Debates of Nov. 27th, 2002

[The Speaker]

As is our practice on Wednesday we will now sing O Canada, and we will be led by the hon. member for Sackville—Musquodoboit Valley—Eastern Shore.

[Editor's Note: Members sang the national anthem]

Violence Against Women

[Anita Neville, Liberal, Winnipeg South Centre, MB]

Mr. Speaker, December 6 is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women in Canada. Established in 1991, this day coincides with the poignant anniversary of the deaths of 14 young women who were tragically killed on December 6, 1989, at École Polytechnique in Montreal because they were women.

Although this day is to remember and honour those who died, remembering is not enough. We must also educate and take action.

Violence against women is all too common. It is an issue that simply will not go away. December 6 is a day for communities to consider concrete actions that each Canadian can take to prevent and eliminate all forms of violence.

Children who live in violent situations learn that violence is a way to gain control and power over others. This perpetuates the problem even further.

The National Clearinghouse on Family Violence can provide Canadians with a list of publications that can be ordered free of charge, as well as information about video resources on wife abuse that can be borrowed. Most important, women and children who live in fear of violence need to know they have a place to go for help. They need to know that they are not alone and that violence is simply not acceptable.

Justice

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

Mr. Speaker, under the watch of the federal Liberal government, crime in Surrey has reached a five year high with nearly 50,000 criminal code offences.

Surrey has high auto theft, marijuana grow-ups, assault, break and enter, arson and property damage cases.

Throughout the lower mainland, drugs, gangs, prostitution and other organized crime is rampant.

Among Indo-Canadians alone, 70 youths have been murdered since 1995. The Surrey RCMP is understaffed and has heavy caseloads, yet the Liberal government has done nothing to help.

The Canadian Alliance believes that the rights of victims of crime must take precedence over those of criminals. We believe in truth in sentencing and will ensure that sentences handed down are actually served. Parole should be harder to earn and easier to lose, and multiple convictions should draw consecutive rather than concurrent sentences. There should be deterrence to commit crime, not motivation.

When will this weak Liberal government subscribe to these beliefs and act so that the people of Surrey will feel secure on their streets?

Inverness Bagpipe Competition

[Geoff Regan, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

Mr. Speaker, today I would like to congratulate Halifax resident Bruce Gandy for winning the gold medal at the Inverness bagpipe competition. Although I am told Mr. Gandy shudders when he hears this, this medal entitles him to be called the best bagpiper in the world.

A strong part of Nova Scotia's highland heritage, it is no surprise that bagpipers are common in my home province. However to have one of this calibre based at the Halifax Citadel is truly fantastic. Since the competition began in 1841 only five other Canadians have won this prestigious award.

What is particularly striking in Mr. Gandy's case is the incredible recovery that he went through over the last several years after suffering from arthritis and a pinched nerve.

On behalf of the people of Nova Scotia, I want to congratulate Bruce Gandy for his hard work and well deserved success.

The Environment

[John Godfrey, Liberal, Don Valley West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, two days ago in the House, the member for Red Deer said something inconsistent with the facts. He said:

The Prime Minister even said in the House that in 30 years our children and grandchildren will be dying from the heat. There is not a scientist in the world who would agree with that. None of the people in the IPCC, in those models, say that in 30 years people are going to be dying from heat.

Now if the member for Red Deer had bothered to do some research, he would have found that the Prime Minister was completely correct. The IPCC “Summary for Policy Makers Climate Change 2001: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability” on page 12 states:

Projected climate change will be accompanied by an increase in heat waves, often exacerbated by increased humidity and urban air pollution, which would cause an increase in heat-related deaths and illness episodes.

The hon. member owes the Prime Minister and the House an apology.

Royal Canadian Air Force

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

Mr. Speaker, on May 5, 1943, a Vickers Wellington bomber was intercepted and shot down by a German fighter aircraft. Flight Sergeant Gordon Carter and Flight Sergeant Howard Hoddinott were able to jump safely from the burning aircraft before it crashed into a peat bog.

As the plane disappeared from sight it took with it the lives of three brave members of the Royal Canadian Air Force.

I am honoured to rise before the House and inform members that a funeral ceremony with full military honours took place earlier today at the Wilnis General Cemetery in Wilnis, The Netherlands.

The three airmen honoured were: Flight Sergeant Joseph Evariste Adrien Thibaudeau, Flight Sergeant Joseph White and Warrant Officer Class I Robert Benjamin Moulton.

Family members of the crew members travelled from Canada to attend the service and the widow of Flight Sergeant Howard Hoddinott travelled from Scotland. The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs represented the Government of Canada.

On behalf of all Canadians I would like to express our gratefulness to the people of The Netherlands for their assistance in the recovery effort of our fallen heroes.

Christmas

[Chuck Strahl, Canadian Alliance, Fraser Valley, BC]

Well, Mr. Speaker, once again we have new, though hardly improved, levels of political correctness to go with the Christmas season.

Our own Canadian Mint is running an ad to sell coins. It is calling the ad “the 12 days of giving” instead of “the 12 days of Christmas”. Apparently the jingle won out over some other trial balloons like “we wish you a merry loonie” and that other old favourite “have yourself a merry little time at the Mint”.

On the one hand, people of faith get used to this political correctness. After all, removal of Christian liturgy at the Swiss air memorial, removal of Easter and Christmas from the Department of Heritage calendar, and the rejection of prayers of all faiths at the September 11 ceremonies here on the Hill are examples of what happens all too commonly.

Now Toronto has raised a decorated tree at city hall, but of course it is not called a Christmas tree, heaven forbid; it is a holiday tree.

It is time for a little steel in the backbone, I figure. I admire the Canadian Jewish Congress for supporting the right of Christians to publicly display their faith, because we do not promote understanding and tolerance in a multicultural country by forcing any faith to go underground with its celebrations.

Liberal Government

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

Mr. Speaker, on November 27, 2000, the Liberal government was re-elected to ensure that Canadians from coast to coast could explore new opportunities and develop their personal and economic potential.

Local solutions to specific situations can spur the development of rural economies and attract investments. This is the way that the Liberal government has chosen to develop regions while encouraging ordinary citizens to get involved in the development of its policies.

Allow me to thank again the residents of Frontenac—Mégantic for having given me the opportunity to work toward a critical objective, which is to ensure that our riding and region are among the priorities of the Canadian government. I will continue to fulfil this social role with vigour and energy, in the hope of ultimately building a better, safer and more prosperous society.

Egg Marketing

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

Mr. Speaker, today, I want to highlight the 30th anniversary of the Canadian Egg Marketing Agency. The agency, which was the first one to look after the interests of Quebec and Canadian producers, created a supply management system that is now used by other agricultural agencies, namely the turkey, chicken, hatching egg and milk agencies.

The Fédération des producteurs d'oeufs du Québec and its then president, Ovila Lebel, were among the pioneers who quickly realized the importance of the collective management of production and marketing operations.

They were convinced that supply management is the best way for farmers to make a good living with their production, while promoting the development of human size farms.

Let us also not forget that supply management ensures constant and quality supply for consumers, without direct government subsidies.

The achievements of the Canadian Egg Marketing Agency benefit Quebec society and all those who make a living in this sector. Supply management must be protected by the government. It must not be watered down. Quebec producers are expecting stronger measures on the part of this government, which must now put its money where its mouth is.

Veterinary Medicine

[Bernard Patry, Liberal, Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC]

Mr. Speaker, since its opening in 1947, the department of veterinary medicine of the Université de Montréal, in Saint-Hyacinthe, has made significant advancements and trained many veterinarians. It is hard to believe that the December 9, 2002, deadline for the accreditation of that department is fast approaching.

Very few institutions in Canada provide this professional training. Besides the protection and health of domestic and farm animals, one must recognize that what is at stake ultimately is human health. Think for instance of the role played by these institutions in the pharmaceutical, agri-food and cosmetics industries.

Need I remind the hon. members of all the questions that have been asked about mad cow disease, listeriosis, or the equine infectious anemia outbreak in southern France since last February?

Let us not wait for a serious emergency in Canada to act. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Let us find the financial resources to replace outdated equipment and inadequate infrastructures.

Let us make sure that our veterinary colleges can continue to operate.

AMBER Alert System

[Myron Thompson, Canadian Alliance, Wild Rose, AB]

Mr. Speaker, last summer we watched many successful recoveries of abducted children because of the AMBER alert system in a number of the states in the U.S. They are now in the process of implementing this system on a nationwide basis.

I would like to praise the efforts of Alberta Solicitor General Heather Forsyth and Alberta Justice Minister Dave Hancock for their promise earlier this month to be the first province in Canada to have the AMBER alert system up and running by the end of the year. They both recognize the need for a system to be in place for child abduction cases. It will be a valuable complement to their high risk offender registry.

Many lives have been saved in the United States because of this program. I challenge the Liberals to follow the lead in both the U.S. and in Alberta and set up an AMBER alert program on a nationwide basis. Canadians would undoubtedly support this issue and every child would benefit from it.

If the Prime Minister really wants to leave a legacy, then why not borrow an idea with a proven track record for success? What better legacy could one leave than the protection of our children?

École de médecine vétérinaire de Saint-Hyacinthe

[Claude Duplain, Liberal, Portneuf, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to increase the awareness of my peers in the House of Commons and the Canadian government regarding the situation of the École de médecine vétérinaire de Saint-Hyacinthe.

As was said so well by my colleague, the hon. member for Shefford, who has been closely involved in this issue and works with the stakeholders and key players, there is a significant lack of funding which could compromise this college's ability to maintain its accreditation.

The deadline for maintaining the accreditation is coming in December and the department still has not received any funding. Because this deadline is fast approaching, it is essential that support be provided to our veterinary colleges in Canada and Quebec, if we want to protect the health of domestic and other animals in Canada.

Health Care

[Judy Wasylycia-Leis, NDP, Winnipeg North Centre, MB]

Mr. Speaker, tomorrow is the big day. Tomorrow the Romanow commission releases its long awaited report on the future of health care.

For the past 18 months Canadians have been actively engaged in the debate. Thanks to new technology it has involved Canadians like never before speaking out about matters that desperately concern them. What they are saying is, “I am Canada, hear me roar, in numbers too big to ignore: health care, public, not private, universal, accessible health care. Is Ottawa listening?”

This week the finance minister callously rejected to unanimously support a recommendation to ease the circumstances of persons with disabilities. All parties in the House agreed to this but one member who ducked the vote may get to decide whether the voices of the people of Canada will be heard.

Canadians have told Roy Romanow the thing they cherish most is equal access to health care for all, that respect for equality is our most basic democratic premise. Tomorrow all Canadians will be measuring whether the government will live up to the democratic values of its citizens.

Quebec's Water Policy

[Serge Cardin, Bloc, Sherbrooke, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to draw attention to the important step taken by Quebec with yesterday's announcement of a new water policy.

With this policy, Quebec becomes a world leader in the management and preservation of water, a precious but fragile resource.

Quebec's water policy is decentralized, transparent and participative and will involve community organizations and the general public. The policy is also aimed at reducing health risks and fighting pollution.

The federal government must also play a role in financing municipal drinking water supply and treatment infrastructures, while respecting the jurisdiction of Quebec and the provinces.

With this ambitious project, the Quebec nation will protect an asset that is not a mere commodity but part of our collective heritage. This resource must be conserved, representing as it does for us a source of life, prosperity and national pride.

École de médecine vétérinaire de Saint-Hyacinthe

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

Mr. Speaker, at this time, two of Canada's four schools of veterinary medicine no longer meet international standards. One of these is the faculty of veterinary medicine of the Université de Montréal in Saint-Hyacinthe.

Since the spring, I have been involved in one effort after another to help out this faculty and keep its doors open. There has still been no positive response forthcoming. I am therefore returning to the charge here in this House today, in order to remind hon. members of the urgency of the situation.

On December 9, the American Veterinary Medical Association's Council on Education might withdraw the partial accreditation currently enjoyed by the Saint-Hyacinthe school of veterinary medicine.

Accreditation is an assurance of quality. Graduates of accredited faculties have a solid grounding in the basic principles of medicine, the scientific knowledge, and the physical, technical and intellectual skills necessary for good veterinary practice.

With the support of the members of the Quebec caucus, I am repeating my request and urge the government to take prompt action on this.

Infrastructure Program

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

Mr. Speaker, infighting within the Liberal government has prevented the Prime Minister from keeping a commitment his government made in the September throne speech.

Yesterday, mayors from across Canada met in Ottawa to seek the federal government's help in dealing with issues such as affordable housing, transportation and urban infrastructure, issues that affect every Canadian.

Put simply, there is a functional disconnect between revenues and responsibilities in Canada. Clearly the provinces and municipalities need a greater share of the existing fiscal pie. For municipal governments, that means access to new sources of funding. Canada's municipal leaders will tell us that solving these issues takes a commitment from all levels of government.

This fall the federal government committed to meet with municipalities to put in place a 10 year infrastructure program. Like many throne speech commitments, the government has backed away from that promise.

Provinces and municipalities are very important partners in this Confederation. The government should treat them as equals, not just as inconveniences.

Health

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

Mr. Speaker, the government's health care commissioner, Roy Romanow, said yesterday that health care will need an additional $7 billion. With federal spending rising at the rate of about 8% a year, and the government talking about another $20 billion of spending in the throne speech, the finance minister has already been suggesting that spending is out of control and a new fiscal watchdog is needed over there.

Where does the government intend to get the additional dollars it says it will need for health care?

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, we will have the pleasure to say to the Leader of the Opposition at the time of the budget how much money we can allocate for health care. However, for the past for nine years the opposition has wondered what we were going to do. We have been the first government ever to have five surplus budgets in five years, and it will be the sixth this year.

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

Mr. Speaker, that is true, but it started that process by cutting spending for health care. I see the Prime Minister applauding that.

For nine years the government has opposed structural reform of the health care system. The government and Roy Romanow have opposed harnessing private investment and alternative delivery within the public health care system. The government has dealt with problems by spending more tax dollars.

Does the government still believe that spending more tax dollars alone will solve the problems of the health care system?

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, we have not received the report yet so I cannot make specific comments on that. However, there is one thing. Our neighbours to the south are spending 14.5% of their GDP on health care. Within the Canadian system, which is a better system than theirs, we are spending 9.4% of GDP.

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

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister I suppose makes the point that health care has not really been the priority of the government.

Last year it raised spending in health care by less than other things like corporate welfare, hiring more bureaucrats and other departmental spending. This is why the finance minister is now warning that the government may not have enough money to spend on health care.

I ask again, it is something we have asked before, will the government commit to finding money for health care within the existing budget envelope and commit to ruling out tax increases for health care?

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, there is not a day that we come to the House when the opposition party members are not always complaining that they are afraid of a deficit that never comes or that we are spending too much. However, they want more money for this and more money for that. There is not a week when we do not have a request from the official opposition of $3 billion, $4 billion, $5, billion, or $6 billion of new spending.

[Rob Merrifield, Canadian Alliance, Yellowhead, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the government has never been a friend of the provinces when it comes to health care. When provinces introduced reforms to improve patient services and to save money, the government responded with threats and medicare costs. Mr. Romanow is now turning up the rhetoric against alternative service delivery within a public system.

Will the government use Romanow to roll back the clock on real health care reforms?

[Anne McLellan, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, the government has committed to working collaboratively in partnership with the provinces and territories in the delivery of health care.

In fact, far from being in the face of the provinces, just a few months ago we were able to agree to dispute avoidance and resolution mechanisms. Therefore if there is a dispute between the provinces and the federal government around the interpretation of the Canada Health Act, or something the provinces or the federal government are doing, we have a mechanism, a third party mechanism, by which these disputes can be avoided.

[Rob Merrifield, Canadian Alliance, Yellowhead, AB]

Mr. Speaker, reports indicate that Romanow will recommend a watchdog to oversee health care spending. If the government would start working with the provinces and stop fighting with the provinces a watchdog would not be necessary. A watchdog will only add to bureaucracy.

Will the government put more money into bureaucracy and less into patient care?