House of Commons Hansard #155 of the 37th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was budget.
The Speaker
As is our practice on Wednesday we will now sing O Canada, and we will be led by the hon. member for Winnipeg North Centre.
Jerry Pickard Liberal Chatham-Kent—Essex, ON
Mr. Speaker, today we pay tribute to the Right Hon. Herb Gray who has been devoted to his community and his country for nearly 40 years of service in this place.
Mr. Gray is a gentleman who always worked selflessly and tirelessly to make this nation great, well respected and successful. He always showed concern and compassion for issues of importance to his colleagues and constituents.
Everyone remembers the great effort Mr. Gray made to help Chrysler Canada in more difficult times. Mr. Gray is a successful and effective leader who made an immense difference in Canada and inspired all of us to do our best.
May I join with my colleagues on behalf of all Canadians in saying our thanks to Herb for making this world a better place.
Jim Abbott Canadian Alliance Kootenay—Columbia, BC
Mr. Speaker, in a world of political spin doctors and image makers Canadians are understandably cynical about the House of Commons and the political process. They want and deserve access and accountability from their politicians in a thorough and thoughtful format.
There is a radio program that does just that. It is called The House . It is heard for one hour every Saturday morning on CBC Radio One. For Canadians who want to be informed about what is really going on in Ottawa, the program digs through the spin and image making. The House has a huge listening audience but that is not good enough for CBC management. As the CBC thrashes around looking for the perfect listener, as it tries to attract a younger audience, it is thinking about dropping The House . The House audience does not represent the CBC's new target listeners. CBC Radio One, paid for by Canadian taxpayers, is the perfect medium to give Canadians a realistic snapshot of politics in Canada.
Hundreds of thousands of Canadians have said they want The House or they would not be listening. This is not rocket science, it is radio reality.
Nancy Karetak-Lindell Liberal Nunavut, NU
Mr. Speaker, I am proud to announce that the 2002 Arctic Winter Games will officially open on Sunday, March 17 in Iqaluit, Nunavut.
These games are a bi-annual, multinational and multicultural sporting event attended by athletes from across the north. They will be co-hosted by Iqaluit, Nunavut and Nuuk, Greenland. This is the first time that the games are co-hosted by two countries.
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation is one of the official sponsors of the games and its funding has been used to upgrade the Arctic College Ukiivik residence in Iqaluit which will be the athletes' home away from home during the games. Following the games CMHC, in partnership with the Nunavut Housing Corporation, will conduct a study to determine the long-term potential of this facility.
May I offer my best wishes to all the athletes during these games.
David Pratt Liberal Nepean—Carleton, ON
Mr. Speaker, Canadians are concerned over the link between the trade in illicit diamonds and armed conflict in parts of Africa. Since May 2000, Canada has actively participated in an intergovernmental process which aims to develop an international certification scheme for rough diamonds known as the Kimberley Process.
I am pleased to inform the House that on March 18 the Government of Canada will host the next meeting of the Kimberley Process in Ottawa. This important meeting is sponsored by the Human Security Program of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. The problem of conflict diamonds must be addressed in order to advance international peace and security and to protect the legitimate diamond industry in Canada.
I hope all members of the House will join me in wishing all of the Kimberley Process participants a very successful meeting next week.
Pat O'Brien Liberal London—Fanshawe, ON
Mr. Speaker, earlier today the Minister of Public Works and Government Services showed his keen understanding of Canadian history.
The minister dedicated the former Royal Bank building at 90 Sparks Street to the memory of Thomas D'Arcy McGee, the visionary father of Confederation. This building is just a few steps from the spot where McGee, a true and lasting Canadian hero, was assassinated early on the morning of Tuesday, April 7, 1868. He was brutally cut down in the prime of his life because of his vigorous and courageous defence of Canada, the nation he did so much to help create.
D'Arcy McGee was a journalist, poet, Irish patriot, member of parliament, cabinet minister, and the first most eloquent Canadian leader to call for a confederation of the British North American provinces. Today the Government of Canada has further honoured his memory in a most deserving and fitting tribute.
Long live the memory of D'Arcy McGee. Vive le Canada.
Caroline St-Hilaire Bloc Longueuil, QC
Mr. Speaker, for the first time in the history of Quebec, a woman will serve as Speaker of the National Assembly.
Women have served in the National Assembly for 40 years, yet this is the first time this role has been filled by a woman. It brings me great pleasure and pride to congratulate Louise Harel, MNA for the riding of Hochelaga--Maisonneuve since April 13, 1981, on being elected Speaker.
Louise Harel is a woman of convictions, a woman of her word and a woman with a good heart. She is a woman of resolve who has always reconciled feminism and femininity. She has remained true to her roots and to the beliefs she holds deeply, including sovereignty for Quebec. As well, her respect for community organizations, political institutions, and especially for the people of Quebec has always been unwavering, just like her commitment toward them.
In every fight that she has led, she has demonstrated courage, passion and a sensitivity and integrity that will no doubt enhance the prestige of the National Assembly and honour the men and women of Quebec.
My colleagues join me in congratulating Louise Harel, the new Speaker of the National Assembly.
Lorne Nystrom NDP Regina—Qu'Appelle, SK
Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to James Tobin, one of the most influential economists of our time who passed away yesterday at the age of 84.
James Tobin won the Nobel prize in economics and belongs to a rare breed of economists who believed that economic policy must serve the common good. Tobin will be remembered for his vision of a tax on international currency transactions, the Tobin tax, which would have helped alleviate the devastating effects of financial speculation.
In Canada, James Tobin inspired the passage of Motion No. 239 in support of the Tobin tax which I had the honour to present to the House. The passage on March 23, 1999 of the Canadian motion, was a world premiere and sparked a global movement from parliamentarians, NGOs and civil society. The French parliament has recently taken the Canadian motion to a new level by amending the 2002 finance law to institute the Tobin tax once other countries in the European Union follow in step.
Thanks to James Tobin the world will eventually be a better place for all of us to live in.
Carolyn Parrish Liberal Mississauga Centre, ON
Mr. Speaker, I rise to update the House on the death toll in the Middle East. On Monday another 18 Palestinian civilians were killed as Israeli soldiers raided UN protected refugee camps.
Israel occupied Ramallah which resulted in 40 injuries and deaths last night alone. The world cannot simply sit by and accept these casualties. Sadly, many of the victims of this war are innocent women, children and the elderly, on both sides of the conflict. Instability in the Middle East is not only tragic for them, it is a real threat to the security of the entire world.
The time is long past for Canada and other civilized countries to do everything in their power to bring an end to this unnecessary violence. We must begin once again working on a real and lasting peace in the Middle East. To stand by and do nothing is an affront to humanity and a blight on the civilized world.
Peter MacKay Progressive Conservative Pictou—Antigonish—Guysborough, NS
Mr. Speaker, I rise again to bring attention to the plight which has befallen the historic fishing town of Canso, Nova Scotia.
The only major industry in the town, Seafreez Foods, remains closed due to the lack of quota. The Minister of Fisheries and Oceans could put the people back to work by ensuring access to resource and accepting the 3O redfish proposal.
While the town is struggling the real tragedy lies in the human impact of a permanent plant closure. Loss of livelihood in this case dooms the town. In Canso four out of five children are using the breakfast program at the elementary school while 23 properties will go up for sale because of tax arrears and last week the only sit down restaurant in town joined other businesses in going under.
Recent census figures indicate that Guysborough county, where Canso is located, has the third highest figures of out migration in Canada. Monday evening villagers gathered for an ecumenical service at the Star of the Sea Church, not to mourn but to pray for help, hope and inspiration for their town.
The Minister of Fisheries and Oceans very much holds the fate of fellow Nova Scotians in his hands. I urge the minister in the strongest possible way to come to the aid of Canso in its time of crisis.
Larry Spencer Canadian Alliance Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre, SK
Mr. Speaker, every year through no fault of their own thousands of innocent Canadian children are denied access to their grandparents when decisions are made concerning custody and access in divorce cases. This happens often in spite of the desire of both the children and the grandparents to spend meaningful time together.
Children and grandparents across the country want to know whether the new Minister of Justice will address this grave injustice which denies the rights of innocent children to access their grandparents. New legislation amending the Divorce Act is required. It has been over three years since the previous minister of justice said the following to the National Post :
If it is clear that under our existing law, or the ways in which the law is applied, that the best interests of the child are not always first and foremost, then...we will look at what we can do to change that.
The Divorce Act fails to protect the right of children to access their grandparents. I ask the new Minister of Justice, is that failure always in the best interest of children?
Gilbert Normand Liberal Bellechasse—Etchemins—Montmagny—L'Islet, QC
Mr. Speaker, yesterday a truly great Quebecer and Canadian, painter Jean-Paul Riopelle, passed away.
This man, whom I knew personally, was also a close friend. He was a painter, yes, but also a true, independent and free man.
In signing Refus global , he fought against the post-war obscurantism in Quebec.
His paintings depicted wide open spaces, the fauna, and the wonders of nature, the islands of the St. Lawrence, the geese of Île-aux-Grues where he lived and painted, and also the icebergs of the far north.
For 40 years he lived in France, and he took up French citizenship. Yet he returned to finish his work and die in his birthplace, in the natural surroundings he loved so dearly. He is a great international painter who was an honour to our country, Canada.
Jean-Paul Riopelle was a man who had no time for political correctness. He was a model of independence and freedom for all Canadians who took a stand.
I extend my condolences to his family and friends.
Yvan Loubier Bloc Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot, QC
Mr. Speaker, yesterday evening, we were extremely saddened to learn that painter Jean-Paul Riopelle had died.
Jean-Paul Riopelle, the Quebecer, not only left us some fabulous paintings, making him one of the world's greatest contemporary painters, but, as a signatory of Refus global , in 1948, he was also an architect of modern Quebec, which finally came out of its dark ages.
In the mid-1980s, I had the pleasure and the tremendous privilege of meeting Mr. Riopelle on several occasions and discussing all sorts of issues with him, with Madeleine Arbour, who also signed Refus global , with Martin Gauvreau and with others who had the privilege of sharing their views with him.
I will never forget these too rare occasions, these evenings with a good bottle at his studio, in Sainte-Marguerite, at Madeleine's place, or elsewhere. I pay tribute to this prominent Quebec figure, this critic who could sometimes turn into a lampoonist but, above all, I pay tribute to the man I knew and will never forget.
On behalf of the Bloc Quebecois and myself, I extend my most sincere condolences to his family, particularly his daughter Yseult, to Madeleine, Martin and to all the others for whom Riopelle's memory will never fade.
Steve Mahoney Liberal Mississauga West, ON
Mr. Speaker, Herb Gray was first elected to parliament on June 18, 1962. He served for 39 years, six months and 28 days. Herb has done it all.
In government he was parliamentary secretary: minister of national revenue; minister of consumer and corporate affairs; minister of industry, trade and commerce; minister of regional economic Eepansion; and Ppesident of the treasury board.
In opposition he was finance critic; House leader; deputy leader; and leader of the official opposition.
Back in government he was House leader; solicitor general; Deputy Prime Minister, in charge of the millennium bureau, Indian residential schools resolution and any other difficult issue.
Herb's peers in this place recognize his strength, courage, compassion and dedication. We and all Canadians owe him a debt of gratitude for his dedicated service over the last 40 years. We thank Herb. May God bless him.
Roy H. Bailey Canadian Alliance Souris—Moose Mountain, SK
Mr. Speaker, today the Ontario Court of Appeal ruled that the government had a legal obligation to invest or pay interest on the money it managed on behalf of severely disabled veterans. What the government actually did was take money from disabled veterans and use it for its own purposes.
Since the 1970s the minister's own staff, the auditor general, an Ontario superior court and today the Ontario Court of Appeal have all said that the government was wrong to do this.
In the past 30 years the government turned its own mistake costing millions of dollars into a debt today of $1.5 billion. The Minister of Veterans Affairs has a moral and legal responsibility to settle this issue as quickly as possible out of court.
The government pays interest on money it manages in trust for prisoners, but will not pay back the money it owes to our disabled veterans. That is not only shameful, it is despicable as well.
Joe Clark Progressive Conservative Calgary Centre, AB
Mr. Speaker, this will turn out to be a great Grey day in the House of Commons.
I rise to draw the attention of colleagues to a significant anniversary in the political history of our country. On March 13, 1989 the member for Edmonton North became the first member of the Reform Party to ever be elected to the House of Commons.
I remember that day very well. There is no doubt it was a turning point in Canadian history. As usual, being the first took courage and conviction, but more than being the first, the hon. member has been one of the most effective members of the House. She is a devastating opponent and she is an inspiring colleague when she is on one's side. I know both experiences and let me tell you, Mr. Speaker, I prefer the latter.
I salute my friend and colleague, my caucus chair, the member for Edmonton North on her 13th anniversary in the House. May she keep on marching.
Presence in GalleryStatements By Members
The Speaker
I draw the attention of hon. members to the presence in the gallery of the Hon. Pat Binns, premier of the province of Prince Edward Island.
John Reynolds Canadian AllianceLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, before the Prime Minister meets with President Bush, he needs to explain what he will say about softwood lumber. Business, labour, local leaders, the B.C. government and even the Minister for International Trade are warning that Canada might not get a deal, but the Prime Minister has boasted so often and so confidently that he will.
Will the Prime Minister explain to Canadians how he can be so confident of reaching a good deal on softwood lumber with the president of the United States?
Jean Chrétien LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, I will meet the president tomorrow. I will express the views of all Canadians that we want the Americans to respect the free trade agreement that we have with them on all aspects, including softwood lumber. At this time there are some people in the administration in Washington who are looking at some aspects of it. We hope that by the end of the month there will be some concrete proposition forthcoming.
At this moment the minister is meeting with representatives of the provinces. A few days ago I met with the minister from British Columbia and a delegation of businessmen, union people and native people from British Columbia. They were in agreement that we are on the right track. They hope, as I do, that we will have an agreement that will respect the free trade agreement.
John Reynolds Canadian AllianceLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, all Canadians wish the Prime Minister well because we want those people back working again.
Before the Prime Minister goes to Washington, he also needs to tell Canadians if he is willing to be a full partner in the war on terrorism. President Bush has made it clear that the war against terrorism is about to widen and that Iraq is his next target.
Can the Prime Minister explain to Canadians what it will take, what evidence will President Bush have to show the Prime Minister to convince him that Iraq is a threat to all of us?
Jean Chrétien LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, we made it very clear to the United States administration that we were with the United States in the fight against terrorism. We do not intend to change our position.
The question of Iraq is at this moment a hypothetical one. We are involved. Our troops are doing us a great honour in Afghanistan fighting on the front in the snow and apparently are doing extremely well. That is our contribution. When there are other requests, we will analyze them and give our opinion after discussions with the House of Commons.
John Reynolds Canadian AllianceLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, there is one other item before the Prime Minister leaves Canada.
He spent a lot of time in Australia convincing our Commonwealth partners to not do anything about Robert Mugabe and the election in Zimbabwe. The Prime Minister made repeated promises that he would act if Robert Mugabe stole the election in Zimbabwe. It is clear now that Mugabe has stolen the election in Zimbabwe.
Is the Prime Minister finally prepared to deliver on the promises he made at that conference and other areas? Will he tell the Zimbabwe government that there is no more support from Canada and ask its high commissioner to go home until it gets its act straightened out?
Jean Chrétien LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, a process was established unanimously at the Commonwealth conference.
Observers from the Commonwealth will be there as well as observers from the Canadian government. They will report to the Commonwealth and to us. There is a committee made up of three heads of government and state who will be meeting within two weeks to analyze the report of the observers and render a decision.
I agree with the Leader of the Opposition that it does not look very good, but we have to follow the process of receiving the report from the observers before coming to a definite conclusion.
Rahim Jaffer Canadian Alliance Edmonton Strathcona, AB
Mr. Speaker, it is a shame how many more people will be dead until that two week process is over.
The Minister of Public Works is trying to come across as “Mr. Clean” in the “group inaction” scandal. He is, however, starting to look more like Mr. Nepotism Cover-up”, the same as his predecessor.
He has had 24 hours to find the report. He appears to be telling us that his department is quite simply too poorly organized to find it. Where is this wonderful $500,000 report?