Debates of March 1st, 1999

Trade

[Pat Martin, NDP, Winnipeg Centre, MB]

Mr. Speaker, the government seems to have learned nothing from its recent MAI fiasco. As it now careens toward the free trade agreement of the Americas, transparency and openness seem to have been reduced to an afterthought.

Why is it that these trade agreements which affect the lives of millions of workers are being scrutinized behind closed doors and only by government and its big business buddies in the BCNI?

Will the government live up to its promise to consult with citizens, NGOs and labour groups before trading away our resources and our economic sovereignty?

[Bob Speller, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Minister for International Trade]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member should know, having sat in the House, that the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade is in fact at this time consulting with Canadians all across Canada on the whole issue of the FTAA.

For our part, the Government of Canada is looking not only to business groups but to labour groups and different provincial capitals across the country and gaining Canadians' concerns and views on where we should be taking trade into the next millennium.

National Defence

[David Price, Progressive Conservative, Compton—Stanstead, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the 35 year old Sea Kings are plagued by problems, from flameouts to rotor heads, but all long term maintenance has been postponed because there is no money left in the war chest to pay for the latest Persian excursion. Long term maintenance is a required safety measure.

My question is for the Minister of National Defence. How can we do proper safety maintenance with a slashed budget and ensure a peace of mind for our Sea King pilots and their families?

[Art Eggleton, Liberal, Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, I have said continuously in the House that we in fact will not fly any aircraft unless it is safe to fly. We have a very high maintenance standard. We ensure that we overhaul these aircraft on a very frequent basis. There are new engines that are being installed. Only when they are safe to fly will they fly.

Swissair

[Chuck Strahl, Reform, Fraser Valley, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I have a question for the Deputy Prime Minister. In the aftermath of the Swissair air crash Canadians were shocked to learn that Christian clergy involved in the Swissair ceremonies afterward were not allowed to use the name of Christ or Christian liturgy in the ceremony.

The Prime Minister has apologized for that incident. However, what we are looking for from the Deputy Prime Minister are assurances that protocol has been developed to make sure that this situation, a very unfortunate situation, does not happen again. Could he give us assurances that a protocol has been developed?

[Herb Gray, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, it is my understanding that the Prime Minister's Office and the foreign affairs department were not involved with the planning of the event with respect to the sermons and their content and played no role in determining the content of the sermons.

In any event, the Prime Minister has apologized for any misunderstanding. I am sure the experience will be taken into account in the future, but I hope and pray we will not have another air disaster like this for a long time to come, if ever. I hope the hon. member will join with me in this prayer.

Aboriginal Affairs

[Louise Hardy, NDP, Yukon, YT]

Mr. Speaker, there are first nations people in the country who do not live on reserves. In fact they are living in garbage dumps in towns around Ontario. In the fall, nine of them froze to death or died of TB or of other diseases related to poverty and exposure.

I know there is a Gathering Strength document but it is not helping these people. In fact they said it has put them back 20 years in their inability to even make contact with the interlocutor for Metis people. They would like to meet with him. They have good ideas about how to help these people.

Will the minister meet with them so that they can help those who are still alive and living in the dumps?

[Ralph Goodale, Liberal, Minister of Natural Resources and Minister responsible for the Canadian Wheat Board]

Mr. Speaker, we all know that some of the conditions facing off reserve aboriginal people are very distressing and deserve the attention of all governments in this country that have jurisdiction and responsibility.

The Government of Canada is working on its side of that responsibility as we would expect all other levels of government to do as well. We are anxious to work in partnership to find the solutions that work. And yes indeed, my door is always open to meet with any aboriginal group that wants to talk to me.

Presence In Gallery

[The Speaker]

I draw the attention of hon. members to the presence in the gallery of Sir Leon Brittan, Vice-President of the European Commission.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear.

The President of the Treasury Board presented a message read by the Speaker in which His Excellency the Governor General transmitted the Main Estimates for the fiscal year ending on March 31, 2000.

Government Response To Petitions

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

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's response to 10 petitions.

Committees Of The House

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

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present the 58th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs regarding the associate membership of the Standing Committee on Human Resources Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities. If the House gives its consent, I intend to move concurrence in the 58th report later this day.

1999-2000 Main Estimates

[Marcel Massé, Liberal, President of the Treasury Board and Minister responsible for Infrastructure]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 81(4) and to Standing Order 81(6), I wish to introduce a motion concerning referral of the Main Estimates to the standing committees of the House.

Therefore, I move:

That the Main Estimates for 1999-2000, laid upon the Table earlier today, be referred to the several Standing Committees of the House as follows:

Since there is a lengthy list associated with the motion, if it is agreeable to the House, I would ask that the list be printed in Hansard at this point without being read.

[The Deputy Speaker]

Is that agreed?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

To the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development

Indian Affairs and Northern Development, Votes 1, 5, 10, 15, L20, L25, L30, 35, 40, 45 and 50

To the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food

Agriculture and Agri-Food, Votes 1, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25

To the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage

Canadian Heritage, Votes 1, 5, 10, L15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 110, 115, 120, 130 and 135 Privy Council, Votes 30 and 35

To the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration

Citizenship and Immigration, Votes 1, 5, 10 and 15

To the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development

Environment, Votes 1, 5, 10 and 15 Privy Council, Vote 40

To the Standing Committee on Finance

Finance, Votes 1, 5, L10, L15, 20, 35 and 40 National Revenue, Votes 1, 5 and 10

To the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans

Fisheries and Oceans, Votes 1, 5 and 10

To the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade

Foreign Affairs, Votes 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, L35, L40, 45, 50, 55 and 60

To the Standing Committee on Health

Health, Votes 1, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25

To the Standing Committee on Human Resources Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities

Human Resources Development, Votes 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35

To the Standing Committee on Industry

Industry, Votes 1, 5, L10, L15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 110, 115 and 120

To the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights

Justice, Votes 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50 Privy Council, Vote 50 Solicitor General, Votes 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50

To the Standing Committee on National Defence and Veterans Affairs

National Defence, Votes 1, 5 and 10 Veterans Affairs, Votes 1, 5 and 10

To the Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Government Operations

Canadian Heritage, Vote 125 Governor General, Vote 1 Natural Resources, Votes 1, 5, L10, 15, 20 and 25 Parliament, Vote 1 Privy Council, Votes 1, 5, 10, 45 and 55 Public Works and Government Services, Votes 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 Treasury Board, Votes 1, 2, 5, 10, 15 and 20

To the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs

Parliament, Vote 5 Privy Council, Vote 20

To the Standing Committee on Public Accounts

Finance, Votes 25 and 30

To the Standing Committee on Transport

Privy Council, Vote 15 Transport, Votes 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35

To the Standing Joint Committee on Library of Parliament

Parliament, Vote 10

To the Standing Joint Committee on Official Languages

Privy Council, Vote 25

(Motion agreed to)

Committees Of The House

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

Mr. Speaker, if the House gives its consent, I move that the 58th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs presented to the House earlier this day be concurred in.

[The Deputy Speaker]

Does the House give its consent to the hon. Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons to move this motion?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Deputy Speaker]

Having heard the terms of the motion, is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

(Motion agreed to)

Petitions

[Ted White, Reform, North Vancouver, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise to present a petition on behalf of Liliane George of Grandparents Requesting Access and Dignity, along with 186 others.

They draw the attention of the House to the fact that grandparents as a consequence of the death, separation or divorce of their children are often denied access to the grandchildren by their guardians. The relationship that exists between grandparents and grandchildren is a natural fundamental one and the denial of access can constitute elder abuse and can have a serious detrimental emotional impact on both the grandparents and the grandchildren.

There is legislation in several provincial jurisdictions, including Quebec and Alberta, containing provisions to ensure the right of access of grandparents to their grandchildren. They are asking this House to amend the Divorce Act to make this possible.

[Rose-Marie Ur, Liberal, Lambton—Kent—Middlesex, ON]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, I am honoured to present two petitions signed by residents of London, Sarnia, Exeter and Grand Bend. They urge parliament to ban the gas additive MMT, noting it is not used in Europe and most American states as it clogs emission control devices in vehicles and is opposed by all major car companies.

[Paul Szabo, Liberal, Mississauga South, ON]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, I am pleased to present a petition signed by a number of Canadians including some from my own riding of Mississauga South concerning the matter of human rights.

The petitioners would like to draw to the attention of the House that human rights abuses continue to be rampant around the world in countries such as Indonesia. The petitioners also point out that Canada continues to be recognized as a champion of human rights around the world. Therefore the petitioners call upon Canada to continue to speak out against human rights violations and also to seek to bring to justice those responsible for such abuses.

Questions On The Order Paper

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

Mr. Speaker, Questions Nos. 84 and 144 will be answered today. .[Text]

Question No. 84—

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

For each of the last twenty years: (/a/) how many actual violent crimes have been investigated by the RCMP: (/b/) of these offences how many involved the use of firearms: and (/c/) how many of the firearms used in these criminal incidents were categorized as non-restricted, restricted-registered, restricted-unregistered, or prohibited firearms?