House of Commons Hansard #3 of the 37th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was economy.
The Speaker
As is our practice on Wednesday we will now sing O Canada, and we will be led by the hon. member for Thunder Bay—Atikokan and the hon. member for Mississauga West.
John Richardson Liberal Perth—Middlesex, ON
Mr. Speaker, it is a great pleasure to rise in the House today to thank the people of Perth—Middlesex for re-electing me for the third straight time.
I am proudly grateful to all my constituents for giving me the chance to serve them once again. I will do everything I can to be worthy of their trust.
The action plan in the Speech from the Throne will create opportunity and ensure that all of our citizens are full participants in our economy and our society. It will help get children off to a good start, it will help strengthen our communities and it will strengthen our country. This is what the Liberal Party is all about.
I wish to reiterate my thanks to the people of Perth—Middlesex. With their support, I will continue to be a strong voice for them.
Inky Mark Canadian Alliance Dauphin—Swan River, MB
Mr. Speaker, this week marks the first week of the new year of the Chinese zodiac. The Chinese mystics reveal that the coming year, the Year of the Snake, holds many wonders in store for all of us.
This is the year to toot your own horn. By bringing attention to your talents, you can win advancement and honour that will not only benefit you but all those you love.
Each new year Canadians of Chinese descent are thankful to be Canadians. They are thankful for the opportunity to be a part of this great country. Despite living through tough times in this country's history, they have survived to become successful in every facet of Canadian society.
In the Year of the Snake, mankind can expect greater international and domestic co-operation among governments. On a personal level, a deepening spirituality will touch us all, making any efforts to strengthen ties to church and nature greatly rewarding.
Mr. Speaker, to you and all members of this House, Happy Chinese New Year.
Eugène Bellemare Liberal Ottawa—Orléans, ON
Mr. Speaker, there have been two earthquakes recently, first one in El Salvador and then another in India. Canada was one of the first countries to react and to free up funds to organize emergency support. The Canadian International Development Agency was on the spot and did an amazing job.
I would like to draw particular attention to the key role played by the minister, who was in El Salvador and lived through the earthquake there. Happening to be in Latin America on a mission, the minister did not hesitate to roll up her sleeves and get directly involved on site.
Diane St-Jacques Liberal Shefford, QC
Mr. Speaker, yesterday the performer, teacher, director and novelist Charlotte Boisjoli died in Notre-Dame Hospital at the age of 77.
Born in Quebec City in June 1923, Charlotte Boisjoli began her stage career with the Montreal theatre company Les Compagnons de Saint-Laurent.
Later on, she and her husband, Fernand Doré, founded the Compagnie du Masque, which was extremely active a half-century ago.
She will be remembered for her involvement in numerous stage productions, as well as a variety of radio and television roles.
Charlotte Boisjoli was a woman who loved to get her teeth into a good script. Hers was a rare intensity in everything she undertook, whether in a role or in life and its battles.
May I extend my most sincere condolences to the family and friends of Madame Boisjoli.
All Quebec salutes this great artist and we can only hope that her great love of the theatre will live on in those who choose to follow her career.
Guy St-Julien Liberal Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik, QC
Mr. Speaker, on November 27, 2000, the Liberal Party of Canada won an important victory.
Canada's Prime Minister, the leader of our political party, managed the impressive feat of getting his government elected for its third consecutive term of office.
The Liberal Party of Canada improved its results in terms of votes cast, and obtained more votes in Quebec than the Bloc Quebecois, which lost six members.
We owe this victory to Quebecers, of course, but also to our Prime Minister, who has been able to rely on the unwavering support of his wife through these many years of political life.
In yesterday's throne speech, the Prime Minister urged us to build the Canada of tomorrow on a strong foundation. He also urged us to build a world-leading Canadian economy.
The Prime Minister has the full support of the Liberal team when he calls on the people of Canada to share their prosperity, to fight against exclusion and to help children get the right start in life.
Scott Reid Canadian Alliance Lanark—Carleton, ON
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to draw attention to the role that our government can play in helping to end one of the greatest human rights tragedies of our new century. I speak of the Chinese government's brutal repression of freedom of conscience in general and of Falun Gong in particular.
The Prime Minister will shortly be departing for China on a team Canada mission. Team Canada missions are about trade, and I am sure that every member of the House will agree that free trade and free enterprise promote human rights. Team Canada missions are also about aid, and aid to a tyrannical government can be interpreted by that government as an endorsement of and a subsidy for its repressive actions.
Canadian aid, and that includes any subsidized or preferential trade, must be linked to human rights. If the persecution continues there can be no room for Canada to give aid to China. This is the message that team Canada must take to China.
Jeannot Castonguay Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB
Mr. Speaker, as the new member for Madawaska—Restigouche, it is with great pleasure that I thank my constituents for their trust. I pledge to do my best to represent them well at all times.
I stand here today to thank my constituents of Madawaska—Restigouche who have given me the mandate to represent them in parliament. It is an honour to serve my constituents and the country and it is a duty I take seriously.
Christiane Gagnon Bloc Québec, QC
Mr. Speaker, the Bloc Quebecois must sadly today signal the loss of two of Quebec's great artists: Charlotte Boisjoli and Pierre Roche.
A total artist, socially committed, but first and foremost an actress, Ms. Boisjoli was a prime mover in Quebec theatre.
Hers was the voice of Pépinot, to the great delight of children. She also lent her talents to staging both in theatre and opera.
Pierre Roche was one of Quebec's most prolific writer-composer-performers. His work and its performance will be immortal and become one of the jewels of Quebec's rich cultural heritage.
We thank Ms. Boisjoli and Mr. Roche for giving us moments of great emotional beauty.
Gurbax Malhi Liberal Bramalea—Gore—Malton—Springdale, ON
Mr. Speaker, last Friday a massive earthquake on the scale of 7.5 ripped through the Indian state of Gujarat, leaving tens of thousands homeless and killing others. The toll is 13,000 and rising. Thousands of children and families are in need of emergency aid as they are without food, water, shelter and medical supplies. The federal government has acted quickly by providing $3 million in aid.
I encourage the federal government to further its aid for the devastated region and to help foster international co-operation in order to establish preventive measures so such natural disasters would not be as tragic in the future.
I ask my colleagues to join me in encouraging and thanking Canadians for giving donations to humanitarian organizations to assist the victims of this terrible tragedy.
Jay Hill Canadian Alliance Prince George—Peace River, BC
Mr. Speaker, in yesterday's throne speech Canadian farmers were hoping to hear a federal vision for agriculture. Instead they were told to move beyond crisis management and find better uses for their land. They were hoping to hear a commitment to support farm families and to vigorously fight the foreign subsidies that have suppressed grain prices and oppressed the family farm.
Are farmers surprised to have been ignored by the government yet again? No, they expected it.
Nick Parsons, from Farmington, B.C. in my riding, has once again brought his combine, Prairie Belle, to Parliament Hill seeking fairness for Canadian farm families. Last year in a private meeting, the Prime Minister assured Nick that the government was doing all it could for western farmers. Yet when the government had the chance to offer some hope to farm families in the throne speech, it was not a priority.
The Liberals' agricultural legacy of inaction and indifference is a disgrace. Yesterday's throne speech provided the latest evidence of why farmers are now on the endangered species list.
Wayne Easter Liberal Malpeque, PE
Mr. Speaker, the P.E.I. potato industry is being devastated by unfair United States trade action. The single biggest threat to our most important industry is not the potato wart, which was discovered in October and quickly and appropriately dealt with using sound science, but the threat of United States protectionism.
As a result of being wrongly banned from the United States market and having taken action to protect the rest of Canada's potato industry, P.E.I. producers have suffered extreme losses.
I call upon the federal government to take strong action. Potatoes originating in states with a record of potato related diseases should be subjected to the most rigorous scrutiny at the border. Soil testing requirements similar to those required for us should be instituted for states. Finally, the federal government must come forward with an assistance program to deal with the financial hurt.
Libby Davies NDP Vancouver East, BC
Mr. Speaker, in yesterday's throne speech we heard about the so-called Liberal vision of a prosperous nation ready to embrace globalization, but who really gets to be included in the new high tech Canada of the future? It is not the 200,000 homeless people sleeping on the streets tonight, not the 14% of Canadian families who continue to live in poverty, not the students facing crushing debt loads and not the thousands of aboriginal peoples dealing with the hardships of life in our urban cores.
If the throne speech signals the return to Liberal roots of social justice, then a heck of a lot of people got left behind.
Social justice is not about vague promises or hollow platitudes. It is not about the Liberal tradition of announcing the same old patchwork programs over and over. Social justice is about real inclusion. It is about a national housing strategy, universal day care, a national grants program and acknowledging the responsibility to off reserve aboriginal peoples. That is what the throne speech should have been about.
Diane Bourgeois Bloc Terrebonne—Blainville, QC
Mr. Speaker, in yesterday's speech from the throne, the federal government carried on its traditions. It continues to accumulate surpluses on the backs of the disadvantaged and to invade the areas of health care, education, labour and early childhood over which Quebec has jurisdiction.
Tradition and continuity describe the attitude of this government. In other words, it is an authoritarian and centralizing administration in its treatment of Quebec, among others.
Furthermore, there is no provision for follow-up of the demands of the world march of women, despite the motion in support passed by this House on October 17.
Had the government really wanted to be innovative, it could have helped the disadvantaged. The Bloc Quebecois will continue to fight vigorously against the arrogance of the Liberal government.
Sarmite Bulte Liberal Parkdale—High Park, ON
Mr. Speaker, on Monday, January 29, the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television announced the winners of the 21st Genie Awards, which honour the finest in Canadian cinema. I congratulate the award nominees and recipients for this year.
I especially congratulate my constituent Keith Ross Leckie for being honoured with five nominations at this year's awards. Keith has written scripts for more than a dozen hit movies including: The David Milgaard Story , The Arrow , Children of My Heart , and most recently, the feature film To Walk with Lions .
These achievements, both creative and industrial, are a reflection of the success our cinematic community is achieving both at home and on the international stage. The new feature film fund and the movies that come from that fund will ensure that the men and women who work in this highly competitive industry will be able to find worldwide success while remaining in Canada, bringing glory, honour and great entertainment to our wonderful country.
Elsie Wayne Progressive Conservative Saint John, NB
Mr. Speaker, the House knows well of the heroic courage our Merchant Navy veterans showed 60 years ago when called to the seas in time of war. The House knows well of the selfless risks taken by our Merchant Navy veterans when they cast themselves into harm's way for king and country.
Yet for reasons that escape all of us here in this Chamber, we continue to dishonour them. Why has the government not paid out the full 100%, not a mere 60%, of the compensation money to all eligible veterans? Why will it not pay? Many veterans have not even received 60% yet.
Why does the Minister of Veterans Affairs insist on trying to justify this disgraceful action of the government, forcing national heroes to fight for every single dollar owed to them? Instead, why will the minister not rise here today and make a pledge to these brave men that their money will be in their hands by the end of February?
Tony Ianno Liberal Trinity—Spadina, ON
Mr. Speaker, I rise with sadness to recognize the passing of Mr. Al Waxman, a great Canadian, husband, father, friend and actor.
Mr. Waxman contributed significantly to the Canadian arts scene. He starred in over a thousand TV, radio, theatre and film performances. Although his career took him abroad, he always came home to Canada, particularly to Toronto. He never forgot where he came from.
Mr. Waxman was celebrated for his artistry as both an actor and a director in the theatre, especially in Stratford, for the many plays that he directed and participated in. Mr. Waxman played many roles on TV but he will be best remembered by millions of Canadians for his role as Larry King in the popular CBC TV series King of Kensington , which was filmed in the Kensington Market, the heart of Trinity—Spadina.
His true spirit of supporting his community was reflected throughout his life. He was very active in many charities. He represented the Canadian way through his theme of giving back.
I thank his wife Sara Waxman, daughter Tobaron and son Adam for sharing his great personality and talents with us. He will be missed and his huge personality will be well remembered.
Cheryl Gallant Canadian Alliance Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON
Mr. Speaker, I rise to salute the men and women who are Canada's film industry.
Of those films and individuals who made it into the winner's circle at the 21st annual Genie Awards, I pay particular tribute to Martin Cummins, son of our parliamentary colleague, the member for Delta—South Richmond.
Martin won best supporting actor for his own role in the film Love Come Down , a love story about the acting debut of singer Deborah Cox.
Martin was also honoured when Helen Shaver won best supporting actress for the film he wrote and directed, We All Fall Down , which is about life on Vancouver's inner city streets.
As a former British Columbia fisherman, the member for Delta—South Richmond can be proud of his son Martin and his catch of the day at the Genie Awards.
Stockwell Day Canadian AllianceLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, I will begin the first question period, and I know members opposite on the government side are just itching to join with me, by congratulating the Prime Minister on his successful re-election.
The economy continues to show signs of change. There is no question that we are headed into turbulent times. We think we will be able to sail through the choppy waters, but not without a budget in place that clearly shows the change in the reaction to the revenue assumptions, the change in the exchange rates, interest rates and revenue flows.
In light of these changes and in light of the fact that it is unprecedented that a government would start a session without a budget, will the Prime Minister reconsider and present a budget this February?
Jean Chrétien LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his congratulations on the election. I want to offer my congratulations to him and to every member for winning their seats.
On the question from the Leader of the Opposition about a budget, the government was very wise to have a mini budget in October because the reality is that the tax cuts that the Americans are dreaming about at this moment were implemented in Canada as of January 1, 2001.
Stockwell Day Canadian AllianceLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, that teeny tax reduction by the Liberals in no way compares to what is happening in the United States and that is a cause for concern.
Although we have every reason to be optimistic, it would be logical and prudent for the government's forecasts to reflect the new economic realities.
If the Prime Minister has no idea of the implications of the tax reductions and no idea of the assumptions can he at least give us the total cost of the promises in the Speech from the Throne delivered yesterday? What is the total?
Jean Chrétien LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, everything that was written in our program was costed before. Contrary to the opposition party, which cannot add its figures very well, we know everything that was in the plans that we submitted to the Canadian public. As we said in the Speech from the Throne, we know exactly what the cost will be, which is what we told Canadians during the last campaign.
Stockwell Day Canadian AllianceLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, the answer, for those who need a deciphering of that response, was that the Prime Minister does not know the cost of what was put into the Speech from the Throne. A few moments ago it was announced that the U.S. rate was lowered.
Can the Prime Minister indicate to us if there is anybody on that side who knows the cost of those promises? The Prime Minister does not. Is there anyone on his team who does?
Jean Chrétien LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, we all know that it is more than $800,000.
In fact, over the years the opposition has complained and has always blamed our Minister of Finance for being too prudent in his forecasting. It was good that he developed a habit of being prudent because it now gives us a lot of comfort. If adjustments are needed we will of course make them.
Deborah Grey Canadian Alliance Edmonton North, AB
Mr. Speaker, the country has just received word that government offices both in Ottawa and Toronto have been evacuated. The immigration building here in Ottawa is, and I quote, “closed until further notice”. Will the immigration minister stand and confirm today that it is because of a suspected biological threat?