Debates of Oct. 8th, 2002

Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply

[John Bryden, Liberal, Ancaster—Dundas—Flamborough—Aldershot, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the member for Edmonton North was so uncharitable. The least she could have done was damn the Prime Minister with faint praise but there was no praise whatsoever.

We on this side will recall that the Prime Minister was the one who brought in the clarity bill, and that, I do believe, is indeed a legacy for the Prime Minister insofar as it was an enormous contribution to national unity.

I have a question for the member for Edmonton North. She said in her remarks that the person who should have been in the chair during the Speech from the Throne was not there. If I recall correctly, the Queen was invited to read the Speech from the Throne but she declined.

Does the member for Edmonton North think that was an appropriate response from Buckingham Palace?

[Deborah Grey, Canadian Alliance, Edmonton North, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I suppose I appreciate that he has called me not very charitable. I am sure he has called me worse the odd time, in fact, who knows when?

The member talked about the clarity bill and the fact that I should have heaped praise upon the government for the clarity bill. Maybe I should have because it was taken chapter and verse out of our new leader's handbook. He actually wrote the clarity bill many years ago and the Prime Minister finally figured out that it might even be a legacy so he had better snag on to it. It took him awhile but he did get around to it.

The member said that the Queen was invited give to the throne speech but she declined. Can anyone blame her? Who knows why she did not come? I do not know all the machinations and I dare say the member for whatever it is probably does not know all the reasons either. However I think she should have been here.

Canadian Association of Science Centres

[Diane Marleau, Liberal, Sudbury, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the government has proven its commitment to research and innovation. Yet, we need to do more if we are going to reach the next generation of scientists.

The Canadian Association of Science Centres has many innovative ways of reaching our nation's children using science centres across the country. It is asking the federal government to make an investment of $25 million annually so that it can reach more budding scientists.

I invite all members of the House to support this proposal by the Canadian Association of Science Centres. Let us give the youth of tomorrow the tools they need to keep this country in the forefront of innovative societies.

National Family Week

[Larry Spencer, Canadian Alliance, Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre, SK]

Mr. Speaker, this week we celebrate National Family Week. A study of history will reveal the crucial importance of strong families to the survival of nations.

A child's nurture and development are best achieved in the context of a loving family.

The Canadian Alliance is the only party with a family issues critic and a commitment to evaluate the family impact of each and every piece of legislation.

We are committed to the strengthening of the family through tax reduction and tax reform. We will continue to push for a universal child deduction for all families with children and uphold the traditional definition of marriage. We will continue to advocate for the concept of shared parenting after parental divorce, while keeping the best interests of both parents and children in mind. We will continue to press for strong measures to protect children from prostitution, pornography and pedophilia. We will continue to push to raise the age of consent to at least 16.

The government poorly serves the family. The Canadian family needs the Canadian Alliance alternative.

Leahy Orchards

[Serge Marcil, Liberal, Beauharnois—Salaberry, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Leahy Orchards, a company in Franklin Centre, in my riding of Beauharnois—Salaberry, has gained particular distinction at the latest awards gala for new Canadian products, organized by the Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors.

The company earned first prize for its natural Applesnax brand of applesauce, in apple-strawberry and apple-peach flavours. It is worth pointing out that this applesauce is totally additive free and has no added sugar, making it ideal for diabetics.

This honour reflects the team efforts of a group of dedicated people. My congratulations to President and CEO Michael Leahy for this success, and my greetings to the company founder, James Leahy.

Kyoto Protocol

[Charles Caccia, Liberal, Davenport, ON]

Mr. Speaker, contrary to what opponents of the Kyoto accord are saying, its ratification offers Canadians advantages and opportunities: one, to become more energy efficient and less energy wasteful; two, to make Canada more competitive and more productive; three, to make non-renewable fuel reserves last longer; four, to develop renewable sources of energy; five, to remove unwarranted tax subsidies to the oil sands and nuclear industry; six, to improve air quality; seven, to protect the polar ice caps; eight, to reduce the rising sea levels; nine, to moderate weather extremes, frequent droughts and forest fires; ten, to be a good team player on the global scene; eleven, to shoulder with other countries the short term burdens that go with the ratification of Kyoto.

For these reasons, today the majority of Canadians support the ratification of the Kyoto agreement.

Exporter of the Year

[Julian Reed, Liberal, Halton, ON]

Mr. Speaker, ZENON Environmental Inc. of Oakville, Ontario has been awarded the 2002 Canadian Exporter of the Year award.

Founded in 1980 by Dr. Andrew Benedek, ZENON is winning over environmentalists and investors alike with its advanced membrane products and services that improve the safety and quality of water and waste water.

Over the past three years the company has penetrated new markets in Asia, Australia and eastern Europe, establishing thousands of installations in over 30 countries while helping to safeguard the world's water supply but being virtually ignored in Canada until the Walkerton tragedy.

I have had the pleasure of touring the Oakville headquarters and talking with Dr. Benedek. I would like to add my personal congratulations on a job well done.

Remembrance Day 2002

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

Mr. Speaker, Remembrance Day 2002 will be the second since the tragic events of September 11. Canadians are now more aware of those who have paid the supreme sacrifice in war which has resulted in over 100,000 Canadian fatalities.

I will reintroduce my private member's bill asking that all flags on government buildings be flown at half-mast each Remembrance Day. Today only one flag, the one on the Peace Tower, is lowered to half-mast on November 11.

I plead with the Minister of Veterans Affairs to order all flags on all federal buildings to be flown at half-mast each November 11, and particularly starting this year. This would be in keeping with the new mood of Canadians who truly remember the great sacrifices made.

What an opportunity for Parliament to promote and implement this symbolic act which I believe truly reflects the sentiment and the mood of Canadians everywhere.

ALS Society of Canada

[Joe Fontana, Liberal, London North Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge today the important contribution of the ALS Society of Canada and to offer my congratulations for its very successful second annual Walk to D'Feet ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

Over 7,000 individuals, families and friends in 27 communities all across this great country participated in a walk in September and raised more than $1 million. In my community of London, Ontario, over 800 people walked and raised over $160,000. My thanks go out to Dora Redman and Jane Engels.

ALS is a rapidly degenerative neuromuscular disease that kills two or three Canadians a day. Approximately 2,000 Canadians suffer from this illness. The ALS Society provides support for research and support to ALS partners to help them provide quality care for those affected by ALS.

I would like to congratulate all those people associated with the ALS Society for their hard work and contribution to our nation.

Canadian Cancer Society

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

Mr. Speaker, last Thursday I was involved in a “jail or bail” style fundraising activity organized by the Côte-de-Beaupré chapter of the Canadian Cancer Society. As you can all see, after a mock trial I was sentenced to shave off my hair.

I went along with this because it afforded me an opportunity to show solidarity with cancer patients, who sometimes lose their hair during chemotherapy. Having lost people dear to me to this insidious disease, I of course took part and was able as a result to raise $7,000 for research.

My congratulations to the organizers, Martin Roy and Gilbert Blouin, and my thanks to all who donated money to this cause. Thanks to their generosity, research can reduce the incidence of cancer and the rate of mortality from this disease.

Let us show our support for cancer patients by extending a helping hand and opening our hearts to them. By so doing, we can help them win their difficult battle.

Employment Insurance

[Raymonde Folco, Liberal, Laval West, QC]

Mr. Speaker, on September 25, the pilot project for mothers on preventive withdrawal began.

This project will allow pregnant women who opted for preventive withdrawal to decide if they want to collect partial employment insurance benefits while they receive CSST benefits. Those who choose not to receive partial EI benefits may be eligible for a longer maternity and parental leave.

The purpose of this pilot project is to remedy a situation that prevents some women who receive preventive withdrawal benefits from receiving their full maternity and parental leave benefits when they are receiving partial employment insurance benefits at the same time.

The Government of Canada wishes to ensure that all Canadian mothers have full access to maternity and parental leave. This project demonstrates our renewed commitment to supporting Canadian families.

Agriculture

[Howard Hilstrom, Canadian Alliance, Selkirk—Interlake, MB]

Mr. Speaker, last night's emergency debate on the drought in western Canada was drowned out by rhetoric. Liberal statistics flew high, wide and handsome, muddying the verbal waters to the point of losing all sight of the farmers who are trying to keep body and soul together.

The Minister of Agriculture is trying to pull the wool over farmers' eyes by claiming that the recently announced agricultural policy framework will provide farmers with over $1.1 billion of federal money per year over the next five years. It is not true.

Once the minister's temporary bridge funding runs out next year, farmers will be receiving less than $700 million a year through the agricultural policy framework.

This is a cut in support. It is time that the minister came clean with farmers and quit playing his shell game. Farmers have the right to know that they will be receiving less money under the APF than they are right now.

The only thing missing last night was the Canadian Wheat Board minister coming in and explaining his statement that farmers would be receiving $15.2 billion in agricultural policy framework funding.

Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

[Joe McGuire, Liberal, Egmont, PE]

Mr. Speaker, since its inception in 1987, ACOA has played a significant role in the Atlantic Canadian economy. This agency provides valuable assistance to Atlantic businesses.

As the agency's 2001 performance report recognizes, ACOA assisted firms have consistently out performed non-ACOA assisted firms in the Atlantic provinces in productivity growth:15.7% compared to 10.5%.

Research indicates that between 1987 and 1997, every $1 of ACOA spending generated $5 of GNP impact. This does not take into consideration other newer programs, such as the $700 million Atlantic investment partnership that was launched in 2001 to encourage innovation and R and D in the Atlantic provinces.

Atlantic Canada needs its regional development agency. Atlantic Canada needs to share more in national programs.

ACOA has played an extremely important role in rural communities and regional development in general for Atlantic Canada and deserves recognition for a job well done.

Middle East

[Alexa McDonough, NDP, Halifax, NS]

Mr. Speaker, “A time comes when silence is betrayal...We must speak with all the humility that is appropriate to our limited vision”.

These words of Martin Luther King in the context of the Vietnam war surely apply to Canada's shameful silence today in the face of the spiralling death toll in Israel and in the occupied territories.

The targeting of civilians, whether by tanks and helicopters or by sniper and suicide bombings, constitutes an attack on basic human rights and must be unequivocally condemned. Or have we become utterly desensitized to the unending carnage of innocent civilians in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?

Canada must find the courage to speak the truth: that we need a renewed commitment to peace, achievable only upon the immediate end to the illegal occupation of Palestinian territories. Peace will come only when Israelis and Palestinians negotiate a means whereby each can live safely and securely within their respective borders.

Canadians are watching. The world is watching. When will Canada make its voice heard?

Social Insurance Cards

[Odina Desrochers, Bloc, Lotbinière—L'Érable, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Auditor General has pointed out that despite the fact that the federal government decided last year on an action plan to solve the problem of social insurance cards, nothing has happened except that the situation gets worse by the day.

This is the great government that claims to protect Canadians from terrorists by passing bills on security in Parliament to collect information and data. Meanwhile, just managing social insurance numbers seems to be a major challenge.

How is it possible that it could be so incompetent as to have five million too many cards in circulation, or to have sent 225 cards to the same address? In terms of incompetence, this takes the cake.

Those who still believe that Ottawa knows best will have to rethink their position. The management of social insurance cards demonstrates yet again how incompetent this government really is.

Health

[Hedy Fry, Liberal, Vancouver Centre, BC]

Mr. Speaker, every year 67,000 Canadian women are diagnosed with cancer. Cancer and its treatment can be devastating, not only in terms of the illness itself but due to the side-effects of treatment such as hair loss, weight loss and skin disorders, which can compound the despair and depression that affect patients' self-esteem and ability to cope.

The Look Good...Feel Better program, co-sponsored by the Canadian Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association, is a free national program to teach women techniques to ameliorate these side-effects.

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of this program, the Look Good...Feel Better workshop on wheels travelled across the country to raise awareness and pay tribute to the thousands of Canadian volunteers who help make it a success. The volunteers are in Ottawa for two days. I encourage all members to wear the commemorative pin and join the volunteers this evening in Room 200, West Block, to celebrate this program.

I wish to congratulate the Look Good...Feel Better team on 10 years of success and to thank them on behalf of Canadian women.

Member for Ottawa South

[Elsie Wayne, Progressive Conservative, Saint John, NB]

Mr. Speaker, the Deputy Prime Minister is scheduled to be the official escort to Her Majesty the Queen when her royal tour brings her to the nation's capital, this notwithstanding that on Friday last he told reporters in Montreal that he favours severing all ties with the monarchy after the Queen's reign ends.

By my count, the Deputy Prime Minister has sworn an oath of loyalty and service to Her Majesty no fewer than four times in the last two years, yet he has used his position as a minister of the Crown as a podium from which to rail against our history and our heritage. The minister says that instead of the monarchy he would prefer an entirely Canadian institution, but he fails to recognize that the monarchy is as Canadian as the House of Commons itself.

I pray that the Deputy Prime Minister will apologize to the Queen when he hosts her. In fact, he should go to the Prime Minister and say that he should not be her host and that the Prime Minister should put someone else in his position when the Queen comes to Ottawa.

Athletes Forum

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

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in the House to recognize the impact of the Athletes Forum held in Quebec City from September 27 to 29.

With more than 120 delegates in attendance, including the Secretary of State for Amateur Sport, it is the largest annual gathering of Canada's national team athlete representatives.

The forum provides Canada's high performance athletes with an opportunity to network with others, share ideas, learn about the sport system and develop leadership skills.

The Government of Canada is proud to have supported such a major event, and I congratulate all those participants who contributed to the success of this gathering.

National Defence

[Stephen Harper, Canadian Alliance, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, today the Conference of Defence Associations released a damning report on the deterioration of Canada's military. Among other things, the report states that up to half the army's weapons and vehicles could be grounded within 18 months and, some time after that, Canada's navy will no longer have the capability for an international presence in multilateral operations.

Why, at a time when our allies in the world community contemplate possible action in Iraq, has the government put the very existence of our military at risk?

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, during the last three years we have increased the budget very substantially for the Department of National Defence.

A few months ago we had our troops in Afghanistan, with compliments coming from all the participants there about the Canadian soldiers, and the way that they were equipped was completely satisfactory. We are always following this situation closely. We have increased the budget in that last three years. We hope to be able to do the same thing in a reasonable way in the years to come.

[Stephen Harper, Canadian Alliance, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, these increases were so inadequate that we had to pull out of Afghanistan before the war was over.

The government's neglect is making us ever more dependent on our allies. Canada requires foreign transport to get troops and equipment to international theatres. We even rely on American transport to transport our troops to domestic trouble spots such as the Manitoba flood or the Quebec ice storm.

How will the government ensure Canadian sovereignty and ensure that we are not completely dependent on our American neighbours for foreign and domestic military matters?

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to read what General Tommy Franks, Commander-in-Chief of U.S. Central Command, said about our troops during the Afghanistan campaign:

As I look across the forces which have been provided by Canada... it touches every aspect of our business. We think about the naval forces... We look at the air forces... We look at special operation forces of Canada... We look at Princess Patricia Light Infantry and the remarkable job they have done.

I could go on and on.

[Stephen Harper, Canadian Alliance, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, that observation was made about our troops. It was not made about the support the government gives them.

On military matters, let me turn to today's Auditor General's report. The Auditor General told us that the government broke every rule in the book to award a sole source flight training contract to Bombardier. Not only was the contract sole sourced, but Bombardier provided less than half the training required under the contract.

How can this kind of waste be justified when the military is so starved for resources?

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, what we have established in Moose Jaw is a great success. More and more countries are using it at this time.

Perhaps I can say to the Leader of the Opposition a quote from the member for Edmonton North who stood in the House in 1996 and said on May 6, “I attended a supper”, blah, blah, blah, and:

They are studying the possibility of awarding a 20-year contract to Canada as NATO's flight training location.

She finished:

--we are convinced that our program could beat it out by a country mile.

It was the member for Edmonton North talking about--

[The Speaker]

The hon. member for St. Albert.