Debates of Feb. 19th, 1999

East Timor

[Daniel Turp, Bloc, Beauharnois—Salaberry, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Indonesian government recently declared that it was prepared to grant independence to East Timor, a former Portuguese colony invaded and annexed over 20 years ago.

As the Indonesian president, BJ Habibie, recently said “Give them freedom. It is just and fair”.

The Bloc Quebecois is delighted that the government of Indonesia intends to act on the desire of the people of East Timor for sovereignty. Reports indicate, however, that the pro Indonesian militia are receiving arms. This is the very militia that are trying to further integrate the Timorese into Indonesian society.

The Bloc Quebecois hopes the government of Indonesia will demonstrate its good faith by working on a peaceful and negotiated solution to the East Timor problem and the right of the Timorese to decide their future freely may not only be recognized but honoured as well.

United Alternative

[Paul Devillers, Liberal, Simcoe North, ON]

Mr. Speaker, desperately hoping that Canadians would see their convention as something fresh and new, the Reform strategists behind the Reform dominated convention decided to call it the united alternative.

They want to fool Canadians into believing that a brand new political movement is arising by making superficial changes. They can give Reform another name, another logo and another contrived public image, but it will be the same old Reform Party with the same old name, same old logo and another contrived public image.

The Tory leader is weary of the united alternative for good reason. The opposition leader and the Reform Party are incapable of providing an acceptable alternative because they are intolerant of values and views that do not fit their neo-conservative ideology. Instead of trying to accommodate Canadian voters, Reform strategists are conspiring to eliminate other choices so Canadians will have to vote for them whether they want to or not.

It is a dumb strategy that serves only to highlight Reform's desperation. The only Tories at this convention will be reformatories and that dog won't hunt.

[Jason Kenney, Reform, Calgary Southeast, AB]

Mr. Speaker, they are getting worried over there and well they should because today more than 1,500 Canadians from across the land will be gathering here in Ottawa to ad lib on this government.

They will be gathering here to revitalize Canadian democracy. These delegates to the united alternative convention come from a variety of partisan backgrounds but they share a common conviction: that it is time to end the top down, tax and spend, soft on crime, anti-family, patronage ridden, Ottawa knows best, arrogant misgovernment of this Liberal regime.

These delegates know the Liberals won 100% of the power with only 38% of the vote in the last election, the smallest plurality ever to result in a majority government. They know they lost the election in eight of the ten provinces. They know they won nearly all of the seats in Ontario with less than half of the vote and Ontarians are now misrepresented by the 101 health care cutting, tax raising Dalmatians opposite.

A growing majority of Canadians want a united alternative and 53% said in today's National Post that they would vote for a united alternative and that—

[The Deputy Speaker]

I remind hon. members that the convention has not started yet and we do not want to destroy the element of surprise. The hon. member for Mississauga West.

[Steve Mahoney, Liberal, Mississauga West, ON]

Mr. Speaker:

There once was a party named Reform, Representing anything but the norm, So to find their roots, They've put on their boots, And the united alternative was born.

It seems the first meeting will be the last, Although the weekend should be a blast, It's off to Ottawa they go, Sadly looking for Joe, But stuck with the same old cast.

Many will go to the ball, Including two Tories in all, And to observe this mess, The Liberals send their best, Who will likely go up the wall.

“To unite, to fight”, Is the cry of the right, They will work through the night, Many will get tight, And they will awake with the same old plight.

So on Monday morn, We'll see a brand new Reform, With hangovers in tow, Missing their leader and Joe, And Canada will surely not mourn.

United Nations Biosafety Protocol

[Peter Stoffer, NDP, Sackville—Eastern Shore, NS]

Mr. Speaker, the United Nations biosafety protocol negotiations are under way in Cartagena, Columbia.

On February 11, the European parliament voted on legislation to make biotech companies legally responsible for the adverse effects of releasing living modified organisms.

We have learned that this Liberal government is negotiating against liability or redress responsibilities in Cartagena.

My questions for the government will be: What will protect Canadian farmers if a biotech crop fails? Why is the government against liability for biotech companies?

The Economy

[Robert Bertrand, Liberal, Pontiac—Gatineau—Labelle, QC]

Mr. Speaker, this House has received two pieces of good news concerning the economy this week.

First, a budget that reflects the Liberal government's commitment to administering public funds efficiently and providing maximum support to all regions of Canada.

The second news came to us just this morning. According to Statistics Canada, exports have increased by 7.4% in 1998 over 1997, to $320 billion. This growth remains comparable to that of the last two years, which have actually been excellent years for Canada.

These statistics get us thinking. To maintain its unique place on the world stage, today more than ever, as we move toward the year 2000, Canada must remain united.

If we want them to represent a viable economic force in the future, all Canadian provinces must continue to co-operate in a spirit of consultation and negotiation, making Canadian federalism evolve in the interest of quality of life in Canada.

Long live Canada.

The Budget

[Madeleine Dalphond-Guiral, Bloc, Laval Centre, QC]

Mr. Speaker, recently the government was faced with a serious problem: how could it get Alberta and Ontario to sign the social union agreement, an agreement which was not in their best interest?

After looking at the problem from every angle, a solution soon emerged. Premiers Harris and Klein should be offered something in exchange. Why not take a few billion dollars from Quebec and give it to them for health care?

There was one rub: Would the Liberal members from Quebec go for it? It was extremely painful to see the Quebec caucus of the Liberal Party turn into a red carpet to be merrily trod on by the rest of the federal Liberal caucus.

The carpet has been rolled out, but it is soiled. Does this deserve respect? Mercy, perhaps? No. After all, mindlessness deserves nothing besides indifference.

But when an entire population is cheated without hesitation by Liberal members, elected in Quebec, only outrage can express people's reaction to such an irresponsible behaviour.

I cannot wait for Quebec to get its loot back.

Emergency Service Volunteers

[John Herron, Progressive Conservative, Fundy Royal, NB]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring attention to the House to a serious inequity in our current tax system. Emergency service volunteers across Canada who are not paid for their time and efforts are penalized under existing laws. Currently a $1,000 tax free allowance is provided only to those volunteers who receive remuneration for their services.

The Progressive Conservative Party recommended to the finance committee that the Income Tax Act be amended to provide a tax credit of $1,000 to all emergency service volunteers. The PC Party believes this proposal will end the discrimination against rural firefighters who rarely receive any compensation for their work.

The Minister of Finance had a chance to rectify this unjust situation in his latest budget but chose to ignore this recommendation. The current policy is unfair to all those who volunteer their time. We urge the minister to reconsider his decision.

This country needs sound opposition. It does not need group therapy sessions for a united alternative.

Mentorprise

[Elinor Caplan, Liberal, Thornhill, ON]

Mr. Speaker, next Friday, February 26 I will be attending the Mentorprise recognition and awards celebration.

Mentorprise is a progressive human resource strategy to attract, recruit and train new employees. It is also a valuable tool for new graduates in their search for career related work.

Mentoring allows for leadership development through the partnering of experienced business people with enthusiastic and talented graduates. Mentoring is a unique relationship with both professional and personal dimensions. Mentoring fosters skill development, promotes the exchange of ideas and knowledge, encourages independent initiatives, and builds teamwork.

At the awards ceremony I am going to have the opportunity to present awards to both employers and youth who have demonstrated a commitment to the principles of mentoring encompassed in the mentorprise program.

I would also like to take this opportunity to ask all members to join me in acknowledging the important work of the York Region Neighbourhood Services and those people who have made the mentorprise program a success.

Youth

[Reed Elley, Reform, Nanaimo—Cowichan, BC]

Mr. Speaker, today I would like to recognize Canada's greatest natural resource, our youth.

What we do in parliament has a lasting effect on the children and youth of today for they are the leaders of tomorrow. Let us not forget this as we deliberate on the matters before us throughout the remainder of this parliament.

As the member for Nanaimo—Cowichan, I would like to take this opportunity to make an announcement. With us today is Miss Chanel Rodrigues from Nanaimo, British Columbia. Chanel is only 10 years old but unlike many of her peers, she has an appetite for politics.

Although it will be another eight years before she will be eligible to vote in a federal election, she has taken an interest in the political process now. Chanel has travelled to Ottawa with her mother in order to take part in the great and historic united alternative conference this weekend.

I commend her and would encourage other like-minded youth to become involved in the political process. When we are accountable to voters today, we must remember that we are also accountable to the voters of tomorrow, young people like Chanel Rodrigues.

On behalf of all members I would like to welcome Chanel to Ottawa and encourage all of Canada's youth to become involved in the political process. Welcome, Chanel.

Children

[Angela Vautour, NDP, Beauséjour—Petitcodiac, NB]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberal government has made a lot of promises: getting rid of regional rates of pay, the GST, and more importantly, child poverty, none of which it kept.

At one time the Liberals talked about attacking child poverty and providing child care to allow parents to take full time, family supporting jobs. They have not done so. Budget after budget more and children became poor. It is continuing. The child care promise also disappeared along with pay equity and abolishing the GST promise.

This Liberal government does not seem to understand that in order to eliminate child poverty we need to do away with their parents' poverty. The NDP has always supported the creation of a national child care program. We believe that children deserve a chance to show what they can do.

Parents have been waiting for six years for this government to keep its promise. Canada's children deserve the chance to build a better future.

Taxation

[Monte Solberg, Reform, Medicine Hat, AB]

Picture this, Mr. Speaker. It is the year 2019. Rumours are that the Rolling Stones are breaking up. Dick Clark celebrates New Year's rock'n eve and his 100th birthday. The parliamentary renovations are just winding down.

Why is Jo Jo the finance minister telling us we have to wait until 2019 to get the tax relief that Canadians need today?

[Herb Gray, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, obviously the member was working on plans for the new reformatory party when the budget speech was read. He did not hear the Minister of Finance announce billions of dollars of general tax reductions for all Canadians starting right now, added to the billions of dollars of tax reductions for middle and low income Canadians announced in the last budget.

There is tax relief for Canadians now. It will continue on and on as Liberals continue to be supported by Canadians, unlike the Reform Party in its desperate attempt to survive.

[Monte Solberg, Reform, Medicine Hat, AB]

Look who woke up, Mr. Speaker. I can't get no satisfaction or tax relief from that answer or this government, which is why we are going to see this government out in two years let alone twenty.

I would like to think sometime in my adult life before I retire I am going to get some tax relief. However, according to Jo Jo the finance minister, I will be picking out a burial plot before that happens.

Canadians are hurting now. Why does the minister expect Canadians should wait 20 years when they need tax relief today?

[Herb Gray, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I am sorry the hon. member can't get no satisfaction. I am sorry that in spite of all his efforts he cannot get relief. I would suggest he see his therapist, his physician, his guide in these matters and allow the government to continue bringing real tax relief, dollars and cents, into the pockets of Canadians as it started in the last budget, as it is continuing in this budget and as it will continue for years and years to come.

[Monte Solberg, Reform, Medicine Hat, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member from Viagra falls.

I have a better plan for the government. It is called tax relief in my lifetime, tax relief before they throw dirt on me.

Why should Canadians have to wait for 20 years for the tax relief they need today?

[Herb Gray, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member must have already thrown dirt on himself and buried himself. He did not hear the budget speech and the pledge of billions of dollars of tax relief now for all Canadians.

He ought to have his party uncover him so he can find out what is going on in the real world.

[Jason Kenney, Reform, Calgary Southeast, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I may not get no satisfaction but at least I am not screwing any taxpayers.

We ought to look at the fine print in this budget to see the real truth. The real truth is this government voted for the largest tax increase in Canadian history, a $10 billion CPP tax grab. It took it effect last month. Hundreds of thousands of Canadians will pay more because of bracket creep.

Why is the finance minister forcing us to pay more taxes and not less after this budget?

[Herb Gray, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, here is a guy who really isn't getting any satisfaction.

The fact is the changes lowering taxes put out in this budget will relieve Canadians from bracket creep for years to come. We are taking into account the concerns about bracket creep. The budget is dealing with that.

In the meantime the hon. member should find somebody to help him deal with his own problems.

[Jason Kenney, Reform, Calgary Southeast, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the joke is getting as old as that minister.

A small business teetering on the verge of bankruptcy does not need to hear more rhetoric from this government. It needs tax relief today and not 20 years from now. A small family struggling to get by does not need tax relief 20 years from now. It needs it today. But with bracket creep and the payroll tax increases it will spend more in taxes than it did last year, than it does this year.

Why is this government telling Canadians they will get tax relief when in fact they will end up with less money in their wallets at the end of the day?

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

Mr. Speaker, speaking of small businesses, for the 24th month in a row business bankruptcies have gone down. This is a result of our polices.

If the hon. member is dissatisfied with our budget maybe he should take a couple of words from the book of their keynote speaker at their alternative gathering this weekend. Ralph Klein said “The feds did the right thing in the budget and I have to admit that”. Does this mean they are going to throw him out of their caucus?

Social Union Agreement

[Michel Gauthier, Bloc, Roberval, QC]

Mr. Speaker, three provinces, along with Quebec, constituted a group determined to get the federal government to respect the common front on the social union. They were Ontario, Alberta and, to a lesser extent and a bit later on, British Columbia.

Quebec very quickly found itself isolated and, less than two weeks later, these three provinces hit the jackpot in the federal budget.

My question is for the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs: Were there in fact discussions and negotiations on a financial basis with the three provinces?

[Stéphane Dion, Liberal, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, during the social union negotiations, it was always agreed that we would talk about the social union and the ministers of finance would talk about the money angle.

In fact, on June 15, 1998, the finance ministers from all provinces except Quebec told the Government of Canada that they wanted to go back to equal social transfer payments, as long as equalization payments could be increased accordingly.

That is what the Minister of Finance announced a few days ago, the result being that Quebec will receive 34% of the overall transfer and Ontario only 25%. Ontario is therefore not necessarily the big winner.

[Michel Gauthier, Bloc, Roberval, QC]

Mr. Speaker, am I to understand from the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs that there were discussions to convince British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario to change their positions on the social union framework agreement and that a financial argument was never used?

In other words, they changed their positions without knowing that it would be to their financial advantage.