Debates of May 6th, 1998

Human Rights

[Lloyd Axworthy, Liberal, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, I wish to announce today that a parliamentary delegation will be going to Chiapas to look into the situation there.

The member for Brossard—La Prairie has agreed to head it during its visit to Chiapas and Mexico City between May 7 and 11. I would like to thank all members of this House who will be part of this very important delegation, and I look forward to their report with considerable interest.

Transport

[Lee Morrison, Reform, Cypress Hills—Grasslands, SK]

Mr. Speaker, last week 95% of the 2,200 air traffic controllers voted not to accept a contract offer from Nav Canada. The two sides are impossibly far apart.

The controllers want wage increases of up to 38%. Nav Canada wants to cut its costs by 17.5% over three years. My question is to the Minister of Transport. What contingency plan does he have in place to prevent a disastrous shutdown of the air traffic system in Canada?

[David Collenette, Liberal, Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, we regret very much that the air traffic controllers have rejected a settlement that has been negotiated by their union representatives, but Nav Canada has said it will go back with the union representatives to look at other changes that can be made.

It is very premature to start talking about labour disruptions when the process has not come to a conclusion.

Hepatitis C

[Michel Gauthier, Bloc, Roberval, QC]

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the victims of hepatitis C we cannot let that one go by.

Since, on December 2, 1997, at 11.30 a.m., the Quebec National Assembly was unanimously calling for a program of compensation for the victims of hepatitis C, how can the Prime Minister keep repeating in this House that, were it not for the federal Minister of Health, no one would be compensating the victims? How can he keep making such a claim? Let him say it from his seat.

[Allan Rock, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, on July 22, last year, at about 2.00 p.m. I met my counterparts, including the Quebec minister of health. I raised the question of compensation for hepatitis C victims, and the minister refused to take part.

He maintained this position for months. Finally, following the leadership of the Prime Minister and the federal government, he agreed to take part and now, today, he has changed his position again. And that is the truth.

Employment Insurance

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

Mr. Speaker, more than 700 fish plant workers in the Acadian peninsula are out of work after three processing plants closed down.

This year, crab quotas were lower, which meant fewer weeks of work. Entire communities are plunged into poverty, with no income. The economic and social effects are felt everywhere.>

Will the Minister of Human Resources Development show a little compassion and develop an emergency program to give these workers living in poverty access to employment insurance?

[Pierre Pettigrew, Liberal, Minister of Human Resources Development]

Mr. Speaker, we have not received any request or plan from the three plants mentioned by the hon. member.

What I can say is that employers and former workers are welcome to submit a proposal to my department with respect to the reopening of the plants in question. We will consider every possible way of financing worthwhile projects that meet the eligibility criteria and our program requirements.

I also encourage workers to visit our HRDC centres to take advantage of the active measures and programs available to them.

Presence In Gallery

[The Speaker]

My colleagues, I wish to draw to your attention the presence in the gallery of the hon. Tito Petkovski, President of the Assembly of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear.

Points Of Order

[Greg Thompson, Progressive Conservative, Charlotte, NB]

Mr. Speaker, first I want to thank you and congratulate you for keeping a raucous House under control today.

However, the Prime Minister has taken advantage of the situation. On numerous occasions today he stood when the light was out, his 35 seconds was up and he kept on going. At the end of the day, we lose—

[The Speaker]

My colleague, not only is your point well taken, it gives me a chance to compliment the House.

Every day since we opened this parliament discussions have taken place among the House leaders and, on every occasion, we have fitted in all the questions that were negotiated by them.

I find that on average we have been able to get as many as seven or eight extra questions in a day.

I am sure all hon. members, both in asking their questions and in giving their answers, will continue to do the wonderful job they have been doing since the beginning of this parliament. I thank the hon. member for raising that point.

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

Mr. Speaker, last night, with you and many other members of parliament, we attended a reception for the young people who were here from across Canada. We heard from a lot of the young people from across Canada about what was happening in our House. They were appalled at the screaming and yelling, back and forth.

I am just hoping, Mr. Speaker, that somehow we can appeal to all our colleagues to have better decorum.

[The Speaker]

Once again, my colleague, your point is well taken. I appeal to all hon. members to do just that every day that we are in the House. I encourage all of us to treat each other with civility and respect. I hope this will come about.

The Late Marcel Dionne

[Denis Coderre, Liberal, Bourassa, QC]

Mr. Speaker, this past March a good friend of mine, the former member for Chicoutimi, passed away at the age of 66.

Marcel Dionne, a man of substance, a man of great importance to his community, a man of great commitment, is no longer with us. I feel that it is appropriate to pay tribute to him here today.

He was an MP from 1979 to 1984. I met him for the first time in 1983 when I was with the young federal Liberals of Quebec. He was always closely involved with young people. He was an untiring worker for his community.

I would like to review some of his accomplishments for which he never really got enough credit because of the Conservative sweep in 1984.

First of all, Marcel Dionne picked up on an old project of his predecessor, Paul Langlois. He convinced the federal government to upgrade the port of Chicoutimi by removing some huge oil tanks. Construction of the federal administrative complex of le Vieux Port was also part of this project.

The port of Grande Anse, of growing importance in the development of the region's economy, was another of the major projects for which he was responsible.

Taking advantage of a visit to the Saguenay by then Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau, Marcel Dionne managed to convince him of the need to undertake capital projects at CFB Bagotville for F-18 combat aircraft maintenance facilities. The base's future was guaranteed by an agreement with the American government on the NORAD defence system, signed by President Reagan and Prime Minister Mulroney in the early months of the Mulroney years, during the U.S. president's visit to Quebec City.

In addition to his political career, Marcel Dionne was involved in a number of other areas. He was president of the Saguenéens de Chicoutimi and of the Quebec major junior hockey league, as well as president of the Quebec potato growers federation.

Originally from the Eastern Townships, Marcel Dionne moved to Saint-Ambroise in 1963 where he ran a potato operation for 13 years.

Unfortunately, almost immediately after he lost his seat in 1984, Marcel was diagnosed with cancer. Still, he returned to work in the Eastern Townships. He was a brave man who never gave up. At the time of his death he was an assistant commissioner with the Canadian Grain Commission.

Two of the five Dionne children still live in the Chicoutimi area, a son Yves, who is a police officer, and a daughter, Carole.

My most sincere condolences, on behalf of the government, to all of the members of the Dionne family.

So long, Marcel.

[Rahim Jaffer, Reform, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect that I rise in the House today to pay tribute to one of my peers.

A native of the Eastern Townships, Marcel Dionne represented the federal riding of Chicoutimi from 1979 to 1984. During his term of office, Marcel Dionne helped bring about a number of important achievements for his constituents such as the redevelopment of the port of Chicoutimi and the survival of CFB Bagotville.

He was also active in his community. He was the president of the Chicoutimi Saguenéens of Quebec's major junior hockey league and president of the Fédération des producteurs de pommes de terre du Québec. He had also successfully battled cancer and was working as an assistant commissioner on the Canadian Grain Commission.

On behalf of the Reform Party, I extend my deepest condolences to members of the Dionne family.

[Jocelyne Girard-Bujold, Bloc, Jonquière, QC]

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Bloc Quebecois, I am pleased to pay tribute to Marcel Dionne who died on March 3 at the age of 66.

A native of the Eastern Townships, Mr. Dionne quickly became a member of the Saguenay—Lac-Saint-Jean community. He represented the riding of Chicoutimi in the House of Commons from 1979 to 1984 and held the position of Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture.

I and my fellow citizens in the Saguenay—Lac-Saint-Jean area remember him as a very committed individual who spared no effort in promoting our region's socio-economic development.

Many people now recognize that he was a catalyst of important achievements for our community. Those achievements included the redevelopment of the port of Chicoutimi, in collaboration with the entire regional community and then MLA Marc-André Bédard. This undertaking required that giant reservoirs be moved and the Vieux Port federal administrative complex built.

The port of Grande Anse, which is now a hub in the development of our regional economy, was one of the major projects to which the former member for Chicoutimi contributed.

He was also responsible for the development of CFB Bagotville, which required major investments for the maintenance of CF-18 fighters.

It is unfortunate I must say that he was never given credit for these major accomplishments because of the Progressive Conservative sweep in 1984, which denied him the opportunity to continue his excellent work in our region.

In addition to his very full career in politics, Mr. Dionne worked in various other fields.

Before making a political name for himself, he headed a potato production company for 13 years. He made a major contribution to modernizing agriculture in our region, enabling us to attain self-sufficiency in the production of potatoes in the early 1970s.

He was active in his community as well, serving as president of the Saguenéens de Chicoutimi of the Quebec major junior hockey league and president of the Quebec federation of potato producers. At the time of his death he was an assistant commissioner with the Canadian Grain Commission.

On behalf of the Bloc Quebecois I offer my sympathy to all the members of the Dionne family and my condolences to the people in the riding of Chicoutimi and our region whom he served so well.

[Angela Vautour, NDP, Beauséjour—Petitcodiac, NB]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to pay tribute to the former Liberal member for Chicoutimi in the House of Commons, Marcel Dionne, who died yesterday at the age of 66 from a heart attack.

In addition to his career in politics Mr. Dionne worked in various fields. He was president of the Saguenéens de Chicoutimi of the Quebec major junior hockey league and president of the Quebec federation of potato producers. At the time of his death he was an assistant commissioner with the Canadian Grain Commission.

To the members of his family, on behalf of the New Democrats, I offer my sincere condolences.

[André Harvey, Progressive Conservative, Chicoutimi, QC]

Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to rise to pay tribute to my predecessor. Although we do not have the same political affiliation nationally, I think the fact remains that Mr. Dionne has been an efficient member of parliament.

Marcel never liked heckling and off the cuff remarks, but he would set goals for himself and usually achieve them.

What I have tried to share with Marcel for several years is first and foremost the love of our region and passionate dedication to our riding. I recall that during the 1984 election campaign a slightly negative article was written by a journalist from outside Quebec, which was somewhat unfair to our region and to the city of Chicoutimi in particular.

I remember how passionately Marcel set the record straight here in the House in order to restore the good name of our region and particularly that of our city, Chicoutimi, at the national level. He was successful because a correction was made in a national forum.

Marcel worked hard on very concrete issues like the ones mentioned a moment ago by my colleagues. The port of Grande-Anse was indeed his greatest achievement. Also the base in Bagotville benefited from his repeated representations. Goodness knows how important it is in a region like ours to look after an infrastructure such as the base in Bagotville. Otherwise its role diminishes. We must therefore continually remind the government of the value of having in Quebec a facility as strategic as this one.

On the social level Marcel was heavily involved with a team that is massively supported by the people of the region and a great source of pride to us, les Saguenéens. Then, of course, he was also the president of the Fédération des producteurs de pommes de terre. After coming to our region in 1963, he ran a potato operation which created a number of jobs and is a source of regional pride to this day.

I remember that Marcel and I had differences of opinion on occasion. I recall, for instance, that between 1981 and 1984 we did not see eye to eye about the old port of Chicoutimi where some housing was planned. We did not agree on this concept, but it was the one that eventually won out after public consultations.

He never held it against me. On several occasions he told me “I think giving the river back to the people instead of building housing in the old port was the right way to go”. He recognized that.

My most recent memories have been particularly of his courage in the face of his illness. God knows, he met the challenge with great courage and for a long time seemed to have gained the upper hand.

On behalf of my party and myself I express our most sincere condolences to his entire family.

[The Deputy Speaker]

I want to thank all members for their kind words of acknowledgement.

Government Response To Petitions

[Peter Adams, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's response to two petitions.

Broadcasting Act

[Ted White, Reform, North Vancouver, BC]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-398, an act to amend the Broadcasting Act (designation of cable channels).

Mr. Speaker, this bill when passed by the House would make it possible for cable channels to be assigned on the basis of market forces rather than the CRTC compelling cable companies to assign them to certain positions on the cable spectrum.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

Elections Act

[Ted White, Reform, North Vancouver, BC]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-399, an act to amend the Elections Act (appointment of election officers).

Mr. Speaker, this bill when passed would implement a recommendation of the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada that patronage be removed from the process of appointing employees to Elections Canada.

Very few people realize that returning officers are all appointed by order in council, by the government in power. In effect they are patronage appointments. Passage of this bill would remove that ability of the government to patronage appoint. The employees of Elections Canada would be selected on their merit and their ability to do the job instead of the party they belong to.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

Tobacco Act

[Sarkis Assadourian, Liberal, Brampton Centre, ON]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-400, an act to amend the Tobacco Act (substances contained in a tobacco product).

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to present this bill to the House today. The purpose of its enactment is to ensure that consumers are aware of the content of tobacco products.

My bill, an act to amend the Tobacco Act, will prohibit the sale of tobacco products that do not list substances contained in the product on their packages. Basically what I am asking for is to have the names of the chemicals on the package so consumers will know every time they smoke cigarettes what kind of chemicals they inhale.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

Holidays Act

[Alex Shepherd, Liberal, Durham, ON]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-401, an act to amend the Holidays Act (Flag Day) and to make consequential amendments to other acts.

Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure today to introduce a bill respecting Flag Day. As we know Flag Day is totally recognized in Canada as being February 15. The purpose of my bill is to take that one step further and make it a national holiday.

The United States, being one country to which we often compare ourselves, has many more national holidays than does Canada. I think it is very appropriate that we take time to recognize our great traditions.

The flag is on either side of you, Mr. Speaker. Thirty-three years ago was its birthday and I think it would be appropriate to enshrine Flag Day as a national holiday so all future generations would remember that.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

Petitions

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

Mr. Speaker, I am presenting a petition on behalf of certain constituents in my riding who object to nudity in public and who seek a remedy by requesting an adjustment to the criminal code.