Debates of Nov. 4th, 1998

[The Speaker]

As is our practice on Wednesday we will now sing O Canada, and we will be led by the hon. member for Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

[Paul Szabo, Liberal, Mississauga South, ON]

Mr. Speaker, as October was breast cancer awareness month, I wanted to join with a number of other colleagues in promoting the need for women to have regular breast examinations early to ensure early detection and treatment of this disease.

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer threatening Canadian women today. This year alone 19,300 new cases of the disease will be diagnosed in Canada and 5,300 more Canadian women will die of it.

It is fitting then that the Minister of Health has recently announced the renewal of the Canadian breast cancer initiative which will now enjoy stable, ongoing funding of $7 million per year.

Breast cancer awareness month is an initiative of the Canadian Cancer Society to inform Canadians, men and women alike, of the severity and the magnitude of this disease.

As breast cancer awareness month has drawn to a close, I know that all hon. colleagues will want to join me in congratulating the Canadian Cancer Society for its unrelenting efforts to educate all Canadians about the tragedy of breast cancer and how we can reduce the risks this disease poses to all women.

Radio Station Cjvr

[Derrek Konrad, Reform, Prince Albert, SK]

Mr. Speaker, there is an old joke that asks “What do you get when you play country and western music backward?” The answer is that you get your girl back, you get your dog back, you get your truck back, and, if it were not for this Liberal government, you would even get your guns back.

Mr. Speaker, do you know what you get if you play it forward, if you add interesting and insightful commentary, timely and informative news programs and combine it all with community service? The answer to that question is that you get radio station CJVR in Melfort, Saskatchewan which was just named country music station of the year.

Mr. Speaker, when you are in my riding of Prince Albert you will be royally entertained, amused and informed by tuning into 750 CJVR.

I know that members of this House will want to join me in extending personal congratulations to manager Gary Fitz and staff on winning this award not just once, not just twice, but for an unprecedented third time in a row.

Michael Heintzman

[Brent St. Denis, Liberal, Algoma—Manitoulin, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Michael Heintzman, a reporter with the North Shore Sentinel in Thessalon in my riding, has earned first prize two years in a row in the best historical story competition from the Canadian Community Newspapers Association.

The 1997 award was in recognition of his articles on Remembrance Day which appeared in a special section of the Sentinel that year. This beautifully produced section highlighted the tremendous contribution of local citizens, towns and villages of our region during the great wars.

Later today Mr. Heintzman will travel to Europe with our colleague, the Minister of Veterans Affairs, and a group of Canadian World War I veterans to participate in the commemorative ceremonies taking place to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War I.

Mr. Heintzman will have an excellent opportunity to experience this momentous event with a group of highly respected and decorated Canadian veterans. I look forward to reading his observations when he returns.

I am very proud of his work and that of the North Shore Sentinel in my riding.

Honduran Firefighters

[Claudette Bradshaw, Liberal, Moncton, NB]

Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today to commend three Honduran firefighters who have been residing in my riding of Moncton—Riverview—Dieppe for the past three months.

They have been undergoing firefighting training so that they can return to Honduras to establish the first national firefighters school in their country. They were due to leave Friday when they heard of the disaster which killed thousands of people in their country, many of them friends and relatives, and left countless others homeless.

The building that was supposed to house the firefighting school is in pieces and many people are in desperate need of assistance.

Along with two constituents, Paul Jennings and Paul McFadden, they are returning to Honduras tomorrow to help their country. As well, all of the fire stations in the greater Moncton area have set up collection points to gather supplies.

I am extremely proud of the people of Moncton—Riverview—Dieppe for all they have done to assist the three Honduran firefighters and the victims of Hurricane Mitch.

Remembrance Day

[Bryon Wilfert, Liberal, Oak Ridges, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Remembrance Day is a time for reflection.

My father served in the second world war with the Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders and he imparted a great appreciation for what people have done in wartime and the sacrifices that they made for their country and their loved ones.

A couple of months before he died in 1992 I asked him to tell me some of his wartime stories which I recorded. Some of his recollections were tragic, some heroic and some even humourous.

One such story dealt with the D-Day landings in 1944. Months before the D-Day landings thousands of allied troops had been gathering in the fields of southern England to the point that soldiers use to say “It's a wonder that the island hasn't tipped leaving Scotland high and dry”.

Remembrance Day is a day that does not glorify war. It is a day that reminds us that there were many Canadians who believed in a better future. They were prepared to fight and even die in order that generations to come would have a better future.

Now it is up to us to continue the work for a better tomorrow. If we do, we will have remembered.

Franking Privileges

[Deepak Obhrai, Reform, Calgary East, AB]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the member for Oxford falsely accused one of my colleagues of misusing franking privileges.

Perhaps the member for Oxford should chat with his caucus colleagues before he feels the need to lecture the official opposition.

I have obtained copies of letters which apparently came from the office of the member for Mississauga Centre.

These letters solicited support for an Ontario provincial Liberal candidate named George Winter.

The member for Mississauga Centre even went so far as to include provincial Liberal membership booklets in the mail-out.

Both letters were written on House of Commons letterhead and used franking privileges.

We are all aware that members cannot use House resources for their own campaigns. Therefore, is it appropriate for members to use House resources for provincial campaigns? I would think not. The Liberals have got it wrong again.

Fifteenth Anniversary Of La Soupière In Anjou

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

Mr. Speaker, today I would like to congratulate La Soupière, a community service program in Anjou, at the heart of my riding of Anjou—Rivière-des-Prairies, for its 15 years of service.

Weekly, for the past 15 years, the volunteers at La Soupière have been providing a nutritious meal to the isolated and disadvantaged residents of Anjou. In 1997-98, 40 volunteers served close to 3,400 meals. This represents 2,300 volunteer hours. Imagine how many meals and volunteer hours that adds up to over its 15 years.

I would also like to draw attention to the excellent co-operation between La Soupière, the city of Anjou, local merchants, Moisson Montréal, the various funding bodies, and the local community organizations.

Bravo to all those responsible for this wonderful effort. It helps those of us who are elected to office keep in mind that, above and beyond economic growth and competition, we must be sure that the resulting wealth is better shared.

Hurricane Mitch Victims

[Maud Debien, Bloc, Laval East, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Hurricane Mitch has hit Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Guatemala, countries that were already struggling for some degree of economic prosperity. While the death toll is still being added up, thought must be given to the danger of epidemic and to preparations for putting the country back on its feet.

Jean-Paul Péloquin, a priest from Laval who has been working in the capital of Honduras for the past 31 years, wrote to his relatives that “the entire country, every square inch of it, has been at least 70% destroyed”. Yesterday, the governments of Quebec and Canada announced plans to provide emergency humanitarian aid to the countries hit by this disaster.

The people of Quebec are very familiar with the value of human solidarity, having reaped its benefits after the Saguenay flooding and the ice storm. I am therefore encouraging them to support the victim assistance programs of such organizations as the Red Cross, CUSO, Development and Peace, Oxfam Quebec and the Endeavours of Cardinal Léger.

Corrections And Conditional Release Act

[Elsie Wayne, Progressive Conservative, Saint John, NB]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to raise awareness of an issue important to the people of Saint John, New Brunswick and to Canadians all across this country.

The issue revolves around section 17 of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act.

This past summer Willis Walter Wright, a man who was sentenced to two life terms in prison, was released on an ETA, an escorted temporary absence.

This move was of great concern to Violet Cooke and her family. Willis Wright was convicted of murdering Violet Cooke's sister Janice and a friend after Janice asked him for a divorce.

On Monday, November 9 this convicted murderer will be granted a second ETA. This is the second in a matter of five months and it comes after he has served only seven and a half years of his sentence.

After question period I intend to present the solicitor general with a petition of over 10,000 names opposed to the ETA program.

Janice Cooke was the mother of two and now her family once again is living in fear because of the ETA program.

Election Campaign In Quebec

[Guy St-Julien, Liberal, Abitibi, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Quebeckers are facing a bleak reality. The separatist government clearly indicated that a vote for the PQ is a vote for another referendum.

This was also confirmed by the Bloc Quebecois leader at the beginning of the election campaign. However, Quebeckers can change this reality on November 30. They can vote for real change, for a stronger Quebec, a Quebec that knows where it is headed, a Quebec that wants to be part of Canada.

On November 30, Quebeckers can change this reality by voting for the Liberal Party, by voting for economic growth, for a better quality of life and for the assurance that there will not be another referendum on Quebec's separation.

Veterans

[Leon Benoit, Reform, Lakeland, AB]

Mr. Speaker, on Remembrance Day we think of our veterans from past wars. That is important. But how many Canadians remember our men and women who are currently serving and thank them for their courage and service?

Here today we have five soldiers who served in the former Yugoslavia. All were injured in separate actions.

How many of us are even aware that Tom Martineau was shot by a sniper while serving in Bosnia, that Matt Stopford was a platoon commander during the 1993 battle of Medak pocket, a four-day firefight in which Canadians held off a Croatian attack, that Sargeant Tom Hoppy has earned the honour of being the most decorated Canadian soldier since the Korean War, that Reservist Peter Vallee saw frontline action on three tours of duty for his country in the former Yugoslavia, or that Reservist Jordie Yeo was badly wounded in an ambush while his unit defended Srebrenica?

Canadians should know those things and this government should make sure they do. Sitting today in the opposition gallery we have these soldiers. They and their comrades deserve our thanks and our respect.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear.

Election Campaign In Quebec

[Denis Coderre, Liberal, Bourassa, QC]

Mr. Speaker, on November 30, Quebeckers will be asked to form a broad coalition and vote against holding a future referendum in Quebec.

The Liberal Party is their insurance policy against yet another referendum on Quebec's separation from the rest of Canada.

The Liberals' priority is clear: to harness everyone's energy to create jobs and invest in such critical areas as health, education and regional development.

On November 30, Quebeckers will have a golden opportunity to say no to Quebec's separation from the rest of Canada. They will finally have an opportunity to say yes to economic growth and to the implementation of projects designed to improve their quality of life.

Canadian Farmers

[John Solomon, NDP, Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre, SK]

Mr. Speaker, farmers and their families are in crisis. Why? For many reasons beyond their control. The Liberal government chopped the Crow transportation benefit while European and American governments backed their farmers by retaining and increasing agricultural supports.

American farmers receive $2.68 per bushel in wheat support, more than it sells for right now. European farmers receive $5.58 per bushel. Canadian farmers receive less than 40 cents per bushel.

Input costs have increased. Fertilizer costs are up 57%. Farm chemicals are up 63%. Pork prices have dropped 60% over the last five months alone. Net farm income has dropped 80% over the last two years.

Today the ministers of agriculture are meeting to discuss this crisis.

When the east coast fishery collapsed, emergency aid was provided. When the ice storm happened, emergency aid was provided. When the Manitoba flood occurred, emergency aid was provided.

Farming is in crisis. Now is the time to provide our farm families with emergency aid.

Polls

[Michel Bellehumeur, Bloc, Berthier—Montcalm, QC]

Mr. Speaker, inspired by a poll of the sexual habits of sovereignists and federalists, I offer the following fable entitled “The Fable of the Voyeur and the Envied”:

All summer long the federalists Kept up their endless drivel, But now that an election looms, We're seeing quite a swivel. They hang their heads in sad regret, Their ship begins to sink, Of arguments they have not one To change the way we think. What shall we do, they moan and groan, Please tell us how to play. But do not use a bat, good sirs For that is not our way, We must know how you get your kicks, What do you do for fun? A poll will have the answer, right? We'll find out in the Sun . The sovereignists want out, it's clear Their secrets we must know. What turns their cranks, what makes their day What keeps them grinning so? The answer is that virtue pays And thirty years of work Should have some pay-off after all So take a hike, you jerk.

Exhibition Of Military Art

[Robert Bertrand, Liberal, Pontiac—Gatineau—Labelle, QC]

Mr. Speaker, in order to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War I, the Canadian War Museum, in co-operation with the Senate and the House of Commons, is presenting an exhibition of Canadian military art in the Hall of Honour in the Centre Block.

The 19 works by Canadian and foreign artists feature various themes from the two world wars, and depict such things as the actual fighting or the war effort in Canada.

It is entirely appropriate that these treasures from the Canadian War Museum grace the walls in the Hall of Honour, which is itself a tribute to the courageous men and women who gave their lives for peace and freedom.

The Minister of Canadian Heritage invites all members to visit the exhibit, which was officially opened today in the Hall of Honour.

Jc At The Bat

[Chuck Strahl, Reform, Fraser Valley, BC]

Mr. Speaker,

It looked extremely rocky for the Liberals that day Their game plan had been tossed out in a prime ministerial way Though once they had been way ahead, their spirits now seemed flat Perhaps it would be turned around, with JC at the bat

The crowd was getting restless, discontent was in the air There hadn't been a bunt, or hit or action anywhere So on that stricken multitude a death-like silence sat For JC mighty JC was advancing to the bat

Canadians were shivering as he taxed away their shirts And crouched dumbfounded as he rubbed their noses in the dirt Then when a poor Canadian lobbed one from the hip Defiance glanced in JC's eye, a sneer on JC's lip

“Resign, please resign”, we heard someone from the back And JC would have throttled him, but the Whip stopped the attack He couldn't really care less where Canadians were at Though all the things that worried them were there for JC's bat

Oh somewhere in this favoured world the sun is shining bright The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout But there is no joy in Canada, mighty JC has struck out.

[The Speaker]

I hope that Jean Charest is listening.

Foreign Affairs

[Preston Manning, Reform, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, CTV is reporting an allegation made by a former Canadian now living in Israel. Leslie Lewis claims he was approached last year to give his Canadian passport to an Israeli agent. Lewis also claims his daughter was approached for the same reason.

The Israeli government has denied the allegation and says it no longer uses Canadian passports in its fight against terrorism. Would the foreign affairs minister tell us what he knows about this allegation?

[Lloyd Axworthy, Liberal, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, I make the point that we consider the integrity of the Canadian passport to be a primary responsibility, and we have taken a number of efforts to ensure that.

On the particular incident, the matter was reported to our embassy. It was thoroughly investigated by passport people, consular people, CSIS people. They could find no corroboration for the allegations that were made.

The fact is that we continue to monitor the situation, but there is no evidence that would require us or give us the basis for raising the matter with Israelis at this point.

If there is new evidence that can be produced, we would be very happy to receive it and to further investigate it.

[Preston Manning, Reform, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians have strong feelings on this issue. On the one hand, we believe in the security of the state of Israel and its fight against terrorism. On the other hand, as the minister said, we are concerned about allegations that our passports are being used illegally. Our passports are well respected around the world.

It is being reported that the minister was informed of this allegation some time ago. When did he first learn about this allegation and what did he do about it at the time?

[Lloyd Axworthy, Liberal, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, I just explained that when the first representation was made the matter was investigated. Last February, March and April it was investigated by several agencies. Certain parts of the gentleman's story did not corroborate in any way, shape or form. They could not provide any supporting evidence.

At that point in time we continued to monitor the situation, but it did not warrant any direct representation to the Israeli government without the kind of basic support and evidence that would be required to support the kind of charges he made.

[Preston Manning, Reform, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, in September 1997 Canadian passports were illegally used by Israeli agents in an anti-terrorist operation. At that time the minister gave the House solemn assurances that this would never happen again.

Now we have allegations that it did happen again, allegations that the minister apparently knew about but kept to himself. Are there any other allegations of this nature which the minister is aware of and yet has not disclosed to the House?

[Lloyd Axworthy, Liberal, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, the operative word is allegations. Allegations are things we check out. That is exactly what we did. We checked them out. There were no grounds to them.

Therefore we have continued to monitor them. The only other allegation that was made was by Mr. Lewis about another individual who had been approached, and he totally denied it.