Debates of Oct. 21st, 1999

Canadian Economy

[Guy St-Julien, Liberal, Abitibi, QC]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, Statistics Canada reported that Canada's balance of trade is continuing its momentum. In January, it was at the $22.1 billion level, and had already exceeded the total for 1998, which was $18.9 billion for the same month.

A performance like this shows that our government's economic choices are good ones. They show that the climate is encouraging the economic agents in key sectors of activity to invest in this country.

News like this is certainly not pleasing to the opposition parties, but they will have to accept it. The economic decision makers feel that the conditions are right to ensure sustained and sustainable economic growth for Canada.

Lupus Awareness Month

[Bernard Patry, Liberal, Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to bring to the attention of the House and of all Canadians that the month of October is Lupus Awareness Month.

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease which affects approximately 50,000 Canadians. Lupus is characterized by a malfunction of the immmune system, which attacks different parts of the body itself, causing inflammation in those tissues.

Lupus develops most frequently in women between the ages of 15 and 45. In this age range, lupus is eight times more common in women than in men.

The cause of lupus is unknown and, as yet, there is no cure. Research is actively seeking to change this.

The mission of Lupus Canada is to help the Lupus community, their families and caregivers by providing them with the latest information, support and education, regardless of income, culture or religion.

I invite all hon. members to congratulate Lupus Canada and to wish it every success with its awareness campaign.

Foreign Affairs

[Gurmant Grewal, Reform, Surrey Central, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the foreign affairs minister has no business calling for Pakistan to be expelled from the Commonwealth following the military takeover.

Last year the sanctions were counterproductive. The people of Pakistan knew the government was corrupt. No one supports military coups. However, since the military took over, there has been calm and peace in the country. Parliament has not been dissolved. The president still holds office. Fundamental rights are in place. There is no bloodshed and no martial law. The nuclear and missile restraint policy continues. The military has promised to return the country to democratic civilian rule as soon as possible.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs does not practise what he preaches. He does not clean up corruption in his own department, embassies and passport offices. He bent over backward to support Suharto. He continued foreign aid to Algeria after the military interfered with the democratic election process. He condemned the U.S.A. for isolating Cuba. His policies are inconsistent and hypocritical. He talks soft power but applies hard power. The foreign—

[The Speaker]

The hon. member for Parkdale—High Park.

Copernicus Lodge

[Sarmite Bulte, Liberal, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

Mr. Speaker, located in the heart of the Polish community in my riding, on March 14, 1979 Copernicus Lodge opened its doors as a retirement home with 100 self-care apartments. Within four years phase two was built.

Now 20 years later, Copernicus Lodge is much more than a retirement residence, it is a home. It is a place of comfort, friends and familiarity for both the residents and their families.

Copernicus Lodge is a place where the self-worth, self-esteem and the dignity of the individual is maintained at the highest level. Meeting the physical, social, medical and spiritual needs of its residents is its most important priority.

On Sunday, October 24 the residents, their families, the staff, volunteers and the board of directors of the Copernicus Lodge will celebrate 20 years of caring and serving our community.

I commend and applaud Copernicus Lodge on its exemplary care. I wish it continued success with its new phase in the future.

Semaine Des Bibliothèques Publiques Du Québec

[Maud Debien, Bloc, Laval East, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Semaine des bibliothèques publiques du Québec, which is taking place this week, seeks to make Quebecers aware of the multiple resources provided by libraries.

Public libraries are no longer the austere and cold places that some of us may remember. Quebec's 974 libraries offer such resources as books, records, videos, CD-ROMs and the Internet. Libraries are user-friendly and accessible. They rely on modern technology, while acting as keepers of our culture.

Also, as pointed out in a Statistic Canada study, there is a connection between reading to young children and school success. In Laval, for example, libraries organized L'Heure du conte pour les bambins, public dictations, including the famous Dictée du Nord, and readings by well-known authors.

I am taking this opportunity to thank all those people in Quebec who help make public libraries lively and thriving places to learn, discover and dream.

Co-Operatives

[Susan Whelan, Liberal, Essex, ON]

Mr. Speaker, today is International Credit Union Day. All of this week millions of Canadians are also celebrating National Co-op Week. The theme for this week is “Co-operation—Shaping our Future”, emphasizing that the co-operative model is a potent economic force in the Canadian economy and a leading source of jobs, incomes and community stability in many regions of the country.

As the world moves toward a global economy and downsizing continues to claim jobs, co-operatives bring about a sense of equilibrium in meeting the social and economic needs of Canadians. Co-operatives aim at building a strong Canada and offer an alternative business model.

For this reason I would ask members to join with me in recognizing and congratulating the co-operative sector which has and continues to make such a large contribution to our country. Currently co-operatives, including caisses populaires and credit unions, have a membership of 15 million Canadians and have combined assets of over $167 billion. Co-operatives employ over 150,000 Canadians and over 70,000 volunteers offer their time.

For co-operatives, serving the needs of members always takes precedence over the bottom line. It is for that reason co-operatives have grown.

Agriculture

[Derrek Konrad, Reform, Prince Albert, SK]

Mr. Speaker, today's issue of the Western Producer reported the statistics on AIDA payouts to date. In Alberta 88% of payouts were made. In British Columbia the figure is 98%. No one will be surprised to hear that these two provinces manage their own programs. In Manitoba and Saskatchewan the Liberal government is in charge. Well, sort of. Payouts there are 44% and 43% respectively.

The Saskatchewan agricultural sector, which is the hardest hit in Canada, is reeling from years of low prices, high input costs, high taxes, weak-kneed interventions at the World Trade Organization, and it has no friends in this Liberal administration. Events have shown that western interests are of no interest at all to this government. The agriculture minister promised money to get the crop in. Now it is off and 57% of Saskatchewan farmers still have not seen any money.

Saskatchewan voters will deliver an indictment on this smug Liberal government through the Saskatoon—Rosetown—Biggar byelection. We cannot wait.

Corporate Manslaughter

[Bev Desjarlais, NDP, Churchill, MB]

Mr. Speaker, today the leader of the New Democratic Party tabled a private member's bill to make corporate manslaughter a crime. I am proud to be a seconder of this bill.

Each year hundreds of Canadians are killed on the job and over one million are injured. On average, two Canadians are killed on the job every day. That is two families every day where a mother, father, spouse or a child does not come home.

Many of these deaths and injuries could and should be prevented but are not because of negligence by company managers who care more about profits than lives. Company managers who knowingly or negligently allow workers into unsafe conditions are criminals and should go to jail. The New Democratic Party bill will make sure that they can be charged.

The Liberal government still has not learned from the Westray disaster. Negligence by company managers caused the deaths of 26 miners in Westray but no charges were laid.

Safety, not profit, must come first in the workplace. The real possibility of criminal charges will finally force company officials to make safety the top priority.

I urge the Liberal government and all its members of the House to make the safety of Canadian workers their top priority.

Gairdner Foundation

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise to ask the House to join me in congratulating the Gairdner Foundation of Toronto as it celebrates an important anniversary.

For 40 years, the foundation has been recognizing and rewarding those in the medical world who, through unselfish devotion of their time and efforts, have been successful in making major contributions to research for the conquest of disease and the relief of human suffering. Over time, international Gairdner awards have been presented to 249 recipients, including 51 who have gone on to win the Nobel prize.

On behalf of the House I congratulate the founders and trustees of the Gairdner Foundation on this distinguished record of achievement.

The more than 50 Gairdner winners gathering in Toronto and 13 other centres across Canada this week for the Minds That Matter symposium to mark this occasion provide an eloquent testimony to the success of this important institution.

We salute their past and wish them a great future.

Bruny Surin

[Pierre De Savoye, Bloc, Portneuf, QC]

Mr. Speaker, today, Quebec sprinter Bruny Surin will receive the Maurice Richard award.

This award for excellence was created in 1979 by Montreal's Société Saint-Jean-Baptiste and is given to an athlete who is an honour both to his or her sport and to Quebec.

Recognized for his integrity, determination, courage and perseverance, Bruny Surin is one of Quebec's great sports figures. He has run the second fastest 100 metre dash in history, and he is a true inspiration and model for all young people.

The Bloc Quebecois congratulates this great athlete, not only for his outstanding performances, but also for persevering in a sport he loves, sometimes against all odds, through the good years as well as the more difficult ones.

Bruny, our hearts will be beating for you when we watch you race in the Sydney Olympic Games. Congratulations and good luck in the pursuit of your brilliant career.

Julius K. Nyerere Memorial Project

[Jean Augustine, Liberal, Etobicoke—Lakeshore, ON]

Mr. Speaker, today the world will mourn Julius Nyerere, the former president of Tanzania, who passed away last week.

Mr. Nyerere was the president of Tanzania for 24 years. He was highly respected for his honesty and dedication to development at the grassroots level and for his role as a leading African statesman.

Throughout his country he was known simply and affectionately as Mwalimu, which means teacher. Today the Minister of International Co-operation is representing Canada in Tanzania at his funeral.

Canadians should know that CIDA will honour Mr. Nyerere's memory and legacy by naming one important community project every year in Tanzania the Julius K. Nyerere Memorial Project.

Pay Equity

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

Mr. Speaker, while the President of the Treasury Board is studying the federal court decision on pay equity, I am going to give her additional material she should take into consideration in this regard during her deliberation process.

First, this is the fourth decision in favour of 200,000 employees from the federal public sector, mainly women.

Second, taxpayers are paying millions of dollars per week in interest because of the government's refusal to respect the court decision.

Third, it is time for her government to provide equality to all Canadians as we approach the new millennium.

Fourth, the President of the Treasury Board has an obligation to the millions of women of this country who are anxiously awaiting her decision.

Women in the minister's own caucus have publicly stated that it is time to finally respect and recognize the court decision and pay up. As the court ruling states, let us not forget that justice delayed is justice denied.

Royal 22Nd Regiment

[René Laurin, Bloc, Joliette, QC]

Mr. Speaker, October 21 marks the founding of the Royal 22nd Regiment. This military unit comprising primarily Quebecers has existed and brought us honour for 85 years, as of today.

This regiment was awarded over 550 decorations and insignia for its bravery and heroism in the two world wars and the Korean war. In addition, a number of the members of the Royal 22nd joined UN peacekeeping forces and were awarded the Nobel peace prize in 1988.

Their loyalty has never been questioned either. As proof, 250 soldiers from the Royal 22nd left Quebec City Friday to join the international mission sent to East Timor, thus reaffirming their tradition of commitment.

On behalf of my colleagues in the Bloc Quebecois, I would like to pay tribute to the Royal 22nd regiment, to the men and women there in the service of peace and to those like them.

Jeux De La Francophonie Canadienne

[Rick Limoges, Liberal, Windsor—St. Clair, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the first Jeux de la Francophonie canadienne were held in Memramcook, New Brunswick, between August 19 and 22.

Thirteen delegations of young francophones and francophiles aged between 15 and 18 came to celebrate their association with the French Canadian culture. They numbered nearly 1,000 young people and they came from all the provinces and territories.

In this Année de la Francophonie canadienne, the games afforded a fine opportunity to show off the vitality of our young francophones and to help instill the French language and culture in their hearts.

The Government of Canada and, more specifically, the Minister of Canadian Heritage is proud to have supported the first edition of the Jeux de la Francophonie canadienne and congratulates the Fédération de la jeunesse canadienne-française, which was the force behind this grand celebration that brought together young francophones—

[The Speaker]

I am sorry to interrupt the hon. member, but we must now proceed to Oral Question Period.

Aboriginal Affairs

[Mike Scott, Reform, Skeena, BC]

Mr. Speaker, today is a sad day for the individual rights of aboriginal people in Canada. The Nisga'a agreement fails to provide Nisga'a people with private property rights, fails to provide Nisga'a women with the same rights and protections enjoyed by all other Canadian women and puts in peril the charter rights of each and every Nisga'a individual.

How can the government and the minister ignore the fundamental rights of aboriginal Canadians?

[Herb Gray, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member is wrong. We are respecting the rights of aboriginal Canadians and all Canadians to live together in peace and harmony in British Columbia and all over our country. It is the Reform Party that is disturbing the tranquillity of Canadians with its approach to this fundamental matter.

[Mike Scott, Reform, Skeena, BC]

Mr. Speaker, members of the Reform Party have a fundamentally different position than the government. We have a positive vision for aboriginal people. We want a new start for aboriginal Canadians in this country. We want aboriginal women to be full and equal partners, both on reserve and off reserve. We want aboriginal people to have the same rights and protections which all other Canadians enjoy.

How can the government continue to ignore these fundamental rights that aboriginal people are crying out for in this country?

[Bob Nault, Liberal, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development]

Mr. Speaker, I want to indicate to the member across the way that the first thing he should do is read the agreement. We purposely sent the agreement over to the member a number of months ago in order for him to have a chance to read it. In the agreement it states specifically that it is under the constitution, the people are under the charter, the Nass Valley and the Nisga'a people themselves. Also the member will notice in the agreement that aboriginal women are under provincial law and they will continue to be under provincial law.

I want to make one more point. This member said in the press not too long ago—

[The Speaker]

The hon. member for Skeena.

[Mike Scott, Reform, Skeena, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the minister knows that no private property rights are created under this agreement. He knows that without private property rights aboriginal women cannot possibly hope to enjoy the same rights and protections as all other Canadian women in the event of a marriage breakup.

Why did the minister agree to sign on to this treaty when there is no provision for private property rights for Nisga'a people? Why did he do that?

[Bob Nault, Liberal, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development]

Mr. Speaker, before I state why there are property rights, let me read what the member said not too long ago. On Saturday, September 11, Mr. Scott said that the successful negotiations of recent treaties in British Columbia are a good indication the system is working.

Let me make one further point. In this agreement land is held in fee simple, which allows people to go to the provincial registry to register land, which allows individual people to register their land. In fact it is not communal. The member should read the agreement.

[The Speaker]

I would remind hon. members not to use each other's names in the course of either questions or answers.

Fisheries

[John Cummins, Reform, Delta—South Richmond, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the Nisga'a treaty assigns 25% of the salmon in the Nass River to the Nisga'a.

Given that there are four other bands that have claims to that fishery, virtually all Nass River salmon will be transferred to aboriginals under treaty.

If this government, the NDP and the Conservatives are willing to assign virtually 100% of Nass River fish to natives, why should non-native east coast lobster fishermen trust the government to keep a place for them in the fishery?