Debates of May 5th, 2003

Nicolas Macrozonaris

[Gérard Binet, Liberal, Frontenac—Mégantic, QC]

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today to salute Nicolas Macrozonaris of Laval, Quebec, who won the men's 100-metres on Saturday night, at the Mexican Grand Prix track meet held in the Mexico City Olympic Stadium.

With a time of 10.03 seconds in his first Grand Prix meet of the season, this victory is the biggest so far in his career, his personal best and second fastest time this year. Nicolas finished ahead of the record holder in this event, Tim Montgomery of the United States.

Nicolas Macrozonaris is trained by Daniel St-Hilaire, who worked for many years with Bruny Surin. Nicolas was first noticed by the track world during the 2000 Olympic trials, when he ran the 100 metres in 10.19 seconds.

With this significant victory come numerous invitations to prestigious meets on the international track calendar. Nicolas has become an athlete to watch in coming months, and we hope to see him race against the best in the world at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.

I know that all Canadians join with me in congratulating Nicolas on his remarkable performance and in wishing him many more in the coming months.

Susan Westmoreland

[Brian Masse, NDP, Windsor West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, as Mother's Day approaches, I and my colleague from Windsor—St. Clair would like to identify the selfless act of one mother to save the life of her unborn son. Susan Westmoreland, who served as a reporter in Windsor for what is now the New WI, lost her life to breast cancer last Monday.

Susan was diagnosed with cancer three months into her pregnancy and immediately began low level chemotherapy to prevent any harm coming to her unborn child. As the disease spread to her liver, she delayed her treatments even further and she gave birth to her son Myles.

On the job Susan always served with the highest degree of professionalism and, no matter the circumstances, always seemed to have a smile on her face. The sacrifice and bravery displayed by this mother will not be forgotten.

Susan is survived by her son Myles and her husband John Magidsohn. I would like them and all her friends and loved ones to know that she will be greatly missed.

Official Languages

[Benoît Sauvageau, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

Mr. Speaker, last Friday, the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration was shirking his responsibilities with regard to the language instruction for new Canadians program, in congratulating the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs on his official languages action plan and leaving out Quebec.

However, I told him that, out of a $94 million budget, $93.5 million was allocated to English language courses and only $333,000 to French language training for newcomers.

This disproportionate budget allocation for English and French language courses is another shocking example of the inconsistency of this government, particularly when it comes to the official languages.

This government has proven, once again, that its official languages policy is just about propaganda, policy statements and image.

I would remind the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration that there are words, propaganda and policy statements, but there are also facts.

Member for Oshawa

[Art Eggleton, Liberal, York Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with the unfortunate duty of informing the House that the hon. member for Oshawa has been hospitalized in the United Kingdom as a result of an apparent heart attack. He is in stable condition and resting comfortably. He is in good spirits, with his wife Beverley at his side.

As a testament to my colleague's commitment to the people of Oshawa, he continues to be in frequent contact with his constituency office and to serve the people of his riding.

I ask all hon. members to join me in sending our best wishes to the member and his wife. We look forward to his full recovery and quick return to Parliament.

Leadership Debates

[Rick Borotsik, Progressive Conservative, Brandon—Souris, MB]

Mr. Speaker, this past weekend saw two leadership debates for the candidates seeking to lead both of Canada's national parties.

The Liberal debate was described as a “lacklustre Liberal lovefest”. The three candidates debated for less than an hour and agreed on virtually every issue. As the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Canadian Heritage have complained, their debate did not even allow them to challenge the member for Canada Steamship Lines.

In contrast, the PC leadership debate featured six candidates who debated each other vigorously for two full hours on the future of their party and the future of Canada. The real PC debate was a far more democratic process than the token Liberal event designed to protect the image of the heir apparent and stifle dissent. It is yet another example of a government adrift.

Even within the confines of their internal party race, major issues are ignored and old ideas are repackaged and spun as new. The Liberal Party is so bitterly divided that not even the member for LaSalle—Émard will be able to put humpty dumpty back together again.

Poland

[Sarmite Bulte, Liberal, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Polish Canadians and in particular to the Polish community in my riding of Parkdale—High Park who marked the 212th anniversary of the Polish constitution on Saturday, May 3. The constitution was passed on May 3, 1791. It is the oldest constitution in Europe and the second oldest in the world.

The Polish constitution is an important contribution to the development of parliamentary traditions. In fact, it not only contributes to the proud heritage of all Canadians of Polish descent but it also confirms the basic values and freedoms of our own society.

On the occasion of Poland's national day, I wish to express the hope that the excellent relations that exist between Poland and Canada will further strengthen and grow for the benefit of our two nations.

Saskatchewan Curling

[Roy H. Bailey, Canadian Alliance, Souris—Moose Mountain, SK]

Mr. Speaker, curling championships are not new to Saskatchewan. We have for years been recognized across Canada as a great curling province.

Today I ask the House to help me recognize a young lady from Maryfield, Saskatchewan. Maryfield is not a large centre but it is huge in hospitality and particularly in paying tribute to one of their own.

Last Saturday night I was pleased to join my constituents in paying tribute to Janelle Lemon, who is one of the members of the world's junior curling champions. Indeed, Janelle is a true champion and a delightful young lady.

I ask the House to join with me in recognizing the tremendous pride that Maryfield, Saskatchewan has in this memorable achievement of Janelle Lemon, a member of the world's junior curling championship team.

Cystic Fibrosis Month

[Tony Tirabassi, Liberal, Niagara Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I wish to inform all Canadians that May is Cystic Fibrosis Month.

Cystic fibrosis is a fatal, inherited disease that affects the lungs and the digestive system. Virtually everyone with cystic fibrosis will die from lung disease. One in every 2,500 children born in Canada has this disease and today over 3,300 Canadians have cystic fibrosis. There is no known cure.

In May, the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and its partners generate awareness and support for the cystic fibrosis cause. Volunteers from 52 chapters will hold events across the country. On May 3, community based fundraising events were held by the Kinsmen and Kinette Clubs to launch the National Kin-Cystic Fibrosis Day. May 25 marks the Zellers Family Walk for Cystic Fibrosis.

I wish to extend congratulations to the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and best wishes for a successful Cystic Fibrosis Month.

Canada-U.S. Relations

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

Mr. Speaker, today is the day that many Canadians were expecting to have a visit and a speech here in the House from the President of the United States. The president was apparently unable to attend, although he has been able to host Australian Prime Minister John Howard.

My question to the Prime Minister is simple. Has the visit from President Bush been rescheduled, and if so, what is the date of this event?

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, it was agreed that the president wanted to visit Canada. He said he wanted to postpone it to the fall. We are in discussion about some dates. I was disappointed that he did not come, but he said that he will be coming.

I have said in the past that every president who has managed to come to Canada in his first mandate has managed to be re-elected, so he has an incentive to come.

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

Mr. Speaker, I think behind that joke was the answer that the president has in fact not rescheduled the visit.

It has been almost a month, April 9, since I asked the Prime Minister here in the House if he was prepared to pick up the phone and call the president about reconstruction in Iraq. He said at the time he was not prepared to do that. He was waiting for the president to call him. So my question now is, has the president called the Prime Minister and if he has, could the Prime Minister let us in on those in-depth discussions?

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, we are working very well at this moment with the government of the United States. Last week we made a decision, in agreement with them, to help with using planes and personnel for the reconstruction and the humanitarian help for the reconstruction of Iraq. It was agreed some months ago that we were to send quite a good number of troops into Afghanistan for the war against terrorism. So there is no need for a special meeting, because we will have an occasion to meet at the end of the month.

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

Mr. Speaker, I think the answer there was that he has not spoken to the president, and I will tell the Prime Minister there is always time for the Prime Minister of Canada to do that.

The President's cancelled visit is one more example of how bad relations harm Canada's negotiating power on important issues such as softwood lumber in Quebec and B.C., the tariffs on wheat and steel, border hold-ups and so on.

Can the Prime Minister explain to us how the deplorable state of his relationship with the United State can be good for Canadians?

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, if the member were to go and check the list of the problems we inherited when we took over the government in 1993, he would see that it was far longer then. There were problems with the fisheries, vessels defying the government of the day by entering northern waters. I could go on. The softwood lumber problem was even around at that time.

When you have trade relations as significant as those between Canada and the United States, that is in the order of $1.2 billion daily, it is normal for there to be some problems. Generally we manage to settle them. This is why the Canadian economy is working very well.

[Grant Hill, Canadian Alliance, Macleod, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the problem for Canada and the U.S. is the Liberals' insults.

Here is what the heritage minister said about continental missile defence on the weekend: “To support this Star Wars scenario runs counter to everything the Liberal party has ever stood for”. It looks like not everyone in cabinet agrees on just exactly who speaks for the Liberal government on this issue today.

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, the policies of the government are always initiated by the Prime Minister. At this time there is a debate. That was discussed many months before among members of Parliament and ministers and so on.

There has been an evolution in this file over the last six months. For example, there was extremely strong opposition by the Russians, which has diminished since that time, the same with the Chinese. We are looking at the files.

Of course my ministers do not agree all the time among themselves. I would be disappointed if they were to agree all the time, but at the end of the day the decision is made and they respect that decision.

[Grant Hill, Canadian Alliance, Macleod, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I guess that is why they are disagreeing so profoundly in public. It does not follow. The Canadian Alliance has pushed for cooperation on national continental missile defence for three years. In fact, the trouble for Liberals is that when they flip-flop on issues like this it affects Canadians' safety. Once again, is this not just a cynical attempt by Liberals, after insulting our allies, to kiss and make up?

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, the Canadian position has been very clear for a year. We had to have a resolution of the Security Council in order to participate in the war. I said that to the President of the United States a year ago. He knew that I was serious. He knew that I would probably deliver on what I said and that is exactly what I have done with the great support of the Canadian people.

Fisheries

[Gilles Duceppe, Bloc, Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, in the past 30 years, the federal government has demonstrated its inability to ensure the renewal of the resource in the fisheries. Due to insufficient planning, in less than ten days, Ottawa has just announced the imposition of a moratorium on the cod fishery and the lowering of crab quotas. These measures are provoking anger among fishers, and unfortunately, violence.

Will the Prime Minister admit that these last resort measures, which no one likes, were necessary because the federal government mismanaged the resource, despite the fact that it is the responsibility of the federal government?

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, for as long as I have been a member of Parliament—which is a few years now—every year the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans must re-evaluate quotas because there are natural fluctuations in catch and reproduction.

Experts advise the minister. Every year, the quotas change. Some years, they are raised; other years, they are lowered. As a rule, when quotas are raised, there are not many problems. However, unfortunately, when quotas are lowered, it is trickier. We know that this will be the case. However, the most important thing is to ensure that we keep the resource in good shape for the years to come.

[Gilles Duceppe, Bloc, Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, instead of sticking its nose in where it does not belong, the federal government should be looking after its own areas of responsibility, like managing the fish stocks.

How can the Prime Minister, who boasts about living in the best country in the world, explain that a small country like Iceland has successfully managed to renew its resource since the beginning of the 1980s, when Canada has failed? It has dropped steadily over a long period of time.

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, if the member were better informed, he would know that climate change has considerably affected fish stocks all over the world.

While the Grand Banks off Newfoundland constituted the richest cod fishing grounds for hundreds of years, in recent years, the numbers have dropped considerably. There are factors such as temperature, too many seals and other similar problems that we are managing to the best of our ability. However, in other sectors of the fishery, things are much better.

[Jean-Yves Roy, Bloc, Matapédia—Matane, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the sad incidents opposing fishers and the federal government in New Brunswick should be eye-openers for the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and make him realize that regions like the Gaspé and the Lower North Shore are going through equally difficult times.

To avoid many problems on the Lower North Shore, why does the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans not quickly grant these communities the seal quota they are demanding, which would allow the immediate opening of a processing plant?

[Robert Thibault, Liberal, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member knows full well that the seal quota was raised to 975,000 over three years. Last year, the management methods were upgraded. We ensured that for the first or second time in 25 years, our 275,000 seal quota was reached and even exceeded.

We are being asked to assign quotas individually for each business in that region. That is unusual. However, as I indicated in this House last week, because we are dealing with a disadvantaged community, that I am prepared to look into the matter.

[Jean-Yves Roy, Bloc, Matapédia—Matane, QC]

Mr. Speaker, why does the government continue to refuse to help fishers in eastern Quebec with special measures under the EI program such as the POWA for older workers and the extension of benefits for workers who are unable to work as much because of the lower quotas?