Debates of Dec. 16th, 1999

Canadian Airlines International

[Val Meredith, Reform, South Surrey—White Rock—Langley, BC]

Mr. Speaker, as Christmas approaches it is a shame that the 16,000 employees of Canadian Airlines International are once again facing an uncertain future. Not only are their careers being jeopardized, but they are also being used as a bargaining chip in the negotiations between Air Canada and the federal government.

While Canadian Airlines employees face an uncertain future, their current dilemma is not of their making. As a perennial underdog in Canada's air industry, these employees were always able to provide top notch service in often trying and adverse conditions.

Today Canadian's employees continue to display their professionalism and dedication as they serve the travelling public.

The official opposition wants to take this opportunity to recognize the outstanding efforts of the employees of Canadian Airlines. We urge the federal government and Air Canada to quickly and fairly resolve their differences and provide these individuals with the stability they truly deserve.

Musculo-Skeletal Conditions

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

Mr. Speaker, hundreds of millions of people throughout the world suffer from disabling musculo-skeletal conditions which are the most frequent causes of serious chronic pain and disability.

The prediction is that human suffering will intensify as people live longer and there are more and more accident victims.

The resulting health problems will create a major economic burden which will force governments to spend more and could eventually lead to patients being deprived of the treatment and rehabilitation they require.

I wish to point out that the United Nations, through their Secretary-General Kofi Annan, have supported the proposal for designation of the decade 2000-2010 as the decade devoted to improving the quality of life of people throughout the world who are suffering from conditions and injuries affecting the bones and joints.

Sandrine's Gift Of Life

[Sophia Leung, Liberal, Vancouver Kingsway, BC]

Mr. Speaker, as national co-chair, along with Sandrine's mother Diane and broadcaster Don Cherry, I would like to thank my colleagues who kindly supported the Sandrine family's Gift of Life organ donor campaign.

Regardless of whether people have signed an organ donor card, their families can override their wishes. However, it has been shown that speaking to family members doubles the chance that their final wishes will be fulfilled.

I am sure that my colleagues will join with me in urging all Canadians to talk to their families about this important decision. By doing so they will honour the memory of 11 year old Sandrine Craig, whose death has inspired this national campaign.

Westjet Airlines

[Eric C. Lowther, Reform, Calgary Centre, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well in the west and is moving east at the speed of a jet plane.

Today I rise to offer congratulations to Calgary's WestJet Airlines, which has announced that it is going to expand its carefully managed operation eastward.

The WestJet success story began three short years ago with a vision and has already served 1.6 million Canadians. Its consistent down-home, casual approach and friendly western service just keeps bringing the customers back.

As WestJet moves east, Canadians will benefit by having access to this new alternative airline.

To which central Canadian city will it fly? Will it be Hamilton or Montreal, Ottawa or even Toronto?

On behalf of my caucus colleagues and parliamentarians, I can say that if WestJet chooses Ottawa we may see a lot more of each other as we go west or east on WestJet.

Clarity Act

[Rey D. Pagtakhan, Liberal, Winnipeg North—St. Paul, MB]

Mr. Speaker, the clarity act is about the very being of our country and the fullest expression of responsible democracy. It embodies the advisory judgment of the Supreme Court of Canada respecting the rights and obligations of the federal and provincial governments and the governed. It embodies in clarity the binding relationship among them, including when a province contemplates secession from Canada.

Ours is a country founded on shared values of federalism, democracy, constitutionalism and the rule of law, and respect for minorities. It was created on mutual consent out of the diversity of our people—in culture, language, origin and faith—and has continued to draw societal strength from it.

Resolute is my confidence that the clarity act, which speaks to our Canadian values and identity, will reaffirm our faith as Canadians in one Canada, united and strong.

Caroline Brunet

[Jean-Paul Marchand, Bloc, Québec East, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Quebecer Caroline Brunet, the best kayaker in the world, has just been named as the winner of the Lou Marsh trophy, awarded annually to the top Canadian athlete of the year.

This athlete has been turning out exceptional performances for a number of years. In the world kayak championships in Milan last August, she captured three golds and one silver. Over the past three years, Caroline Brunet has totalled no fewer than eight gold medals in individual events in her discipline at the world level.

As well, she earned a silver in the sprint at the Atlanta Olympics. This athlete has every chance of carrying off the gold medal at the Sydney Olympic Games, and we fervently hope she will. All Quebec is proud of Caroline Brunet. She is a model of excellence for young people.

Caroline, congratulations on this new honour. Keep up your amazing performances.

Jerome Laper

[Eleni Bakopanos, Liberal, Ahuntsic, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge the achievements of a constituent in my riding of Ahuntsic, Jerome Laper.

Mr. Laper used his time and expertise to help develop the economy of another country. He worked for the volunteer organization CESO.

He completed two assignments in Guyana. He increased sales for a laundry detergent producer and for a coconut oil soap stock producer. His expertise and his recommendations helped to improve and increase sales for both producers.

I wish to take this opportunity to congratulate Mr. Laper on his achievements. I am proud that Canadians such as Mr. Laper work not only to improve our country Canada, but also the world. His accomplishments merit recognition by all parliamentarians.

Congratulations, Mr. Laper, and good luck in your future endeavours.

Portuguese Community

[Marcel Proulx, Liberal, Hull—Aylmer, QC]

Mr. Speaker, in 1974, the Portuguese community of the Outaouais region of Quebec built its community centre called Les amis unis, in Hull. Since then, the centre has contributed to the integration of the Portuguese community into the Outaouais life, while preserving and celebrating its beautiful traditions.

The centre has been a social bond in our region, while also contributing to a better understanding among individuals and communities.

We join in the celebration of this 25th anniversary, which not only reflects the usefulness of the Portuguese centre Les amis unis, but also the exceptional contribution of Portuguese nationals to our region.

As the member representing the riding of Hull—Aylmer, I am pleased to give my regards to the members of Les amis unis and to say that I admire their work.

I wish them continued success. Viva o Centro português.

Bilingualism

[Grant Hill, Reform, Macleod, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister wants to force official bilingualism on the new amalgamated city of Ottawa. This city is in effect bilingual today because the demand for services makes it an advantage for citizens to be able speak and understand two languages.

I am personally attempting to become bilingual because I want to, not because someone is forcing me. When the benefits of speaking more than one language are forgotten and legislation is used to force people, they rebel.

I reject the clumsy attempts of federal Liberals to order the Ontario government to legislate Ottawa as officially bilingual. Ottawa is now functionally bilingual, and so it should be.

If the Prime Minister wants to force bilingualism on the city of Ottawa, he should try also to force official bilingualism on the city of Hull. What is good for Ontario should be good for Quebec.

My advice to the Prime Minister if he is not willing to do that is to butt out.

Humanitarian Workers

[David Pratt, Liberal, Nepean—Carleton, ON]

Mr. Speaker, even as representatives of the MFS were accepting their Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo last week, two of their number were being held hostage by rebel RUF fighters in Sierra Leone. The two volunteers, a Belgium doctor, Patrick Cloos, and a German logistician had been detained since December 6. They were being held in Kailahun District by renegade RUF field commander Sam Bockarie.

Only a few hours ago these two hostages were released and are making their way back to Freetown by helicopter. One of the hostages, Patrick Cloos, has a strong Canadian connection. In fact, Mr. Cloos is based in Montreal and will be returning to Canada in early January. His fiancée, who lives in Montreal, will be leaving for Brussels to join him within the next few days.

This incident is further evidence of the tremendous courage and devotion to duty of MFS workers. It is also further evidence of why countries like Canada must continue to work to ensure the safety of humanitarian workers in war zones like Sierra Leone.

Bill C-20

[Yvan Bernier, Bloc, Bonaventure—Gaspé—Îles-De-La-Madeleine—Pabok, QC]

Mr. Speaker, with his Bill C-20, the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs puts me in mind of the Book of Genesis.

In the beginning, the minister created rumours, squabbling and division within the Liberal caucus. And the caucus was without form and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. But fortunately the spirit of the minister moved upon the face of the waters.

Rising in his place in the House, the minister said “Let there be light”. And in the middle of the thunder and lightning, Bill C-20, a bright and shining star, emerged from the darkness.

As the only keeper of clarity, the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs became the Creator.

In the Book of Genesis, on the seventh day, the Creator saw everything that he had made and he was pleased with it. He decided to rest.

The Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs can rest on one condition only: that his bill, which is dust, returns to dust, and that he gets rid—

[The Speaker]

The hon. member for Regina—Qu'Appelle.

The Economy

[Lorne Nystrom, NDP, Qu'Appelle, SK]

Mr. Speaker, today's Globe and Mail contains an article written by former Supreme Court Justice Willard Estey in which he expresses concern over the sellout of our Canadian economy to foreigners.

It leads me to give the corporate sellout award for the month of December to a company which has been responsible for the biggest sellout in our Canadian economy.

Our first nominee is MacMillan Bloedel, which sold out to U.S. forestry giant Weyerhauser for $2.4 billion U.S. The second nominee is Unihost Corporation, which operates in the hotel industry. It sold out to U.S. Westmount Partnership for $377 million. The third nominee is none other than People's Jewellers, which sold out to the U.S. Zale company for $75 million.

I will now look at the envelope. The winner for the biggest sellout of the month award for the month of December is Weyerhauser, which gobbled up MacMillan Bloedel, one of Canada's leading companies in the forestry industry.

House Of Commons

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

Mr. Speaker, I am certain that all members of parliament will join with me in thanking all those hard-working people who dedicate themselves to making the House of Commons such an efficient institution.

It is no small feat to keep this place running. I extend my thanks to the pages who jump when we call, the clerks who record our every word, House of Commons staff who feed and clean up after us, and printing and post office staff who help us to get the word out.

Thanks as well to our security staff who protect us so that we can continue to say such outrageous things.

To all these heroes, who toil in the shadows, and whose fine work and devotion is too often left unsung, we offer our best wishes on the eve of the new millennium

Homelessness

[Gilles Bernier, Progressive Conservative, Tobique—Mactaquac, NB]

Mr. Speaker, on March 25 the minister responsible for homelessness promised that she would have the homelessness problem solved within 30 days.

By tomorrow, when she makes her announcement, it will have been 267 days. She will announce some money for the homeless without the participation of the provinces and the municipalities. She will also make the announcement outside parliament, where MPs cannot scrutinize her work, and on the quietest news day of the week. I guess she is hoping that no one will be listening.

Since March the minister has spent over $1 million to hire 18 new staff members. According to access to information documents, she also spent $54,000 redecorating her office. She has spent $17,000 flying to China, Mexico and jetting herself around the country. She has spent $30,000 on hotel rooms and over $16,000 on food and drink for herself. Her trip to China alone cost over $19,000.

I do not know what the minister will announce tomorrow, but I sure hope that she will treat Canada's homeless at least as well as she has treated herself this year.

Flight Training

[George Proud, Liberal, Hillsborough, PE]

Mr. Speaker, 60 years ago, on December 17, 1939, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand joined together in Ottawa to sign the British Commonwealth air training plan agreement.

A significant milestone for Canada, the air training plan became one of the first symbols of our country's participation in the second world war and was certainly one of Canada's most important contributions to the ultimate victory.

Between 1940 and 1945 Canada became known as the aerodrome of democracy, as 107 air training facilities were established across the country to train more than 130,000 air and ground crews. Many of them paid the ultimate price, fighting for the causes of freedom, international peace and human dignity.

In many senses the training plan laid the foundation of our longstanding co-operation with our allies on the European continent and elsewhere around the world.

Today the tradition of training the world's best aviators lives on with the government's commitment to the innovative NATO flying training in Canada program.

Bill C-20

[Jocelyne Girard-Bujold, Bloc, Jonquière, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Fédération des travailleuses et des travailleurs du Québec, the Confédération des syndicats nationaux, the Centrale de l'enseignement du Québec, the Fédération des femmes du Québec, the Front d'action populaire en réaménagement urbain, student federations, the Front commun des assistés sociaux du Québec, all of Quebec is outraged that the federal government wants to call the shots with respect to Quebec's future.

All of Quebec wants a sovereignist vote to carry the same weight as a federalist vote. Let us be clear on this: the people of Quebec may, in fact and in law, decide its own future.

Hockey

[John Solomon, NDP, Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre, SK]

Mr. Speaker, a very serious issue is weighing heavily on the minds of the Liberals. Committees have been instructed to study it. Consultants have been hired to develop solutions. Ministers and backbenchers are pitching ideas at every chance, all to save an industry that was once at the core of our Canadian identity but is now dominated by Americans and Europeans.

What issue is that? Is it agriculture or the farm crisis? No. It is professional hockey and the campaign to cut even further the taxes for millionaire hockey players and team owners. For shame.

Thousands of farmers cannot afford to farm any more, but the Liberal budget gave Canadian NHL players an average of $16,000 in tax cuts this year alone. By providing entertainment expense write-offs to buyers of corporate box seats and season tickets, we already subsidize pro-hockey teams heavily from the federal treasury.

The country has other priorities, like desperate farmers, medicare, the homeless, the unemployed and amateur sport. Why will the Liberals not stop being lackadaisical and start acting on these very important issues?

Transitional Jobs Fund

[Chuck Strahl, Reform, Fraser Valley, BC]

Mr. Speaker, we now know that the Prime Minister was involved in breaking the rules governing the awarding of federal government grants in his riding.

The departmental officials did not want to allow the grants, but in a memo to a departmental official one of the HRD minister's own staff instructed that the dollar amounts given to the two hotels in the Prime Minister's riding had to be artificially inflated. Why? The memo stated that it was to keep the same amount suggested by the Prime Minister during discussions with the promoters.

The Prime Minister said that he was just doing a good job as a member of parliament. However, who really benefits when an MP breaks the rules, twists the arms of the bureaucrats and forces the ministerial staff to fudge their numbers?

[Herb Gray, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, the premise of my hon. friend's question is totally wrong.

The Prime Minister is not personally involved. This matter was dealt with by officials according to the structure of the program. My hon. friend ought to withdraw his unwarranted slur on the Prime Minister.

[Chuck Strahl, Reform, Fraser Valley, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I said that the Prime Minister was involved and I will explain further.

The human resources minister's staff was concerned because the Prime Minister's announcements were forcing them to break the rules. Robert Thériault wrote that it was a difficult decision since they departed from regional guidelines. He said that they would have liked to have given another answer but that he had no choice. He had no choice because the Prime Minister promised the promoters this pot of cash. The HRD minister got the marching orders.

Why does the Prime Minister equate fudging the numbers or skirting the rules with being a good member of parliament?

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

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member is absolutely false in the assertions he is making.

Let us look at the whole story here. The transitional jobs fund is there to help create jobs in areas of high unemployment. This was an area of high unemployment. These projects had broad public support. No moneys flowed until the appropriate approvals were in place. Jobs were created.

That is the story. That is what this is all about.

[Chuck Strahl, Reform, Fraser Valley, BC]

Mr. Speaker, that is not what it is all about. Creating jobs is not the issue here. The problem is dealing with a bunch of very suspicious characters in the Prime Minister's riding.

Pierre Thibault was one of the men the Prime Minister promised the money to. Mr. Thibault is a self-confessed embezzler and a suspect of ongoing criminal investigations.

René Fugère helped the Prime Minister broker that deal. He is under investigation by the RCMP for illegal lobbying. He has also received an $11,500 payback for arranging the last federal grant.

Why does the Prime Minister's definition of being a good member of parliament include making deals with criminals, suspected criminals, breaking the government's own grant rules and allowing paybacks to members of his own constituency association?

[Herb Gray, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member's assertions are totally unfounded.

The Prime Minister has not personally made deals with questionable people. Again I ask the hon. member, if he has any honour connected with his title, to withdraw those unwarranted slurs on the Prime Minister.

[Monte Solberg, Reform, Medicine Hat, AB]

Mr. Speaker, someone's honour is being questioned and it is the Prime Minister's. The Prime—