Debates of Nov. 27th, 1998

Poverty

[Pat Martin, NDP, Winnipeg Centre, MB]

Mr. Speaker, for all the rhetoric it would seem that the government's social and economic policy is not only hurting Canadians. It is becoming an international embarrassment, and the world is telling us so.

Some of the UN's observations were very specific. The Minister of Human Resources would be interested in this one at least. It asked the government to use the EI surplus to expand coverage and criticized the end of the Canada assistance plan and the gutting of transfers through the CHST.

If the government will not listen to us in these matters, will it listen to the world? Will it expand coverage to EI so more people are covered? Will it broaden the social transfer through the CHST?

[Pierre Pettigrew, Liberal, Minister of Human Resources Development]

Mr. Speaker, when the opposition says this is becoming an embarrassment around the world, I would like it to say that the United Nations has recognized Canada for the fifth year in a row as the number one country in terms of human development. That is an extraordinary achievement.

We will continue to improve the situation of as many Canadians as we can. We are quite proud that there are 1.4 million more Canadians working now than there were five years ago. The best way to fight poverty is to improve their lot.

Treasury Board

[Peter MacKay, Progressive Conservative, Pictou—Antigonish—Guysborough, NS]

Mr. Speaker, when Liberal fundraiser Pierre Corbeil was convicted of influence peddling based on information received from one of the Treasury Board president's own employees, the government's response was “The file is closed”.

Yet slippery staffer Jacques Roy kept his job with the Treasury Board president and the government provided no assurances that the confidential information would be kept out of the hands of the Liberal Party of Canada.

Will the Deputy Prime Minister explain to those applicants for government funding how their names can be protected from Liberal kickback artists?

[Marcel Massé, Liberal, President of the Treasury Board and Minister responsible for Infrastructure]

Mr. Speaker, in this matter it was the government that asked the RCMP to intervene. The RCMP has intervened and has made a full inquiry.

The government made available to the RCMP all the information we had. After it made a full inquiry it went to court and a judgment was rendered.

[Peter MacKay, Progressive Conservative, Pictou—Antigonish—Guysborough, NS]

Mr. Speaker, there are still a lot of unanswered questions. An internal HRDC report was prepared regarding numerous complaints received from transitional job fund applicants that they were getting phone calls from Liberal Party workers.

The report then concluded that “It is possible to fear that all projects approved or recommended so far have been subject to such calls”. If the Corbeil tollgating scandal was an isolated incident, why were Liberal Party workers harassing transitional job fund applicants during the months leading up to the 1997 election?

[Pierre Pettigrew, Liberal, Minister of Human Resources Development]

Mr. Speaker, there is absolutely nothing new here. I asked for the investigation on behalf of the government. My department provided all the information about these allegations to the RCMP. The RCMP conducted a full and thorough investigation into the matter. One person was charged and convicted. As far as I know the matter has been dealt with.

Work Stoppages

[Aileen Carroll, Liberal, Barrie—Simcoe—Bradford, ON]

Mr. Speaker, there have been a number of strikes recently, including the Air Canada and Canada Post strikes. These have caused Canadians much inconvenience and many problems.

What is the Minister of Labour doing to help employees settle their differences and minimize work stoppages?

[Claudette Bradshaw, Liberal, Minister of Labour]

Mr. Speaker, the strikes by Air Canada and Canada Post received a lot of media attention.

However, during the past year 95% of all Canada Labour Code bargaining disputes were settled without work stoppage.

The conciliation officers from the Department of Labour are very professional and we should be proud of them.

Also the union and business communities should be complimented for bargaining these labour disputes in good faith.

Canadian Merchant Navy Veterans

[Peter Goldring, Reform, Edmonton East, AB]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs compared Canada's merchant navy war veterans to convicted kidnappers Lamont and Spencer. Other comments were made such as undemocratic, blackmailers and un-Canadian.

Will the Minister of Veterans Affairs please explain this outrageous slander of Canada's proud war veterans and apologize now for the hurt that these comments have caused?

[Fred Mifflin, Liberal, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Secretary of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency)]

Mr. Speaker, I want to say in response to the hon. member that the Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Veterans Affairs said no such thing. In fact he said the opposite.

This very delicate situation of a hunger strike, I am delighted to report to the House, is now over because of the hard work of my department, the staff, other members of this party and this government, and the work of the committee and all members.

I thank my parliamentary secretary for the excellent job he has done in this regard.

Employment Insurance

[Gilles-A. Perron, Bloc, Saint-Eustache—Sainte-Thérèse, QC]

Mr. Speaker, in the past two years, we already knew by this time what the employment insurance contribution rate would be for the coming year.

My question is for the Minister of Human Resources Development. When is the minister going to announce the contribution decrease for 1999?

[Pierre Pettigrew, Liberal, Minister of Human Resources Development]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin by thanking the hon. member for his vote of confidence in our government, as evidenced by his expectation of a drop in the contribution rate.

As a government, we have constantly succeeded in lowering employment insurance contribution rates. I thank him for his confidence in expecting a decrease.

In the past six years we made the announcement in late November three times, and in early December three other times. When the commission has made its recommendation to me, I will go to see the Minister of Finance and we shall announce the decision as soon as it has been made. That will be soon.

Fisheries

[Peter Stoffer, NDP, Sackville—Eastern Shore, NS]

Mr. Speaker, when it comes to allocation of the fisheries resource the current Minister of Fisheries and Oceans has admitted that past governments have favoured large corporations over small inshore fishermen in their coastal communities which have devastated thousands of Canadians and their families.

My question is for the parliamentary secretary. When will the government change this disastrous policy and enter into regional and community based management agreements for this precious resource?

[Wayne Easter, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Fisheries and Oceans]

Mr. Speaker, I know the member for Sackville—Eastern Shores is an active member of the fisheries committee and works diligently with members on the government side in terms of overcoming some of the problems in the fishery.

He will know that departmental officials met with the fisheries committee last week and the minister this week. They have indicated that they are finding new ways of consulting with the fishing community and fishermen.

Premier Tobin last week at the fisheries council meeting admitted that the reason Newfoundland's economy will be number one this year is because of the fishery. It is not just a disaster. There are good examples, and it is as a result of the leadership of the minister.

[Gerald Keddy, Progressive Conservative, South Shore, NS]

Mr. Speaker, there is another problem with the fishery. The lobster fishery is set to open in southwestern Nova Scotia. Thousands of fishers will begin the risky business of another season in the lobster industry.

It is incomprehensible that the government would choose at this time to take the coast guard vessel Mary Hichens out of service. This is a time when we need more search and rescue capability, not less. What is the minister doing to prevent another disaster at sea and to ensure the safety of these fishers?

[Wayne Easter, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Fisheries and Oceans]

Mr. Speaker, the member should know full well that the minister has answered this question many times.

In terms of the coast guard, safety is our number one priority. He mentioned a particular vessel but the vessels are now being used for multi-arrangements and the safety of fishermen will not be compromised.

Health

[Marlene Catterall, Liberal, Ottawa West—Nepean, ON]

Mr. Speaker, a recent study shows that both the rate of cancer and of survival from cancer differ dramatically across Canada. For example, in Ontario deaths from breast cancer are 18% higher than in British Columbia.

I would like to know how Health Canada could use a report like this one to give all Canadians a better chance of avoiding and surviving cancer?

[Elinor Caplan, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, the report is a very important one. All provinces will be interested in its details because they actually provide services to people in the provinces.

We have heard the Minister of Health speak about a report card. The Prime Minister has spoken about it as well. This is one example of how greater accountability and report cards can raise important questions that must be answered for people across the country to have access to the very best care available. We can learn from each other to improve the rates of treatments and outcomes.

National Parole Board

[Eric C. Lowther, Reform, Calgary Centre, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the National Parole Board is out of control. Since the Prime Minister took office it has handed out thousands and thousands of pardons to convicted criminals.

Through access to information the solicitor general's department shows that 700 sex offenders who were pardoned later had their pardons revoked because they had committed new sex crimes. More victims.

What possible excuse could the solicitor general have for pardoning so many sex offenders who go on to abuse, rape and molest our children and families again?

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Solicitor General of Canada]

Mr. Speaker, the first concern of the parole board is public safety. When it reviews each case that is the primary concern. There has been a very small number of—

[Some hon. members]

Seven hundred?

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

Public safety is the major issue. It is an arm's length body of government that acts within itself.

Fresh Water

[Jocelyne Girard-Bujold, Bloc, Jonquière, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of the Environment plans to expand the mandate of the international joint commission to all waterways and groundwater on both sides of the Canada-US border.

Since she did not answer my question the day before yesterday, I will ask again: does the minister realize that her project could constitute a new instance of federal government interference in an area that has always belonged to the provinces?

[Christine Stewart, Liberal, Minister of the Environment]

Mr. Speaker, as I said yesterday in a response, the issue of fresh water is of concern to all Canadians. As the federal Minister of the Environment I have been working with my provincial and territorial counterparts to address this very serious issue.

The International Joint Commission is a body that is under the authority of both the United States and Canada. We work together in setting out the parameters of its work. We have requested it to conduct some reviews of fresh water issues.

As I said, I speak to the International Joint Commission along with my colleague, the Minister of Foreign Affairs. We do so in collaboration with our American counterparts and the provinces and territories.

Agriculture

[Rick Laliberte, NDP, Churchill River, SK]

Mr. Speaker, the government has to provide leadership in our time of crisis.

The government's impotent efforts to protect our farmers from the trade wars are a national shame.

The misguided suggestion by the Reform Party and its advisers for tax relief but no new expenditures is a crying shame.

Farmers need help now. The federal government must take responsibility.

When will the minister accept advice from farmers who are asking for an immediate and long term national disaster relief program?