House of Commons Hansard #23 of the 36th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was offenders.
John Cummins Reform Delta—South Richmond, BC
Mr. Speaker, yesterday's Marshall decision did not address the issue of access to resources other than eels. Yet, the Indian affairs minister continues to negotiate the transfer of any and all resources to natives under treaty.
Why is the government proceeding with the transfer of resources to natives when there is no requirement to proceed with this divisive policy?
Bob Nault LiberalMinister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
Mr. Speaker, let me quote a few of the member's comments from yesterday. He talked in terms of a victory for the fishermen, non-aboriginal. He bragged that there is a limit on the treaty right. He tried to scare people with phrases like “giving away the ranch”.
I want the House to know that this government and this member of parliament, this minister, are interested in negotiating treaty relationships in a modern context. That is our policy and that is what we will be doing.
John Cummins Reform Delta—South Richmond, BC
Mr. Speaker, giving away the ranch is exactly what the government is doing in the treaty process.
The Nisga'a treaty assigns access to natural resources on the basis of race. It pits one group of Canadians against another, native against non-native, even native against native. The Gitanyow and the Gitksan have said that they view the Nisga'a treaty as an act of aggression. Guns have been brandished, there have been threats of violence and warfare. Why is the government proceeding with a treaty process that pits one group of Canadians against another?
Bob Nault LiberalMinister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
Mr. Speaker, that is absolute nonsense.
Gilles Duceppe Bloc Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC
Mr. Speaker, yesterday the solicitor general told us that he considered the unfortunate mistakes made by CSIS to be a very serious matter.
The Prime Minister on the other hand, trivializes the matter and says he is happy to live in an open country, and that everything comes out in the long run, even state secrets.
How can the Solicitor General reconcile his statement with that of the Prime Minister?
Lawrence MacAulay LiberalSolicitor General of Canada
Mr. Speaker, as I indicated previously, when the director of CSIS informed me of this very serious matter he indicated to me that the inspector general was investigating the issue. He also informed me that CSIS was investigating the issue. I also was fully aware, because of the mandate, that SIRC had a mandate from the House to evaluate the situation and had access to CSIS files. That is exactly what is taking place.
Gilles Duceppe Bloc Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC
Mr. Speaker, that is very interesting, but not an answer to my question. What I was asking was why he considers this a serious problem while the Prime Minister does not.
We will try another question. We know that RCMP and CSIS documents contain highly privileged information, such as the names of informants, and disclosure of this information might have very serious consequences for these people. I imagine this is clear without my having to draw a picture.
What steps has the solicitor general taken to ensure that the people whose names are on these lists do not suffer harm? Someone may be out to get them, but that someone is not the RCMP.
Lawrence MacAulay LiberalSolicitor General of Canada
Mr. Speaker, I indicated to my hon. colleague previously that I am fully aware that this is a serious matter and the government is fully aware that this a serious matter. What took place was that the process was followed. That is what must happen.
CSIS is conducting an investigation. SIRC is conducting a review and the inspector general is conducting an investigation. That is what should happen.
Michel Bellehumeur Bloc Berthier—Montcalm, QC
Mr. Speaker, the incredible blunders of CSIS agents have discredited all Canada's secret services. Former CIA and FBI directors called this affair amazing and inexplicable.
Does the solicitor general not realize that the repeated blunders of the secret services have made them an international laughing stock, and show that he is not up to the responsibilities of his position?
Lawrence MacAulay LiberalSolicitor General of Canada
Mr. Speaker, I assure the hon. member that our allies around the world have a great respect for CSIS. They deal with CSIS on many issues. These things happen and what must happen is that the process must be followed. In fact, that is what was done here. The process was followed and all I ask of my hon. colleague is to let the process work.
Michel Bellehumeur Bloc Berthier—Montcalm, QC
Mr. Speaker, the affair of the diskette left in the telephone booth was investigated and it appears that disciplinary action was taken against the individual involved.
Can the solicitor general tell us whether any directives have been issued to prevent removal of such diskettes from offices in future and, more to the point, are these diskettes now protected so that it is no longer as easy to read them as it is now?
Lawrence MacAulay LiberalSolicitor General of Canada
Mr. Speaker, in reference to a case that took place in 1996, yes, it was reported by the director of CSIS to the solicitor general of the day. My hon. colleague is no doubt well aware that this issue was addressed by the SIRC report which I tabled in the House two weeks ago.
Alexa McDonough NDP Halifax, NS
Mr. Speaker, the finance minister tells us that he cares about child poverty, and I believe him.
Child PovertyOral Question Period
The Speaker
Order, please. The hon. leader of the New Democratic Party.
Alexa McDonough NDP Halifax, NS
Mr. Speaker, I believe the finance minister when he says that he cares about child poverty—
Child PovertyOral Question Period
The Speaker
Order, please. I think it is the compliments that are causing the disorder.
Alexa McDonough NDP Halifax, NS
Mr. Speaker, the problem is that the finance minister cares a whole lot more about other things. That is why he sets targets and timetables to achieve other goals and then resolves to meet them come hell or high water. But when it comes to child poverty, no targets, no timetables, no come hell or high water. My question is, why?
Paul Martin LiberalMinister of Finance
Mr. Speaker, the leader of the NDP is absolutely right. The Minister of Finance does care greatly about children. Furthermore, every member of this government and every Liberal from coast to coast to coast cares deeply about children in this country.
Alexa McDonough NDP Halifax, NS
Mr. Speaker, his backward rhetoric is not going to eradicate child poverty.
Child PovertyOral Question Period
An hon. member
Allan Rock doesn't stand. Do you notice that?
Alexa McDonough NDP Halifax, NS
The latest reports show that the proportion of children living in families with less than $20,000 a year has doubled since 1989. The number of kids going to food banks has doubled.
Listen to what this finance minister once said: “The lack of affordable housing accelerates the cycle of poverty, which is reprehensible in a society as rich as ours, and the government sits there and does nothing”.
Does the finance minister still believe in his own words?
Child PovertyOral Question Period
The Speaker
Order, please. First, I would ask the hon. member to please not use that little prop. Second, the microphones are on and sometimes we inadvertently get caught.
Paul Martin LiberalMinister of Finance
Mr. Speaker, I cannot but agree with the leader of the NDP when she quotes what is my own policy and when she quotes what is government policy. The only question is, why has it taken her so long to see the light?