Debates of May 2nd, 2000

Al Purdy

[Rick Limoges, Liberal, Windsor—St. Clair, ON]

Mr. Speaker, one of Canada's most famous poets, Al Purdy of Ameliasburgh, Ontario, died on April 21, 2000 at the age of 81. I rise today on behalf of the Government of Canada to recognize the contributions of this poet and to honour his legacy.

Mr. Purdy's works captured the energy and emotions of Canadians in their daily lives and the landscapes that shape our identity. He published 33 books of poetry, including the The Caribou Horses and Collected Poems 1956-86 . Mr. Purdy was twice the recipient of the Governor General's Literary Award and was appointed to the Order of Canada in 1983. This year the League of Canadian Poets presented Al Purdy with a special award declaring him the voice of the land.

Mr. Purdy will be missed and sincere condolences go out to Mr. Purdy's surviving family.

Mascouche

[Benoît Sauvageau, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the parish of Saint-Henri de Mascouche was born in 1750. At that point, its population was 542. This year, the municipality with a population of over 29,000 celebrates its 250th anniversary.

The committee organizing the celebrations, chaired by Pierre Raymond, has prepared a highly varied program of activities that will enable everyone to find an opportunity at least once during the year to celebrate Mascouche of yesterday, today and tomorrow.

I would like to pay tribute to the superb job done by the members of the 250th album committee. They are: Thérèse Patenaude, Huguette Lévesque-Lamoureux, France Tremblay, Diane Beaudet, Chantal Filion and Bernard Patenaude, past committee chair and mayor, Gilles Forest, former mayor, Laurent Crépeau, Donald Mailly, René Archer, Louis Duval, Julien Mckay and historian Denis Gravel, the source of the historical side of the album.

Well done and thanks from the people.

Holocaust Remembrance Day

[Irwin Cotler, Liberal, Mount Royal, QC]

Mr. Speaker, today is Holocaust Remembrance Day. Jews all over the world in concert with their fellow citizens commemorate crimes against humanity that are too terrible to be believed but not too terrible to have happened; a genocidal racism in which as Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel put it, “Not all victims were Jews, but all Jews were victims”; where biology was inescapably destiny. Today we remember that the Holocaust is not an abstraction in which six million Jews and 11 million non-Jews were murdered, but where onto each person murdered there is a name, an identity.

I would like to commend l'Assemblée nationale du Québec for unanimously enacting legislation proclaiming today, May 2 officially as Holocaust Remembrance Day in Quebec. I trust that the lesson of Holocaust Remembrance Day, “Never Again” and “human rights for all”, will be the universal testament and legacy for all peoples everywhere.

National Canadian Liberation Monument

[Jim Hart, Reform, Okanagan—Coquihalla, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on behalf of the people of Okanagan—Coquihalla to commemorate the 55th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands by Canadian troops.

To mark the 55th anniversary of the liberation and to serve as a lasting reminder of the role of Canadians in securing their freedom, a national monument to the Canadian liberators will be unveiled today by Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet in Apeldoorn.

In May 1995 I attended the Canada remembrance ceremonies in the Netherlands and will never forget the genuine expression of gratitude the people of Holland displayed for the Canadian liberators of their country. The burgemeester of Arnhem told me that in relation to their actions Canadian veterans were far too modest.

The people of the Netherlands will never forget the 7,600 Canadians who gave their lives to liberate their country. Canadians too should be proud of the sacrifices of our veterans and those heroes, the young men who did not return to Canada. Because of this the Canadian flag will always fly prominently in Holland.

Daniel Plouffe

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

Mr. Speaker, on March 4, Daniel Plouffe of Brome—Missisquoi was honoured by the U.S. Trotting Association after being named Owner of the Year in the United States by this prestigious association.

Over the past year, Daniel Plouffe has been racking up honours. His horse, Blissfull Hall, won the triple crown for pacers, a very important award in the horse racing world. Moreover, his horse was named Horse of the Year in Canada. The incredible wins of his horse were reported all over America. Daniel Plouffe has made headlines in the newspapers and horse racing magazines all over North America.

He will represent Canada in July, at the World Tournament for Amateur Drivers, which will take place in Italy.

It is always a great pleasure to celebrate success. All the residents of Brome—Missisquoi join me in doing so. This is not just success at the provincial or national level, but success at the international level.

Congratulations to Daniel Plouffe for an extraordinary year in 1999.

Vietnam War

[Bill Blaikie, NDP, Winnipeg—Transcona, MB]

Mr. Speaker, the 25th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam war should be cause for reflection in many quarters. The Vietnam war was a war that is widely regarded as foreign policy mistake on the part of the U.S. Even former cold war warriors like Robert McNamara have said so. It was a tragedy that marked a generation by showing us that our allies are not always right and that all conflicts should be approached with a self-critical consciousness.

In such a spirit we remember politicians like former NDP leader Tommy Douglas who opposed the war when it was not yet popular to do so. We celebrate the openness of our country Canada to young Americans who refused to participate.

We also remind the current Vietnamese government that it repudiates and abuses the values and goodwill of those who opposed the war when it acts as it did last week by executing Nguyen Thi Hiep, a Canadian citizen who should have been given the benefit of the doubt. She certainly should not have been the victim of capital punishment, a form of punishment that leaves no room for reconsideration, further evidence or mercy.

International Co-Operation

[Pauline Picard, Bloc, Drummond, QC]

Mr. Speaker, in the area of international co-operation, the last budget was a big disappointment, in spite of the expectations that had been generated.

After talking about a significant increase in the budgets for international assistance in the last throne speech, after boasting about Canada's reputation in the area of international co-operation, after announcing the debt reduction program for the poorest countries, the government has precious little to show for.

It refuses to explain how it intends to achieve the target of 0.7% of the GDP in development assistance, set by the UN.

The increase barely maintains Canada's current level of assistance at 0.27% of the GDP. The ratio was 0.42% when the Liberals took office in 1993-94.

The budget does not specify how the government will follow up on its commitment to eliminate the debt of the poorest countries in the world.

The last budget does nothing to restore Canada's reputation in the area of official development assistance.

Like many things here in this parliament, this is disappointing.

Children

[Aileen Carroll, Liberal, Barrie—Simcoe—Bradford, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I have received letters from 200 members of the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association in support of the national children's agenda. The teachers are endorsing the recommendations outlined by the Canadian Teachers' Federation. Their proposal calls for an additional allocation of 1% of GDP by the year 2005 phased in over the next five years at a rate of two billion new dollars each year.

The teachers recommend that the funds be allocated to seven priority areas, including a comprehensive early childhood development system, an affordable housing program for low income Canadians, and a national child care strategy. Teachers are well positioned to assess the needs of children and recommend programs and services to ensure the development of their full potential.

The government has made significant progress in supporting the income of families. Now we need to concentrate on supporting early childhood development services.

Rosemary Kathleen Herron

[Elsie Wayne, Progressive Conservative, Saint John, NB]

Mr. Speaker, I am happy to announce to the House that the PC Party has grown once again with the birth of a tiny Tory on April 19. My hon. colleague from Fundy—Royal and his wonderful wife Beth welcomed spring with the birth of their first child, Rosemary Kathleen Herron. The family is of course overjoyed to have received so many gifts and best wishes from all the parties in the Commons. I would like to inform the House that despite this fact, this is one tiny Tory who is going to stay put.

On behalf of all the members of the PC Party, I would like to convey our heartfelt wishes of happiness and health for the Herron family in the years to come.

I Am Canadian

[John Solomon, NDP, Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre, SK]

Mr. Speaker, I am not a Republican or a Democrat. I do not spend millions to run for office or hire American consultants or go negative. I do not know Stockwell or Tom or Joe but I am sure they are very nice. I have a health card, not an insurance card. I listen to Cross Country Checkup, not Howard Stern or Rush Limbaugh. I speak for people, not multinational corporations. I believe in inexpensive generic drugs, environmental protection and fair trade deals. I believe that Canada can have an independent foreign policy. Canadian taxpayers are citizens too who value our social programs. And it is pronounced medicare, not Bill 11, okay? Canada is the home of public health care, curling, Codco and the NDP.

My name is John and I am Canadian.

Prime Minister's Visit To The Middle East

[Yvon Charbonneau, Liberal, Anjou—Rivière-Des-Prairies, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister's visit to the Middle East is a major Canadian investment in peace and co-operation in this region of the world.

Having had the privilege of accompanying the Prime Minister, I urge members and all interested observers to rise above the impression left by the local media coverage and focus on the real meaning of this mission.

Never before had a Canadian Prime Minister found the time or been bold enough to visit this area of the world, although it has played a major role in the genesis of our civilization and has seen more than its share of wars and problems of all sorts.

On behalf of the Canadian people, our Prime Minister wished to convey a message of compassion and encouragement, of friendship and co-operation with these peoples, who have for too long been plunged in insecurity.

Relying on UN resolutions, the Prime Minister had but one concern: to express the support of Canada for a global, lasting and real solution negotiated by the parties.

We must be glad that this mission, which was much appreciated by our hosts, was successful in establishing solid lines of co-operation and friendship between Canada and these Middle Eastern nations.

Acoa

[Chuck Strahl, Reform, Fraser Valley, BC]

Mr. Speaker, it is hard to imagine a government that could be more devoted to using taxpayer dollars for its own partisan purposes. Just look at the Prime Minister's riding. Look at the boondoggles from the Minister of Human Resources Development. Look at the hon. member for Ahuntsic.

Today let us look at the spending patterns at the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. The Liberals spent an extra $100 million through that agency in the lead up to the last federal election. Apparently the Liberals were desperately trying to hang on to Atlantic seats for fear their defeated cabinet ministers might join the Canadian Alliance.

How does the Prime Minister justify using public money for partisan gain?

[George Baker, Liberal, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Secretary of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency)]

Mr. Speaker, there is a byelection in St. John's West and what we are seeing today is politicking. It was the great Lennox Lewis who coined the word “politricks”.

I mention Lennox Lewis because he started his boxing career in Atlantic Canada and he clobbers his opposition. That is exactly what we are going to do to the hon. member's party.

[Chuck Strahl, Reform, Fraser Valley, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I think he has been kissing the blarney stone too much.

We obtained a list of all ACOA grants, contributions and loans from 1996 to 1999. There was a dramatic increase before and during the 1997 election writ period. Average monthly spending jumped from $30 million to $54 million just before the election and to a high of $71 million by the end of the campaign. It is plain and simple. It is just like the transitional jobs fund. The Liberals spent the bank in the lead up to the last federal election.

Why did the government find so many ways to spend so much money in the lead up to the last federal election?

[George Baker, Liberal, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Secretary of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency)]

Mr. Speaker, the recent reports of the auditor general and the public accounts both show one thing, that is, there was a period of time when ACOA did spend a lot of money and it was not exactly on good investments. What was that period, as defined by the auditor general and the public accounts? The years 1991 and 1992 when the political party was in that the hon. member wishes to unite with.

[Chuck Strahl, Reform, Fraser Valley, BC]

Mr. Speaker, this was not just some kind of coincidence. ACOA spending jumped by a total of $100 million during the 1997 campaign. That is $100 million that could have gone to tax relief. It could have gone to hospital beds. It could have gone to education. It could have gone to something useful. Instead, the Liberals spent it on ACOA.

Why did the long-suffering taxpayers have to spend their tax dollars in a vain attempt to elect Liberals in the last federal election?

[George Baker, Liberal, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Secretary of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency)]

Mr. Speaker, both the auditor general and the public accounts clearly show that the system in effect prior to the Liberals coming to power in 1993 was not acceptable. That is why we spent a lot of time, practically a year, to completely revise the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.

If I get another question in a minute, I will outline exactly what those changes were.

[Val Meredith, Reform, South Surrey—White Rock—Langley, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister will do whatever it takes to support his Liberal colleagues, especially when the taxpayers are paying for that support.

It cost the taxpayers an extra $100 million. He lost over half of his Atlantic caucus and has driven one of his former cabinet ministers to the Alliance.

Why did the Prime Minister waste so much taxpayers' dollars in his failed attempt to influence Atlantic Canadian voters?

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I am glad to answer the question. Yes, we have used the government's economic policies to reduce unemployment. When we started in this government we had 11.5% unemployment. Now we are down to 6.8%. Yes, we have programs to help people have the dignity of work. We are very proud of that, and two million more Canadians work today because they have a good federal government which cares about their future.

[Val Meredith, Reform, South Surrey—White Rock—Langley, BC]

Mr. Speaker, this is not about continuing an ongoing program; this is about putting an extra $100 million of taxpayer money into ACOA before and during the 1997 election in an attempt to protect the jobs of Liberal members of parliament; not average Canadian jobs, but MP jobs.

Why did Canadian taxpayers fund the Liberal campaign in Atlantic Canada?

[George Baker, Liberal, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Secretary of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency)]

Mr. Speaker, members of the official opposition, who of course want to do away with ACOA, who want to do away with all of the regional programs, who want to cut $3 billion from the benefits of our senior citizens, should examine the question they are asking today.

Prior to the last federal election—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh.

[The Speaker]

Order, please.

[George Baker, Liberal, Gander—Grand Falls, NL]

Mr. Speaker, the reason I am asking the official opposition to examine the facts is because for years there have been no grants, as the hon. member calls them, available under ACOA.

When the Liberals took over the first thing we did was to cancel all of the grants and bring in a system of loans for business. If the hon. member would ask me a supplementary question, I would continue to explain the changes we made.

Human Resources Development

[Gilles Duceppe, Bloc, Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, faced with the mess at HRDC, the minister sang the praises of her six point plan.

But a report published by Deloitte & Touche on February 2 points out major shortcomings in that plan.

How can the minister claim to reassure the public with her famous plan, when independent analysts say that it misses the mark entirely?