Debates of June 5th, 2001

Patent Act

[Dennis Mills, Liberal, Toronto—Danforth, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I will be sharing my time with my colleague from Pickering—Ajax—Uxbridge.

When I first came to the House of Commons in 1988, some four campaigns ago, I used to believe that the biggest challenge we had in the House of Commons was pushing the main financial institutions of the country to do more for small business. I stand here today to say a bigger issue is the challenge that we have as parliamentarians to deal with the most profitable companies in the world, the pharmaceutical drug manufacturers.

We on this side of the House have made several commitments over several campaigns to deal with the issue in the interests of consumers, of research and of having a generic drug system. I stand here today saddened that we have not been able to meet all our objectives.

We on this side of the House are blessed with having a member of parliament who has essentially devoted a great portion of his parliamentary career to dealing with the technicalities, the specifics and the development of a proper policy in the particular area of pharmaceuticals.

I support everything that my colleague from Pickering—Ajax—Uxbridge has said and I defer the balance of our 10 minutes to him.

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

Mr. Speaker, there seems to be monumental confusion among government members on whether or not they support the bill, given their past record of opposing it going back to the days when they were in opposition and fought tooth and nail against anything to do with patent legislation.

We just heard from the member for Eglinton—Lawrence, the former chairman of the health committee, who spent a career opposing this issue. He made a huge intellectual leap or performed a high wire act. Members who are totally concerned about the merits of the legislation, and rightfully so given their past history, are now telling us that they will stand in the House of Commons and support something they do not believe in. We need an explanation.

[Dennis Mills, Liberal, Toronto—Danforth, ON]

Mr. Speaker, this is something that the members of the Canadian Alliance and the Conservative Party have yet to understand. In the Liberal Party there are many of us—

[Rick Borotsik, Progressive Conservative, Brandon—Souris, MB]

The Liberals are hypocrites.

[Dennis Mills, Liberal, Toronto—Danforth, ON]

No, we are not hypocrites. We realize that we never get everything we want within our own government, within our own executive, but at least we support our team. At the same time as we provide constructive and rigorous debate we can still hold our team together, which is something, I say humbly, my friends in the Conservative Party have yet to figure out.

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

Mr. Speaker, there must be total and utter confusion in the minds of the Canadian people. Two members have just spoken that do not support the government's position but will stand in the House like trained seals to support something they do not believe in.

What does that tell us about this institution called parliament? The Prime Minister can crack the whip, fold in, stand and vote for something that they do not believe in. How can they rationalize that?

[Dennis Mills, Liberal, Toronto—Danforth, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I am trying hard to communicate to the member that many of us on this side of the House are not comfortable with the direction in which we are heading in this area.

However we have world trade agreements that we have to work with. Unlike members of the Conservative Party, if they do not get their way immediately they change, they alter and they bolt. We believe that through a steady process and persistence eventually the executive of our government will come to see our position.

[Dan McTeague, Liberal, Pickering—Ajax—Uxbridge, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to offer the member for New Brunswick Southwest a bit of variety in terms of how he might want to rephrase his questions because it is obvious that he keeps asking the same questions. Let me provide him with a very simple answer.

His party had an opportunity in committee to examine a motion that would have dealt with an issue de facto that is increasing and extending patent protection beyond 20 years. No member of parliament in the House voted for it, but it was written in the regulations and is a mockery of our legal system.

The hon. member talks about the Patent Act as it relates to the ability of the drug manufacturing industry exclusively to claim an automatic infringement without even a shred of evidence. It has been built into the legislation. The hon. member's party had an opportunity to look at that point, open it up, and perhaps question in committee about it, but instead it defeated it.

I want to deal with what is at issue. Bill S-17 is about respecting our WTO commitments. There is no doubt the government and the minister have bravely moved ahead to ensure that the timetable is met. I compliment them for that and I believe we all agree that it should be met.

We have an obligation to look at the 1997 committee report of parliament which said in Recommendations Nos. 4 and 5 that we had to deal with regulations which were created after parliament had an opportunity to look at them. As members of parliament we are accountable to all people of Canada. Yet we have regulations which clearly and demonstrably have been shown to be more excessive than what parliament intended.

Health Canada's witnesses before the committee made very clear that the minimum extension of infringement as a result of this ridiculous automatic injunction, which exists nowhere in law and puts the reverse onus on the person applying for a new patent, creates a situation where at least 14 months is the guaranteed extension.

What is the effect on the Canadian public and the health care system? Obviously these are issues the Conservative Party and that member choose to ignore. We on this side of the House recognize the international obligations but at the same time want to make sure we have laws and regulations consistent with public expectation.

In an earlier speech the same hon. member commented on the west island of Montreal and other places across Canada that are doing very well. If the hon. member really cared about understanding where we are relative to fantasyland, he would have asked a question that was raised in committee: Why is it that Canada is now recording a $4 billion trade deficit when it comes to pharmaceuticals when it was only at $1 billion in 1993? Is this his vaunted research and development?

Let us talk about research and development. We now find that a good deal of the $900 million is nothing more than advertising. Does the hon. member not find a problem with trying to tell Canadians on the one hand that they are getting lots of research and development when it is advertising to continue the opportunity of these companies to make a bit more money at the same time?

We have the highest prices for drugs in the world. The hon. member did not want to talk the question of relativity to other countries. It strikes me that we have a drug regime in which Canadians are paying among the highest prices in the world. Seventy per cent of the people in my province do not have adequate drug protection. They are people from my age all the way up to age 64. If these issues could be raised perhaps there would be some impetus to create an opportunity for us to deal with our health care system.

I hope hon. members on the other side are listening. The government and this party are. I wish they would.

Verbal Abuse

[Shawn Murphy, Liberal, Hillsborough, PE]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring awareness to the devastating and negative effects verbal abuse can have on our community, particularly among our youth.

It is a precursor to other forms of abuse and violence. It can severely damage a person's sense of self-worth and perception. It destroys self-esteem and in some cases can be life threatening. It can also affect a child's social development and may result in an impaired ability to perceive, feel, understand and express emotion.

In September of last year the province of Prince Edward Island, as a result of the work of many organizations, declared that Verbal Abuse Prevention Week would become an annual event recognized during the first full week of October. This event has led to a growing awareness about the seriousness of verbal abuse.

I commend the government of P.E.I. and encourage other provinces to hold similar events. As well, I urge the Minister of Health to seriously consider expanding this initiative to become a national program. It would be an important step toward reducing abuse and violence.

Infrastructure

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

Mr. Speaker, Cloverdale, Fleetwood, Guildford and Newton in Surrey Central are suffering from a transportation infrastructure problem. Even the public transit strike in B.C. is entering its 67th day.

Mayor Doug McCallum is complaining that the Liberal government has ignored the infrastructure projects for which the city has applied.

The Liberals cancelled the grant program for municipalities and cut transfer payments to the provinces and then they lowered federal revenues for transportation with their inadequate and shallow infrastructure program.

Just 4% of the revenue from gasoline taxes goes to infrastructure programs in Canada compared to 95% in the U.S.A. Canada is the only G-8 nation that does not have a national transportation policy.

All the people of Surrey want is their fair share. The government should either deliver the goods or get out of the way and allow the tax dollars to be spent on transportation in the municipalities where they are collected.

Raoul Wallenberg

[Clifford Lincoln, Liberal, Lac-Saint-Louis, QC]

Mr. Speaker, we should be particularly pleased today that a commemorative day, January 17, will be dedicated to Raoul Wallenberg, the first and still the only honorary citizen of Canada.

Raoul Wallenberg's legacy to the world is a towering one. An example of moral and physical courage which defies description.

In saving tens of thousands of Hungarian Jews and other citizens from the Nazi death camps and tyranny, this remarkable Swedish diplomat risked his own life in the cause of humanity and human rights.

I thank the Minister of Canadian Heritage; Dr. Vera Parnes, president of the International Raoul Wallenberg Movement for Humanity; my colleague from Mount Royal, Senator Sheila Finestone; and all who have contributed to make the Raoul Wallenberg day a reality.

Human Rights

[Bill Graham, Liberal, Toronto Centre—Rosedale, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to bring to the attention of the House a very serious violation of human rights that took place in Colombia this weekend.

On Saturday, June 2, a highly respected indigenous leader, Kimy Pernia, was kidnapped by unknown abductors.

In November 1999, Mr. Pernia appeared before the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs to give important testimony concerning EDC funding of a dam that threatened his community's way of life. Members of the committee were most impressed with his passion for his people and for his community.

His disappearance is one of many examples of kidnappings, killings and increasing human rights infractions taking place in Colombia today.

I ask the House to join me in condemning his kidnapping, in calling on those responsible to release him and on the government of Colombia to take all steps possible to secure his release.

As integration in our hemisphere brings Canadians ever closer to such events, we must try to ensure that all civilian populations throughout the Americas are protected in accordance with the principles of international humanitarian law.

Congressional Fellows

[Paddy Torsney, Liberal, Burlington, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to welcome the 20 American Political Science Association Congressional Fellows visiting Ottawa this week from Washington, D.C.

This impressive group of individuals comes from a wide variety of backgrounds and includes political scientists, judges, foreign service officers, doctors and journalists.

Initially designed to bring academics and political reporters to Capitol Hill, the congressional fellowship program now includes a full range of individuals taking a one year sabbatical so they may gain valuable experience and understanding of their political process.

Last month these fellows warmly welcomed our own parliamentary interns for a stimulating week of meetings with politicians, professors, party representatives and government officials.

I ask my colleagues to join me in welcoming these congressional fellows to Canada and in wishing them a week of invigorating discussion surrounding the common challenges and achievements that continue to strengthen the very important relationship between our two great nations.

World Environment Day

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

Mr. Speaker, today is World Environment Day and as environment critic I want to acknowledge all the people who work closest to nature to protect and enhance Canada's natural heritage, whether they are farmers, foresters, fishermen, scientists, conservationists or so many others working on the ground.

We depend on their work for Canada's prosperity. Nature for these people is an everyday reality in which their hard work benefits us all.

We have long advocated that market based solutions and respect for property are the best ways to protect the environment.

Governments must stop legislating unenforceable laws based on command and control and instead make the market work for people and the environment.

Our responsibility as politicians is to ensure environmental programs focus on communication, co-operation and consultation. This is especially important for those who are often left out of consultations in Ottawa.

Wise sustainable use of the bounty that nature has given us is our goal. The health of Canadians and their environment depends on it and depends on those who are working with nature to make Canada the best place in the world to live.

William Knowles

[Bob Speller, Liberal, Haldimand—Norfolk—Brant, ON]

Mr. Speaker, on this day when we pay tribute to former parliamentarians who have passed on, I would like to take this opportunity to pay respects to the hon. Bill Knowles, or Tobacco Bill as he was known, a former member of parliament in my riding of Haldimand—Norfolk—Brant.

Bill was a teacher, a farmer and a former captain in World War II. He was a lifelong resident of Lynedoch, Ontario and was elected to parliament in 1968, re-elected in 1972, in 1974 and sat until 1979 when he retired. He attended every recognized function throughout the riding of Haldimand—Norfolk—Brant and was very well known for speaking out on behalf of his constituents, particularly on behalf of farmers in our riding.

Bill was a caring husband and friend to his wife Vera and a father to two sons, William and James. He will be greatly missed by the constituents in Haldimand—Norfolk—Brant.

One thing we can say about Bill Knowles was that he served and loved his constituents and he will be greatly missed.

The Environment

[Bernard Bigras, Bloc, Rosemont—Petite-Patrie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, World Environment Day can be marked in many ways. We have chosen to remind people of the Canadian government's inaction regarding climatic change, of its refusal to ratify the Kyoto protocol and of the fact that it is considering selling fossil fuel to the Americans.

Since this government took office in 1993, sulphur emissions have constantly increased. Over half of the acid deposits in Quebec are caused by Ontario and American companies using fuel oil, a major contributor to acid rain. Let us not forget the devastating impact of acid rain on Quebec's maple trees.

World Environment Day also provides a unique opportunity to remind people that, according to the auditor general, there are over 5,000 federal contaminated sites in Canada.

The Bloc Quebecois is inviting Quebecers and Canadians to take advantage of this day to look at the state of our environment.

Kingston

[Larry McCormick, Liberal, Hastings—Frontenac—Lennox And Addington, ON]

Mr. Speaker, on June 15, 1841, the first Parliament of the United Provinces of Canada was opened by Governor General Lord Sydenham in Kingston, Ontario. One hundred and sixty years later, Kingston has been recognized by both the federal and provincial governments as Canada's first capital, and June 15 is officially recognized in Kingston as First Capital Day.

Shortly after the union of Canada in February 1841, a large building on the shore of Lake Ontario and Kingston that was originally commissioned as a hospital, was rented out to the new Government of Canada to house the legislative council and the legislative assembly. Eventually, however, Kingston's insufficient number of office buildings forced parliament to move to Montreal where it opened on November 28, 1844.

Thanks to the hard work of Mr. Ian Milne and Dr. Margaret Angus, the founders of First Capital Day, the occasion of Kingston's choice as Canada's first capital has been marked with much celebration for the past three years.

On behalf of myself and the very popular member for Kingston and the Islands, I would like to congratulate those behind the organizing of First Capital Day in Kingston and wish them a very successful celebration this June 15.

Saskatoon Police Force

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

Mr. Speaker, the city of Saskatoon has recently embarked on a community policing initiative that is seeking input from all interested parties.

Policing involves everybody in the community. Individually we may be affected through the services that are provided, whether it is crime prevention, investigation, enforcement or through the payment of property taxes that are needed to deliver those services.

To ensure safe and secure communities, the Saskatoon Board of Police Commissioners is asking for help in determining priorities for policing in its neighbourhoods. The Board of Police Commissioners is encouraging input in a number of ways, including visiting its scheduled open houses, letter writing, online submissions and small group meetings.

On behalf of the constituents of Saskatoon—Rosetown—Biggar, I wish to commend the Saskatoon police force for embarking on this initiative. I know that the outcome of this process will produce a better police force and a safer community.

Deceased Parliamentarians

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

Mr. Speaker, this morning our flag on the Peace Tower flew at half-mast and present and former parliamentarians gathered together for a memorial service to honour parliamentarians who have passed away in the last year.

We who are now in parliament wish to publicly acknowledge their passing in a public and appropriate fashion. In the year 2000 we invited the Canadian Association of Former Parliamentarians to organize this annual memorial service to recognize all deceased parliamentarians, and they now do so.

This year we celebrated the memory and contributions of 19 Canadian parliamentarians, one of whom was a former prime minister. Their legacy is their immense commitment and contribution to this place and to their much loved country, Canada.

Also recognized today by our former parliamentarians with a distinguished service award is the outstanding contribution of Mr. Douglas Fisher for his promotion of the understanding of Canada's parliamentary system of government.

I am honoured to stand here today, and also with former parliamentarians, to pay tribute on behalf of all Canadians to the service of these respected and warmly remembered Canadians who have served us all.

Transportation Safety

[Bev Desjarlais, NDP, Churchill, MB]

Mr. Speaker, transportation safety in our country is in question with crumbling and congested highways because the Liberal government will not invest in much needed improvements. Longer bus and truck driver hours, heavier trucks, and a weak national safety code add to highway risk.

Two young people died in a boating accident and the inquest told us that the transport inspectors certified the boat only weeks before the incident. The boat had a number of safety violations that were ignored. The inspector was friends with the boat owner and the inspector's brother did renovations on the boat.

How does the Liberal government respond? Boats this size will no longer be inspected. It rammed the Marine Liability Act through parliament without ensuring mandatory liability insurance for boat owners.

Now the government wants to rush Bill S-3, the motor vehicle transportation act, without addressing the concerns of highway users, including the Canadian Trucking Alliance and the Canadian Bus Association.

The Liberal government might mouth the word safety but it sure does not make sure it is enforced.

Act Concerning The Emancipation Of The Jews

[Madeleine Dalphond-Guiral, Bloc, Laval Centre, QC]

Mr. Speaker, June 5 is an important date for democracy in Quebec: in 1832, with Louis-Joseph Papineau as speaker, the Parliament of Lower Canada passed a law stipulating that persons professing Judaism were entitled to the same rights and privileges as other subjects of Her Majesty in the province.

This law, passed 27 years before a similar law in Westminster, is proof that the fight of Lower Canada's patriotes for the political and democratic rights of their people included minorities. Now as then, openness to others, fairness and respect are the guiding values of the Quebec people.

In 1932, Louis Benjamin produced this eloquent testimony:

The centenary of the political emancipation of the Jews in Canada, and it was a French province—which thought it necessary to grant our race its freedom, is an historic event—In all of the British Empire, including the Canada of the day, it was Quebec which set a fine example of wisdom and tolerance. We will always remember Quebec's wonderful gesture.

Economic Development

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

Mr. Speaker, a number of mayors, municipal representatives and individuals responsible for Quebec's economic development are in Ottawa today to take part in a day with an international flavour.

In this era of globalization, it is becoming urgent to inform people and give them the necessary tools and support to meet the new challenges of this millennium.

Our local communities will be increasingly called upon to take their place on the international stage. That is why we have prepared various workshops for them on free trade, Contracts Canada, the infrastructures program, cultural and academic programs and, finally, agricultural export strategies.

I thank them for their interest and I point out that their presence is an obvious sign of the dynamism of our rural communities and the clear desire of elected representatives to find new ideas and avenues to help our regions grow.

In closing, I want to applaud the municipal representatives from my riding of Brome—Missisquoi and thank them for their support and their excellent co-operation.

Equalization Payments

[Norman E. Doyle, Progressive Conservative, St. John's East, NL]

Mr. Speaker, I will not let the Minister of Finance forget a promise he made in St. John's during the federal byelection campaign. The minister, supported by the current Minister of Industry, promised that he would take a serious look at a different equalization arrangement for the Atlantic provinces.

As the minister knows full well, the Atlantic area will always be playing catch-up under the current equalization formula. Provinces like Newfoundland will never truly benefit from the development of our resources while the federal government insists on clawing back the lion's share of revenues from those resources.

Will the Minister of Finance keep his promise to the people of Newfoundland? Will he give Atlantic Canadians a chance to become equal to the rest of the country by adjusting the equalization formula that is currently designed to keep us have nots forever?

Leon Furlong

[Dominic LeBlanc, Liberal, Beauséjour—Petitcodiac, NB]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a remarkable Atlantic Canadian businessman. Leon Furlong, a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, has been chief executive officer of Atlantic Blue Cross Care for the past 25 years. During this time he has grown this important company from one which had revenues of $12 million to one that now has annual revenues of $1.4 billion. This is thanks to Mr. Furlong's leadership.

Mr. Furlong will retire later this month as president of Atlantic Blue Cross Care. The over 1,800 employees will miss the friendly demeanour and informal style of their boss who has been a steady leader in a industry which has undergone massive change.

Leon Furlong has earned the right to be proud of what he has built in Atlantic Canada. The lives of thousands of Atlantic Canadians are better, thanks to the impressive work of Mr. Furlong.

Government Of Canada

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

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of National Defence says that Canada does not need helicopters which can protect us from submarine warfare. Yet the Deputy Prime Minister told the House yesterday that indeed we do need anti-submarine warfare capability.

The cost will amount to about a billion dollars. There is confusion between ministers and our nation's sovereignty is at risk on this question. Could the Prime Minister perhaps explain to Canadians whether or not it is the view of the government that we need anti-submarine capability and who exactly speaks for the government over there?