House of Commons Hansard #116 of the 36th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was senate.

Topics

Pension Benefits Standards Act, 1985Government Orders

10:55 a.m.

The Deputy Speaker

Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?

Pension Benefits Standards Act, 1985Government Orders

10:55 a.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

Pension Benefits Standards Act, 1985Government Orders

10:55 a.m.

An hon. member

On division.

(Motion agreed to)

Pension Benefits Standards Act, 1985Government Orders

10:55 a.m.

NDP

Bill Blaikie NDP Winnipeg—Transcona, MB

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I am not sure exactly what happened but it was our intention to move and to speak to amendments at report stage. That did not happen and you moved very quickly to concurrence.

The member for Churchill was intending to speak to the motion for concurrence. Things are moving ahead very rapidly and without the full consent of the House.

Pension Benefits Standards Act, 1985Government Orders

10:55 a.m.

The Deputy Speaker

There is not a matter of consent. The motion for concurrence is not a debatable motion. I was required by the rules to put the motion to the House. I did so. The motion is put and carried.

The question is when will the bill be read the third time. Since it can be read now, if that is the desire of the House, we will deal with it now. The hon. member for Churchill will have an opportunity to speak on the bill at third reading.

When shall the bill be read the third time? By leave, now?

Pension Benefits Standards Act, 1985Government Orders

10:55 a.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

Pension Benefits Standards Act, 1985Government Orders

10:55 a.m.

Ottawa South Ontario

Liberal

John Manley Liberalfor the Secretary of State (International Financial Institutions)

moved that the bill be read the third time and passed.

Pension Benefits Standards Act, 1985Government Orders

10:55 a.m.

The Deputy Speaker

We are now on debate at third reading, but it being 10.58 a.m., the first speaker can wait until after question period.

CancerStatements By Members

10:55 a.m.

Liberal

George Proud Liberal Hillsborough, PE

Mr. Speaker, I remind the House that Sunday, June 7 is national cancer survivors day in Canada.

As my colleagues may be aware, one in three Canadians will be diagnosed this year. Sometimes it seems like that rate is even higher in P.E.I. I have too often seen the intense suffering cancer inflicts on its victims but today, thanks to improved detection methods, more available information and enhanced methods of treatment, more than half of all people with cancer will survive the disease.

The Canadian Cancer Society is planning activities to elevate the importance and profile of this day throughout Canada. I encourage everyone to celebrate life, honour our survivors and recognize the important role of others in the lives of survivors.

I commend the Canadian Cancer Society for its continuing work in helping combat cancer and raise public awareness of this devastating disease.

The SenateStatements By Members

10:55 a.m.

Reform

Gurmant Grewal Reform Surrey Central, BC

Mr. Speaker, the Senate is not accountable because senators are not elected.

Eighty-four percent of British Columbians want elected senators. Provincial representation in the Senate is unequal and we know that the Senate is not effective.

The other day the Prime Minister said that the Senate abides by its own rules and manages itself. The Prime Minister only knows who to appoint to the Senate and then he forgets how to manage them. He said he would reform the Senate, but he is not doing that.

We need to change the Senate. Otherwise its downward slide will continue. The Prime Minister is letting the Senate continue its downward slide. Shame on the Prime Minister for talking the talk, but not walking the walk. Shame on the government for doing nothing to reform the Senate. Shame on the Liberals for allowing the Senate to continue its downward slide.

The Ottawa RiverStatements By Members

11 a.m.

Liberal

David Pratt Liberal Nepean—Carleton, ON

Mr. Speaker, for thousands of years the Ottawa River was the primary transportation route to the Canadian interior. Long before the arrival of the white man, our aboriginal people understood its importance. In fact, the Algonquins controlled the river for many years and exacted tolls from those using it. It is likely that Etienne Brûlé was the first European to travel the river in 1610, followed by Samuel de Champlain in 1613.

Today a group of individuals no less visionary than our aboriginal peoples and the early explorers is seeking to open up the Ottawa River to navigation from Lake Temiskaming to the St. Lawrence. Two phases which open the upper reaches of the river have already been completed by the Ottawa River Navigable Waterway Corporation. The final phase between the Chaudière Falls and Lac Deschênes is the only stretch of the river that remains to be opened.

There is tremendous potential for jobs and economic development along the Ottawa River. I would like to urge the federal government to work with this non-profit corporation to initiate a feasibility study to determine the economic costs and benefits of constructing a bypass system or a lock system to permit the navigation of small craft on the Ottawa River.

Brooklin Spring FairStatements By Members

11 a.m.

Liberal

Judi Longfield Liberal Whitby—Ajax, ON

Mr. Speaker, the Brooklin Spring Fair, initiated in 1911 and held the first weekend in June, holds very special significance for the historic village of Brooklin in my riding.

Traditional events that are held over four days form the backbone of the fair. On Thursday exhibits are placed in the arena to be judged in the home craft section. Main events include a children's pony show, opening ceremonies and the ambassador of the fair competition. Friday unleashes the excitement of the midway for children's day, followed by the roar of the truck and tractor pull. Saturday features a parade, horse shows, livestock competitions and an action packed demolition derby. The final day of the fair incorporates the sheep show, car show and harness horse racing.

The remarkable success and longevity of the Brooklin Spring Fair can be attributed to the effort and dedication of many individuals. The variety of the events displayed at the fair ensures a bright future for one of Canada's oldest fairs.

Canadian NursesStatements By Members

11 a.m.

Liberal

Mac Harb Liberal Ottawa Centre, ON

Mr. Speaker, Canadians have a great deal to offer the world. Just look at the Canadian Nurses Association and the excellent work it is doing in developing countries.

Following CIDA's mandate to strengthen civil society organizations and satisfy basic needs, Canadian nurses have provided assistance to 25 developing countries over the past 15 years. Projects range from promoting the professional development of nurses to encouraging nurses to take a leadership role in the primary health care of the community.

I would like to congratulate Jane MacDonald, a health educator from the Centretown Community Health Centre, for her work in Ecuador. As well, I would like to congratulate Janet Mann and Anne-Marie Lanctôt for their dedication to strengthening the role of nurses in Ethiopia.

I join with my colleagues to thank every Canadian who has volunteered their time and expertise in helping those in need around the world. Congratulations on a job well done.

DelgamuukwStatements By Members

11 a.m.

Reform

Philip Mayfield Reform Cariboo—Chilcotin, BC

Mr. Speaker, the Supreme Court of Canada's Delgamuukw decision will have a long lasting and far-reaching impact on British Columbia.

Section 13 of the British Columbia terms of union laid out that the federal government was responsible for “The charge of Indians”. In 1924 the federal government, through an order in council, stated that the province had successfully completed all the requirements under this section.

One constitutional expert goes to the very heart of Delgamuukw by saying “This court decision goes to the very question of B.C.'s sovereignty and the right of its government to conduct its publics affairs”. With the provincial government's hands tied and the federal government's unwillingness to take responsibility, combined with the Supreme Court of Canada's activist approach, a solution does not appear to be close at hand.

British Columbians must insist that the federal government accept its legal responsibility and the cost of reaching a permanent solution with all B.C. aboriginal people and, if necessary, offer a legislated solution to the legal mess that the Supreme Court has thrown us into.

NunavutStatements By Members

11:05 a.m.

Liberal

Nancy Karetak-Lindell Liberal Nunavut, NU

Mr. Speaker, today's article in the Globe and Mail highlights the dire situation in Nunavut. All the statistics are true. We do have uncommonly high rates of substance abuse, high rates of unemployment and, yes, high rates of suicide.

However, on Tuesday this House voted with a resounding majority to take the first steps to rectify these problems. Bill C-39 is part of a new beginning in Nunavut. It is going to be part of the solution. The answer lies with the people of Nunavut who will form their new government and begin to reshape their lives.

What we have before us is an opportunity, an opportunity we can be optimistic or pessimistic about. I choose to be optimistic.

We are asking fellow Canadians to give us a chance to get to the batter's mound and not strike us out before we even get there.

Colonel F. G. NoseworthyStatements By Members

11:05 a.m.

Liberal

Gerry Byrne Liberal Humber—St. Barbe—Baie Verte, NL

Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House this morning to congratulate a native of Corner Brook, Newfoundland, a very honourable and noteworthy individual, Colonel F. G. Noseworthy, who is a member of my riding of Humber—St. Barbe—Baie Verte.

Mr. Noseworthy received the Order of Military Merit at an investiture ceremony that was presided over by Governor General Roméo LeBlanc on May 29, 1998.

The Order of Military Merit was created over 35 years ago to recognize meritorious service and devotion to duty by members of the Canadian forces. Mr. Noseworthy has been with the military engineering branch of the Canadian forces for over 29 years. It is my pleasure to congratulate him on such a great accomplishment.

Mr. Noseworthy was cited for his hard work. He excelled as a staff planner at both national and international levels, including as chief of staff of the 12 nation European community monitoring mission.

His competence and professionalism have not only been noted, they have now been recognized by such a prestigious award. Congratulations to Mr. Noseworthy.

CrtcStatements By Members

11:05 a.m.

Reform

Deepak Obhrai Reform Calgary East, AB

Mr. Speaker, the CRTC continues to make decisions which go against the will of Canadians.

The most recent ruling of the CRTC calls for an increase in Canadian content on Canada's radio stations, despite the fact that both the Canadian people and the radio industry oppose any such changes. Poll after poll indicates that Canadians are happy with 20% to 25% Canadian content on radio.

What did the CRTC decide to do? It raised the level to 35%, despite the fact that broadcasters are already having a hard time finding Canadian programming.

I had the opportunity to question the chair of the CRTC on this issue. Her answers were vague and hidden behind cultural objectives that the Liberals want to force upon the Canadian people.

The bottom line is that Canadians are masters of their own homes and are quite capable of making their own decisions. Therefore, I call upon the CRTC to reconsider its decision.

Community Access ProgramStatements By Members

11:05 a.m.

Liberal

Bernard Patry Liberal Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC

Mr. Speaker, on Monday, June 1, I was pleased to represent the hon. Minister of Industry at the opening of “L'@venue”, a pilot project of the community access program in an urban setting, in Montreal.

There were more than 150 people in attendance, including representatives from the media, municipal, provincial and federal governments, as well as key partners from the private sector, like Videotron and the Bank of Montreal.

I talked about the role of the federal government in the development of the information highway, through the community access program.

This pilot project is important, not only because it allows the community to profit from the socio-economic advantages of the knowledge-based economy, but also because disadvantaged young Montrealers will be able to acquire profitable skills and experience, and thereby improve their future job opportunities.

I would like to congratulate all the partners in this important project and to offer my best wishes of success to all CAP sites in Canada.

The EnvironmentStatements By Members

11:05 a.m.

NDP

Louise Hardy NDP Yukon, YT

Mr. Speaker, there is a long and sad history of environmental neglect in the north. For 67 years the Dene people of Daline have suffered and died because of radioactive contamination on their traditional lands and they need help now.

The Marwell tar pit in Whitehorse has been leaking toxic wastes into the environment for over 50 years. A man was even trapped and died there.

The federal government collects money for land reclamation and reforestation, yet no money goes back.

It takes 200 to 700 years to grow a tree in the north. The government approved the cut of over 200,000 hectares and only 4,000 have been replanted, and that is because of the efforts of students in the north.

There are abandoned military sites all over the north and if the departments of defence, Indian and northern affairs and the environment value the people and the land of the north this would never have happened. At the very least it would have been cleaned up.

If the Minister of Finance is serious about the environment there is ample opportunity to prove it.

Human RightsStatements By Members

11:10 a.m.

Bloc

Réal Ménard Bloc Hochelaga—Maisonneuve, QC

Mr. Speaker, EGALE, a group promoting equality for gays, lesbians and bisexuals, is undertaking a survey on the condition of homosexuals among over 40,000 Canadians.

No one can dispute that lesbians, gays and bisexuals live unique experiences and share particular problems. This survey is the first systematic attempt to collect scientific data that should give us a better knowledge of these communities across the country.

Through this survey, participants are being asked to take action for equality, tolerance, openmindedness and mutual respect.

To conduct the survey, EGALE obtained the co-operation of the Department of Justice and the Canadian Human Rights Commission and two of is prominent analysts, Stephen Samis and Sandra Goundry.

I wish them well and at the same time I invite Canadians to contribute to the success of this operation.

House Of CommonsStatements By Members

June 5th, 1998 / 11:10 a.m.

Liberal

Sheila Finestone Liberal Mount Royal, QC

Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate the 50th anniversaries of both the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights and the founding of the State of Israel I would like to thank the government House leader and the House leaders of all parties for taking a principled stand on the issue of the holocaust denial.

Yesterday all parties in the House of Commons took this important stance against Mr. Ernst Zundel. He is an active and vicious anti-Semite, as well as one of the world's largest publishers of anti-Semitic and neo-Nazi publications.

In denying him admittance to the precincts of the House of Commons this House's unanimous decision has paid respect to those who perished in acts too horrible to describe, as well as to those who are living witnesses to the atrocities of the holocaust.

We must continue to counter this hateful, repugnant revision of history and remember the inhumanity of the holocaust. Mr. Zundel and his kind do not reflect Canada, its people or its values.

Northern IrelandStatements By Members

11:10 a.m.

Progressive Conservative

Peter MacKay Progressive Conservative Pictou—Antigonish—Guysborough, NS

Mr. Speaker, on good Friday, May 22 of this year, the people of both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland voted overwhelmingly in support of a peace accord.

We in this House should salute this spirit of compromise. It clearly prevailed in the hearts and minds of the people of Northern Ireland, be they Protestant or Catholic. They managed to set aside centuries of bloody conflict and endeavoured to reconcile their differences through the fine art of compromise.

Once referred to as a “terrible beauty”, Northern Ireland is now well poised to take its rightful place in the international community, free from the sectarian hatred and division that has so pervaded the past 30 years of trouble.

We in this House, regardless of political affiliation, should follow this lesson of historic agreement: that the politics of division and exclusion is destructive and that the politics of reconciliation is the most effective means to building bridges across divided communities.

Indeed, examples of what the Irish poet Yeats termed the “indomitable Irishry” can be found in the contributions of Irish immigrants to Canada like Samuel McFall of Carrickfergus and Damian Curley of Galway.

Let us hope and pray that the honourable compromise reached in Northern Ireland holds true and that peace “comes dropping” quickly and remains victorious.

The Reform PartyStatements By Members

11:10 a.m.

Liberal

Paul Devillers Liberal Simcoe North, ON

Mr. Speaker, Canadians will savour the irony of the Reform Party's efforts to form an alliance with the only federal political party that seeks to separate Quebec from the rest of Canada, and this coming from the party that attempted to make it a point of honour to defend the Canadian flag in the House of Commons.

Canadians deplore the politically motivated efforts at rapprochement initiated by the Reform Party. This rapprochement will fool no one. Canadians will see it for what it is, a disguised attempt by Reform to increase its political base outside of western Canada.

Similarly, Canadians will not be fooled by the purely political manoeuvres of the Parti Quebecois and the Bloc Quebecois in .

These parties know very well that they cannot hope to sell the idea of a separate Quebec without promising political and economic partnership with the rest of Canada.

Human RightsStatements By Members

11:10 a.m.

Reform

John Reynolds Reform West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast, BC

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the member for Brampton West—Mississauga admonished me, my party and the premier of Ontario for our concern for the safety and human rights of Canadians.

We have misgivings regarding the granting of refugee status to Canada of eight individuals, including a hijacker, currently held in an Israeli jail.

What the member and chair of the subcommittee on human rights neglected to tell the House is that these eight pillars of virtue have been turned down by every other country where they have sought refugee status. What she neglected to tell us is that these eight have been termed a national security risk to the state of Israel.

Charity begins at home and so do human rights and the right to feel safe. Do these eight inspire in anyone a feeling of safety and security for Canadians?

Yesterday I reflected on a picture in my office of Nelson Mandela and me. I will be writing Mr. Mandela a letter of apology in the event that he hears that the member for Brampton West—Mississauga compared him to the group of eight in an Israeli jail. I hope the member will apologize personally to the premier of Ontario for her remarks.

Government ContractsOral Question Period

11:15 a.m.

Reform

Jim Hart Reform Okanagan—Coquihalla, BC

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the government admitted that it fudged the procurement rules by awarding a half billion dollar contract to Frontec Corporation without allowing Frontec's competitors to bid.

When this was revealed the government's response was it froze the deal with Frontec Corporation. The official opposition has been asking about the $2.85 billion sole source contract to Bombardier.

When will the Minister of Public Works and Government Services freeze that contract as well in favour of an open bidding process?