Debates of May 23rd, 2002

Nunavut Sivuniksavut

[Nancy Karetak-Lindell, Liberal, Nunavut, NU]

Mr. Speaker, on May 15 this year's students of Nunavut Sivuniksavut celebrated their graduation with family and friends.

Nunavut Sivuniksavut is a unique eight month training program based here in Ottawa for young Nunavut beneficiaries to study Inuit history, contemporary issues, the Nunavut land claim, Inuit government relations and learn cultural activities that include traditional games, drum dancing and throat singing.

It is very exciting for students to come south to explore a different kind of culture and to experience living on their own. The students act as a support group for each other and lasting friendships are made during the program.

Nunavut Sivuniksavut is a beneficial program providing both excellent academic and life skills to the future leaders of Nunavut.

I congratulate the students of the Nunavut Sivuniksavut training program for their achievements and wish them luck in their future endeavours.

Government Contracts

[Diane Ablonczy, Canadian Alliance, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberals have just published another fairy tale for Canadians.

Once upon a time, the emperor from Shawinigan appointed a brand new grand vizier of public works. The last vizier, Alfonso Gagliano, was living happily ever after in the land of Hans Christian Andersen as a reward for showering Liberal cronies with the people's gold.

Well, one day a member of the tribe of media mischief makers revealed a secret: the new grand vizier of public works had accepted a luxury weekend at the country palace of one of the major recipients of the people's gold. “Not so!” cried the grand vizier. “It was not a favour. I paid rent”, and he wildly waved an uncashed cheque.

Then by Liberal magic the uncashed cheque turned into a sacred offering. The people were amazed at the Liberals' attempt to deceive them with such a clumsy illusion. They saw that the grand vizier of public works only wanted to waste their gold and tell them fairy tales.

Biological Diversity

[Peter Adams, Liberal, Peterborough, ON]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday was the International Day for Biological Diversity. In this same month we celebrate two of Canada's investments in biological diversity: the founding of Prince Albert National Park in Saskatchewan in 1927; and the establishment of Vuntut National Park, Old Crow Flats, in the Yukon in 1993.

Our national parks are top of the line contributions to biological diversity. They are sanctuaries for plants and animals. The parks have been deliberately chosen over the years to reflect a wide variety of national conditions. As a result they not only protect wide expanses of Canada. They protect a wide selection of habitat and life forms.

While recognizing the International Day for Biological Diversity I urge all members to support the extension and strengthening of our national parks system, one of Canada's great contributions to biological diversity. In the 20th century we built the foundations of a fine parks system on land. In the 21st century let us extend it, both on land and under our oceans.

MedicAlert Month

[Jeannot Castonguay, Liberal, Madawaska—Restigouche, NB]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to remind the House that May is MedicAlert Month.

The Canadian MedicAlert Foundation is a national registered charity that protects Canadians with medical information needs. For more than 40 years, MedicAlert has provided medical information services through engraved bracelets that provide health care professionals with access to a member's medical file stored in a confidential data base.

This year, as part of its mandate to protect children, MedicAlert has set a goal to educate people about protecting the health and safety of children and youth.

It is estimated that one third of all young Canadians between the ages of 6 and 19 have medical problems that must be treated. As summer approaches, MedicAlert hopes to protect these children and help them participate safely in outdoor activities during the summer, while providing peace of mind to parents.

Join me in wishing the Canadian MedicAlert Foundation a successful MedicAlert Month.

Volunteerism

[Jean Augustine, Liberal, Etobicoke—Lakeshore, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Mr. Paul Matthews, a constituent in my riding, for his voluntary work with the Canadian Executive Service Organization.

Mr. Matthews recently returned from an overseas assignment in Romania where he helped a women's clothing manufacturer design a program in human resources development. He assisted in the training of a human resources manager and in devising policies and procedures including recruitment and selection processes, employment advertising, interview techniques, and evaluation of applicants. The training will help to reduce staff turnover and increase plant productivity.

Mr. Matthew's voluntary work is another fine example of the willingness of Canadians to share our expertise with others around the world. I call upon my colleagues to join me in congratulating Paul Matthews for his exceptional work and selfless duty.

Radio-Canada

[Christiane Gagnon, Bloc, Québec, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Bloc Quebecois is delighted that an agreement was reached yesterday and approved by nearly 70% of Radio-Canada's unionized employees.

We acknowledge the contribution made by Gérald Larose, whose expertise helped get the negotiations out of the impasse they were in. We must not have any illusions, however; a number of union members have expressed concern and report that they have gone back reluctantly. This long conflict will leave its mark.

In this connection, we encourage the Minister of Canadian Heritage to keep a close eye on labour relations at CBC, because this conflict has made the public aware of the terrible atmosphere there. If the minister wants to keep French radio and television services running, she must make sure that action is taken in response to the Hay report. It would be important for her to at least examine the report's conclusions.

We welcome all Radio-Canada staff back to work and hope that the ties of solidarity that have developed among them will help to bring about change from within.

Prix Galien Canada Research Award

[Carole-Marie Allard, Liberal, Laval East, QC]

Mr. Speaker, today I would like to congratulate the three recipients of the Prix Galien Canada research award, who were honoured last night in Montreal.

They are, first, Drs. Julia Levy and David Dolphin of British Columbia, for Visydune, a drug used to fight blindness and distributed in 52 countries, and Dr. Anthony J. Paulson, for his drug, Gleevec, used to treat leukemia.

The Galien Canada award is a prestigious honour in the field of pharmaceutical research and innovation. Galien, also known as Galen and Claudius Galenus, is considered the father of experimental physiology and the precursor of modern pharmacology.

The Government of Canada's $7.4 billion contribution to research and development was also celebrated by the industry, particularly for the creation of the institutes for health research, the Canadian Foundation for Innovation, Genome Canada and the research chairs.

I congratulate—

[The Deputy Speaker]

The hon member for Wild Rose.

Minister of Public Works and Government Services

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

Mr. Speaker, I went on a family holiday. I did not have to get my son to pay for our holiday. I paid for it myself and I paid for it right at the time I was taking the holiday. I wonder if the minister of public works can say that today.

When I took my holiday I did not have to discuss it with my political staff. I did not have to call a big advertising firm to see if I could use its mansion. I did not have to check to see if companies I patronized during my holiday had donated to a political party, check the size of their cheque or make any promises of future contracts. I wonder if the minister of public works can say that today.

Because I did all these things I did not have to get a priest to sign an affidavit, produce any of my cancelled cheques or answer any embarrassing questions to anyone about my holiday. I would bet the minister of public works wishes he could say that today.

Vandalism

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

Mr. Speaker, I wish to tell this House that I strongly condemn the acts of violence that were committed on May 8 in front of the Bethtikvah synagogue, in Dollard-des-Ormeaux.

Posters announcing the walk to Jerusalem were removed and burned, while hate messages were written on other signs.

This anti-semitic vandalism, these acts of violence against a specific group of citizens are unacceptable, like any other act of violence and hatred, and they can only adversely affect the peace process.

Canada is a welcoming place and it strongly supports the peace process in the Middle East, where the conflict can only be settled through dialogue and mutual respect.

Veterans Affairs

[Peter Stoffer, NDP, Sackville—Musquodoboit Valley—Eastern Shore, NS]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call attention to the concerns of various and many legions across the country on the issue of the proposal by the French government to expand an airport which in turn may desecrate thousands of graves of British and Commonwealth soldiers who fought in the Battle of the Somme in the first world war.

News reports yesterday and today indicate the French government may have second thoughts about the expansion of the airport, but I call on the federal government, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Veterans Affairs to do everything in their power to ensure they tell the French government that any expansion of the airport which may alter or desecrate the grave sites of our fallen heroes is unacceptable to the memories of the brave men and women who fought so valiantly for peace during the first world war.

On behalf of all veterans in the country I would like to say lest we forget, and we will remember them at the going down of the sun.

Melinda-Sue Beltran

[Caroline St-Hilaire, Bloc, Longueuil, QC]

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure today to welcome Melinda-Sue Beltran, the winner of the MP for a day contest in the riding of Longueuil.

A fourth year student at Jacques-Rousseau high school, Melinda-Sue came first among the students in the national history course.

This visit to Ottawa, with her father, Cesar Quevedo, will give Melinda-Sue a chance to familiarize herself with the hectic life in parliament.

It is always an honour for me to meet young people who are aware of the importance of playing an active role to further our society. Regardless of what Melinda-Sue may choose to do, I am convinced that her open-mindedness and her dynamism will lead her to a very promising career.

Melinda-Sue, on behalf of my Bloc Quebecois colleagues, I welcome you to parliament and I hope that you will appreciate having had the privilege of being an MP for a day.

Member for Hastings--Frontenac--Lennox and Addington

[Murray Calder, Liberal, Dufferin—Peel—Wellington—Grey, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to extend my best wishes to the hon. member for Hastings--Frontenac--Lennox and Addington who underwent successful surgery earlier this week.

The hon. member was first elected in 1993 and his warm and caring nature has been a welcome addition to the House. His hard work and dedication to small business, agriculture and rural communities is both appreciated in his riding and through his work as the past chair of the Liberal rural caucus and currently as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-food.

I would like to take this time to send our prayers and best wishes to the hon. member, his wife Rita and their daughter Kayla. I am sure all members will join me in wishing him a full and speedy recovery. We look forward to his return to this House.

National Drinking Water Standards

[John Herron, Progressive Conservative, Fundy Royal, NB]

Mr. Speaker, the second report into the inquiry about Walkerton is set to be released. Like the first inquiry report, it will be a damning indictment of the status quo on drinking water safety in Canada and will outline how the public was not informed about harmful substances in their drinking water. We had hoped that the Walkerton tragedy would have served as a wake-up call to the federal government.

Not only have they refused to act, but the Liberals have broken a promise they made on May 8 of last year when they supported the amendment of Progressive Conservative Party to take immediate action in conjunction with the provinces and territories to ensure enforceable national drinking water standards and to protect the public's right to know.

The reality is that the problems that converged in Walkerton can now be found in scores of Canadian communities. That is why earlier this month the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada, in the name of the right hon. member for Calgary Centre, tabled a safe water act. We did the government's homework for it, and now it has no excuse not to take the urgent action it promised and provide this nation with national enforceable drinking water standards.

Gold Medallion Award

[John Harvard, Liberal, Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia, MB]

Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to congratulate Mr. Richard Pound of Montreal as a recipient of the Gold Medallion Award.

The Gold Medallion Award is given annually to a former competitive swimmer for national or international achievements in the field of science, entertainment, art, business, education or government.

Mr. Pound competed for Canada in the 1960 Olympics in Rome and is a long time member of the international Olympic committee. He was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame on May 11.

Mr. Pound, as chairman of the world anti-doping agency, has played a leadership role at the international level and in the worldwide fight against doping in sport. As a result of his vision and perseverance, all athletes and Canadians can look forward to the opening of the new headquarters of the world anti-doping agency in Montreal next month.

Government Contracts

[John Williams, Canadian Alliance, St. Albert, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the smell of corruption, scandal and kickbacks that has been emanating from public works has outraged many Canadians. Whether it is former ministers or current ministers, nothing seems to change. There are contracts without open bidding, contracts to friends, hospitality at mansions supplied by contractors, money for reports not written, kickbacks to the Liberal Party, conflict of interest rules broken or ignored and government procurement rules ignored or broken. Unfortunately it is only a matter of time before we find that money has made its way into a minister's pocket.

The minister of public works must come clean. Democracy is about openness, transparency and accountability. It is time the minister of public works and indeed the entire government respect democracy and demonstrate that this is the best form of government, not the worst kind of government as the Prime Minister said this morning.

New Member

[The Deputy Speaker]

I have the honour to inform the House that the Clerk of the House has received from the Chief Electoral Officer a certificate of the election and return of Mr. Rex Barnes, member for the electoral district of Gander--Grand Falls.

Rex Barnes, member for the electoral district of Gander--Grand Falls, introduced by the Right Hon. Joe Clark and Mr. Norman Doyle.

Government Contracts

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

Mr. Speaker, the minister of public works has gone from the rat pack to the mousetrap. Whether this particular mess is a case of deception or bungling, the minister of public works no longer has the credibility to clean up the mess in his department.

Under the circumstances, I want to know if the minister of public works has done the honourable thing and offered his resignation, and has the Prime Minister done the right thing and accepted it?

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, there is a member of parliament who has done something that is very rare. He started his life here working in the restaurant and moved up all the ladders. He is the first Canadian to get his university degree while working as a minister. He is a very honourable member. He is doing a good job. He is working under difficult circumstances, but he has my confidence.

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

Mr. Speaker, I will just ignore the sounds of violins for a second.

I want to be clear. The minister received a favour from a government contractor. Subsequently, his company received three-quarters of a million dollars in contracts from the minister's department. The minister of public works then tried to convince this House and the public that he had paid the contractor for the service. That proved not to be true. No transaction actually took place until yesterday.

Does the minister not understand why the right thing to do is to resign?

[Don Boudria, Liberal, Minister of Public Works and Government Services]

Mr. Speaker, there were about as many things wrong in that question as there were words to it.

First, I did not, and the hon. member knows it, participate in that transaction. Second, I did not personally award any contracts. Third, that company and any other company wins their contracts through a competitive process. They are standing offer agreements. Even those agreements are up for renewal shortly and I have already announced that.

The hon. member knows that or those people briefing him should have known enough to tell him so.

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

Mr. Speaker, the minister should be responsible for the contracts in his department. The transaction he should have participated in was paying for that chalet himself right off the bat.

It is clear the minister acted inappropriately, whether by incompetence or by design. We should not have been led into believing the stay at the chalet was an upfront commercial transaction when it was not. Canadians deserve better.

My question is for the Prime Minister. When did the Prime Minister learn that there was actually no transaction between the minister of public works, the Boulay family and the chalet? Was the Prime Minister misled by the minister or did--

[The Deputy Speaker]

The right hon. Prime Minister.

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, if he read the affidavit of the priest who received the cheque, the cheque was endorsed in the month of March by the lady who was the owner of the house. The cheque was transmitted in April to the priest who did not cash it because the local caisse populaire did not accept that type of transaction. However the minute the cheque was endorsed by the lady who owned the house, at that moment the transaction was completed.

[Gerry Ritz, Canadian Alliance, Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK]

Mr. Speaker, this story has more twists and turns than the Molson Indy track and is just as slippery.

Let us see if we can figure out where the cheque really went. It went from the minister's daughter-in-law to the chalet owner to the priest, then to the photocopier, then to the bank, then back to the priest, then back to the owner and then to the bank again, we think. It never did go in the collection plate.

All the while the minister changes the version of events several times a day: the luxury chalet, the mystery cheque; more big untendered ad contracts, brand new ones, within days; sanctuary in the church; and backpedaling, misdirection, broken rules and broken promises.

The minister's credibility is as questionable as this cheque. How can he--