House of Commons Hansard #158 of the 36th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was program.
Canada Small Business Financing ActGovernment Orders
The Speaker
The parliamentary secretary has the opportunity to answer or not to answer. That is her prerogative. I see her on her feet. She has about 40 seconds.
Elinor Caplan Liberal Thornhill, ON
Mr. Speaker, I did respond appropriately to the member's colleague when I informed him that the matter before the House at this time is Bill C-53. There are other appropriate times for members to ask other questions. As I look at the clock I note that in about 20 minutes that time will arrive.
At this time my question for Reform members is, why are they not addressing themselves to the issues in Bill C-53 which are very important to small business? We on this side of the House know how important it is for the federal government to do its part and for this bill to be passed as expeditiously as possible to help small business in Canada.
Small businesses know where we stand. We want to know where the Reform Party stands.
Bryon Wilfert Liberal Oak Ridges, ON
Mr. Speaker, I would like to comment on the great cultural institution of Canadian football. On Sunday we were treated to one of the best matches in a long time, the Grey Cup. The cup was donated by a former Governor General of Canada. It recognizes the supremacy of Canadian football in Canada.
At a time when we have the Americanization of the National Hockey League, the Americanization of basketball and other institutions, football is truly a Canadian game. It is about time that we took notice of the fact that this is an affordable form of entertainment for families in Canada. It does not have the big salaries of the NHL or the national basketball league. It is truly a Canadian game with Canadian rules.
I was very proud that Mr. Don Carmichael from my riding of Oak Ridges participated as one of the officials. I would like to—
John Williams Reform St. Albert, AB
Mr. Speaker, there is a crisis in our country that requires immediate attention by the minister of agriculture. The price of a finished hog is $25 less than the cost of the food to produce the hog, never mind the overhead, interest payments and fuel charges that a farmer also has to pay. If this trend continues for a few more months many farmers are going to be wiped out.
The minister of agriculture has a responsibility to ensure that Canadian farmers, who are the most efficient producers in the world, are not victims of global subsidization policies. The Government of Canada has an obligation to ensure that these farmers, some of whom are my neighbours and friends, will not be driven from their farms and their livelihoods.
If they are the most efficient in the world, why are they among the first to lose everything?
Brent St. Denis Liberal Algoma—Manitoulin, ON
Mr. Speaker, the Canadian mining industry is a major creator and user of advanced technology for the global resource industry. Mining companies spend over $100 million a year on research and development and over 85% of the mining workforce uses advanced technology from electronics and advanced materials to geomatics and telecommunications. The primary metals industry is the most intensive user of the 10 leading technologies in the marketplace.
With the use of high technology and a highly skilled workforce, between 1986 and 1996 labour productivity increased by 48% in mining and by 37% in the smelting and refining industries. That compares with about 16% in the entire Canadian economy.
I call on members of the House to salute mining day on Parliament Hill and the achievements of this high technology industry.
Guy St-Julien Liberal Abitibi, QC
Mr. Speaker, the mining industry plays a vital role in the Canadian economy. It provides direct employment to 368,000 Canadians, many of whom live in rural or remote communities.
In 1997, this high tech, knowledge-based industry injected $26.2 billion in the Canadian economy, or 3.8% of the GDP.
The mining industry also has an important impact on several downstream sectors, including manufacturing, finance, transportation and services.
Today is mining day on the Hill, an annual event sponsored by the Mining Association of Canada and the Mining Works for Canada campaign, where decision makers from the industry and the federal government get together to exchange views on issues of common interest. This year's theme is international competitiveness.
I urge all members of this House to recognize the Canadian mining industry.
Robert Bertrand Liberal Pontiac—Gatineau—Labelle, QC
Mr. Speaker, less than a week before the people of Quebec make a crucial decision concerning the future of Quebec and of Canada, the PQ definitely seems to have decided to go for a referendum, while the Liberal Party has chosen to stand for economic growth and job creation.
On November 30, Quebeckers must vote for the Liberal Party in order to ensure political stability in coming years.
The Liberal victory on November 30 will put Quebec back to work to improve quality of life for Quebeckers.
On November 30, I will be voting Liberal.
Mike Scott Reform Skeena, BC
Mr. Speaker, a long time ago in a place far away political leaders decided that people should be divided and segregated so that some lived under one set of laws and the rest lived under another very different set of laws.
The world condemned the decision. The world said it was wrong to divide people on the basis of skin colour, ethnicity and language. The world said such state sponsored segregation was unacceptable and if we engage in it we do not have democracy.
Now, years later, the federal government gives us the Nisga'a treaty in British Columbia which proposes exactly the same segregationist ideas. The Nisga'a government is given supreme law making authority in at least 14 different areas, laws that will take precedence over federal and provincial laws but which will apply only to Nisga'a people. If you are not Nisga'a you cannot participate in this government even if you live in a Nisga'a community, are married to a Nisga'a person and have Nisga'a children.
All Canadians should be deeply concerned because this government proposes to sign similar agreements right across Canada that will entrench segregation as a major—
Mauril Bélanger Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON
Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to congratulate a very deserving constituent of mine. Ms. Stephanie Bolster was awarded the Governor General's Literacy Award in poetry for her book White Stone: The Alice Poems .
I offer the jury's citation for her work: “ White Stone: The Alice Poems was judged the best book of poetry in 1998 for as many reasons as there are poems in this wonderful sequence, but due primarily to Stephanie Bolster's ability to depict the emotional life of Alice Liddell as girl and woman in brilliant narrative juxtapositions. She uses her lyrical powers to present Alice the creation and Alice the person in a cultural context that, on one level, re-examines cognition and dissociation and on another liberates the poetic sequence from the monotony of story and closure”.
I congratulate Ms. Bolster for her creativity and contribution to Canadian culture.
Stéphan Tremblay Bloc Lac-Saint-Jean, QC
Mr. Speaker, we are witnessing the rise of a new philosophy in world financial markets.
After the Mexican financial crisis in 1995, the Asian crisis, whose effects we are still feeling, the problems in Russia and the turbulence in Latin America, a new trend is developing.
It is now clear to us, as it was already to George Soros, the most prolific speculator in the world, and to hard-line free trade economists, that we must attempt to control large-scale movements of capital within the global economy. That having been said, although everyone has identified the problem, different solutions are being recommended.
One solution that could be tried is that of professor James Tobin, winner of the Nobel prize for economics, who suggests a small tax on currency transactions to reduce runaway speculation. The Bloc Quebecois agrees with the principle of such a tax, as shown by our support for Motion M-239 introduced by our New Democratic Party colleague.
It is high time that parliamentarians had a better understanding of these economic phenomena so that we can moderate their negative impact and avoid a financial crisis.
Lee Morrison Reform Cypress Hills—Grasslands, SK
Mr. Speaker, hundreds of thousands of Quebeckers opposed to gun registration are not being represented by their MP. When these people asked the Liberal and Bloc Quebecois members to support them, they were met with a refusal. The only people speaking out on their behalf are Reform Party members. It is Reformers who are defending the provinces' jurisdiction over property.
With four provinces fighting against this federal interference in provincial matters, Bloc Quebecois members are silent. They are cosying up to the centralist Liberals. They have sold out.
Firearms LegislationStatements By Members
The Speaker
“Sold out” is pushing the limit. The hon. member for Brome—Missisquoi has the floor.
Denis Paradis Liberal Brome—Missisquoi, QC
Mr. Speaker, the PQ is offering Quebec a program based essentially on the holding of a referendum leading to Quebec's separation from the rest of Canada.
On November 30, I will reject this option because I believe that Quebec can and must take its place within the Canadian federation.
Next Monday, the choice will be simple: the Liberal Party, to ensure economic growth, or the PQ, which is keeping open its option of separation for Quebec.
That is the real issue of the upcoming Quebec election. Our choice will be clear on November 30. In Brome—Missisquoi we will be voting Liberal.
Peter Stoffer NDP Sackville—Eastern Shore, NS
Mr. Speaker, three weeks ago on Cape Sable Island, Nova Scotia I attended a funeral of a 26 year old fisherman who committed suicide because he could not make a living from the fisheries sufficient to support his family.
This is the fifth suicide in southwest Nova in the last six months and it coincides with a rash of suicides in small coastal communities on Vancouver Island. The government and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans have been warned repeatedly that their policies of individual transferable quotas and corporate concentration of the resource have to be addressed.
If the destructive policies are not modified the hope and dignity of coastal communities, fishermen and plant workers will be lost.
When will the government stop punishing these people and begin to listen to their concerns? The suicide note of the latest victim summarizes the situation many fishermen find themselves in today. It simply said that if the government would not allow him to provide for his children maybe God can.
Marlene Jennings Liberal Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine, QC
Mr. Speaker, in 1980, Quebec clearly rejected the PQ option of breaking up Canada. In 1995, for the second time, Quebeckers rejected the option of separating Quebec from the rest of Canada. In 1998, the PQ is once again offering the option of preparing another referendum on Quebec's independence.
The Péquistes need to learn that no means no.
Quebeckers understand that the PQ understands nothing. Quebec understands that the choice on November 30 is clear and obvious. We must once again speak out in favour of keeping our country unified and strong. Quebec also understands that it must assume its leadership role and help to make Canada an ever better federation.
On November 30, I will be voting Liberal, because I believe in Canada's future. Quebec must be able to deal—
Election Campaign In QuebecStatements By Members
The Speaker
The hon. member for St. John's East.
Norman E. Doyle Progressive Conservative St. John's East, NL
Mr. Speaker, in 1989 the House of Commons passed a resolution that our nation should strive to eliminate child poverty by 2000.
However, between 1989 and 1995 the number of poor children in the nation increased by 58%, resulting in more than 1.5 million children living in poverty. In my province of Newfoundland some 38,000 children live in families that are below the official poverty line and many of these children go to school hungry each morning. In other words, the problem has become worse since that 1989 resolution.
I call on the Government of Canada to significantly increase the Canada child tax benefit in the upcoming budget and to generally support initiatives by the Canadian School Boards Association to deal with the issue of hungry children in our schools.
The budget is in surplus. The time for talk is over and the time for action on child poverty is right now.
Derek Lee Liberal Scarborough—Rouge River, ON
Mr. Speaker, Citizens for Public Justice is celebrating 35 years of strong non-partisan advocacy in policy development and reform on behalf of many in our society who would not otherwise have such a strong voice. Today I want to pay tribute to the volunteer leadership of in that organization.
Mr. Vandezande is a constituent whose commitment and dedication has played a major role in the pursuit of public justice during his 35 years of service. He has attended many political gatherings and waited patiently outside meeting rooms to twist the arms of MPs, MLAs and ministers on social policy issues. His accomplishments also include extensive writing on social, political and economic issues for many publications. He has provoked thought and encouraged society to challenge the status quo and fight for those in need. Gerald Vandezande will continue to passionately voice these messages of CPJ even in retirement.
On behalf of our constituents I congratulate him and wish both him and CPJ well in all future endeavours.
Suzanne Tremblay Bloc Rimouski—Mitis, QC
Mr. Speaker, “If silliness were sold by the metre, there is no doubt the Minister of Heritage would have become a billionaire a long time ago”. This comment was made on Sunday, in Le Soleil , by journalist Jean-Simon Gagné.
Mr. Gagné came to this conclusion after hearing about the following anecdote. The minister visited an elementary school in a poor neighborhood of Ottawa. As is her custom, she boasted about her country, saying: “Canada is the best country in the world. It is a rich country where people are happy and wealthy. Everything there is to be found in huge quantities—wheat, oil, gold, uranium, maple syrup, potash and even one quarter of the world's freshwater reserves. Canada is a paradise”.
A young schoolgirl from Ottawa sitting at the back of the class stood up and asked the minister “How do we get to Canada?”
Sheila Finestone Liberal Mount Royal, QC
Mr. Speaker, Lim Guan Eng is a member of the opposition party of the Malaysian parliament, a prisoner of conscience who is now in jail and a victim of a miscarriage of justice. He has been wrongly incarcerated for stating that double standards were applied in a statutory rape case involving a prominent state chief minister and a 15 year old school girl. Mr. Lim was jailed for sedition and publishing false news because he used the term “victim imprisoned” in reference to the rape victim.
Today we welcome his father, parliamentary leader of the opposition in Malaysia, Mr. Lim Kit Siang. It is important for all parliamentarians and all citizens to note that both these men remind us of the precious freedom of expression that we are privileged to enjoy in Canada and underscore the importance of people of courage who speak out and speak up for justice, freedom, democracy and human rights.
Our message, Mr. Lim, is to wish your son's early freedom and return to his family, his three children and to the Malaysian parliament. Good look, Mr. Lim, in your venture.
Myron Thompson Reform Wild Rose, AB
Mr. Speaker, I take this opportunity to read a small article that appeared in Friday's Ottawa Citizen for the minister of Indian affairs:
As many as 25% of Canada's 500 Indian bands are broke enough that the federal government will have to either intervene or take over financial management this year, Indian affairs managers said yesterday. The bands have made little headway in recent years to dig out from debt loads that are causing federal officials grave concern even as aboriginals strive toward self-government. The trend, blamed on mismanagement by both federal officials and Indian leaders, has continued for the past five years. The problem has been like a revolving door: a dozen indebted bands straighten out their finances each year as another 12 sink into the red.
When will the minister finally listen to her own officials and close that revolving door of mismanagement? The grassroots people are suffering and deserve accountability. I challenge her to be the first minister of Indian affairs to do the right thing, not the political thing, and clean up this mess before we go from a bad situation to an impossible one.
Gary Pillitteri Liberal Niagara Falls, ON
Mr. Speaker, today I am bringing to this House's attention the good work carried out by the general manager of the Niagara Citizens Advisory Committee, a non-profit organization that runs programs for ex-offenders and youths at risks.
Hamed Saloojewe came to Canada with his family 22 years ago from his native South Africa where as a boy of 10 he started to work against apartheid in the offices of Nelson Mandela. Hamed believes that by living in a segregated society he learned to appreciate Canada's freedom more than the average citizen.
Today Hamed is continuing his work within our community with actual results. Individuals are being reinstated as productive members of our society. Youths that may otherwise not have had a chance are steered in the right direction.
The work carried out by Hamed shows us that by working within our communities, we can prevent crime and render our streets and homes safe while providing new beginnings for people who need it.
Preston Manning ReformLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, Canadians are still waiting to find out why their Prime Minister sacrificed Canadians' freedom of speech in order to protect a foreign dictator from embarrassment. While the former solicitor general may be gone, he left behind a question on this matter which deserves an answer.
When the former solicitor general said that a senior Mountie named Hugh Stewart would take the fall, what did he mean?