House of Commons Hansard #114 of the 36th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was judges.
The Speaker
As is our practice on Wednesday we will now sing O Canada, and we will be led by the hon. member for Saint John.
Larry McCormick Liberal Hastings—Frontenac—Lennox And Addington, ON
Mr. Speaker, this year the 85th International Plowing Match and Machinery Show, IPM '98, will be held in Sunbury near Kingston in my riding of Hastings—Frontenac—Lennox and Addington from September 15 to September 19.
This is the largest outdoor agricultural exhibition in North America. The theme for the five day event is “Quality Living, a partnership” which points to the interdependence between urban and rural communities.
More than 125,000 people are expected to view the approximately 1,000 exhibits ranging from farm, gardening and recreational equipment to antiques, educational displays, crafts, magnificent farm animals, demonstrations, and live country music.
Plowers from age 7 to 70 will take part. In addition to the regular classes, this match will also feature the Canadian Plowing Championship. I particularly like the federal-provincial plowing competition for elected officials.
Mr. Speaker and honoured colleagues, I throw down the gauntlet and challenge you to pit yourselves and your furrows against me in September and help make IPM '98 a great success.
Gurmant Grewal Reform Surrey Central, BC
Mr. Speaker, today the Reform Party of Canada begins its second year as Her Majesty's loyal official opposition. We will continue to hold the Liberals accountable for their mismanagement. The Liberals use closure to debate and prevent free votes. Many MPs only look through the lens of political stripes, not the lens of issues. Partisan politics is applied to compensation for hep C victims, Senate reform, rebalancing Confederation, the CPP and the YOA.
Debate is about sharing and listening to different viewpoints. Yet the official opposition has to regularly call for quorum forcing Liberal members to participate in debate.
Canadians are getting value for money from Reform MPs because our performance springs from true grassroots democracy as demonstrated at our London assembly.
Let us work together and make Canada a better place.
Brenda Chamberlain Liberal Guelph—Wellington, ON
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister's awards for teaching excellence began five years ago to honour science, technology and mathematics teachers.
The award recipients come from all parts of Canada. I am delighted that one of our own teachers in Guelph—Wellington is an award winner.
I would like to extend special congratulations to Ms. Patricia Bell who was awarded a certificate of excellence by our Prime Minister for her teaching excellence. Ms. Bell is a Latin teacher at Centennial Collegiate and Vocational Institute in Guelph. A sign on her classroom wall reads “Latin is more than a language”. She encourages activities that highlight the relevance of Latin today.
Guelph—Wellington is the best place to live in Canada because of teachers like Ms. Bell. Ms. Bell, your contributions are truly appreciated. Guelph—Wellington is really proud of you.
Yvon Charbonneau Liberal Anjou—Rivière-Des-Prairies, QC
Mr. Speaker, on Environment Week in Canada, I wish to acknowledge the work of environmental groups and the contribution of pollution control industries.
Environmental groups have remarkable expertise and offer very relevant suggestions, which may be useful to governments, industry and the public in making decisions.
In addition, tens of thousands of people in the environmental industry work on a daily basis to clean up our environment and to develop strategies and technologies aimed at cleaning up the mess or, better yet, at preventing pollution and protecting our biodiversity.
Since this week is Environment Week—and tomorrow UN World Environment Day—I as a parliamentarian would like to commend all the people who, as volunteers or employees, make every week Environment Week and every day Environment Day.
Karen Redman Liberal Kitchener Centre, ON
Mr. Speaker, entrepreneurship is growing. It is flourishing among Canada's youth. During the past week there were two events involving Kitchener Centre which demonstrated this fact.
Team 5 founded by Kitchener residents Abhi Ahluwalia, Arvinder Ahluwalia and Way Tang received the Students In Free Enterprise of Canada first prize for the wholesale distribution category in the 1997-98 National Business Plan Competition for Young Entrepreneurs, as well as the Spirit of Entrepreneurship award at a ceremony here in Ottawa last Thursday.
Team 5 creates and distributes a unique line of message clothing and accessories promoting equality, justice, respect and wellness.
In addition to receiving a number of noteworthy awards, their innovative idea has also provided them with the opportunity to meet Her Majesty the Queen.
In Kitchener this past weekend I along with the hon. Ethel Blondin-Andrew had the opportunity to participate—
Young EntrepreneursStatements By Members
The Speaker
Colleagues I would just remind you that we should not use each other's names while we are in the House. The hon. member for Nanaimo—Alberni.
Bill Gilmour Reform Nanaimo—Alberni, BC
Mr. Speaker, once again our upper chamber has made a case for Senate reform.
Yesterday the supreme court convicted a Tory senator for influence peddling. Next week this Mulroney appointee will be sentenced and faces up to five years in prison.
The Constitution Act, 1867 lays the foundation for the resignation of this senator. The Criminal Code calls for resignation if he is convicted for more than two years in prison.
We should take note it took the supreme court to hold this wayward senator accountable. Now it is up to the Senate or the senator himself to act responsibly and do the honourable thing which is to resign.
Should the senator not resign, the Senate has only one option and that is to deal with the senator's criminal conviction. Canadians do not want a senator from prison any more than they want a senator from Mexico. So resign, Senator Cogger, and resign now.
Steve Mahoney Liberal Mississauga West, ON
Mr. Speaker, the Reform Party is worried about its dropping membership numbers and the impact it will have on its ability to fundraise. This is at a time when it is supposed to be attracting busloads of new members to its so-called united alternative campaign.
But fear not. At its convention last week the party announced a bold new strategy to address this problem. Just like K-Tel records, Reform is offering free giveaways to entice Canadians to join the party.
Buy three memberships and get an additional one absolutely free. Even better, Reform says “Act now and we will give you discounts for a stay at the Travelodge or a free trial subscription to an open-minded publication like Alberta Report ”.
I can only imagine what is next. Buy a Reform membership and get a free Ginsu steak knife or a can of spray-on hair, or maybe a copy of the Reform Party platform entitled “Hits of the Fifties”.
The Reform Party will soon realize that gimmicks do not sell—
Guy St-Julien Liberal Abitibi, QC
Mr. Speaker, for months now, the Bloc Quebecois member for Témiscamingue has been secretly touring the Canadian provinces with Reform members. The Bloc Quebecois member for Témiscamingue is in favour of bringing their two parties closer together.
Today, the people of Abitibi—Témiscamingue are starting to realize that there is a double agent in the Bloc Quebecois.
It seems to me that this member is trying to follow in the footsteps of former agent Claude Morin.
Jason Kenney Reform Calgary Southeast, AB
Mr. Speaker, tomorrow marks the ninth anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre.
On the night of June 3, 1989 the Communist People's Liberation Army surrounded students and workers rallying peacefully for democracy in Tiananmen Square. In the early hours of June 4, troops and police opened fire. Tanks rolled in. Armour-piercing bullets tore through human flesh.
Three thousand died that morning. Hundreds of young people who were arrested are still being held in Beijing's brutal prisons today.
On this anniversary the Chinese people demand a new China, a democratic China with a free press, a China that respects human dignity. But their voice is stifled as more dissidents are arrested every week.
Pathetically the Chinese communist government said today that the massacre of pro-democracy students at Tiananmen was a correct conclusion and that there is no need to reassess the issue.
Let us never forget the brave young people and workers who died and those who are still in prison for no crime except for expressing their belief in democracy.
Yves Rocheleau Bloc Trois-Rivières, QC
Mr. Speaker, more than 225 workers in the Mauricie region have forwarded a petition to me in which they call for the federal government, which is acting in a manner prejudicial to them, to increase the maximum insurable earnings for EI to $49,750.
These same workers describe as discriminatory the provisions in the bill concerning the number of weeks of regular benefits accumulated since June 30, 1996 as well as those imposing a 1% penalty each time they reapply.
In the text accompanying the petition, they state as follows: “We do not go on employment insurance by choice—we do not choose to lose our jobs, yet you penalize us still further—as if we had a choice— You are committing genocide on the middle classes, and taking away from others any hope of improving their lot”.
The petitioners rightly point out as well that there is a whole family behind every signature.
Joe Jordan Liberal Leeds—Grenville, ON
Mr. Speaker, the Reform-separatist alliance seems to be moving ahead now. The meetings between the Bloc and Reform MPs have been officially endorsed by Lucien Bouchard. Who knows, if this courtship period is successful, we might see the creation of a brand new party. The Re-Bloc comes to mind.
What is entirely clear is that if this is the Reform's idea of how a united alternative will work, then it already appears to be falling apart.
As one commentator put it “It is extremely unwise for a federalist party to say it wants to attract separatists or sovereigntists whether they are called hard or soft”. This comment was made by none other than Stephen Harper who used to be a Reform MP. Perhaps he foresaw the desperate lengths that his former leader would go to to try to become Prime Minister.
Canadians rejected this scheme when Brian Mulroney and the Progressive Conservatives tried it and they will reject the Reform-Bloc coalition just as quickly.
Maurice Godin Bloc Châteauguay, QC
Mr. Speaker, last May I took part in the 55th anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic, accompanied by other parliamentarians and Canadian navy and air force veterans.
The Battle of the Atlantic was the longest and most important naval campaign of the entire war. Great Britain's survival and the liberation of Europe depended on the supply convoys of the merchant marine, protected from marauding enemy submarines by the Canadian navy.
This battle was costly in Canadian lives: 2,024 lives lost, including 752 Royal Canadian Air Force members and 1,200 merchant mariners.
I salute the courage and determination of these veterans and thank them on behalf of us all. We shall always remember them.
Rick Laliberte NDP Churchill River, SK
Mr. Speaker, the National Forum on Climate Change reports many immediate steps can and should be taken to respond to the Kyoto commitment and to address the issue of climate change.
The contribution of these distinguished Canadians, Order of Canada recipients, are to be congratulated. They have studied the issue and reached a decision: act now.
The commissioner for the environment's annual report described the Liberal government's failing grade on the environment and especially in the climate change commitments. The report included references to a lack of leadership and political will. The lack of action on climate change could be disastrous.
The finance minister stated yesterday that the environment is very important. As the environment commissioner said, lots of talk, but little action.
Canadians are fed up with the Liberal environment failures on CEPA enforcement, climate change, harmonization, pesticides, POPs. As Canada's distinguished citizens stated today, enough talk, more action, act now.
David Price Progressive Conservative Compton—Stanstead, QC
Mr. Speaker, the Reform Party has finally come out of the closet. It wants Quebec out of Canada.
Canadians knew that Reform's leader could never be Prime Minister of a Canada that included Quebec. He does not have the support. Now by working with the separatists he has made it clear. Becoming Prime Minister of a rump Canada that has no Quebec is more important to Reform's leader than taking measures to keep Canada whole.
To be sure, Reform's leader has the approval of none other than Lucien Bouchard who called Reform's plans one of the most positive proposals in years. When Bouchard says an idea is positive, we know what he means: a step closer to an independent Quebec.
When Reform has allies like Bouchard, it is clear they are working together to break up Canada.
Marlene Jennings Liberal Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine, QC
Mr. Speaker, it is now official: Lucien Bouchard has approved a Reform-Sovereignist alliance.
Here is the constitutional menu for this evening.
The appetizer will be Sovereign-Reform membership cards; the main dish, constitutional cookies with green and blue chips, in which not even Mr. Christie would be interested; a salad with Reform vinegar dressing; but no meat to sink your teeth into, because the plan lacks any content.
And the masters of ceremony are none other than the internationally renowned comedians Preston Duceppe and Gilles Manning.
Bloc QuebecoisStatements By Members
The Speaker
Once again, I would ask all my colleagues not to use members' names in the House.
Preston Manning ReformLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, when the largest service contract ever awarded by the Canadian government was given to the Prime Minister's favourite company, then the government's contracting guidelines should have been followed to the letter, but they were not. There were no competitive bids, there was no public notice and the government refuses to answer access to information requests.
My question for Bombardier's favourite relative is this. If the deal was so good on its own merits, why did the government find it necessary to bend the contracting rules?
Jean Chrétien LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, this contract had been discussed and everyone had knowledge of it.
In fact, yesterday Don Chynoweth, the director of business affairs of Frontec Corporation of Edmonton, said “We have kept the Reform Party informed of this for three and a half years. The former Reform member of parliament responsible for Moose Jaw up until the last election”, who is presently the member of parliament for Blackstrap, “was more than involved in it and more than encouraging to us, as we were keeping him briefed”.
For years they were informed and now they are complaining.
Preston Manning ReformLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, it is the taxpayer who has the right to see the information exchanged between the government and Bombardier that led to an unsolicited, untendered and unadvertised $2.85 billion contract.
It has been seven months since the official opposition formally requested the government to disclose how this contract was arrived at. We have repeated this request every month since then and all we got was a worthless verbal briefing from the government.
If this deal is really as clean as the Prime Minister says it is, why has he been suppressing the relevant documentation on this deal?
Jean Chrétien LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, we have absolutely nothing to hide. Perhaps I will keep reading from this well informed person.
He said “By Reform putting forward the notion that it should have been tendered, I guess what they are saying is perhaps they wanted it in a foreign company's hands because there was no other Canadian consortium or company that was interested or capable of pulling this together”.
This is a western company which wanted to work with the Canadian government to make sure the Moose Jaw base was kept open.
Preston Manning ReformLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, if what the Prime Minister says is true, if this deal is really that beneficial to Canadians, then the Prime Minister should have no difficulty at all in proving that point to the House. All he has to do is lay before the House the documents that show how this contract was arrived at and how it led to this $2.85 billion deal.
Why does the Prime Minister not back up his claims that this is a great thing by tabling in the House the documents, not excuses, that will prove his point?
Jean Chrétien LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, I know the Minister of National Defence and the Minister of Public Works and Government Services are willing to give all of the information that they should already know because they were part of the deal, through their members of parliament.
I know the problem of the Leader of the Opposition. He wants to talk about something else because he has had quite a year.
First he moved to Stornoway. Then he jumped into bed with Lucien Bouchard. Now we should check his feet to see if he is wearing Guccis.