Medicine Hat, AB]

Mr. Speaker, Fred Toole said that the solicitor general said that Hugh Stewart was going to take the hit or the fall. That is what he said.

I wonder where the solicitor general is. Maybe in the sweat lodge. Why are the Liberals going to such lengths to protect a minister—

[The Speaker]

I ask the hon. member to be very judicious now in his choice of words.