Debates of April 14th, 1999

[The Speaker]

As is our practice on Wednesday we will now sing O Canada, and we will be led by the hon. member for Sackville—Musquodoboit Valley—Eastern Shore.

Parkinson's Disease Awareness Month

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

Mr. Speaker, April has been designated Parkinson's Disease Awareness Month to highlight one of the most common neurological disorders.

The disease is a chronic brain disorder resulting in tremors, slow movements and muscle stiffness. It affects over 100,000 Canadians, most over the age of 55.

The Parkinson Foundation of Canada, established in 1955, consists of more than 100 chapters and support groups nationwide. The foundation's activities are committed to funding, research, seeking treatments, and eventually finding a cure for Parkinson's disease.

The foundation provides training, counselling and workshops for patients, caregivers and health care providers, while developing educational material to heighten public awareness about Parkinson's.

I invite the House to join with me in wishing the Parkinson Foundation of Canada and its volunteers a very successful Parkinson's Disease Awareness Month.

Nipawin Employment Insurance Office

[Derrek Konrad, Reform, Prince Albert, SK]

Mr. Speaker, a valued frontline federal office in my riding is to be shut down soon.

The Nipawin employment insurance office is closing and those least able to afford it will be forced to make a two hour round trip to the next office and no one can say why.

I have spoken to many upset users, received about 200 letters of support, attended a town hall meeting on the subject and had representations from both the town council and the chamber of commerce who are all opposed to the decision to close the office.

The Reform Party is in favour of prudent fiscal management and would not support the existence of an office for show, but this office is the busiest of its kind in Saskatchewan.

As the residents of Nipawin and district fill out their income tax forms this spring, they will see first hand that they are paying a lot more and getting a lot less from this Liberal government.

The message from my riding is this: Reduced services combined with high taxes are not acceptable.

Dictée Des Amériques

[Mark Assad, Liberal, Gatineau, QC]

Mr. Speaker, in this year of Canadian francophonie, I would like to report that last weekend the final of the dictée des Amériques was held in Quebec City. This international event featured 112 finalists from 12 countries in America, Europe or Africa.

It is a source of great pride that Canada has hosted such an event. The French language holds pride of place in our country. One Canadian in three speaks French and one in four has French as his or her mother tongue.

Congratulations to the prize winners. Three of them came from right here in Canada: Marc Ethier of Gatineau, Heidi Garrand of Regina, and Monique McDonald of North Vancouver.

In Canada, the French language has an intrinsic value, even if we are proud of this country's linguistic diversity.

Western Task Force

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

Mr. Speaker, as the Liberal's western task force prepares for its great expedition to British Columbia, here is a brief history lesson to assist them.

Prior to this government's election, B.C. used to have an army base, a fact that appears to have escaped the Secretary of State for the Status of Women.

Prior to this government's election, B.C. used to have a fishing industry, a fact that appears to have escaped the more aptly named minister of “no more” fisheries.

Prior to this government's election, B.C. used to have a softwood lumber industry, a fact that appears to have escaped the Minister of Heritage as her misguided Bill C-55 threatens to further decimate the industry.

Finally, prior to this government's election, B.C. used to have a booming economy that the federal government sucked billions of tax dollars out of. The boom is gone but the Liberals, well, they still suck.

[The Speaker]

I would appeal to hon. members to please be very judicious in your choice of words.

Jeunesses Musicales Du Canada

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

Mr. Speaker, this year marks the fiftieth birthday of Jeunesses musicales du Canada. This event will be celebrated in a number of events throughout the year, including one last Monday evening at the Montreal Casino.

Jeunesses musicales du Canada was founded in 1949 by Gilles Lefebvre, Anaïs Allard-Rousseau and Joseph Lemieux. The objective of this member organization of Jeunesses musicales internationales is to develop a taste for music in young people.

In addition, thanks to its pivotal role in the creation of a world orchestra directed by the greatest conductors of our time, Jeunesses musicales du Canada offers our top musical talents the opportunity to hone their craft alongside musicians from many other countries.

On the occasion of its fiftieth anniversary, we owe a vote of thanks to the visionary Canadians who have thus made a contribution to the development of Canadian culture.

Many happy returns, Jeunesses musicales du Canada.

Kosovo

[Nick Discepola, Liberal, Vaudreuil—Soulanges, QC]

Mr. Speaker, for a number of days now, all the refugees—men, women and children—who have fled Kosovo and the threats have been in our thoughts.

I fully support our government on this matter so vital and important to the people of Canada, which we debated when the House resumed sitting on Monday.

Canadians are aware of the suffering of the Kosovar people, and they can count on our government to speak on their behalf and especially to act, as we are doing, in a timely fashion.

We all want this war to end as soon as possible so the refugees may return home and, most importantly, recover their dignity.

Royal Canadian Air Force

[Art Hanger, Reform, Calgary Northeast, AB]

Mr. Speaker, one of Canada's greatest military institutions was founded 75 years ago. The Royal Canadian Air Force is celebrating its birthday as it members perform heroically in the skies over Yugoslavia.

The Yugoslavian mission is, however, just the latest in a long, proud history of involvement for the air force. The Canadian Air Force made an important contribution to both world wars, Korea, the gulf war, not to mention the ongoing commitments to peacekeeping.

During World War I, the most highly decorated allied airman was Canadian Billy Bishop who downed 72 enemy aircraft during the war.

In 1940, during World War II, the RCAF played a key role in the Battle of Britain dashing Nazi Germany's hope of invading the United Kingdom.

The air force went on to train over 130,000 allied pilots while playing a significant role during the Battle of the Atlantic, the air war against Germany and on D-Day.

Congratulations to all members of the Canadian Air Force, both past and present. You are Canada's top guns.

Sleeman Breweries

[Brenda Chamberlain, Liberal, Guelph—Wellington, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to toast Sleeman Breweries.

Located in my riding of Guelph—Wellington, Sleeman has had an outstanding year and recently reported that its fourth quarter profits have increased by 44% in the past 12 months. Not only has Sleeman expanded its operations by creating a national family of craft breweries, it has also increased the popularity of its traditional brands. This is great news for Sleeman and for my hon. colleagues from Quebec because it is in their home province that Sleeman saw the largest increase in sales.

I would like to congratulate Sleeman Breweries on yet another success. Its business excellence, combined with its commitment to promoting responsible drinking and its commitment to our community has made all of Guelph—Wellington proud.

When it comes to beer, the choice is clear and that choice is Sleeman.

Sikh Nation

[Gurbax Malhi, Liberal, Bramalea—Gore—Malton, ON]

Mr. Speaker, today marks the 300th birthday of the Sikh nation. It is the Sikh duty to walk in the footsteps of the Sikh gurus. Their belief was that all persons are the same though they appear different regardless of creed, colour or race.

That is why the basic lessons Sikhism teaches are: selfless service, tolerance, compassion, love, contentment, equality, humbleness and well-being for all.

I would like to thank the Hon. Prime Minister and the chairman of Canada Post, André Ouellet, both of whom next Monday will unveil a Canada Post stamp with the Sikh religious symbol, the “Kanda Sahib”.

Finally, I would urge all my colleagues in the House of Commons to join me in congratulating Sikhs in Canada and around the world on this momentous occasion.

Public Transit

[Raymond Lavigne, Liberal, Verdun—Saint-Henri, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I was flattered to note how many colleagues had voted in favour of Motion M-360 yesterday evening in the House.

Encouraging the use of public transit is a giant step in support of the environment. Furthermore, modern forms of transportation must make a strong contribution to the fight against pollution, since they move noiselessly, pollution free and are quick and light.

This is why I support the construction of a monorail on the Champlain Bridge estacade, as it will help fight pollution, reduce traffic on the bridge and above all significantly develop the economy of my beautiful riding of Verdun—Saint-Henri, the southwest and greater Montreal.

I note that the vast majority of my colleagues are sensitive to the environment and such positive action must be acknowledged publicly.

Judicial Appointments

[Gordon Earle, NDP, Halifax West, NS]

Mr. Speaker, Canada's legal profession suffers from racism and this Liberal government has just made matters worse.

Quebec has recently chosen to address racism in the legal profession by appointing the first black judge in its history. Félicitations.

The Liberal government chose instead to push equality for black people, and indeed for all people of colour, backward.

This slap in the face of all Canadians of conscience came recently when the government failed to appoint Judge Corrine Sparks to the new Unified Family Court.

Appointed in 1987, Judge Sparks is the most senior woman and the only black judge sitting in the family court in Nova Scotia. Judge Sparks is widely respected both in the black community throughout Canada and by the legal profession in Nova Scotia.

This Liberal government must immediately review and rectify this wrong.

Dr. Esmerelda Thornhill, professor of law at Dalhousie wrote:

I further implore you to put in place mechanisms that will start guaranteeing an equitable representation for racial minorities in all federal appointments to the Judiciary.

The black community and all Canadians deserve justice on this matter.

Gymnast Julie Beaulieu

[Francine Lalonde, Bloc, Mercier, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I join with my constituents in Mercier in congratulating young gymnast Julie Beaulieu on the two gold and two bronze medals she won at International Gymnix in Montreal on March 13 and 14 last.

Gymnix is a competition participated in by the Ukraine, the United States, France, Argentina and Spain, countries recognized for the excellence of their gymnasts.

Ranked third in Canada, Julie carried off top honours in this competition. Thanks to her perseverance, her talent, her tremendous performances, and the support of her parents, she will be taking part in the Canadian championships next May in Vancouver. She stands a very good chance of making it to the next Olympic Games, as well as to the Pan-American Games and the world championships, her personal preference.

Once again, congratulations, Julie. We will be with you in spirit at these important sports events.

Souris River

[Rick Borotsik, Progressive Conservative, Brandon—Souris, MB]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak of a serious situation that is affecting southwestern Manitoba and my riding of Brandon—Souris. The residents of the area are preparing for one of the worst floods the area has seen in 20 years.

The Souris River is predicted to rise well above flood stage. Several hundred acres are under water right now in the Souris Valley with the river expected to peak around April 21st. Some businesses are already feeling the affects of the flood.

Farmers could be especially hard hit. If water stays too long in the fields, crops will not be seeded in time and what little profits there are will wash away.

Provincial flood forecaster, Alf Warkentin, said recently that the length of this year's Souris River flood would depend on the weather. If there are any more rain storms it could stay until June.

As with the Saguenay and the Red River Valley, I urge the government to apply the same consistency in the level of compensation to those affected by the Souris River flood. The livelihood of farmers and other businesses in the area are at stake. It is time for the federal government to start becoming proactive and develop a long term disaster assistance program.

United Alternative

[John Harvard, Liberal, Charleswood—Assiniboine, MB]

Mr. Speaker, the Reform leader's grand dream of a united alternative continues to implode as more and more Reformers see it for what it is; an attempt to gain power without regard for principle.

As the Reform member for Yorkton—Melville said in today's paper, “the byelection results should be a serious wake-up call for us. We've got some serious problems”. He was referring to Reform's last place finish in the Windsor—St. Clair byelection.

Reform has spent two years and all its resources trying to create a united alternative that will win seats in Ontario. What did it get for its efforts? It got a drop in the party's popular vote from 14% in 1997 to an embarrassing 6% this week.

There is a lesson in this for the Reform Party: you do not gain support by playing divisive regional politics; you do not gain support by undermining public institutions, and you certainly do not gain support by merely changing the name of your party.

You gain support by working hard, listening to Canadians and above all, showing respect for every citizen in this country.

Kosovo

[Christiane Gagnon, Bloc, Québec, QC]

Mr. Speaker, on April 8, as part of the Salon international du livre de Québec, Ursulines de Quebec and Ursulines de Loretteville students released a collection of texts on international peace.

As the fighting rages in Yugoslavia and hundreds of thousands of men, women and children are forced to flee their homeland, I join with young Catherine Michaud, a sixth-grade student, who penned the following:

My wish would be for no more war For universal love to grow For everyone, not just for me A world of peace to get to know.

My wish would be for no more war For weapons all to disappear So war's young victims, not just me A shattered world need never fear.

May Catherine's heartfelt plea transcend international borders and add its echo to that of the shells.

[Preston Manning, Reform, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, today Germany unveiled a peace plan to end the crisis in the Balkans.

This plan offers Milosevic a 24 hour suspension of NATO air strikes if he starts withdrawing his forces from Kosovo. It calls for a UN force to move in as Yugoslav forces withdraw. It entails a ceasefire and disarmament plan for ethnic Albanians and the return of refugees under a temporary UN administration.

Has Canada endorsed the German peace plan?

[Lloyd Axworthy, Liberal, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, the proposal put forward by the Germans was a program that was worked on last weekend at a G-8 political directors meeting at which Canada was clearly represented. A series of proposals were looked at with a view to potentially having a G-8 ministers meeting.

In the meantime there has been a discussion between Foreign Minister Ivanov and Secretary of State Albright. Clearly, not only would we support it, but we certainly have to seek out the agreement of Russia to be one of the participants in it, and get the agreement of Mr. Milosevic to the conditions that were set out.

As I said yesterday, we are hoping that these diplomatic initiatives that began last week will bear some fruit. However, at this point in time there are still those kinds of exchanges and dialogues taking place.

[Preston Manning, Reform, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, the German peace plan calls for a heavily armed UN ground force to move into Kosovo as Yugoslav forces withdraw.

If the Canadian government was discussing this plan with the Germans last week, why did the Prime Minister tell the House that the commitment of ground troops was not at all being considered at this time?

[Lloyd Axworthy, Liberal, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, clearly the Leader of the Opposition has confused two things.

We have always said, and it goes back to the February debate that was held in the House, that Canada would participate in a peace implementation force. It would monitor and make sure that any agreement that was arrived at would be properly honoured. That is exactly what is contained in the proposal that was looked at at the G-8 meetings. There is no difference.

Something that was debated and confirmed in the House last February is part of the proposals that are being looked at right now.

[Preston Manning, Reform, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, regardless of the explanation now, the commitment of ground troops to action in Yugoslavia is no longer a hypothetical situation as it was described a day ago in the House by the Prime Minister.

What is Canada expected to commit to this UN ground force? Will the Prime Minister now be seeking a mandate for that commitment from this House through a votable motion?

[Lloyd Axworthy, Liberal, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, I do not think the Leader of the Opposition was listening very carefully to my last answer.

I said that the House has already debated and discussed what is being proposed in the G-8 meeting. That has been part of a discussion that the House of Commons has already addressed. I would also like to say with great satisfaction that all sides of the House agreed at that time that Canada would participate in a peace implementation force. That is all that is being considered as part of the proposal that was developed during the G-8 meetings this weekend.

[Deborah Grey, Reform, Edmonton North, AB]

Mr. Speaker, in this discussion there have been no details forthcoming.

There has not been an actual votable motion on the floor of this parliament. Despite support from all parties in the House, the government's attitude on our involvement in this thing borders on contempt of parliament. The government refuses to commit to a vote on the conditions that would be involved with the Canadian ground troops. It refused that vote. It would be so easy for the government to come forward with it.

I would like to ask the minister again, because he would go forward so much stronger, does the minister believe that this parliament has a role to play in this huge military engagement Canadians are involved in?

[Herb Gray, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, this parliament has been playing a role. There have been important, in depth, take note debates on three different occasions. Opposition critics have been briefed. There have been regular statements by ministers.

This parliament has been greatly and deeply involved. I am sure it will continue to be deeply involved.