Debates of Feb. 15th, 2000

Agriculture

[Dennis Gruending, NDP, Saskatoon—Rosetown—Biggar, SK]

Mr. Speaker, this past Sunday morning I met with Mr. Nick Parsons in Biggar, Saskatchewan which is in my constituency. I was not alone. The coffee shop was filled with local farmers and businessmen wishing him Godspeed on his journey.

As members may know, Mr. Parsons is driving his combine from Dawson Creek, British Columbia all the way to Ottawa. It is a slow, cold and difficult journey at a speed of 23 kilometres per hour and a distance covered of a maximum of 200 kilometres per day.

This trek is another desperate attempt to get the attention of this Liberal government to convince the government that if more aid is not forthcoming in the next budget, thousands of western farmers will go under before spring seeding.

Mr. Parsons and people in that coffee shop are saying that they need some help and they need it now. The government is looking at a budgetary surplus of approximately $100 billion in the next five years. Surely there is money to reinvest in the people who put food on our tables.

I salute Mr. Parsons. I look forward to seeing him and his big red combine here on Parliament Hill.

Liberal Government

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

Mr. Speaker, as we enter the third millennium, Canadians look with enthusiasm toward their country's economic future, and their own.

The actions of the Liberal government are guided by one principle: improving the quality of life of all citizens.

The Liberal government has been able to lower taxes more than at any time in recent decades. We have exempted 600,000 people from federal tax, and we are all pushing for tax cuts in the budget of February 28.

We have been able to put government finances in order, and I must thank all the people of Brome—Missisquoi and all Canadians for their financial efforts.

We have made the greatest one time effort of any government ever. The 1999 budget called for $11.5 billion to go to the provinces and territories for health. We have returned transfer payments to their pre-cut levels.

This is how a government serves the Canadian people.

Human Resources Development Canada

[Pierre De Savoye, Bloc, Portneuf, QC]

Mr. Speaker, in the mess at the Department of Human Resources Development, the Prime Minister has said that only 37 cases are litigious. These 37 cases come from a sampling of 459 cases taken at random from among 30,000 cases.

Equally logically, if it may be put that way, the Prime Minister could say that the findings of a recent poll of a Canadian sample of 1,007 persons, which reveals that 544 would currently vote for the Liberals in an election, could be taken to mean that, in Canada, only 544 Canadians support the Liberals.

Obviously that is absurd, but no more absurd, since it is the same logic used to state that only 37 cases are litigious at HRDC.

The Prime Minister is obviously aware of this absurdity, but he apparently thinks that Canadians are dumb enough to believe it. Treat a people with any more disdain than that and you die.

National Flag Of Canada Day

[Karen Redman, Liberal, Kitchener Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, today is National Flag of Canada Day. This year we celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Canadian flag.

Each year on flag day we reaffirm our pride in this country's flag. Since it was first raised on February 15, 1965 the flag has been a symbol by which our country is recognized throughout the world. Ask anybody who has put it on a backpack and travelled throughout Europe.

The Hon. Maurice Bourdet once stated, “The flag is the symbol of the nation's unity, for it, beyond any doubt, represents all the citizens without distinction of race, language, belief or opinion”.

In recognition of flag day I have sent flags to each of the secondary schools in my riding of Kitchener Centre.

I had the privilege last Friday to visit Cameron Heights Collegiate in downtown Kitchener and there, with students studying international law, we raised a flag to celebrate flag day in Canada.

Raising the flag gives us all an opportunity to reflect on what it is to be Canadian.

Black History Month

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

Mr. Speaker, in December 1995, the Parliament of Canada passed a motion to officially designate February as black history month.

As an expression of the government's commitment, the multicultural program of the Department of Canadian Heritage created the Mathieu Da Costa awards program in 1996. This program commemorates the heritage of Mathieu Da Costa, the first black person to settle in Canada.

Events and activities during Black History Month focus on Canadian heritages and racial and ethnic identity and provides an ideal opportunity for all Canadians to share their views and debate the importance of fostering an inclusive society in which people of all backgrounds are respected and recognized as being vital to an evolving Canadian identity.

Black History Month has become a showcase for all of us to present our history as both blacks and Canadians.

National Flag Of Canada Day

[Derrek Konrad, Reform, Prince Albert, SK]

Mr. Speaker, today is flag day and so it is appropriate to make the following statement on behalf of some of my constituents. During the winter break I held a series of farm meetings in my riding. At one of them I was presented with a worn Canadian flag and the following letter to the Minister of Canadian Heritage:

We are no longer proud Canadians and therefore are returning our Canadian flag. Yes, the fabric is quite tattered. Normally we replace our flag as soon as it begins to fray, but we kept it flying as a grim reminder of how tattered the social fabric of the farm economy is here in Saskatchewan. We beg you to take action to preserve the family farm.

Respectfully yours, Leonard and Yvonne Nakonechny and Family. Foxford, Saskatchewan.

The flag was presented to me on the understanding that I would present it to the minister. With her permission I will make the presentation to her in the lobby following question period.

Emery Collegiate Institute

[Judy Sgro, Liberal, York West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I want to comment on the tragic shooting last Thursday, February 10 at Emery Collegiate Institute not only because the school is in my riding but also because there are lessons to be learned that might be ignored as everyone rushes about looking for easy answers and where to lay the blame.

Emery Collegiate is a wonderful school. It is a mini United Nations that is a model for other schools, one that not only teaches racial harmony, tolerance and respect but lives it throughout the school. It is a dynamic progressive school that is offering unique challenges to thousands of young adults while participating with major companies like Apotex Pharmaceuticals in a new program called Cyberspace.

This unfortunate incident could have happened anywhere in the city of Toronto or elsewhere in our country. Incidents involving violence, our young people and our communities continue to increase and they demand a multifaceted approach to looking for solutions. There are many questions we need to be asking. One of them is the ongoing lack—

[The Speaker]

The hon. member for Jonquière.

Bill C-20

[Jocelyne Girard-Bujold, Bloc, Jonquière, QC]

Mr. Speaker, democracy is the principle underlying civilized human relations in society. Contrary to an all too common notion, it is fragile because it is based on a tacit agreement between parliamentarians and citizens that the most diverse points of view should be heard.

In that respect, our political system leaves a lot of room to the executive branch, which controls the legislative branch and which appoints the judges who administer justice. This is what gives particular importance to our parliamentary committees. These committees are the one forum where partisanship can and must be avoided.

Yesterday the committee examining Bill C-20 ignored this tacit agreement and gave the worst example of blind partisanship by government members.

The government decided to restrict the freedom of the committee in order to ram Bill C-20 through the House. But this is forgetting that democracy is both a means and an end—

[The Speaker]

The hon. member for Fredericton.

Atlantic Canada Craft Awards

[Andy Scott, Liberal, Fredericton, NB]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in the House today to congratulate three award winning artists from my riding of Fredericton. The Atlantic Canada Craft Awards of Excellence were recently awarded as part of the 23rd Atlantic Craft Trade Show.

Fredericton jeweller Trudy Gallagher won the Outstanding Exporter Award. Trudy's company Bejewel exports to over 250 stores and galleries across North America and Europe. Even members of parliament wear Trudy's jewellery. I am very pleased to congratulate Leslie Johnson, a Fredericton potter who received honourable mention for excellence of design and Sue-anne McDonald, a Fredericton candy maker who received an award for booth design.

Fredericton has many fine artists and artisans and I am pleased to congratulate these three on their special achievements.

National Flag Of Canada Day

[Eleni Bakopanos, Liberal, Ahuntsic, QC]

Mr. Speaker, every year since 1996 we have been celebrating National Flag Day on February 15. The Canadian flag is a symbol of pride, loyalty, democracy, honour and respect.

We are truly privileged to live in the best country in the world.

We are privileged to live in a country that allows all Canadians, regardless of sex, race, religious belief or linguistic preferences to strive and realize their dreams and aspirations.

Mr. Alexandre Cyr, member of parliament for Gaspé until 1965, proposed this form of pledge to the Canadian flag. I invite all parliamentarians to please rise and give pledge to our flag today.

“To my flag and to the country it represents I pledge respect and loyalty. Wave with pride from sea to sea and within your fold keep us ever united.

Be for all a symbol of love, freedom and justice. God keep our flag. God protect our Canada.”

Human Resources Development

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

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the human resources minister had a very hard time trying to explain why she kept shovelling millions out the door even after she admitted that her department told her it was operating with virtually no administrative controls, or, in her own words, in the dark ages.

Now that she has had a day to get advice from her image consultant, perhaps she can try again.

Why, after learning of a $1 billion bungle, did the minister just reach for her chequebook?

[Jane Stewart, Liberal, Minister of Human Resources Development]

Mr. Speaker, the only ones who are asking for a stop to these programs are the hon. members in the loyal opposition.

Let us understand that the programs we were approving went to communities in opposition ridings like Lac-Saint-Jean where the unemployment level was 17.9% and a transitional jobs fund or a Canada jobs fund can really make a difference; or in the riding of St. John's East where the unemployment level was 13.8%. We know it is these kinds of programs that make a difference.

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

Mr. Speaker, the minister did not answer the question. It appears she is more interested in damage control than in fixing the problem.

The day after she learned about the audit she was just concerned about continuing to shove as much money out the door as quickly as possible. No new controls were in place and no management changes had been made.

I ask again, why did the minister write $3 million in grant cheques immediately after she found out that $1 billion had been bungled?

[Jane Stewart, Liberal, Minister of Human Resources Development]

Mr. Speaker, unlike the hon. member who would like to cut $15 billion out of the social programs of the government, we do not feel that way.

What is interesting is that it is not all members of the Reform Party who want these programs stopped. In fact, as late as November 12 the member for Nanaimo—Cowichan wrote to me saying “I have received several complaints from constituents who have been very frustrated over the time it takes for Canada jobs funds to be approved”. He said that he could understand the frustrations experienced by applicants but that he was wondering if there was any way that the waiting period for Canada jobs funds could be shortened.

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

Mr. Speaker, let us try again.

In spite of the minister's assurances to the House over and over that everything was just hunky-dory with these programs, she found out the truth at some point. She did not share it with the rest of us but she did find out. She found out that her own department was out of control, that the moneys that were going out, instead of doing the good things she claimed they were doing, were simply uncontrolled and mismanaged. Yet she continued to spend the money and send it out the door.

My question is very simple and I would like an answer: Why?

[Jane Stewart, Liberal, Minister of Human Resources Development]

Mr. Speaker, again let me remind the House that we have a very strong strategy to deal with the administrative deficiencies in my department.

I would ask the hon. member to ask her seatmate, the member for Skeena, who even today, yesterday and the day before had his office call my office asking why we could not hurry up the approval of the Canada jobs fund.

[Chuck Strahl, Reform, Fraser Valley, BC]

Mr. Speaker, here we are on our second day and the minister has yet to answer a question. The question is pretty straightforward.

Only a Liberal could think that handling a billion dollar boondoggle could be best fixed by hiring another communications expert.

The minister's first reaction to the audit was to spend another $3 million. She waited two full months before she started to put the brakes on any spending. I am not convinced she ever did.

The question again, very simple again and for the second day in a row is why did the minister wait two months before she stopped the spending at HRD when she knew that the bungle was going on in her department?

[Jane Stewart, Liberal, Minister of Human Resources Development]

Mr. Speaker, even the auditor general did not ask us to stop the programs. He agreed with the strategy that we were putting in place.

The hon. member is from the province of British Columbia. I wonder how he would respond to John Radosevic, president of the United Fishermen and Allied Workers' Union and the CAW, who wrote:

With assistance from HRDC, people who had been hard hit by changes in West Coast fisheries are fighting to make a comeback. With the help of your department we have trained people and created employment for many who were forced to leave the industry. We also deeply involved with the—

[The Speaker]

The hon. member for Fraser Valley.

[Chuck Strahl, Reform, Fraser Valley, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I do not know why the minister thinks she is going to get away with this. She has not answered the question for the second day in a row. It is as if being a Liberal means somebody else has to say that they are sorry.

They hired communications experts to try and give them a new and creative spin on it, but this is what happened after she knew what was going wrong in her department. She did not call her managers on the carpet and say that this had to stop. She did not freeze all new spending. She did not order an immediate audit of the grants that were going out.

What did she do? She swept the audit off her desk, opened up her chequebook and continued to write the cheques.

Why did it take two months for this minister to change her spending—

[The Speaker]

The hon. Minister of Human Resources Development.

[Jane Stewart, Liberal, Minister of Human Resources Development]

Mr. Speaker, as I have said time and again, we got the information, we made it public and we have built a strong response to deal with the issue of administrative control and management with grants and contributions in my department.

Here is another letter from the mayor of the village of Valemount. She writes:

—we have been successful in securing submissions from significant private investors for three destination resort projects...with expected job creation of over 200 full time positions—

She said that this was as a result of the work with—

[The Speaker]

The hon. leader of the Bloc Quebecois.