Debates of Feb. 5th, 1999

Social Union

[Denis Coderre, Liberal, Bourassa, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the agreement on the social union entered into with all of the provinces of Canada except Quebec represents an improvement, another stage in the workings of federation.

As the Prime Minister said yesterday, no one government wins and no one government loses; the people of Canada are the winners.

There is no doubt that it is a pity Quebec has refused to be part of the agreement. It is clear also, however, that Quebec will be associated with all stages of the consultation and the setting of priorities and common objectives.

It is, however, important to point out that Quebec has accepted the agreement on health.

Christian Rights

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight events that concern the Christian community in Canada and around the world.

The deadly religious violence perpetrated against Christians in India, the inaction of the Indian government and the continuing political persecution of elements of the Christian community in China are only some of the more visible problems being experienced by Christians in various parts of the world.

At another level altogether but still of concern is the censoring of references to Jesus Christ in the New Testament at the Swissair memorial service when other faiths were permitted the use of faith specific language. Tolerance, inclusiveness and multifaith worship are good things, but they should not and do not require discriminating against, specifically, Christian language.

Official Languages Act

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

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the National Arts Centre, that major symbol of Canadian biculturalism, tabled an English-only document before the heritage committee.

Yet there has been a stipulation in the Official Languages Act for 30 years now that French and English are the languages of work in the National Capital Region.

Once again, the Liberal government is incapable of enforcing the act right in its own backyard, and there is no denying that the lack of political will of the federal government is directly responsible for the 24% assimilation rate of the Eastern Ontario francophone community.

There is nothing surprising about the fact that crown corporations are thumbing their noses at the Official Languages Act, when even the PMO does the same, as the appointments to the Copyright Board prove.

The francophone ministers, including the President of Treasury Board and the Prime Minister himself, do not seem to be much burdened by this disgraceful non-compliance with the Official Languages Act, as they shamelessly hide their inaction behind empty speeches about the francophonie.

Dr. Howard Alper

[Mauril Bélanger, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I had the pleasure two days ago of attending a ceremony during which a professor of chemistry at the University of Ottawa, and a constituent of Ottawa—Vanier, Dr. Howard Alper, was honoured by being named Officer of the Order of Canada.

He is a research scientist, scholar and educator of international reputation. His scientific discoveries related to polyesters, fibres, foams and pharmaceuticals have led to significant economic growth in numerous sectors of our society.

He was instrumental in initiating and developing the partnership action group for science and engineering whose member societies address issues concerning research and applications of science in Canada and define their economic benefits.

Dr. Alper is also known for encouraging important reflections upon the future of science and engineering.

I congratulate and thank Dr. Alper for his contribution to Canada and wish him and his family the very best.

Newfoundland Election

[Scott Brison, Progressive Conservative, Kings—Hants, NS]

Mr. Speaker, today I stand to deliver a very important message which comes from the next premier of the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Mr. Ed Byrne.

Mr. Ed Byrne has asked me to communicate to the people of Canada and to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador that, pursuant to the health and social union agreement yesterday, he publicly commits to spend every last penny of health care funding restored partially by the federal government on the health care system of Newfoundland and Labrador when he is elected on Tuesday.

Ed is a man of his word. He is a man of sincerity, integrity and enthusiasm and he intends to become premier of Newfoundland and Labrador to improve his province; not just as a stepping stone to federal politics, but for the betterment of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador. He and his team of candidates will provide exceptional government to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador who badly need new leadership.

We want to encourage all residents of Newfoundland and Labrador to vote for Ed Byrne and the PC Party on Tuesday for the sake of their health care.

University Of Manitoba Students' Union

[Reg Alcock, Liberal, Winnipeg South, MB]

Mr. Speaker, four years ago when the concern over student debt was rising the University of Manitoba students union decided to act.

Four presidents—David Gratzer, Trevor Lynes, Catherine Kowalchuk and Chris Kozier—worked tirelessly with the Canadian Alliance of Students Association to present proposals to the federal government. They have worked in the province of Manitoba with the provincial government to find solutions to the problem of student debt, and they decided to act on their own.

Over the past four years they have raised money to create a fund that today stands at close to $1 million, which provides direct support to students on their campus. This year 1,400 students received scholarships and bursaries directly from the students union showing what people can do when they decide to act.

Freda Ahenakew

[Rick Laliberte, NDP, Churchill River, SK]

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of all the people of Canada I would like to extend our congratulations to Dr. Freda Ahenakew. She was recognized for her devotion and commitment to the preservation of the historic and linguistic significance of the Cree language. She was awarded the Order of Canada on Wednesday, February 3, 1999.

Social Union

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

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Prime Minister had an opportunity to sign a truly historic document that was all inclusive. Instead, because of his inflexibility, we have yet another agreement that does not have Quebec's signature.

Can the Prime Minister please explain to Canadians why it was more important to him to prevent provinces from opting out than to allow Quebec to opt in?

[Anne McLellan, Liberal, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada]

Mr. Speaker, it is most unfortunate that the hon. member does not join with the vast majority of Canadians in celebrating the important agreement that was entered into yesterday by nine provinces, two territories and the federal government.

If the hon. member looks at that agreement, if the hon. member listens to the premiers of this country, what she will understand is that it is a historic moment in terms of the degree of collaboration and partnership that will exist in this country as we move forward as governments working together to deliver good social policy for all Canadians regardless of where they live.

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

Mr. Speaker, the minister would like us to believe that if it was not for her government, the provinces would slash spending in education, health care and social services. In reality, over the past five years the only government that has significantly reduced spending in these areas has been this federal government.

Can the minister give Canadians one example of a province that has cut more funding in health care than this federal government?

[Anne McLellan, Liberal, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada]

Mr. Speaker, I simply reiterate for the hon. member that yesterday was a historic occasion in which all governments, nine provincial governments, two territorial governments and the federal government committed themselves to ensure adequate, affordable, stable and predictable funding for social programs in this country.

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

Mr. Speaker, one more day we hear this minister talk about all governments, excluding in the child porn case B.C., and now here it is Quebec. One province is missing.

When will this government learn that it is not the federal government's money and it is not the provincial governments' money. It is the Canadian taxpayers' money that funds health care.

Why are the Prime Minister and this government so obsessed about getting all the credit?

[Allan Rock, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, let me speak in terms of health care. Let me tell the hon. member that it was all governments, including Quebec, that reaffirmed the principles of the Canada Health Act. It was all governments, including Quebec, that undertook to spend any additional money for health.

All the governments of Canada, including the Government of Quebec, undertook to spend any additional money for health.

That is in the interests of Canadians and that is an achievement.

Health Care

[Rahim Jaffer, Reform, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

Mr. Speaker, this morning the health minister said that the health agreement signed yesterday will put an end to waiting lists.

As the minister well knows, 200,000 Canadians are on waiting lists today. Exactly when will that number be reduced to zero, or was this minister just spouting political rhetoric?

[Allan Rock, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, what I said and what is quite clear to the case is that we are now in a position to invest significantly more money through the budget over the coming years for health care. The provinces, including Quebec, have agreed to use that additional money for health care. The provinces have reaffirmed the principles of the Canada Health Act. By using that additional money and that common resolve to deal with the urgent present problems and plan for the future of sustainable medicare, Canadians will indeed see a return to access to quality care in this country.

[Rahim Jaffer, Reform, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I do not think that is any guarantee to the 200,000 Canadians currently on waiting lists in this country.

Since 1995 the Prime Minister has gutted social spending by $2,200 per family. Yesterday after fighting tooth and nail with the provinces he agreed to grudgingly give back $267 per family. Let us get this straight. He cuts $2,200 per family and now he is giving back only $267 per family? Where is the rest of the money? Did it all end up in some golf course in Shawinigan?

[Allan Rock, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, the bottom line for this government and for governments throughout the country is access to quality health care for Canadians.

One of the things that made yesterday a historic day is that we had every government in the country, all 13, saying that they are committed to the principles of our health care system, that they will use additional money provided through our budget to improve it. Health ministers know where the priorities are: to solve the present urgent problems and to make sure we plan for a medicare that is sustainable for the 21st century.

Social Union

[Gilles Duceppe, Bloc, Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, when questioned yesterday as to whether Quebec would receive its share of federal budgets for social programs, the Prime Minister replied “In so far as possible”.

This morning, the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs replied that Quebec would have to meet the terms of yesterday's agreement.

I therefore ask the Minister of Justice, the person behind the negotiations, whether “In so far as possible” means that Quebec will have to meet the terms of an agreement that it did not sign.

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

Mr. Speaker, before the agreement, it was fully recognized by the courts that the federal government had the right to announce a social or health program in a budget and tell the provinces that they could have the money if they met certain national standards.

With this agreement, the federal government may no longer take such unilateral action. It must consult the provinces and territories, obtain the support of a majority, stick to objectives, not launch programs unilaterally and let provinces that have already met the objective use the money for something else.

The premier of Quebec has a choice: stay away, or work with the other—

[The Speaker]

The hon. leader of the Bloc Quebecois.

[Gilles Duceppe, Bloc, Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the premier of Quebec has kept his word. The other premiers have gone back on theirs. If there is any government that is governing without Quebec today, it is the federal government.

The responsible minister has answered my first question, but I put my supplementary to the minister responsible for negotiations: Does she realize that the federal government is getting ready to use Quebec taxpayers' money to fund programs in other provinces?

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

Mr. Speaker, the Leader of the Bloc Quebecois is pathetic and unfair.

First, the premiers have always said that their position was one of negotiation. Only the premier of Quebec would not budge. The other provinces were ready to negotiate, but not he.

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh.

[Stéphane Dion, Liberal, Saint-Laurent—Cartierville, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I have lost my train of thought with all these insults—

[The Speaker]

The hon. member for Témiscamingue.