Debates of March 27th, 2000

Tobacco Industry

[Sarkis Assadourian, Liberal, Brampton Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, in light of the damage to the health of Canadians caused by tobacco products, I have introduced in the House a motion calling upon all Canadian parliamentarians and political parties to refrain from accepting political contributions from the tobacco industry. By refraining from accepting tobacco profits as political contributions, we as politicians are setting an example for all Canadians, youth included.

I urge my fellow parliamentarians to join me in saying no to tobacco profits as political contributions.

Leader Of The Official Opposition

[Deborah Grey, Reform, Edmonton North, AB]

Mr. Speaker, today is very special and humbling for me because I have been given a great opportunity to serve the House and the people of Canada as the Leader of the Official Opposition on an interim basis. Now I can fire away directly across from the Prime Minister.

I want to thank God for blessing me with so many surprises in my life and my career. I want to thank my husband Lew for his wonderful unconditional love and support. I would like to thank my family who have been there with me all along. I would like to thank my colleagues in the Reform Party and now the Canadian Alliance. I would like to thank the entire House of Commons.

Today I want to thank the man whose inspiring vision has influenced the national Canadian agenda for the last 13 years. His tireless effort and servant leadership has built a political reform movement that for the first time in history stands poised to make the transition from third party to opposition to government. I stand today in his place to say that I will do my best to carry on the work of my friend and colleague, the member for Calgary Southwest.

Gas Prices

[Peter Adams, Liberal, Peterborough, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the Liberal caucus on obtaining an independent review of gas prices by the Conference Board of Canada.

The huge rise in gas, diesel and fuel prices has made us realize how dependent we are on a few countries and a few companies. Let us use this opportunity to boost public transportation. Let us give tax breaks for public transit passes. Let us assist the municipalities and the private sector in promoting public transportation.

At the same time, let us continue to assist in the development of alternatives to oil and gas. Natural gas heating should be extended. Projects, such as the Ballard fuel cell, which received support in the budget, should be encouraged in every possible way. Let us do even more to support our ethanol plants.

Let us use the crisis of high fuel prices to reduce our dependence on oil.

Blood Donor Month

[Mac Harb, Liberal, Ottawa Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I want to call attention to the problem of recurring blood shortages in communities across Canada. The challenge is for Canadians to get involved by rolling up their sleeves.

March is Blood Donor Month, and I rise to ask my fellow Canadians and my colleagues in the House of Commons to give blood with generosity.

To meet the demand, Blood Services Canada needs more donors. By becoming a regular blood donor, communities would no longer be faced with critical shortfalls in blood levels and lives would be saved.

Together we can make a difference. I call on all Canadians to accept the challenge and this March become a regular blood donor and give someone else the gift of life.

Nunavik Inuit

[Guy St-Julien, Liberal, Abitibi, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the president of the Makivik Corporation, Pita Aatami, was right when he said in 1998 that the solution to the problem of the Inuit in Nunavik lay more than ever in team work.

This was the approach that Mr. Aatami took with the Government of Canada in developing Nunavik along with the governors, the board of directors of Makivik Corporation, the mayors and councillors of each community, and Nunavik's organizations, in order to help the Inuit lay the foundation for a future adapted to the new realities but rooted in their own cultural values.

Since being elected president of Makivik Corporation, Mr. Aatami has made sure the Government of Canada is aware of the Inuit's real priorities: housing, marine infrastructure, health, jobs, taxation, Nav Canada rates, telecommunications, the future of young people, and air transportation.

This is how our Inuit friends in Nunavik have been working with the Government of Canada.

The Late Hamed Nastoh

[Chuck Cadman, Reform, Surrey North, BC]

Mr. Speaker, on March 11, 14 year old Hamed Nastoh left a note for his parents, climbed onto the Pattullo Bridge and jumped to his death in the Fraser River; the final desperate act of a teenager who saw no other way out.

There was no escape from the constant taunting, teasing and bullying at the hands of fellow students. He was violently punched at least once, yet he said little, if anything, of his torment.

Bullying usually brings to mind images of children in shoving matches. At the junior and high school levels, what is commonly referred to as bullying is nothing less than criminal harassment and assault. It must not be tolerated.

Bullies survive through intimidation. They thrive on fear, the victim's fear to come forward. When victims do muster the courage to speak out, there is usually very little by way of consequence to the perpetrator, who then feels even more empowered to escalate the harassment. The victim usually moves to another school and the bully finds a new victim.

Hamed's death was preventable. I plead with young people to speak up. I beg of parents to listen and watch for the signs. I demand of educators to identify and remove the predators.

Canadian Film Industry

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

Mr. Speaker, the Canadian film industry is a key player on the international scene.

We have every reason to be proud of our creative energy, which is used to show the Canadian heritage on screens all over the world.

The federal government supports Canadian talent. It has established various audiovisual support programs to promote growth in that sector.

Among others, the Canadian television fund allocates $200 million annually for the production of Canadian television programs. As for Telefilm Canada, it provides in excess of $35 million for feature film production.

Canadian artists can also get tax credits to help them complete audio-visual projects. In 1997-98, these credits totalled $21 million.

These are all means by which the Canadian government contributes to the quality of the cultural life in Canada and in Quebec.

Drama Awards

[John Finlay, Liberal, Oxford, ON]

Mr. Speaker, three Oxford county community theatres took home honours in the Western Ontario Drama League pre-festival awards earlier this month.

The Thistle Theatre in Embro brought home three prizes. These recognized the work of Terry Todd for outstanding direction, Jocelyn Rioux for best actress and Jim Harrison for best supporting actor in the Thistle Theatre's production of 1949 .

The W.O.D.L. also recognized the outstanding performance of Tony Harding as Phil Moss in the Woodstock Little Theatre's The Motor Trade .

Two special awards of merit were given to Theatre Tillsonburg in recognition of Penny Durst's set and costume execution and Stacey Tricket's research design of women's hair.

In one of my past lives I was a member of the Woodstock Little Theatre and know the value of community theatre. The hard work and commitment of everyone involved with these productions is to be commended, especially those recognized by their colleagues for outstanding work.

World Theatre Day

[Pierre De Savoye, Bloc, Portneuf, QC]

Mr. Speaker, today is World Theatre Day.

After Jean Cocteau, Arthur Miller, Pablo Neruda and Vaclav Havel, it is now Quebec playwright and fiction writer Michel Tremblay's turn to write the international message marking World Theatre Day.

In his text, Michel Tremblay ponders on the role of theatre in this era of globalization by saying:

For the universality of a dramatic text is not to be found in the place in which it was written, but in its humanity, in the relevance of its statements and in the beauty of its structure. Writers are not more universal because they are writing in Paris or New York rather than in Chicoutimi or Port-au-Prince.

The message written by Michel Tremblay will be read in thousands of theatres all over the world. For those who will not have the chance to be in a theatre this evening or tomorrow, the text of the declaration is available in some 20 languages on the site of the International Theatre Institute, which is under the aegis of UNESCO.

Happy World Theatre Day.

Canadian Alliance

[Werner Schmidt, Reform, Kelowna, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the race is on. It is an exciting time to be in Canadian politics. The people of Canada are saying that they are ready for a clear alternative to the ruling Liberals. They want fiscal responsibility, social responsibility, democratic accountability and new federalism.

I believe the Canadian Alliance, which became a reality on March 25, reflects that desire. We will know for sure when the people oust the unprincipled Liberals and vote for the Canadian Alliance at the next federal election.

The leadership candidates of the Canadian Alliance listen to the people. They understand and accept what Canadians are saying. They understand and accept the Alliance's constitution and declaration of policy as the voice of the people.

With the Canadian Alliance as an alternative, voters will be ready to deliver a fatal blow to the status quo and embrace a new vital democracy.

Arts And Culture

[Raymonde Folco, Liberal, Laval West, QC]

Mr. Speaker, last night was the time for cultural awards.

First of all, I must congratulate the artists receiving awards and honourable mentions at the Métrostar gala. During the gala, a touching and well-deserved tribute was paid to Gilles Latulippe, who has made the decision to retire after 33 years.

There was another memorable event, the film Oscars, where Canada was honoured. A Canadian production by the National Film Board, “The Old Man and the Sea”, and Quebecer François Girard's “The Red Violin”, also received awards.

Although all of this recognition and presentation of awards takes place in glamorous surroundings, let us remember that anyone wishing to make artistic and creative endeavours his or her career often faces a huge struggle.

Culture transcends borders. Each artistic endeavour is one more manifestation of the freedom of expression and creativity whose objective is the full realization of a society.

Hepatitis C

[Judy Wasylycia-Leis, NDP, Winnipeg North Centre, MB]

Mr. Speaker, it has been two years since the government promised compensation to some of the victims who contracted hepatitis C through tainted blood. Not a penny of that money has even been received. More victims have died and others have seen their expenses and worries rise as their illness has worsened.

Any relief felt two years ago has turned into bitter disappointment and cynicism. Lawyers are getting paid. Bureaucrats are being hired. One victim has said that settling this issue has become a growth industry.

Meanwhile, some innocent victims must live without even the promise of compensation because the government chose the path of least compassion two years ago and excluded them from the settlement.

Before the health minister heads off to start a new project with health ministers this week, he has some unfinished business to deal with. Canadians want to see full and equal compensation for all those who acquired hepatitis C from tainted blood.

Will the health minister not retrace his steps—

[The Speaker]

The hon. member for Etobicoke—Lakeshore.

World Tuberculosis Day

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

Mr. Speaker, Friday, March 24 was World Tuberculosis Day. The World Health Organization has declared tuberculosis to be a global emergency.

Tuberculosis is killing more people today than ever before. It knows no borders and no one is immune from being afflicted with TB. One-third of the world's population, that is 2 billion people, is estimated to be infected by tuberculosis. The yearly deaths attributed to TB are 2 million. It is greatest among young women and individuals with AIDS, Canada's aboriginal community, the homeless and others who have come into contact with TB through various ways.

TB can be controlled and prevented with the use of Directly Observed Treatment.

I call upon all of us to work with our international partners in health to support the DOTS program and make the prevention of TB a high priority on the public health agenda.

Hepatitis C

[Diane St-Jacques, Progressive Conservative, Shefford, QC]

Mr. Speaker, today is the second anniversary of the announcement of the agreement concluded between the government and the victims of Hepatitis C. It is discouraging to realize that two years have passed and the government has still not paid these sick people.

The people of this country are fed up. They want the government to act and to pay out the promised compensation. The lawyers have had their money, but the victims are still waiting.

Victims continue to die without ever laying their hands on a single compensation cheque, and their numbers are ever increasing.

It is obvious that Canadians find this government's inertia shocking. I am therefore demanding that it face up to its responsibilities, respect its commitments, and get the cheques out immediately to the Hepatitis C victims.

Canadian Aid For Chernobyl

[Joe Jordan, Liberal, Leeds—Grenville, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Canadian Aid for Chernobyl, a foundation based in Brockville, Ontario, is currently working on the logistics of shipping over $1.4 million worth of medical supplies to Belarus. The shipment will include a refurbished ambulance that will be driven by Dan Smith and Jeff Earle from the British Isles to Belarus. Their exploits will be closely followed by about 20 schools in the riding that will track the vehicle through a satellite linkage through the Internet.

This ongoing endeavour is locally funded and supported by individuals and businesses throughout Leeds—Grenville and is one more reason I am so proud to represent and serve these people in the Parliament of Canada.

Quiet Revolution

[Daniel Turp, Bloc, Beauharnois—Salaberry, QC]

Mr. Speaker, this coming weekend, the University of Quebec in Montreal will be organizing a major forum on the quiet revolution, forty years on.

Many researchers and political players will be analyzing the various aspects of what are now being called the achievements of the quiet revolution. A revolution described by Frère Untel as “an enormous collective and largely positive adventure”.

The achievements include, according to economist Pierre Fortin, of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, faster improvement in the standard of living in Quebec than in Ontario over the past 40 years. It pays to be “maîtres chez nous”.

A more striking and important element is that “young Quebecers are”, according to Professor Fortin, “among the world's most educated. International investigations—confirm that the quality of Quebec's system of education puts it among the world leaders as well”.

It seems obvious to me that it pays to be “maîtres chez nous”. I believe that sovereignty will provide even greater rewards.

Hepatitis C

[Libby Davies, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

Mr. Speaker, today is the second anniversary of the decision of the Government of Canada to ram through a compensation package for hepatitis C victims that was mean, non-inclusive and just plain wrong.

Here we are today and the tragedy continues. Thousands of hepatitis C victims were excluded from compensation. Tragically, even those Canadians who were meant to receive compensation are still waiting. Not one penny has gone to those victims. In my community of Vancouver East in the downtown east side, people are dying with hepatitis C because they are still waiting for help.

We all want to know from this government and from this Minister of Health how many people have died since that decision? Does the health minister even care about what has happened? How can this government, in all good conscience, live with its terrible decision? Will it do the right thing now and extend compensation to all victims with hepatitis C? Will it do that?

Heroism

[Art Hanger, Reform, Calgary Northeast, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the House to applaud the bravery and remember the young lives of two Calgary students who are now assumed dead after trying to save a drowning women off the coast of California.

David Elton and Brodi McDonald, both 17, jumped into the ocean off Black Sands Beach about 200 kilometres north of San Francisco to save Barbara Clement. The Calgary woman had been swept into the sea by a large wave.

David and Brodi both attended William Aberhart School. These youths represent the courage and desire to help others in need, which has been a longstanding national characteristic of Canadians.

Our hearts go out this afternoon to the families of the loved ones of everyone affected by this tragedy. May the selfless determination and heroism of these young men be remembered.

Health Care

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

Mr. Speaker, the federal Liberals say that money is not the main problem behind the health care crisis in Canada. Money may not be the only problem, but it is certainly the biggest problem.

In 1994-95 my province of Newfoundland received $425 million in cash transfers for health and post-secondary education. In this year's federal budget it will receive only $271 million. Twenty years ago federal transfers paid 50% of Newfoundland's health care costs. Today the federal government pays less than 15%. That sounds like a money problem to me.

It is time for the Liberals to stop playing politics with health care and start using their budget surplus to pay for the health care system that Canadians need and want.

Economic Development Agency

[Deborah Grey, Reform, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce a new birth. The Canadian Alliance was born this weekend. It weighed in at 91.9. The new extended family is very excited and mama is back at work already.

During this birth three more internal audits were uncovered, this time at the Canada Economic Development Agency. It sounds like a rerun of the HRD minister's list of greatest hits; favourites like lack of compliance, flexibility and insufficient management.

Is it that this government has no idea of how to manage tax dollars, or is it that it just cannot resist a good old fashion boondoggle?

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, some days I cannot resist offering my congratulations to my fifth Leader of the Opposition in six years. With respect to the changing of the name, as I said, Coca Cola tried that some years ago, without much success. It might be that the job of the Leader of the Opposition will be quite temporary if there is to be a sixth one by June.

The last time we changed our name was in 1867. We would not need that sort of thing to remain in opposition.

I want to reply to the question of the hon. member by saying that the auditor general has been asked to report four times a year to make sure that if we have problems of that nature they can be corrected immediately.

[Deborah Grey, Reform, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, it could be that the next Leader of the Opposition might be him, but it is hard to say.

There was an internal audit done and the results were damning. It stated “Our audit revealed a lack of compliance with criteria and with departmental policies”. The number one recommendation was “The minister should define the terms that leave room for interpretation”. In other words, close the loopholes so the Liberals cannot get their paws on it and dish out the cash.

A follow-up audit was done nearly a year later. No matter how many audits come out, the results seem to be the same. The response is “insufficient”. Was the prospect of millions more in slush money just too easy to keep their hands off?

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, we have debated these problems and this issue for a long time. I want to report that on the TJF/CJF allocation of money, more money went to opposition ridings than to government ridings.

We are applying the criteria. When there are opposition ridings that have more unemployment than the average of the nation we treat them exactly the same as we treat members' ridings on this side.

[Deborah Grey, Reform, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is talking about HRDC. Certainly there are problems there. But we are talking about problems today in CEDA. Even after the government got caught, even after it was told to clean up its act, it continued, without a care in the world.

The final audit was released in March 1999. Its findings stated “The overall file management situation has been appreciably the same”. That is not going, no matter how many audits they come up with.

There is only one conclusion to come to, and that is that the Liberals like it this way. Why will they not fix the problem that sees millions of taxpayer dollars being wasted every year?