House of Commons Hansard #160 of the 36th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was senate.

Topics

The HomelessStatements By Members

2 p.m.

The Speaker

The hon. member for Souris—Moose Mountain.

Canadian FarmersStatements By Members

2 p.m.

Reform

Roy H. Bailey Reform Souris—Moose Mountain, SK

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food was informed when we returned to the House after the summer break that farmers were going broke.

Since that time—and it has taken weeks of pressure—he finally believes what we already knew. The minister now agrees that farmers need assistance, but he still does not understand.

He wants the aid he gives the farmers to be matched by the provinces. That does not make sense in Saskatchewan.

Does he not realize that Saskatchewan has the highest proportion of farmers to its population? Does he not realize that Saskatchewan is more dependent on the agri-food industry than any other province?

If farmers are not making money in Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan is not making money.

This government did not ask Newfoundland to cough up money when its cod stocks were depleted and it should not be asking Saskatchewan to cough up the money now.

Canadian FarmersStatements By Members

2 p.m.

Liberal

Wayne Easter Liberal Malpeque, PE

Mr. Speaker, Canada has one of the best safety net systems in the world. It includes the net income stabilization account, or NISA, crop insurance and companion programs.

In normal circumstances these safety net measures create income stability for farmers. However, today the hog and grain producers are not facing normal circumstances. This crisis is far greater than NISA was designed to handle.

The current farm income crisis demands an extraordinary response.

I know some producers who are facing the loss of the family farm. I understand the stress and trauma that this inflects on individuals and families.

In the short term we must respond to these farmers whose livelihoods are threatened. I know that the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food has been working hard to resolve this issue. He has my support and I hope he has the support of this House.

Jacques ParizeauStatements By Members

November 26th, 1998 / 2 p.m.

Liberal

Robert Bertrand Liberal Pontiac—Gatineau—Labelle, QC

Mr. Speaker, former PQ leader Jacques Parizeau on his way through the Outaouais region yesterday wanted to pull a fast one on the media.

The old rascal wanted to talk about independence, but behind closed doors. His approach raised the ire of the media, and the doors were opened immediately.

Mr. Parizeau finally spoke the truth about the separatists' strategy. Both he and the PQ say they are interested only in federal government money. Jacques Parizeau has finally cut through the smoke screen over separatist strategies.

We must give him credit: he finally revealed the truth of the PQ strategy.

A vote for the PQ is a vote for the referendum. It is a vote for separation.

Year 2000Statements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Reform

Philip Mayfield Reform Cariboo—Chilcotin, BC

Mr. Speaker, the clock is ticking. There are just 400 days until the year 2000. Do we know if our government will be ready?

The federal government insists that it is doing all it can to prepare itself for the year 2000, but is it doing too little too late in trying to cure the millennium bug?

Only now are Canadians starting to realize the serious implications of the Y2K problem, but a recent Industry Canada survey shows that many people still feel the government will be ready in time. We know that will not happen.

Senior bureaucrats testifying before the industry committee say that parliamentarians can play an important role in raising public awareness of this issue. But how can we when the government is not providing an accurate picture of its own readiness?

We have seen little leadership from government ministers. They are all too willing to pass the buck. They offer no clear leadership or direction. How can government leaders say that they are doing all they can to be ready for the year 2000?

Merchant Marine VeteransStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Bloc

René Laurin Bloc Joliette, QC

Mr. Speaker, in 1992, the veterans of the merchant marine were given the same status as the veterans of the armed forces. They were thus entitled to the same pensions and compensation. However, this substantial progress was not made retroactive. Accordingly, the veterans of the merchant marine are being discriminated against.

Furthermore, the status of veteran was given to sailors in the merchant marine but denied civilians who served during the second world war, but only in sectors not considered combat zones. As enemy submarines struck in waters around the world, these sailors feel they faced the same risks as all Canadian sailors.

The Bloc Quebecois considers unjust the treatment afforded the former members of the merchant marine who filled a vital role, all the more meritorious because it was dangerous.

We therefore ask that they be accorded the same status and the same benefits as their comrades who fought in the armed forces, and retroactively.

Election Campaign In QuebecStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

Denis Coderre Liberal Bourassa, QC

Mr. Speaker, we are in the home stretch of the Quebec election campaign.

The PQ has resorted to tricks, intellectual dishonesty, ploys and manipulation. Can you believe that, yesterday, during the television program Le Point , Lucien Bouchard thought of himself as Robert Bourassa?

The PQ is trying to hoodwink Quebeckers. It talks about winning conditions, plotting and scheming to make us believe that Lucien Bouchard will fight for social union and renewed federalism. Next time, he will even invite us on an organized trip to the Rocky Mountains.

I am not interested in Lucien Bouchard's renewed federalism. I will vote for true federalism. I do not want to hear about separation. I want nothing to do with tricks. I am not interested in a referendum, period. I will vote for a stronger Quebec within Canada.

On November 30, let us put an end to Bouchard's tricks. Let us vote for a better future for all. Let us vote for truth. Let us vote Liberal.

Canada's Blood SupplyStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

NDP

Judy Wasylycia-Leis NDP Winnipeg North Centre, MB

Mr. Speaker, today marks the first anniversary of the Krever report. Judge Krever recommended no-fault compensation for all victims of tainted blood.

He recommended that blood products used in Canada should be made from unpaid donors, not high risk American donors. He recommended active regulation by the health protection branch.

There has been little or no action on these recommendations. We will continue to raise issues of blood safety, fair compensation for victims of hepatitis C and urge action on the Krever report.

However, we cannot forget those who rely on our donations of blood for their lives and health. We want to see a safe and efficient blood system that will be there for all Canadians.

This Monday the NDP caucus is sponsoring a blood donor clinic in Room 200 of the West Block. The telephone number to make an appointment is 236-0199. My leader and I will be donating blood together at 11 a.m. and we encourage members of all parties and staff of the House of Commons and the Senate to give this gift of life.

Election Campaign In QuebecStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

Claude Drouin Liberal Beauce, QC

Mr. Speaker, on Monday, November 30, Quebeckers will make a crucial decision concerning the future of Canada.

A vote for the PQ is nothing less than a vote to trigger the process of Quebec's separation from the rest of Canada.

A vote for the ADQ is simply a lost vote. A vote for the Liberal Party is a vote for health, education and economic growth.

On November 30, let us not take any chances, because we prefer by far a Liberal government that will ensure Quebec's economic growth by, among other things, restoring confidence among foreign investors who contribute to that growth.

On November 30, I will vote Liberal because I believe in my country. I believe in a strong Quebec for our children and our grandchildren. Let us pass on to them a country with the world's best quality of life, Canada. Let us vote Liberal.

Job Creation In MontrealStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Bloc

Francine Lalonde Bloc Mercier, QC

Mr. Speaker, once again, all those prophets of doom across the country should hang their heads in shame. Employment in Quebec is rising.

On November 6, Statistics Canada confirmed that the unemployment rate in Quebec was below 10% for the first time since the early 1990s.

This morning, the media informed us that Montreal ranked among the 10 major North America cities where job creation is the best. In fact, job creation has not been this good in Montreal since 1987.

We have had it with the arrogance of the Liberals. Quebec is recovering from the ravages of nine years of Liberal rule and we have the expertise of Lucien Bouchard's team to thank for that.

I for one am confident and, come Monday, I will be voting for good government.

Krever Commission ReportStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Progressive Conservative

Diane St-Jacques Progressive Conservative Shefford, QC

Mr. Speaker, one year ago today, the government released the Krever report.

One of the recommendations was that the government compensate all victims of hepatitis C.

However, instead of taking an approach based on compassion and respect for all the victims, who have had an incalculable price to pay emotionally and financially, the Liberal government continues to insist on excluding those infected before 1986.

Meanwhile, victims like Stan Marshall, the young man who was featured in the Toronto Star this morning, are dying one after the other. Stan Marshall died last month after years of fighting, seething rage and frustration fueled by the irresponsible attitude of this government, which neglects to put its moral duty before anything else.

What is the government waiting for to act? For all the victims to have died one by one?

National Aids Awareness WeekStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Liberal

Lynn Myers Liberal Waterloo—Wellington, ON

Mr. Speaker, this week is national AIDS awareness week and I would like to take this opportunity to address the House on this very important issue.

As most Canadians know, AIDS is a deadly disease. By the end of 1997 Health Canada had reported a total 15,528 AIDS cases since the beginning of the epidemic. Many of these cases have ended in death.

I think it is important, especially during this week, to emphasize the risks and dangers of this horrible disease. Only through public awareness and education can we attempt to solve this problem. In recent years the level of reported cases has dropped, but there is still much ground to cover.

I urge all Canadians to find out more about AIDS and to help in the fight against it. We must and we will defeat this terrible disease.

Apec InquiryStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Reform

John Reynolds Reform West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast, BC

Mr. Speaker, as the APEC affair begins to unravel for the Prime Minister and his disgraced former solicitor general, we hear today of an increase in the suspension of Terry Milewski, the maligned CBC journalist who first brought this APEC fiasco to light.

It is bad enough to have the Prime Minister's office unleash its attack dogs on Terry Milewski in an attempt to discredit and muzzle his investigative research, but it is quite another to have the CBC president become the lap dog of the Prime Minister's office.

The Prime Minister's staff undoubtedly put pressure on CBC board members and CBC president Perrin Beatty to have Milewski back off. In a fashion befitting a person pandering to have his contract renewed, Perrin Beatty handed Milewski an additional 15 day suspension, and this in the face of the solicitor general's resignation. I think it is time that Perrin Beatty resigned as president of the CBC.

St. Andrew's SocietyStatements By Members

2:15 p.m.

Progressive Conservative

Elsie Wayne Progressive Conservative Saint John, NB

Mr. Speaker, today I pay tribute to the contribution that the Scottish people have made to the development and life of Canada.

In 1542 a Scot by the name of David Ross was the first to map the mouth of the St. Lawrence River. Following Mr. Ross, the Scots continued to map out the new world.

In my riding of Saint John, New Brunswick, the St. Andrew's Society founded in 1798 is celebrating 200 years of unbroken history in service to the city of Saint John, the province of New Brunswick and the whole of Canada.

Never numbering much over 150 members, these past 200 years the society has provided sixteen mayors, four lieutenant governors of New Brunswick, one lieutenant governor of British Columbia, one premier of New Brunswick, one chief justice of Canada, three senators, as well as national and international leaders in business, law, finance and education.

This is a very proud record. I wish to publicly congratulate the oldest Scottish society of Canada on 200 proud years of heritage and contribution to Canada.

AgricultureOral Question Period

2:15 p.m.

Reform

Deborah Grey Reform Edmonton North, AB

Mr. Speaker, for a year now the Prime Minister has known that a farm crisis has been looming in our country. Prices have been falling and foreign farmers continue to receive billions of dollars in unfair subsidies.

The only new farm laws that the government has brought in are to initiate taxes on farm fuels and fertilizers and to make it a crime for farmers to sell their wheat.

Why does the Prime Minister not stand up for farmers instead of finding new ways to punish them regularly?

AgricultureOral Question Period

2:15 p.m.

Prince Edward—Hastings Ontario

Liberal

Lyle Vanclief LiberalMinister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

Mr. Speaker, I challenge the hon. member to be a bit more specific as far as taxes on fertilizers and fuels are concerned. They have always been there. We know that. As we know we would all like to pay lower taxes.

We have recognized and we are recognizing the severity of the situation they are facing at present. We are working with our officials, within the cabinet, with the provincial governments and with the industry to do all we can as quickly as we can.

AgricultureOral Question Period

2:15 p.m.

Reform

Deborah Grey Reform Edmonton North, AB

Mr. Speaker, we can just see how much support there is for that. He has to do more than just continue talking.

The United States has just pumped $6 billion more of new unfair subsidies into its farms. That is on top of the already billions of dollars that they have. Subsidies make up 30% of a farmer's income. The Europeans are subsidizing unfairly $60 billion a year to their farmers. It is impossible for our farmers to compete.

Why does the Prime Minister not start tackling and taking on the Americans and the European bullies for their huge subsidies to farmers?

AgricultureOral Question Period

2:15 p.m.

Prince Edward—Hastings Ontario

Liberal

Lyle Vanclief LiberalMinister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

Mr. Speaker, I find these comments very strange from the party that does not want to support agriculture.

In the debate we had in the Chamber a couple of weeks ago they were continually questioned not only by members from this side but the other opposition members on what they suggested. They did not have any suggestions.

AgricultureOral Question Period

2:15 p.m.

Reform

Deborah Grey Reform Edmonton North, AB

Mr. Speaker, it was our motion on agriculture that we debated in the House not long ago. Perhaps he has had a little memory loss.

It is easier to arrest a farmer in Manitoba than to challenge the big U.S. department of agriculture. It is easier for the government to increase user fees and fertilizer taxes in Saskatchewan than it is to talk to Americans and Europeans about lowering their subsidies.

Here is the problem. Foreign subsidies are too high and Canadian taxes are too high. Why does the government not admit that its heavy handed tax collectors and the light weight ministers abroad that will not tackle this issue are the real problem?

AgricultureOral Question Period

2:15 p.m.

Prince Edward—Hastings Ontario

Liberal

Lyle Vanclief LiberalMinister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

Mr. Speaker, again I find this absolutely amazing. In their taxpayers budget they were to cut funding to departments like agriculture, industry, fisheries and natural resources by $640 million. They would take away from these departments another $690 million on a regional basis.

There is a little contradiction in the point that the hon. member is trying to make.

Apec InquiryOral Question Period

2:20 p.m.

Reform

John Reynolds Reform West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast, BC

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the acting prime minister.

The Prime Minister in the House over the last few weeks has said with regard to the public complaints commission “I want the Canadian public to have the whole answer as soon as possible”.

Today a federal court judge ruled that the panel chair cannot continue in his job until another judge makes a decision as to whether or not he is biased. That could take six months. It could take a year. That is not getting anything going. The APEC inquiry is off until that is heard.

Will the acting prime minister now commit to Canada to have a judicial inquiry so we can get on to this issue very quickly and get it over with?

Apec InquiryOral Question Period

2:20 p.m.

Windsor West Ontario

Liberal

Herb Gray LiberalDeputy Prime Minister

Mr. Speaker, it is my understanding that the federal court said that the panel should not continue its hearings until the allegations of bias are dealt with by the federal court. I think that is an approach which is understandable. It does not mean that the panel will not continue. We do not know what the results will be. Let us wait to hear what the court says.

Also, the government has no authority under the law to stop the public complaints commission from carrying out the work given it by parliament. I do not know why the hon. member insists on interfering on the floor of the House with the work of the commission.

Apec InquiryOral Question Period

2:20 p.m.

Reform

John Reynolds Reform West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast, BC

Mr. Speaker, the government has all the power in the world to start a judicial inquiry tomorrow to get to the bottom of this issue.

In the House the Prime Minister and the acting prime minister say let the commission work. They cannot have it both ways. Ivan Whitehall, the Prime Minister's lawyer, made no representations at all to the judge about the delay and the problems that will cause.

We know delays do not help the situation. Even the Prime Minister said let us get this behind us. Let us get on to the issue of health care. Let us get on to the issue of taxes. Let us have a judicial inquiry right now and get this issue solved once and for all.

Apec InquiryOral Question Period

2:20 p.m.

Windsor West Ontario

Liberal

Herb Gray LiberalDeputy Prime Minister

Mr. Speaker, we do not know as yet just how long the delay will be before the federal court rules. Before we get worked up like the hon. member is, let us see what the federal court says. Then it will be easier to see about the continued work of the public complaints commission which was established by parliament.

I repeat, the federal government does not have the authority under the law to tell the public complaints commission not to continue its work.

Apec InquiryOral Question Period

2:20 p.m.

Bloc

Gilles Duceppe Bloc Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC

Mr. Speaker, in the APEC commission notice to appear, the chair of the RCMP public complaints commission limits commissioners to examining the conduct of RCMP members on the university campus between November 23 and 27, 1997.

Given this limited mandate, and particularly given the fact that we heard today that the proceedings are being suspended indefinitely, how can the Prime Minister say that the commissioners will be free to investigate his own conduct?