Debates of Feb. 11th, 2003

Border Security

[Elinor Caplan, Liberal, Minister of National Revenue]

Mr. Speaker, first, we have an excellent relationship with the Americans and have worked very hard on this smart border accord under the leadership of the Deputy Prime Minister and Mr. Ridge.

I also want to say to the member opposite that what she is talking about is a proposal by the Americans that has not yet taken effect. I would tell her that not only do we share concerns in wanting to see that the border functions effectively, but we are working very closely with all of those who have an interest in seeing that the border is secure and efficient because that is in the interests of both Canadians and Americans.

National Defence

[David Pratt, Liberal, Nepean—Carleton, ON]

Mr. Speaker, recently we heard of the plight of members of the Canadian Forces who have been denied full benefits for injuries sustained in the line of duty. In particular, the issue relates to inequities in the insurance benefits available to senior officers and those available to more junior ranks.

I know the minister has wanted to correct this injustice. Could the minister tell the House what he intends to do about it?

[John McCallum, Liberal, Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, it clearly is wrong to limit lump sum payments for dismemberment to those who hold the rank of colonel or above. There is no doubt about it, that is simply wrong. That is why I am extremely pleased to announce today that very soon such lump sum benefits for dismemberment will be available to all members of the Canadian Forces, irrespective of rank.

National Parks

[Howard Hilstrom, Canadian Alliance, Selkirk—Interlake, MB]

Mr. Speaker, on January 20, the CFIA announced that two more Manitoba cattle farms had tuberculosis outbreaks. This is in addition to the six farms that already are under quarantine. In this new outbreak, 230 cattle will be destroyed, but guess what? No elk in the Riding Mountain National Park will be destroyed, even though they are the proven source of the tuberculosis.

Why is the heritage minister standing idly by and not eradicating TB from the Riding Mountain National Park elk herd?

[Carole-Marie Allard, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage]

Mr. Speaker, Parks Canada, together with other stakeholders, has played an active role in the concrete measures that have been implemented to manage this complex problem.

[Howard Hilstrom, Canadian Alliance, Selkirk—Interlake, MB]

Mr. Speaker, the fact is that the plan is totally useless. It is not doing the job. The government's plan to reduce the elk herd through hunting licences is one way of trying to do it. However this year only 260 elk were taken by hunters. At that rate, the disease will never be eradicated.

Maybe we can get an answer from the agriculture minister. Does the Minister of Agriculture understand that Manitoba will never regain TB-free status unless the disease is eradicated from the wild elk herd?

[Lyle Vanclief, Liberal, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food]

Mr. Speaker, we are working with the industry and with the province of Manitoba. We have developed a zone that will allow part of Manitoba to continue its TB-free status. We are working with the industry, the livestock breeders and others to ensure that they can move their cattle there as well.

We recognize the challenge that we have here and we will continue to work with the Minister of Canadian Heritage to alleviate this problem that we have.

Softwood Lumber

[Stéphane Bergeron, Bloc, Verchères—Les Patriotes, QC]

Mr. Speaker, while visiting the North Shore yesterday, we were able to see that the softwood lumber crisis is continuing to claim victims. Many workers will see their employment insurance benefits dry up soon, the lumber mills are closed and entire regions are crying out for help. The government promised it would be announcing a second assistance plan, but we are still waiting.

Could the Minister of Industry tell me what he is waiting for to do his job and announce, as he himself promised on October 8, the second phase of his assistance plan for victims of the softwood lumber crisis?

Where is the aid promised by the minister?

[Jane Stewart, Liberal, Minister of Human Resources Development]

Mr. Speaker, let me first remind the hon. member of the efforts that have been made by the government on behalf of workers in the softwood industry.

Clearly we are concerned about the reality that they face as this disagreement continues. However I would remind the hon. member of the $450 million that goes to employment insurance benefits, of the more than $250 million that has been announced for support to communities, as well as additional support through employment insurance.

I also would remind the hon. member of the over $650 million the Government of Canada transfers to the province of Quebec specifically for active measures--

[The Speaker]

The hon. member for Saskatoon—Humboldt

Public Service

[Jim Pankiw, Canadian Alliance, Saskatoon—Humboldt, SK]

Mr. Speaker, government statistics prove that forced bilingualism discriminates against English speaking Canadians with respect to hiring and promotion in the public service. In fact my recent survey mirrored a 1991 report by the Professional Institute of the Public Service. The vast majority of respondents said that their careers were negatively affected by language discrimination.

Why is the President of the Treasury Board forcibly imposing artificial language requirements which deny employment and promotions for anglophones in the public service?

[Lucienne Robillard, Liberal, President of the Treasury Board]

Mr. Speaker, I think it is perfectly acceptable that Canada's public service is committed to serving the people of Canada in both of the country's official languages. Anywhere anglophones and francophones live, they must receive appropriate services from our government.

I really have no idea what the member is driving at, particularly since he should have faith in young anglophones in Canada, who are becoming more and more bilingual.

Citizenship and Immigration

[Greg Thompson, Progressive Conservative, New Brunswick Southwest, NB]

Mr. Speaker, the government does not have a good track record when it comes to managing and securing data. Witness the gun registration debacle and the social insurance card fraud. Now the government is floating the idea of a national identity card scheme.

Given the government's dismal track record in this area of personal security, does the minister really expect Canadians to have confidence in the government's ability to manage this high tech novelty item?

[Denis Coderre, Liberal, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration]

Mr. Speaker, we do not have to bury our heads in the sand. We have to take care of two issues. First, there is the issue of identity theft that costs society $2.5 billion. Second, with what is going on with the entry-exit at the border all the time, we need to ensure that Canadians will decide the kind of identity policy we should have.

It is not a government thing. It is the Canadian way. It is among ourselves to decide what we want to do. It is an open debate for all. I urge every member and every Canadian to give their thoughts on that issue.

National Defence

[Cheryl Gallant, Canadian Alliance, Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the decision by the Minister of National Defence to deal unfairly with landowners adjacent to the expanding JTF2 military base only generates negative publicity at a time when the minister needs to highlight the elite unit's excellent work in Afghanistan.

Why will the minister not offer fair compensation to these local landowners?

[John McCallum, Liberal, Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, I acknowledge and highlight the excellent performance of our special forces, the JTF2, which have indeed done a superb job in Afghanistan and elsewhere, although I must always be mindful of the security requirements, as indeed I am. However I hope in the not too distant future to share with Canadians the fantastic achievements of this group.

On the other hand, I cannot remember the other part of her question.

Seasonal Employment

[Suzanne Tremblay, Bloc, Rimouski-Neigette-Et-La Mitis, QC]

Mr. Speaker, in several sectors of the seasonal employment industry, an increasingly common practice is for employers to accumulate employee overtime hours instead of declaring them in order to extend the work periods and avoid the infamous gap.

Will the minister admit that not recognizing seasonal work is the true cause of these fraudulent practices?

[Jane Stewart, Liberal, Minister of Human Resources Development]

Mr. Speaker, on the contrary. The government appreciates the contribution of seasonal industries and seasonal workers to the overall Canadian economy. The hon. member should recognize that our change to an hours based system directly supports seasonal workers by lengthening their entitlement and increasing their benefits.

As well, she will recall that we have made changes to a number of aspects of the Employment Insurance Act quite directly that respond to all workers, including those in the seasonal industries.

We are convinced that we have a program that works, that works well and that is there when Canadians need it.

Health

[Svend Robinson, NDP, Burnaby—Douglas, BC]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Prime Minister. Last week the Prime Minister blocked the call of three territorials premiers for a northern health fund of roughly $60 million, despite the support of every provincial premier and Roy Romanow. Northern Liberal MPs have been shamefully silent on this issue so far.

Will the Prime Minister now assure the House that the coming budget will fully fund the critical health needs of northerners so that his legacy will not be one of neglect and betrayal of northern and aboriginal Canadians?

[Anne McLellan, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, both the Prime Minister and I have indicated before in the House our willingness, and in fact on Monday, February 24, I will have the opportunity to meet with my three territorial health minister colleagues. At that time I hope we will begin the implementation of the new health accord for the people who live in the three territories.

The House resumed from February 6 consideration of the motion and of the amendment.

Supply

[The Speaker]

It being 3:03 p.m., pursuant to order made on Thursday, February 6 the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the amendment relating to the business of supply.

Call in the members.

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

[The Speaker]

I declare the amendment lost.

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

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[Some hon. members]

No.