Debates of May 12th, 1999

Fisheries

[Yvan Bernier, Bloc, Bonaventure—Gaspé—Îles-De-La-Madeleine—Pabok, QC]

Mr. Speaker, while the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans is spending millions of dollars to buy back groundfish permits, he is issuing new ones for crab and shrimp in Newfoundland, which means that there is a wholesale conversion of fishers from groundfish to shellfish.

How can the minister explain that he is stepping up shellfish capacity without even a study on the quantities available?

[David Anderson, Liberal, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans]

Mr. Speaker, according to departmental principles and policies, where there is a increase in the shrimp population in the northern zone, these shrimp are made available to fishers in contiguous fishing areas; if the fishers are further away and in another province, distant from that area, they do not get the TAC.

That is very clear, very simple, and the fishers are well aware of it.

Devco

[Peter Mancini, NDP, Sydney—Victoria, NS]

Mr. Speaker, two weeks ago a delegation of miners' wives from Cape Breton came to Ottawa to seek assurances from the Minister of Natural Resources that he would review the inadequate package offered their husbands. He refused.

In good Cape Breton fashion they went to his boss. After meeting with the Prime Minister they reported that he assured the delegation he would sit the minister down and straighten him out.

My question is simple. Has the Prime Minister sat down the Minister of Natural Resources and told him to improve the Devco package?

[Lyle Vanclief, Liberal, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food]

Mr. Speaker, the minister has informed the House and Canadians a number of times that there is an adjustment package of $111 million for workers. It is a fair severance package with early retirement.

A $68 million economic development package has been made available, along with other programs of HRDC and ACOA to assist in the situation at Devco.

National Defence

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

Mr. Speaker, let me go to the parliamentary secretary again. A national defence proposal to reduce and overhaul the combat role of Canada's reserves is a dramatic policy reversal which would virtually destroy the militia within a few years.

Will the parliamentary secretary be a little more clear? Surely he can indicate if such militia groups as the Royal Newfoundland Regiment are on the chopping block.

[Robert Bertrand, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, I do not know how many times I can say this but the document they are referring to is just a working paper. It is not government policy; it is just a working paper.

The minister has the final say and we will have to await his decision.

Presence In Gallery

[The Speaker]

I draw the attention of hon. members to the presence in the gallery of His Excellency Levon Mkrtchyan, Minister of Education and Science, of the Republic of Armenia.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear.

Points Of Order

[Diane Ablonczy, Reform, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday in Oral Question Period the finance minister wrongfully attributed to me a statement about health care spending. Worse, he called this misstatement a “fact”.

It is crystal clear from Hansard that what I actually said was precisely the reverse of what was attributed to me by the finance minister, and I believe it would be in order for Hansard to be quoted accurately by—

[The Speaker]

The record will show what the hon. member said today. It is not a point of order but it is on the record.

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

Mr. Speaker, during Oral Question Period the Minister of Fisheries asked me to table the grey whale fishing licence that was prepared by the Government of Canada to be issued to the Makah tribal group of Washington State, U.S.A.

I am quite happy to provide this to him since he is unable to get it in any other way.

[The Speaker]

I take it the hon. member is seeking unanimous consent to table a document. Is that correct?

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

Yes.

[The Speaker]

Does the hon. member have unanimous consent to table the document?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

International Treaties

[Julian Reed, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in the House today to table, in both official languages, international treaties that entered into force for Canada in 1995, a list of which is also tabled.

As was done with the 1997 and 1996 treaties, I am also tabling two CD-ROMs that contain electronic versions of these 39 treaties.

Government Response To Petitions

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

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's response to nine petitions.

Committees Of The House

[Sheila Finestone, Liberal, Mount Royal, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I have the pleasure to present, in both official languages, the second report of the Standing Joint Committee on Official Languages.

In accordance with its order of reference from the House on March 1, the committee has considered vote 25 under Privy Council in the main estimates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2000 and reports same.

After an eight year term as an officer of the Parliament of Canada, our Commissioner of Official Languages, Dr. Victor Goldbloom, takes his leave. His legacy is one of positive action in the promotion of Canada's two official languages, a value to prize and promote through designated bilingual instruments and services. We thank him and say au revoir.

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

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present the 74th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs regarding the membership and associate membership of some committees.

If the House gives its consent, I intend to move concurrence in this report later this day.

[John Maloney, Liberal, Erie—Lincoln, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 19th report of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights.

Pursuant to the order of reference of Wednesday April 21, 1999, your committee has considered Bill C-69, an act to amend the Criminal Records Act and to amend another act in consequence, and has agreed on Thursday, May 6, 1999 to report it with the following amendments listed thereon.

I also have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 20th report of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights.

Pursuant to the order of reference of Tuesday, October 6, 1998, your committee has considered Bill C-284, an act to amend the Criminal Records Act and the Canadian Human Rights Act (offences against children) and has agreed on Thursday, May 6, 1999 that Bill C-284 be not further proceeded with as the subject matter of the bill has been captured under Bill C-69, an act to amend the Criminal Records Act and to amend another act in consequence.

Terry Fox Day Act

[Colleen Beaumier, Liberal, Brampton West—Mississauga, ON]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-512, an act respecting Terry Fox Day.

Mr. Speaker, I have the pleasure to introduce an act respecting Terry Fox Day. Almost 20 years ago Terry Fox captured the hearts and minds of all Canadians. His persistence and passion provided an example to all Canadians of how one person can make a difference.

The bill seeks the recognition of the second Sunday following Labour Day in each and every year as Terry Fox Day.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

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

Mr. Speaker, if the House gives its consent, I move that the 74th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs presented to the House earlier this day be concurred in.

[The Speaker]

Does the hon. member have unanimous consent to propose this motion?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[An hon. member]

No.