Debates of Sept. 16th, 2003

Firefighters Memorial

[Gary Lunn, Canadian Alliance, Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC]

Mr. Speaker, during the second world war, 422 Canadian firefighters volunteered to assist their British allies in helping save lives on the home front. They were known as Team Mitzi.

Today, a senior team of Canadian firefighters is attending services at St. Paul's Cathedral, unveiling the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial. The memorial includes the names of three Canadians: J.S. Coull, A. Lapierre and L.E. Woodhead. These men made the ultimate sacrifice fighting fires during the darkest days of the London blitz.

The monument erected today will ensure that their service and the 1,000 other firefighters who died alongside them are never forgotten.

Canadian firefighters put their lives on the line every day. Today we pay tribute to a proud moment in the history of Canadian firefighting. I encourage all Canadians to take a moment of silence and remember the sacrifice of the brave men of Team Mitzi.

Cambridge Choir

[Janko Peric, Liberal, Cambridge, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the Cambridge Kiwanis Boys' Choir and Young Men's Chorus celebrated its 25th anniversary with performances in cathedrals and historical churches throughout England.

For 25 years, the choir has performed at community centres, senior citizens' residences, and hospitals and churches in Canada, the United States, Europe and Asia. Founded by James and Jean Kropf, this remarkable choir is a member of the Royal School of Church Music, Choirs Ontario and the Choristers Guild and is supported by the Kiwanis Club of Cambridge. The choir has produced six impressive recordings and has been featured on local and national television.

I join all members in congratulating the Cambridge Kiwanis Boys' Choir and Young Men's Chorus on their many achievements and I wish them another 25 years of success.

Riding of Lévis-et-Chutes-de-la-Chaudière

[Christian Jobin, Liberal, Lévis-Et-Chutes-De-La-Chaudière, QC]

Mr. Speaker, it is with some emotion that I rise in the House of Commons today to make my maiden speech.

[An hon. member]

Hear, hear.

[Christian Jobin, Liberal, Lévis-Et-Chutes-De-La-Chaudière, QC]

Mr. Speaker, first I would like to say how proud I am to have been elected the member of Parliament for Lévis-et-Chutes-de-la-Chaudière and to be able to work with all the members of this House.

My riding, Lévis-et-Chutes-de-la-Chaudière, is located opposite Quebec City and borders the St. Lawrence Seaway over a distance of 45 kilometres. It is a rapidly developing riding, socially, economically and industrially, and is making great strides with respect to tourism as well.

I would like to remind you that the riding of Lévis-et-Chutes-de-la-Chaudière includes the second largest refinery in Canada, namely Ultramar, and also the Davie shipyard which also has the two largest drydocks in Canada. The shipyard is in difficulty and deserves the help of all parliamentarians in order to permit competition in shipbuilding within Canada.

I thank the House for its attention and for its welcome.

B.C. Forest Fires

[Betty Hinton, Canadian Alliance, Kamloops, Thompson And Highland Valleys, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to rise today to pay tribute to the people of Kamloops, Thompson and Highland Valleys and the many other British Columbians who have endured and battled this summer's fierce forest fires.

Cohesion, compassion and a pioneering spirit are our greatest weapons against such adversity. I want to thank the countless volunteers and professionals who assisted both directly and indirectly in fighting the fires, as well as those who continue to devote their time and energy to the recovery effort.

I want to make special mention of the Mennonite Disaster Service, whose volunteers from the riding of my colleague from Provencher and other areas pitched in to clean up the aftermath.

I also want to thank the ranchers from the riding of Wild Rose, Alberta, who have come to the rescue with generous donations of hay and straw for the multitude of livestock whose pasture was destroyed in the fires.

I wish there were some way to appropriately and individually recognize each and every person. Unfortunately this is not possible, given the number of firefighters, military personnel--

[The Deputy Speaker]

The hon. member for Laval West.

Nicole Demers

[Raymonde Folco, Liberal, Laval West, QC]

Mr. Speaker, this October a woman from Laval will receive the Governor General's Award in Commemoration of the Persons Case for her activities aimed at improving the status of women.

Nicole Demers has been fighting for many years, representing women, seniors and the poor in the Laval area and helping them to make their voices heard.

Ms. Demers is a model for us all and I hope that the example she sets will inspire many people. Thanks to people like her, social inequalities can be overcome.

I congratulate Nicole Demers on winning the Governor General's Award and wish this outstanding woman many more years of helping those who need help most.

Les Invasions barbares

[Christiane Gagnon, Bloc, Québec, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Denys Arcand film Les Invasions barbares won best Canadian feature film at the 28th Toronto International Film Festival.

After the film's success at Cannes and at the box office, Arcand had every reason to be pleased with this new honour for his latest production.

The Bloc Quebecois salutes the work of filmmaker Denys Arcand, the actors, the technicians and the producer Denise Robert. It is encouraging to see that Quebec productions are achieving such renown.

Not only did Les Invasions barbares deserve these awards, but it was also a box office hit in Quebec with over $5 million in ticket sales. The promotional tour in Paris, Berlin and London was met with enthusiasm. After the Toronto film festival, the film will open in theatres throughout Canada and the United States.

Long live Les Invasions barbares and Quebec cinema.

Northern Ontario

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the people of northwestern Ontario to offer condolences to the many people who have suffered tragic losses as a result of two separate airplane crashes in northern Ontario last week.

The community of Nibinamik lost seven community members, including three elected band council members, on September 11, 2003, in the rugged and isolated bush north of Thunder Bay. The close-knit community of roughly 350 people is now struggling to cope with this terrible loss. Wasaya Airways also lost a pilot in this incident.

In a separate incident, two people believed to be from British Columbia were also lost north of Thunder Bay.

As the family and friends of the deceased struggle to deal with their losses, it is important that we understand that they are in our thoughts and in our prayers. In times such as these, northerners have a way of caring for each other, and the response in the region has been overwhelming. I would like to take this opportunity to recognize and thank--

[The Deputy Speaker]

The hon. member for Edmonton—Strathcona.

Canadian Idol

[Rahim Jaffer, Canadian Alliance, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

Mr. Speaker, tonight Canadians will choose the first ever Canadian Idol. Ryan Malcolm of Kingston, Ontario, is facing off against Gary Beals of Cherry Brook, Nova Scotia. Both Gary and Ryan have survived the grueling audition process, which narrowed a field of thousands of Canadians down to twelve and now two.

Over the summer millions of Canadians have watched as these two competed against ten other young people from all over Canada, including Edmonton's hometown favourite, Tyler Hamilton.

We have been there to witness the triumphs and the heartbreaks these contestants have felt. Now, only six hours away from tonight's final episode, the votes are in and counted.

Being involved in tonight's show myself as the Idol correspondent in Ottawa, I know the excitement these two young people feel and especially the excitement that host Ben is feeling. The Mulroneys have always had a knack for song and dance.

I urge all Canadians to tune into Canadian Idol tonight and support both Ryan and Gary. I know I will be watching.

City of Barrie

[Aileen Carroll, Liberal, Barrie—Simcoe—Bradford, ON]

Mr. Speaker, in 1853 about 800 people living in small wooden buildings along a short stretch of Kempenfelt Bay on Lake Simcoe became the first official residents of the Town of Barrie.

This year our city is celebrating its 150th birthday. The City of Barrie is one of the fastest growing municipalities in Canada, with a population that has more than doubled in 20 years. The volunteer sesquicentennial committee has worked very hard to organize a number of events to commemorate this special year. The next event, Heritage Day, will be held on September 20. Heritage Day celebrations will include a re-enactment of the Nine Mile Portage historic trade route.

I would like to offer my appreciation and congratulations to the large number of volunteers and local sponsors who have worked tirelessly to make this year a year for the residents of Barrie to remember. I would also like to express special thanks to Alderman Patricia Copeland and John Bearcroft, sesquicentennial committee co-chairs.

Canadian Idol

[Geoff Regan, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

Mr. Speaker, tonight an important decision will be made. Tonight Canadians from coast to coast will be intently fixated on their televisions as history unfolds before them.

Tonight, Mr. Speaker, Gary Beals is going to beat one of your constituents and become the first ever Canadian Idol.

This incredibly talented young man from Cherry Brook, Nova Scotia, has become the pride of Halifax, pouring his heart and soul into performance after performance and proving once again and once and for all that Nova Scotia is the home of the country's most talented performers.

I also want to mention how struck I have been by the breadth of talent this show has brought to Canadians. Both our diversity and our similarities have been obvious the whole way through.

I want to wish Gary, his family and friends all the best and tell him that as proud as all of us in Nova Scotia are of him today, we are going to be even more proud tonight.

Employment Insurance

[Rex Barnes, Progressive Conservative, Gander—Grand Falls, NL]

Mr. Speaker, rural Canada is very different from the way it was a decade ago. Jobs are fewer, unemployment is greater and there is a greater need for leadership from the Canadian government.

Since 1991, many millions of dollars a year less in employment insurance benefits are being paid out to people in my riding of Gander--Grand Falls. Many organizations, including the Canadian Labour Congress, state that changes in the EI act are needed to better reflect the changing economies in rural areas.

The Government of Canada now has a surplus of $45 billion in the EI fund. It is more difficult to receive EI benefits, the period of time to receive EI benefits is much shorter, it is more difficult for young people to obtain sponsorship for training, and it is more difficult for older workers to obtain meaningful work.

I agree with the president of the CLC, who states, “Times are changing. Work is changing. Canada's unemployment insurance needs to change too”. I say, stop abusing the EI fund and stop overcharging Canadian workers.

Hermel Giard

[Yvan Loubier, Bloc, Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Hermel Giard was recently inducted into Quebec's agricultural hall of fame. This is the highest honour awarded to a farmer for his life's work and contribution to the development of agriculture.

Mr. Giard, who was mayor of Saint-Simon-de-Bagot for 14 years, fully deserves this honour. A distinguished dairy farmer and renowned Holstein breeder and judge, he was also active in the Ordre des agronomes, the Société d'agriculture, the Mouvement Desjardins and the Ordre des médecins vétérinaires du Québec.

He and his son, who is continuing his father's work in various agricultural sectors, won the Mérite agricole gold medal in 1995.

Mr. Giard has made agriculture a way of life and a passion. His is an undeniable passion, which leads him to say that Quebec agriculture is among the best in the world, that dairy quotas are still a great idea and that family farms must remain the mainstay of agriculture in Quebec.

My heartiest congratulations to this friend and major contributor to Quebec agriculture and society.

Les Invasions barbares

[Carole-Marie Allard, Liberal, Laval East, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate Denys Arcand and all those who worked on Les Invasions barbares , which literally captured the hearts of festival-goers at the 28th Toronto International Film Festival.

The success Les Invasions barbares enjoyed with the public and the festival's jury reflects the immense talent of this world renowned Canadian filmmaker. The film won top prize in Toronto in the feature film category and a prize for best screenplay at the 56th Cannes Film Festival.

The Government of Canada is proud to support the Canadian film industry, which projects the richness and diversity of our culture on the big screen.

Bravo to Denys Arcand, to Les Invasions barbares and to all the artists.

Canadian Idol

[Wendy Lill, NDP, Dartmouth, NS]

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to represent the community of Cherry Brook, which is part of my riding of Dartmouth. It is also the home of Canadian Idol finalist Gary Beals.

All summer long Gary has demonstrated the spirit of his community with his soulful tunes. His commitment to his family and his faith continues to remain strong throughout the intense media attention and the stress of weekly performances.

Gary is a theatre student at Acadia University and has sung with its gospel choir. He started singing in the Cherry Brook United Baptist Church at the age of 12.

In Cherry Brook, in Dartmouth and all over Nova Scotia, people are hoping for the best for this young man. We hope he will win the final tonight, but no matter what the results are, I expect we will all continue to hear about Gary Beals. We wish him good luck and we wish to thank him for taking up this challenge.

Foreign Affairs

[Pierrette Venne, Bloc, Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Canadian diplomacy has been severely tested lately. The Sampson and Kazemi cases have shown how insignificant Canada has become on the international scene.

After Mr. Sampson was sentenced to death by beheading on the strength of confessions that were obtained by torture, the Canadian government let him rot in a Saudi prison for 31 months.

Ms. Kazemi died on July 10, in Iran, after receiving a blow to the head during an interrogation and the Canadian government was not even able to repatriate her remains.

We have reason to be concerned about the safety that comes with our nice little Canadian passport and its no-smile photo. Clearly our diplomats have no influence and it is certainly not by entrusting diplomacy to disgraced ex-ministers that Canada will regain its much envied status of the 1950s.

Junction Arts Festival

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my congratulations to the artists, organizers, sponsors and participants of the 11th annual Junction Arts Festival.

The Junction Arts Festival is one of Toronto's many array of community arts festivals. Its incredible growth is testament to the tremendous neighbourhood team spirit in the Junction and the great organizational work of Karen Cecy-Lemieux, the festival coordinator and Piera Pugliese, the chair of the festival and the chair of the Junction Gardens BIA.

This year's festival attracted 31 juried artists from as far away as Lithuania and Thailand, and involved 27 participating local businesses. The first festival in 1982 consisted of a single wall in a local framing shop and attracted about 2,000 people. Now with the festival dominating the neighbourhood, over 20,000 visitors enjoy the art, musical performances, literary readings, music and writing workshops, and the popular “poems on a post”.

I wish to commend the Junction community for hosting and supporting this event, and understanding how important the arts are in our community.

Rural Expo 2003

[Scott Reid, Canadian Alliance, Lanark—Carleton, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to draw the attention of the House to an important event taking place this week in Lanark County.

Rural Expo 2003, the Lanark County International Plowing Match and Farm Machinery Show opens tomorrow in beautiful Beckwith Township, just east of Carleton Place. The tented city and its surrounding grounds cover 1500 acres.

Rural Expo is a celebration of rural living, both past and present, and of the vibrant future that we envision for rural Canada. Thanks to the hard work of Gordon and Ann Munroe, the co-chairs of Rural Expo 2003, and more than 1,000 other dedicated volunteers, this is sure to be an event to remember.

Highlights include music and entertainment from across the Ottawa Valley and around the world, hundreds of exhibits, and of course the excitement of competitive plowing using both traditional and modern equipment.

Those of us who make our home in Lanark County know what a great place it is, and I have no doubt that the tens of thousands who visit Rural Expo will be charmed, delighted and enthralled by our beautiful county.

Government Contracts

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

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Prime Minister was asked about criminal investigations into the Liberal Party of Canada. He said the RCMP and the Auditor General are doing investigations. I have to tell the Prime Minister that is not good enough. I have to remind him that he is the leader of this country and the leader of his party.

I ask him, what steps has he taken to assure himself that public funds have not been misused by his own political party?

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, the financing of a political party is the same for everybody. Every contribution that is given to the Liberal Party above $100 is public information that can be found on the Internet any day of the week. This is the only way that we have raised money for the Liberal Party over the last 10 years.

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

Mr. Speaker, maybe he could do a little more thorough investigation than that.

Mr. Speaker, the criminal investigation of the Liberal Party of Canada in Quebec is under way. The Minister of Justice is responsible for supervising the laying of criminal charges, and is also the political minister for the Quebec wing of the Liberal Party.

Is this not a good enough reason why the government ought to allow an independent criminal investigation?

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, it is the Solicitor General and not the Minister of Justice who is responsible here. The hon. member ought to find out who is responsible for what before standing up in the House. It is a bit ridiculous not to know that the RCMP is under the jurisdiction of the Solicitor General.