House of Commons Hansard #91 of the 37th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was transport.

Topics

2 p.m.

The Speaker

As is our practice on Wednesday we will now sing O Canada, and we will be led by the hon. member for Saint John.

[Editor's Note: Members sang the national anthem]

AntarcticaStatements By Members

2 p.m.

Liberal

Peter Adams Liberal Peterborough, ON

Mr. Speaker, members of the Canadian Committee for Antarctic Research and the Canadian Antarctic Research Network continue to contribute to the science and well-being of Antarctica. Our satellite Radarsat provides information on the flow of Antarctic ice. We have an exchange program involving Arctic and Antarctic scientists. Canadians are studying the Antarctic Ocean.

Last year 100 high school students went on a field trip to Antarctica and reported widely on their experiences. Yet Canada is still not a full member of the Antarctic treaty. We have not even ratified the treaty's environment protocol.

Let us listen to our young people in this regard. Most of the world's fresh water is in Antarctica. As a nation with exceptional cold climate science expertise we can help preserve that resource and gain valuable scientific expertise at the same time. Canada should become a full member of the Antarctic treaty.

National DefenceStatements By Members

2 p.m.

Canadian Alliance

Rick Casson Canadian Alliance Lethbridge, AB

Mr. Speaker, I admire and support our Canadian men and women in uniform. When the opportunity to join the crew of a CC-130 Hercules on a transport mission to the Arctic presented itself it was a dream come true.

Under the Canadian Forces Parliamentary Program I travelled to Canadian Forces Station Alert, Canada's northernmost permanent installation at the tip of Ellesmere Island in Nunavut. While en route to CFS Alert I became part of the crew of 429 Squadron out of 8 Wing CFB Trenton.

I have always called for a well trained and well equipped military. My time on board a 35 year old Hercules with over 40,000 flying hours has reinforced that support. The dedicated crew of Captain Rick Harper, Major Norm Patterson, Captain Michel Goulet, Captain Jennifer Kooren, Sergeant Steve Stewart, Master Corporal Kel Brown and Master Corporal Mike MacNeil all performed wonderfully with their aging equipment.

In light of today's war on terrorism our men and women in uniform must have better equipment to work with.

Burlington Arts CentreStatements By Members

2 p.m.

Liberal

Paddy Torsney Liberal Burlington, ON

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the Burlington Arts Centre on its expansion and reopening last Sunday. The centre first opened in June 1978 and accommodated specialized areas of study including hand weaving, spinning, woodcrafting and ceramics. The arts centre has grown and launched fabulous exhibits like Fragile Embrace which received over $100,000 from the millennium fund.

Recently the arts centre has tailored programs to fit the special needs of the Burlington Association for the Intellectually Challenged, Big Sisters and the East Burlington Home and School Association. It has developed community outreach programs for the Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital, the Royal Bank of Canada and Chapters. The 8,000 square foot expansion has increased space for the hands on program which hosted 3,500 school children last year.

The Burlington Arts Centre is unsurpassed in Canada. It is an important people place and a source of inspiration and learning. I congratulate the marvellous staff and volunteer team who have worked so hard to make the dream of this extension such a beautiful reality.

Dr. Everett Chalmers HospitalStatements By Members

October 3rd, 2001 / 2 p.m.

Liberal

Andy Scott Liberal Fredericton, NB

Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to rise in the House today to wish the Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital of Fredericton a happy 25th birthday. Named after a prominent Fredericton physician and Progressive Conservative cabinet minister, the DECH has played a vitally important role in our community. Today this regional hospital provides services to over 150,000 New Brunswickers.

In the spirit of the International Year of the Volunteer I thank all the people who have volunteered at the hospital over the last 25 years. I also thank John McGarry, president and CEO; Bob Simpson, chair of the board; and all those who have served on the hospital board prior to the regionalization of medical services in the province and on the regional board since for their commitment to the hospital and our citizens.

I congratulate the DECH for 25 years of meeting the health needs of the people of Fredericton.

KatimavikStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

Yolande Thibeault Liberal Saint-Lambert, QC

Mr. Speaker, Katimavik is a national program that gives young Canadians the opportunity to discover our great country.

While they stay with a host family, young people do volunteer work and practice their second language skills. Most importantly, they discover their environment and learn more about their compatriots.

Over 20,600 people and 2,000 communities have taken part in the program since it was created in 1977 by former senator Jacques Hébert. Last evening, he launched a book entitled Katima...Quoi? on the program.

I invite my colleagues and all young Canadians to read this book. It will take you through an unforgettable experience.

Softwood LumberStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Canadian Alliance

Reed Elley Canadian Alliance Nanaimo—Cowichan, BC

Mr. Speaker, the softwood lumber dispute is costing Canadian and American jobs and is benefiting only a handful of U.S. lumber producers and forest landowners.

Members of American Consumers for Affordable Homes wrote to President Bush yesterday and asked him to intervene in a preliminary decision to impose countervailing duties of 19.3% on lumber imports from Canada. They are appealing to Bush on the basis that the tariff is negatively impacting the housing sector and other lumber dependent industries that provide seven million jobs in the United States.

The dispute has also caused 15,000 forestry workers to be laid off in British Columbia alone, including many in my riding of Nanaimo--Cowichan. Federal government bonding guarantees will help put some people back to work.

The deadline to apply for an exemption to the U.S. tariff has recently passed. Now we discover that the Liberal government neglected its duty to apply for a blanket exemption for Canadian companies. This is the kind of neglect and inaction the government has displayed from the beginning on the issue. The 2,000 laid off workers in my riding want to know why the government has put them out of a job.

TerrorismStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

Stephen Owen Liberal Vancouver Quadra, BC

Mr. Speaker, three weeks following the tragic terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11, the religious leadership of British Columbia gathered together in a call to justice, peace and solidarity which was delivered to the Prime Minister today. It reads in part as follows:

The attack upon the United States of America on September 11th, 2001 was calculated to uproot the whole human family. This horrific affront was intended to make neighbours look upon each other with suspicion and hatred; to make us abandon our vocation to be united under God's love. Many people have died, innocent families have been left vulnerable to bigotry and violence, and a shadow has fallen over our ability to live together as citizens.

We affirm that God's justice and mercy are infinite, surpassing human power in majesty and perfection.

We affirm our solidarity as leaders in diverse faith communities, and urge our brothers and sisters to enrich the common good with brave new works of peace, mutual understanding and material assistance.

We call on all Canadians to join their prayers and goodwill to guard against prejudice and hatred and to befriend and support each other.

National Family WeekStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Bloc

Robert Lanctôt Bloc Châteauguay, QC

Mr. Speaker, since 1985, National Family Week has been celebrated to remind us of the importance of the family and of its constancy as our primary source of support.

“Volunteering is a family affair. Connect with kindness” is the theme selected for this week, which is part of the International Year of Volunteers. The event reminds us of the opportunity we have to contribute something specific as a family to improve living conditions in our community through simple, sometimes trivial, but vital actions.

Let us serve as models of solidarity and help for our children to create in them the sense of civic duty vital in a fair and just society. Let us take part in their sports and school events to encourage and show them we are behind them.

During this National Family Week, let us meet the challenge of being more generous to those around us who need our help. But most importantly, let us take the time to join together in pleasure.

LandMinesStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Liberal

Rose-Marie Ur Liberal Lambton—Kent—Middlesex, ON

Mr. Speaker, the global landmine crisis is one of the most pervasive problems facing the world today. It is estimated that there are between 60 million and 70 million landmines in at least 70 countries. Landmines maim or kill approximately 26,000 civilians each year, including 8,000 to 10,000 children.

On Friday, November 30, 2001, the Canadian Landmine Foundation and our partner, the United Nations Association of the United States of America, are calling on our friends to host a dinner for a dozen or so of their friends, clients and neighbours. People from all walks of life in countries all over the world will join in the massive event which they are calling “Night of a Thousand Dinners”.

Funds raised at the dinner will be matched by CIDA in Canada. All money raised will go directly to clearing mines in the most heavily mine affected countries in the world. There has been enthusiastic support from Governor General Adrienne Clarkson, Secretary of State Colin Powell and Sir Paul McCartney, to name a few.

It will be easy to host a dinner on November 30. People can simply visit the 1000 dinners.com website and sign up or contact the Canadian Landmine Foundation.

Prostate CancerStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Canadian Alliance

Ted White Canadian Alliance North Vancouver, BC

Mr. Speaker, on June 24 of this year I was one of several hundred participants in Vancouver's annual run to raise money for prostate cancer research. For the second year in a row I was sponsored by members of this place and for the second year in a row the total amount contributed by MPs, almost $2,300, was the single largest lump sum donated to the cause.

The organizers of the event wanted me to place on the record their thanks to those members of parliament from the Liberal Party, the Canadian Alliance and the NDP who helped fund the research effort to find a cure for prostate cancer.

On October 30 there will be a PSA testing day on the Hill, an opportunity for the men who work here to attend an information session and have the blood test which will check them for the presence of prostate cancer.

An invitation will be in the mail in the next few days but members should mark the date on their calendars now. Prostate cancer information and PSA testing day will be here on the Hill on Tuesday, October 30.

Marc GélinasStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Liberal

Jean Guy Carignan Liberal Québec East, QC

Mr. Speaker, this morning we received some very sad news. Marc Gélinas passed away following a lengthy illness.

Marc Gélinas was an artist with many talents. We knew him as a singer and songwriter, and through his work in the theatre and television. As a singer and songwriter, he produced 300 titles, 33 forty-fives, 13 albums and two compact discs. He gave us such well-loved songs as La Ronde , Aide-toi et le ciel t'aidera and the Montreal Expos theme song.

As an actor, he made a name for himself in the series Beau temps, mauvais temps , Les Berger and Kilomètre/heure . His talent can still be appreciated in the series L'or , which is currently being broadcast on Radio-Canada.

Marc Gélinas has left us with a rich cultural legacy, but we share the pain that his friends and family are feeling. On behalf of my colleagues and myself, I would like to offer them our most sincere condolences.

Léo DroletStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Bloc

Serge Cardin Bloc Sherbrooke, QC

Mr. Speaker, last Monday we lost one of the Eastern Townships' great builders when Mr. Léo Drolet, founder of Sherwood-Drolet, one of the biggest hockey stick makers in the world, died at the age of 82.

The company started up in 1949 with a $5 loan from his mother, and now sells more than 2.2 million hockey sticks yearly, all over the world. It is one of the foremost sports equipment manufacturers. Moreover, several of the top hockey players use made-in-Quebec sticks.

Mr. Drolet was an entrepreneur known for his creativity and his modesty. His passion for what he did has helped contribute to modernizing hockey by reinventing the hockey stick.

On behalf of the Bloc Quebecois, and of all the people in the riding of Sherbrooke, I would like to extend my condolences to the Drolet family.

Human RightsStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Liberal

Carolyn Bennett Liberal St. Paul's, ON

Mr. Speaker, in recent years we have all heard about the war that is being raged by the Taliban on their own women in Afghanistan, particularly from brave journalists such as Sally Armstrong. We can only imagine how much worse their situation has become since September 11.

It is estimated that by November 1 there will be 5.5 million Afghans who rely on UN food aid, the majority of whom will be women and children.

It is easy for us in Canada to see the situation as hopeless. Canada's National Coalition in Support of Afghan Women has put together a practical action plan. It contains information on how to put pressure on governments that support the Taliban, how to help women in Afghanistan today, how to influence the Taliban and how to promote awareness in Canada and around the world. The information is available at www.yorku.ca/iwrp/afghanistan.htm.

One of the most important things we can do is acknowledge that the protection of human rights should be everyone's responsibility. It is our hope that whatever new government comes into Afghanistan, it will strive to vastly improve the position of the women in its country.

AgricultureStatements By Members

2:15 p.m.

Progressive Conservative

Rick Borotsik Progressive Conservative Brandon—Souris, MB

Mr. Speaker, I would like to start by thanking the Canadian Federation of Agriculture and its president, Bob Freisen, for coming to Parliament Hill today to help raise awareness of the many serious issues affecting agriculture today.

Much of the recent media attention is focused on the unfortunate job losses in other industries but fails to mention that there has been a severe crisis in agriculture and in the agriculture industry over the past three years.

Many in the House probably do not realize that in the last year alone agriculture has lost 39,000 workers in the industry. Most may not realize that the grains and oilseeds sector could lose up to $2 billion this year because of the devastating drought conditions.

Even though the Liberal government might not recognize that something more can and should be done to help agriculture, Canadians do.

According to a June 4 Ekos poll commissioned by the federal government, 69% of Canadians believe that the government should do whatever it takes, even if it means paying more taxes to ensure the survival of the family farm.

It is clear the will of Canadians is there; now it is up to the political will of this government.

Member for HalifaxStatements By Members

2:15 p.m.

NDP

Wendy Lill NDP Dartmouth, NS

Mr. Speaker, 20 years ago today the hon. member for Halifax was elected to the Nova Scotia legislature as the MLA for her community, the only woman and the only New Democrat in a sea of suits.

During her 14 years there, she railed against political patronage. She successfully championed pay equity, women's and gay rights, and workplace health and safety legislation. In doing so, she changed the face of Nova Scotia society.

When she left provincial politics and became leader of the federal NDP in 1995 she brought with her the same principled toughness, the same warmth, enthusiasm and commitment to social justice.

She told me recently that not even on her worse day in her 20 years in public life has she ever wondered why she is doing this. “Because it needs to be done, because I can make a difference”.

Fearless, outspoken and independent, she has many times over earned the label the iron angel. The hon. member helps us all to know that we can make a difference.

On behalf of this caucus, the people of Nova Scotia and Canada, I want to thank the hon. member for Halifax for being the standard bearer for social justice, for being the iron angel of Canadian politics.

TerrorismOral Question Period

2:15 p.m.

Okanagan—Coquihalla B.C.

Canadian Alliance

Stockwell Day Canadian AllianceLeader of the Opposition

Mr. Speaker, members of the United States senate have called on President Bush to triple the number of border guards at the Canada-U.S. border. The commissioner of the immigration service told congress just today that the Canadian border is a matter of concern. Both sides agree with this.

The issues of sovereignty, security and freedom of movement back and forth across the border can be achieved if we get serious about the perimeter.

It is now day 22. How much longer will the Prime Minister take to negotiate a security and perimeter agreement with the United States?

TerrorismOral Question Period

2:15 p.m.

Saint-Maurice Québec

Liberal

Jean Chrétien LiberalPrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, I discussed that with the president of the United States and he said that it was very important for Canada and the United States to make sure the border operates in such a fashion that the goods coming from Canada to the United States and from the United States to Canada move freely.

All my ministers have been in touch with their counterparts in the United States and there is no report of any big problem.

Of course we want to have security. We said that we will work with them to make sure we have security in the United States and in Canada. We will pass laws in Canada for the Canadian territory.

TerrorismOral Question Period

2:20 p.m.

Okanagan—Coquihalla B.C.

Canadian Alliance

Stockwell Day Canadian AllianceLeader of the Opposition

Mr. Speaker, there are a lot of reports, including from the U.S. senators, on this, the elected senators I might add.

A number of premiers and business organizations have called for a continental perimeter policy to be put in place now. This is the Prime Minister's opportunity for a genuinely non-partisan initiative that would be applauded by all Canadians.

Will the Prime Minister or his designate convene, as soon as possible, a non-partisan federal-provincial summit to discuss the issues of improved security, developing a strong perimeter and keeping--

TerrorismOral Question Period

2:20 p.m.

The Speaker

The right hon. Prime Minister.

TerrorismOral Question Period

2:20 p.m.

Saint-Maurice Québec

Liberal

Jean Chrétien LiberalPrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, one day the Leader of the Opposition is asking to have more people at the border. The day after he is arguing for less people at the border. We want to know where he stands.

We want to have a border where the goods can move freely from one side to the other. That is exactly what the president of the United States and I discussed and agreed to do.

TerrorismOral Question Period

2:20 p.m.

Okanagan—Coquihalla B.C.

Canadian Alliance

Stockwell Day Canadian AllianceLeader of the Opposition

Mr. Speaker, we have asked the same thing every day, and that is for some action on any of these initiatives to improve confidence.

Mr. Speaker, the premiers are asking for the establishment of a North American security perimeter to guarantee the free movement of goods and persons, while maintaining maximum security.

Business people and the public are also asking for such a perimeter. Who then is opposed to the idea of organizing right now a non-partisan summit to create this security perimeter with our American neighbours?

TerrorismOral Question Period

2:20 p.m.

Saint-Maurice Québec

Liberal

Jean Chrétien LiberalPrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, we have been co-operating for years with the United States regarding our border. Every year there are people who arrive at the Canadian border and who are sent back to the United States because they are undesirable individuals.

Just this morning I read an article that said that several individuals whom authorities were looking for were turned back at the Canadian border, because Canada Customs and Revenue Agency employees at the border did their job. This is how things work. We co-operate with the Americans.

What do Canadian Alliance members have in mind? Some days they want more people at the border, while on other days they do not want anybody. They should make up their minds.

TerrorismOral Question Period

2:20 p.m.

Canadian Alliance

Kevin Sorenson Canadian Alliance Crowfoot, AB

Mr. Speaker, in the last 24 hours three people with Canadian connections have been arrested in Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Massena, New York; and Mauritania. All three are suspected of having ties to terrorist organizations that may be connected to the September 11 attacks.

Even though none of the 19 hijackers in the September 11 attack are known to have come from Canada, how can the minister remain confident that no others in Canada were involved in the plot?

TerrorismOral Question Period

2:20 p.m.

Cardigan P.E.I.

Liberal

Lawrence MacAulay LiberalSolicitor General of Canada

Mr. Speaker, all I can give my hon. colleague are the facts. There is no evidence directly linking any Canadian to the activities that took place on September 11.