Debates of June 3rd, 2002

An Act to amend the Criminal Code (cruelty to animals and firearms) and the Firearms Act

[The Deputy Speaker]

Order. I regret but the time has expired. I am trying to manage as best I can in the best interests of the entire House. The hon. Minister of Justice.

[Martin Cauchon, Liberal, Outremont, QC]

Mr. Speaker, in English that is what we call fearmongering. I am talking about Bill C-15B, the bill which is in the House at this point in time. As I said, the defences that exist today will still exist under Bill C-15B. We have created a new provision within the bill in order to make sure that we do refer to the common law defence.

I refer to what has been said by the Criminal Lawyers' Association. It is time we proceeded with the bill. It is long overdue. We have very good support to proceed with modernizing those sections of the criminal code in order to ensure that we will be in line with other administrations. It is long overdue.

[Garry Breitkreuz, Canadian Alliance, Yorkton—Melville, SK]

Mr. Speaker, the minister said there is nothing to fear in regard to this legislation. My direct question to the minister is, will he commit funding to legally defend farmers, ranchers, hunters, trappers and others that are charged for practices they have used traditionally in pursuit of their normal occupation? The minister needs to publicly state that he will commit to that funding and protect normal traditional practices.

[Martin Cauchon, Liberal, Outremont, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I referred two or three times in my previous answers to the justice system with regard to the process that exists, how it works as regards the criminal code and how we proceed in court with criminal code infractions or offences. I referred to it many times in previous answers and I do not intend to refer to it again.

[The Deputy Speaker]

The 30 minute time period for questions to the minister on the subject matter has elapsed. I will now put the question.

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 Deputy Speaker]

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

[Some hon. members]

Yea.

[The Deputy Speaker]

All those opposed will please say nay.

[Some hon. members]

Nay.

[The Deputy Speaker]

In my opinion the yeas have it.

And more than five members having risen:

[The Deputy Speaker]

Call in the members.

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

[The Deputy Speaker]

I declare the motion carried.

New Industrial Park in Laval

[Raymonde Folco, Liberal, Laval West, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Laval has a new, private, six million square foot industrial park.

Located with full access to the metropolitan road system, between highways 13 and 15, “Impact 440” augurs well for the people of Laval.

The president of the industrial park, Pierre Grothé, and his associate, Valmont Nadon, estimate that over the next three years the park will attract 75 businesses and generate investments approaching $150 million. When fully developed, the park's businesses are expected to provide employment for 3,000.

Already, four companies have acquired a total of one million square feet and confirmed an investment of $25 million. The industrial park also expects to offer a diversified inventory of buildings.

The new industrial park is a fine example of the innovative spirit which characterizes the economy of the entire Laval area.

Government of Canada

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

Mr. Speaker, the scope of Liberal greed and selfishness has shocked Canadians. Day after day they have watched a growing series of Liberal ministers caught with their hands in the cookie jar. They were outraged as the Prime Minister, the highest official in the land, shrugged off the theft of millions of public dollars.

Yesterday Canadians felt fresh alarm as the Prime Minister and the former finance minister caused yet another crisis because of their personal vanity and ambition. Canadians simply do not believe that the Deputy Prime Minister, already responsible for critical security issues, can also be expected to attend to Canada's financial interests in his spare time.

Once again Canadians will be forced to pay the price for Liberal power politics. Until the Liberals are voted out we will continue to be caught in more scandals and more conflicts that threaten peace, order and good government in our country.

Official Languages

[Yolande Thibeault, Liberal, Saint-Lambert, QC]

Mr. Speaker, a number of students from my riding will be taking part in the Summer Work Student Exchange Program.

This program, funded by the federal government as one of its youth initiatives and sponsored by VIA Rail Canada, often constitutes a first paying job for our young people, along with an opportunity to learn a second language in an immersion setting and to learn about and appreciate the other culture, while visiting another region of their country. In short, it is an outstanding life experience in their second language.

I am particularly pleased about our government's firm and reaffirmed commitment to linguistic duality, a value that is fundamental to our Canadian identity.

Our government firmly believes that the official languages policy is a matter of mutual respect and that it shows our willingness to use our diversity as a driving force.

Let us work together to ensure that thousands more students are able to experience the marvellous challenge of the Summer Work Student Exchange program.

Distinguished Service Award

[John Finlay, Liberal, Oxford, ON]

Mr. Speaker, this morning I was present in the Chamber for a memorial service in honour of 24 former parliamentarians who have passed away within the last year. This ceremony, organized on an annual basis, offers an opportunity to remember those who in many cases devoted a significant portion of their lives to public service either as senators or members of parliament.

As part of the memorial service the Canadian Association of Former Parliamentarians presented its annual award for distinguished service. This award is given to a former parliamentarian in recognition of his or her contribution to public life while in office as well as his or her continued interest and involvement in the preservation and promotion of parliamentary democracy in Canada and elsewhere.

I know all my colleagues here in the House of Commons will join me in congratulating this year's winner, the hon. John Reid, former member of parliament for Kenora--Rainy River.

Rita Dionne-Marsolais

[Guy St-Julien, Liberal, Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Rita Dionne-Marsolais, the PQ government minister, made a comment on a radio station in Trois-Rivières. Speaking about young Quebecers, she said that they “are the reflection of a very individualistic generation that is only concerned about itself”.

With her statement, this minister in the government of Premier Designate Bernard Landry is showing all the contempt that she has for young Quebecers.

Government of Canada

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

Mr. Speaker, Canadian farmers are suffering through a drought crisis and are about to be hit with massive U.S. subsidies that will make it even harder to compete. Canadian softwood lumber workers and the communities they live in have been devastated by the trade dispute with the U.S. Canadian soldiers are underfunded, under-equipped and under-appreciated by the Liberal government. The Canadian justice system is in dire need of an overhaul so that the safety and security of Canadian families is its number one priority. The health care system in Canada has sustainability problems that must be addressed.

The federal government would have a great deal on its agenda if its priorities were in the right place. As it stands right now the agenda looks pretty thin, but then again a lack of direction from this government is nothing new. The Liberal government has completely lost touch with Canadians. Instead of dealing with issues that affect Canadians in their everyday lives the Liberal government has descended into chaos and disarray. It has done this by its own choosing.

Canadians will continue to come out on the losing end until this government is replaced.

[John Reynolds, Canadian Alliance, West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. In view of the delay because of the vote I think we might find agreement among the other parties to extend the statements until 2.25 so members can present their statements.

[The Speaker]

Is there agreement to extend S. O. 31s?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

Hamilton Professional Firefighters Association

[Beth Phinney, Liberal, Hamilton Mountain, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I wish to congratulate the Hamilton Professional Firefighters Association. It has raised $7,000 toward the education of an eight year old girl in India, Soni Alam.

The firefighters first met Soni a year ago when she came from India for surgery and physiotherapy at Hamilton's St. Joseph's Hospital. Suffering from severe burns on her arms, chest and face, Soni had spent several months suffering from the effects of her injuries as there was no treatment available to her in her home village in India.

The firefighters association raised enough money to pay for her education at a private boarding school when she returned. She has completed seven months of her education and is doing very well.

I extend my thanks to our firefighters.

Liberal Government

[Richard Marceau, Bloc, Charlesbourg—Jacques-Cartier, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the long list of scandals, misappropriations of funds and allegations of corruption that have been associated with the Liberal government over the past weeks is becoming very disturbing.

The public is beginning to understand the true nature of the Liberal vision, which consists in being very generous with friends of the party, by using public money, in violation of the most basic rules of sound governance.

The Liberal government, and particularly the Prime Minister, can no longer avoid the issue by downplaying the situation, and it must now account for its actions.

Public opinion polls are condemning the government for its lack of integrity, and this undermines its legitimacy to govern. The media are reporting new scandals every day. The fact that the public is fed up is apparent on the streets and particularly when listening to radio stations.

For example, last week, the Bolo award of the Bande à Gilet, on FM 93, in Quebec City, was given to the whole Liberal government for, shall we say, its achievements.

There is nothing to be proud of when receiving such a mention and, sooner or later, the government will have to listen to reason and appoint an independent public inquiry commission to look into these scandals.