Debates of April 25th, 2001

[The Speaker]

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

Summit Of The Americas

[Lynn Myers, Liberal, Waterloo—Wellington, ON]

Mr. Speaker, in a democracy we have the right to protest but we must obey and respect the law.

Those people who protested peacefully at the summit of the Americas in Quebec City were exercising their democratic right. However, those people who thought protesting meant throwing bottles, bricks, pucks and iron were nothing more than hooligans and anarchists.

I want to highly commend our police services, especially the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the provincial police and the local municipal regional police forces for an outstanding show of restraint, discipline and professionalism.

Just for a moment, imagine how police in most countries in the world would have acted if faced with those violent protesters, coupled with the heavy burden and task of protecting 34 heads of government. We can only imagine.

Our police services are second to none in the world. They deserve the gratitude and thanks of a very grateful nation.

Palliative Care

[Grant Hill, Canadian Alliance, Macleod, AB]

Mr. Speaker, recently the Dutch parliament passed a law that formally allows a medical doctor to euthanize a patient. This action will set back palliative care, which seeks to make the end of life as comfortable as possible and breaks the traditional role of doctor as helper.

My first duty as a surgeon was to do no harm. The Hippocratic oath forbids any physician from practising euthanasia. Having practised medicine for 25 years, I personally dealt with terminal patients over and over again. By creative use of drugs, companionship and kindness, we always found a way to comfort those patients.

Canada needs to concentrate its resources on palliation for terminal patients. Our patients deserve the best care, not the most expedient.

Roger Garceau

[David Price, Liberal, Compton—Stanstead, QC]

Mr. Speaker, we were saddened last Thursday to learn of the death of Roger Garceau. He had been battling lung cancer for some months.

This well known actor made an impression on us with his roles in several TV serials, including Symphorien and

Les forges de Saint-Maurice . He also appeared in more than 150 theatre roles.

His talent, enthusiasm and generosity will be greatly missed by Canadians. His significant contribution to our cultural history will be a lasting legacy.

On behalf of my colleagues and myself, I want to offer our sincere condolences to Mr. Garceau's family and friends at this sorrowful time.

Nuclear Industry

[Walt Lastewka, Liberal, St. Catharines, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today to recognize that Thursday, April 26 will mark the 15th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster.

Early that morning an explosion occurred in Reactor 4 of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. The release of radiation was almost a million times greater than the release at Three Mile Island. As a result of this accident, 125,000 people have died, 70,000 people have become disabled and tens of thousands of hectares of once fertile land are now barren.

In compliance with the memorandum of understanding that was signed in Ottawa in 1995, the Chernobyl facility was closed on December 15, 2000. In return, the signing countries provided much needed financial and technical support to the government of Ukraine. Canada's contribution of $50 million was used to fund the shelter implementation plan.

I know that the Canadian government will continue to support the recovery of the Chernobyl area and I ask that hon. members and all Canadians take a moment to remember all those affected by this disaster.

Riding Of Brome—Missisquoi

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

Mr. Speaker, in July 1609 Samuel de Champlain discovered the large lake that now bears his name, Lake Champlain. I am proud that this discovery of one of our great explorers is located in my riding of Brome—Missisquoi.

Samuel de Champlain was a true builder, a man who did everything possible to make his dreams a reality

In our ridings, and I am thinking of my own riding of Brome—Missisquoi in particular, we are surrounded by men and women who work just as hard for the development and growth of rural communities.

For instance, two municipalities in Brome-Missisquoi, Stanbridge East near Lake Champlain and Lac Brome, have recently been honoured in the community beautification competition “Fleurir le Québec”. They had more than 260 competitors in this prestigious competition.

I congratulate all those involved directly or indirectly in these community beautification projects. In their own way they too are builders who bring a new face to our rural areas with their creativity and dynamism.

Parks Canada

[Cheryl Gallant, Canadian Alliance, Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON]

Mr. Speaker, park wardens in our national parks have a proud tradition of service. The decision by Parks Canada to replace wardens with RCMP officers at double the cost of fully training and equipping a park warden does not resolve the problem of unsafe working conditions. Issuing shotguns to patrolling wardens only heightens the potential for violence when a non-confrontational approach is needed.

The problem is that you cannot look at the activity to determine the danger. Risk is determined by a subject's behaviour. Therefore, being told to back away by Parks Canada management is not appropriate.

The pending decision to locate a detachment of RCMP officers in every national park in Canada is costly and unnecessary and, in the case of Ontario and Quebec, an unacceptable intrusion into provincial jurisdiction.

The Minister of Canadian Heritage should do the right thing and allow park wardens the right to bear sidearms.

Prince Of Wales

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

Mr. Speaker, today Canadians welcome His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales, to Canada. His Royal Highness is an inspiration to many, a caring and loving father, a champion for social justice and a gracious humanitarian.

He is respected for his strong conviction that we all share a duty to care for the natural world and to use natural resources in a way which can be sustained for future generations.

On behalf of my constituents and all Canadians, I wish to extend a warm and heartfelt welcome to the Prince of Wales.

Volunteers

[Jocelyne Girard-Bujold, Bloc, Jonquière, QC]

Mr. Speaker, this week Pearl Dugas will be one of the 60 persons honoured in Ottawa as part of the International Year of the Volunteer.

Ms. Dugas has been a social worker for 10 years and works as a volunteer administrator for the Société d'aide au développement des collectivités de Ville de la Baie, where she works developing businesses in rural communities.

She also served as the president of the Société de développement de Saint-Félix-d'Otis for four years and helped organize rural economic summits.

I have no doubt that the contribution of volunteers is essential to the development of modern Quebec. In their exceptional work they devote themselves body and soul to improving their community.

On behalf of the regional caucus of the Bloc Quebecois in Saguenay—Lac-Saint-Jean—Côte-Nord I pay tribute to the generosity and devotion of Pearl Dugas.

We offer our hearty congratulations.

Secretaries Day

[Diane St-Jacques, Liberal, Shefford, QC]

Mr. Speaker, every year the return of the lovely days of April brings a very special day, Secretaries Day.

Today I want to tell the House why this day is set aside in their honour in recognition of the important work they do.

In all sectors, private and public, the people in these positions are devoted. The work they do in their job obviously helps expand our job market.

Over the years the image of the secretary has changed somewhat. Room has been made for men in this job as well. Regardless of the gender of the person in the job, on this day, I say for all to hear “Behind every manager is a great person known as a secretary”.

I pay tribute to the excellence of your work and wish you a happy Secretaries Day.

World Athletic Championships

[Peter Goldring, Canadian Alliance, Edmonton Centre-East, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the countdown begins today. In 100 days from now over 2,000 athletes from over 200 countries will meet on a field of contest unequalled on earth, an event surpassed in size and grandeur only by the summer Olympics and soccer's World Cup.

The 2001 World Championships in Athletics are coming to Edmonton, the city of champions.

Mr. Speaker, you might ask exactly who is invited. Why, you are, Mr. Speaker, with your family and friends, as are my colleagues from all parties and of course all Canadians, along with visitors from around the globe.

It is 100 days and counting until the world arrives in Edmonton. I invite everyone to Edmonton for the opening ceremonies on Friday, August 3 and I invite everyone to join in the fun.

Disaster Aid

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

Mr. Speaker, the 1998 ice storm paralyzed a number of communities in Ontario and exacted an enormous economic cost.

The Government of Canada has worked hard to assist communities and individuals to recover from this disaster.

Today the hon. Minister of National Defence reinforced the Government of Canada's commitment by announcing a third payment of $50 million to the government of Ontario through the disaster financial assistance arrangement program.

This payment brings the total financial assistance provided by the federal government to the province of Ontario to $105 million.

The payment demonstrates our government's commitment to ensuring the well-being of all Canadians and our guarantee that we will provide assistance for each step on the long road to recovery.

Firefighters

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

Mr. Speaker, as all of us know, the firefighters are here for their annual lobby on Parliament Hill.

I urge the government to act on their request, particularly with respect to the increased pension accrual rate and with respect to the death benefit for survivors of firefighters who are killed or permanently injured on the job.

They have come here year after year to be told by Liberal backbenchers that they are in support of what the firefighters are requesting. They are told that by other members.

This is a test for us as parliament. If a majority of us support what the firefighters are requesting, then let the government act on what they are requesting. Let us see some progress for these people who come here year after year requesting these changes.

Premier Of Quebec

[Claude Bachand, Bloc, Saint-Jean, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Bloc Quebecois would like to congratulate the premier of Quebec, Bernard Landry, for his remarkable attitude in a difficult context, considering that the Quebec national government was prevented by the Government of Canada from formally taking part in the summit of the Americas held in our national capital.

Showing a composure that is the trademark of true heads of state, the premier of Quebec nevertheless seized this opportunity to hold bilateral meetings with other heads of state from the Americas, thus strengthening the harmony that governs our relations with our neighbours in the south.

Mr. Landry also used the forums at his disposal to brilliantly explain why Quebec sovereignty was necessary and to discuss the FTAA in a context where trade between nations of the Americas and of the whole world is increasingly based on the strong and serene affirmation of national identity and on the respect of democratic values.

Bloc Quebecois members are very proud of their premier.

Falun Gong

[Irwin Cotler, Liberal, Mount Royal, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the recent witness testimony and documentary evidence, both national and international, demonstrates that the violations of human rights in China continue unabated, particularly with regard to violations of the rights of the Falun Gong.

These include, first, the criminalization of Falun Gong itself for nothing other than espousing the values of truth, compassion and tolerance, thereby violating their fundamental rights to freedom of conscience and beliefs, freedom of assembly and association, and freedom of expression and information.

Second, the arrest, detention, torture and imprisonment of Falun Gong practitioners for nothing other than exercising their rights as guaranteed under Chinese and international law.

Third, the abuse of psychiatry for political purposes on a scale unseen since the dark days of the Soviet Gulag.

Accordingly, I would like to join my voice with parliamentarians in this country and around the world who have called upon China to rescind the criminal ban on the Falun Gong, release political prisoners, such as ShenLi Lin, husband of Canadian citizen Jinyu Li, and cease and desist from the abuse of psychiatry for political purposes.

Organ And Tissue Donation

[Greg Thompson, Progressive Conservative, New Brunswick Southwest, NB]

Mr. Speaker, from April 23 to 29 many people will be wearing a small green ribbon. This symbol represents Canada's National Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Week.

It is vital to the success of our organ and tissue donation program that Canadians be made increasingly aware of the importance of their participation.

More than 3,700 Canadians are waiting for organ transplants, kidneys, hearts, lungs, livers, and thousands of others are in need of replacement core tissues, such as corneas, heart valves, bone grafts and skin. The success rate of such surgeries is upward to 90%.

I urge all Canadians to give serious thought to organ and tissue donation, complete a donors card and make sure their families are aware of their wishes.

The Economy

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

Mr. Speaker,—

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear.

[The Speaker]

Order, please. I know there is a lot of enthusiasm in the House today but we do want to hear the hon. Leader of the Opposition's question.

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

Mr. Speaker, I am deeply honoured by the support of my colleagues and surprised at the support from the Liberals but I do appreciate it.

It was only yesterday that we learned that one of the biggest high tech employers in Canada has laid off another 2,500 workers. Every day we get reports that growth in the economy is slowing down. The dollar is in difficulty. There is neglect by government. Consumer confidence is down. Even the auditor general some time ago asked the question: Who is minding the store?

What specific steps are being taken to restore the confidence of Canadians in the economy?

[Paul Martin, Liberal, Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, first, let me simply say to the Leader of the Opposition that he should not be a bit surprised by the great support that the government has for his position and his remaining in that position.

In terms of who is minding the store, when the store was being minded by somebody else here in the House, yesterday the Prime Minister gave the following quote, which answers the hon. member's question. This is a quote from the IMF. It says “The strong policy framework in place has positioned the real and financial economy to cope with any new major economic shock”. Then, the IMF goes on to say “The Canadian authorities are to be highly commended by their policy accomplishments”.

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

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance love to talk about the IMF. I am sure that pleases certain bankers and others.

However, I wonder if the minister is aware what Canadians said recently in the Minister of Finance's own polling conducted by the folks at Earnscliffe. The poll shows that only a third of Canadians feel that they are better off now than they were four years ago.

Never mind what the bankers are saying. They are delighted with the interest payments that keep coming from a government that neglects debt, but only a third of Canadians think they are better off than they were four years ago.

What is the government doing in specific steps to restore consumer and investor confidence?

[Paul Martin, Liberal, Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member perhaps ought to go back to his numbers. Real disposable income in Canada is up. In fact real disposable income per family is now at a record level in Canada.

The hon. member talks about interest rates. Interest rates are now down substantially. In fact, as a result of the interest rate reductions now, a typical family with a mortgage has $750 more in their pocket now than they would have had three to four months ago.

Despite the fact that there is global volatility, problems in Japan and in the United States, if we take a look at the Canadian economy, while signals are mixed, we—

[The Speaker]

The hon. Leader of the Opposition.

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

Mr. Speaker, I prefer to use the numbers of the Minister of Finance. His own polling shows that only a third of Canadians feel they are better off now than they were four years ago.

I wonder whether the Minister of Finance or the Prime Minister could tell us, in terms of the accountability that comes from having to table a budget, how many of the presidents from the Americas who were present in Quebec did the Prime Minister or the finance minister advise that we do not need to have a full and accountable budget month after month, maybe up to 24 months? How many presidents did they advise to say that was good policy?