Debates of Dec. 8th, 1998

The Red Violin

[Marlene Jennings, Liberal, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to welcome the film The Red Violin to Canada's capital. This Canadian feature film was nominated for 10 Genie awards. I am delighted to salute its director, François Girard, and his creative team in the House of Commons today.

This hauntingly beautiful work is based on an original screenplay by Don McKellar and François Girard. Filmed on location in Italy, Austria, England, China and Canada, it boasts a stellar international cast. The Red Violin , with the haunting music of John Corigliano played by Joshua Bell, the internationally renowned violinist, will be shown this evening as a special presentation, at the Canadian Museum of Civilization.

I am sure that members of the House will join me in congratulating François Girard, Don McKellar and producers Niv Fichman and Daniel Iron of Rhombus Media, for their film's success.

Canada-China Legislative Association

[Bill Blaikie, NDP, Winnipeg—Transcona, MB]

Mr. Speaker, the newly formed Canada-China Legislative Association recently made its inaugural visit to China and held meetings with the National People's Congress. It is called a legislative association and not a parliamentary association because China has neither a true parliament nor a parliamentary political culture.

A parliamentary culture not only tolerates but welcomes and even formalizes dissent and opposition. The crackdown of the last two weeks on political dissenters in China shows the wisdom of withholding the name parliamentary from the association we in this parliament have with the National People's Congress.

China is a major player on the global stage and must be engaged by Canada both politically and economically. However, at the same time as we show respect for China we must also show respect for our own values.

China is now a place where people can make money. But a more open economy without democratic values is surely not enough. The west must not be bought by the lure of such a big market. When parliamentary values can be openly practised in China, China's signature of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights will take on new meaning and China will truly take its place as a leader among nations.

Tribute To Maurice Champagne

[Maud Debien, Bloc, Laval East, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I am using the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the Quebec Ligue des droits et libertés to pay tribute to Maurice Champagne, who was its chair and executive director from 1971 to 1975.

A poet and essayist, Mr. Champagne recently passed away. He oversaw projects that led to the Government of Quebec's passing of the charter of rights and freedoms and the Youth Protection Act and to the establishment of a family policy.

Maurice Champagne's accomplishments will survive him. A few days ago, the Ligue des droits et libertés held a conference on the situation and the future of rights and freedoms in Quebec and in the world. It invites us to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which has always guided its actions.

Youth Employment

[Bryon Wilfert, Liberal, Oak Ridges, ON]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday in Edmonton the Prime Minister announced the renewal of Canada's youth employment strategy. Now a permanent program, $155 million a year will be provided to help young Canadians. That is $465 million over the next three years.

Already we have helped over 300,000 young people to find work or become better trained. For example, after one year 88% of participants in the Youth Internship Canada Program had a job, had started their own business or had returned to school.

This is a program that works. We work with youth, educators, parents, the private sector and other governments to determine what young people need to enter today's job market. Why? Because it matters to us that young people have jobs and a future to look forward to in Canada.

Highways

[Bill Casey, Progressive Conservative, Cumberland—Colchester, NS]

Mr. Speaker, after 18 months of constant questioning, it appears we have struck a nerve with the New Brunswick highway toll deal.

Immediately after producing a letter last week confirming that Doug Young has contravened his own ministerial directives in order to take advantage of a multimillion dollar toll deal on a New Brunswick highway, the member for Kenora—Rainy River began an organized campaign designed to stop four MPs from asking questions about Doug Young's complicity in this highway deal.

The House of Commons deserves to know who is the driving force behind this campaign. Who initiated the campaign? Has the member for Kenora—Rainy River received instructions from his former boss—

[The Speaker]

This was settled yesterday on a question of privilege. The hon. member for Thornhill.

Canadian Executive Service Organization

[Elinor Caplan, Liberal, Thornhill, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge the contribution of three constituents from the riding of Thornhill, volunteers of the Canadian Executive Service Organization.

John Martin spent four weeks in Kyrgyzstan at the request of the state procurement agency. This agency had no practical experience in purchasing or simple procedures from which to operate.

John worked closely with the state agency, developing a training program for agency members and a centralized purchasing unit to reduce costs by bulk purchasing.

John and Gertrud Schmied spent five weeks in Russia working with a company that processes soybeans in Krasnodar.

Working with this company to develop a chain of fast food stores and cafes, John designed an organizational chart, job description formats, a performance evaluation form and a sales productivity measurement plan.

Last year the volunteers of the Canadian Executive Service Organization provided almost 23,000 days of assistance to developing nations, emerging market economies and Canadian aboriginal communities.

Agriculture

[Derrek Konrad, Reform, Prince Albert, SK]

Mr. Speaker, Canadian jobs in rural communities are on the line. The current collapse of net farm incomes is jeopardizing Canada's forage dehydration industry, a little known but vital part of our agricultural communities, particularly in my riding of Prince Albert where the bulk of Saskatchewan's alfalfa dehydration production is processed.

Just consider these facts. First, Canada is the lowest cost producer in the world. Second, without unfair Economic Union subsidies, the Canadian dehydration industry would have weathered the economic downturn in Asia. Third, the dehydration industry is already burdened with rail transportation costs which have doubled while service declines. Finally, processing plants are largely farmer owned.

I urge the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food to keep this industry and these facts in mind before setting emergency compensation which may further penalize these farm-dependent producers.

The government has already caused enough damage by raising freight rates and dropping subsidies more rapidly than our European competitors.

Human Rights

[John Herron, Progressive Conservative, Fundy Royal, NB]

Mr. Speaker, December 10 will mark the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

It is with pride that I rise today to honour a great Canadian and former resident of my riding of Fundy—Royal, John Peters Humphrey.

The principal author of the declaration was raised in Hampton, New Brunswick and graduated from RCS Netherwood High School.

Mr. Humphrey was also the first director of the Human Rights Secretariat at the United Nations. He was part of the team that launched Amnesty International Canada and was instrumental in creating the Canadian Human Rights Foundation.

In 1988, on the 40th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, he was awarded the United Nations Human Rights Prize, the first Canadian to receive such an honour. In 1974 he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada.

I would also like to pay tribute to another New Brunswick son, Gordon Fairweather, Canada's first Human Rights Commissioner and a former member of the House of Commons as MP for Fundy—Royal.

I am very proud of these two New Brunswickers for their contribution to the advancement of human rights, both here in Canada and on the world stage.

Skilled Employment

[Julian Reed, Liberal, Halton, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Canada is facing a critical shortage of skilled tradespeople.

In the riding of Halton, high tech companies tell me they have had to postpone growth and job creation because they simply cannot find enough skilled workers.

Jobs paying $50,000 and $60,000 a year are going unfilled. The existing skilled workforce is aging.

In Halton something is being done.

Today, December 8, leaders of business, Human Resources Development Canada, the Ontario education ministry and the region of Halton are staging a symposium aimed at developing a made in Halton solution to the problem.

The people attending this event are all dedicated to developing a program that will make it easier for young people to get apprenticeship placements.

I congratulate these organizations on their efforts which will ensure the long term viability of Canada as the place for attraction and retention of high tech business.

Social Union

[Preston Manning, Reform, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, ten premiers and two territorial leaders are ready and willing to deliver better health care and social services to Canadians. Yet the Prime Minister is doing his best to sabotage their efforts.

Last night at a Liberal fundraising dinner the Prime Minister tried to portray the social union negotiations as merely a power grab by the provinces. How could the Prime Minister's dumping on the provinces possibly lead to better health care and social services for Canadians?

[Stéphane Dion, Liberal, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, this is what the Premier of Alberta said:

The Prime Minister has indicated that we want to make progress on this particular issue (the social union). He indicated also that we might not agree on all the issues but certainly there are some areas where we can agree and hopefully we will have some resolve on these issues in the very near future.

We are working with the provinces, but I ask again whether the Leader of the Opposition again would sign the provincial proposal as is? Yes or no.

[Preston Manning, Reform, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister would like Canadians to believe that the premiers' social union proposals will somehow weaken the federal government, which is simply not the case.

The social union is about strengthening Canadians. It is about giving all Canadians better health care and better social programs. Why do the Prime Minister and the intergovernmental affairs minister not stop worrying about who gets the credit for fixing health care and just get on with the job?

[Stéphane Dion, Liberal, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, the Premier of Alberta just said that the Prime Minister was negotiating in good faith with the provinces.

The problem is not the Prime Minister. The problem is the Leader of the Opposition and the leader of the Conservative Party. They are unable to tell Canadians if they will sign the provincial proposal as is. Yes or no.

[Preston Manning, Reform, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, all the provinces want from the Prime Minister is for him to respect the Constitution. The Prime Minister has a lot to do without meddling in provincial affairs.

Why does he not solve the problems in the defence department and with aboriginal affairs? Where is the new Young Offenders Act? Why does he not fix the Canadian dollar? Why does he not attack unfair foreign trade subsidies instead of the provinces?

Is it not true that the Prime Minister's real reason for meddling in provincial affairs is to divert attention away from his own failures?

[Stéphane Dion, Liberal, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, why is the Leader of the Opposition attacking the Prime Minister when the provinces are pleased with the way we have been progressing in these negotiations?

Why is he unable to tell Canadians if he will sign the provincial proposal as is, yes or no, when the provinces themselves said that this was a basis for negotiation?

Health

[Grant Hill, Reform, Macleod, AB]

Mr. Speaker, in just three short years the government has cut $16.5 billion cumulatively from health care spending, and the result is 190,000 patients on waiting lists.

Instead of trying to bring in new trophy programs like national home care, why does the government not fix the problems it has caused in terms of waiting lists?

[Allan Rock, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, in the last three years the government has increased transfers to provinces by $1.5 billion, has increased funding for the Medical Research Council and has created a health transition fund to assist constructive change in the way health services are delivered.

As the Prime Minister has made clear, we will also make health the focus of our next major reinvestment.

[Grant Hill, Reform, Macleod, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the 190,000 people on the waiting list is what I call unfinished business. The senior citizen waiting for a hip replacement does not want somebody to come into her house and fix meals for her. She wants a new hip so she can fix meals for herself.

Why does the government not fix the unfinished business before it launches off on new trophy programs and fix the waiting list now?

[Allan Rock, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member fails to understand that the delivery of health service is the responsibility of provincial governments. The member opposite should bear in mind that governments in provinces across the country have made their own priorities and their own choices in terms of how their dollars are spent.

If there are waiting lists then I wonder whether the member opposite would join with me in meeting with the provincial minister of health in Alberta or other provinces to discuss with them how the provinces will address these issues.

So far as we are concerned we have made clear that we will make reinvesting in health from the federal perspective the focus of our next budget.

Social Union

[Gilles Duceppe, Bloc, Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, at a press conference held jointly with the Premier of Alberta, the Prime Minister of Canada, in an obvious attempt to divide the provinces and isolate Quebec, questioned the good faith of the Premier of Quebec in the matter of the social union.

What message is the Prime Minister sending by trying to isolate Quebec just as negotiations are entering a crucial stage?

[Stéphane Dion, Liberal, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, no one is trying to isolate anyone.

What is all this sudden paranoia about? We are negotiating together. The Quebec premier joined a little late, in August, but he is welcome, and if there is a way to improve the social union for all Canadians, it would be a good thing. We hope he will negotiate in good faith.

[Gilles Duceppe, Bloc, Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, we are not paranoid, but we are not deaf.

When he talks about not negotiating in good faith, as he just did, the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs is falling back into his old ways.

When the Prime Minister and the minister talk about bad faith, should they not give thought to the attitude of the Prime Minister of Canada, who yesterday announced in Edmonton, without either advising or consulting Mr. Klein, that he planned to remain involved in youth matters, which should come under provincial jurisdiction? Is the fact that he did not even consult the provinces not an indication of his contempt for them?

[Stéphane Dion, Liberal, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, consultations were held and we even had a major meeting on May 13. The Government of Quebec did not sign, but that is not unusual.

There is a lot of unemployment among the youth. It seems to me that all governments must work together, and that is what we are doing.

[Michel Gauthier, Bloc, Roberval, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister just started a Canada-wide tour and already it does not bode well for the Canadian social union agreement.

The Prime Minister is speculating right and left about the good faith of the Premier of Quebec.

Does the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs not agree that the Prime Minister's remarks reflect an attitude of contempt not only for the Premier of Quebec but also for all Quebec premiers whom, at one time or another, took the same stand?