House of Commons Hansard #189 of the 36th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was children.
SupplyGovernment Orders
The Deputy Speaker
I heard the hon. member very directly say “try to perpetrate a fraud”. I see quite a difference there. We have heard this word several times in the House over the years and I do not think I will rule it out of order today.
We will call the debate to a conclusion and move to the other proceedings that normally take place at this time of day.
Deborah Grey Reform Edmonton North, AB
Mr. Speaker, the Northeast Community Health Centre in Edmonton North opened on January 27, 1999. It is an example of the great things that can be done when people work together to provide better health care services for the 21st century.
This centre is unique because it provides many services in one location. These services presently include doctors for pediatric, child, adolescent and family care; nurses and other health professionals for immunization and well child clinics; preschool speech and language services; pre and post-natal care; mental health therapists; laboratory collection sites; and a dietitian, social worker and addictions counsellor. Soon a 24-hour emergency room will open as well with more specialized clinics for women and seniors.
Congratulations to the volunteers and staff who had the vision and who worked for over 15 years to plan and build this modern and innovative Northeast Community Health Centre. Once again Edmonton leads the way in providing a new generation of health care services for a new millennium.
Sophia Leung Liberal Vancouver Kingsway, BC
Mr. Speaker, following our government's commitment to health care funding in the budget, the health minister was recently in Vancouver to announce two innovative projects in health care.
The Minister of Health supported the establishment of a centre of excellency for prostate cancer research in Vancouver. In total, $15 million has been committed to this research in Canada.
Minister Rock also announced the government's support of $2 million for Rick Hansen's neuro-trauma research which will benefit Canadians with spinal cord injuries.
Health CareStatements By Members
The Speaker
I remind hon. members that we do not use each other's names in the House; just our titles.
Beth Phinney Liberal Hamilton Mountain, ON
Mr. Speaker, Canadians will join the world next Monday, March 8, in celebrating International Women's Day which grew out of women's struggle for better working conditions in the mid-19th century.
Women organized protests over low wages, long working days, lack of equal pay and inhuman work environments. Along with protest came progress and the realization that the battle for equality must continue.
In 1977 the United Nations passed a resolution calling for countries to celebrate a day for women's rights and international peace. Since that time women all over the world have come together to celebrate International Women's Day.
This day is a celebration of ordinary women as makers of history and is rooted in the centuries old struggle to participate in society on an equal footing with men.
As we celebrate international women's week in our workplaces, communities and homes, let us reflect on the challenges that we face before women reach full equality in our society.
Aileen Carroll Liberal Barrie—Simcoe—Bradford, ON
Mr. Speaker, the United States is the most influential exporter of culture and attitudes in the world.
Historically, culture and commerce are linked. When Washington exalts free enterprise, the rights of the individual to do business can override government authority.
While this ethos is central to American culture and lifestyle, the widespread availability and eager incorporation of American values by other cultures can be destabilizing. Reaction against American cultural imperialism is building. UN sponsored conferences on preserving national cultures are proliferating.
Canada is not alone in standing its ground to protect our definition of cultural industries. France and Mexico are examples of nations initiating measures as well.
Amid the disorientation that can come with globalization, countries need cohesive national communities grounded in history and tradition. It is a recognition of this necessity—
Joe McGuire Liberal Egmont, PE
Mr. Speaker, this weekend in Halifax hundreds of Nova Scotia Liberals will come together to hold the annual general meeting of the Liberal Party of Nova Scotia.
Run by Premier Russell MacLellan, grassroots Liberals from across the province will engage not only in mundane organizational business, but in a program designed to provide input into the programs and policies of the Liberal Government of Nova Scotia.
This democratic exercise will allow the party to renew and re-energize itself before the upcoming session of the legislature. A jam-packed agenda will provide a forum for everyone in attendance to not only make their personal contributions, but to avail themselves of the experience and expertise of their fellow Liberals.
This will be especially true for young Liberals since a major focus of the convention is directed toward youth.
On behalf of my colleagues in the House of Commons and the Senate, I want to congratulate Premier MacLellan, party president Lloyd Campbell and co-chairs Eleanor Norrie and Claude O'Hara on their initiative and wish them and their fellow Nova Scotians a very successful convention.
Keith Martin Reform Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca, BC
Mr. Speaker, there is a crisis taking place in health care that nobody is talking about and that is the critical shortage of medical specialists that we are going to have in the very near future.
Take nephrology, for example. We are losing twice as many nephrologists each year than we are actually training. The majority of these kidney specialists are over the age of 50. Against this backdrop is a massively increasing demand. In fact the demand is increasing at a whopping 12% per year.
The situation is only going to worsen as our population ages and the incidence of diabetes increases. This critical shortage of specialists affects not only nephrology, but also orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, general surgery and other medical specialists, including the nursing profession.
The failure to invest in medical specialist training today will cause the suffering and death of many Canadians tomorrow. I implore the federal government to work with the provinces to deal with this situation today for all Canadians.
Stéphane Bergeron Bloc Verchères, QC
Mr. Speaker, allegations of practices that are questionable to say the least have cast serious doubts on the result of the November 30 election in the riding of Anjou.
According to information recently made public by the media, Liberal organizers engaged in the fraudulent practice of buying votes, by paying imposters to cast ballots in the stead of duly listed voters.
Such actions are unworthy of our democratic values and hark back to an era we thought was well behind us, raising concerns about the methods used by certain apparently unscrupulous organizers to achieve their ends. Such revelations call out for a crackdown on electoral practices.
Only a public inquiry into this shocking affair will eliminate the shadow now cast over the election results in certain ridings and alleviate our concern about similar goings-on during the last referendum, when a mere 25,000 votes separated the two sides.
Ted McWhinney Liberal Vancouver Quadra, BC
Mr. Speaker, Jack Webster, who died on March 2 of heart disease at the age of 80, immigrated to Canada from Scotland in 1949.
He first worked as a reporter for the Vancouver Sun , but it was later as a radio and television broadcaster that he really left his mark, pioneering the open line show format and inspiring a generation of broadcasters.
Ferociously combative but with a colourful imagination and robust sense of humour, he liked to tilt at windmills and challenge the status quo. In a real sense he anticipated the new people's power, the late 20th century emphasis on direct public participation in community decision making.
Randy White Reform Langley—Abbotsford, BC
Mr. Speaker, I want to introduce two very influential Canadians sitting in the opposition gallery. They are different in many ways.
Ken Roffel is a gentleman with his fair share of life's experiences. Sharleen Verhulst is a young lady who has many years to yet experience life. They have one thing in common. Ken's son Mark was murdered by a drunk driver. Sharleen's sister Cindy was also murdered by a drunk driver. Both Sharleen and Ken are here in Ottawa today to save lives. They are presenting recommendations to parliament's justice committee to change our drunk driving laws.
Canadians will gain from Sharleen's and Ken's dreadful experiences. They are speaking for Mark and Cindy and tens of thousands of Canadians who cannot be with us because of drunk drivers. Sharleen and Ken are important. They are dedicated. They are what we are here for. They are an inspiration to us all.
Michelle Dockrill NDP Bras D'Or, NS
Mr. Speaker, next Monday in this House we will see a sure sign that spring is coming to Ottawa. The Prime Minister will celebrate International Women's Day by having every woman Liberal MP he can find stand to sing the praises of the government.
Instead of stage managing the chorus line, this government should be acting to support women in their right for equality; acting to ensure fair treatment for older women by abandoning its plan to raid public service pension funds; acting to keep its endlessly delayed promise to women in the public service and deliver pay equity; acting to give women working in the home the respect they deserve for doing the most important job anyone can do, raising the next generation; and acting to end employment insurance rules which discriminate against women.
Canadian women are tired of words. What women want and demand is action; action that helps them feed themselves and, most importantly, their children.
Bernard Patry Liberal Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC
Mr. Speaker, in his last budget, the Minister of Finance announced an important measure to help Canadian families.
The child tax benefit means that taxpayers with dependent children pay lower taxes than those whose income is the same but who do not have dependent children.
I remind the House that the Canadian government set aside $850 million in assistance in 1997 and that it announced an additional $850 million in the 1998 budget.
The 1999 budget sets aside another $300 million for the child tax benefit, which will help two million low- and middle-income families.
These are some of the things our government is doing to improve the quality of life of Canadians.
Gurbax Malhi Liberal Bramalea—Gore—Malton, ON
Mr. Speaker, the region of Peel and the Peel regional police are celebrating their 25th anniversary.
The population has grown from 275,000 in 1974 to over 900,000 in 1999. The diverse ethnic groups represented at every level of government is clear proof of the community's tremendous tolerance and compassion.
Year long activities include Brampton Canada Day celebrations and other community events, such as the publication of a book highlighting local success stories.
Finally, I would ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Peel's professional, financial, religious, educational and municipal sectors, including the Peel police, for their valuable contribution toward making Peel's first quarter century a huge success.
Robert Bertrand Liberal Pontiac—Gatineau—Labelle, QC
Mr. Speaker, the inaugural speech by the Premier of Quebec was far from impressive. In it, he announced that he would step up efforts to attack the federal government and to sell the concept of separation.
This sounds more like a speech to a partisan sovereignist group than a speech by a government.
One would have liked the Premier of Quebec to state his intention to work in good faith with the federal government in order to settle some major issues.
One would have liked to hear his proposals for at least attempting to improve Canadian federalism.
One would have liked to hear Lucien Bouchard telling us whether he would respect the decision taken by Quebeckers in the last referendum, as well as telling us that he had properly understood the meaning of the results of the last election in Quebec.
Instead, we were treated to the prospect in the months to come of nothing but disdain and confrontation from the sovereignist government. A pleasant prospect indeed.
Jim Jones Progressive Conservative Markham, ON
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Industry likes to portray himself as a champion of productivity. Sadly, his government is the champion of high taxes and user fees on the private sector.
Since the Liberals took office in 1993 corporate income tax revenue has more than doubled. Canada's combined federal-provincial general corporate income tax rate averages 43%, 4 percentage points higher than comparable rates in the United States, our number one competitor.
Canada's corporate tax is also 9% higher than the average G-7 country.
The Liberals also did nothing to address their unfair, competitive and non-productive cost recovery program. In 1996-97 alone the program cost 23,000 Canadian jobs and cut $1.3 billion from our GDP.
If the Minister of Industry was serious about productivity he should have fought for a budget that provides tax and regulatory relief for the private sector. Let us hope the minister's battle to save the NHL is more successful than his battle to improve productivity.
Murray Calder Liberal Dufferin—Peel—Wellington—Grey, ON
Mr. Speaker, last week the Reform Party tried to disguise a party the voters have rejected in the last three elections. Despite the United Alternative's best efforts to appear more moderate, from what I saw the convention reeked of the same old rubbish.
Delegates voted to support refugees and immigrants only where they were a positive source of economic growth.
They voted down resolutions calling for national standards in health and education.
They threw out resolutions calling for government to play an effective role in job training and retraining.
They rejected a role for government fostering an economic climate that recognizes the need of Canadian youth.
A pollster who made Mike Harris blush asked if they would vote for a Jew.
It is the same leader, the same discredited policies, the same extremists. I predict that Canadians will reject—
The United AlternativeStatements By Members
The Speaker
I remind my colleagues that words we should not use outside the House we also should not use in here as a quotation from someone else. I ask you to respect that rule.
Maurice Vellacott Reform Wanuskewin, SK
Mr. Speaker, by taxing single income families unfairly the Liberal government has placed its ravenous appetite for tax revenues above the well-being of society.
In some countries governments permit children to be abused through child labour. Instead of ensuring that children receive an education, those governments look the other way, forcing children to punch the clock every day.
However, Canadians believe that a basic education is important enough to justify staying out of the paid workforce for a certain period of time.
Likewise, the majority of Canadians believe that the task of caring for our children, the next generation of Canadians, is important enough to justify a parent's decision to stay out of the paid workforce for a certain period of time.
The Liberal government seems to hold the view that if a person is not taxable, their contribution to society is less valuable. A vast majority of Canadians reject that view.
David Price Progressive Conservative Compton—Stanstead, QC
Mr. Speaker, the Progressive Conservative Party and I are very concerned about the lack of defence spending in the recent federal budget.
An additional $175 million for Canadian forces is next to nothing when they needed $700 million this year, and that is just to implement the quality of life study.
This is especially troubling after suggestions in the press that the Government of Canada is planning on cutting 5,000 people from Canadian troops.
When SCONDVA made its report on the quality of life in the Canadian forces, or lack thereof, we made it clear that it was our first priority. All parties agreed that the additional funds for the quality of life study should not come from force reduction.
The 1994 white paper received considerable support. Any troop cuts below 60,000 personnel would call the white paper into serious question.
Lastly, the Canadian forces need new equipment, particularly maritime helicopters.
Does the Liberal government have an interest in the Canadian military or are they just cannon fodder for the Prime Minister when he travels abroad?
Elinor Caplan Liberal Thornhill, ON
Mr. Speaker, on the occasion of the seventh annual Pharmacy Awareness Week I congratulate all Canadian pharmacists for the valuable contribution they make every week to the health of Canadians.
Pharmacy Awareness Week provides Canadians with an opportunity to learn how their pharmacists can help them to maintain and improve their health.
Pharmacists will be very busy this week highlighting many of the key aspects of pharmaceutical care that they provide to Canadians. The theme for this year's campaign is taking your medicine well. Pharmacists are experts on medication and its proper use.
I applaud your efforts and wish you a most successful campaign.
Deborah Grey Reform Edmonton North, AB
Mr. Speaker, the comments just float to the top. Now we have proof again that the Liberal member for Vancouver Kingsway in committee last fall told stay at home parents in Calgary that they “take the easy way out”. The Liberal member for St. Paul's told stay at home women that they were just a bunch of elite white women. These are not slips of the tongue.
Is it not true that this is the real family policy of the government?
Paul Martin LiberalMinister of Finance
Mr. Speaker, if we look at the measures this government has brought in, whether it be the child tax benefit, whether it be the action program for children, whether it be the prenatal nutrition program, whether it be the wide range of programs involving aboriginal head start, it is very clear that this government values enormously not only the work done at home but the raising of children, family policy. That is an essential part of our values. More important, we do not simply talk about it, we have put it into legislation.
Deborah Grey Reform Edmonton North, AB
Mr. Speaker, if this government really loved children I dare say it would not have allowed child pornography to go through. Is that proof of loving children? I hardly think so.
We have Liberal backbenchers who are appearing in public with these attitudes and they are not simply a slip of the tongue. I quote again. A Liberal member said a lot of times people just take the easy way out to look after their kids at home. The member for St. Paul's said it is just your perception as elite white women. The member for Essex—Windsor said that this is just for stay at home parents a nostalgic notion.
This is fiction. There are people right across the country who are sacrificing to stay home with their kids. Why does the government discriminate against them?