Debates of Feb. 5th, 2001

Gasoline Prices

[Guy St-Julien, Liberal, Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik, QC]

Mr. Speaker, for a number of months now, Canadian consumers have been asking the same question as they fill up. They do not know the gross price of gasoline at the pump, on signs and invoices, without tax.

I am today going to introduce a bill on retailers' displays of the prices of gasoline.

Why are the Canadian oil companies afraid of posting the gross price of a litre of gasoline?

Carol Anne Letheren

[James Rajotte, Canadian Alliance, Edmonton Southwest, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a great Canadian, Carol Anne Letheren.

Carol Anne had been chief executive officer of the Canadian Olympic Association since 1994 and had served as a member of the International Olympic Committee since 1990.

Colleagues remember Carol Anne for personifying the Canadian Olympic values of excellence, respect, fairness, teamwork, fun and leadership. Her life embodied a commitment to the benefits of sport, from its value in developing a sense of fair play to its role in the nation's health.

During her career, Carol Anne worked tirelessly to increase the role and level of participation of women in sport, not only as athletes but also as coaches and administrators.

She will be remembered as an energetic, courageous leader with a clear vision, who encouraged and inspired others to follow her lead.

I ask all parliamentarians to join me in expressing our sorrow to Carol Anne's family and friends and in honouring an exceptional Canadian sports ambassador.

Soirée Des Masques

[Raymonde Folco, Liberal, Laval West, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the seventh Soirée des Masques held last evening in Montreal was an opportunity to see and to celebrate the remarkable talent of our hardworking artists.

I would be remiss if I did not take this opportunity to draw particular attention to some of the awards which are evidence of the diversity of theatrical production. The great man of Canadian theatre, Robert Lepage, earned the masks for best original script, best staging, best Quebec production and best set design for his play Face cachée de la lune ; the théâtre du Nouvel-Ontario was awarded the mask for the best franco-Canadian production for Du pépin à la fissure ; best English-language production was awarded to the Centaur Theatre Company for The Beauty Queen of Leenane . and best female performance was awarded to both Viola Léger and Linda Sorgini for their parts in Grace and Glory .

In closing, I would call upon this assembly to join with me in thanking all of the award winners at the Soirée des Masques for their essential contribution to the development of the arts in Canada, to the links that unite our communities, and to cultural diversity.

Road Transportation

[Robert Lanctôt, Bloc, Châteauguay, QC]

Mr. Speaker, a member of the Liberal government has succeeded in getting elected three times, twice provincially and once federally, on the promise of the same bridges for the same highway.

“Our commitment is firm. It's official for the bridges”, according to the publicity by the new member for Beauharnois—Salaberry. Three hundred and fifty-seven million dollars were even promised by the Minister of Public Works and Government Services and the President of Treasury Board within days of the election.

Almost immediately, the story changed. According to the Minister of Transport, it was “no longer a promise but a degree of commitment”.

A promise is a promise. The government must not play with words. It must get down to it. Two bridges were promised, and two bridges will be built; the people have the opposition's word on it.

Quebec East

[Jean Guy Carignan, Liberal, Québec East, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the beautiful riding of Québec East is part of history in more ways than one. First, it has been in existence since the beginning of Confederation.

Over the course of time, the riding of Québec East has been represented by two great Liberal Prime Ministers who left their mark in our country's history, namely Sir Wilfrid Laurier and Louis Saint-Laurent.

Québec East was also represented by Ernest Lapointe, a prominent Quebec Lieutenant Governor under Prime Minister Mackenzie King and Minister of Defence during World War II. Finally, my Liberal predecessor, Gérard Duquet, held this seat for over 30 years.

I therefore thank the constituents of Québec East for putting their confidence in me at the last general election. They can rest assured that I will do my utmost to be a worthy successor to my predecessors and to serve their interests to the best of my ability.

Transportation Safety

[Bob Mills, Canadian Alliance, Red Deer, AB]

Mr. Speaker, this past weekend my riding of Red Deer suffered another serious disaster. This one involved rail cars carrying anhydrous ammonia that jumped the tracks near the northwest corner of the city of Red Deer. This past July we had the deadly tornado that swept through the Green Acres campsite at Pine Lake, killing 12.

As a result of the derailment, one man is in serious condition and numerous others have been treated for exposure to the ammonia. We hope and pray for a speedy recovery for those individuals who have taken ill due to this accident. As of last night the evacuation order was dropped and people have been allowed to return to their homes.

I extend special thanks to the emergency services personnel, who have once again proven how valuable they are to the people of the Red Deer constituency. Firefighters, police officers and medical personnel have done an excellent job of bringing this serious situation under control. I must also recognize the many volunteers who have contributed greatly to help make this whole experience a little less stressful for those involved.

Portneuf

[Claude Duplain, Liberal, Portneuf, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I wish to take this opportunity to thank all the residents of Portneuf for putting their confidence in me on November 27. I am all the happier because these people are Quebecers and they chose a Liberal candidate to protect their interests and those of Quebec in the House of Commons.

We have a common project, which is to further strengthen our economy and create even greater opportunities for Canadians from all regions of the country.

I am very pleased at the idea of co-operating with my colleagues in the House of Commons and my constituents of Portneuf to achieve that project.

Together, we will continue to build stronger, safer and more prosperous communities, and to give businesses, families, seniors and young people an opportunity to make their dreams come true.

Energy

[Bev Desjarlais, NDP, Churchill, MB]

Mr. Speaker, millions of Canadians have been frozen out of the Liberal government's energy rebate program. There is something wrong with a program that gives nothing to millions of people struggling with skyrocketing home heating costs but sends cheques to prisoners in jail. It is time for the Liberal government to admit that the program is flawed and to fix it.

One would think the finance minister would have taken a look at who was paying for heat and who was not before he started signing the cheques. Why does he not admit that the program was nothing but a cynical vote buying scheme announced just before the election and that it has misspent over a billion taxpayer dollars?

Worse yet, the Liberal government has done nothing to address the root causes of skyrocketing energy prices. Even if it had not mismanaged the winter's rebate program, it would only have been a short term solution.

On behalf of my New Democratic Party colleagues, I call on the Liberal government to work with the provinces in establishing a national energy strategy to bring energy prices under control.

We call on the government to stop sending cheques to prisoners and start sending them to the people who need them. Let us get to work on a national energy strategy.

Mélanie Turgeon

[Michel Guimond, Bloc, Beauport—Montmorency—Côte-De- Beaupré—Île-D'Orléans, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Quebec is taking the world by storm. The ability of its enterprises to outdistance their competitors and the talent of its artists and athletes have put it on the map as never before.

Recently, we scored another international success: I am referring to the achievement of the most well known resident of Beauport, skier Mélanie Turgeon.

We were familiar with her strength of character, her determination and her talent. And now so is the rest of the world. This year has been Mélanie's best yet on the world cup circuit.

She began the second half of the season by setting a new record: two medals in one day. Since then, each competition has confirmed her place among world-class athletes.

In my riding, which includes Mont Sainte-Anne, the loveliest mountain in eastern North America, skiing is an important part of our social and sports life. Because of Mélanie, the whole community takes a more than ordinary interest in this sport.

Mélanie will be in the starting gate in Austria again tomorrow. On behalf of the Bloc Quebecois, I wish her good luck. Whether she wins or not, she will still be a champion.

Carol Anne Letheren

[Hélène Scherrer, Liberal, Louis-Hébert, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I know that you will join with me in extending our most heartfelt condolences to Michael Murnagham, the husband of Carol Anne, and to her entire family.

It is with terrible sadness that I inform the House today that, with the death last week of Carol Anne Letheren, CEO of the Canadian Olympic Association and member of the International Olympic Committee, Canada has lost a great friend and a great representative of sport.

Mrs. Letheren lived out her passion for sport by devoting her entire life to sports at the community, national and international levels, as an athlete, official trainer and administrator. In addition to her work with the Olympic movement, Carol Anne was directly involved, as a volunteer, in gymnastics, archery and volleyball.

Mrs. Letheren was a member of many volunteer boards of directors in the fields of education, culture and sport. She taught at the University of Toronto and York University and worked as a strategic management and marketing consultant.

She defended the cause of amateur athletes and devoted herself to promoting Olympic values and helping the Olympic movement to spread in Canada and internationally—

[The Speaker]

The hon. member for South Shore.

Forestry

[Gerald Keddy, Progressive Conservative, South Shore, NS]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is in the United States today talking with the new president. Maybe he could clarify Canada's position with respect to the Canada-U.S. softwood lumber agreement which expires on March 31, 2001.

Certainly the Minister of Industry and the Minister of Foreign Affairs have had a hard time doing so. One publicly says that Canada wants to renew the agreement while the other says the opposite. Which one are Canadians supposed to listen to?

The lumber export industry to the U.S. is worth $11 billion to Canadian producers and represents 30% of the softwood lumber market. Why is the government sending mixed signals to the United States on such an important issue? When will the Liberal government defend Canada's access to this market?

The United States claims that Canadian subsidies have forced 100 mills to close. A new U.S. trade representative, Robert Zoellick, has been appointed and will be defending the U.S. position. When will the Prime Minister stand and defend—

[The Speaker]

The hon. member for York West.

Carol Anne Letheren

[Judy Sgro, Liberal, York West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I am sure everyone will join me in offering our most sincere condolences to Carol Anne Letheren's partner, Michael Murnaghan, and to her family. It with great sorrow that I join my colleagues on both sides of the House today in stating that Canada lost a great friend of and advocate for sport when Carol Anne, chief executive officer of the Canadian Olympic Association and member of the International Olympic Committee, passed away last week.

Ms. Letheren's passion for and dedication to sport was illustrated by her lifetime of involvement as an athlete, coach, official and administrator from the community level to the national and international levels.

In addition to her work with the Olympic movement, Carol Anne contributed directly as a volunteer in the sports of gymnastics, archery and volleyball. She was a champion for amateur athletes and a leader for Canada. She devoted herself to the promotion of Olympic values and the development of the Olympic movement in Canada and internationally. She was also intimately involved in Canada's Olympic bid efforts for Toronto in 2008.

Emergency Preparedness

[Gurmant Grewal, Canadian Alliance, Surrey Central, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberal government ignored dispatching Vancouver's search and rescue team after earthquakes in India, El Salvador, Turkey and Taiwan.

The first priority following an earthquake is saving lives, and the Vancouver team is always ready at a moment's notice. They should have been sent. Those nations needed our expertise and lifesaving technology.

The Liberal government's excuse was that it was not asked. Were other countries asked before they sent their teams? If yes, then why was Canada not asked? If no, why was Canada waiting to be asked?

A major earthquake is due in the lower mainland of British Columbia and the Liberals have closed CFB Chilliwack. The Liberals are preventing our Vancouver search and rescue team from getting firsthand earthquake experience. Why does Liberal government ignore emergency preparedness?

Lumber Industry

[Stockwell Day, Canadian Alliance, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, I certainly do not mind, and I hope you will not, if I use up some of my valuable seconds to acknowledge the healthy return of my colleague, the member for Calgary Southwest.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear.

[Stockwell Day, Canadian Alliance, Okanagan—Coquihalla, BC]

Mr. Speaker, in my remaining 10 seconds I would like to reflect on the fact that Canadian lumber exports to the U.S. are worth more than $10 billion annually and account for thousands upon thousands of jobs. On March 31 the softwood lumber agreement will expire and the lumber trade will revert to NAFTA rules.

I understand the Prime Minister will be meeting for 20 to 30 minutes with President Bush before they go for dinner. Does the minister responsible know how many minutes of that half hour will be spent fighting for the Canadian softwood lumber industry?

[Herb Gray, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I should state that the Prime Minister will not have only a half hour meeting with President Bush before dinner. The whole dinner, for over two hours, is a working dinner at which the president and our Prime Minister will discuss a whole range of issues of concern to our two countries, domestic, hemispheric and international. I am sure that the lumber issue will be among the many important topics to be discussed, although it will be up to the president and the Prime Minister as to exactly what they will discuss and how much time they are going to take.

[Stockwell Day, Canadian Alliance, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, I hope that is true, and we sincerely support the Prime Minister in his efforts to speak for Canada. We say with sincerity that we hope it goes well.

Let me quote the industry minister, “The renewal of the existing agreement will be part of the mix when we sit down at the table”. That is 100% contrary to the position of industry and labour and it is 100% contrary to the international trade minister's position. Which minister's position will the Prime Minister be representing today?

[Herb Gray, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, to reply in the spirit of his question, I hope what he said in his question is true. This is a reflection on how we characterize my answer.

Canada will work actively to protect the interests of all the stakeholders in this important matter. The government will be speaking and is speaking with one voice in its commitment to all the stakeholders in this key Canadian industry.

[Stockwell Day, Canadian Alliance, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, I also hope it is true because it is the position in the statement of one of his ministers. I would think that it would be true. I am surprised to hear him contradict or question one of his ministers. However, I will ask further.

Softwood lumber is one of the major trade issues and it was recently confirmed at the hearings with the U.S. trade representative. Both the trade representative and President Bush are under enormous pressure to impose countervail duties against Canada when this agreement expires.

Which of the ministers has the responsibility of telling us today the specific steps in place now to deal with countervail measures, or does anyone care?

[Herb Gray, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I was not questioning any of my colleagues, I was questioning the Leader of the Opposition. I think I should do so again for the mistaken premise of his question.

There is no threat or action on countervail against Canada on this matter. He is well ahead of himself on this subject. We are going to have useful and constructive discussions. Canada will be speaking with one strong voice on behalf of all the stakeholders and all Canadians on this very important matter.

[Gary Lunn, Canadian Alliance, Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I have great concerns when I hear the Deputy Prime Minister say there is no threat. I do not know what he has been listening to, but if it has been the U.S. Senate, this was one of the number one issues at the confirmation hearings of Robert Zoellick. I do not know where he has been. He says that Canada is speaking with one voice. If he had read the papers last week, I do not know how many different voices there were but they were coming from his cabinet.

This is a very important issue to every single Canadian. Thousands and thousands of jobs are at stake. The industry wants to know the Government of Canada's position. Canadians want to have some confidence but they are getting mixed messages from the industry minister and the international trade minister. What is their position?

[Brian Tobin, Liberal, Minister of Industry]

Mr. Speaker, the Government of Canada's position is that Canadian lumber interests produce a quality product, pay fair stumpage and should have free and clear access to the U.S. market. If the member has a different position, we would like to hear it.