Debates of May 27th, 1999

Senior Citizens' Week

[Maurice Dumas, Bloc, Argenteuil—Papineau, QC]

Mr. Speaker, on the occasion of Senior Citizens' Week I wish to pay tribute during this International Year of Older Persons to all those seniors who are so generously involved in our society.

An excellent example of their social involvement is the recent statement by FADOQ, the Fédération de l'âge d'or du Québec, in favour of the legalization of marijuana for health and medical purposes. This support was evidence of their open-mindedness and compassion.

I will take advantage of this opportunity to draw attention to the fourth global conference on ageing, to be held in Montreal from September 5 to 9. Organized by the International Federation on Ageing, this conference will bring together more than 2,000 seniors, caregivers, decision-makers and associations serving or representing older adults.

The themes addressed at the conference will, without a doubt, cast new light on the day to day lives of older persons.

Bombardier Inc.

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

Mr. Speaker, good economic news at the start of the week as we learned that Bombardier will provide, at a cost of $655 million Canadian, 192 commuter trains to the Metropolitan Transportation Authorities—Long Island Rail Road, which wants to replace its rolling stock.

In addition, the contract obtained by this Canadian company is worth celebrating. It includes options for the production of 800 additional cars to meet the needs of two rail transportation agencies of the Metropolitan Transportation Authorities, the Long Island Rail Road and the Metro-North Railroad.

If all the options are exercised, the contract will be worth a total of $2.7 billion.

Here is an example of the Quebec economic model. A business from home showing leadership on the international market, just—

[The Speaker]

The member for Surrey North.

National Drug Strategy

[Chuck Cadman, Reform, Surrey North, BC]

Mr. Speaker, in just seven hours from now Canada's first national anti-drug rally will take place in Abbotsford, British Columbia. I wish I could be there but Bill C-79 on victims' rights requires my attention here tomorrow.

The rally will focus national attention on the need for federal, provincial and municipal governments support for health care for those addicted to drugs, for more commitment to drug education and for a real national drug strategy that works on the street.

The question is why in 1999 do we need to be taking this action? Where has the government been over the last six years? What will it take to get this Liberal government to care more about drug addicts than their patronage friends?

With the help of former Canadian heavyweight champion George Chuvalo, we will begin to answer the question: “Drugs, are we ready to fight?” Tonight in Abbotsford thousands of people will be ready to say yes.

Julie Payette

[Denis Coderre, Liberal, Bourassa, QC]

Mr. Speaker, a Quebec woman has spectacularly realized a life dream.

Julie Payette, one of our own, took off on time, at 6 hours 49 minutes and 42 seconds, in the space shuttle on an important scientific mission. We were thrilled to watch her this morning readying for such an outstanding trip. We watched the successful take off with bated breath.

It took courage, skill and patience for Julie to be where she is today. We will follow her moment by moment throughout this trip, of such importance to her, of course, and Canada and Quebec.

Julie has already conveyed to young Canadians her perseverance and tenacity in achieving an objective of a lifetime.

Today, a new star appeared in the firmament. Well done, Julie.

Education

[Wendy Lill, NDP, Dartmouth, NS]

Mr. Speaker, just blocks from here, cuts to special education funding have driven mothers to the desperate act of offering to sell their kidneys to stop a $20 million cut to their kids' education. Even the family of an American diplomat in Ottawa has warned colleagues away from our capital because of these special education cuts.

The social union agreement is supposed to allow for national standards. Cases like this show that the agreement is nothing more than empty words for these mothers and for other vulnerable Canadians.

The time has come for action. The government says nice things about children with special needs but does nothing. Persons with disabilities are guaranteed equality of citizenship under the charter of rights and freedoms. Why is it that the government always waits for desperate acts or court challenges before providing services that all Canadians are entitled to?

Parents should not have to offer their kidneys to force federal and provincial governments to act.

Astronaut Julie Payette

[Odina Desrochers, Bloc, Lotbinière, QC]

Mr. Speaker, like many Quebecers, it was with much pride and emotion that I watched the Discovery head skyward with Quebec's first female astronaut, Julie Payette, on board.

Space has fed the imaginations of many adolescents. Like many others, I dreamed of seeing a launch.

By taking her place on board Discovery today, the astronaut from Quebec is not just realizing her dream, but is ensuring that her name will go down in history.

Over the next ten days, Julie will help to assemble the international space station. This morning, I relived the strong emotions of—

[The Speaker]

The hon. member for Port Moody—Coquitlam—Port Coquitlam.

Western Task Force

[Lou Sekora, Liberal, Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise to take strong exception to the ridiculous remarks directed to me yesterday in the House by a member of the Reform Party. The member criticized myself and the Prime Minister's western task force that visited British Columbia and referred to me as a task force yesman.

During the task force's tour of B.C., we received almost 100 presentations from a wide variety of community groups and organizations. If listening to the concerns of these groups is being a yesman then I plead guilty.

Instead of criticizing my efforts, the members of the Reform Party should spend more time in their ridings so I do not get so many calls from different mayors and council members from their ridings to say yes again so I can help them again.

Goldman Environmental Award

[Charlie Power, Progressive Conservative, St. John's West, NL]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in the House today to acknowledge the significant achievement of an extraordinary Newfoundlander. Mr. Bernard Martin is a fourth generation fisherman whose determined efforts in marine conservation have been rewarded with distinguished international recognition.

Mr. Martin was recently presented with the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize at a ceremony in San Francisco. The international award was designed to recognize grassroots heroes in environmental conservation. It was awarded to only six recipients worldwide and Bernard Martin was the winner for North America. A resident of the fishing community of Petty Harbour, he is the first Newfoundlander ever to receive this great honour.

On behalf of Mr. Martin's family and friends, we congratulate him on his award. I know that Bernard, in his quiet, confident and committed manner is probably somewhat embarrassed by all this attention. On behalf of all members I want to tell him that Canada is proud of his accomplishments. He has every right to be proud of his commitment, his contribution and his well-deserved recognition.

Cystic Fibrosis Month

[Karen Redman, Liberal, Kitchener Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to inform the House that May is Cystic Fibrosis Month.

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease affecting the respiratory and digestive systems. The most devastating damage takes place in the lungs. Everyone with cystic fibrosis dies of lung disease. There is no known cure. Approximately one in every twenty-five hundred children born in Canada have this deadly disease.

Since 1960, the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, a national voluntary health organization, has worked to improve the lives of Canadians who are affected by this fatal disorder.

Please join me in congratulating the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in extending best wishes for a successful Cystic Fibrosis Month.

Ball Hockey

[Monte Solberg, Reform, Medicine Hat, AB]

Mr. Speaker, last night saw a ball hockey rematch between the parliamentary press gallery giants of journalism and the proud Reform cross-checkers. Having soundly defeated the yellow journalists in our previous encounter, a confident Reform squad stepped onto the playing surface with nothing short of a second media defeat carved into the blades of our sticks.

Alas, it was not to be. The members of the fourth estate displayed creativity, teamwork and balance, traits not normally associated with their trade, as they defeated the Reform warriors to set up a third and deciding rubber match.

So the stage now has been set for a showdown game to decide who will be the true parliamentary champions of Canada's favourite pastime. This display of Canadian culture will not require any grants, subsidies or protectionist polices from the heritage minister. It just requires a flat playing service, lots of guts, sticks and plenty of balls. The Reformers are ready. We just hope the giants of journalism will answer the call.

Kosovo

[Deborah Grey, Reform, Edmonton North, AB]

Mr. Speaker, Slobodan Milosevic was indicted today for war crimes. There is no doubt that his program of ethnic cleansing warrants legal punishment from the international community. However, the timing of this indictment raises serious concerns about the impact this will have on the peace process.

I would like to ask somebody in the government if they are concerned that this move will drive Milosevic even farther from the bargaining table.

[Herb Gray, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, the government welcomes the decision of the international tribunal to bring an indictment against Mr. Milosevic. We have long believed there is substantial evidence that would justify such an indictment.

At the same time we certainly want to find a diplomatic solution through the United Nations. These discussions continue. We are talking with the Russians. We are talking with the President of Finland.

To have a UN resolution does not depend on the assent of Mr. Milosevic. Certainly we are continuing to follow a track which will hopefully end with a diplomatic solution.

[Deborah Grey, Reform, Edmonton North, AB]

Mr. Speaker, in fact Russia has been very hesitant to side with NATO in this whole conflict, but it has played a key role in trying to bring a negotiated end to this crisis.

The timing of the indictment has not only annoyed the Russians. It has also made it very difficult for them to negotiate and help broker peace. Potentially hundreds of thousands of lives hang in the balance here.

Is the government not concerned that the timing of the particular indictment may make things worse rather than better?

[Herb Gray, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, as far as I am aware, the tribunal is at arm's length from governments. It was the decision of the tribunal as to when and how to bring this indictment.

At the same time the Yugoslav government, which is more than Mr. Milosevic, knows the five conditions of the NATO countries. Certainly the opportunity is there and continues for the Yugoslav government to accept the conditions, which would mean a halt to the bombing and the setting up of circumstances, hopefully under the auspices of the United Nations, to help the Kosovars get back to their homes.

[Deborah Grey, Reform, Edmonton North, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the NATO campaign is at a critical juncture right now. We know that the U.S. and Britain are talking about a ground war. The Russians are very concerned about the continued use of air strikes.

Now Milosevic has been indicted for war crimes. We believe that he should be charged but we are concerned about the timing. Saving the peace process is paramount in this whole exercise.

I ask the defence minister how he will negotiate with an indicted war criminal to make this situation better.

[Herb Gray, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, any discussions will take place with the Yugoslav government as a whole.

The Reform Party cannot have it both ways. In the same breath the spokeswoman for the Reform Party says she supports the indictment and at the same time she seems to say she does not want the indictment. Let her make up her mind as to where she and her party stand on this matter.

Foreign Affairs

[Chuck Strahl, Reform, Fraser Valley, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the Deputy Prime Minister knows that it is an issue of timing.

As we speak tensions are also increasing in another part of the world between two nuclear powers, India and Pakistan. There are reports that after a day of military clashes along the border Pakistan has shot down an Indian air force jet.

Has the government called for an emergency session of the security council to address this growing crisis?

[Herb Gray, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, we are reviewing the situation. We will have more to say about it very shortly.

[Chuck Strahl, Reform, Fraser Valley, BC]

Mr. Speaker, this is not a very reassuring reaction from the government. We all know that the sanctions imposed by the government have damaged our influence in the region. Nevertheless these two countries remain Commonwealth partners and deserve our best diplomatic efforts.

Unfortunately once again the government is choosing to be reactive instead of proactive in this area. It comes after the U.S. has had many high level meetings. Even China has been in the negotiations. Yet Canada has been silent for the past year in an area in which it should have been very active.

What further actions is the government planning to take to bring these two sides together? Do we have any influence left in these Commonwealth countries?

[Raymond Chan, Liberal, Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific)]

Mr. Speaker, it is not true at all that we have not done anything.

I just returned from a trip to south Asia with his colleague. I raised all these issues with both the Government of India and the Government of Pakistan, particularly on Kashmir.

We asked them to tone down the tension in the region. We hope both countries will find a political solution to the problem in Kashmir. We told them that a military solution is not an answer for a peaceful solution.

Publishing Industry

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

Mr. Speaker, now that the dust is settling on the agreement signed with the United States concerning Bill C-55, we realize that the government dropped the cultural exemption negotiated by the previous government under the free trade agreement.

Does the Deputy Prime Minister realize that the Liberal government's contribution to free trade will have been to weaken the position of Canada, Quebec and all countries who are arguing for cultural exemption in the context of international trade?

[Herb Gray, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, the agreement announced yesterday protects the culture of all Canadians.

I wonder why the leader of the Bloc Quebecois does not have words of praise for this great victory for the Canadian government and all Canadians.

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

Mr. Speaker, let the Deputy Prime Minister talk of a great victory. The fact is—and the government can play the ostrich all it wants—this is an important breach with respect to the cultural exemption.

In fact, an adviser to President Clinton said that there was nothing about culture in the agreement. It concerns trade and nothing else.

Is the government aware that it has just reduced culture to the same level as other commodities, thus dropping the cultural exemption?