House of Commons Hansard #91 of the 37th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was airports.

Topics

Canada Airports ActGovernement Orders

1:45 p.m.

Canadian Alliance

Rick Casson Canadian Alliance Lethbridge, AB

Mr. Speaker, the member's scenario kind of reminds us of the old saying that the Liberal government will tax something until it quits moving and then once it stops moving it subsidizes it to get it going again. It is a neverending cycle. That to me seems to be what is going on with these airport authorities.

One of the biggest problems in the bill is that it does not address airports that serve millions of Canadians. It only deals with 28 airports, I believe, and all the rest are left out of this. There are many issues at many of those airports across the country that need to be addressed, and CARs 308 is one of them.

Today we have the firefighters from across Canada on the Hill with regard to the emergency response issue. Does the member have any comments on the fact that the government, when it put these airports out to other authorities to run, said that they did not have to have this type of response and now it is reneging on that and putting a huge burden on a lot of small airports across the country?

Canada Airports ActGovernement Orders

1:45 p.m.

Canadian Alliance

John Williams Canadian Alliance St. Albert, AB

Mr. Speaker, that is another aspect of the exact same problem, that the government does not have a clue what it is doing. It has no policy and no vision. It has nothing.

Again I will quote from the Auditor General's report at section 10.19 which says, “A comprehensive national policy on airports did not exist until 1994”. It had no policy. It knew nothing about firefighting timelines, financing and borrowing. It had no policy at all. It was strictly ad hoc.

Section 10.19 further states:

Although Transport Canada began the process of transferring airports in the late 1980s and has been leasing out airports since 1992, only in 1994 did it indicate a need for a National Airports Policy.

Save me, Mr. Speaker. In section 10.20 it states:

Transport Canada also noted that in making ad hoc decisions, it had for over 60 years assumed more and more responsibility for airports.

Because it had no policy for what it was supposed to do, it did whatever it figured had to be done every day. Truly, I say, Mr. Speaker, save me from such incompetence.

Canada Airports ActGovernement Orders

1:50 p.m.

Canadian Alliance

Jim Abbott Canadian Alliance Kootenay—Columbia, BC

Mr. Speaker, it is very interesting to follow my seatmate, my colleague here, and his comments.

On the issue of the Cranbrook airport, when the city of Cranbrook took over the airport response times were stipulated at that point. Now, as we have just been discussing, response times are totally different . What it basically means is that there was an absolutely unpredictable, unforecastable expense that is now facing the city of Cranbrook and the Cranbrook airport.

I want to speak briefly, in the context of Bill C-27, about the city of Cranbrook and the Cranbrook airport. It is unique, as are all smaller airports, I am sure. It is unique in the fact that the overall airport traffic in the early eighties was approximately 155,000 passengers and today it is down to under 90,000 travelling passengers. This is a combination of two things.

One thing is that at that time, in the early eighties, with the amount of development that was happening in the Crow's Nest and people coming to the Cranbrook airport in 737s from Vancouver and Calgary and then going on up to the Crow's Nest, we had a very large volume of people coming through the airport. That development work has stabilized and now, as a result, we have a very solid employment base. My constituency, I should say, produces about a quarter of the world's metallurgical coal. Therefore, the development has taken place.

Now we end up with the situation that the airlines have chosen, to downgrade from 737s to Dash 8 300s, Dash 8 100s, Beechcraft 1900s and so on, the imperative being that the fewer the number of passengers on the plane the lower the landing fee. Therefore, because the landing fees have been increasing, they have been decreasing the number of passengers as they have been able to.

At the same time the government has consistently increased the taxes on airline travel, to the point that now it costs over $700 for a round trip between Cranbrook and Vancouver. It is absolutely outrageous. Furthermore, most people end up leaving the Cranbrook area, driving over to Calgary and taking advantage of WestJet and other discount carriers in the area.

In response to that, and because we have so many worldclass recreation facilities, unimaginable ski hills, golf courses, everything anyone could possibly want in the form of recreation in our area, a proposal has been put forward to extend the Cranbrook airport runway from 6,000 feet to 9,000 feet. That would permit charter planes as large as 767s to fly directly from Europe into the Cranbrook airport, thereby bypassing Calgary and coming directly to the worldclass resorts that exist in my constituency.

It is a very worthy and worthwhile project but one can see how, with Bill C-27, which is basically a one size fits all kind of legislation, the requirements for the Cranbrook airport and the rules and regulations that will flow from Bill C-27, which will impact the Cranbrook airport, will be so substantially different than the regulations that would be in Castlegar in the west Kootenays, Cranbrook of course being in the east Kootenays, or I could refer to Lethbridge, which would be the next smaller airport to the east. The requirements for the Cranbrook airport will be so substantially different to the requirements for the Castlegar airport and Lethbridge airport that it is impossible under Bill C-27 to come up with any possible way of establishing proper rules and regulations that would fit all.

I want to read from a briefing note about the Vancouver airport authority. The reason I want to read about that is that the Vancouver airport authority airport services, YVRAS, is an organization that has taken over the management of the Cranbrook airport.

Under section 57, the bill would limit an airport authority's ability to invest in another corporation to 2% of gross revenue a year. The YVRAS is concerned that this clause would limit its ability to finance its projects in Chile, Jamaica, Hamilton and, I am sure if we are successful in the current negotiations, the project in Cranbrook at the same time. YVR writes:

...investment opportunities do not come in neat bundles, nor do they arise every year. This is also a demonstration of an “Ottawa knows better” than the community based board about what is good for the community.

This is part of the one size fits all, only it is more specific to the management of the Cranbrook airport. YVR has been doing a credible job for us. There is a responsibility to the citizens of Cranbrook at this particular time.

With ongoing negotiations between the City of Cranbrook, the Regional District of East Kootenay and other municipalities, as well as provincial and federal governments, to possibly fund the issue of getting the 9,000 foot runway, this insecurity over the funding and the backing of YVRAS is a significant concern to me, representing the people of the east Kootenays.

This bill, as with all bills, misses opportunities. We are looking at the fact that under airport fees, for example, we know that the Cranbrook airport, along with many others, has been hit badly by the Air Canada bankruptcy. The difficulty is that many of the funds were not in a place of trust. If they had been put into a place of trust, these smaller airports would not have been hit in that way.

Although this bill is a sincere attempt on the part of the government, it is seriously flawed and should go back to the drawing board.

Canada Airports ActGovernement Orders

1:55 p.m.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Bélair)

I would like to inform the hon. member for Kootenay—Columbia that he has three minutes remaining in his speech and is entitled to five minutes of questions or comments after question period.

Rosemary BrownStatements By Members

1:55 p.m.

Liberal

Judi Longfield Liberal Whitby—Ajax, ON

Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to rise today to pay homage to Rosemary Brown who died this past weekend.

A passionate woman with a determined vision of equality, Rosemary Brown took on the position of volunteer Vancouver ombudsman as “the challenge I have been waiting for all of my life”. She entered provincial politics in 1972 because she was on the board of the Vancouver status of women which urged women to run. In her memoirs Brown wrote: “I have never lost sight of the fact that I was the women's candidate, that they nominated me, worked for me, and elected me”.

In 1972 Rosemary Brown became the first black woman to be elected to political office in Canada, winning her seat in the B.C. legislature. She was a tireless leader in the struggle for rights of men, women and children everywhere. Rosemary Brown was honoured around the world for her life work, as well as in Canada where she was named an officer of the Order of Canada in 1966.

Through her sustained efforts she became an inspiration in the field of social activism. Rosemary Brown's goals endure: to push boundaries, to challenge absolutes, and to make equality a reality for every human being.

Holocaust Remembrance DayStatements By Members

1:55 p.m.

Canadian Alliance

Rick Casson Canadian Alliance Lethbridge, AB

Mr. Speaker, April 29 is Yom Hashoah, the Holocaust Remembrance Day. It is a day for commemoration and reflection of the dark days during World War II of the Holocaust.

All Canadians have a stake in remembering the Holocaust and its roots in the racist ideology of the Nazis. Although nearly 60 years have passed since the end of World War II, it is vital to honour the memory of the victims and acknowledge their suffering.

Today teaches us about the universal and enduring lessons on human rights, tolerance and multiculturalism. By 2002 all the provinces in Canada had enacted legislation, the first outside the State of Israel, to allow for an annual day of memory for the victims of the Holocaust.

Canadians have set the example as world leaders in legislating the commemoration of the Holocaust. Through this day and the ongoing education of our children we can remember and strive to make the world a better place.

Jean CharestStatements By Members

2 p.m.

Liberal

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

Mr. Speaker, on April 14, 2003, Quebeckers elected a Liberal majority government. This Liberal victory belongs primarily to the hon. Jean Charest. We must salute this man who, for the past five years, has been remarkably tenacious, recovering from a number of heartbreaking defeats without ever getting discouraged, always supported by his wife Michèle Dionne, his three children, his father Claude Charest, and the people of Sherbrooke.

Jean Charest rolled up his sleeves and got his party back on the rails. He listened to the people of Quebec and he created a network that enabled him to attract men and women of high calibre.

For the first time in recent history, Quebec will have an elected premier who knows English Canada and knows how to talk to it. Today, hon. Jean Charest will be sworn in as Premier of Quebec. Jean Charest has proven that he is the little guy from Sherbrooke.

Holocaust Remembrance DayStatements By Members

2 p.m.

Liberal

Anita Neville Liberal Winnipeg South Centre, MB

Mr. Speaker, on Sunday this week I had the honour to participate in the Holocaust memorial service at the Etz Chayim Synagogue in Winnipeg. Survivors, the younger members of their families, and young and old from the entire community attended this service to honour the memory of the victims and pay tribute to those who helped. It is particularly important and appropriate that the young remember, along with their elders.

Today in this House we recognize Yom Hashoah, the Holocaust Remembrance Day and pause to reflect upon the days of the Holocaust. We must never forget the losses, the sacrifices, and the heroism of that time. We must never forget the six million Jews who perished. We must never allow the Holocaust deniers any opportunity to spread their lies. We must not tolerate the emergence of what some call “a new anti-Semitism”.

We must continue our efforts in the promotion of human rights, and tolerance in this country and around the globe.

Natural DisastersStatements By Members

2 p.m.

Liberal

Peter Adams Liberal Peterborough, ON

Mr. Speaker, in the early hours of April 29, 1903, 82 million tonnes of paleozoic limestone descended 1,000 metres from the summit of Turtle Mountain onto the coal mining town of Frank, Alberta, killing 75 people.

Today marks the 100th anniversary of this natural disaster. The Geological Survey of Canada led the first investigation into the Frank slide. Its research to find ways of reducing the impact of catastrophic landslides continues today within Natural Resources Canada. These efforts will help make Canadian communities safer for now and future generations.

Today, let us remember those Canadians who have lost their lives in natural disasters and let us continue to support research that will lessen the impact of natural disasters in this country.

JusticeStatements By Members

2 p.m.

Canadian Alliance

James Moore Canadian Alliance Port Moody—Coquitlam—Port Coquitlam, BC

Mr. Speaker, on June 23, 1985, a terrorist bomb killed 329 innocent people on Air India 182. Like other major terrorist attacks on civil aviation, the process of identifying, locating, and bringing to trial those involved is lengthy and complex.

Ajaib Singh Bagri and Ripudaman Singh Malik face charges of murder, attempted murder, and conspiracy in connection with the destruction of Air India 182, and an attack on a second plane in Tokyo.

For many of the victims' families this week marks the start of a trial that many never expected to see. The proceedings will take place in a $7.2 million high security, high tech courtroom built especially for the case and it is expected to last eight months. The trial will be costly and complex, involving tens of thousands of pages of evidence from years of investigations on three continents and is the culmination of a process that has cost more than $80 million.

As this trial unfolds, the Canadian Alliance extends our best wishes to the families of the victims of Air India 182 as they seek the answers that will heal their pain and make our skies safer.

Holocaust Remembrance DayStatements By Members

2 p.m.

Liberal

Irwin Cotler Liberal Mount Royal, QC

Mr. Speaker, yesterday I participated in the annual Montreal Holocaust Remembrance Day gathering where Canadian Jews, in concert with their fellow citizens, came together to remember horrors too terrible to be believed but not too terrible to have happened; to remember the Holocaust as a genocidal war against the Jews where not all victims were Jews, but all Jews were victims. Six million Jews were killed, of whom one and a half million were children.

We remember each of the six million, not as a statistical abstraction, but onto each person there is a name, an identity, chacun a un nom, une identité. We remember that whoever kills a single person, it is as if they killed an entire universe; and whoever saves a single person, it is as if they saved an entire universe.

We remember the heroic resistance of the starved, decimated Jewish remnant on this 60th anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising. We remember and we pledge that never again will we be indifferent to racism and anti-Semitism. Never again will we be silent in the face of genocide. We will remember and we will act.

May this Holocaust Remembrance Day be not only an act of remembrance, but a remembrance to act against injustice, against hatred, against racism, and to act for real peace, for genuine human rights, for tikkun olam , the betterment of the human condition.

VolunteersStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Bloc

Michel Guimond Bloc Beauport—Montmorency—Côte-De- Beaupré—Île-D'Orléans, QC

Mr. Speaker, each year in Quebec, the last week of April is dedicated to volunteerism.

Can we even imagine our society without the considerable contribution made by the women and men who give generously of their time to accompany patients, to support those who are distressed and lonely, and to encourage and help organize community life in our neighbourhoods?

To all of these people who have understood so well that to give is also to receive, we say thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Volunteers are the real ambassadors of a better world. They are the true ambassadors of the united world that we all want to build.

Since all practical achievements begin with a dream, let us start dreaming that these fraternal gestures will spread and grow, and put a human face on our view of the world.

We applaud the hundreds of thousands of small gestures which, abundantly and freely given, put a smile of hope on the lips and in the hearts of those people who so need it.

Dear volunteers, on behalf of those you help: thank you.

National day of mourningStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

Carmen Provenzano Liberal Sault Ste. Marie, ON

Mr. Speaker, each year many Canadian workers are killed or injured on the job.

I know I express the sentiments of the House in extending our deepest sympathies to all those workers who are victims of workplace accidents, and to their families and friends.

In 1990 the Government of Canada passed the Workers Mourning Day Act which established an official day observed each year to commemorate the victims of workplace accidents. The intent of the legislation is to make all Canadians aware of the importance of workplace safety and to underline the necessity of taking all measures to prevent workplace injury and death.

Yesterday, April 28, representatives of labour and employee unions and groups, employers and community leaders gathered on the grounds of the United Steelworkers Hall on Denis Street in my riding of Sault Ste. Marie and in locations all across the country to commemorate Canada's National Day of Mourning.

I say to my colleagues and fellow Canadians that we must always be mindful of our collective responsibilities regarding the safety and health of Canadian workers.

First NationsStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Canadian Alliance

Brian Pallister Canadian Alliance Portage—Lisgar, MB

Mr. Speaker, Canada's first nations and the Canadian Alliance agree that the First Nations Governance Act fails to make significant reforms in the following areas: housing, infrastructure, property and women's rights.

Like the Indian Act, this legislation is the result of good but ill-considered intentions. It is being imposed in a mandatory and unilateral fashion. The old legislation has tarnished the past; the new legislation will stain the future.

The government is just tinkering around, when what is needed are real changes. Covering its ears and saying, “I cannot hear you” will not help it to improve the lives of Canada's first nations. Working together will be a step in the right direction. It is time to listen.

Health CareStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

John Bryden Liberal Ancaster—Dundas—Flamborough—Aldershot, ON

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the people of Flamborough, Dundas, Ancaster and the rest of Hamilton that neighbours my riding, I would like to pay tribute to Charles and Margaret Juravinski for their extraordinary gift to health care in the region: $2 million to the Hamilton Health Sciences hospital; $5 million to the Hamilton Regional Cancer Clinic; $5 million to St. Joseph's Villa, a seniors residence; $2 million to McMaster University health care; and $2 million to St. Joseph's Hospital. Thousands are going to benefit for years to come.

The Juravinskis, I should explain, are famous in Canada's horse racing industry for having built, owned and operated Flamborough Downs, one of the premier racing venues in Canada. They owe their success to teamwork, acumen, common sense and luck, good luck that they wanted to share. Well, share they did and it is a generosity that will never reach any finish line.

Thank you, Margaret and Charles Juravinski.

Rosemary BrownStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

NDP

Alexa McDonough NDP Halifax, NS

Mr. Speaker, Rosemary Brown was friend, sister, heroine and mentor to two generations of Canadians, Jamaicans and others with whom she worked in her global pursuit of equality, justice and peace.

An unapologetic feminist, Rosemary dedicated her life as she dedicated her biography proudly entitled Being Brown to “women everywhere who strive to change their world”.

When Rosemary passed away on April 26, she left behind her a lifetime of activism and accomplishment. She came to Canada from Jamaica in 1951. After completing a degree in social work, she served as a New Democrat in the B.C. legislature, the first black woman elected to office in Canada. In 1975 she was the first woman to run for the leadership of any federal political party, placing second to Ed Broadbent, the successful contender. Following her distinguished career in politics, she served as executive director and then president of Match International and Ontario human rights commissioner.

Even in retirement her energies never flagged in the fight for human rights. But her greatest joy was her family, her husband Bill and three children and seven grandchildren--

Rosemary BrownStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

The Speaker

The hon. member for Saint-Jean.

First NationsStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Bloc

Claude Bachand Bloc Saint-Jean, QC

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, several hundred first nations leaders and representatives came to Parliament Hill to voice their strong opposition to Bill C-7 on the governance of first nations.

They vehemently protested the attitude of the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development toward them and the statements he has made.

Bill C-7, which must pave the way for a new relationship between the first nations and the federal government, and one day replace the infamous Indian Act, is, in fact, under the cover of modernity, worse than the legislation it is replacing. It treats the first nations like children. It keeps them subservient and ensures the continuation of the dominant-dominated relationship that has existed for over 130 years.

Our relationship with the first nations must be rebuilt, but on a new foundation of true partnership between two nations, with respect for who the first nations are.

National Volunteer WeekStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Liberal

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

Mr. Speaker, April 27 to May 3 has been declared National Volunteer Week.

I rise today in order to recognize the many volunteers who serve in my riding of Dufferin--Peel--Wellington--Grey. Volunteers in my riding come from a variety of social, cultural, business, ethnic and religious backgrounds. Thanks to their commitment and involvement, volunteers have been able to provide the very best programs and efficient services throughout Dufferin--Peel--Wellington--Grey.

I would also like to congratulate those who helped organize special events to celebrate the achievements of the many volunteers in my riding, such as the region of Peel's volunteer recognition events.

Volunteers give of their time and of themselves to make their communities a better place in which to live. Their hard work and dedication serve as an inspiration to us all.

Kenneth Scott FergusonStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Progressive Conservative

Rick Borotsik Progressive Conservative Brandon—Souris, MB

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of Canada's fallen soldiers. Lance Corporal Kenneth Scott Ferguson died in the Netherlands on April 4, 1945 during Holland's liberation from Germany in the second world war.

Next year on April 4, 2004, Lance Corporal Ferguson will have a bridge in the Netherlands named in his honour.

Ferguson would not have been remembered with such an honour had it not been for the help and dedication of retired Regimental Sgt. Major Russ Neal and his dedicated sidekick Gordon Sim. RSM Neal is the curator of the 26th field Manitoba Dragoons Museum located in Brandon, Manitoba. Through their archival research and attention to detail they were able to provide the necessary information to their Netherlands counterpart. If it were not for them, this great honour for one of our soldiers would not have happened.

Let us continue to remember the brave deeds of Canadian soldiers who gave their lives for the freedom we enjoy, who unfortunately many only remember on November 11. Let us remember our heroes in the way Holland still remembers them today. Lest we forget.

HealthStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Liberal

Jim Karygiannis Liberal Scarborough—Agincourt, ON

Mr. Speaker, SARS has had a great impact on the city of Toronto and in particular the Scarborough area where the first cases of SARS were diagnosed.

Health care workers have been hit in great numbers by this disease due to their close contact with the victims. Many of these health care workers have placed their lives at risk in combating this serious problem.

As a small show of appreciation, the Scarborough Mirror newspaper, in conjunction with Toronto residents, has launched a blue ribbon campaign to show support for our health care workers.

I call upon all Torontonians and indeed on all Canadians to show their support for our health care workers by proudly wearing a blue ribbon during this crisis situation.

Minister of Canadian HeritageStatements By Members

2:15 p.m.

Canadian Alliance

Jim Abbott Canadian Alliance Kootenay—Columbia, BC

Mr. Speaker, the heritage minister is both dead right and dead wrong.

She was dead right yesterday in her unprecedented attack on the health minister concerning the SARS file. She correctly observed that the health minister was absent. We also note that as a result of the health minister's inaction, Toronto and Canada have a terrible black eye.

However the heritage minister is dead wrong in her position on foreign ownership of telecommunications and broadcasters. The Liberal industry committee chairman correctly observed that the foreign ownership restriction should be dropped. My Canadian Alliance colleague stated it more clearly: “It is time to take off the shackles”.

If Canadians believe that content restriction should apply to what people can view in their living rooms, this can be accomplished through regulation of broadcast distribution and broadcasters. Ownership has nothing to do with it.

The heritage minister is living in the past when the CBC was the only on-air broadcaster available in living rooms. When is she going to wake up to the fact that we live in a world of digital communications?

HealthOral Question Period

2:15 p.m.

Calgary Southwest Alberta

Canadian Alliance

Stephen Harper Canadian AllianceLeader of the Opposition

Mr. Speaker, in lifting its travel advisory against Toronto, the World Health Organization again called for proactive screening for interviews of outgoing passengers at Canadian airports.

Will the health minister finally relent, accept this advice and fully implement screening and full interviews of outgoing passengers at Canadian airports?

HealthOral Question Period

2:15 p.m.

Saint-Maurice Québec

Liberal

Jean Chrétien LiberalPrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take the occasion to thank Dr. Brundtland who responded very quickly to the request to review the decision.

The people of Toronto, the people of Ontario and the people of Canada are very happy that through the work of the municipal, federal and provincial governments together we have managed to achieve that success very rapidly. Of course it will never be good enough for the guys who are slipping all the time in the polls in Canada, the Alliance Party.

HealthOral Question Period

2:15 p.m.

Calgary Southwest Alberta

Canadian Alliance

Stephen Harper Canadian AllianceLeader of the Opposition

Mr. Speaker, we on this side also thank the Canadian officials from the Ontario government who bothered to go to Geneva.

On March 27 the World Health Organization recommended interviews with outgoing passengers at Canadian airports. We in the Canadian Alliance called for it the same day. The advice has been ignored. It has been recommended again today.

I ask the Prime Minister since he rose, is he going to follow this advice finally or not?