Debates of April 13th, 1999

Kosovo

[The Speaker]

The hon. member for Richmond—Arthabaska.

[André Bachand, Progressive Conservative, Richmond—Arthabaska, QC]

Mr. Speaker, a number of things confirm that the Kosovo conflict is spreading to more regions, perhaps even to others countries, which means that sending ground forces would appear to many to be increasingly necessary, if not the only solution.

Yesterday, we learned that the Yugoslav government has voted in favour of the federation joining the union of Russia and Belarus. This morning, through the media once again, we learned that the Serbian army had crossed the Albania-Kosovo border, in order to confront the Kosovo Liberation Army in three villages and put an end to the fighting between the two. Today, my colleague for Compton—Stanstead tells us that Canada has moved far further ahead than planned.

My question is for the Minister of National Defence. Does he deny that a meeting of officers was held in Kingston in order to prepare an offensive—

[The Speaker]

The Minister of National Defence.

[Art Eggleton, Liberal, Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, as I indicated in my previous response to the other hon. member of the Progressive Conservative Party, we only have one plan with respect to the deployment of Canadian troops.

With respect to the skirmishes on the border, we are still awaiting confirmation as to what took place.

Certainly the plan of NATO is to have troops, as it does now in Macedonia and as it will have in Albania, to protect the refugees.

[André Bachand, Progressive Conservative, Richmond—Arthabaska, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I suggest that the minister call Kingston.

On a related matter, whether we like it or not, the Kosovo Liberation Army is, and will continue to be, an increasingly important player in the conflict in Kosovo and in the possible solutions to that conflict.

That is why I would like to hear the Minister of Foreign Affairs tells us what he thinks of the Kosovo Liberation Army, commonly known as the UCK. In his opinion, is it a real or potential ally for NATO against Milosevic, is it too extremist to be an ally, or is it a group of no importance which might do more harm than good?

[Lloyd Axworthy, Liberal, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, at the NATO meetings yesterday we had the opportunity to discuss what could be a transition period once there is an agreement made.

It was very clear that we all felt that it was very important to encourage the moderate leadership among the Kosovars who can help in the redevelopment, help in the rebuilding of government and help in the re-establishment of a social society.

I want to go back to one central point. That will only happen when the Milosevic regime agrees to the principles which say that it has to withdraw its troops, it has to quit harassing and exploiting refugees, and it must stop using armed force against its own citizens.

Western Economic Diversification

[Sophia Leung, Liberal, Vancouver Kingsway, BC]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Secretary of State for Western Economic Diversification.

Today the official opposition has accused the federal government of alienating the west. Clearly women play a major role in the development of the western economy. What is the secretary of state doing to help women entrepreneurs in western Canada?

[Ronald J. Duhamel, Liberal, Secretary of State (Science]

Mr. Speaker, last Friday on behalf of the Government of Canada I had the pleasure of renewing the mandate of the Women's Enterprise Centres, one for each of the western provinces, which amounted to a $17.5 million renewal.

Why? Because independent evaluation showed that they did exceptionally well.

In what areas? Providing advice and counselling, access to funding, education, training, networking, mentoring and partnerships with government and non-government agencies. Women have been extremely successful in business. They need to be supported—

[The Speaker]

The hon. member for Saanich—Gulf Islands.

Fisheries And Oceans

[Gary Lunn, Reform, Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC]

Mr. Speaker, there is a seal crisis in Atlantic Canada. The minister's top seal scientist has confirmed today that the seal population is so large that the seals are eating at least twice as many fish than our fishermen have ever caught before in the history of Atlantic Canada.

We all agree that a mass slaughter is not the answer. We believe that increasing the quotas would go a long way to solving this crisis in Atlantic Canada. As the minister is opposed to increasing these quotas, we want to know what is his solution to this crisis.

[Wayne Easter, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Fisheries and Oceans]

Mr. Speaker, the minister has announced the total allowable catch for this year of 275,000. He has said that he will make his decision based on sound science. That is in part what the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans was doing this morning. It was hearing witnesses so that the committee can be helpful in recommending advice to the minister in the future.

Kosovo

[Monique Guay, Bloc, Laurentides, QC]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the Prime Minister said that our suggestion to use Canada's voice at the UN security council to promote the idea of an international protectorate in Kosovo would be useless. However, according to the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, NATO members are giving more and more thought to this solution and are calling on the UN and Russia to help settle the crisis.

Does the Prime Minister still think that getting the UN security council involved in the establishment of an international protectorate in Kosovo would produce no results?

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I did not say that the involvement of the United Nations in this issue would produce no results. At this point, there is not much the United Nations can do, because the Russians do not want to participate.

As for the policy suggested by the hon. member, it is one of numerous options that we can discuss once peace is restored and the Kosovars have gone back home.

[Gordon Earle, NDP, Halifax West, NS]

Mr. Speaker, the office of the Minister of National Defence confirmed my fears that NATO is using depleted uranium in Kosovo.

This radioactive blight continues to cause stillbirths and birth defects in Iraq and is thought to be partly responsible for the gulf war syndrome.

Will the government begin work immediately to convince NATO allies, especially the U.S., to cease any and all use of depleted uranium in Kosovo before we share in condemning more innocent civilians to radioactive poisoning?

[Art Eggleton, Liberal, Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, as I indicated yesterday, no Canadian munitions are using depleted uranium.

There may be use by other NATO allies, including the United States, and that matter is being looked into.

[Norman E. Doyle, Progressive Conservative, St. John's East, NL]

Mr. Speaker, on Friday, April 2 Canada was not accepting refugees from Kosovo. On Saturday, April 3 we were accepting 5,000 refugees. Then on Friday, April 9 we were only accepting refugees with special needs. On Sunday, April 11 the minister said that she was granting ministerial permits to refugees with special needs. At the same time our ambassador was saying that what we were talking about was not temporary protection, it was immigration.

Would the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration tell us if we are talking about immigration or are we talking about treating these people as refugees?

[Lucienne Robillard, Liberal, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration]

Mr. Speaker, I think is was very clear from the High Commissioner for Refugees for the United Nations that the first appeal was for temporary protection of people. The second appeal, when Mrs. Ogata spoke last Friday, was for resettlement, which is on a permanent basis.

Right now we are waiting for referrals from the High Commissioner for the resettlement of some individuals who have specific needs or for family reunification.

[Bev Desjarlais, NDP, Churchill, MB]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration.

The minister has indicated in the media and in the House that persons fleeing Kosovo with families in Canada will be welcomed. Could she share with us as to how this is to happen? My office has been trying to get assistance for two families in my riding and has been told on more than one occasion that these families have to go through the usual process of application.

[Lucienne Robillard, Liberal, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration]

Mr. Speaker, right now we have immigration officers there trying to identify possible family reunification cases.

For the families that are in Canada, there are special forms available from my department which they can fill out. We will also send these forms to our officers there to see if it will be possible to reunite families.

Presence In The Gallery

[The Speaker]

I draw to the attention of hon. members the presence in the gallery of Mr. Vladimir A. Torlopov, leader of a delegation of Speakers and Deputy Speakers of eight legislatures of Northern Russia.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear.

Points Of Order

[Don Boudria, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table a letter that the Prime Minister referred to earlier this day during question period in the House of Commons. Pursuant to the rules of Beauchesne's I am now tabling the letter.

[Raymonde Folco, Liberal, Laval West, QC]

Mr. Speaker, during oral questions, the Minister of Foreign Affairs referred to a letter he had sent to the Quebec minister, Mrs. Louise Beaudoin.

I ask that a copy of that letter be tabled in the House.

[Lloyd Axworthy, Liberal, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to table in both official languages my letter to the Quebec Minister of International Relations.

[Randy White, Reform, Langley—Abbotsford, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the government House leader just tabled in the House a letter from the Prime Minister.

I think there has been some misunderstanding. What my colleague was asking for in question period was not just a letter, but all relevant documents to an issue. I hope the government does not take our acceptance of the tabling of the letter as all relevant documents because it is not.