House of Commons Hansard #100 of the 36th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was association.
Paul Martin LiberalMinister of Finance
Mr. Speaker, we have made it very clear that there will be full public hearings following the submission of the MacKay task force.
I understand that the hon. member has to go to Ralph Nader and American sources for information. If she would like to hear Canadian sources she might like to come tonight when the Liberal caucus task force is having public hearings.
Elsie Wayne Progressive Conservative Saint John, NB
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister maintains that Ottawa has no responsibility for those who have contracted hepatitis C except between 1986 and 1990.
The Minister of Health has said that he is looking for a consensus going into next week's meeting about compensating all the victims.
Will the Minister of Health tell us here today whether he has the approval of the Prime Minister and the finance minister to increase Ottawa's share of the compensation package to help reach this consensus?
Allan Rock LiberalMinister of Health
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member is wrong in referring to our position. In fact all governments of Canada have a responsibility to all people who have hepatitis C and every other illness and that is to provide the best and the most intensive health care system in the world. We intend to fulfil that responsibility.
Elsie Wayne Progressive Conservative Saint John, NB
Mr. Speaker, that tells me he does not have the approval and that is unfortunate.
The Ontario premier called the Prime Minister's bluff and showed moral courage. That is what we are asking for. He increased his share of the compensation package to help all of the innocent victims of tainted blood in Ontario.
Why is the Prime Minister playing with the hopes of people who are sick by agreeing to another meeting when he has no intention of increasing Ottawa's share to help compensate all the victims?
Allan Rock LiberalMinister of Health
Mr. Speaker, I counsel the hon. member to do what we are doing, to wait for the meeting. We are waiting to see what the position of the provinces is. Apparently it is changing by the hour. Let us find out what the position of our partners is. The provinces and their governments are our partners as proprietors of the health care system in this country. Let us find out what their position is. As soon as we know, let us work toward a consensus because that is how we believe this country should be run.
Deborah Grey Reform Edmonton North, AB
Mr. Speaker, Mike Harris did change his mind only after a few hours on Friday, but at least it only took him a few hours to realize what was right and he changed his mind in a positive direction. Now the province of Quebec has said that it is willing to look at opening up the package financially for compensation.
Why is the Prime Minister not prepared to do the right thing, change his mind, admit it and do what is right for all victims?
Allan Rock LiberalMinister of Health
Mr. Speaker, the member refers to Mike Harris changing his mind—
Hepatitis COral Question Period
The Speaker
My colleagues, I think it is only fair. We listened to the question and we would like to hear the answer. The hon. Minister of Health.
Allan Rock Liberal Etobicoke Centre, ON
Mr. Speaker, the member refers to Mike Harris changing his mind Friday afternoon. He has changed his mind more often than that.
Last summer he said no compensation for any victim. Last March he joined with us in agreeing cash would be paid for 1986 to 1990 and health care for the others. Last Friday he reaffirmed that. Then he threw that position away for the reasons he gave on Monday. Mike Harris has changed his mind more than once.
Deborah Grey Reform Edmonton North, AB
Mr. Speaker, at least I can admire Mike Harris for admitting he was wrong more than I can admit that this minister is just not able to do the same thing.
The Liberals have poisoned the atmosphere in this whole thing. The health minister has been discredited. He talks about statesmanship, leadership and this word partnership.
Let me ask the Prime Minister, is he willing to go into this partnership with the provincial premiers who want to do the right thing and compensate all victims?
Jean Chrétien LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, we are calling a conference next week with all the health ministers. We are working with the provinces and the president of the conference of the premiers this year.
The premier of Saskatchewan called me a minute ago to tell me that there shall be no change of venue, that there is a process of developing a consensus working with everybody and not trying to score political points like the Reform Party.
Suzanne Tremblay Bloc Rimouski—Mitis, QC
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Health.
While the government is toying with the idea of funding professional sports to the tune of millions of dollars, under the pretext of their economic impact, promoters of sports and cultural events are still waiting for the Prime Minister to meet the commitments he made during the last election campaign.
When will the Minister of Health finally introduce his amendments to the Tobacco Act, which still seriously threatens the future of sports and cultural events?
Sheila Copps LiberalMinister of Canadian Heritage
Mr. Speaker, as is our custom, we want to work in close co-operation with the other levels of government. In this particular case, we are still waiting for Quebec's answer.
Suzanne Tremblay Bloc Rimouski—Mitis, QC
Mr. Speaker, the argument used by those who support professional sports is the visibility provided by professional teams. Well, the Montreal Grand Prix provides worldwide visibility.
Will the government pledge to ensure the future of the Grand Prix and of cultural events, before investing any more money in professional sports?
Sheila Copps LiberalMinister of Canadian Heritage
Mr. Speaker, I would like to wait for the report of the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage, which is reviewing the whole issue of funding for sports.
I find it somewhat strange that the hon. member would ask us to provide some funding to what is, after all, a private company, but not to professional sports. Is the member saying that Jacques Villeneuve is not a professional?
Dave Chatters Reform Athabasca, AB
Mr. Speaker, for the third time in as many years, disaster has struck northern Alberta. For three days now wild fires have been raging across northern Alberta destroying homes, farms, businesses and families.
Why has the Prime Minister not had the compassion and caring to so much as pick up the phone and call the premier of Alberta and ask how the federal government might help in this situation?
Jean Chrétien LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, we are very sorry that there is this disaster in Alberta at this time.
The premier is well aware that when there is a disaster like that, the government has a law and it will move very quickly on it.
At the moment the Government of Alberta is handling the situation very well. When the time comes for dealing with the problem there is a well-known formula that applied in Manitoba, eastern Ontario, southern Quebec and in Saguenay Lac St. Jean some years ago. It will be the same in Alberta if need be.
While I am on my feet I would like to say that I refer to—
Dave Chatters Reform Athabasca, AB
Mr. Speaker, in the Saguenay flood and in the ice storm in Ontario and Quebec the government did not wait for formulas and for the provinces to follow protocol. The Prime Minister and his government were there within hours.
It has been three days and this is the first fire situation in history in Alberta yet the government has not responded. How would he know if the Government of Alberta is handling the situation well?
Jean Chrétien LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, the government knows very well and we have very good relations with the Government of Alberta.
I spoke with the premier a couple of days ago. He knows that the federal government will be there as it has always been whenever there is a disaster in Canada.
Hélène Alarie Bloc Louis-Hébert, QC
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Prime Minister.
Very shortly, the Atlantic groundfish strategy will end, and thousands of people who depend on it are anxious about the future. Four months ago, the four Atlantic provinces and Quebec asked the Minister of Human Resources Development to take positive steps to reassure the people.
What does the Prime Minister have to say in response to the distress call from the Atlantic fishers and fishery workers who are anxious about their future?
Pierre Pettigrew LiberalMinister of Human Resources Development
Mr. Speaker, these past four years, the Atlantic groundfish strategy has provided assistance to fishers and plant workers to the tune of $1.9 billion.
The program will end in August 1998, and I can assure you that my cabinet colleagues and I are working very hard right now, based on the information available to us, to help those who will be living in an environment where, unfortunately, there are much fewer fish than we had hoped.
However, we do realize they are going through a tough time right now. This is a stressful time, but we are—
Atlantic Groundfish StrategyOral Question Period
The Speaker
The hon. member for Louis-Hébert.
Hélène Alarie Bloc Louis-Hébert, QC
Mr. Speaker, given that, in Newfoundland alone, there are 30,000 workers affected, twice as many as in the Ontario automobile industry, does the Prime Minister not realize the social, economic and psychological cost of his inaction to those involved?