House of Commons Hansard #27 of the 36th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was heritage.
Anne McLellan LiberalMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Mr. Speaker, I am really not well-placed to comment on what is in the mind of the solicitor general of Ontario.
However, let me share with the House some of the accomplishments of our firearms registry system to date. We have blocked over 3,000 potentially dangerous gun sales. We have refused 548 applicants for public safety reasons. We have revoked 451 licences for reasons of public safety. This system is saving Canadian lives.
Libby Davies NDP Vancouver East, BC
Mr. Speaker, the minister says that she welcomes the report card on child poverty, but will the government acknowledge that it is a devastating indictment against federal government inaction? No, I correct myself. It is an indictment against federal government action that has actually made things worse over the last decade.
The Prime Minister knows that a universal program of affordable child care is critical to fight poverty. Before we reach the year 2000 will he at least make a commitment to honour his promises for a national child care program?
Jane Stewart LiberalMinister of Human Resources Development
Mr. Speaker, in the Speech from the Throne we have committed the government to working toward the benefit of our children.
I would remind the hon. member of what her leader said about the Speech from the Throne with regard to the initiative toward children. She said “What we heard from the Prime Minister is potentially very good news, and I mean that sincerely”. I take it that the hon. member and her party will work with us on this agenda.
Libby Davies NDP Vancouver East, BC
Mr. Speaker, clearly the government's response is pathetic. The government wants us to believe that empty promises will reduce poverty. The government wants us to believe that the provinces are to blame for broken Liberal promises.
We teach our children to honour commitment. I ask the Prime Minister, no vagueness and no blaming everyone else, will he honour his promise for child care, yes or no?
Jane Stewart LiberalMinister of Human Resources Development
Mr. Speaker, the issue of our children is not about blame. It is about working together to ensure they have a bright future into the 21st century.
The hon. member's leader applauded the Prime Minister and the government for the undertakings in the Speech from the Throne. I do look forward to working in partnership with them so we can ensure our children have a bright future.
Elsie Wayne Progressive Conservative Saint John, NB
Mr. Speaker, it is beginning to look a lot like Christmas. The lights are up, the trees are decorated and the Minister of National Defence has visions of sugar plums dancing in his head. It is becoming very clear that the minister is relying on Santa Claus to visit and hopefully bring the minister that shining new maritime helicopter replacement program we have all been asking for.
Will the minister confirm that the Sea King replacement program will be in place before this House rises for Christmas, or will the minister continue to play Scrooge to our Canadian air force again this year?
Art Eggleton LiberalMinister of National Defence
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member will be pleased to know that the replacement of the Sea King helicopter is our number one priority. We are in fact in the midst of a procurement strategy development so that we can replace them.
Meanwhile, we will make sure that those Sea Kings, as long as they have to fly, will be safe for our people to fly. We have a very high maintenance and inspection standard in this country with our Canadian military. As soon as we can, we will get those new helicopters.
Bill Casey Progressive Conservative Cumberland—Colchester, NS
Mr. Speaker, it is certainly appropriate that the minister talked about safety inspections, because yesterday we talked about the worn out Sea Kings, the rusty Auroras and today we find out that both of the Hercules planes failed when they went to East Timor. Hon. members should listen to the problems: faulty brakes, damaged windows, cracked tailpipes.
I sold used cars for 18 years and this plane would not pass a highway inspection. If a plane cannot pass a highway safety inspection, how can we expect it to fly in the air?
When will the minister stop making a laughing stock of the Canadian air force and put money into the airplanes?
Art Eggleton LiberalMinister of National Defence
Mr. Speaker, I think the hon. member should stop making a laughing stock of the Canadian air force because our personnel performed very well in East Timor. Our personnel delivered over 2 million pounds of goods. They delivered over 2,000 people into East Timor to help the people of East Timor. They actually engaged in some 35% to 40% of all of the transport missions in that area of operation. That is a big achievement.
Presence In GalleryOral Question Period
The Speaker
I draw the attention of hon. members to the presence in the gallery of the Hon. Percy Mockler, Solicitor General, Minister of Human Resources Development and Housing of the province of New Brunswick.
Presence In GalleryOral Question Period
The Speaker
To say the very least, this was a very animated question period. We had a minister using a word which was withdrawn, and we had another member who, in exuberance, made a comment. I understand how these things happen, but this particular member, the member for Langley—Abbotsford, is an officer of this House, and that puts it in another perspective.
I address myself directly to the words that were used. It was a direct statement: “You are disgusting”. I would ask the hon. member if he would please withdraw those words and then we can get on with the business of the House.
Randy White Reform Langley—Abbotsford, BC
Mr. Speaker, I would like to appeal to the Chair on this issue, in that—
Presence In GalleryOral Question Period
The Speaker
Before we get into any kind of an exchange, this is simply a matter between yourself and the Chair and we are simply dealing with this matter now. If there are other things to be said after, of course I will be prepared to listen to whatever any member has to say. However, at this point, my colleague, as an officer of the House, I would appeal to you to withdraw those words and then we can proceed with the business of the House. Will the hon. member please withdraw the words?
Randy White Reform Langley—Abbotsford, BC
Mr. Speaker, I would like to appeal to the Chair, as I was about to say—
Presence In GalleryOral Question Period
The Speaker
No. It is a direct question. I ask my hon. friend, an officer of the House, simply to withdraw the words and we can get on with other business.
The hon. House leader of the Reform Party.
Randy White Reform Langley—Abbotsford, BC
Mr. Speaker, I have asked the clerk for a transcript, which he is about to give me and I would like to ask the Speaker for a few minutes—
Randy White Reform Langley—Abbotsford, BC
Mr. Speaker, I have it on tape. I will have it in writing in a moment as to what the Minister of Justice said in the House and if it is as I believe, then I would—
Presence In GalleryOral Question Period
The Speaker
What the minister or anyone else said in the House, for this particular matter, is irrelevant. I will be happy to hear what the hon. member has to say as soon as I settle this point. This is simply an appeal to the hon. member to withdraw those words and then I will hear whatever the hon. member has to say.
Randy White Reform Langley—Abbotsford, BC
Mr. Speaker, I will withdraw and I expect a question of privilege on the matter.
Presence In GalleryOral Question Period
The Speaker
I consider this particular matter to be closed.
PrivilegeOral Question Period
The Speaker
I take it that the hon. member is requesting a question of privilege arising from question period. I will hear the hon. member for Langley—Abbotsford.