Debates of March 20th, 2000

Stratford Festival

[John Richardson, Liberal, Perth—Middlesex, ON]

Mr. Speaker, it is once again my pleasure to rise in the House to announce with great enthusiasm that the Stratford Festival Theatre will be opening its 2000 season on May 3.

As many will know, the festival is renowned the world over for its theatrical productions. This year will be no different. Its playbill looks more like a study of the classics. Shakespeare's Hamlet and Titus Andronicus , Alexandre Dumas' The Three Musketeers , Molière's Le Tartuffe and Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest are just a few of the plays the festival will be performing this season.

To facilitate participation, my office will provide every member with a 2000 festival brochure. I strongly encourage everyone to come along and join the celebrations.

Agriculture

[Lee Morrison, Reform, Cypress Hills—Grasslands, SK]

Mr. Speaker, today is the first day of spring.

It was not too long ago, about three weeks ago, that the minister of agriculture promised there would be $300 million available for prairie farmers to help them through the spring seeding. So far we do not even know how it will be distributed, who will get it, what the terms of reference will be, nothing. It sounds like another AIDA program with the money laying on the table and the farmers reaching out trying to get it and having it pulled away from under their noses.

I wonder when the minister of agriculture will get his act together and instead of having photo ops will actually come out and show the farmers that he does intend to do something. When will he show some respect for people like Nick Parsons who brought his combine up to the front of the parliament buildings today to try to get the attention of the government and let it know what is going on?

Michael Starr

[Ivan Grose, Liberal, Oshawa, ON]

Mr. Speaker, today I wish to recognize the contribution to the city of Oshawa by one of my predecessors, Colonel, the Hon. Michael Starr, who passed away on Thursday.

Mike was extremely proud of his heritage, just as Oshawa's sizeable Ukrainian population was proud of their Mike.

Michael Starr was elected as an alderman in 1944 and then mayor. Mike was the mayor of Oshawa until 1952 when he won an election as a Conservative member of parliament. In 1957 Michael Starr was named Minister of Labour. This appointment made Mike the first Canadian of Ukrainian descent to be appointed to the federal cabinet. In 1957 Mike was named Ukrainian of the Year for North America. He was appointed as a citizenship court judge and served on several important provincial boards. He also served as honorary colonel of the Ontario Regiment.

Michael Starr's name is remembered on a provincial government building in Oshawa and also by his contributions to Oshawa and his country. He will not be forgotten.

Thank you Mike. See ya around.

Journée Internationale De La Francophonie

[Pauline Picard, Bloc, Drummond, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Journée internationale de la Francophonie, which we are celebrating today, is of particular importance this year.

On March 20, 1970, three great statesmen, Léopold Senghor, Habib Bourguiba and Hamani Diori, along with officials from 21 states and governments having in common their use of French, created what was to become the Agence internationale de la Francophonie.

Thirty years later, the states and governments of the Francophonie are meeting again in Niamey, to mark this anniversary, at the invitation of the Secretary General of the Francophonie, Boutros Boutros-Ghali.

The fact that membership grew from 21 participants in 1970 to 55 in 2000 reflects the vitality of the French language around the world. Quebec will soon be a member of that group, as a country.

United Kingdom Parliamentary Delegation

[Bryon Wilfert, Liberal, Oak Ridges, ON]

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Canada-United Kingdom Interparliamentary Association I would like to indicate to the House that members of the British delegation are visiting with us today to learn more about how Canadian parliamentarians carry out their responsibilities both here in Ottawa and in their constituencies.

I am pleased to note that the delegation is headed by the Baroness Pitkeathley of Caversham. Also present are Keith Ernest Darvill of Upminster; Christopher Leslie of Shipley; Maria Eagle of Liverpool-Garston; John Bercow of Buckingham; Gerald Howarth of Aldershot; the Rt. Hon. Eric Forth of Bromley-Chislehurst; and Andrew George of St. Ives.

It is a pleasure to have them here with us today.

Taiwan

[Svend Robinson, NDP, Burnaby—Douglas, BC]

Mr. Speaker, on Saturday the people of Taiwan made a historic decision, electing former dissident human rights activist and Taipei mayor Chen Shui-bian as their president. This decisive victory by the leader of the once outlawed Democratic Progressive Party is a milestone in the courageous struggle for democracy of the Taiwanese people. It is a clear rejection of the bullying and threats of the mainland Chinese government. The people of Taiwan must be allowed to freely choose their own future, including independence.

Throughout our country, Canadians of Taiwanese origin applaud the election of the first president truly of Taiwanese origin, and that of Annette Lu, the first woman to become vice-president of that country.

Today, I join democrats of all types and from all over the world in demanding that the Chinese government respect the democratic and peaceful wish expressed by the people of Taiwan during this historic election.

Let us now hope that democracy and respect for human rights will come to mainland China as well.

Mozambique

[Jean Augustine, Liberal, Etobicoke—Lakeshore, ON]

Mr. Speaker, this evening in Room 253-D Centre Block a very special reception will take place to support flood relief efforts in Mozambique.

For several weeks now, floods in Mozambique have brought enormous suffering to its people. Mozambicans continue to be without adequate clean water, food and shelter despite assistance from Canada and the international community. The situation worsens by the day since many lives are threatened by the outbreak of diseases and the dislodgement of thousands of land mines. The floods have seriously jeopardized Mozambique's ability to feed its people.

I urge all my colleagues to attend the reception this evening and give their support to the flood victims in Mozambique. It is in Room 253-D Centre Block.

Alcan's Job Sharing Program

[André Harvey, Progressive Conservative, Chicoutimi, QC]

Mr. Speaker, with all the scandals at Human Resources Development Canada, the minister has an opportunity to do something constructive in the case of Alcan's job sharing program—Solidarité pour la création d'emplois.

In 1995, in co-operation with the federal government, Alcan employees, the Government of Quebec and the company decided to create a job sharing program.

Arbitrarily, after three years, the federal government pulled out, leaving hundreds of jobs in jeopardy.

I beg the minister to review this file objectively. There is much talk of partnership, which I think is one of the most promising avenues for the future, particularly in the outlying regions, where it is difficult to create jobs.

I hope that the minister will show her good faith and that, despite all the scandals, she will be able to do something concrete to help workers in isolated areas.

Agriculture

[Rick Casson, Reform, Lethbridge, AB]

Mr. Speaker, Nick Parsons ended his 4,800 kilometre odyssey today as he eased his 10 tonne Massey-Ferguson combine to a stop in front of the centennial flame on Parliament Hill. What a beautiful sight it was.

For six weeks Nick navigated the Prairie Belle through the small towns and mega-cities of Canada, determined to bring attention to the farm income crisis that has crippled Canadian farmers.

For six weeks he drove, receiving the support of thousands of Canadians along the way. But if it were up to the government, Nick may as well have stayed home. The one man he wanted to talk to, the one man who could make a difference, the Prime Minister, has denied his request for a meeting.

The government has failed producers. Instead of immediately delivering emergency assistance, the Prime Minister makes promises of money that will never make it to the farm gate.

Canadian farmers, like Nick, need more than empty promises. They need a meaningful commitment from the government. Mr. Prime Minister, the message is simple: If you do not support agriculture, quit eating.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police

[Jacques Saada, Liberal, Brossard—La Prairie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, on March 8, the government announced that the RCMP would be keeping all its detachments in Quebec open.

I wish to tell RCMP authorities how satisfied I am with this decision.

It confirms the RCMP's determination to maintain quality services, but we already knew that. The important thing is that the RCMP is adapting its services in order to give officers more flexibility so that they can better wage their fight against crime.

The decision also confirms the RCMP's desire to pursue its partnerships with other police forces in order to carry out the very difficult work of gathering and analysing data in the regions.

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the RCMP and thank it for its excellent partnership with the Sûreté du Québec, in particular in Opération Cisaille to eradicate the cultivation of marijuana by organized crime.

All the stakeholders in the region—it is my region also—including farmers, the UPA and members of all political parties recognize how valuable and effective this co-operation is.

Leader Of Bloc Quebecois

[Suzanne Tremblay, Bloc, Rimouski—Mitis, QC]

Mr. Speaker, today the leader of the Bloc Quebecois will be made chevalier de l'Ordre de la Pléiade, a distinction awarded by the Assemblée parlementaire de la francophonie.

The hon. member for Laurier—Sainte-Marie is the living incarnation of modern Quebec francophonie. He has always been an staunch promoter of the public use of French in Quebec, in Canada and in the world.

The leader of the Bloc Quebecois reconciles in a completely natural manner his Irish origins and the French language, and is equally at home with the green of Ireland and the French language.

With his passion for history, he is well aware of the path French has taken in North America over the past centuries, and of the obstacles it has encountered. This is why he shows no hesitation in challenging preconceived ideas on language and on other issues crucial to the Quebec of today.

He knows that French as a language of culture, of science and of commerce constitutes the cement of Quebec society, a society that is more open, stronger, more vigorous than ever.

Bravo to the hon. member for Laurier—Sainte-Marie, leader of the Bloc Quebecois, for this well-deserved award, which reflects glory on all of Quebec.

Liberal Party Of Canada Convention

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

Mr. Speaker, this past weekend, Liberal activists sent Canadians a clear message. They proposed and voted on resolutions aimed at a future electoral platform responding to the aspirations of the population.

Our party membership wishes to see their government pursue its agenda as far as health, the economy, and the bolstering of Canadian unity is concerned.

When Liberal activists call upon their government to invest in infrastructures, their focus is on regional development, and rightly so. When Liberal activists call upon their government to invest in health, their focus is on improving the quality of life of the Canadian population, and rightly so.

I am proud to belong to a political party with the well-being of the people of Canada at heart, a party whose ultimate aim is greater equity for all.

Journée Internationale De La Francophonie

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

Mr. Speaker, today we celebrate a special holiday in Canada and around the world, that of the Francophonie, a celebration of pride and cultural identity.

The declaration of a Journée internationale de la Francophonie, I think, points out the uniqueness of the language and the dynamism of the culture in all areas of international endeavour.

As a francophone, I invite Canada's francophones to show their pride and host communities to show their respect, thus underscoring this country's cultural diversity.

Long life to the Francophonie and a good day to all of Canada's francophones.

Export Development Corporation

[Preston Manning, Reform, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, when it comes to the gross mismanagement of taxpayer dollars, the human resources scandal is just the tip of an iceberg.

Another government agency, the Export Development Corporation, has outstanding loans amounting to $22 billion, of which about $2.8 billion has apparently been written off as lost. That is three times the amount bungled by the human resources department, and because EDC is even less accountable for taxpayers' money than the other government agencies, the total may well be higher.

What is the total amount of taxpayer dollars that has been lost on bad loans by the Export Development Corporation?

[Pierre Pettigrew, Liberal, Minister for International Trade]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the opposition leader for his very interesting question. I inform the House that over the last 50 years, all in all, the Canadian government has granted about $1 billion to the EDC for its equity fund. The rest is money it makes on loans on the market. Therefore, it cannot be more than $1 billion over 50 years.

Over the years the EDC, a very well run institution, has actually made profits year after year.

[Preston Manning, Reform, Leader of the Opposition]

Only $1 billion, Mr. Speaker. Another minister got into a great deal of trouble for saying something like that about 30 years ago.

When the EDC writes off bad loans, the taxpayers end up on the hook, and taxpayers have no way of even tracking where or how these bad loans were incurred. EDC is exempt from federal access to information laws and all the standard accounting practices that we expect from the government departments.

Again, we are asking the minister to give a straight answer to the question. How many taxpayer dollars have been lost by EDC on bad loans?

[Pierre Pettigrew, Liberal, Minister for International Trade]

Mr. Speaker, I think the opposition leader has not quite understood the answer. I just informed him that EDC does not operate on taxpayer money. Over the last 50 years it has received $1 bill for its equity fund.

As for its management, I would like to read the auditor general's 1998 report in which he said that in his opinion:

—the transactions of the corporation have in all significant respects been in accordance with the (...) Financial Administration Act and regulations, with the EDC Act, and the bylaws of the corporation.

[Preston Manning, Reform, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, $2.8 billion in bad loans is almost three times the billion dollars bungled by human resources. Many of the same ingredients that infect the mismanagement of taxpayer money by human resources are found in the minister's department.

Key EDC decision makers have close links to the Prime Minister. The chairman of the EDC is a long time Liberal ally of the Prime Minister. Large subsidies went to some of the largest contributors to the Liberal Party and billions of dollars are lost.

If the government has nothing to hide, why does it not lift the cloud of secrecy that surrounds EDC?

[Pierre Pettigrew, Liberal, Minister for International Trade]

Mr. Speaker, I will repeat this slowly so that everyone in the House will clearly understand.

In the last 50 years the government has invested only $1 billion in EDC, which represents its equity fund. That $1 billion is still there and it has helped support over $300 billion in Canadian exports around the world.

[Deborah Grey, Reform, Edmonton North, AB]

Mr. Speaker, that is not encouraging for the minister who came over from HRDC, and I am sure he is familiar with some of the stuff there.

The government subsidized Amtrak, an American train company, to the tune of $1 billion. At the same time it was slashing billions of dollars out of our health care system.

Does the minister really think that Canadians are willing to give their money to subsidize Amtrak?

[Pierre Pettigrew, Liberal, Minister for International Trade]

Mr. Speaker, not long ago the Reform Party wasted a whole question period because its research office had done poor work. I can tell the House now that it does not even trust its own research office and now looks to the papers for research. It is relying on an article last Saturday that had more than 25 mistakes in it. It should do better research than that.

What everyone has to understand is that EDC does not grant any subsidies. It therefore did not grant any subsidy to Amtrak either.

[Deborah Grey, Reform, Edmonton North, AB]

Mr. Speaker, when backing a loan we know, if the loan goes sour, exactly who is on the hook to pay the bill.

While health care in our country has been derailed, this government has pumped a billion dollars into a foreign railway. The Prime Minister blabs on about the fact that he will protect Canada but—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh.

[The Speaker]

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

[Deborah Grey, Reform, Edmonton North, AB]

The Prime Minister talks about values and sharing. He brags that he will protect Canada from Americanization. That is nonsense.

How is it that this Prime Minister values sharing Canadian money so much with American companies?