Debates of May 10th, 2001

Canada Business Corporations Act

[Scott Brison, Progressive Conservative, Kings—Hants, NS]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague from Brandon—Souris for his very serious question somehow linking my birthday to the gift of a position in the Senate. It is an interesting position but, Mr. Speaker, I would argue that if that in fact were the case it would be a gift that keeps on giving.

[The Deputy Speaker]

Is the House ready for the question?

[Some hon. members]

Question.

[The Deputy Speaker]

The question is on the motion. Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Deputy Speaker]

I declare the motion carried. Accordingly the bill stands referred to the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology.

(Motion agreed to, bill read the second time and referred to a committee)

Leo Hayes High School

[Andy Scott, Liberal, Fredericton, NB]

Mr. Speaker, I have the pleasure to rise today to welcome a group of students and teachers from Leo Hayes High School to our nation's capital.

It remains a constant challenge for us as parliamentarians to engage young people in continuous, open dialogue and to pique their interest in our ongoing political work.

I would like to commend the parents and teachers who helped raise funds for the trip. They have provided a wonderful experience to the students while at the same time providing them with an exciting way to learn about the Canadian parliamentary system and Ottawa.

It is with great pleasure that I wish all the students, teachers and chaperons a splendid stay for the remainder of their trip. I would particularly like to thank the Leo Hayes choir for its performance at noon in the rotunda.

Jessica Koopmans

[Rick Casson, Canadian Alliance, Lethbridge, AB]

Mr. Speaker, a heart-wrenching event has taken place and we need everyone's help. Five year old Jessica Koopmans went missing from her front yard in north Lethbridge last Friday, May 4 at approximately 5 p.m.

The Lethbridge City Police, assisted by RCMP officers from as far away as Calgary and Edmonton, have been working day and night to find Jessica. Hundreds and hundreds of volunteers from communities throughout southern Alberta have helped in the search and support is pouring in for the distraught family.

Jessica is five years old. She is four feet tall and weighs 40 pounds. She was last seen wearing a white tank top, blue jean shorts and pink sandals. She has shoulder length brown hair, blue eyes and freckles. Further information and a picture of Jessica can be seen at www.jessicakoopmans.com.

I am calling on my colleagues in the House of Commons and on all Canadians to pray for Jessica. If anyone receives any information or if anyone sees Jessica, please contact the Lethbridge city police at 403-328-4444.

Mining Industry

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

Mr. Speaker, the people of Abitibi—Témiscamingue are calling for a mining sector emergency fund.

The Environment

[Andy Savoy, Liberal, Tobique—Mactaquac, NB]

Mr. Speaker, I join the member for Fredericton in welcoming choir members from Leo Hayes High School. Their melodious voices filled the hallway today, a welcome break from the usual drone that fills these hallways.

The Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment recently announced the winners of its fourth annual pollution prevention awards which honour organizations showing innovation and leadership in the area of pollution prevention.

Established to emphasize preventing pollution at the source, this year's awards will be presented on June 7 at the Canadian pollution prevention round table in St. John's, Newfoundland. Two of this year's six recipients, both from Saint John, New Brunswick, deserve mention.

First, Irving Pulp and Paper will be recognized for its use of innovative technologies to ensure its mill waste water is completely non-toxic and less harmful to the Saint John River.

Second, Irving Oil Refinery will be awarded for being the first oil refinery to produce low sulphur gasoline for consumer use, two years ahead of legislative requirements.

I congratulate both companies on their achievements. I encourage them and all industry to continue fielding technical advancements which promote safer water and a cleaner environment.

Tulip Festival

[David Pratt, Liberal, Nepean—Carleton, ON]

Mr. Speaker, this is the time of year in the national capital region when we enjoy the brilliant colours of the tulips throughout the city of Ottawa.

This weekend marks the start of the Canadian Tulip Festival.

Since 1953 we have celebrated the arrival of spring every year with this festival. This great event originated in 1945 when Princess Juliana of the Netherlands donated over 100,000 tulip bulbs to Canada. This was a gesture of thanks for providing the Dutch royal family with safe haven during World War II and for the role Canadian forces played in liberating the Netherlands from the Nazis.

This year Great Britain will co-sponsor the festival which will be launched with a 46 metre tulip balloon on Parliament Hill. We invite all Canadians to participate in the music and activities and to enjoy the colourful display of millions of tulips.

Nursing Week

[Keith Martin, Canadian Alliance, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca, BC]

Mr. Speaker, this week is Nursing Week but all is not well. In the next 10 years we will have a shortage of 112,000 nurses. Hospitals are relying on nurses to do overtime just to fill their spots. I have worked in hospitals where half the nursing spots in the intensive care unit and emergency department are simply not filled.

This crisis is not only confined to nursing. It also happens with physicians. Our population is aging too. Today 25% of the physician population is over the age of 55. In the next 15 years that number will rise to the point where 45% of all doctors will be over the age of 55. The crisis is staggering. Who will care for us when we are old if there are no doctors and nurses left?

I implore the government to work with the provinces to increase enrolment in medical, nursing and training faculties by 20% and have a tuition for service in outlying areas program that will enable us to fill the absolute dire crisis in rural areas. We must act now. This crisis is not going away. Lives depend on it.

Research And Development

[Gurbax Malhi, Liberal, Bramalea—Gore—Malton—Springdale, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I was pleased to announce on behalf of the Minister of Industry and Technology Partnerships Canada a $3.9 million investment into MD Robotics, a space robotics company in my riding of Bramalea—Gore—Malton—Springdale.

The investment will allow MD Robotics to create 74 high quality jobs in Brampton. This is another example of the government's support of projects which create skilled jobs, strong growth and a knowledge based economy in communities across the country such as Bramalea—Gore—Malton—Springdale.

Christopher Auger

[Richard Marceau, Bloc, Charlesbourg—Jacques-Cartier, QC]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday and today, I have had the pleasure of hosting here on the Hill the MP for a day for Charlesbourg—Jacques-Cartier, Christopher Auger.

Christopher is the fourth winner of the MP for a day contest for my riding, having made a distinguished showing on a test of general knowledge about politics, coming first out of nearly 1,200 secondary IV students.

During his stay in Ottawa, Christopher has been able to familiarize himself with the parliamentary duties of an MP and to have a close-up view of the action here on Parliament Hill.

He and his mother, Dr. Jocelyne Lortie, had the honour of speaking with you yesterday, and today he had a private talk, before question period, with the leader of the Bloc Quebecois and member for Laurier—Sainte-Marie.

On behalf of all my colleagues in the Bloc Quebecois, I welcome Christopher to parliament. I hope he enjoys his visit.

Volunteers

[Steve Mahoney, Liberal, Mississauga West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the United Nations has declared 2001 as International Year of Volunteers. Today in Mississauga the Peel District School Board will honour the long term commitment of over 100 parent volunteers and community representatives for their contributions to building a stronger link between school and community.

Eight of those one hundred individuals are parent volunteers from two schools in my riding: Mila Jack and Judy Robertson are 20 year volunteers; Sharlaine Howes and Marg Snider are 15 year volunteers; Karen Bateson, Carolyn Christou and Jane Inglis are 10 year volunteers, all of Pheasant Run Public School; and Joanne Bain is a 10 year volunteer at Settler's Green Public School.

I thank the Peel District School Board for honouring the efforts of these individuals and those eight volunteers and all others for their tireless, dedicated and continuous contributions to our community.

Citizenship

[Kevin Sorenson, Canadian Alliance, Crowfoot, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate three outstanding young people from my riding of Crowfoot: Darla Mohan of Camrose, Jackie Brown of Erskine, and Heather André of Drumheller.

These constituents were among the 220 young Canadians selected by their local Rotary associations to visit the national capital region as participants in the adventure in citizenship program, a program that focuses attention on the diversity of Canada and on the institutions and values that unite us.

Last week it was with extreme pleasure that I joined Darla, Jackie and Heather at the adventure in citizenship reception on the Hill. Even in the brief period I spent in their company it was very apparent why they were chosen to visit Ottawa representing their local communities. They were all exceptional teenagers who had made significant contributions to their communities. I say to Darla, Heather and Jackie, way to go.

Chrysotile Asbestos

[Gérard Binet, Liberal, Frontenac—Mégantic, QC]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, over 1,000 people who care about my beautiful region of Frontenac—Mégantic, which is the cradle of the chrysotile industry, went to the national assembly to express their discontent over the unjustified ban on asbestos.

Chrysotile asbestos is a natural, recyclable fibre that is inexpensive but, more important, safe. Yet it is constantly discredited, even though many scientific studies confirm that it can be safely used in a controlled environment.

Canada supports the principle of safe use by making regular and constant representations at the international level. Unqualified support for the safe use of chrysotile is necessary so that this product can get its reputation back.

Let us all work together, at the federal, provincial and municipal levels, to achieve that goal, because we have everything to gain from protecting the future of this resource.

Telecommunications

[Wendy Lill, NDP, Dartmouth, NS]

Mr. Speaker, this morning the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage announced an 18 month study into the current and future system of broadcasting in Canada. The committee will be looking into Canadian content and creation for radio and TV, broadcast ownership, industry regulation, the role for public broadcasting and the Internet.

For the committee to do a credible job, the government must let all parties know that the next 18 months is not a time to restructure like crazy in order to escape any possible government action in response to the study. The government should clearly warn the industry that all major changes made from this day forward may be subject to review and reversal when the committee reports.

The government should also announce that broadcasting is explicitly off the table at international trade talks including the GATS so as not to compromise our work.

Our task is to provide a vision for the 21st century. The government's task is to show the political courage to make it happen.

Federal Government

[Paul Crête, Bloc, Kamouraska—Rivière-Du-Loup—Témiscouata—Les Basques, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the federal government is divesting itself of the port facilities that it has abandoned for decades.

In the area of air transportation, the federal government made hostages of the regions. Airfares are exorbitant and flight schedules are ineffective.

The federal government is also neglecting the whole shipbuilding industry, and Quebec shipyards are still waiting for the necessary funding.

The federal government has systematically demonstrated its inability to provide Quebec with transportation infrastructures that support its development.

Such are the costs of Canadian federalism, of Quebec's non-sovereignty. Quebecers can no longer tolerate this situation.

What Quebecers want is a sovereign Quebec that will be receptive to their needs and that will have the tools to correct the situation. They want a Quebec in which we will be responsible for our actions as a people.

Quebec's sovereignty is the only solution.

Bilingualism In The City Of Ottawa

[Mauril Bélanger, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, Ottawa's municipal council gave Canada a bilingual capital in which Ottawa residents and hundreds of thousands of visitors will be entitled to receive services in French as well as English.

Today, I wish to thank Mayor Bob Chiarelli and councillors Elisabeth Arnold, Michel Bellemare, Rainer Bloess, Rick Chiarelli, Alex Cullen, Diane Deans, Clive Doucet, Dwight Eastman, Peter Hume, Herb Kreling, Jacques Legendre, Phil McNeely, Madeleine Meilleur, Alex Munter, Janet Stavinga and Wendy Stewart for the stand they took yesterday.

These men and women will go down not just in the history of their city, but in the history of their country as well.

In the fall of 1999 Glen Shortliffe recommended the merger of all the municipalities to form a new capital of Canada and that it be officially bilingual. The Ontario government chose not to do it at the time, saying that it was a local decision.

The local decision was made yesterday. City council accepted a bilingual policy and has asked the government of Ontario to amend the law to reflect and guarantee those services. I invite the government of Ontario to do just that and I hope that it will.

National Drinking Water Standards

[John Herron, Progressive Conservative, Fundy Royal, NB]

Mr. Speaker, this parliament, Canada's House of Commons, clearly expressed its will that we need national drinking water standards in Canada by approving the Progressive Conservative motion. We call on the federal government to act, as the motion said, immediately to provide a safe drinking water act.

We must be respectful of shared jurisdiction for the environment. We must recognize the moral obligation of Health Canada to actually ensure that our drinking water is safe. That is what we do now with the Food and Drugs Act when we measure toxicity levels in chemicals or in pesticides.

The motion says immediately. If we do not see action by the fall by convening a meeting of the health ministers across Canada, if we do not see an act by the fall, we could only call it a breach of parliament and a breach of the Canadian will. Moreover the health minister will be letting down Canadians by not providing for safe drinking water in Canada.

Marie Cardinal

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

Mr. Speaker, it is with great regret that we learned of the death of writer Marie Cardinal.

Madame Cardinal's philosophical and feminist works, which were translated into 26 languages, left their mark on us. These works included: Écoutez la mer , Autrement dit , Une vie pour deux and, more recently, Amours...amours .

In addition to reading what she wrote, we could hear it as well, because La clé sur la porte and Les mots pour le dire were made into movies.

On behalf of my party and myself, I wish to convey heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Marie Cardinal. They can rest assured that this great woman will live on in our collective memory.

Veterans Affairs

[Roy H. Bailey, Canadian Alliance, Souris—Moose Mountain, SK]

Mr. Speaker, the recent incident of a Liberal member of parliament dishonouring a veteran because of the way the veteran voted should be an isolated incident, but it is not.

Previously the veterans affairs minister refused to help to send some of our war veterans back to commemorate Christmas in Ortona. A local newspaper had to raise the money.

The government's fiasco in attempting to apportion part of the Canadian War Museum to the holocaust memorial was prompted by the minister of heritage. She did not even consult Canadian veterans. Powerful public opinion changed that.

The same minister did not bother asking the war museum's advisory committee or veteran organizations before announcing the change in the location of the new war museum.

There are two questions: When will this abuse of our veterans come to an end and when will the insult to our veterans cease?

Marie Cardinal

[Christiane Gagnon, Bloc, Québec, QC]

Mr. Speaker, how do I say it: Marie Cardinal has passed away. She died yesterday, in France, of cancer.

She marked the women of my generation by her fight to overcome her fears, by finding the words to understand her inner truths. In the 1980s, she said herself “I have loved my life, because it has been the antithesis of my youth. I told my story, and through incredible luck, my books developed a large following”.

While the world loses a talented writer, culture loses a woman of letters and a Hellenist of renown, and women lose a fighter, who put them in touch with their inner selves to look courageously at hurts and incurable longings in order to come to terms with life.

Marie Cardinal loved Quebec and divided her life between France and Montreal from the early 1960s. Her work survives her and will continue to spark the imagination of readers by opening the doors within.

We offer our condolences to her family and friends, to Jean-Pierre Ronfard and her daughter Alice. Quebec has lost a great friend.

Medicalert Month

[Jeannot Castonguay, Liberal, Madawaska—Restigouche, NB]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to inform the House and the people of Canada that the month of May has been designated MedicAlert Month by the Canadian MedicAlert Foundation.

Over 900,000 Canadians are protected by this universally recognized identification and emergency medical information service.

It is estimated that one person in five in Canada has a medical problem or an allergy of which people should be informed in the event of a medical emergency.

The MedicAlert service ensures that people at risk are quickly identified in a medical emergency and that emergency health care providers have immediate access to secure personal and medical information.

Let us offer our best wishes for a successful public awareness campaign to the Canadian MedicAlert Foundation.