Debates of May 8th, 2003

Supply

[Paul Szabo, Liberal, Mississauga South, ON]

Madam Speaker, I am sure that the member will agree that there is no one in this place and probably very few Canadians who would not agree that the existence of child pornography necessarily means that a child has been abused. Collectively, if we were to vote in this place today, we would all support a straightforward motion to prohibit the possession of child pornography.

We have this problem and I would appreciate the member's comments. It stems back to the Sharpe case, where there was talk about pictures that he may have drawn or stories he may have written. Photographs of human beings are clear. Lawyers can have fun with the statement that “it was just in my mind and so nobody was hurt”.

Why do we always get sucked into these debates on things that are grey when there are black and white issues before us concerning child pornography?

I did some research on the Supreme Court of Canada and the whole concept of court made law. This is also part of the problem. I thought that Parliament was the highest court in the land. As far as I am concerned, in almost nine and half years as a parliamentarian, I have not seen Parliament represent itself in its work as the highest court in the land. Maybe it is time that Parliament exercised its authority and constitutional right to reflect the social values of Canadians.

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

Madam Speaker, that was well said and I could not agree more.

The problem is that only a few minutes before I spoke one of his colleagues spoke and she clearly said the Supreme Court was the highest court in the land. There are other members on that side of the House and down at the other end who believe the same thing. Members should check Hansard because it was said.

I indicated that Parliament was the highest court in the land. This member looked boldly at me and said that the Supreme Court was the highest court in the land. Maybe we had better have that debate and get that over with. Which is the highest court? Who is in charge of the country?

I prefer to believe that the people of Canada are in charge. The people of Canada put their faith in us as they democratically elected us. They want us to be the highest court in the land, rather than some appointed, unaccountable judges. We should have those issues settled. That should not take very long. Let us collectively work together and do what the member agrees should be done. Let us wipe child pornography out, ban it, and get rid of it. It is of no value.

I can guarantee members that if somebody wants to sit at home and doodle or whatever they want to call it, they had better keep their doodling file at home because if we do what we want to do it had better not be distributed or used in any form or that person has had it. We must get that message out there to let them know that.

In one court in Manitoba a child pornographer was caught. The crowd applauded because the lady judge brought in a fine of $10,000. She said that she wanted this predator of children to think about what he had done every time he opened his wallet. The crowd cheered and said that at last this was a decision that would have some deterrence. That decision was appealed to a higher court and guess what, it was overturned.

At the same time we had a poacher who shot an elk out of season and was fined $250,000. The fine stuck and he had to do jail time. Which is more important, our animals or our young children?

Sherbrooke Biotechnology Development Centre

[David Price, Liberal, Compton—Stanstead, QC]

Madam Speaker, it is my honour to rise in this House today to given Canadians another example of the excellent job this government is doing in the riding of Sherbrooke.

On April 25, the Sherbrooke Biotechnology Development Centre received a non-refundable contribution of $1.5 million from the Government of Canada, under its biomedical development project. This funding will buy state of the art equipment in the fields of biotechnology and human health.

The Sherbrooke Biotechnology Development Centre is a multi-tenant building with 20 or so laboratories which could accommodate more than 140 researchers. The building is under construction in the Sherbrooke Biomedical Park, a major scientific park in Quebec.

I want to assure the citizens of the riding of Sherbrooke that they—

[The Acting Speaker (Ms. Bakopanos)]

The hon. member for Prince George—Peace River.

National Defence

[Jay Hill, Canadian Alliance, Prince George—Peace River, BC]

Madam Speaker, I recently had the opportunity to meet a number of our naval personnel while in Halifax. As expected, I found them to be of exceptionally high calibre and proud to be serving our country. Our sailors have always given us their best. Yet in return, the Liberal government continues to abandon, neglect and embarrass them.

As we commemorate the 58th anniversary of Victory in Europe today as well as the 60th anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic last Sunday, we must remember to honour our the commitment of our forefathers to fight for peace and freedom by properly supporting our military.

To meet this commitment Canada urgently needs to replace our aging Sea King helicopters. Canada needs to immediately replace our supply ships, HMCS Preserver and Protector. Canada needs new command destroyers. Canada needs a continuous shipbuilding policy to not only ensure our navy has the ships it requires, but to ensure we keep the skilled shipbuilders the industry itself requires.

Canada needs a Canadian Alliance government.

Bob Miller

[Andy Scott, Liberal, Fredericton, NB]

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to congratulate Bob Miller on winning the 2003 Award of Excellence at the New Brunswick Multimedia gala. This award goes to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the multimedia industry in the province of New Brunswick.

In 1982 Bob established his company, Atlantic Mediaworks Ltd., a full service video and film production company. He is an award winning producer and director. His work has been recognized provincially, nationally and internationally, including the Gemini Award winning CBC movie, At the End of the Day: The Sue Rodriguez Story, which he co-produced with Daphne Curtis, co-owner of Atlantic Mediaworks.

Bob has been a supporter and advocate of New Brunswick film. He works to produce high quality products, contributes to a viable and vibrant industry, increases opportunities for others in the field, and raises the national and international visibility of New Brunswick film.

I wish to congratulate Bob Miller for the honour of winning this prestigious and well deserved award.

Victory in Europe Day

[Joe McGuire, Liberal, Egmont, PE]

Madam Speaker, today is VE Day, Victory in Europe Day, which marks the 58th anniversary of the liberation of Europe.

On this historic occasion, Canadians from sea to sea to sea will be joining their European counterparts in remembering those who served and made the ultimate sacrifice to defend liberty.

Close to one million Canadian men and women volunteered to fight for their country in its time of greatest need. By the end of this horrific conflict more than 45,000 Canadians had given their lives and up to 55,000 were wounded. Our military men and women were and are second to none, no matter what the conflict.

Today, we also pay tribute not only to those who served in Europe, but to those Canadians from all walks of life who contributed in a significant way to the war effort. Whether in factories, schools or at home, these Canadians toiled relentlessly to support their loved ones.

Their legacy lies in their courage and inexorable will to defend the values and freedoms which we enjoy today. Lest we forget.

World Red Cross Day

[Stan Dromisky, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Atikokan, ON]

Madam Speaker, today is World Red Cross Day, celebrated by national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies worldwide.

The Canadian Red Cross is a non-profit, humanitarian organization dedicated to improving the situation of the most vulnerable in Canada and throughout the world. All Canadian Red Cross programs and activities are guided by the fundamental principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality. These principles allow it to provide help immediately to whoever needs it, wherever they are, whatever their race, political beliefs, religion, social status or culture.

In Canada, the Red Cross provides a wide range of assistance to millions of people through national disaster relief, first aid, water safety and abuse prevention programs.

We would like to declare today, May 8, World Red Cross Day.

Olive Stickney

[Deborah Grey, Canadian Alliance, Edmonton North, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a long time reformer and personal friend, Olive Stickney. A pioneer from the Peace River country, Olive died in Edmonton on May 3 at the age of 88.

In the early years of the reform party, we held small informal meetings all over the countryside. At one meeting in the Peace River country Preston Manning expressed surprise at the huge audience assembled in the hall. In explanation, one person called out “Olive Stickney told us we had to come to this meeting or she'd burn our barns down”. Such was the presence and personality of Olive.

In recent years she lived in Edmonton. She and I had many visits, many laughs, and compared notes on each other's riding skills--I on my burgundy motorcycle and she on her burgundy motor scooter. I am sure she put almost as many miles as I did.

We will miss her laughter, her mischief, her sheer joy of life, and her wild and wonderful hats. To her family, we offer our sympathies as they say goodbye to Olive. We thank them for sharing her with us.

National Hospice Palliative Care Week

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

Mr. Speaker, palliative care is designed to alleviate suffering. It is specialized care for the seriously ill and their family. The basic idea is to ensure the comfort and dignity of terminally ill patients.

One Canadian in ten is caring for someone who is seriously ill. We know that 80% of Canadians in the last stages of their life would rather stay at home, surrounded by their relatives, to receive care. This means that, in 25 years, one labour force participant in two will be caring for a relative at home.

In response, the Liberal government has put in place special measures, such as the establishment, in budget 2003, of eternity leave and the development of a strategy to improve end of life care.

This week is National Hospice Palliative Care Week. This is a time to honour those who, through their dedication, care for the seriously ill till the end.

Mental Health Week

[Réal Ménard, Bloc, Hochelaga—Maisonneuve, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the goal of Mental Health Week 2003, running from May 5 to 11, is to raise awareness of the need to reduce the shame and social isolation that are all too often associated with mental illness.

I take this opportunity to salute the excellent work of the Montreal foundation known as Les Impatients, which is primarily a self-expression centre with workshops open to people who have, or have had, psychiatric problems, to enable them to experiment with various forms of art.

It is also an interpretation centre for therapeutic art and outsider art that permits any interested person to experience the creations of workshop participants, through exhibits, and to be better informed about mental health issues, through lectures, roundtable discussions and seminars.

There are some 150 regular participants at the three Les Impatients locations in Montreal. About 50 volunteers support the foundation in the pursuit of its goals.

Long live the foundation and bravo to all the workshop participants.

Roy Romanow

[Tony Tirabassi, Liberal, Niagara Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to rise today to pay tribute to the winner of the Canadian Public Service Award for 2003, Mr. Roy Romanow.

Retiring in 2001 after a long and distinguished political career, Roy Romanow was lured back to public service in order to head the highly successful Romanow Commission on the Future of Health Care in Canada. The Romanow Commission has helped pave the way for better health care in the 21st century for all Canadians. This could not have been accomplished without Mr. Romanow's selfless dedication and tireless effort. Roy Romanow's career has been a model for Canadians who strive to make a difference in the lives of others.

I ask the House to join me in congratulating Mr. Romanow.

Victory in Europe Day

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

Mr. Speaker, today is the 58th anniversary of VE Day, Victory in Europe. I remember VE Day 1945 very well. I do not have the words to describe the tremendous feeling of joy and relief that was demonstrated across this country.

Although it was a day of great happiness, I recall some sad events following VE Day, the saddest of which was when a German U-boat surfaced in the North Sea, obviously unaware that the war was over, and shot down a Canadian reconnaissance plane killing all members, one being from the community in which I live.

VE Day came less than one year after D-Day on June 6, 1944, which some historians describe as the longest day in history. It was on this day that the largest armada of naval, army and air force ever came together under one command. Too often VE Day does not get the attention it should. However, the war was still on in Asia and would not come to an end until some few months later.

Stanley Cup Playoffs

[Massimo Pacetti, Liberal, Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC]

Mr. Speaker, in these uncertain times I would like to draw your attention to something that unites all Canadian fans from coast to coast. Of course what I am referring to is hockey.

With the spirit of both the men's and women's Olympic victories still fresh in our minds, I think it is very appropriate that we take a moment to wish the Vancouver Canucks the best of luck in tonight's game.

With my glorious Habs and the Flames not having made the playoffs and with the Oilers and Leafs making an early exit from this year's playoffs, it is with impatience that all Canadians keep their fingers crossed in order to continue the quest to have an all Canadian Stanley Cup final.

What a great series it would be to see the Vancouver Canucks and our local Ottawa Senators facing each other in the finals. Such a series would truly grab the attention of all Canadians.

Westray Mine Disaster

[Bill Blaikie, NDP, Winnipeg—Transcona, MB]

Mr. Speaker, tomorrow will be the 11th anniversary of the Westray mine disaster. It has been 11 years since that awful day and still we have no assurance that the government will bring in the kind of corporate criminal liability legislation that would help to prevent such an avoidable and criminal waste of life in the future.

The government has said that it will introduce amendments to the Criminal Code in May. It is May now and we await the legislation. Hopefully it will be good enough to support. Hopefully it will not get lost in the political chaos that seems to be overtaking the Liberals as a result of the leadership race.

Hopefully the 26 miners will some day rest in peace knowing that what was done to them will never again be done with the impunity that weak laws now make tragically possible.

Walter Sisulu

[Madeleine Dalphond-Guiral, Bloc, Laval Centre, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Walter Sisulu, a leading figure in the African National Congress, and a comrade of Nelson Mandela, has died at the age of 90.

Despite threats and mistreatment, Walter Sisulu devoted his life to the freedom and democracy of the South African people. Apartheid did not prevent Sisulu from educating himself to such an extent that Colin Powell respectfully called him “the wise man behind the statesman”.

Not one for vengeance, he played an outstanding role in the difficult negotiations that led to the end of apartheid, peaceful transition and national reconciliation.

We have lost a great man. “Sisulu stood head and shoulders above all of us in South Africa,” said Nelson Mandela. “He was a great force for wisdom and liberty,” added South African President Mbeki.

Walter Sisulu has left us, but his achievement remains. South Africa is at peace with its neighbours and within itself.

Adding its voice to so many others in the world, the Bloc Quebecois offers its condolences to all the people of South Africa.

Juno Beach Centre

[Sarkis Assadourian, Liberal, Brampton Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, on June 6, 1944 the first wave of assault troops landed on Juno Beach opening the way for the liberation of occupied France.

With the cooperation of the Minister of Veterans Affairs a constituent of mine, David J. Ward C.D. Retired, a veteran of the Juno Beach landings, will travel to France in June to participate in the opening ceremonies of the Juno Beach Centre.

Mr. Ward was born in France on May 11, 1921 and returned 23 years later as a Canadian soldier to help liberate the country and town of his birth.

Please join me in extending our thanks to Mr. Ward and all veterans for their sacrifice, valour and courage so ably demonstrated on the battlefields of World War II.

I call upon the House to join me in wishing Mr. Ward a happy 82nd birthday this Sunday, May 11. Happy Birthday, David.

Mental Health

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

Mr. Speaker, this week is Mental Health Week and the Canadian Mental Health Association will strive to make all of us more aware of the issues related to this disease that often goes undiagnosed and untreated.

It is estimated that 20% of all Canadians will personally experience some mental illness in their lives. Nearly 4,000 Canadians die by suicide each year.

Last evening Canadians affected by mental illness displayed their art work on Parliament Hill. On behalf of the House I thank all the participants and personally acknowledge Kathleen Power, Gail Fox, Emily Durling, Guy Arsenault, Lawrence Sparks and Blandine Arsenault from New Brunswick. They truly are an inspiration for all of us.

I urge the Canadian government to finally follow through on some of the recommendations from the Canadian Mental Health Association. We need action on that file now, not later.

Multiple Sclerosis

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

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to inform the House that May has been designated Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month by the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada.

Multiple sclerosis is a neurological illness that can cause balance problems, impaired speech, extreme fatigue, double vision and paralysis.

Canada has one of the highest rates of MS in the world. The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada provides significant support for research in this field.

In 2002, the MS society raised over $24 million.

Last year the society directed more than $5 million to its MS research program.

It is also supporting a new clinic for children with MS at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.

This month volunteers across Canada will take part in the MS carnation campaign in support of MS research and services.

I invite my hon. colleagues to join me in wishing the best possible success to the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, and encouraging all Canadians to take part.

Government Legislation

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

Mr. Speaker, it has become evident in recent days that the former finance minister has the explicit support of the majority of the Liberal caucus and the Liberal cabinet. Reports are continuing to surface that he will use this power and is giving orders to block a large number of pieces of government legislation.

My question for the government, for the Prime Minister is, has the former finance minister spoken to the Prime Minister or members of the government to indicate which pieces of government legislation he will allow to be passed and allow to be implemented and which pieces he will not?

[Don Boudria, Liberal, Minister of State and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, it is rather unusual to have the House business question being asked as the leadoff in question period as opposed to at 3:00 o'clock. Be that as it may, I am pleased to inform the Leader of the Opposition that the very important Bill C-13 on human reproduction will be dealt with tomorrow. This will be followed by the equally important Bill C-17 on public safety. We will then, thanks to the report tabled in the House earlier today, on Monday deal with Bill C-28, the budget implementation bill. Then we will consider, if not completed, Bill C-13, the human reproduction--

[The Speaker]

The hon. Leader of the Opposition.

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

Mr. Speaker, I guess the question is whether anything will get done or this is just a slow motion charade.

The report suggests that the former finance minister will be blocking a large part of the government's legislation, many bills. One in particular I am going to ask about is Bill C-24 on election rules and political financing. We in the Canadian Alliance believe this is a bad bill for taxpayers, however it is important for all political parties that we know what the rules of the next election are going to be. Could the minister indicate whether the government intends to pass this through the House and Senate, and if so, when is it going to attempt to do that?

[Don Boudria, Liberal, Minister of State and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, this question period is getting weirder by the minute.

I am pleased to inform the hon. member to continue with the parliamentary agenda, that the committee dealing with Bill C-24, the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, is doing an excellent job under the leadership of all Liberal members and others too who support the legislation, notwithstanding the delays caused by the Alliance in the House of Commons at second reading. The bill will be back in the House probably in a couple of weeks time. Consultations are ongoing. Witnesses are being heard. And yes, after committee the next step is--

[The Speaker]

The hon. Leader of the Opposition.