Debates of Feb. 19th, 2002

Supply

[Réal Ménard, Bloc, Hochelaga—Maisonneuve, QC]

Mr. Speaker, it may be my last question today, so I will try to take full advantage of it. First, I want to thank the member for Jonquière. She has been a very wise critic, for our caucus, with regard to the reality of regions.

I think that it is important, particularly for Montrealers. People sometimes have a tendency to forget that we do not always face the same reality. I have two or three brief questions for her.

First, does she agree with me that, if we had to identify one area that our fellow citizens see as a priority, it would definitely be health care? Does she agree also that the government has not been very responsive to the needs of regions? I am sure that the member, even doing her best, could not name three government members who have been sensitive to the reality of regions. We have a government that has neglected the regions. This a fact that cannot be denied.

First, could the member explain to us why it is important that the health care system provide services that meet the particular needs of regions?

Second, does she agree that the Romanow commission is a waste of time?

Why is it a waste of time? Because I have here a document that shows that seven out of ten provinces have already had task forces on this issue. In Quebec, it was the Clair commission. In Alberta, it was the Mazankowski commission. Seven out of ten provinces have already analyzed the emerging trends and the major changes that will occur in our health care system.

Does the member agree with me that the Romanow commission is indeed a total waste of time?

I would also like the member to give us her assessment of the work done by the member representing the riding next to hers in defending Quebec's interests.

[Jocelyne Girard-Bujold, Bloc, Jonquière, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I will be happy to reply to the three questions put by my colleague from Hochelaga—Maisonneuve.

Yes, health is the top priority in Quebec. It should also be this government's priority. Even if you are a millionaire, when you have health problems, you feel defeated and you would like to recover your health at any price. Therefore, I do think it is important to invest generously in health care and in prevention measures to maintain health.

I also answer yes to the question concerning the Romanow commission. Investing in this commission is useless. In my region, I often meet the people from the Régie régionale de la santé. Studies have been made. The Quebec government carried out studies. There was the Clair commission. The Quebec government said it would implement the commission's recommendations. We are putting all that forward. This is a rehashed commission. The government could invest this considerable amount of money in health; instead, it uses it to please a friend of the party. Mr. Romanow must certainly be a close friend of the Liberal Party, and that party always returns favours.

We have gone beyond that. We have reached a point where what we say is that, for health, the money owed to the provinces has to be given back to them. The federal government has to put money on the table so that provinces can finally have what they need to provide services to the population.

The member for Hochelaga—Maisonneuve has asked me a question regarding my colleague from Chicoutimi—Le Fjord. I hope that he is working in the same direction as I am, because I am working for the well-being of my region. I certainly hope that he is doing the same thing, because there cannot be too many people working for the regions.

It is a known fact that this government does not know the regions, for example the Saguenay—Lac-Saint-Jean region. For the government, the regions are Montreal, Quebec City, the maritimes, Ontario and Western Canada. As far as I am concerned, my region is the nicest region in the whole of Quebec and I would even say of Canada. I hope that the member for Chicoutimi—Le Fjord is doing the same thing as I am; I hope that he is putting all his energy into convincing the federal government to give $1 billion back to Quebec so that the health system will work properly and meet the needs of those who are ill.

[André Harvey, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, first I want to congratulate my colleague for her speech. Rising is already a sign of goodwill.

As for knowing whether I subscribe to the causes she is promoting, I will say it is rather the reverse. Regarding the issues I am championing in the area of aluminum processing, highway 175, day in and day out she rises in the House to ask questions. Every day, she rises in the House pretending to be doing something about it. While she has been sending post cards, we in the federal Liberal caucus, the Quebec caucus, we have prepared a specific infrastructure program that will allow us to choose projects dear to us.

I want her to know that highway 175 is an extremely important project—

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order.

I would ask you to use your authority to call the member to order. I believe it is important today for us to speak to the fundamental issue of health care. I would like our colleague to get back to the topic of the motion.

[The Acting Speaker (Mr. Bélair)]

Order, please. Since we have one minute left, I will give the floor to the hon. member for Jonquière so she can answer the hon. member for Chicoutimi—Le Fjord.

[Jocelyne Girard-Bujold, Bloc, Jonquière, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I will repeat my words of the other day. The hon. member for Chicoutimi—Le Fjord was in the House when I said I would not stoop to his level.

My region is important. Everything that affects my region is important. I am prepared to shake hands with anyone who will work on behalf of my region.

In my region, they are the ones responsible for there not being the necessary money for the health care system. In order to put the health system back in order, let them put the money that is ours on the table, in all the fields that will have beneficial economic effects for my region. That is the only response I can give the hon. member for Chicoutimi—Le Fjord.

[The Acting Speaker (Mr. Bélair)]

It being 5.15 p.m., it is my duty to interrupt proceedings and put forthwith any question necessary to dispose of the business of supply.

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

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[Some hon. members]

No.

[The Acting Speaker (Mr. Bélair)]

All those in favour of the motion will please say yea.

[Some hon. members]

Yea.

[The Acting Speaker (Mr. Bélair)]

All those opposed will please say nay.

[Some hon. members]

Nay.

[The Acting Speaker (Mr. Bélair)]

In my opinion the nays have it.

And more than five members having risen:

[The Acting Speaker (Mr. Bélair)]

Call in the members.

(The House divided on the motion, which was negatived on the following division:)

[The Acting Speaker (Mr. Bélair)]

I declare the motion lost.

The House resumed from February 7 consideration of the motion that Bill S-14, an act respecting Sir John A. Macdonald Day and Sir Wilfrid Laurier Day, be read the third time and passed.

Sir John A. Macdonald Day and Sir Wilfrid Laurier Day Act

[The Acting Speaker (Mr. Bélair)]

Pursuant to order made on Thursday, February 7, the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion at third reading stage of Bill S-14 under private members' business.

(The House divided on the motion, which was agreed to on the following division:)

[The Acting Speaker (Mr. Bélair)]

I declare the motion carried.

(Bill read the third time and passed)

[The Acting Speaker (Mr. Bélair)]

It being 5.55 p.m. the House will now proceed to the consideration of private members' business as listed on today's Order Paper.

The House resumed from November 8, 2001, consideration of the motion that Bill C-284, an act to amend the Criminal Code (offences by corporations, directors and officers), be read the second time and referred to a committee.

Criminal Code

[Bill Blaikie, NDP, Winnipeg—Transcona, MB]

moved:

That Bill C-284, an act to amend the Criminal Code (offences by corporations, directors and officers), be not now read the second time but that the order be discharged, the bill withdrawn and the subject matter thereof be referred to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights.

[The Acting Speaker (Mr. Bélair)]

Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the amendment to the main motion?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

(Amendment agreed to, order discharged, bill withdrawn and subject matter referred to a committee)

[The Acting Speaker (Mr. Bélair)]

It being 5.56 p.m., the House stands adjourned until 2 p.m. tomorrow, pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).

(The House adjourned at 5.56 p.m.)