Debates of Dec. 3rd, 1998

Reform

Jim Abbott Reform Kootenay—Columbia, BC

Mr. Speaker, what happened at last year's APEC conference when pepper spray met protesters? Will we ever know? Does it really matter?

Here are the questions. Were the protests captured on TV a result of independent police action, or was it the Prime Minister and his office suppressing Canadian rights of association and expression? Were Canadians jailed to protect heads of state or to save ruthless dictators from embarrassment?

Thousands of pages of evidence and audio and video tapes point to the Prime Minister, but that evidence is tied up in legal knots thanks to government paid lawyers. The public complaints commission is shut down for at least six months. In fact the commission was never designed to probe political accountability.

Here is why the APEC scandal matters to Canadians as expressed by Craig Jones, one of the jailed protesters:

The root issue for me is to what extent we are going to accept the political control of the RCMP by the executive branch of the government.

Unlike the Prime Minister, Canadians do not want scapegoats. They want political accountability.

International Day Of Disabled PersonsStatements By Members

Bloc

Madeleine Dalphond-Guiral Bloc Laval Centre, QC

Mr. Speaker, December 3, the international day of disabled persons, is a fine beginning to the third edition of Quebec's week of disabled persons.

Throughout Quebec, a number of different activities will focus on the theme “Independence through access—everyone stands to gain”.

For the disabled, access to facilities and to adapted transportation is fundamental, as is the right to adapted education and training leading to access to the labour market. For them, as for the rest of us, access is independence. Although much progress has been made, everyone will agree that much more remains to be done.

I would like to make particular mention of the Office des personnes handicapées du Québec. In its 20 years of existence, this organization has done much to encourage co-operation between the various organizations, thus helping to give the disabled the voice to which they are entitled.

“Independence through access—everyone stands to gain”. I certainly believe it.

Violence Against WomenStatements By Members

Liberal

Sheila Finestone Liberal Mount Royal, QC

Mr. Speaker, on December 6, 1989, Canadians and the whole world realized the seriousness of the problem of violence against women when 14 young women were killed at Montreal's École Polytechnique. These young Canadians were targeted simply because they happened to be women, which is horrifying but nevertheless true.

This national tragedy galvanized all Canadians into taking action about the problem of gender-based violence. Canadians have learned a lesson from this tragedy. Initially, they suffered a deep shock and experienced tremendous sadness. Then they became convinced that we had to put an end to this violence.

We also honoured the memory of these young women by taking action and by working together to put an end to gender-based violence.

The solutions to eliminate this problem require an effort from all partners within the community. They must work together to bring about real changes. Today, I invite—

Violence Against WomenStatements By Members

The Speaker

The hon. member for Yukon has the floor.

Violence Against WomenStatements By Members

NDP

Louise Hardy NDP Yukon, YT

Mr. Speaker, on December 6 we commemorate the terrible massacre of 14 young women. Yet a culture of violence remains pervasive and even flourishes in our federal institutions. Government is at fault for physical and sexual abuse in the military, denying pay equity, and for keeping poor women poor and vulnerable.

It is time for action. On December 6 the government should call for a truce, a truce for one day when no woman is humiliated, sold, hit or killed, no woman is forced to have sex, sell sex or is killed for sex, a day when women can walk and live in peace.

Disabled PersonsStatements By Members

Liberal

Rose-Marie Ur Liberal Lambton—Kent—Middlesex, ON

Mr. Speaker, today marks the sixth anniversary of the United Nations international day of disabled persons. We must do everything in our power to ensure that persons with disabilities enjoy the same advantages as other Canadians.

The international community has recognized the efforts of the Government of Canada to break down the physical and attitudinal barriers that keep persons with disabilities from enjoying the advantages of full citizenship. In New York last year the Prime Minister accepted the Franklin Delano Roosevelt international disability award on behalf of all Canadians.

I encourage all hon. members to support persons with disabilities as the government works to include all people as full partners in their countries and communities.

In the gallery are three people who are shadowing members of parliament: Nancy Villeneuve, Kathy Bainville and Tammy Culhan. We welcome them to the House of Commons.

Criminal CodeStatements By Members

Progressive Conservative

Peter MacKay Progressive Conservative Pictou—Antigonish—Guysborough, NS

Mr. Speaker, Mothers Against Drunk Driving recently highlighted the sad fact that more than a year has passed since the justice committee agreed to review the impaired driving provisions of the Criminal Code with the goal of amending the present statute. Although the committee's work is under way, public hearings are not scheduled to begin until February of next year.

Let us contrast this approach with my home province of Nova Scotia where the legislative assembly unanimously passed legislation to toughen drunk driving laws just two weeks after the bill was tabled.

I congratulate Nova Scotia Conservative leader John Hamm for sponsoring this legislation and getting Liberals and NDP to put aside partisan bickering and advance the positive measures that will crack down on drunk driving.

With the holiday season upon us, let us in the House follow Nova Scotia's example of non-partisan participation in expeditiously strengthening drunk driving provisions of the Criminal Code.

Fire At Hôtel-Dieu Hospital In RobervalStatements By Members

Bloc

Michel Gauthier Bloc Roberval, QC

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, a major fire destroyed part of the Hôtel-Dieu hospital in Roberval.

I want to express to all the residents of Roberval and the surrounding region my admiration for the community spirit and the sense of organization they displayed to prevent this fire from being even more devastating.

Thanks to the exceptional work of firemen from Roberval and the neighbouring municipalities, the fire was very quickly brought under control and did not spread to the institution's second wing. The staff of Roberval's Hôtel-Dieu hospital acted calmly and countless individual acts helped save lives.

In the next few days, great efforts will have to be deployed to temporarily reorganize the hospital, during the clean up and reconstruction phases.

I want the residents of Roberval to know that I will spare no effort to help those who face the difficult task of rebuilding and of ensuring that all services are back in operation.

AgricultureStatements By Members

Liberal

John Finlay Liberal Oxford, ON

Mr.Speaker, during the emergency debate on agriculture last Monday evening the Leader of the Opposition said:

Basically our position is this: If the finance minister will clearly declare that the forthcoming budget will contain broad tax relief for all Canadians... then the official opposition would be prepared to support a temporary aid package as part of that long term solution.

This sounds to me as if the Reform Party is ready to hold farmers hostage in exchange for its partisan agenda. The party across the way makes poignant statements about the plight of individual farmers, frequently quoting and reading from constituent letters. It acknowledges the farm income crisis and urges a timely response. However it appears it will only support a solution if it is on its terms.

This situation is too serious for the official opposition to threaten to hold Canadian farmers hostage.

Canada PostStatements By Members

Reform

Werner Schmidt Reform Kelowna, BC

Mr. Speaker, I believe that the Government of Canada has conspired with Canada Post to drive postal franchises out of business.

The fact is the schedule of commissions has been reduced by 71% for stamps, which represents over 50% of sales for most outlets. This gouging of revenues makes it difficult for the owners to make lease and loan payments. In severe cases it is spelling financial ruin and bankruptcy.

The Government of Canada is permitting Canada Post to steal from its franchises. Instead of the entrepreneurs—

Canada PostStatements By Members

The Speaker

The hon. member for West Nova.

Pay EquityStatements By Members

Progressive Conservative

Mark Muise Progressive Conservative West Nova, NS

Mr. Speaker, the Federal Court of Appeal has overturned Justice Muldoon's decision preventing seven complaints filed against Bell Canada to be heard before a Canadian human rights tribunal.

At the heart of that dispute is the question of pay equity. Over the past 13 years the federal government has been embroiled in its own pay equity dispute with approximately 190,000, mostly low income, female workers.

The Muldoon decision was thrown out. Yet the government continues to refuse to drop the appeal and pay these workers the long awaited benefits they rightly deserve.

The government has thus far spent $142 million on a useless gun registry yet continues to ignore the pleas of our dedicated, hard working federal public servants. It is time the government lives up to its commitment by resolving this longstanding dispute.

Charitable DonationsStatements By Members

December 3rd, 1998 / 2:15 p.m.

Liberal

Susan Whelan Liberal Essex, ON

Mr. Speaker, there is news and there is good news in the 1997 statistics released by Statistics Canada today.

First the news. Fewer Canadians gave money to charities in 1997. It was down 3.1% from the year before. Just under 5.3 million tax filers reported charitable deductions on their 1997 personal income tax returns. However the good news is that those who did contribute gave more, 6% more than in 1996, to the tune of $4.3 billion.

Now is the time to be generous. As all Canadians donate they should be aware that the maximum deduction limit allowed on personal income was increased to 75% of net income by the government in 1997 and compare it to the previous limit of 50%. It pays to donate more.

As we finish our holiday shopping over the next few weeks let us all remember the less fortunate and give the ultimate gift, a donation to a worthwhile charity.

TaxationOral Question Period

Reform

Monte Solberg Reform Medicine Hat, AB

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the OECD presented its prescription for getting Canada's economy back on track. Its number one suggestion was faster and deeper cuts to payroll taxes.

What does the minister do? He raises payroll taxes. He gives us 15 cents in EI taxes and takes back 30 cents in CPP taxes.

Does the minister really think the answer to Canada's economic problems is to raise payroll taxes?

TaxationOral Question Period

LaSalle—Émard Québec

Liberal

Paul Martin LiberalMinister of Finance

Mr. Speaker, the OECD report is a very good report. It supports the general thrust and direction the federal government has taken since we have assumed office.

I simply remind the hon. member that EI premium rates are today the lowest they have been in the last nine years. The OECD also supports a Canada pension plan that is available to all Canadians.

TaxationOral Question Period

Reform

Monte Solberg Reform Medicine Hat, AB

Mr. Speaker, that is simply not the case. The minister has raised taxes more than any minister in the history of this country. We have the highest personal income tax load in the G-7, 56% higher than the G-7 average. Those are the facts.

Given those facts, how can the minister say he is following the OECD prescription?

TaxationOral Question Period

LaSalle—Émard Québec

Liberal

Paul Martin LiberalMinister of Finance

Mr. Speaker, Canada's payroll taxes are lower than the G-7 average. They are substantially lower than in the United States.

At the same time we have a Canada pension plan of which Canadians are very proud, which is part of the confidence building in this country. Canadians know that when they take their retirement they will not be cast aside but will have an adequate living.

TaxationOral Question Period

Reform

Monte Solberg Reform Medicine Hat, AB

Mr. Speaker, let us address the issue of the Canada pension plan, this coming from the minister who has just fired the chief actuary of the plan because he dared to suggest that 9.9% was unsustainable, that it would have to go to 10%, 11%, 12% or 13%. So what does the government do? It fires the independent actuary of the plan.

Is that the government's idea of listening to independent advice? It sounds to me like the government has an agenda, an agenda to rip off Canadians through their pension system.

TaxationOral Question Period

LaSalle—Émard Québec

Liberal

Paul Martin LiberalMinister of Finance

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member knows the government did not fire the chief actuary. He was fired by the superintendent of financial institutions who operates an independent agency.

Let us get back to the real agenda of the Reform Party. Finally the hon. member has admitted it. What he wants to do is destroy the Canada pension plan. What he wants to do is take away from Canadians their right to have a fair and equitable pension. He objects to a sharing of risk.

What he is looking for is pensions for the rich and nothing for the poor. That has always been their agenda.

TaxationOral Question Period

Reform

Dick Harris Reform Prince George—Bulkley Valley, BC

Mr. Speaker, the problem is when the finance minister speaks about Reform policy he demonstrates he is truly a stranger to the truth. There is no doubt about that.

TaxationOral Question Period

The Speaker

I ask the hon. member to be very judicious in his choice of words.

TaxationOral Question Period

Reform

Dick Harris Reform Prince George—Bulkley Valley, BC

Mr. Speaker, Scrooge has nothing on the finance minister. The only appropriate response for the measly reduction in EI premiums is bah, humbug.

The fact is he is still ripping off Canadian workers to the tune of $300 a year.

Why can the tax crazy finance minister not understand that his obsession with high taxes is killing jobs, killing investment, killing consumer spending and killing Canadians' dreams of a secure financial future?

TaxationOral Question Period