Debates of May 16th, 2000

Committees Of The House

[Deborah Grey, Reform, Edmonton North, AB]

I am still here. I am saying how frustrating it is for people across the country. They think something will be debated in parliament and then they see a government absolutely shut it down.

Now they are the champs. They railed about it. The Deputy Speaker railed about it in 1991 and 1992. How he went on. The table clerks remember. They were here. They remember what an affront to democracy this was and how terrible it was. Now they are in government it is different. It is so bad from this side, yet it is so good when in government. It is absolutely ridiculous.

In six years, 66 times the Mulroney Tories shut down debate in this place. Now it is 67 times as of today for this government, even more than the Mulroney Tories. It is unbelievable to me.

Let us look at the legacy of shame: Bill C-18, electoral boundaries, 1994; Bill C-34, Yukon First Nations Act; Bill C-33, Yukon First Nations Act; Bill C-32, Excise Tax Act; Bill C-35, Department of Citizenship and Immigration Act; Bill C-74, supervision of longshoring and related operations at west coast ports; Bill C-77, Maintenance of Railways Operations Act; Bill C-77, Maintenance of Railways Operations Act, another report stage or second reading; again Bill C-77, Railway Operations Act; and Bill C-68, Firearms Act. That was a special one.

[The Speaker]

I regret interrupting the hon. member, but I see that it is almost time for Statements by Members. The member has one minute to wind up.

[Deborah Grey, Reform, Edmonton North, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I am watching the clock carefully. I see it is almost two o'clock. In my one minute of wrap-up, I cannot believe with HRDC, the billion dollar boondoggle and all that has gone on, that the government says “Trust me, I am here to manage your money”. What a disgrace for every government member in the House to say that they are managing our money. It is hard to believe.

They railed about the Mulroney Conservatives when they were on this side, as you were, Mr. Speaker. You heard it all, as I did. Now they are over there and they have broken the record of Brian Mulroney by using time allocation and closure 67 times in the House. I say shame on them.

Vancouver Symphony Orchestra

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

Mr. Speaker, yesterday as a federal government representative, I observed 6,452 musical students and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra play Beethoven for nine minutes and 53 seconds in order to beat the world record. They are now in the the Guinness Book of Records because they beat the old world record of seven minutes and 43 seconds. I was delighted to be there to represent the Deputy Prime Minister and the minister responsible for the millennium fund, and to announce that they were getting $129,667.

Yorkton Regional High School Marching 100

[Garry Breitkreuz, Reform, Yorkton—Melville, SK]

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure today to bring attention to one of Canada's greatest bands, the Yorkton Regional High School Marching 100.

These high school students from my constituency are in Ottawa as part of an eastern Canada tour called “Combining Canadian History With Performance”. They will be performing in Ontario and Quebec and will also be learning about the cultures, history and languages of this great nation.

The Marching 100 have acted as excellent ambassadors for Yorkton, Saskatchewan and Canada in their extensive travels. These students have become well known for their abilities as band performers with their most notable performance being at the world famous Rose Bowl parade. Larry Pearen, the director, has also been to four Grey Cup games with this award winning band.

Today this band will be performing on Parliament Hill. I urge all members to come and see what makes this band so great. The band's many awards are the result of hard work and supportive parents who have encouraged its members to excel.

Hats off to the Yorkton Regional High School Marching 100 who are in our gallery today.

International Development Research Centre

[Colleen Beaumier, Liberal, Brampton West—Mississauga, ON]

Mr. Speaker, this past weekend 30 years ago, the IDRC was created and its mission launched to promote scientific research in the interests of the people of the developing world.

Back in 1970 the IDRC chose an innovative approach by placing resources and responsibilities in the hands of the people in the south. IDRC's efforts to help the south build its own pool of knowledge and expertise have some notable milestones. In South Africa and Chile for example, IDRC's early support to researchers helped ease the transformation of these countries to democracies. Simple technologies, such as bed nets dipped in insecticides and salt fortified with iodine and iron, have saved lives.

Success stories like these have garnered IDRC an international reputation, enhancing Canada's stature abroad as a caring nation committed to helping the world's poor to improve their lives.

The Family

[Eleni Bakopanos, Liberal, Ahuntsic, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to call attention to International Day of Families celebrated yesterday, May 15.

Families are found at the heart of our society. Our children, who are the future of our country and of the world, develop within the family. It is vital to provide and maintain a stable, balanced and durable foundation so that our children can make a contribution to society.

The government through budget 2000 and other initiatives has placed an importance on bettering the lives of children and their families, but we still have more to do.

I take this occasion to thank my family, especially my daughters and my husband, for their love and support, especially in the hard times many of us often face in this privileged institution to which we have been elected by all Canadians.

General Motors Of Canada

[Susan Whelan, Liberal, Essex, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to inform the House that a delegation from General Motors of Canada's Women's Advisory Council will be meeting in Ottawa today.

As members of the House know, General Motors of Canada is one of Canada's leading automakers. Its Women's Advisory Council is a group which advises senior management on issues impacting women in the workplace.

Founded 17 years ago, the council has been instrumental in prompting advances in company policy. Its efforts have contributed to bringing forward programs such as job sharing, telecommuting, formal mentoring and more. The group's efforts to develop practical solutions to issues which face women in the workplace have resulted in a better, richer work environment for all General Motors of Canada employees.

On behalf of my colleagues I would like to extend a warm welcome to the General Motors of Canada Women's Advisory Council. I hope they enjoy their time in Ottawa.

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

[Inky Mark, Reform, Dauphin—Swan River, MB]

Mr. Speaker, the CBC is grappling with the issue of whether or not to cut local and regional TV shows across the country.

There needs to be a new approach and a new way of thinking in planning the future of Canada's public broadcaster. If not, the current tug of war between the CBC and the CRTC will ensure the demise of essential CBC services. In today's multi-channel universe and with the evolving role of the Internet, the status quo is not good enough.

As chief critic for Canadian heritage, at this time I am against any increase of public funding for the CBC.

Today at the heritage committee the CBC president confirmed that there is a shortfall of between $80 million and $120 million annually but that an influx of money would not fix the supper hour newscasts across the country. He said that the private sector is already being used to help produce programs. The CBC should focus on news and documentaries, many of which come thanks to regional input.

I come from a rural riding. The CBC is the lifeline which links many rural communities in Canada.

Kurdish Refugees

[Pat O'Brien, Liberal, London—Fanshawe, ON]

Mr. Speaker, for the past 10 years the international community has witnessed many atrocities against the Kurdish people. We have seen a variety of nations in the region use violence against the Kurds to achieve their political goals.

Thirty-five million Kurds live in the Middle East and they do not have a country to call home. Without a country they have been denied human, social, political and cultural rights. This conflict has the potential to create instability in the region.

The Kurdish question cannot be settled by force. Canada has a role to play in the region by advancing our human security agenda. We are a multicultural nation and through our example we can show the region that a nation that protects minority rights can prosper.

The situation involving the Kurdish people is too serious to ignore. To do so will lead to more conflict and suffering in the area.

Alternative School Liberté-Jeunesse

[Gilles-A. Perron, Bloc, Saint-Eustache—Sainte-Thérèse, QC]

Mr. Speaker, representatives of the student parliament of alternative school Liberté-Jeunesse are honouring us by their presence in the gallery today.

These young people are distinguishing themselves through their volunteer efforts to improve their school. They are also involved in raising money to help them organize a variety of social activities in their community and to travel abroad.

I would like to acknowledge the presence of one parent, Jean-Paul Piquette, and thank him for his involvement, and of my favourite teacher, my daughter Nicole. Congratulations, you young people, keep up the good work, you are cool stuff.

Niagara-On-The-Lake

[Gary Pillitteri, Liberal, Niagara Falls, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Environment Canada has just determined that what hit Niagara-on-the-Lake last Friday was a localized condition referred to as a downburst with winds of up to 180 kilometres an hour. Damage was extensive and public works as well as hydro crews are still on the job and continue to clean debris and make repairs.

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the residents of Niagara-on-the-Lake who have been truly remarkable throughout this ordeal. After cleaning their own property, many of them provided wonderful assistance to their neighbours. Hydro crews put forth a continuous and concerted 24 hour a day effort to restore power as soon as possible, working throughout the night.

I would like to thank the municipality of Niagara-on-the-Lake for its quick response to the crisis. I would like to recognize the neighbouring municipalities that came to our help immediately and without hesitation.

Taxation

[Eric C. Lowther, Reform, Calgary Centre, AB]

Mr. Speaker, e-commerce and the high tech economy are driving new growth markets around the world. The tax and spend policies of the old line parties have put Canada behind in this new economy.

The Prime Minister is in denial about brain drain. His who cares attitude about brain drain sends the wrong message to our best and brightest and they leave.

Canada has the ingredients to be an e-commerce powerhouse. We have a well established and educated workforce, high levels of computer literacy and well established telecommunications infrastructure all waiting to blossom if the heavy Liberal tax clouds are blown away. The answer is for the tax and spend Liberal legacy to go.

Instead, the Canadian Alliance tax plan called solution 17 is understandable, straightforward and endorsed by experts. It is a plan that gives extensive broad based tax relief so people have a lot more of their own money in their own pockets. Businesses can succeed and Canada can for once reach its potential free from the burdensome weight of big tax and spend governments.

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

[Wendy Lill, NDP, Dartmouth, NS]

Mr. Speaker, today the president of the CBC confirmed to the heritage committee that due to 16 years of Liberal and Conservative cuts, 17 local supper hour shows are to be reduced to one per time zone each co-hosted from Toronto. The president believes that the only way to save our public broadcaster is by eliminating local English television shows.

Government members were upset about this but I wonder why. They ran in 1993 on a promise of reinvestment in the CBC and then cut the CBC's base budget by hundreds of millions, about as much as is needed to preserve local TV.

Now the Liberals have a decision to make. Either come up with the very significant ongoing funding to rebuild the integrity of local journalism in Canada or endorse the planned cuts through inaction.

I compliment the CBC on having a vision, but I do not share its belief that the private sector will pick up the slack in the 12 abandoned communities. It is a sad day for local television in Canada.

Former Parliamentarians

[Derek Lee, Liberal, Scarborough—Rouge River, ON]

Mr. Speaker, today former parliamentarians have come together with us in our parliament for a memorial service to commemorate parliamentarians who have passed away in the prior year. The commemoration replaces the tributes from all parties extended in the House over prior years.

This year we have celebrated the memory and contributions of 26 men and women who have served Canada in our parliamentary houses and who have passed away. Their works and contributions are recorded in our Hansards , in our statutes, in our policies, in our history and in our national symbols. They and their families have given Canadians a piece of their lives and that gift will live forever.

We also pay tribute today to the many living parliamentarians meeting here today whose commitments and affection for this place are reflected by their presence here. They have honoured one of their own, Mr. Stan Darling, with their Distinguished Service Award.

On behalf of all Canadians, we record our sentiments on the loss of those parliamentarians who have passed on. We acknowledge the continuing service to Canada of all living former parliamentarians who are with us today.

St. John's West Byelection

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

Mr. Speaker, reports of our death were greatly exaggerated. I extend my congratulations and best wishes to Loyola Hearn, the Progressive Conservative MP elect for St. John's West. I would also be remiss if I did not congratulate Greg Malone and the NDP for putting on a very strong campaign and Anthony Sparrow of the Liberal Party for his great effort as well.

The past weekend's successful policy convention and last night's victory show there is still a need in this nation for an alternative national party that is fiscally responsible and socially compassionate. That party is the PC Party of Canada.

As for the reform party, now the Canadian Alliance, which once told me here in the House that the smallest violin plays for Atlantic Canada, I guess an even smaller violin played for them last night.

Congratulations Loyola, and welcome aboard.

Young Offenders Act

[Madeleine Dalphond-Guiral, Bloc, Laval Centre, QC]

Mr. Speaker, it is not every day that one gets the chance to see lawyers demonstrating. They would rather defend their point of view before a judge than in front of the Montreal courthouse.

But they stepped out of character yesterday and took to the streets to protest Bill C-3, a bill that will mean repression rather than rehabilitation for young offenders. The president of the Montreal Association des avocats en droit de la jeunesse, René Binet, had the following to say:

We are on the front line. We have handled thousands of cases. We know whereof we speak. We do not want this bill.

Bloc Quebecois members heard this message long ago. The time has come for the federal Liberal members from Quebec to go along with the consensus in Quebec and to demand that their government withdraw Bill C-3. There is still time to listen to reason. The future of many young people hangs in the balance.

Lori's Room Walkathon

[Sarmite Bulte, Liberal, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

Mr. Speaker, on Saturday, May 13, I attended the first annual Lori's Room Walkathon to benefit St. Joseph's Health Centre Foundation and the Lori's Room fund.

Established by her parents, Doug and Lorna Martin, in 1996, the Lori's Room fund honours the memory of Lorna-Lynn Martin, a young woman who struggled against a particularly virulent form of cancer which eventually caused her passing.

The endowment fund is used to create healing environment rooms that support patients at St. Joseph's. Through the refurbishing and refurnishing of rooms, St. Joseph's hopes to make Lori's room more like a residential setting that is more conducive to rest, relaxation and healing.

The five kilometre walk began at Humber Bay Park and finished off with a celebration at St. Joseph's Health Centre. To date, $22,000 has been raised from the walkathon through pledges and donations.

I would like to congratulate the organizing committee and a very special thank you to Lorna-Lynn's parents, Doug and Lorna Martin.

Presence In Gallery

[The Speaker]

Before we begin question period today, as was mentioned by the hon. member for Scarborough—Rouge River, we have with us former members of parliament and former senators who have come for their annual reunion for two reasons: to honour those members who have passed away during the year and to honour one of our own with a distinguished service award. I would like members to welcome home our former parliamentarians who are here with us today.

I am going to ask our former parliamentarian brothers and sisters to rise so that we may welcome them.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear.

Government Of Canada

[Deborah Grey, Reform, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, I will be brief. The government has now broken the all time record set by Brian Mulroney for shutting down debate in the House. Mulroney used closure 66 times but with this government we are up to 67.

Let me quote the government House leader back in his purer times when he was in the opposition. He said:

I am shocked...This government has used closure on dozens and dozens of occasions. This is just terrible.

How hard was it for the Prime Minister to force his House leader to abandon his principles 67 times and counting?

[Don Boudria, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, I hate to give a lesson in parliamentary procedure to the Leader of the Opposition. I have not used closure once since the last election.

[Deborah Grey, Reform, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, he can get technical about time allocation and closure, but he knows perfectly well it means the same thing, that we are not allowed to debate in the House.

Let us see if he can guess who this is. I quote:

What we have here is an absolute scandal in terms of the government's unwillingness to listen to the representatives of the people in the House. Never before have we had a government so reluctant to engage in public discussion on the bills before this House.

That was the Deputy Speaker of this parliament. I guess he spoke too soon. Why did the Liberals have one set of principles in opposition and quite another in government?

[Don Boudria, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, the only thing that is shameful around here is the continuous obstruction on the part of the Leader of the Opposition and her colleagues, which is what they have tried to do in the case of this particular bill.

By the way, we have not yet moved time allocation on it even though it might come later today. The hon. member has moved two measures of obstruction to prevent last year's budget bill from coming into place. That tells us the kind of imagination hon. members across the way have. None.

[Deborah Grey, Reform, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, it might tell us about a House leader that is not able to shepherd things through the House properly.

The Liberals make Mulroney look like a slowpoke. It took him nine full years to invoke closure or time allocation on debate 66 times. It has taken this government barely six years to do it 67 times. It has done it one-third faster.

Here is another dandy quote. This one is a doozie. It is from a Liberal who flew a little too close to the sun. I quote:

It displays the utter disdain with which this government treats the Canadian people.

That was the Minister of Foreign Affairs back in his days of purity in the opposition. If shutting down debate 66 was utter disdain, what is 67? Is it contempt?