Debates of Feb. 8th, 1999

Sarah Wheaton

[Nancy Karetak-Lindell, Liberal, Nunavut, NU]

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Sarah Wheaton, age 11, from Nakasuk school in Iqaluit, the future capital of Nunavut. She is one of the winners of a contest that tested space related knowledge of Canadians.

Sarah Wheaton, along with other Canadian contest winners, will watch on March 13 Canadian Space Agency astronaut Julie Payette's launch on site at the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. This mission marks Canada's first participation in an assembly flight of the international space station, an ambitious scientific engineering project to create the world's largest orbiting laboratory.

I congratulate Sarah and her fellow grade six classmates for participating. Bon voyage to the contest winners.

The Heart And Stroke Foundation Of Canada

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

Mr. Speaker, this is Heart on the Hill Day with the celebration of the Heart and Stroke Foundation visiting Ottawa.

Cardiovascular disease is still Canada's number one killer. February is National Health Month. Therefore I am proud to rise today to pay tribute to a tremendous organization, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.

In particular I want to praise the work of the branch of this foundation in my home province of Saskatchewan. It would come as a surprise to most people to know that in Saskatchewan this organization has an army of some 20,000 volunteers. It is sad for me to say that many of our top researchers have left Saskatchewan simply because of a lack of funding.

I join with the heart foundation and my provincial colleagues to ask the federal government to significantly invest in heart research. In the province of Saskatchewan 80% of the $1,070,000 spent on health research comes from volunteer collections.

I salute the work of the volunteers for the Heart and Stroke Foundation across this nation and indeed for the province of Saskatchewan.

National Year 2000 Preparedness Week

[Marlene Jennings, Liberal, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the government has designated this week National Year 2000 Preparedness Week. During this week, every household in Canada will receive a guide with information on their appliances, vehicles, insurance, personal finances and computers.

I encourage all Canadians to read this guide and to call retailers and manufacturers, if they have any questions.

This week affords all of us the opportunity to remind and monitor small businesses in Canada to ensure that they are taking the necessary action to survive and flourish after the millennium. Information on government programs to help small business is available on the Internet and through the government's toll free line at 1-800-270-8220.

I invite all members of the House to join with the government in spreading the Y2K preparedness message so that we can work together to turn—

[The Speaker]

The hon. member for Drummond.

Cirque Du Soleil

[Pauline Picard, Bloc, Drummond, QC]

Mr. Speaker, since December 23, the Cirque du Soleil has been performing at Walt Disney World, in Florida.

Whether in Las Vegas with the aquatic show called “O”, in Orlando with La Nouba or in Paris with Notre-Dame de Paris , performers from Quebec are recognized world-wide for their exceptional skills.

Most of all, this new equal partnership between a Quebec-based enterprise and the world's largest entertainment company, Disney, shows that Quebeckers are capable of developing socio-economic partnerships anywhere in the world.

Quebeckers are competent and considered to be creative and very energetic partners; the Cirque du Soleil is living proof of that.

Canadian Economy

[Lynn Myers, Liberal, Waterloo—Wellington, ON]

Mr. Speaker, last summer the leader of the Reform Party decided to use the unprecedented tactic of going overseas to deride the Canadian economy during a speech in Hong Kong to investors and business professionals.

He claimed that the Canadian dollar and the Canadian economy was facing a major economic crisis.

Fortunately the Reform leader's doomsday predictions have not come anywhere near to being realized. In fact our government's prudent approach in managing the economy has proven to be the right one.

Consider the evidence. The Canadian dollar has now regained its strength and unemployment is down to its lowest level in nearly nine years. Youth unemployment in 1998 saw a net increase of 143,000 jobs, the best result in 20 years. This is just a small part of the overall total of 1.5 million jobs created since our government took office in 1993.

I for one am glad the government did not listen to Reform's demands last summer to scrap the budget plan. I look forward to even more of the responsible fiscal management we have come to expect from our government in the upcoming budget.

The Late King Hussein

[Keith Martin, Reform, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca, BC]

Mr. Speaker, today the world mourns the death of King Hussein of Jordan.

The King, ruler of his country for 46 years, was a beacon of hope in a land entrenched in conflict. The shifting sands of Middle East politics have claimed many leaders and it is a true measure of the man that he was able to lead his people for so long.

I had the privilege of meeting the King a few years ago. What was most striking about him was his humility, grace and kindness. Known to dress as one of his subjects, to take the pulse of his citizenry, he was a true people's king. However, it is in his last act that the King demonstrated his true colours.

It is said that the ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort, but where he stands in times of challenge. So it is in his last gesture of flying while critically ill to ensure that the Wye Peace Accord was signed that the King may be judged.

Members of the Reform Party wish to extend our deepest sympathies to the royal family, the Jordanian people and we commit to support King Abdullah in his pursuit of peace and security.

Soirée Des Masques

[Claude Drouin, Liberal, Beauce, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the fifth Soirée des Masques, a major theater event in Quebec, was held last weekend.

Congratulations to all the nominees and especially to the winners.

Quebec theater is alive and well indeed. Last week, the 50th anniversary of the Rideau Vert theater clearly indicated that our cultural identity as Quebeckers and francophones is not an abstraction but an art that is widely shared and recognized.

This important cultural event was an opportunity to discover or rediscover our local talent, in productions like 15 secondes , La Décadente and Le Diable à quatre .

Congratulations to all the winners, actors and creators alike, without whom there simply would not be a Quebec theater.

Aboriginal Affairs

[Bev Desjarlais, NDP, Churchill, MB]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberal government's neglect of aboriginal people is an outrage. Communities in my riding and across the country live in third world poverty. There are no jobs. They are not able to buy healthy food for their families. They have poor housing and overcrowded conditions. Some do not even have clean drinking water.

In the Shamattawa First Nation, four out of five young people are addicted to solvents. The Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development sent me a letter saying that Shamattawa is a high priority community. The chief and the council have been asking the government for a healing centre for addicts in the community.

All they have received from the Liberal government is token gestures like a few thousand dollars for a rec centre. If this is the Liberal government's idea of a high priority community, I would hate to see the low priority community.

The Liberal government always points to the gathering strength program and the aboriginal healing fund like they will solve everything. But I am hearing from my constituents about healing fund applications being denied.

The Liberal government's programs for aboriginal people are a sham. They do not go nearly far enough. It is time for the government—

[The Speaker]

The hon. member for Pontiac—Gatineau—Labelle.

Social Union Agreement

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

Mr. Speaker, many people rightly feel that the social union agreement represents important progress in the evolution of Canadian federalism

For instance, in the new agreement, the federal government takes a large step in agreeing to no longer introduce new initiatives supported by transfers to the provinces, whether cost-shared or block-funded.

The federal government will limit its role to setting objectives and will have to obtain the agreement of a majority of provinces, which will then be allowed to tailor programs to their own requirements.

This is the kind of overture the government has made with a view to modernizing Canadian federalism. This is the kind of overture our government feels would strengthen the provinces' sense of being a part of Canada, while respecting their own priorities with respect to development and approach in a sector as vital as social services and health.

The Late King Hussein

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

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Progressive Conservative Party I would like to extend my condolences to the Jordanian royal family and to the people of Jordan on the loss of King Hussein.

As world leaders today mourn the loss of this great man, the question arises: Where is the Prime Minister of Canada? U.S. President Bill Clinton and three former U.S. presidents have managed to make the time to go to King Hussein's funeral. The leaders of all G-8 countries, except Canada, are in Jordan. Even the Russian Prime Minister with his failing health, Boris Yeltsin, is defying his doctors and has left the hospital to attend the funeral of King Hussein. But our Prime Minister is skiing in British Columbia. According to the PM's office he just would not be able to get to Jordan in time for the funeral despite 24 hours' notice and a government jet at his disposal.

This is a diplomatic snub. It is a slap in the face to Jordan, an international news story and an embarrassment to Canada. It is an affront to our historical leadership in the Middle East. While we should be mourning the loss of Jordan's King Hussein—

[The Speaker]

The hon. member for Beauharnois—Salaberry.

The Late King Hussein Of Jordan

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

Mr. Speaker, today, the Bloc Quebecois joins with all those in the Middle East and elsewhere in the international community who mourn the passing of King Hussein of Jordan.

The Bloc Quebecois pays tribute to this man, who understood that war was a scourge and who, until very recently, played an active role in the peace process to bring about a reconciliation between Palestinians and Israelis, between the Jewish and Arab worlds.

Bloc Quebecois members wish King Hussein's successor, his son, the new King Abdullah, a calm and peaceful transition, in the critical days ahead. They urge him to play a leadership role in the search for a lasting peace in the Middle East, as King Hussein did for the 46 years of his reign, in order to restore Jordan to prosperity.

Citizenship And Heritage Week

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

Mr. Speaker, this year's Citizenship and Heritage Week, which begins today, gives us pause for reflection. It reminds us of the rich history of our people—from the first nations and the Inuit to the early settlers and newer immigrants—who collectively have defined our common identity and shared values.

As a people, we come to help our neighbours during emergencies, but do not wait for disasters to show we really care for our fellow citizens. Witness the social union accord signed last week by the federal and provincial governments. It enhances our sense of belonging to one Canada where the quality of life of citizens will continue to be held as the guiding beacon for governance.

Truly, the unit of Canadian citizenship is neither you nor I alone, but you and I working together to achieve our common dream, the attainment of human dignity for all. This is the essence of the week. We can all take pride.

Canadian Heritage

[Inky Mark, Reform, Dauphin—Swan River, MB]

Mr. Speaker, at times the heritage minister does some strange things. The minister and her colleagues almost drove over $700 million in film production out of B.C. and out of Canada. Now that is a feature film policy.

The minister has launched a tape tax on churches recording their services for shut-ins. Now that is promotion of the recording industry.

The heritage minister is endangering thousands of Canadian jobs in lumber, wheat production, plastics, textiles and steel.

She is telling advertisers they cannot exercise free speech in advertising in foreign magazines. If they do, they will face the wrath of the Criminal Code of Canada.

That is a minister who will face the wrath of her own constituents if she does not stop this misguided magazine bill.

Foreign Affairs

[Deborah Grey, Reform, Edmonton North, AB]

Mr. Speaker, King Hussein was a leader, a diplomat and a fighter. But perhaps his greatest legacy was that of a peacemaker, a man who helped bring warring nations together.

Every world leader was in Amman today to pay their respects. President Clinton and three former U.S. presidents were there. All of the leaders of the G-8 were there, including the ailing President Boris Yeltsin. Other than Saddam Hussein, the only world leader who was not there was Canada's Prime Minister.

Why did he not go?

[David Anderson, Liberal, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans]

Mr. Speaker, all Canadians are saddened by the death of King Hussein and we certainly wish to associate ourselves with the expressions of condolences that have been expressed to the family and of course to the people of Jordan.

Unfortunately it was not physically possible, given the time when the death was made known to the Prime Minister, who was in western Canada, for him to travel to Amman for the funeral.

[Deborah Grey, Reform, Edmonton North, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the world has known that King Hussein was going to die as early as Thursday. The Prime Minister had a lot of time to make plans. This is about showing solidarity with King Abdullah, the new Jordanian leader. It is about sending a message that Jordan is a valued friend. It is about demonstrating that Canada wants to be involved in achieving peace in the Middle East. It is about proving that Canada cares enough to send its highest dignitary, who should have known ahead of this impending tragedy.

Why did he not go?

[David Anderson, Liberal, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans]

Mr. Speaker, may I again repeat that the expectation was that there would be 24 hours notice of the funeral of King Hussein. Unfortunately there was inadequate time for the Prime Minister to leave western Canada for Amman, Jordan and to arrive in time for the funeral arrangements prepared by the Jordanian authorities. Therefore it was simply physically impossible for the Prime Minister to attend. It is with regret that he was unable to attend.

The member knows full well that when there was a disaster in northern Quebec recently the Prime Minister quickly changed his plans to make himself available to be there for that ceremony.

He indeed sent staff from his own office to Amman to make arrangements but—

[The Speaker]

The hon. member for Edmonton North.

[Deborah Grey, Reform, Edmonton North, AB]

Mr. Speaker, now it is someone else's fault. What a tragedy. The President of the United States attended.

This one thoughtless act has the potential to undo a lot of hard won diplomatic work. The Prime Minister had a special obligation to Jordan today.

Canada is the chair of the United Nations Security Council. We are trying to influence the peace progress greatly.

I would like the minister to stand and say what message the Prime Minister is sending to the rest of the world by simply refusing to show up at the funeral today.

[David Anderson, Liberal, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans]

Mr. Speaker, the statement of the hon. member is inaccurate and I am sure she regrets it.

The Prime Minister wished to be at the funeral. Several days ago he sent staff from his office to Amman to make arrangements. However it was not possible for him, on less than 24 hours notice, to travel from Vancouver to Amman.

I might add, despite the assertions of the hon. member, that government leaders of several countries had a similar problem. The leaders of Latin America, Australia and New Zealand had the same time constraints and were similarly unable to attend.

Apec Inquiry

[Jim Abbott, Reform, Kootenay—Columbia, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the APEC inquiry has started again under a new commissioner, Ted Hughes. Once again he has requested funding for the students. He has said “the inquiry would not be a level playing field without that funding”.

When is the solicitor general going to make the wrong right? When is he going to announce funding for the students?

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Solicitor General of Canada]

Mr. Speaker, I have received a letter from Mr. Hughes. I and my staff are evaluating the letter. We will respond to the letter in due course.