House of Commons Hansard #54 of the 36th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was following.

Topics

Canadian EconomyStatements By Members

2 p.m.

Liberal

Réginald Bélair Liberal Timmins—James Bay, ON

Mr. Speaker, last Friday, Statistics Canada released an interesting snapshot of the Canadian economy.

It showed that Canada's annual balance of trade with other countries had reached $34 billion in 1999, the highest level since 1996, and that exports had grown almost twice as fast as imports.

In 1999, Canada exported goods worth $360 billion, an 11.9% increase over 1998. The results are encouraging, in part because conditions conducive to investment have been put in place.

The public has given us a clear mandate to improve its quality of life. We are sparing no effort to attain that objective.

Girl Guides Of CanadaStatements By Members

2 p.m.

Liberal

Aileen Carroll Liberal Barrie—Simcoe—Bradford, ON

Mr. Speaker, the Girl Guides of Canada are proud to announce the debut of their first flag in this their 90th year of service.

The Girl Guides of Canada, Guides du Canada, is a movement for girls led by women. It challenges girls to reach their potential and empowers them to give leadership and services as responsible citizens around the world.

In Canada there are over 167,000 members between the ages of 5 and 17. In Barrie—Simcoe—Bradford the Maple Leaf and Champlain Divisions comprise many age groups. The Girl Guide movement is a non-discriminatory, worldwide organization with 10 million members.

I ask the House to join me and the Girl Guides immediately after question period in the Hall of Honour to celebrate the dedication of their special flag to the people of Canada.

Simcoe—GreyStatements By Members

2 p.m.

Liberal

Paul Bonwick Liberal Simcoe—Grey, ON

Good news, Mr. Speaker. I would like to make the House aware of a recent event in my riding of Simcoe—Grey. Namely, the announcement that the premiere four season resort developer in Canada, the Intrawest Corporation, has entered into a half billion dollar partnership with Blue Mountain Resorts.

Intrawest is truly an incredible Canadian corporate citizen. It is a company that makes peoples' dreams become reality. Couple this with Blue Mountain Resorts, a family owned business that has for over five decades been the premiere resort destination spot in Ontario. Its staff has a reputation that has consistently exceeded customer expectation.

Now imagine all this located on the south shore of Georgian Bay with the Niagara escarpment as a backdrop. Host to this incredible development is the best kept secret in Canada, the beautiful town of Blue Mountains located a few minutes west of Collingwood.

Mr. Speaker, to you, to the Prime Minister and to all members of the House, I extend an invitation to visit the most exciting place in Canada, Blue Mountain Resorts.

IranStatements By Members

February 22nd, 2000 / 2:05 p.m.

Reform

Keith Martin Reform Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca, BC

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Reform Party of Canada I rise today to express our congratulations and encouragement to the people of Iran in light of their recent election.

The Iranian people have spoken. They have told the world that they are willing to seize an opportunity and institute structural democratic reform within their borders. The people of Iran are now looking forward. Although there are strong elements of the old guard within their government, the new reformers are committed to peace and stability.

This is an encouraging sign that the world must not ignore. Canada should support the Iranian government and its people in their move toward increasing tolerance. The new government has expressed strong support for basic human rights and an encouraging positive sign toward liberalizing its country.

On behalf of the Reform Party, I encourage Mr. Khatami and the new government of Iran to pursue their stated course. I urge our government to keep the diplomatic door open and help bring about democracy and freedom in Iran.

Pilon LimitéeStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

Marcel Proulx Liberal Hull—Aylmer, QC

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, Pilon Limitée reopened in Hull.

Last week's announcement by Pilon Limitée of its intention to close its doors created a considerable stir. Messages of support were forthcoming from all sides. After 100 years, it was impossible to imagine this company closing.

This reversal of the decision is a relief to all the people in the Outaouais region, contractors, PAL dealers and customers. Pilon Limitée is a profitable company backed by a long reputation for quality and good service. Seventy jobs were at stake. Some of the employees had been with the company for as many as 55 years.

The good faith on both sides, union and management, the urgency to take action, and the issues at stake have overcome the labour conflict, which had gone on for several months.

The closing of this hundred year-old business was avoided by a hair's breadth. This goes to shown that, with a bit of good will, anything is possible.

As the member for Hull—Aylmer, I wish to congratulate both parties on having found a common ground, thus saving—

Pilon LimitéeStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

The Speaker

The hon. member for Lévis-et-Chutes-de-la-Chaudière.

Mouvement DesjardinsStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Bloc

Antoine Dubé Bloc Lévis, QC

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to have the opportunity to draw attention to the election of Alban D'Amours as the head of the Mouvement des caisses populaires Desjardins, succeeding Claude Béland, who had held that position since 1987.

Mr. D'Amours has been on the executive of the Mouvement Desjardins for 12 years. He was a Quebec public servant, holding the positions of Deputy Minister of Revenue and Associate Deputy Minister of Energy. He also taught at the University of Minnesota and the University of Sherbrooke, where he was involved in the creation of the Institut de recherche sur les coopératives.

The Mouvement des caisses populaires Desjardins is the top financial institution in Quebec and the sixth in Canada. Co-operatives educate. Co-operatives develop. Co-operatives democratize. Co-operatives create solidarity.

Congratulations Mr. D'Amours.

Revenue CanadaStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

NDP

Pat Martin NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB

Mr. Speaker, if a working person owes Revenue Canada $100 it will hound the person to the ends of the earth to make him or her pay up. Yet, when the Bronfman family moved $2.2 billion out of the country without paying a nickel in capital gains tax, the federal government did not seem interested. It has not lifted a finger to try to collect as much as $750 million in back taxes that this wealthy family avoided paying, and time is running out. If it does not act soon it will not be able to collect at all.

Thank goodness a private citizen from Winnipeg, George Harris, is taking this matter to court. George speaks for all Canadians when he argues that we could all pay a little less taxes if the extremely wealthy paid their fair share.

Why is the government not trying to collect those taxes from the Bronfman family? Why is it spending a fortune in legal fees trying to make sure that this case is never heard in court?

Best wishes to Winnipegger George Harris in federal court on March 9. George is fighting a fight for tax fairness for all of us.

Burns BogStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Progressive Conservative

John Herron Progressive Conservative Fundy Royal, NB

Mr. Speaker, Burns Bog is 10,000 acres of unique wetland in the heart of Vancouver's Delta. This 5,000 year old living laboratory is probably the most environmentally contentious area in the province.

Protecting this site is important to Canadians, yet the land is under constant urban development. With global warming we need to protect every bit of stored carbon. While peatlands, such as Burns Bog, cover half the area of tropical rain forests, they are capable of storing three and a half times more carbon.

Burns Bog is also crucial to the Fraser River. The bog acts as a filter for freshwater flowing to the mouth of the largest salmon-bearing waterway in the world.

The Minister of the Environment must do more than pay lip service to the Ramsar convention on the protection of wetlands.

I urge the environment minister to, at the least, visit the site, talk to the concerned citizens and appreciate firsthand how important it is. With the minister's support, stakeholders, like the Burns Bog Conservation Society, can successfully negotiate an end to this looming environmental tragedy.

EducationStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Liberal

Peter Adams Liberal Peterborough, ON

Mr. Speaker, Statistics Canada confirms Canada as a world leader in education.

Among OECD members, Canada had the highest percentage of population with post-secondary education in 1995. Canada's rate was 48%, much higher than the OECD average of 23%.

Canada also excels at the primary and secondary levels. As an example, Canadian students in grade eight placed well above the international average in both mathematics and science.

This level of success could not be achieved without the government's commitment to education. Per student expenditures on education in Canada, in the report, were $6,396, far above the OECD average of $4,717. Canada spent 7% of GDP on education, the highest among G-7 countries; higher than the OECD average of 5.6% and higher than the United States at 6.7%.

It is gratifying to see the results of this government's commitment to education.

Bill C-20Statements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Bloc

Hélène Alarie Bloc Louis-Hébert, QC

Mr. Speaker, the heavy-handed and ill-advised Bill C-20 perpetuates the confrontation between Ottawa and Quebec City and establishes a veritable trusteeship for Quebec. It was in such clear terms that Claude Ryan, the former leader of the Liberal Party in Quebec, former head of the No camp during the 1980 referendum and avowed federalist, commented on Bill C-20 yesterday.

Mr. Ryan added furthermore that, by wanting to make parliament the arbiter of clarity in the referendum question and result, contrary to the prerogatives of the National Assembly, the Liberal government was contravening the very principles of democracy. The decision must be made by the National Assembly, and, once made, it must be implemented without interference.

This call joins the long list of democrats demanding the withdrawal of Bill C-20.

Like Mr. Ryan, we repeat the message to the government: Have faith in Quebec democracy.

Hepatitis CStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Reform

Reed Elley Reform Nanaimo—Cowichan, BC

Mr. Speaker, sadly, again I want to bring to the attention of the House the deplorable situation of hepatitis C victims.

First, the government willfully chose to only acknowledge victims of hep C who fell into an arbitrary window of 1986 to 1990. It ignored the Krever inquiry recommendation that all blood injured people be compensated promptly and adequately.

In fact, over the past two years of negotiating the victims have received absolutely nothing, only their lawyers. Meanwhile the suffering continues.

The question of how children will be compensated in the future remains unanswered. Unfortunately, there will be many children who will meet the current criteria but who have not yet tested positive. Lawyers have said “don't worry”, but hep C sufferers and their families find little comfort in this.

Questions have also been raised regarding the accuracy of blood tracebacks. With Red Cross records prior to 1980 destroyed, how on earth are people able to get accurate records?

Furthermore, there are many unanswered questions surrounding the use of prison blood from both Canada and the U.S. in our blood supply system.

The health minister needs to be fully accountable for his government's actions. When is he going—

Hepatitis CStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

The Speaker

The hon. member for Winnipeg North Centre.

Health CareStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

NDP

Judy Wasylycia-Leis NDP Winnipeg North Centre, MB

Mr. Speaker, the clouds over Canada's treasured health care system are getting darker.

Yesterday the Prime Minister tried to pretend that Liberal cuts to transfers have been fully restored. To quote from the Prime Minister himself, his words have no relation to reality. The truth is that the Liberal government still has not put back over $4 billion it took out of health care in 1995.

The result: two-tier Americanized health care continues to get a foothold in this country. Just look at Alberta where the truth squads are out using public funds to explain why public health care should be dismantled, and still the federal government stays silent.

As Alberta has said “silence means acceptance”. Canadians are saying to the government “Break the silence, find some backbone, contain the privatization virus before it contaminates health care across the country”.

With days to go before the federal budget, the government must act and must act now. It has one choice and perhaps only one chance: to put back all the money it took from health care in 1995. Take back Canada's public health care system.

St. John's WestStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Progressive Conservative

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

Mr. Speaker, the people of St. John's West need a member of parliament to represent them in the House. Why is the Prime Minister dragging his heels on calling the byelection. Is it the Prime Minister's intention to leave this seat vacant until such time as he calls the federal general election? Perhaps the Prime Minister is having a problem getting a candidate for his party.

Whatever the reason, the Prime Minister was certainly very eager to create a vacancy in St. John's West. Prime Minister, we now have our vacancy, where is our byelection?

Royal Canadian RegimentStatements By Members

2:15 p.m.

Liberal

Hec Clouthier Liberal Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON

That day of battle in the dusty heat We lay and heard the bullets swish and sing Like scythes amid the over-ripened wheat, And we the harvest of their garnering.

Mr. Speaker, John McRae wrote those words 100 years ago to commemorate the brave Canadian soldiers who fought in the Battle of Paardeberg on February 27, 1900. The Boer War was Canada's first overseas mission and the Royal Canadian Regiment became our first war heroes. At 2.15 a.m., under clear starlight and dead silence, six RCR companies crept toward the Boer trenches. Suddenly a shot was fired and the Canadians were swept by murderous fire. But we did not retreat and by dawn we had captured over 4,000 Boers.

This Saturday evening at 7 p.m., Hamilton's ONTV will broadcast We Stand on Guard , celebrating the 100th anniversary of the heroic Royal Canadian Regiment. Let us watch and learn more about our proud military history.

Human Resources DevelopmentOral Question Period

2:15 p.m.

Reform

Deborah Grey Reform Edmonton North, AB

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the HRD minister unveiled yet another showcase of shame. The latest blizzard of paper had thousands of pages of the Liberals' sanitized shopping list. It turns out that some of those Liberal votes are fairly expensive. At least $1 billion out of that was bungled. It is not exactly a real deal and a bargain for Canadians.

She can roll her eyes, but I would like to ask either her or the fellow in charge of it all, if they had to do it all over again, would they again endorse such a billion dollar boondoggle?

Human Resources DevelopmentOral Question Period

2:15 p.m.

Saint-Maurice Québec

Liberal

Jean Chrétien LiberalPrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, will the hon. member go ask all of the people who have received grants, which have created jobs in all of the communities of Canada, if they agree or do not agree.

The reality is that through all of the programs of this government we have managed to reduce the level of unemployment from 11.5% to 6.8%, the lowest in 25 years, and 1.9 million jobs have been created in this country since we formed the government.

Human Resources DevelopmentOral Question Period

2:15 p.m.

Reform

Deborah Grey Reform Edmonton North, AB

Mr. Speaker, if this government had lowered taxes substantially we would see a lot better unemployment rate.

The HRD minister and the Prime Minister make a great couple. Not since Imelda Marcos have we seen anyone with such a nose for a bargain than the Prime Minister. This couple is spending other people's money.

Human Resources DevelopmentOral Question Period

2:15 p.m.

Some hon. members

Oh, oh.

Human Resources DevelopmentOral Question Period

2:15 p.m.

Reform

Deborah Grey Reform Edmonton North, AB

Let us look at the list that the Prime Minister talks about—

Human Resources DevelopmentOral Question Period

2:15 p.m.

The Speaker

Order, please. The hon. member for Edmonton North.

Human Resources DevelopmentOral Question Period

2:15 p.m.

Reform

Deborah Grey Reform Edmonton North, AB

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister forgot to mention the $12 million lost on 51 companies that went belly up. They went bankrupt, so I would like to ask, in what way is spending 12 million irretrievable dollars such a great bargain for Canadian taxpayers?

Human Resources DevelopmentOral Question Period

2:15 p.m.

Saint-Maurice Québec

Liberal

Jean Chrétien LiberalPrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, when we deal with the private sector—and they are supposed to be the advocates of the private sector—we know, for example, that the banks lose more than 1% of the money they loan to small and medium size enterprises every year. Of course, in a market economy some people fail. But what is good about Canada is that so many are successful that we have a lot of prosperity in Canada today.

Human Resources DevelopmentOral Question Period

2:15 p.m.

Reform

Deborah Grey Reform Edmonton North, AB

That is right, Mr. Speaker, but the banks are in the business of banking and it is not taxpayers' money which they are responsible for. This government is responsible for the taxpayer.

Let me say it again: $12 million was lost. It went into thin air on 51 companies that went belly up. Those grants were supposed to create more than 2,800 long term jobs. Do you know what the answer is, Mr. Speaker? They created exactly zero sustainable, permanent jobs.

For what reason, other than vote buying, could this government waste so many millions of dollars?