Debates of April 27th, 1999

Government Of Quebec

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

Mr. Speaker, the referendum campaign is off and running.

The odds are strong that the PQ government will be tempted to use public funds in the coming months to promote Quebec's separation from the rest of Canada.

Quebec would still face a period of political instability with consequent economic repercussions. Separatists will be sending unsettling messages to possible investors.

But Quebeckers will not fall for these PQ tricks. They will be able to distinguish between the messages of separation sent by the PQ over the next few months and the federal government's call for co-operation in improving the Canadian federation.

Veterans

[Bob Wood, Liberal, Nipissing, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today to take this opportunity to pay tribute to two esteemed veterans who passed away a few days ago, Wallace Pike from Newfoundland and James A. MacAuley from Prince Edward Island. Both of these men were the last surviving veterans from the first world war in their respective provinces.

A retired brigadier with the Salvation Army, Wallace Pike fought alongside fellow Canadians in some of the great war's most infamous battles, including Ypres and Vimy Ridge. He was forced to return to Newfoundland after being hit by burning shrapnel that blew off two fingers on his right hand.

James A. MacAuley enlisted in the Canadian army two years into the first world war shortly after reaching the age of 16. He was sent to the front lines in France in the summer of 1917 and spent most of the war in the trenches.

At a very young age, these two men were exposed to the brutal reality of war. They sacrificed their youth so that we could enjoy our freedom.

We thank James and Wallace. Canada remembers their contribution and will never forget them.

Child Pornography

[Eric C. Lowther, Reform, Calgary Centre, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I had the pleasure today of presenting a petition from over 100,000 Canadians who are calling for the enforcement of Canadian law against child pornography. This is the single largest petition of this parliament. It is twice as large as the next largest petition. It has reached this size in only a few short weeks and more continue to come in. This is because three months ago a B.C. court struck down laws against child pornography. The Liberals voted against upholding the law when they voted down a Reform motion in February. Meanwhile, pornography has poured into B.C. and court cases are on hold.

The court appeal has finally begun. How much longer will it take the government to give Canadians their law back and stop putting children at risk? Canadians are telling those who champion more rights that they have gone way too far when we can no longer protect the most vulnerable in our society.

Young Offenders

[Richard Marceau, Bloc, Charlesbourg, QC]

Mr. Speaker, when it comes to young offenders, the federal government is at complete odds with the supreme court.

In a recent decision, the court said that the federal government was sending far too many offenders to jail. The court pointed out that Canada had one of the highest rates of people behind bars of any country in the world and that the number of jail sentences handed down by Canadian courts had increased in recent years.

What is the federal government's response? It is scrapping the existing Young Offenders Act, which has been working just fine, and introducing a bill that will now put adolescents in the repressive environment of adult prisons. And it is doing this to keep the Reform Party happy and ape our neighbours to the south.

The Bloc Quebecois urges the Minister of Justice to listen to the supreme court and not impose its new young offenders legislation on Quebec.

Quebec Minister Of International Affairs

[Denis Paradis, Liberal, Brome—Missisquoi, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Quebeckers are tired of referendums, and Premier Bouchard is promising us another one.

He has even sent Louise Beaudoin, his minister of international relations, to Belgium, where she told the newspaper Le Soir , as reported in its April 12 edition, that Canada and Quebec are drifting apart.

She went on to say “Things are such in Canada now that the federal government has become the central government. The provinces are simply advisory bodies, in essence like any other body”.

Ms. Beaudoin, come home quick. Being far away, you have lost the sense of what Canada is all about—decentralization, consensus and flexibility.

Cancer

[Judy Wasylycia-Leis, NDP, Winnipeg North Centre, MB]

Mr. Speaker, we are ending cancer month on a note of despair, not hope.

We have firefighters here today trying to get the government to minimize exposure to cancer causing hazardous products. We also have new statistics showing that lung cancer related deaths are actually going up. This year 17,000 Canadians will die from lung cancer.

Tragically these deaths are preventable because nine out of ten are caused by smoking and smoking, we know, is not an accident. That is why tobacco companies spend millions of dollars advertising their products. We know the rate among young people is actually going up and advertising plays a role.

The real question for us today is: Why is the federal government so acquiescent in the face of pressure from industry? Why does it not listen to the firefighters and implement Operation Respond? Why does it not listen to the cancer society and to the voices of young people and actually do something about young people and smoking?

As we wrap up another cancer month, let us recommit ourselves to do whatever we can to stamp out this deadly disease.

Housing

[Carolyn Parrish, Liberal, Mississauga Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the Affordability and Choice Today program, ACT, at the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. This program, which was recognized in 1998 by the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements, was selected as one of the top 100 global best practices in improving the living environment.

The Minister of Public Works and Government Services recently announced that 14 grants worth up to $20,000 each were awarded under the ACT program. Members should also note that the minister has extended the program for an additional three years. The ACT program helps improve affordability and choice in housing by finding innovative projects that demonstrate and encourage local level regulatory reform.

Once again, congratulations to CMHC and its partners in the ACT program, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, the Canadian Home Builders' Association and the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association.

Ibm Canada

[Jim Jones, Progressive Conservative, Markham, ON]

Mr. Speaker, as home to over 750 technology companies and growing, the town of Markham is Canada's high tech capital. That reputation grew on Friday when IBM Canada officially announced that the new site for the IBM software solutions laboratory will be in Markham.

This lab is one of Canada's largest research and development facilities and employs more than 1,500 software developers, engineers and support staff. IBM lab employees currently work at three separate leased facilities in the greater Toronto area.

Starting in the fall of 2001, they will all work in a new $125 million state of the art building in Markham. This is the latest example of IBM's positive contribution to Canada.

In 1998 alone, IBM Canada has invested $250 million in research and development, hired over 3,300 regular employees, has a workforce of over 17,000 regular workers across the country and will provide work term experience for 800 students.

Let us do more to nurture the success of companies like IBM Canada.

Radio Music Awards

[Mauril Bélanger, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

Mr. Speaker, last month some of Canada's best new artists were honoured when the Canadian Radio Music Awards were presented during Canadian Music Week.

The nominees were chosen as first time charted artists based on radio spins recorded last year. The winners were determined by votes from radio station program and music directors as well as on-air staff.

I would like to congratulate this year's winners: Melanie Doane; the Matthew Good Band; Bruce Guthro; the Moffatts; Heather Nova; VIP; Love Inc.; Justin Gray from the Band 3 Deep; and, of course, Shania Twain.

Once again I offer my congratulations to these Canadian artists and invite everyone to encourage them and other Canadian performers in their quest for success and excellence.

Amateur Sport

[Stéphane Bergeron, Bloc, Verchères, QC]

Mr. Speaker, a remarkable woman, an exemplary citizen, a trainer who led the Canadian women's hockey team to a perfect record and who headed the team that was the pride of us all, that is Danièle Sauvageau, Quebecker, francophone and competent.

But the Canadian ice hockey association is laying her off. What is wrong? Is it because Danièle Sauvageau is not from western Canada? Because she is a francophone? Or because she is a woman? A Quebec trainer for a year, is that enough?

This is another case of an organization funded by Heritage Canada guilty of flagrant, petty and unacceptable discrimination. And what control is there over this organization? None, chorus the good Liberal members.

Wrong. In the case of such patent and unfair discrimination by a petty and miserable clique, the minister must intervene and cut funds, if need be. And clean house while she is at it.

Discrimination and injustice in Canadian sports organizations funded by taxpayers—enough is enough.

Fraser River

[Grant McNally, Reform, Dewdney—Alouette, BC]

Mr. Speaker, in my riding and in other ridings in B.C., local emergency officials are warning residents to be well prepared and ready for a flood or high water. If the area gets a long hot spell, a record snow fall or heavy rains, it could cause a major flood on the Fraser River.

Not to worry, some say, because the municipal dikes are built to withstand a flood equal to the devastating floods of 1894 and 1948. However, local officials have told me that due to cutbacks in funding more than 100 kilometres of dike in the valley have been poorly maintained and do not meet that standard. Much of that 100 kilometres is in my riding.

If a flood should occur, how can I assure my constituents that they will receive the emergency assistance that the military can provide so well, when the Liberal government has closed CFB Chilliwack? Will men and equipment be flown in from Alberta to Abbotsford airport which might be under water?

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Surely the government can assure British Columbians that it has done all it can to prepare for the possibility of flooding and that it is ready to provide immediate effective assistance if a flood should occur.

Pensions

[Michelle Dockrill, NDP, Bras D'Or, NS]

Mr. Speaker, Bill C-78 is about a basic principle: Who owns pension funds? Most Canadians agree that pensions are delayed earnings and belong to the workers. At one point the Liberals believed this too.

In 1986 a Liberal member spoke on pension legislation and said:

Those pension funds should be solely directed toward the payment of pension benefits to retiring and outgoing workers.

Last night that member, the Minister of Canadian Heritage, proved how much value we can place on the words of a Liberal in opposition. She could have voted to protect the rights of members of the armed forces, public employees, RCMP members and their families. Instead, she voted for legislation to take away their pension surplus and turn it into a personal account for the Minister of Finance.

The Minister of Canadian Heritage got it right in 1986. Pension funds and any surplus belong to the workers. The federal government should set an example for other employers. Instead, the government is ramming through legislation that tramples the principle for which people have fought for decades.

Canchild Centre

[Peter Adams, Liberal, Peterborough, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I salute the good work of the Hamilton based CanChild Centre for Childhood Disability Research.

Formed in 1989, CanChild works to maximize the life quality of children and youth with disabilities and their families. Its multidisciplinary team has taken a leadership role in identifying emerging issues for research, practice, policy and education and works to educate consumers, service providers, policy makers and students.

Today, CanChild's research in products have been translated into a dozen languages and are being used around the world.

I congratulate members of CanChild on the success they have achieved in helping others. This shows that Canadian researchers are second to none.

Kosovo

[Preston Manning, Reform, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, this morning the Prime Minister informed the House that Canada would be committing peacekeeping forces to Kosovo. The mission would be to enforce a peace agreement when it is reached with the Yugoslav government.

Since we are being asked to commit peacekeepers to Kosovo, is the government assuming that there will soon be a peace agreement to enforce there?

[Lloyd Axworthy, Liberal, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, we hope there will be a peace agreement and we are working hard to try to achieve one. As I said in the House yesterday, there are a number of active discussions going on. There are a number of interventions taking place in Moscow.

Some indication has come out of Belgrade that certain political leaders there are of a mind to do it. We are actively engaged in trying to get a diplomatic process together to get agreement on the five points that have been raised, and particularly come to grips with the fundamental issue of having an international force in Kosovo to protect refugees. That is the key issue.

All I can say to the hon. Leader of the Opposition is that we are making every effort, along with many others, to try to bring that about.

[Preston Manning, Reform, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, if there are no solid signs from the Yugoslav government that it is prepared to commit to a peace agreement, what is the government really committing these troops to?

If these ground troops enter Kosovo, even under the umbrella of a tentative peace agreement, is there not a real possibility that they will find themselves involved in a serious armed conflict and what we are really being asked to do is to commit ground troops to the conflict in Yugoslavia?

[Art Eggleton, Liberal, Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, as the Prime Minister said today, these 800 troops are being sent over in connection with peacekeeping functions. They will be located in Macedonia. They will be working with a British brigade. That is why they are going to that specific location.

There are already some 12,000 troops in Macedonia who are there for purposes of moving into Kosovo when a peace agreement is reached. Then we will go in there to help bring about peace and security for the people of Kosovo.

There is no other reason for them to be there. As the Prime Minister has said, if there is any change in those terms or conditions there would be further debate in the House.

[Preston Manning, Reform, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, what we do not want to do is commit 800 Canadian troops to a peacekeeping role in Kosovo and then three, four or five weeks down the road have the government come back and tell us that these troops are now engaged in a full ground war because the peace agreement collapsed.

We want to make sure that these troops are committed to enforcing a peace, in other words not making war. If what the Prime Minister wants is a commitment of Canadian ground forces to peacekeeping activities only, why does he not bring a clear, votable motion to that effect before parliament?

[Herb Gray, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I will make the position very clear. We have already had four take note debates on this matter. There has been general assent for the idea of Canadian troops being involved in peacekeeping activities.

I do not see any change from that situation as compared to what the Prime Minister had to say so eloquently this morning.

[Deborah Grey, Reform, Edmonton North, AB]

Mr. Speaker, that could be some comfort except that this morning a top American envoy met with the Russian government. Those negotiations were hampered by the NATO embargo of Russian ships.

NATO has a no compromise position that makes it hard, if not impossible, to broker a peace deal. How could this NATO no compromise position ever entice the Russians to broker a peace deal?

[Lloyd Axworthy, Liberal, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, I am not quite sure what this no compromise position is that the hon. member talked about.

We have just come from a NATO summit where the basic outreach to the Russians was strongly endorsed by all the countries. We talked about the need to have a broader international force, not just a NATO force. We talked about the importance of developing major initiatives in the Balkan region to help in the reconstruction.

I do not think there is a no compromise position. What there is no compromise on is the fundamental principle of securing the safety and rights of the people of Kosovo.

[Deborah Grey, Reform, Edmonton North, AB]

We agree, Mr. Speaker, but we cannot have it both ways. The Minister of Foreign Affairs will soon follow the American envoy, the UN secretary general and the foreign minister of Greece in a diplomatic mission to Moscow.

What specifically will our Minister of Foreign Affairs be able to bring to the table in Moscow that is not already being offered by the Greeks, the Americans and the UN secretary general himself?

[Lloyd Axworthy, Liberal, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

To begin with, Mr. Speaker, I hope the one thing I can bring is the full endorsement of the House, representing all Canadians, to find a peaceful resolution. That is what I hope I can bring. I hope we can be assured of that matter, because we decided coming out of the Washington meetings that it was important to engage in a dialogue.

In particular, one thing we have very much in common with the Russian government at this point in time is that we both want to see an involvement of the United Nations Security Council as a major player in helping to secure a peaceful resolution. That is something we can identify with and work with the Russians on.

[Gilles Duceppe, Bloc, Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, according to this morning's Montreal Gazette , while the European Union is trying to put an oil embargo in place against Yugoslavia, some U.S. companies are selling oil to Yugoslavia. This would appear to be a completely ridiculous situation.

Can the Minister of Foreign Affairs tell us whether some U.S. companies are indeed delivering petroleum products to Yugoslavia, in violation of the European embargo?

[Art Eggleton, Liberal, Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, I do not know if that is the case, but the United States government, along with the European Union governments, would want to ensure that such products which are supporting the war effort of the Yugoslav government would not get into Yugoslavia.

The idea behind the embargo that NATO would be involved in policing would ensure the will of these individual governments is met when merchant ships are coming toward that harbour.