Debates of Nov. 4th, 1999

Agriculture

[Rose-Marie Ur, Liberal, Lambton—Kent—Middlesex, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I know the farmers in the affected areas will be pleased with the announcement the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food made in the House today.

As late as last week we met with several farm groups and representatives from out west. They outlined most compassionately the struggles that farmers are experiencing.

With that in mind, I want to know, with the dollars that have been allocated by the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food today, how exactly those new dollars will help the farmers get through this most tough, tough time.

[Lyle Vanclief, Liberal, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food]

Mr. Speaker, this government has said all along that it would continue to examine how it could put flexibility and innovation into existing programs.

We announced earlier today that the additional $170 million that the federal government is putting forward for this program will enable us to cover a percentage of negative margins. It will allow farmers to make a change if they so desire in the reference periods. It will make other changes that the farm community and the safety nets advisory committee have been encouraging the government to do.

Government Grants

[Diane Ablonczy, Reform, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Prime Minister.

For months the Prime Minister has avoided troubling questions about TJF grants in his riding by telling us that no rules were broken. We now know that rules were broken. Treasury board guidelines were broken. The Financial Administration Act was broken. That means the law was broken.

How does the Prime Minister explain this huge discrepancy between what he has said and what has actually happened?

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, we have heard a lot about this problem.

My riding is like any other riding. Unlike some, it has a very high level of unemployment. My office is there to help the people preserve jobs. My job as a member of parliament is to represent my constituents.

The minister gave all of the explanations. But of course Reform Party members like to talk about these things because they have nothing else to say about the government.

I know that everything has been done for a riding that has high unemployment and I will always do my job.

Genetically Modified Foods

[Hélène Alarie, Bloc, Louis-Hébert, QC]

Mr. Speaker, this morning I introduced a bill which would make it mandatory to label genetically modified foods.

I did so because of my belief that consumers are entitled to be properly informed about what they are eating.

Does the Minister of Agriculture intend to offer people the choice about what they do and do not want to eat, by making it mandatory to label genetically modified foods?

[Lyle Vanclief, Liberal, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food]

Mr. Speaker, I have explained to the hon. member in the House before that before we can have labelling we must make sure that the labelling is credible, meaningful and enforceable.

The government is working with consumers' associations, with the Standards Council of Canada, with groups like Greenpeace, the Sierra Club and the Consumers' Association of Canada. We are in the process of finding and putting in place a set of criteria that can be used effectively, meaningfully and enforceably to label foods in Canada.

The Environment

[Rick Laliberte, NDP, Churchill River, SK]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Prime Minister.

In approving the Diavik Mine, prematurely of course, the new environment minister believes that digging up an Arctic lake is not significant. He has decided to ignore the constitutionally entrenched Mackenzie review panel which has concerns about loss of wilderness and abandonment.

This utter contempt for northerners is only matched by the arrogance of making a decision while he is out of the country.

Is the Prime Minister concerned that his government is abandoning the throne speech promise that would set and enforce tough environmental standards, particularly in the north?

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I think that is exactly what the government is doing. We are making sure that all environmental problems are being dealt with.

It has been studied thoroughly and we are respecting the wishes of the Government of the Northwest Territories which wants this project to go ahead to create jobs for the native people who live in the Northwest Territories.

Air Transportation

[André Bachand, Progressive Conservative, Richmond—Arthabaska, QC]

Mr. Speaker, in the Onex affair—or the Canadian Airlines affair, which we learned yesterday is the same thing—we have become aware that there was a suggestion of a meeting with Deputy Minister of Industry Kevin Lynch prior to making any announcement, because Mr. Lynch apparently has a lot of influence on the Competition Bureau.

Can the Minister of Industry assure us that there was no such meeting and no influence was brought to bear by Mr. Lynch, by himself or by his department on the Competition Bureau?

[John Manley, Liberal, Minister of Industry]

Mr. Speaker, businessmen always make calls to the Department of Industry. Obviously, it is a department that deals with business-related matters.

I do not know exactly who spoke to the deputy minister. I can say that the decision reached by the government to suspend section 47 was reached for the reasons given by the Minister of Transport, who was present, and by myself. These were very good reasons.

Health

[Carolyn Bennett, Liberal, St. Paul's, ON]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Health. In our 1999 budget we promised the creation of the new institutes of health research which was further promised in the Speech from the Throne.

Can the Minister of Health please tell us when the dream of these poor Canadian researchers will actually become a reality?

[Allan Rock, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to tell the House that this morning we tabled legislation to create the Canadian institutes of health research.

This is a fantastic measure of historic proportions. It will transform the way health research is conducted in the country and over the course of the next two years, in support of these institutes, the Government of Canada will double the amount of money it spends on health research. This is a measure which will truly improve health and health care for all Canadians.

Government Contracts

[Diane Ablonczy, Reform, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister says that he only has an anxious care to create jobs in his riding. However, over $1 million went into the negotiated purchase of a company by the Prime Minister's friend, a company that later went from 115 employees to 62 employees. We know that the money did not create jobs.

Was it just a thank you to the Prime Minister's friend?

[Jane Stewart, Liberal, Minister of Human Resources Development]

Mr. Speaker, let me be clear. There was nothing illegal in any of the transactions in this case.

The appropriate approval process was followed. An inappropriate administration approach was taken by the department. That was identified in May and the trust funds have been closed.

Chechnya

[Francine Lalonde, Bloc, Mercier, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the dispute between Russia and Chechnya, which no longer has anything to do with a fight against terrorism, is becoming a humanitarian disaster.

Countless civilians have been killed or displaced in Chechnya or Ingushetia, and are practically without humanitarian aid.

What does the minister, who is concerned about the safety of civilians, intend to do to bring about a speedy negotiated settlement and protect civilians and refugees?

[Lloyd Axworthy, Liberal, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, generally speaking, I am in agreement with the hon. member's sentiments.

I have therefore written to Russia's Minister of Foreign Affairs to express strongly the serious concern of all Canadians.

I hope there will be a positive response from the Russians, particularly with respect to the ongoing negotiations between the Americans and the Russians. During my recent visit to Armenia, I expressed the same sentiment.

Presence In The Gallery

[The Speaker]

I draw the attention of hon. members to the presence in the gallery of the Honourable John Moore, Minister of Defence of Australia.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear.

[The Speaker]

I also draw the attention of hon. members to the presence in the gallery of Minister Yu Zhengsheng, Ministry of Construction of China.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear.

Remembrance Day

[George Baker, Liberal, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Secretary of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency)]

Mr. Speaker, during this week leading up to Remembrance Day there are commemorative activities going on all over Canada: in schools, community centres, concert halls and churches.

Everywhere we look, the crimson poppy reminds us of the torch of freedom thrown to us to hold high. Canada is holding that torch of freedom very high. Our armed forces are serving under very challenging conditions as peacekeepers all over the world. Here at home, we civilian Canadians help to hold that torch high by remembering and honouring all those who served so bravely and so well.

I remember last year being invited to a school in the early part of November where a distinguished veteran was visiting a classroom for a question and answer session on his wartime experience. What impressed us both was how many of the students wanted to talk about their grandfathers or other relatives who had been involved in the second world war and how proudly they spoke of them.

Indeed, just such a young Canadian e-mailed a group of our veterans who were preparing for their recent pilgrimage to Italy to commemorate the 55th anniversary of the Italian campaign. She wrote that although she never met her grandfather, who was killed in that campaign, she had gotten to know him through the many stories told by her grandmother. She said:

Until such time that I am able to so, I wonder, would someone wish to stand for two minutes in silence at his grave. I would be most grateful. My grandfather's name is William Berry. I cannot express enough gratitude for your bravery, but please know that in my family we will never forget.

Sincerely,

Darlene Halsey.

Today, we not only honour those who made that supreme sacrifice, but those who survived the terrible rigours and horrors of war and found the strength to recover and to rebuild their lives in the peace that they fought so hard to achieve.

[Peter Goldring, Reform, Edmonton East, AB]

Mr. Speaker, we remember today the blood and tears shed for our freedom by war veterans of Canada and Newfoundland. As the sands of time slip from this century, we pause to reflect on the supreme price paid by so many for the peace we enjoy today, ending a century so violent that humanity was brought to the brink.

In 1899, soldiers left for war in South Africa, their sacrifices immortalized in bronze at the gates of old Quebec, standing as testament to this century's baptism by war.

Then Canada was born into the world of nations by respect gained for its price paid for world peace with the blood of its young as 100,000 moved forth at Vimy Ridge in 1917. A majestic memorial defying real description stands on French soil to honour our soldiers' supreme effort.

Dawn soon broke on the beaches of Normandy with the silhouette of total war painted across its horizon. With 1,000 allied ships poised for action, D-Day had arrived in 1944. The tranquil shores bore witness to an invasion force of allied might that struck a death blow to Nazi tyranny bringing about Europe's freedom.

Soon a minute atom vaporized Hirohito's will for war. The death clouds scarcely fade dissipating 100,000 souls as the Korean war loomed in the ominous shadow of nuclear might.

The price tag of peace in this violent century has been war, and has been so very high with 110,000 Canadian war dead. We must learn from the harsh truths of wars past so that we not repeat humanity's mistakes.

History records the poppy as a symbol of earthly life, until a day in Flanders, when from the fields of war, Lt. Col. John McCrae penned verse of remembrance for Canada's war dead. He spoke for all who have faced their soul in the finality of the theatre of war, whether Korea, the gulf or the two world wars. He could well be speaking of all brave men who have soldiered the world for Canadian beliefs. His words are carved on the walls of this House and are as enduring as the threat of future war: “If he break faith with us who die, we shall not sleep”.

For our honourable war veterans and remembered war dead, we pause today to give our respect. We will not forget.

[Paul Mercier, Bloc, Terrebonne—Blainville, QC]

Mr. Speaker, in Europe at the 11th hour of the 11th day of November 1918, buglers announced the armistice along hundreds of kilometres of bloody and muddy trenches separating the two warring sides.

Millions of men came up out of the muddy trenches, able to breathe fresh air at last without fearing that this might be their last breath.

They were then able to go home to their families with the satisfaction of a job well done. Not only had they saved their homes and their freedom, but they were also convinced that they were responsible for putting an end to such butchery, by winning “the war to end all wars” as it was called.

Millions more, however, laid to rest under wooden crosses, did not get up and go home.

Today we honour both those who gave their lives and those who were prepared to give their lives to defend our values.

Alas, “the war to end all wars” was not to be the last after all, as we know. We also honour today the children of those first soldiers, who shouldered their kit-bags and marched off to a second and even bloodier war 21 years after the first, to fight for their country and for freedom again threatened.

We must not forget all those who fell in Korea, in the United Nations' struggle against yet another incarnation of tyranny, that two-headed hydra so known to our century. Finally, 55 years after the Second World War, it seems that we are finally thinking of another group. Let us gratefully acknowledge the contribution of the merchant seamen who, during four years, braved U-boat infested waters, risking their lives to bring weapons and ammunition to their comrades in arms to ensure the victory.

Malraux said that the victory must remain with those who fought the war without liking it. That is indeed what happened.

Aviators, sailors, foot soldiers in 1914-18, 1939-45 and 1950-53, these victorious men and women fought in the war as a duty, but without liking it, because we are peaceful. Without them, without their victories, we would not be here in this free parliament.

Certainly, we will not forget them. We will make sure our children do not forget them either. Let us make sure that they know what huge sacrifices were made so they could live, worry free, in freedom and peace, these things that seem as natural as the air they breathe, but they were passed on by the sacrifices so many of their parents and grandparents paid for with their lives.

[Bill Blaikie, NDP, Winnipeg—Transcona, MB]

Mr. Speaker, it is with great honour and humility that I rise on behalf of the New Democratic Party to mark Remembrance Day.

Over 80 years ago from this coming Remembrance Day, the terrible guns of the first world war fell silent on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Unfortunately, that was the end to only one horrible chapter in a century that has been the most violent period in human history.

In this century in Canada alone, something like 1.5 million young Canadians have volunteered to serve in our military and merchant navy. More than 116,000 gave their lives in World War I, World War II, Korea and in other conflicts.

Speaking personally, I note with pride that both my father and my grandfather were among those volunteers, in the Royal Canadian Navy and the 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles respectively. They were fortunate to be able to return to their families. Others were not so fortunate.

Today, with great respect and sadness, we recognize the ultimate sacrifice offered by those who were killed and the terrible pain of loss and separation suffered by their loved ones and friends who saw them no more.

Remembrance Day is marked to ensure we never forget those who gave their lives for all of us, those who survived but were willing to give their lives, and those who though they returned had already given the best years of their lives.

We remember those who were taken as prisoners of war and who suffered terribly. As someone from Winnipeg, I am particularly mindful of those from the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Winnipeg who were captured at Dieppe or those of the Winnipeg Grenadiers who were captured during the fall of Hong Kong. Every Canadian city has similar stories to tell, and sadly so.

Furthermore, let all of us in the House hope that soon we will achieve complete justice for our merchant navy veterans. Let all of us in the House find ways to finally recognize those Canadians who fought fascism in Spain. Let all of us in the House, as Aboriginal Veterans Day approaches, remember the 7,000 aboriginal Canadians who served in two world wars and Korea.

Let all of us in the House give thanks on this day for the continuing service of so many veterans through their participation in the very important work and activities of the Royal Canadian Legion and other veteran's organizations. We urge all Canadians to observe the two minute wave of silence being promoted by the Legion on November 11.

Let all of us in the House also remember on this day those many Canadians who have served as peacekeepers and peacemakers in far off corners of the world. They also put their lives on the line for peace and we hope they are the only kind of veterans we will ever have in the future.

Finally, as a parent, I believe Remembrance Day must always be addressed to our youth and our future. It is now their lives we need to protect through remembering war.

If anything, let Remembrance Day give all of us more strength and vigour in working for peaceful and democratic solutions wherever humanly possible so that after a century, where not just military but civilian casualties have put the human race to shame, we can enter the new century with new hope for a peaceful future.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the Progressive Conservative Party to pay our respects to all of our men and women who, in World War I, World War II, Korea and through peacekeeping, have laid down their lives and have served to make this the most wonderful country in which to live.

Next Thursday, November 11, all Canadians will be called upon to pause for not one minute but a two minute silence. I trust that we will have a lot of our young people at the cenotaphs so that they will understand the sacrifices that were made.

My hon. colleague from Charlotte County and I were flown down to Grand Manan. We were asked to go there for a special ceremony.

The young scouts in that little town did a lot of research, along with the Royal Canadian Legion and the veterans association, to find all of the graves in Grand Manan that were there for the veterans. The scouts laid little Canadian flags. It was truly very moving. It was beautiful to see those young men and young girls as they stood and showed their respect for some of their relatives and others who were not related to them who had made the tremendous sacrifice.

I also had the privilege along with some of my colleagues from both sides of the House to go to Dieppe, France. I will never forget it. We looked at the promenade and there was a Canadian flag at the top of every one of the buildings. Children came up to us and pointed to the little Canada pins we were wearing.

Mr. Speaker, I will never forget the sacrifices that our people made for you and me and for everyone in the House. We went into the harbour and I could not believe that our men and women had gone on boats into that harbour. It was like a mountain on each side and there was nowhere for them to go. Of course, Mr. Speaker, as you and I and everyone here knows, tremendous sacrifices were made.

Yes, I recognize these gentlemen who are in the gallery today, our merchant mariners. I praise and thank God that they are finally recognized as the fourth arm of the armed forces, our army, navy, air force and merchant mariners. They laid down their lives. Many of them never came back.

I ask all my colleagues when we leave here this week to go back to our communities that we make sure all of our people understand that they must get out and show the respect, that they bow their heads and that they hold that two minute silence to show the respect that all of our veterans deserve in this wonderful country of ours.

We shall always remember them.