Debates of Feb. 1st, 1999

Petitions

[Bob Mills, Reform, Red Deer, AB]

Madam Speaker, today I would like to present a petition from 271 people in my riding of Red Deer.

These citizens request that parliament enact legislation such as Bill C-225 so as to define in statute that marriage can only be entered into between a single male and a single female.

[Clifford Lincoln, Liberal, Lac-Saint-Louis, QC]

Madam Speaker, I have a petition by the students and staff of Beaconsfield high school in my riding, which says:

There is a plan to transfer control of Ste. Anne's Hospital for veterans located in Sainte Anne de Bellevue, Quebec from the federal government to that of the provincial Government of Quebec.

The petitioners request that parliament refrain from changing the control of and responsibility for Ste. Anne's Hospital to the provincial Government of Quebec from the federal government.

It is signed by 180 students and staff members.

[Paul Steckle, Liberal, Huron—Bruce, ON]

Madam Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36 I have before me a petition signed by a great number of constituents from my riding of Huron—Bruce and other points in southwestern Ontario.

The petitioners are concerned that companies are not explaining in greater detail to the public why gasoline prices are increasing so dramatically at certain times, in particular before holidays and long weekends.

They call upon the Parliament of Canada to adopt legislation which would require gasoline companies to give 30 days written notice to the Minister of Natural Resources of an impending significant increase in the price of gasoline, over 1% of the current pump price per litre that is, and that such notice also contain the reason or reasons for the increase and when it will take effect.

[Randy White, Reform, Langley—Abbotsford, BC]

Madam Speaker, today I bring yet two more petitions on the same issue from my riding.

The petitioners speak to the majority of Canadians who understand the concept of marriage as only the voluntary union of a single male and a single female. Whereas it is the duty of parliament to ensure that marriage as it has always been known and understood in Canada be preserved and be protected, the petitioners therefore ask parliament to enact legislation such as Bill C-225 so as to define in statute that a marriage can only be entered into between a single male and a single female.

[Peter Adams, Liberal, Peterborough, ON]

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to present another petition on behalf of the 18,000 Canadians suffering from end stage kidney disease.

The petition is signed by 600 people from the Peterborough area and beyond who support the development of a bioartificial kidney as a replacement for dialysis or kidney transplants.

The petitioners point out that those on kidney dialysis and those successfully transplanted recognize the importance of this life saving treatment.

Ministries of health across Canada have difficulties providing dialysis treatment and accessibility to dialysis treatment and rates of organ donation are not sufficient for that need. Therefore the petitioners call upon parliament to support the development of the bioartificial kidney that will eventually eliminate the need for dialysis or transplantation for those suffering from kidney disease.

[Roy H. Bailey, Reform, Souris—Moose Mountain, SK]

Madam Speaker, I have two petitions that I would like to present pursuant to Standing Order 36. The first petition is among many which I have previously presented from my constituency and other constituencies. The petitioners are enraged about the decision to change the definition of the term “spouse” which will eventually change the Marriage Act.

[Roy H. Bailey, Reform, Souris—Moose Mountain, SK]

Madam Speaker, I have a large number of petitions from my constituents. They urge members of parliament not to give in to the banks as it relates to the extension of the banks' privilege to get into the insurance business. I am pleased to present these petitions.

[Paul Szabo, Liberal, Mississauga South, ON]

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to present a petition signed by a number of Canadians including some from my constituency of Mississauga South. It concerns the issue of human rights.

The petitioners would like to draw to the attention of the House that violation of universal human rights continues in many countries around the world, including Indonesia. The petitioners also point out that Canada continues to be recognized as a champion of human rights.

The petitioners call upon parliament to continue to condemn human rights violations around the world and to work to bring to justice those responsible for such violations.

Questions On The Order Paper

[Peter Adams, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Madam Speaker, the following questions will be answered today: Nos. 134, 152, 157, 174, 178 and 179. .[Text]

[Jean-Guy Chrétien, Bloc, Frontenac—Mégantic, QC]

With respect to Ms. Nathalie Lecours, Chair of the Board of Referees at Human Resources Development Canada's employment insurance office in Thetford Mines: ( a ) on what date was she appointed to this position; ( b ) over how many cases has she presided; ( c ) how many of these cases were resolved in favour of the employment-insurance beneficiary; and ( d ) what remuneration has she received since her appointment?

[Pierre Pettigrew, Liberal, Minister of Human Resources Development]

a) Mrs. Nathalie Lecours, Chairperson of the Board of Referees in Thetford Mines, was first appointed on October 18, 1994.

b) During her period of office, she has presided over 466 cases.

c) Of the 466 appeals considered, 139 were decided in the claimants favour.

d) The applicable per diem for employment insurance chairpersons is $280.00. However, the exact amount received cannot be released due to privacy considerations under the Privacy Act.

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

With reference to the Criminal Records Act provisions enabling the Solicitor General of Canada to grant approval for the disclosure of any record of a conviction in respect of which a pardon has been issued or granted (section 6 of the Act): how many times has the Solicitor General of Canada given approval for such disclosure from November 1993 to the present?

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Solicitor General of Canada]

1993-94—Not available; 1994-95—Not available; 1995-96—12; 1996-97—8; 1997-98—10; 1998-99—4 to date.

[Jason Kenney, Reform, Calgary Southeast, AB]

What was the total value of payments in lieu made by the government to the regional municipal government of Ottawa-Carleton in the years 1997 and 1998?

[Alfonso Gagliano, Liberal, Minister of Public Works and Government Services]

Payments are not paid directly to the region of Ottawa-Carleton.

As per the federal Municipal Grants Act, payments in lieu of taxes, PILT, are paid to the body who collects a real property tax pursuant to an act of the legislature of a province. In this situation, the area municipalities within the ROC are the collectors of real property tax, the grant is therefore paid to these municipalities and not the regional government. The payments to the area municipalities located in the ROC are as follows:

1997—1998 (Est.) City of Ottawa—$80,200,000—$86,000,000 City of Nepean—$3,242,000—$3,600,000 City of Gloucester—$7,250,000—$7,300,000 City of Kanata—$110,000—$120,000 Goulbourn Twp—$129,000—$140,000 Cumberland Twp—$1,000—$1,000 Osgoode Twp—$4,600—$5,000 Rideau Twp—$17,900—$19,000 West Carleton Twp—$28,800—$31,000 Total—$90,983,300—$97,216,000

The 1998 estimate takes into consideration the latest changes to the Ontario tax reform concerning the cap of 10% on all commercial and industrial properties.

[Gurmant Grewal, Reform, Surrey Central, BC]

What is the total amount owed by third world countries to the government of Canada and its agencies?

[Tony Valeri, Liberal, Parliamentry Secretary to Minister of Finance]

The total amount owed to Canada and its agencies by third world, i.e., low and middle income countries as defined by the World Bank, was $17.7 billion as of March 31, 1998.

[Leon Benoit, Reform, Lakeland, AB]

What was the total number of skilled workers allowed into Canada in 1997?

[Lucienne Robillard, Liberal, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration]

Total landings under the skilled worker category in 1997 were 105,569. Of these landings, 44,913 were principal applicants with the remaining 60,656 accompanying dependants or family members.

[Leon Benoit, Reform, Lakeland, AB]

For the years 1997 and 1998, what was the total number of full time equivalent positions needed in the skilled worker class under the economic immigrant category in Canada?

[Lucienne Robillard, Liberal, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration]

A full time equivalent is not a measure used in the determination of the range for skilled workers. The determination of the number of arrivals under the skilled worker category is based on factors such as labour market or occupational demand and trends in international migration.

Questions Passed As Orders For Returns

[Peter Adams, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Madam Speaker, if Questions Nos. 160 and 161 could be made orders for return, these returns would be tabled immediately.

[The Acting Speaker (Ms. Thibeault)]

Is that agreed?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed. .[Text]

[Michelle Dockrill, NDP, Bras D'Or, NS]

What projects in the Nova Scotia Regional Municipalities of Cape Breton, the Town of Port Hawkesbury, and the counties of Inverness, Richmond, and Victoria received assistance through the Canada—Nova Scotia Infrastructure Program?

Return tabled.