Debates of Feb. 19th, 1999

Kosovo

[Art Eggleton, Liberal, Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member is mixing up two matters altogether. The debate the other evening was about sending ground troops into Kosovo on a peacekeeping mission, not a warlike condition, that would come about as a result of the parties coming to an agreement at Rambouillet.

He is also mixing this up with what we did last fall when we had a discussion about the provision of six CF-18s which would be made available as part of the possibility—and we hope it will not happen—of air strikes to get the Yugoslav government to the negotiating table.

National Defence

[John O'Reilly, Liberal, Victoria—Haliburton, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal ruled in 1989 that women must be fully integrated into the Canadian forces.

In light of the recent allegations concerning abuse of women, could the minister inform the House as to the progress the military has made in implementing the ruling of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal?

[Art Eggleton, Liberal, Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, Canada has the second highest participation of women of countries within NATO at 10.8%.

In this decade we have improved from a 1% participation of women in combat arms to a 3.1% participation. We are breaking down the barriers so that women can have the opportunity to serve according to their abilities in whatever part of the Canadian forces they want to serve.

Progress has been slow, but I am pleased to say that it is now accelerating. We have had more women come into our recruiting centres in the past year than ever before. With the appointment of our advisory committee on employment equity and gender integration we are moving the agenda forward faster.

Mining

[Dave Chatters, Reform, Athabasca, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the Tulsequah Chief mine project in northern British Columbia underwent an extensive federal-provincial environmental review process and was approved.

Now the actions of Alaskan Governor Tony Knowles and a handful of environmental extremists are placing the mine in jeopardy.

The heritage minister is willing to stand up for the Canadian magazine industry even if it starts a trade war. Why will the foreign affairs minister not stand up for the Canadian mining industry?

[Lloyd Axworthy, Liberal, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, once again another Reform member just demonstrated how little he really knows.

The fact is that we have been in serious discussions with the Americans. We have told them that we do not intend to refer this matter to the International Joint Commission, that it is a matter that has been taken care of in the Canadian jurisdiction, and that we stand by it.

Port-Cartier Penitentiary

[Ghislain Fournier, Bloc, Manicouagan, QC]

Mr. Speaker, two days ago, the part time employees of the Port-Cartier penitentiary learned that their work contract would end on March 1.

A number of these employees have worked for this institution for many years, without ever obtaining permanent status.

My question is for the Deputy Prime Minister. As new permanent positions will be created in this institution in the short term, can the Deputy Prime Minister say that is fair and just to offer the new jobs becoming available to these former employees of Port-Cartier on a priority basis?

[Herb Gray, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I take note of the hon. member's question and will be happy to provide him with the necessary information as soon as possible. I thank him for his question.

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

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

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

Members of the government are quick to lecture the opposition about the need for a Canadian voice in news coverage. This week that voice is threatened as budget cuts force CBC technicians on to the picket lines. CBC has announced the closure of three foreign bureaus in Johannesburg, Mexico and Paris.

My question is simple. Does the government agree with these closures?

[Claudette Bradshaw, Liberal, Minister of Labour]

Mr. Speaker, there is a labour dispute at CBC because the employer and the union have been unable to reach an agreement on the terms and conditions of employment. It has nothing to do with funding.

Whenever there is a strike at CBC it affects services. We regret that, but the mediators are there waiting for them to call and we are willing to meet with them at any time.

Transfer Payments

[Charlie Power, Progressive Conservative, St. John's West, NL]

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

The switch to per capita calculations for provincial equalization payments is a direct challenge to the ideal of sharing in the Canadian federation. The Liberal finance minister in Newfoundland called the government's rosy claims about transfer payments laughable. The health minister in Newfoundland says it creates a two tier health care system.

Why is the Liberal government abandoning this fundamental Canadian principle upon which equalization transfers are based?

[Jim Peterson, Liberal, Secretary of State (International Financial Institutions)]

Mr. Speaker, it has always been a premise of the government that Canadians, no matter where they live, would have an equal right to federal transfers for their health care, for their post-secondary education and for welfare payments. This is what it is to be Canadian.

Foreign Affairs

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

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The minister recently announced $1 million in support of the West African intervention force to help re-establish stability in Sierra Leone.

Could the minister tell the House what further actions he is taking to move this item forward on the United Nations agenda?

[Lloyd Axworthy, Liberal, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, I think all of us are appalled at the atrocities taking place in that fellow Commonwealth country, particularly the mutilation of hundreds of thousands of innocent women and children.

This week, as president of the security council, we have convened a meeting with the representatives of the west African peacekeeping group to see what we can do to mobilize international support in that relationship.

I want to thank the hon. member for helping to arrange a meeting here in Canada of Canadians who have been concerned so that we can help to develop support in this country for some real help in these very tragic circumstances.

The Budget

[Paul Forseth, Reform, New Westminster—Coquitlam—Burnaby, BC]

Mr. Speaker, taxpayers deserve a lot of credit for keeping this budget afloat, but sadly interest on the national debt is still the largest single government spending program.

Where in the budget is the long term debt retirement plan that pays for past socialist sins? Why is the minister not sending clear signals about real targets for debt reduction? What is the government plan beyond just some leftovers to pay off the national debt? Where is the target? Where are the plans?

[Jim Peterson, Liberal, Secretary of State (International Financial Institutions)]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for a very important question.

Our debt repayment plan is very simple. First of all, two year rolling targets which we have always met or surpassed. Second, very prudent economic assumptions. Third, a contingency reserve of $3 billion. Fourth, if not needed, that goes directly to pay down the debt.

As a result, we paid down the debt by $3.5 billion last year. Our debt has fallen from 71.2% of GDP to 65%, going to 62% in—

[The Deputy Speaker]

The hon. member for Jonquière.

The Environment

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

Mr. Speaker, given that the federal budget provides no significant injection of funds to achieve the objectives of the Kyoto summit, we can legitimately question the government's intentions in this regard.

How can the Minister of the Environment achieve the Kyoto objectives with $150 million, when the United States will be spending billions of dollars?

[Christine Stewart, Liberal, Minister of the Environment]

Mr. Speaker, this government is committed to achieving the targets we declared at the Kyoto protocol.

In last year's budget we did put forward $150 million in order to put together a national implementation strategy. The provinces and all partners are working with us in the development of that strategy. They will produce a report by the end of this year. In this budget we did provide some assistance to the Canadian Federation of Municipalities because it will play a key role.

In the meantime, we also continue to invest in pilot projects, new technologies and public education to help all of us achieve our goals.

Presence In Gallery

[The Deputy Speaker]

I wish to draw to the attention of all hon. members the presence in the gallery of the Hon. Stockwell Day, Provincial Treasurer of the Government of Alberta.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear.

Business Of The House

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. There have been consultations among the parties and I believe you will find unanimous consent for the following motion. I move:

That Bill C-256, now in the name of the member for North Vancouver, stand instead in the name of the member for Surrey Central.

(Motion agreed to)

Order In Council Appointments

[Mauril Bélanger, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Canadian Heritage]

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to table today, in both official languages, a number of order in council appointments which were made by the government.

Pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 110(1), these are deemed referred to the appropriate standing committees, a list of which is attached.

Government Response To Petitions

[Mauril Bélanger, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Canadian Heritage]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's response to 26 petitions.

Committees Of The House

[Eugène Bellemare, Liberal, Carleton—Gloucester, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the fourteenth report of the Standing Committee on Industry.

Petitions

[Garry Breitkreuz, Reform, Yorkton—Melville, SK]

Mr. Speaker, I again have quite a number of petitions so I beg your indulgence as I present them.

I am pleased to present two petitions containing the signatures of 100 Canadians from Ontario and Nova Scotia who are concerned about the rights of the unborn. They request that parliament support a binding national referendum to be held at the time of the next election to ask Canadians whether or not they are in favour of federal funding for abortions on demand.

I have the privilege of presenting these names to be added to the many thousands who have expressed their concerns not only for the unborn but for the women who undergo medically unnecessary abortions and expose themselves to the health risks inherent in this procedure.