Debates of May 28th, 2001

Mining

[Carol Skelton, Canadian Alliance, Saskatoon—Rosetown—Biggar, SK]

Mr. Speaker, it is mining week in Saskatchewan. Mining contributes more than $2 billion to Saskatchewan's gross domestic product annually. Almost 20,000 people are employed either directly or indirectly by the mining industry today.

The total value of Saskatchewan's mineral sales was $2.4 billion last year. Saskatchewan is the world's leading producer and exporter of potash and uranium, accounting for almost 30% of world production in both of these commodities.

The opening of two new uranium mines in northern Saskatchewan and the growing momentum in diamond exploration will contribute to ensuring that mining continues to be a significant contributor to our provincial economy.

I take this opportunity to congratulate everyone involved in the mining industry in Saskatchewan on a wonderful past and a very bright future.

Gilles Lefebvre

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

Mr. Speaker, Canada has just lost a great cultural leader. Gilles Lefebvre has passed away at the age of 78.

For over 60 years, Mr. Lefebvre distinguished himself as a man of vision and a man of passion. We will remember him as an excellent violinist, a pioneer in our great institutions of music. In 1949, he was one of the thinkers who gave birth to Jeunesses musicales, an organization that is to be found today in many countries. In 1951, he founded the Jeunesses Musicales camp, known today as the Centre d'art d'Orford, in my riding of Brome—Mississquoi.

In 1970, he established the world youth orchestra, a symphony orchestra uniting the world's greatest musical hopes. He is also one of the founders of International Music Day, celebrated in Canada annually on October 1.

An officer of the Order of Canada, he received many other distinctions including the Prix Calixa-Lavallée.

Today, we lament the departure of a great educator and humanist. Gilles Lefebvre devoted his life to music, to discovering new talent and to promoting Canadian artists on the world stage.

I would like, on behalf of the Government of Canada, to thank him and to offer my sincere condolences to his family.

National Drinking Water Standards

[Peter Stoffer, NDP, Sackville—Musquodoboit Valley—Eastern Shore, NS]

Mr. Speaker, one of the greatest crises facing our nation today is the safety of our freshwater supply.

In the province of Newfoundland and Labrador alone it is estimated that over 250 communities are under a boil water order. For many years the aboriginal communities across the country have known the danger of poor water quality. Now other communities such as Walkerton and North Battleford have experienced firsthand the devastating effects of a dangerous, contaminated drinking water supply.

The historical assault on our environment by such practices as logging, agriculture, urban sprawl, dumping of hazardous and household waste is now taking its toll on our water quality. The time is now for the Liberal government to show leadership and institute a national safe water policy.

Human Rights

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

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, close to 3,000 people marched in the streets of Pointe-Claire, a Montreal suburb, to defend the right of everyone to the respect of their differences.

Roger Thibault and Théo Wouters have been living quietly together for 23 years in this suburb of Montreal. However, some of their neighbours told the couple, more than once, that it was not welcome and that its lifestyle was unacceptable.

In response to this lack of respect and to repeated acts of intimidation, they chose to speak out, but above all, to fight peacefully against ignorance and bad faith.

Their call for the recognition of their most fundamental rights and for the respect of their dignity was heard by thousands of people who marched with them. That call was also supported by the vast majority of Quebecers.

Let us hope that these two can live in peace and in dignity anywhere they want.

Portugal

[John Harvard, Liberal, Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia, MB]

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Government of Canada it is an honour for me to welcome President Jorge Sampaio of the Portuguese republic.

President Sampaio has been on an official visit to Ottawa since May 24 and will stay until June 1. This is President Sampaio's first visit to Canada.

Our Prime Minister met earlier today with President Sampaio to discuss ways to broaden and deepen our expanding relationship with Portugal. For quite some time now Portugal has been a proud economic partner to Canada.

In 1999 trade between our two countries reached $320 million. Also more than 400,000 people of Portuguese origin now live in Canada and have made a significant contribution to our nation.

The president of Portugal and his delegation will also meet with Governor General Adrienne Clarkson. Once again we welcome President Sampaio to Canada and congratulate him on his recent re-election.

Fisheries

[Loyola Hearn, Progressive Conservative, St. John's West, NL]

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans recently announced this year's total allowable catch quotas for Newfoundland northern shrimp. The minister stressed that Newfoundland and Labrador would receive 70% of these quotas. This is like saying that Saskatchewan could own 70% of its wheat or Alberta could own 70% of its oil.

This resource is a Newfoundland resource fished on Newfoundland's fishing grounds. When Newfoundland entered Confederation it brought the fishing grounds with it. This government looks upon them simply as the Grand Banks off or away from Newfoundland.

They are our wheat fields. The resources are our resources. They are the banks of Newfoundland. Newfoundlanders should be prime beneficiaries of any resource developed in that area.

Argentina And Chile

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

Mr. Speaker, during the week of May 6 I had the honour and privilege of joining the Governor General of Canada and His Excellency in Chile on their first state visit to Argentina and Chile.

The central theme of the visit was bringing people together. This theme embodies the goal of building on the growing political and economic ties between our countries by broadening, deepening and strengthening connections that already exist in many sectors of society. It also symbolizes the desire to create new and lasting relationships.

The delegation represented a broad cross-section of Canadian society. Delegates included: writers, artists, aboriginal leaders, scientists, parliamentarians, directors of major cultural institutions, and representatives from universities, hospitals, and the food, wine and agribusiness sectors.

This exchange, through dialogues and conversations, allowed participants to learn from the sharing of each other's ideas, achievements and experiences and engage their counterparts in innovative ways to give form and life to the idea of Canada in the minds of Chilean people.

The Future Group

[Rob Anders, Canadian Alliance, Calgary West, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I am privileged to rise in the House today to recognize the efforts of seven dedicated university students known as The Future Group. These students raised enough money to travel to Cambodia so they could learn about and lend their support to local organizations combating child prostitution.

As I speak, a team of students is in Cambodia, acknowledged as the child prostitution capital of the world. One of its tasks is to try to find an effective way to protect children from the sexual depredation of unscrupulous travellers.

Estimates suggest over one million children are victims of child prostitution in southeast Asia. It is encouraging that a group of concerned young Canadians is trying to do something about it.

I would like to tip my hat to the efforts of The Future Group in standing up for decency, integrity and justice.

Foreign Affairs

[Monte Solberg, Canadian Alliance, Medicine Hat, AB]

Mr. Speaker, we are hearing news reports today—

[Some hon. members]

Leader, leader.

[The Speaker]

We all know the hon. member for Medicine Hat is a popular member, but we would like to hear his question.

[Monte Solberg, Canadian Alliance, Medicine Hat, AB]

Mr. Speaker, we are hearing news reports today about the possible torture of a Canadian citizen who has been held in a Saudi Arabian jail without charge for the past six months.

According to medical sources, William Sampson was hospitalized with a crushed vertebra and trauma to both his hands and his feet. This follows two separate heart operations he has undergone in the last couple of months.

What specific actions has the government taken to ensure that this Canadian citizen is not being mistreated while in that Saudi jail?

[Denis Paradis, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, following reports that William Sampson may have been physically abused, the Minister of Foreign Affairs called the Saudi ambassador to Canada on May 24 to express his concern for Mr. Sampson's well-being.

The Canadian ambassador to Saudi Arabia raised concerns about Mr. Sampson's well-being with the Saudi deputy minister of the interior on May 27, which was yesterday. The ambassador was given permission to visit Mr. Sampson on May 28, which is today, to discuss his physical condition. It was agreed that the medical physician selected by Canada would accompany them.

[Monte Solberg, Canadian Alliance, Medicine Hat, AB]

Mr. Speaker, Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah is due to arrive in Ottawa next month to open the new Saudi embassy.

What steps is the government prepared to take with respect to Prince Abdullah's upcoming visit to underline Canada's frustration with the Saudi treatment of Canadian citizens while they are being held in Saudi custody?

[Denis Paradis, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, we will continue to put pressure on Saudi authorities to make sure that Mr. Sampson is well treated.

We will wait for the results of the medical doctor's visit to Mr. Sampson today and we will continue to put on pressure.

[Monte Solberg, Canadian Alliance, Medicine Hat, AB]

Mr. Speaker, Canadian concerns go well beyond the alleged torture of Mr. Sampson. This is a very serious issue.

The Saudis claim to respect human rights conventions, yet our officials are routinely denied access to Mr. Sampson. He is allegedly facing torture and he certainly faces the prospect of the death penalty.

Let me be very specific. Is the government prepared to cancel the scheduled visit to Ottawa next month of Prince Abdullah and recall our ambassador if the Saudis are not prepared to meet the most basic standards for fair treatment of Mr. Sampson while he is in their custody?

[Denis Paradis, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, today, our ambassador has been given access to Mr. Sampson, whom he will be visiting with a physician who will examine him.

We will wait for the report of this doctor, who was selected by Canadian authorities and our ambassador, before deciding on what to do next.

Canadian International Development Agency

[Deepak Obhrai, Canadian Alliance, Calgary East, AB]

Mr. Speaker, yet another official report has condemned CIDA mismanagement, incompetency and waste.

This time the public accounts committee has learned that CIDA breaks contracting rules, fails to cut off bad projects and gives sweet deals to retired bureaucrats.

CIDA has become the country's top expert in abuse, mismanagement and patronage. Will the minister act now and fire the managers responsible for this mess?

[Maria Minna, Liberal, Minister for International Cooperation]

Mr. Speaker, the auditor general also said that CIDA does fantastic work, that 97% of all the programs analyzed were doing very good work.

However CIDA has already taken corrective action with respect to the areas that were identified, especially with respect to the regulation regarding use of former civil servants in receipt of pensions.

[Deepak Obhrai, Canadian Alliance, Calgary East, AB]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians are proud of our tradition of generous development assistance but they want cost effective aid programs, not patronage and abuse of public funds.

It is clear that CIDA is bringing ill repute on this proud tradition. CIDA is actually discrediting our aid programs. What will the minister do about it?

[Maria Minna, Liberal, Minister for International Cooperation]

Mr. Speaker, as I have already said and as the hon. member knows, the auditor general was quoted very clearly as saying that after thousands and thousands of programs, 97% were found to be accurate.

All CIDA programs are monitored. The money is not wasted as the hon. member has suggested. Corrective actions in those areas that were recommended have already been taken and they continue to be improved.

Young Offenders

[Gilles Duceppe, Bloc, Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the proven approach of rehabilitating young offenders was at the heart of the tour throughout Quebec just completed by the member for Berthier—Montcalm and the young actor Marc Beaupré.

And everywhere, the message they heard was the same. All stakeholders in every region are unanimous: Quebec wants nothing to do with the repressive system the federal government is seeking to impose.

Given the intransigence of the Minister of Justice, I appeal to the Prime Minister. Will he rise in the House and assure us that Quebecers' unanimous wish to be allowed to continue to enforce the existing young offenders legislation in Quebec will be respected?

[Anne McLellan, Liberal, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada]

Mr. Speaker, let me reassure everyone in the House that our new youth justice legislation is premised upon values shared by all Canadians regardless of where they live. In fact, those values are prevention, meaningful consequences, rehabilitation and reintegration.

Let me reassure the hon. leader of the Bloc that there is sufficient flexibility in our new youth justice legislation to permit Quebec to carry out the programs and policies it presently has in place.

[Gilles Duceppe, Bloc, Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, not one political party, federalist or sovereignist, in the national assembly supports this bill; not one group supports it; not one judge supports it. Even the police are against it. Only she is right.

Does the Prime Minister, who talked about a distinct society, and introduced a motion supposedly recognizing the distinct character of Quebec, realize that there is a distinct approach to this issue in Quebec? If the motion he had passed was more than just words, could he prove it by allowing Quebec to take a distinct approach in this area?

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, if the hon. member listens to the minister, he will understand that the proposed legislation will allow Quebec to maintain its present approach. It is possible that other provinces will decide to have a system different from that of Quebec.

What we are doing is letting all Canadians have a good piece of legislation allowing some differences in various parts of Canada.