Debates of April 28th, 1999

Aboriginal Affairs

[Jane Stewart, Liberal, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development]

Mr. Speaker, in fact I said no such thing. When it comes to matrimonial property in the Nisga'a agreement, provincial laws will apply.

I note that a couple of days ago the hon. member was also talking about the Nisga'a treaty and the issues regarding the labour provisions and he had his facts wrong there.

I suggest before the hon. member asks any more questions about the Nisga'a treaty that he do what I suggested a few days ago which is to go and talk to his constituents, the Nisga'a people, and find out what the treaty is really all about.

[Mike Scott, Reform, Skeena, BC]

Mr. Speaker, perhaps if the minister would talk to the grassroots Nisga'a people instead of the chief, she would get the real story. Those people are concerned about their rights. Those Nisga'a women are concerned about their matrimonial rights. The minister by this agreement is slamming the door on the possibility of their ever having equal rights that all other Canadian women have.

I ask the minister again, why is she prepared to enter into an agreement that is going to rob these Nisga'a women of their rights that all other Canadian women enjoy?

[Jane Stewart, Liberal, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development]

Mr. Speaker, let me point out yet again that the hon. member has his facts completely wrong. In the treaty, provincial laws associated with matrimonial property will apply.

When it comes to talking to grassroots Nisga'a, I have probably been in Nisga'a lands more often than the hon. member and it is his constituency. I suggest that maybe he meet with the chiefs and with the Nisga'a people so he really understands why this treaty is so very important.

Hepatitis C

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

Mr. Speaker, a year has passed since this government ignored its legal and moral responsibility to compensate all victims of hepatitis C. Still nothing for those who were arbitrarily left out after a year. Not a penny of the limited $1.1 billion compensation package has flowed. He cannot even get his meagre $50 million community support program up and running.

Yesterday in the House the parliamentary secretary said that these issues will be resolved in the tradition of moderate compromise. Does the Liberal government not get it? It is Liberal compromising that has caused this mess in the first place. Will the Minister of Health stop compromising and start living up—

[The Speaker]

The hon. Minister of Health.

[Allan Rock, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, in fact the Government of Canada has committed $1.3 billion to those who are infected with hepatitis C: $800 million to settle the class action lawsuits from the period 1986 to 1990; $300 million to ensure that those infected with hepatitis C have access to medical services without paying out of their pocket; $125 million to help Canada's blood regulation to prevent another tragedy; $50 million for research; and $50 million for trace back. The point is to provide for coverage for those who need care.

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

Mr. Speaker, what the minister does not say is that none of that money is flowing and there is no care for the people who need it. For a year now we have heard these hollow words about care, not cash. After a year we have no care and no cash.

Does the minister not realize that in the past year 200 victims have died? Has he not read his own study showing that hepatitis C victims are experiencing eight times the normal number of health problems?

Will the Minister of Health finally acknowledge that his plan has utterly failed to improve the lives of hepatitis C victims, and bring forward a just and fair compensation package for all those infected because of government—

[The Speaker]

The hon. Minister of Health.

[Allan Rock, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, the victims themselves have been at the table this last year arguing for and working on an agreement that is soon going to go before the courts for approval. Once agreed, the payments can begin.

[Greg Thompson, Progressive Conservative, Charlotte, NB]

Mr. Speaker, the government spent $1 billion to cancel a helicopter deal. That was just the legal fees, no helicopters were built.

This is bizarre but the government just spent half a million dollars to help produce a dumb blond joke book. It is unbelievable. But it cannot find 50 cents to help those hepatitis C victims outside that 1986 to 1990 package.

Why can the government not find money to help those innocent victims? Let us see the Prime Minister answer that one.

[Allan Rock, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, the member could not have been listening when I responded to the member's question about the amounts we have committed to help those who have been made ill with hepatitis C. We are committed to providing the care they need in the future.

Publishing Industry

[Mark Muise, Progressive Conservative, West Nova, NS]

Mr. Speaker, on the front page of this morning's Globe and Mail it is reported that Canada and the U.S. are nearing an agreement on the magazine dispute. According to the article, Canada is willing to allow existing split-run magazines to operate while opening the door to a limited number of new subscriptions. Canadian ownership requirements are also being sacrificed in the deal.

Can the Prime Minister tell this House whether this article is accurate and does he personally support such a settlement?

[Mauril Bélanger, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Canadian Heritage]

Mr. Speaker, nothing has changed. The bill that has been approved by this House is under scrutiny in the other place. It is proceeding at pace. There is no agreement. We have said and continue to say that we are open to suggestions, that we will respect the spirit of the bill this House has approved. That is the way things stand now. Discussions are continuing.

Occupational Accidents

[Bernard Patry, Liberal, Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC]

Mr. Speaker, occupational accidents and disease in Canada continue to be a very serious problem.

My question is for the Minister of Labour. In this day of national mourning, what is the government doing to remember people who have been killed or wounded at the workplace, and, more importantly, to correct the situation?

[Claudette Bradshaw, Liberal, Minister of Labour]

Mr. Speaker, occupational accidents and disease continue to be a very serious problem in Canada.

In 1997, accidents on the job resulted in over 817 deaths and 800,000 injuries. I am concerned by the number of accidents occurring at Canadian workplaces and their harmful effects on the families concerned.

In order to remedy the situation, I intend to table an amendment, shortly, to the Canada Labour Code for which I seek your support and that of all members of this House.

Dangerous Offenders

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

Mr. Speaker, good old Robert Hawryshok was sent all alone on a Greyhound bus from Grand Cache prison in Alberta to be detained at Sumas corrections centre in Abbotsford, British Columbia, and guess what? Robert, who is considered a danger to the public, got off the bus somewhere and went astray.

I ask the solicitor general to tell the House, when did it become government policy to give a dangerous criminal a bus pass to get from one prison to another?

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Solicitor General of Canada]

Mr. Speaker, these issues are handled by Correctional Service Canada and it decided this was how this individual would be transported.

Amateur Sport

[Caroline St-Hilaire, Bloc, Longueuil, QC]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage said that, even though federal funds are used to pay for training trainers—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh.

[The Speaker]

The hon. member for Longueuil.

[Caroline St-Hilaire, Bloc, Longueuil, QC]

Yesterday, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage said that, even though federal funds are used to pay for training trainers, the government does not intend to meddle in the internal administration of national teams.

Are we to understand that the government's official position on the serious injustice done Danièle Sauvageau is simply to say that it will not meddle, and to wash its hands of the whole business?

[Mauril Bélanger, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Canadian Heritage]

Mr. Speaker, before complaining about unfairness and discrimination and making unsubstantiated charges, the member would perhaps do better to get the facts.

Twice in the last seven years, the team was headed by Quebeckers. Even team members supported the decision that was taken.

That having been said, I repeat that it is not up to the government to select trainers. The government's role is to create programs and ensure that they run properly, and that is what we are doing.

Aboriginal Affairs

[Libby Davies, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

Mr. Speaker, a few moments ago the minister of Indian affairs told this House that she understands the historical significance of the Nisga'a treaty, but it will mean nothing unless the federal government makes it clear that it is willing to live up to its commitment to approve and ratify this agreement.

I ask the minister, when will the legislation be brought forward? There should be no stalling, no excuses and no delays. The Nisga'a have waited far too long for justice. We want a clear answer from the minister. When will the legislation come to the House?

[Jane Stewart, Liberal, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development]

Mr. Speaker, the legislation will come to the House when we are ready.

I will reiterate the strong commitment the government has, and it is a proven commitment to this treaty, to ensure that it is passed into legislation in Canada.

Government Contracts

[Gilles Bernier, Progressive Conservative, Tobique—Mactaquac, NB]

Mr. Speaker, on Monday the Federal Court of Appeal ruled that public works unfairly adjusted its bidding rules so that it could award an $8.5 million software contract to U.S. based Microsoft over Corel of Ottawa.

We already know the government does nothing to help Canadian high tech companies keep Canadian graduates working in Canada, but when will it stop its illegal bidding practices that discriminate against Canadian companies in favour of American ones?