Debates of Feb. 10th, 1998

1998 Winter Olympics

[Andrew Telegdi, Liberal, Kitchener—Waterloo, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Canadian Olympian Kevin Overland of Kitchener who won the bronze medal in 500 metre speed skating very early this morning. His bronze medal race was over in only 71.86 seconds but I am sure the memory will last a lifetime.

Kevin will also compete in the 1,500 metre race on Thursday and the 1,000 metre race on Sunday.

Kevin's sister Cindy is also on the Canadian Olympic speed skating team with her first race, the 3,000 metres, tomorrow. Their father Ernie is a coach and their sisters Amanda and Kate are also in training for future national teams.

On behalf of Kitchener—Waterloo I join Canadians everywhere in congratulating Kevin, and Red Deer, Alberta's silver medalist Jeremy Wotherspoon for their medals and on having fulfilled their Olympic dreams. I wish Cindy much luck in fulfilling hers.

To all our Olympians, well done.

The Budget

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

Mr. Speaker, sometime soon the government will introduce its 1998-99 budget.

One of the major points of interest will be what this Liberal government intends to do with any budget surplus. Liberals appear to want to put 50% of any surplus into increased government spending with the rest being divided between debt reduction and tax relief.

But the question is what do Canadians want? I put this question to my constituents and their opinion differs vastly from the Liberals' plan. With over 2,000 responses to my survey, the average response of the people of South Surrey—White Rock—Langley was to have 55% of the surplus going toward debt reduction, 36% going to tax relief and less than 9% going to increased government spending.

Once again Liberal fiscal priorities are completely out of step with average Canadians.

Flag Protocol

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to propose an important amendment to protocol as it relates to the lowering of flags at federal government buildings.

Currently the lowering of such flags to half mast is an honour reserved for a small group of public officials.

However, in recognition of the important work federal public servants do for our communities and our country, I encourage the Minister of Canadian Heritage to allow the lowering of flags at federal government facilities where workers are mourning the death of a colleague.

Several federal government employees in my riding of Sault Ste. Marie have requested this measure, and I fully support their proposal. In my opinion such a move would be a fitting gesture of respect and appreciation for those men and women who, without the media fanfare afforded to elected officials, perform vital services to Canadians on a daily basis.

Bill C-28

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

Mr. Speaker, for the past week, we have been asking the Minister of Finance serious questions regarding Bill C-28. Instead of getting clear answers, we heard insults and contradictory statements from the finance minister, the ethics commissioner and even the vice-president of Canada Steamship Lines.

We feel the government is playing Battleship with us. When we tried G-6, the Prime Minister got up and said “No”. The next day, we tried B-3 and the Deputy Prime Minister said “No”. But I think that in the case of C-28, the Minister of Finance should rise and say “Touché. My ship is sunk”.

We are entitled to answers. The Liberals should stop trying to take us for a ride.

Citizenship And Heritage Week

[Stan Dromisky, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Atikokan, ON]

Mr. Speaker, this is Canada's annual Citizenship and Heritage Week, a week long celebration that includes National Citizenship Week, National Flag of Canada Day and Heritage Day. A special focus this year will revolve around young Canadians. A variety of youth oriented activities will take place across the country.

This week represents an opportunity to pay tribute to the value we as Canadians share and to the enduring traditions that have formed the fabric of our nation.

I encourage all parliamentarians to recognize the individuals and organizations that have been participating and contributing to the program of special events in their communities.

This is an opportunity to further strengthen the vibrant, positive community bonds that exist throughout the country.

Iraq

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

Mr. Speaker, some have expressed the view that Canada really has no choice but to respond favourably to American requests on Iraq, given the significant integration of our economy with the U.S. that has taken place since free trade. Indeed the Liberals, pathetically, now seem to accept and even defend the very restrictions on Canadian policy they once joined with the NDP in warning against.

Under the Liberals, Canada has become a country of no choices. Unlike the hope held out by the alternative federal budget and other proposals for change, the Liberals' Canada is a country not able to freely choose its own future. If it is not the Americans it is the money lenders and bond holders or NAFTA or the WTO, and soon it will be the MAI.

Under the Liberals, globalization is an ever tightening but apparently welcome vice that constricts our ability to be ourselves.

For the NDP, globalization must become the opportunity for a truly global community in which Canadian values proliferate rather than are exterminated. We must create a global economy that is not just a marketplace designed for the profit strategies of multinational corporations.

Quebec's Rural Development

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

Mr. Speaker, from now on, new federal policies and programs will be closely scrutinized to determine their impact on rural areas.

This announcement was made yesterday in Rimouski by the federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, who was accompanied by the Secretary of State for Agriculture and Agri-Food and Fisheries and Oceans, and by the Liberal member for Bellechasse—Etchemins—Montmagny—L'Islet, at the conference held by Quebec's Solidarité rurale.

The president of Solidarité rurale, Jacques Proulx, called the plan a “great victory for rural Quebec”. This decision will make the Canadian government a special partner in ensuring the future of rural development in Quebec.

It will enable the Canadian government to promote local development within a global vision.

Canadian War Museum

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

Mr. Speaker, last week in the other place a Senate committee heard from several veterans organizations. They all stated that they were not consulted on the proposed expansion to the war museum that included a Holocaust gallery. The recent controversy regarding the Holocaust gallery could have been avoided if veterans had been consulted.

The Minister of Veterans Affairs has been notably absent throughout this controversy. It is his responsibility to intervene and ensure that adequate consultations take place.

The Senate subcommittee on veterans affairs should be commended for taking it upon itself to allow our veterans to be heard. It was quite evident from the hearings that veterans groups want the Canadian War Museum to be severed from the Canadian Museum of Civilization and the Department of Canadian Heritage.

I call upon the Minister of Veterans Affairs and the government to listen to our veterans and do what is necessary to take control of the war museum and place it solely under the auspices of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Abortion

[Garry Breitkreuz, Reform, Yorkton—Melville, SK]

Mr. Speaker, a million babies, give or take a few, have lost their lives in the last 10 years. Is parliament horrified? No. Is the media in an uproar for the government to do something? No.

Thanks to the Supreme Court of Canada and weak-kneed politicians, Canada has been without any restrictions on abortion for 10 years. Not only are there no restrictions when a woman can get an abortion between the time of conception and until the baby emerges alive from the birth canal, but the government has forced taxpayers to pay for the killing of these one million babies.

I have introduced a motion that would at least put a stop to government funding for abortions, a measure which two-thirds of Canadians support.

My private members' Motion No. 268 calls for a binding national referendum at the time of the next election to ask whether or not voters are in favour of government funding for medically unnecessary abortions.

I urge every member who feels strongly about saving the lives of tens of thousands of helpless infants to support this motion and to help me convince the House to make it votable.

Marie Laurier

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

Mr. Speaker, with the Olympic Games unfolding, we should not forget our young Canadian athletes who dream of reaching the top level in sports. That is why I would like to draw your attention today to the success achieved by a 14-year-old athlete in my riding of Pierrefonds—Dollard, Marie Laurier.

At the Canadian figure skating championships held in Hamilton from January 5 to January 12, Marie Laurier won the gold medal in the junior singles category. Last year, in Vancouver, she won the title in the junior couples category. Marie never spared any effort, and she has the results to show for this.

We can take pride in our young athletes who work so hard to get recognition nationally and internationally. At that level of competition, the talent and concentration needed to succeed require almost superhuman preparation and training. Our athletes are very deserving.

Marie, I wish you the best for the future, and every success in upcoming competitions.

Official Languages

[Maurice Godin, Bloc, Châteauguay, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Canada has shown the world its real bilingual face in Nagano. The Canadian heritage minister says it is unacceptable and the foreign affairs minister says it is unfortunate.

Last summer, when war veterans were there, Major Brossard, our military attaché in France, had to ask for some French to be spoken during the historical briefing on German bunkers.

In Vimy, in November 1997, before an audience made up of 300 French people, a lady asked me, during speeches by the veterans affairs minister, the Canadian heritage minister and the secretary of state for parks: “Why don't you have interpreters? You're not here as conquerors.” I answered that this is Canada's own brand of bilingualism.

The day Quebec is sovereign, you will see what being respectful of minorities really means. For the time being, Canadian-style bilingualism is restricted to “mesdames et messieurs” and “merci beaucoup”.

The Economy

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

Mr. Speaker, two recent reports add to the growing body of evidence concerning the economic and social pressures facing many Canadians.

A report at Industry Canada entitled “Keeping up with the Joneses” indicates that real personal income per capita is almost 25% lower in Canada than in the United States.

A second report issued by the Vanier Institute of the Family indicates that the average Canadian family needs 77 weeks worth of work, that is two wage earners, just to cover basic annual expenses.

The increasing competitiveness of the workplace often demanding overtime and the rigidity of employers regarding family commitments come at the same time as growing expectations that the parents be more involved in their children's activities and their education.

In a society where we are expressing concern for family integrity surely there is a role for government—

[The Speaker]

The hon. member for Calgary West.

Senate Of Canada

[Rob Anders, Reform, Calgary West, AB]

Mr. Speaker, what a month for Senator Andy Thompson. He suffered through his own ice storm when he spilled his pina colada while doing the macarena. To make matters worse, he had to trade in the cocoa butter for a winter coat so he could show up for work in the frosty north.

Hundreds of Canadians have told me in writing that they want this mucho grande Senate to end. They want to choose who represents them in the upper house.

We do not have to live with these absentee amigos. The prime minister can choose today. He can respect the will of Canadians and recognize senate elections or he can continue to appoint Liberal cucarachas to the Senate.

Quebec

[Peter Adams, Liberal, Peterborough, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Quebec's cultural and linguistic situation is special because francophones must constantly fight for their place in North America.

The 60 Minutes program aired by CBS last weekend misinterpreted the Quebec reality by stating that the province wanted to become a francophone enclave. Nothing is further from the truth. Those responsible for the program lacked objectivity and missed an opportunity for professional journalism.

I ask that the facts be reviewed concerning the description of Quebec's social linguistic situation. Time should be taken to show both sides of the coin on an issue which is so important for Quebec francophones.

Magog-Orford Region

[Denis Paradis, Liberal, Brome—Missisquoi, QC]

Mr. Speaker, last Friday, on behalf of the Secretary of State responsible for the Federal Office of Regional Development-Quebec, I announced that a $15,000 contribution would be made to the Magog-Orford Chamber of Commerce, to identify concrete measures to encourage our U.S. neighbours to come and shop in Brome—Missisquoi.

We have to remind our neighbours in Vermont, 300,000 of whom live within an hour of the Canada-US border, that with the recent drop in the value of the Canadian dollar, the GST and Quebec sales tax refunds they are entitled to since their purchases are considered exports, and the decrease in our customs tariffs, they will find in my beautiful riding of Brome—Missisquoi excellent business opportunities as well as the most breathtaking scenery in all of the Eastern Townships.

Welcome to our American friends.

Senate Of Canada

[Rahim Jaffer, Reform, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

Mr. Speaker, today the upper chamber will be honoured by the return of the infamous Senator Thompson. We should all go out of our way to welcome him back to make sure he settles in okay. We should start by getting the senator reaquainted with some of the local customs.

The upper chamber is not like the beaches of Mexico. Shirts must be worn at all times. Midday siestas are discouraged although not uncommon. The pages almost always refuse to serve banana daiquiris. There is no happy hour and you must check in your mariachi at the door.

We could also get our senator a few welcome back gifts: aspirin for the lingering margarita headache, a winter coat for the cold Ottawa evenings and a Canadian flag to remind him of the hardworking, overtaxed Canadian public.

Maybe the senator will be so moved by the generosity that he will join in the chorus of Canadian voices demanding that the Senate must be reformed.

Canadian Executive Services Organization

[John McKay, Liberal, Scarborough East, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today to recognize five members of my constituency of Scarborough East who have made significant contributions to the world community through Canadian Executive Services Organization: John Goldie, Jim and Leslie McDonald, and Roman and Sheila Russek.

John Goldie made available western construction methods to the people who live in Ukraine which will increase the safety of their construction. Jim and Leslie McDonald helped a hospital facility in the Philippines to design medical waste disposal systems. Roman and Sheila Russek helped to redesign a factory in Poland engaged in cable construction.

Roman, Sheila, Jim, Leslie and John are to be congratulated on their contribution to building our world community. Canada is proud.

Newfoundland School System

[Norman E. Doyle, Progressive Conservative, St. John's East, NL]

Mr. Speaker, latest statistics show that the Newfoundland school system is facing a sharply declining enrolment. Total enrolment this year is down by 4,597 students or 4.3%. This enrolment drop is largely related to out migration of families with children, families in which parents have left home to find work elsewhere in Canada.

After nearly 50 years in Confederation my province still has an unemployment rate more than double the national average. That out migration is currently at 9,200 people per year and is continually going up. As a result, whole communities have been decimated leaving only seniors in many areas.

A very distinct society in Newfoundland is in danger of dying. The ability to work elsewhere in the nation is very much appreciated but most Newfoundlanders would like to see the federal government take the lead in solving the problem a little bit closer to home.

Iraq

[Preston Manning, Reform, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday parliament discussed the Iraqi crisis long into the night and cabinet apparently discussed it this morning, but some critical questions remain to be answered by the Prime Minister.

If diplomacy fails and force is to be used against Saddam Hussein, Canadians want to know what the overall military objective is. Is it to take out weapons factories or is it something bigger?

What exactly is the overall mission and how will we know if it is successful?

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, the position of everybody at the moment is still to have a diplomatic resolution.

Now that parliament has expressed its views, we as the government decided that this morning that there will be support coming from Canada. There will be a frigate and Hercules airplanes going there. There will be some Canadians on board United States AWACS aircraft. I can inform the House of what has been decided to offer to the coalition.

At the moment the diplomatic efforts are still ongoing. I spoke for a few minutes with Mr. Chirac who is very active. He discussed his activities.

When the time comes for a strike, if we are obliged to have a strike, we will be able to inform what will be the exact targets the military operation will aim at. At the moment we are not at that stage yet.

[Preston Manning, Reform, Leader of the Opposition]

Last night, Mr. Speaker, the weakest presentation made in the debate on Iraq was made by the Minister of National Defence. He said nothing had been ruled out, nothing had been ruled in, and had nothing much more to say.

If the American secretary of defence appeared before the Congress the night before committing forces to an action and had nothing more to say than that, he would be fired by the next morning.

What will the Prime Minister do to fill this vacuum at the top of the Department of National Defence?

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of National Defence is a minister who is responsible enough to wait for a decision of the cabinet before announcing something.

I have just told the Leader of the Opposition of the plan concerning Canadian participation at the moment. I have talked about a frigate. I have talked about the Hercules airplanes and the participation of Canadian soldiers with the AWACS airplane surveillance of the area.

[Preston Manning, Reform, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister has a moral duty to assure Canadians that our personnel have been committed to support action with a clear mission, a clear vision of their role and adequate resources to do the job.

The time for these vague answers and vague assurances has passed. Will the Prime Minister provide that plan, that mission and that resource detail, or will we find out about it from CNN and Bill Clinton?

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I have clearly spoken about the position of the government. A frigate will be doing its duty there. It is a very modern ship and very well equipped with very capable officials on board.

The Hercules airplanes will be serving the forces personnel. They have used them many times in the past and know what to do with them. Those who are already on the AWACS planes will keep doing what they are doing now.

It is very simple to explain, but it seems to be very difficult for the Leader of the Opposition to understand very simple things.