Debates of June 9th, 1998

Supply

[Howard Hilstrom, Reform, Selkirk—Interlake, MB]

Madam Speaker, all this back slapping and patting on the back is really great. It is nice to hear. Everyone in here is of course a great parliamentarian. I would like to keep things in perspective however.

The member was speaking for some length about gun control. My recollection of a lot of history of the gun control issue is that Bill C-17 was simply the first step in a long progression that led to the gun control we see today.

I recall that when the vote came down, the Conservative caucus, in the Senate in particular that certain senators voted in favour of the gun legislation bill. I would like the member to comment on that because the veracity of the truth of his words has to be seen in the context of the whole picture if we are to believe that on this issue. We are also waiting for ex-parliamentarian Jean Charest to make his first comments from Quebec on that issue.

Has the member any comments on that?

[Peter MacKay, Progressive Conservative, Pictou—Antigonish—Guysborough, NS]

Madam Speaker, I do appreciate the question and the opportunity to answer it.

I know the hon. member himself a former police officer has been very involved in the law enforcement community. I suspect he would be very reticent to suggest that anyone in this House is against gun control or the safe use of firearms.

Bill C-17 as I said in my remarks is the most substantive piece of legislation aimed at the safe handling of firearms and the safe storage of firearms. That is completely different, completely outside the parameters of what Bill C-68 does.

I do want to correct an inaccuracy. The Conservative senators did work in a very substantive way to see that Bill C-68 was not passed. It has never been a derivation from our platform that we did not feel that the registry of long guns was a complete waste of money and it was something that was not necessary. In terms of priorities in the area of justice, it certainly should not be a high priority and it certainly should not be a legislative initiative that is going to cost hundreds of millions of dollars which is what is coming to light. Perhaps it could be a billion dollars before this is over.

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

I have been made the honorary chair of the rifle association because of our stand on it.

[Peter MacKay, Progressive Conservative, Pictou—Antigonish—Guysborough, NS]

I do not mean to sound alarmist but this is the scope of this legislation. And the interim leader of the Conservative Party is the honorary chair of the rifle association. I know her personally to be a very straight shooter.

I appreciate the question and I look forward to further debate on this issue.

[Joe Jordan, Liberal, Leeds—Grenville, ON]

Madam Speaker, I do not have a question but I feel obliged to break up this Woodstock Tory love-in that is going on over there.

I am sure the member had a lot of experience with this in his former capacity. I spent a couple of years working in Europe where there is a zero tolerance for impaired driving to the point where police are able to require blood tests when they pull someone over. It is not .08, it is zero. The argument is that one of the things that happens when you drink is that your judgment is impaired so why do we not set the bar at zero? Does the member or his party have an opinion on that?

[Peter MacKay, Progressive Conservative, Pictou—Antigonish—Guysborough, NS]

Madam Speaker, I thank my friend for that question. When it comes to impaired judgment, his government has certainly led the way.

With respect to the specifics of his question, the blood alcohol level has been lowered to point zero in a number of countries in Europe. I believe Australia has gone to a zero tolerance with respect to alcohol consumption. The Conservative Party is not suggesting that, although it is certainly something that would deserve a great deal of debate. We are suggesting and I have put the initiative forward that we should consider lowering it to .05. I know that Conservative governments in Manitoba and Ontario are also considering making this change to their provincial legislation.

It is something that is currently before the justice committee. We will be getting into the area of impaired driving in the fall. I hope it will be on the legislative agenda sometime shortly after we get it at committee. I look forward to the hon. member's participation in the debate.

[John Williams, Reform, St. Albert, AB]

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to rise on this last allotted say to talk about the estimates. Unfortunately it is a sham we go through in the House of Commons each and every year. We pretend to debate one of the most important things that affects all Canadians, the amount of taxes they have to pay and how that money is spent.

According to the estimates for this year, we are going to spend $145,460,380,000. We would think one of the most paramount responsibilities of this place is to talk about how we are going to spend that monstrous amount of cash and to make sure it is for the benefit of all Canadians. The first thing is that the rules prevent us from speaking about most of the money. We can only speak about $42,422,644,000 because the rest being over $103 billion is approved by statute, we are not able to speak on it.

[The Speaker]

My dear colleague you have just set the stage with $42 billion. That will keep you going for a little while. It is almost two o'clock so we will proceed to Statements by Members. Of course the member will have the floor when we go back to the debate.

Teaching Excellence Awards

[Elinor Caplan, Liberal, Thornhill, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Stavros Naxakis and Penny McLeod, two teachers from the riding of Thornhill who have been awarded the Prime Minister's Award for Teaching Excellence.

Dr. Stavros Naxakis is a chemistry and physics teacher at Vaughan Secondary School. Under his guidance Vaughan students consistently score in the top five percentage in an international chemistry contest, the University of Waterloo's Chem 13 News Contest.

Penny McLeod is a chemistry teacher at Thornhill Secondary School. She has spent 25 years developing new ideas for teaching her students. She recently has brought an integrated curriculum and new technologies to her teaching. Ms. McLeod has helped her gifted students excel and is also commended by her colleagues for her determination in seeing weaker students succeed.

On behalf of the students, the parents and all my constituents of Thornhill, I would like to congratulate these two outstanding teachers and thank them for their commitment to excellence.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police

[Jake Hoeppner, Reform, Portage—Lisgar, MB]

Mr. Speaker, RCMP agent John McKay was murdered earlier this year on a road near his home in Erickson, Manitoba after he had reported several death threats to the RCMP.

The solicitor general might be interested to know that Mr. McKay was contracted for $250,000 to act as a paid RCMP agent. While Mr. McKay signed an agreement in 1995 stipulating he would not be relocated or receive protective measures, the RCMP and the justice system had an obvious interest in protecting Mr. McKay.

I urge the solicitor general to investigate what appears to be gross negligence and to determine why a paid agent would be given the option of waiving protection in the first place, as well as to determine why the RCMP did not provide protection.

It is of utmost importance that the solicitor general initiate an immediate public judicial inquiry into this serious matter.

Optimist Club Of Brampton

[Colleen Beaumier, Liberal, Brampton West—Mississauga, ON]

Mr. Speaker, on Saturday, June 6 Optimists from around the world celebrated Optimists in action for a better day. Each club planned an event unique to its own community. Whether it was tree planting, bike rodeo, a simple get together or a gala event, Optimists reflected on past and future goals.

For the Optimist Club of Brampton this was its fourth annual event with the motto “Friend of Youth”. Optimists strive to set a positive example for youth. This year their main goals are to recognize the achievement of youth and the organizations that support the development of youth in our community.

I hope members will join me in offering my best wishes for continued success to the organizers and participants of Optimists in action day.

Schizophrenia

[Bill Graham, Liberal, Toronto Centre—Rosedale, ON]

Mr. Speaker, schizophrenia is a devastating illness which has severe mental, physical and emotional consequences not only for those who suffer but for their families, friends and for society in general. Their suffering is made worse by the social stigma which sadly still attaches to people with mental illness. Approximately one out of one hundred Canadians will suffer from this disease in their lifetime.

Because schizophrenia often causes a lifetime of mental and physical health problems, the treatment costs to society are exorbitant, and because schizophrenics tend to have poor employment prospects, decades of productivity are lost for each patient, which just adds to the very high costs borne by society.

Schizophrenia causes acute suffering, increased homelessness and chronic unemployment. It is essential that more resources be allocated to research so that a cure may be found for this terrible disease.

Richard Ivey Family

[Sue Barnes, Liberal, London West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the greater Toronto chapter of the National Society of Fund Raising Executives recently honoured the Richard Ivey family with the outstanding philanthropist award.

The Richard Ivey family name is synonymous with service and generosity. It is best known in London, Ontario for its generous gifts in support of the arts, community services, major donations to health care and research and its connections to the University of Western Ontario.

Over the years the Richard Ivey family has donated over $40 million to the University of Western Ontario alone, including an unprecedented $11 million to the business school in 1985.

Thanks to the generosity of the Ivey family the lives of many Canadians have been enriched. I recognize the Richard Ivey family not only for its contribution to the city of London and its inhabitants but for its contribution to Canadian society.

The Senate

[Keith Martin, Reform, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca, BC]

Mr. Speaker, let us take a look at the chamber of sober second thought. What is supposed to be an effective check and balance to the House of Commons has decayed into an institution with little credibility left in the eyes of the Canadian public.

Why is this? Could it be because of the embarrassment some senators place on themselves, one living in Mexico, another convicted of influence peddling?

The best solution to restoring the honour of the upper chamber is to have senators elected. This would enable the good hardworking senators to stay and get rid of those who are simply there for the ride. It would invigorate the sleeping hollow Senate and make it an active and vigorous place.

Support for an elected Senate is overwhelming; 84% of British Columbians, 91% of Albertans, all want their senators elected. It is time the Prime Minister stopped using the Senate as a resting place, a landing pad for his friends. He must do the right thing. Canadians want value for their tax dollars. They want a democracy. They want an elected Senate.

National Capital Commission

[Eugène Bellemare, Liberal, Carleton—Gloucester, ON]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the chairman of the National Capital Commission unveiled his vision of a elegant capital for the new millennium. His vision for Canada's capital region is a challenge to us for the new millennium.

Marcel Beaudry's vision would see the opening of the waterways on both sides of the Ottawa River for all Canadians to enjoy.

A half century after visionary planner Jacques Gréber produced a master plan for Canada's capital, we now would see a new vista open up on to Parliament Hill. A world class boulevard would be developed in the core of the capital, creating a spectacular view of the Peace Tower.

I applaud this vision proposed to us by the NCC for a National Capital Region we can be even more proud of.

Drummondville

[Pauline Picard, Bloc, Drummond, QC]

Mr. Speaker, L'Actualité magazine recently described the Drummond area as an economic engine of Quebec, and once again the figures are proving it right.

For the sixth consecutive year, more than 1,000 jobs have been created in this region.

The last annual report of the Drummondville economic development agency shows that the 13,000 manufacturing jobs target has been exceeded, investments totaled nearly $400 million, 92 new manufacturing industries and approximately 4,000 new jobs have been created over the past three years.

Encouraged by these results and in order to meet the demand, on June 11 and 12, the agency will be launching a job challenge to fill more than 1,000 additional positions in the manufacturing sector.

Speaking personally and on behalf of all residents of the riding of Drummond, I congratulate our local business community on its entrepreneurship and vitality.

Member For Rosemont

[Eleni Bakopanos, Liberal, Ahuntsic, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the member of Parliament for Rosemont has abused his parliamentary privileges in a partisan and non-authorized manner in order to promote and solicit support for the local separatist candidate in the upcoming school board elections.

This member sends letters to his constituents on House of Commons stationery asking them to support the MEMO separatist candidate.

This is not the first time that a member of the Bloc Quebecois abuses his parliamentary privileges. His colleague from Laurier—Sainte-Marie did promotional work for his wife when she ran in a school board election in 1994, again using House of Commons stationery.

The former member for Rosemont had also sent a letter in support of a separatist candidate in a CLSC election.

The abuse of parliamentary privilege has demonstrated once again that the Bloc members in this House have little respect for Canadians, for democracy or for institutions.

Values

[Werner Schmidt, Reform, Kelowna, BC]

Mr. Speaker, recently a group of college students said that if they were faced with the choice between saving their pet and saving a human being, they would choose their pet.

We jokingly call looters non-traditional shoppers. Killers are described as morally challenged.

The time has come for us to recognize that while we must debate controversial issues we must not forget that there are non-controvertible ethical issues at the core and that were settled a long time ago.

The great literature of the world including, the Koran, Aristotle's Ethics , Shakespeare's King Lear , the Bible and the Analects of Confucius reveal these basic moral values: integrity, respect for human life, self-control, honesty, courage and self-sacrifice. All the world's major religions offer some form of the golden rule.

We need to relearn these basic values, teach them in our schools, practice them in our businesses and reflect them in the Parliament of Canada.

Education

[Sheila Finestone, Liberal, Mount Royal, QC]

Mr. Speaker, this year at the request of the Quebec government and our federal government, we made changes to section 93 of the Constitution, moving from a religious base to a secular, democratic and culturally inclusive English and French education system.

Last Sunday too many Montrealers found our democratic right to this choice compromised, no, lost by an undemocratic system put into place without enumeration, using a type of negative option billing which is antithetical to Canadian governance.

I remain outraged. Despite my timely efforts to register my vote and my right to exercise it, I was not listed.

The revision procedure employed by the Quebec government shows a blatant lack of respect for a significant and deserving linguistic minority that should be valued in a sensitive and inclusive way, not excluded like was done during the referendum.

Aboriginal Affairs

[Bev Desjarlais, NDP, Churchill, MB]

Mr. Speaker, I have spoken previously in the House about the Sayisi Dene of Tadoule Lake who suffered unjustifiably because of forced relocation by the government.

The Sayisi Dene are one of the Denesuline Nations of northern Saskatchewan and Manitoba that have outstanding concerns regarding their traditional use of land north of 60°, land that is a part of Nunavut.

Bill C-39, the Nunavut Act amendments, received the support of parliament. My party supports the principle of self-determination.

It is imperative that the government deal with the concerns of the Denesuline before proclaiming the Nunavut legislation. We must not taint the principle of self-determination.

The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and the Assembly of First Nations fully support the objectives and initiatives of the Manitoba Denesuline, including the legal challenge before the Federal Court of Canada in defence of territory claims and treaty rights.

Must every issue this government deals with end up in the courts? These people have suffered long enough. The federal government has an obligation to meet with the representatives of the Denesuline—

[The Speaker]

The hon. member for Laval-Est.

Quebec-Japan Relations

[Maud Debien, Bloc, Laval East, QC]

Mr. Speaker, this week marks the 100th anniversary of relations between Quebec and Japan.

Indeed, it was 100 years ago that the first Quebec missionaries arrived in the land of the rising sun. Today, Quebec and Japan are marking the event by organizing various activities under a theme that emphasizes 100 years of rapprochement between Quebec and Japan.

In co-operation with Japan's general consulate in Montreal and other public and private sector partners, a number of major events will be held in Montreal, including an exhibit of works of arts, crafts and kimonos, cultural activities at Complexe Desjardins and at the botanical garden, and a Quebec-Japan forum for business people.

Quebec's general delegation to Tokyo will also celebrate these 100 years of rapprochement.

I take this opportunity to salute all my fellow Quebeckers of Japanese descent and to welcome all the Japanese visiting Quebec.

You are all welcome to attend the events scheduled for Japan Week.

Calgary Declaration

[Denis Coderre, Liberal, Bourassa, QC]

Mr. Speaker, one wonders on which planet Quebec's designated premier, Lucien Bouchard, lives.

Yesterday evening, he expressed surprise at the comments of Newfoundland's premier, Brian Tobin, who said that the Calgary declaration was an interesting first step toward constitutional talks. Of course, Mr. Bouchard was not pleased by these comments. Grouchy as always, he tried to downplay the significance of the Calgary declaration.

One wonders why Mr. Bouchard is wasting everyone's time with his phoney commission, whose mandate is to torpedo the efforts of those who dare work to improve Canada's future.

Whether you like it or not, Mr. Bouchard, a majority of people believe that Quebec's future is within the Canadian constitutional family. Call an election and you will see. Let it be known that the countdown has begun. The end of the Quebec separatist movement is in sight.

National Defence

[David Price, Progressive Conservative, Compton—Stanstead, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of National Defence introduced a new ombudsman today. I congratulate the new ombudsman and wish him well on his new job.

Unfortunately the minister did not go far enough. Even with the latest allegations of sexual abuse in the military, this minister refuses to act to create an office of the inspector general. He refuses to create an atmosphere that will lead to a more vigilant parliament.

When asked, this new ombudsman said he has not been told what his budget will be, how many staff he will have and has been given virtually no guidelines. Not a very auspicious beginning.

The minister can be assured that we will watch closely to see if he and his department will allow this new ombudsman to do his job. The complaints are piling up and there is a lot of work to be done.

Accueil Bonneau

[Gilles Duceppe, Bloc, Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, we have just learned that there has been an explosion in Montreal, probably caused by a gas leak, which has destroyed Accueil Bonneau and left more than 30 people injured.

Accueil Bonneau is a volunteer-run centre providing assistance and shelter to the homeless. The explosion happened at lunch time. The Bloc Quebecois wishes the victims of this tragedy to know that our thoughts are with them.

I also wish to express the confidence myself and my colleague have in the ability of Accueil Bonneau to bounce back from this misfortune and to continue its mission, which is so essential to the Montreal community.