Debates of Dec. 1st, 1998

World Aids Day

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

Mr. Speaker, today, December 1 marks World AIDS Day. This year's theme is “Youth, a Force for Change”.

The UN joint program on AIDS reveals that five new young people are infected every minute worldwide.

In Canada, the rate of infection among young people, who are particularly vulnerable, is a concern too.

We must therefore work with our government and non-government partners to respond to this concern.

Our young people are our future. They warrant our urgent attention, because they may be a driving force in changing the course of the epidemic.

I encourage all my colleagues to wear a red ribbon to draw attention to World AIDS Day. Let us as well give some thought to all those who have died from this disease.

Firearms

[Jim Pankiw, Reform, Saskatoon—Humboldt, SK]

Mr. Speaker, it is December 1 and the justice minister's billion dollar boondoggle begins. Establishing a firearms registration system has cost over $200 million so far and costs are projected to exceed $1 billion before we even know if the computer set-up works.

Canadians have also paid many lesser known costs including $10,000 for a special interest group in California that is preparing a global campaign against private firearms ownership and $20,000 for the United Nations to publish and distribute a study on firearms registration. Taxpayers should know that $10,000 was for translating the document into French and Spanish. Let us not forget about the more than $40,000 the government spent last year to send bureaucrats to international workshops aimed at restricting private firearms ownership.

Where are the criminals this legislation is supposed to stop? They are laughing all the way to the bank, the bank they will rob with their unregistered firearms.

Violence Against Women

[Carmen Provenzano, Liberal, Sault Ste. Marie, ON]

Mr. Speaker, violence against women is a national problem that demands the attention of all Canadians.

On December 6, 1989, 14 young women were savagely murdered at the École Polytechnique in Montreal. To commemorate the deaths of these women, the Government of Canada established December 6 as a national day of remembrance and action on violence against women.

Nine years after this horrible event I join men and women across the country in remembering those who have been injured or killed and in thanking community groups that help abused women on a daily basis.

This important work is done in my riding of Sault Ste. Marie by Algoma Women's Sexual Assault Services, Women in Crisis, the Sexual Assault Care Centre, Breton House and the Phoenix Rising Women's Centre. Like their counterparts across the country these groups are putting remembrance into action.

Let us all do our best to follow their example. Let us all do our best to put an end to violence against women.

2010 Winter Olympics

[Sophia Leung, Liberal, Vancouver Kingsway, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to inform the House that the Vancouver-Whistler bid was chosen today as Canada's official entry for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. The voting was close with 20 votes for Calgary, 25 for Quebec City and 26 for Vancouver-Whistler.

This is extremely exciting news for British Columbia and all Canadians as I believe the Canadian bid will have an excellent chance of being chosen as the site for the 2010 Olympics.

The bid received excellent support from the public, sport and business communities, and from the local and provincial governments of B.C.

I thank those who played a part in making Vancouver-Whistler the official Canadian entry for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. I hope to see them all in 2010.

Natural Resources

[Dave Chatters, Reform, Athabasca, AB]

Mr. Speaker, it will be a bleak Christmas this year for communities and families working in Canada's natural resource sector. Many farmers are facing bankruptcy and foreclosure as a result of the collapse of the commodities markets and the government's don't worry, be happy attitude.

World oil surpluses are at record highs while prices are at near record lows, creating a very uncertain future for those employed in the oil industry. Canada's world class miners have to go to Chile and Peru if they want to work in their industry. The Canadian forest industry is facing an unemployment crisis with more mills closing every day while the government continues to do nothing more than talk about solutions.

It will be a bleak Christmas for many Canadians working in the natural resources industries. We can only hope that the new year will bring less talk and more action from the government on behalf of these industries which represent the backbone of the Canadian economy.

Quebec Election

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

Mr. Speaker, I take this opportunity to congratulate Mr. Robert Middlemiss, Mr. Réjean Lafrenière and Mr. Norman MacMillan for their great victory in the ridings of Pontiac, Gatineau and Papineau in yesterday's Quebec election. Their re-election with a comfortable majority proves that the people in these ridings want a strong Quebec in a united Canada.

I assure the people of Pontiac, Gatineau and Papineau that their federal member of parliament will work tirelessly with his provincial counterparts to guarantee that this beautiful region of ours remains forever in a united Canada.

Workplace Safety

[Peter Mancini, NDP, Sydney—Victoria, NS]

Mr. Speaker, our hearts go out today to the families and loved ones of all those who suffered so tragically in the Westray Mine disaster.

It was one year ago today that the report on the Westray disaster was released. That report noted that management through its actions and attitudes sent a message that the safety of the workers was not a priority and that this was a contributing factor to the disaster. Based on a submission from the United Steelworkers of Canada union the report called for the federal government to introduce amendments to legislation to ensure that corporate executives and directors be held accountable for workplace safety.

The federal government has done nothing to act on that report even though on average 900 workers die needlessly in workplace related accidents each year in Canada.

In light of the federal government's inaction, the NDP will be bringing forward legislation in this session that will hold corporate managers and directors accountable for the safety of their workers, legislation that we hope will prevent any future disasters like the one at Westray.

World Aids Day

[Pauline Picard, Bloc, Drummond, QC]

Mr. Speaker, December 1 is World AIDS Day.

AIDS has been a part of our collective reality since the early 1980s. Who among us does not know or know of someone who has contracted the virus?

Every day some 11 people become infected with HIV in Quebec and Canada. Of course, the face of AIDS is changing, and today it is more closely associated with intravenous drug use. But make no mistake. When AIDS strikes, it strikes hard and indiscriminately.

That is why, on this occasion, I want to reiterate that prevention remains our best ally against transmission of the AIDS virus.

In addition, the network of community groups, which support, comfort and help those infected and their families on a daily basis, is the cornerstone on which we can base our actions and interventions.

To all those who are involved in this fight, I say a big thank you—

[The Speaker]

The hon. member for Brossard—La Prairie.

Quebec Election

[Jacques Saada, Liberal, Brossard—La Prairie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, last night, the people of Quebec clearly indicated who they wanted to represent them in the Quebec National Assembly.

Our congratulations to all those who ran in the 125 ridings. We should also acknowledge all the hard work done by volunteers, who spared neither time nor effort to make their organizations run smoothly.

Special congratulations to all those who ran under the Liberal banner.

Quebeckers have made it clear that they did not want another referendum. They see their future within Canada.

I congratulate the leader of the Liberal Party of Quebec and everyone on his team. Last night, they made us proud, they made every Canadian proud.

[David Price, Progressive Conservative, Compton—Stanstead, QC]

Mr. Speaker, last night, I was proud to be in Sherbrooke to celebrate Jean Charest's victory. I congratulate Mr. Charest on that victory and on winning a higher percentage of the popular vote than the Parti Quebecois.

Through this victory, Jean Charest sends a clear message to Quebeckers and to Canadians. Quebeckers do not want a government that talks about referendums and separation. They want a government that talks about jobs and health, and that looks for ways to make the federation work.

This is what Mr. Charest did, despite the Prime Minister's efforts to derail him. We can look forward to a very interesting fight in the National Assembly over the next four years. With Mr. Charest heading up a strong opposition, all Quebeckers stand to gain.

[Stéphane Bergeron, Bloc, Verchères, QC]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, Quebeckers renewed their trust in the Parti Quebecois government and in their premier, Lucien Bouchard.

The people of Quebec gave the Quebec government a mandate to continue its determined efforts to defend their interests and to help them achieve their destiny. Through this democratic decision, Quebec is keeping all its future options open. It is still free to make its own choices.

For now, the Government of Quebec has been given a mandate to continue what it has begun: sound and responsible management of public finances, conclusion of a social union agreement based on the Saskatoon consensus, and an ongoing battle against all the federal government's interference in Quebec's areas of jurisdiction as set out in the Constitution.

Bravo to the Parti Quebecois for this second victory. Yesterday's verdict shows clearly that the tough measures of the last four years fell squarely in line with what our fellow citizens wanted.

Congratulations and best wishes to Mr. Bouchard on another term in office—

[The Speaker]

The hon. member for Hastings—Frontenac—Lennox and Addington has the floor.

Agriculture

[Larry McCormick, Liberal, Hastings—Frontenac—Lennox And Addington, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the current farm crisis is not only a rural issue in one province. It is an issue in all provinces across Canada. Urban Canadians share in the benefits the agriculture and agri-food sector provides.

Farmers' investment and labour provides delicious and nutritious food for Canadians at the second lowest prices in the industrialized world, costing less than 10% of our disposable income.

Production happens in the countryside where machinery dealerships and other input suppliers also live and work. However, transporters, processors, grocers and restaurant workers also live in cities and towns. The industry is Canada's third largest employer. Add to this the $20 billion worth of agriculture and food products exported and we have some idea of the value of the farm sector in Canada.

Our hearts go out to farmers who are suffering extraordinary losses. We must act now and respond to their need. Friends and neighbours in my constituency of Hastings—Frontenac—Lennox and Addington tell me that family farms are a valuable resource that we must protect.

I urge all members of the House to support the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food—

[The Speaker]

Oral questions.

Social Union

[Preston Manning, Reform, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, my questions for today are for the manager of the general store.

Last night's election in Quebec cries out for a positive signal from the Prime Minister. Quebecers are not happy with the status quo, but they would rather not separate either.

The best idea on the table is the social union proposal from the premiers which if concluded would improve the ways Ottawa and the provinces work together on health care and other services.

Does the Prime Minister agree that the speedy conclusion of a substantive social union proposal is the best way to strengthen the federation at the present time?

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I initiated this process with the premiers a year ago. It was the suggestion of the Prime Minister.

Yesterday's election in Quebec had not even terminated on TV when the leader of the Reform Party was trying to get in bed with the separatist leader of Quebec.

Today Premier Harris, Premier Romanow, Premier Tobin and the leader of the Liberal Party of Quebec said we should not have any artificial deadline. We should work together to find the appropriate solution in due course.

[Preston Manning, Reform, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is only confusing things with that type of talk.

He implies that he wants a social union agreement. But he goes to sleep when he should be awake. He says the wrong things at the wrong time. He drags his feet.

The Prime Minister says he wants a social union agreement yet he continually drags his feet. He objects to an artificial deadline. What is his deadline for concluding an agreement? Is it the end of the year? Is it next month? Is it some other time?

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, the position of the provinces was developed over the period of January to July. Thirty days after that the federal position was tabled. Since that time they have been working to find the proper solution. Obviously they stopped the negotiations during the election period in Quebec.

The ministers are to meet in a couple of weeks or sooner. At that time we will see what the differences are and we will try to find an appropriate solution.

When I see the Leader of the Opposition trying to be such an opportunist when it is time to really work for the benefit of Canada, I cannot believe it. He cannot learn to be—

[The Speaker]

The hon. Leader of the Opposition.

[Preston Manning, Reform, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, I am in a hurry on this issue. I want to get this country out of the 19th century and into the 21st century constitutionally, whereas Rip Van Winkle over there is prepared to snooze his way through the 20th century.

Again, when is the Prime Minister prepared to conclude a substantive social union agreement with the provinces to strengthen the federation?

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, we are working on that. It is in our initiative but we do not want to have an agreement for the sake of an agreement. We want to have a good agreement to make sure the Canadian people will receive the proper services everywhere in Canada of first quality that makes the difference between a Canadian and others.

When I talk about the past and I see the leader of the Reform Party who wants to scrap social programs, this is not what we want. We want to have good programs for all Canadians in collaboration with the provinces.

[Val Meredith, Reform, South Surrey—White Rock—Langley, BC]

Mr. Speaker, ten premiers were able to arrive at a unanimous position during a three day meeting in August. But the federal government has not been able to reach an agreement with the provinces in the subsequent four months.

The government says it is negotiating with the provinces but it has not said about what.

Can the Prime Minister tell Canadians what the hang-up is? Is it the dispute resolution mechanism, the opting out clause? What is the government's problem with the social union?

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, we are in negotiations with the provinces at this time to find the proper solutions.

As the national government we will make sure we have national programs that will apply to all Canadians. We do not want a situation where the rich provinces have great programs and the poor provinces have nothing. It is not why we are here. We are here to make sure there will be justice for all Canadians.

[Val Meredith, Reform, South Surrey—White Rock—Langley, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I do not think the funding is part of this arrangement.

In August the premiers felt they could conclude a deal with the federal government by the end of December. However, they were not counting on the Canadian version of Stonewall Jackson defiantly protecting and defending his turf.

How can this government ever sign an agreement with the provinces when it does not even know what it is negotiating?