House of Commons Hansard #121 of the 37th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was boundaries.

Topics

2 p.m.

The Speaker

As is our practice on Wednesday we will now sing O Canada, and we will be led by the hon. member for Ancaster--Dundas--Flamborough--Aldershot.

[Editor's Note: Members sang the national anthem]

John StevensStatements By Members

2 p.m.

Liberal

Walt Lastewka Liberal St. Catharines, ON

Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to pay tribute today to Mr. John Stevens, a respected businessman and community leader in my riding of St. Catharines, who passed away on September 2, 2003.

John was born on January 7, 1918, in Grantham Township. In 1941 John and his wife Marguerite were married prior to his service overseas during World War II. After the war, John resumed his Fruitbelt Trucking Business, which he ran until his retirement in 1971.

John was a dynamic and extremely active member of his community. He was a St. Catharines alderman from 1965 to 1969, a member of the St. Catharines Rowing Club and the minor and junior lacrosse clubs. He was a life member of the St. Catharines Old Boys Lacrosse Club and was inducted into the St. Catharines Sports Hall of Fame as a builder in 2002.

I offer my condolences to John's wife Marguerite, his children, Neil, Bill and Carolyn, and all his family. John Stevens did much for the community of which he was so very proud. He will be sorely missed, but his contribution will live on in St. Catharines for many years to come: a great friend to many, John Stevens.

TerrorismStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Canadian Alliance

Kevin Sorenson Canadian Alliance Crowfoot, AB

Mr. Speaker, a security expert recently stated that Canada is providing a “veneer of legitimacy” to the terrorist activities of the Tamil Tigers by failing to outlaw the group as the United States, Great Britain and Australia have done.

Almost a year ago the RCMP reported that 8,000 Tamil Tigers involved in extortion, intimidation and the smuggling of migrants were operating in the Toronto area. Based on evidence that the Tamil Tigers raise several millions of dollars a year in Canada to purchase weapons to foster their terrorist activities, CSIS has repeatedly warned the federal government to outlaw this terrorist organization.

Despite this overwhelming evidence from security and intelligence agencies, the Solicitor General refuses to outlaw the Tamil Tigers. He does so at great risk to the nation. I implore the Solicitor General to finally do the right thing and outlaw the Tamil Tigers.

HealthStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

Hedy Fry Liberal Vancouver Centre, BC

Mr. Speaker, on September 15, 2003, North America's first government sanctioned supervised safe injection site opened in Vancouver. Funded by three levels of government, it is part of the harm reduction component of the four-pillar approach to substance use in the Vancouver agreement.

Health Canada will provide $1.5 million over four years for evaluation of this project, which will be undertaken by the B.C. Centre of Excellence in HIV/AIDS at St. Paul's Hospital. The Vancouver Health Authority will operate the site in partnership with the Portland Hotel Society, a non-profit organization with experience working with the IV drug community.

Safe injection sites in Europe and Australia have shown positive results in decreasing overdose deaths, HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C and in acting as a primary contact for users who do not normally have access to medical and social worker teams.

This project is supported by the community and the Vancouver Police, who will continue strong enforcement strategies against suppliers. This safe injection site is an historic and progressive part of good public health policy that recognizes substance abuse and addiction as a chronic debilitating illness.

Riding of TémiscamingueStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

Gilbert Barrette Liberal Témiscamingue, QC

Mr. Speaker, with your permission, I rise to speak as a newly elected member of this House, representing the riding of Témiscamingue. This week, I am experiencing a number of firsts.

It is an honour for me to take my place in this House to represent the people of my riding. I would like to thank the voters who contributed to my victory on June 16, my Liberal colleagues who gave me their confidence and support, and, finally the dedicated volunteers who encouraged me, supported me and made the campaign a success, not only for me, but for the Liberal party, making a comeback in the riding after more than 20 years.

I am proud to be the voice of the people of the riding of Témiscamingue in the House of Commons and have no doubt that we will actively seek to bring about the fair and equitable evolution of society for the benefit of all our fellow citizens.

Marchand BridgeStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

Robert Bertrand Liberal Pontiac—Gatineau—Labelle, QC

Mr. Speaker, it is now official: after years of debate to determine which is the longest covered bridge in Quebec, we finally have the answer. In an article in Le Droit on August 13, we learned that the winner is the magnificent Marchand bridge in Mansfield—Fort-Coulonge.

The Marchand bridge is 152.1 m long, while the Notre-Dame-des-Pins bridge in the Beauce measures 150.9 m. The bridge at Notre-Dame-des-Pins had always been considered the longest in Quebec because the old departments of colonization, and highways and transportation used a different method of calculation that did not take into account one portion of the Marchand bridge that is indeed an integral part of its structure.

The Marchand bridge, which has always been the longest and the most beautiful in the eyes of the people of Mansfield—Fort-Coulonge, is a great source of pride and a precious part of our heritage.

Who knows? Perhaps in a few years we will even find this famous bridge on a stamp from Canada Post.

MarriageStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Canadian Alliance

Grant McNally Canadian Alliance Dewdney—Alouette, BC

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Liberal government proved that Canadians cannot trust it to keep its word.

In 1999 the House passed a motion promising to protect marriage as the union of one man and one woman. The Liberals promised to defend the traditional definition of marriage but instead have done nothing. They have refused to appeal court decisions legalizing same sex marriages, and in 10 years in office they have failed to protect marriage by defining it in law.

Hundreds of my constituents have contacted me to support the traditional definition of marriage during the past several months. They were sadly disappointed last night when the vote on our motion was defeated by the narrowest of margins. Cabinet solidarity was the reason our motion was defeated, and proved that the Liberal government never intended to keep its promise to Canadians.

How can Canadians possibly trust this government to keep any promise? Clearly the choice for Canadians is to replace this government that will say anything to get elected and nothing to keep its promises.

Toronto Police ServicesStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Liberal

Judy Sgro Liberal York West, ON

Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to rise today to congratulate the winners of 31 Division, Toronto Police Services, 3rd Annual Bursary Awards given to young people in my riding who have shown outstanding academic achievement at secondary school. These bursaries will allow them to continue their studies at a post-secondary institute.

Please join me in congratulating the following exceptional students: Samia Ali, Neetu Bambrah, April Breen, Lisa Dell'Erede, Jennifer Edun, Clara-Jaye Levy, Nick Lovano, Michael Salopek, Amanda Thomas, and Justin Wright.

Well done everyone. My best wishes to them in their future careers.

I also want to recognize 31 Division for its superb service and commitment in our community, and to thank it for sponsoring these special awards. It is an important presence in our local neighbourhoods and does a wonderful job protecting our community.

TerrorismStatements By Members

September 17th, 2003 / 2:10 p.m.

Bloc

Richard Marceau Bloc Charlesbourg—Jacques-Cartier, QC

Mr. Speaker, on September 9, Israel was hit by two terrorist attacks in five hours. Fourteen innocent people were killed, the two suicide bombers lost their lives, and dozens of others were injured.

These despicable, unspeakable acts of violence killed men and women who were simply boarding a bus in Tel Aviv or drinking coffee outside the popular Hillel cafe in Jerusalem.

Among the victims were a father and daughter. Dr. David Applebaum and his daughter Nava were meeting in connection with her wedding the following day. Rather than celebrating a wedding, the family met to bury their dead.

The Bloc Quebecois condemns in the strongest possible terms these acts of murderous madness and solemnly asks the Government of Canada to exert the necessary pressure on the Palestinian Authority so that it cracks down on Hamas, Al Jihad and the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigade.

World Cycling ChampionshipsStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Liberal

Beth Phinney Liberal Hamilton Mountain, ON

Mr. Speaker, cyclists from all over the world will be rolling into the city of Hamilton to participate in the World Cycling Championships the week of October 6 to 12.

More than 800 athletes from 50 nations will compete in 10 events varying in length from 10 kilometres to 280 kilometres. These athletes will compete in events designed to test their speed, skill and endurance.

The World Cycling Championships are expected to draw over 250,000 spectators to the city of Hamilton. Our city will be on display to the world as these athletes navigate our streets. The World Cycling Championships will be an exhilarating event for both the athletes and the spectators.

Good luck to the athletes and congratulations to the citizens of Hamilton for hosting this world sporting event.

AgricultureStatements By Members

2:15 p.m.

Canadian Alliance

Peter Goldring Canadian Alliance Edmonton Centre-East, AB

Mr. Speaker, after spending the last 17 days on the road with the cattle liner talking to thousands of farmers across all political stripes, they tell me the time on the clock has run out. The borders must be opened, and opened now.

Canada's farmers are in crisis mode as we speak. Desperate decisions are being made by farmers all across Canada. Farmers say that shooting and burying 800,000 head of cattle is not a solution, it is insanity.

As parliamentarians we must do better. Farmers say that the Minister of Agriculture must get the lead out, stop the politics and start the border. The border was not closed by one sick cow. The border is closed by sick politics. It is time to make farmers a priority in Canada. A country that loses its farming production loses its sovereignty.

Canada-U.S. RelationsStatements By Members

2:15 p.m.

Liberal

Pat O'Brien Liberal London—Fanshawe, ON

Mr. Speaker, Canada's relationship with the United States is vital to our political, economic and security interests. Today the government has acted to enhance our already excellent relationship with the United States.

To promote our strategic business interests and increase Canada's profile, we will be opening seven new consulates in the United States and appointing 20 honourary consuls.

These new consulates will be located in Denver, Houston, Raleigh-Durham, San Diego, Philadelphia, Phoenix and Anchorage. They will increase Canada's ability to develop partnerships in emerging economic centres in the United States. It will give us a greater presence in areas where we want to enhance trade, particularly the American southwest.

The Government of Canada is committed to facilitating Canadian companies that want to expand and do business with our American neighbours. We are committed to constantly finding opportunities to improve and enhance the close relationship between our two nations.

AgricultureStatements By Members

2:15 p.m.

Progressive Conservative

Rick Borotsik Progressive Conservative Brandon—Souris, MB

Mr. Speaker, as usual when I come back to the House after summer recess, colleagues of mine and members of the staff always want to know if I had a good summer.

I can honestly say I did not have a good summer. I have been dealing with some very desperate people in my riding with respect to the border closure of May 20. These are desperate people. They are people who are totally depressed. This is not like the softwood lumber where we can put two by fours on a trailer. These are animals which have to be fed when there is no feed, no money and no market.

There is a demonstration out there right now with hundreds of producers who want to know from the Minister of Agriculture what if anything he is doing and when will the border be open to live cattle?

Municipality of NormandinStatements By Members

2:15 p.m.

Bloc

Michel Gauthier Bloc Roberval, QC

Mr. Speaker, the residents of Normandin in the riding of Roberval have erected a magnificent monument in their municipal park in tribute to the surveyor Joseph-Laurent Normandin, who was charged with defining the boundaries of the Domaine du Roy and the watershed north of Lac Saint-Jean. Normandin township was named after him, as was the town later built there.

Today in the House, I want to salute this initiative, which seeks to immortalize this important time in our collective history.

The people of Normandin are proud and have a strong sense of values. This is not the first good initiative by the inhabitants of this dynamic agricultural community.

They have also created a truly beautiful place to visit: the Grands Jardins.

I invite everyone travelling through our region to visit these beautiful gardens and say hello to the residents of Normandin.

Foreign AffairsStatements By Members

2:15 p.m.

Liberal

Dan McTeague Liberal Pickering—Ajax—Uxbridge, ON

Mr. Speaker, last January I met a man whose act of compassion and human kindness many would have difficulty duplicating.

Justin Rodway not only agreed to meet with me in England and discuss the tragic loss of his father, Christopher Rodway, in a Riyadh bomb blast, but also to write a letter requesting the pardoning of William Sampson and the two other individuals directly accused of the bombing.

The letter was sent to the Saudi government. A copy was also provided to Mr. Sampson's lawyers for inclusion in their appeal.

Under Saudi law, only the eldest son of a murder victim can request clemency for those sentenced to death for the crime. Justin's letter ensured the accused would not be executed if the death sentence were upheld. The letter would also help in obtaining a royal pardon.

Justin Rodway is in Ottawa today. With him is Mrs. Barbara Sampson, William's mother. She is a woman of great personal strength and one who never gave up hope that her son would be released.

On behalf of this House, I welcome them to Ottawa. I extend best wishes to the Sampson family and of course special thanks to Justin for his steadfast belief in the justice system and in the innocence of Alexander Mitchell, Raf Schyvens and Bill Sampson.

Employment InsuranceStatements By Members

2:20 p.m.

NDP

Judy Wasylycia-Leis NDP Winnipeg North Centre, MB

Mr. Speaker, this Liberal government has been a bad news government for women.

Research just released by the Canadian Labour Congress not only confirms that the employment insurance system is failing to meet the needs of women, but that changes brought in by this government in 1996 and 1997 have actually made women's situation worse.

From 1996 to 2001 the gap between men and women receiving benefits has almost doubled. Women over 45, who were almost at a par with men in 1996, are now 13% behind.

In Manitoba the gap has grown from 9% to 20%, while in Quebec it has exploded from 3% to 14%.

The nature of work has changed, yet this government has taken no action to support women who make up the bulk of the new part time service workforce. It has simply defined those, who need help most, out of the benefit range. Only one-third of unemployed women can collect benefits, only 16% in Regina.

It is time to clean the bias against women out of the EI system. It is time to make EI work for women, not against them.

Voyageur Colonial Pension FundOral Question Period

2:20 p.m.

Calgary Southwest Alberta

Canadian Alliance

Stephen Harper Canadian AllianceLeader of the Opposition

Mr. Speaker, in 1996 the former finance minister sold Voyageur Colonial bus lines. In doing so he left the employees with a $2.5 million deficit in their pension plan and up to a 30% cut in their pensions.

This is a pension plan that was supposed to have been protected by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions, an office for which the former finance minister was responsible at the time.

Why did OSFI allow the former finance minister to shortchange his own retired bus drivers?

Voyageur Colonial Pension FundOral Question Period

2:20 p.m.

Ottawa South Ontario

Liberal

John Manley LiberalDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance

Mr. Speaker, the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions operates as an independent agency. His watchdog role is one in which the minister plays no direct role. Consequently, there would be no conflict.

Voyageur Colonial Pension FundOral Question Period

2:20 p.m.

Calgary Southwest Alberta

Canadian Alliance

Stephen Harper Canadian AllianceLeader of the Opposition

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate that answer. That is the way it is supposed to work.

However access to information documents that we have show that the former finance minister's senior staff had direct contact with OSFI. At least two senior political aides were briefed on the file. His own staff attended regular meetings to discuss the closing of the file on the Voyageur pension deficit.

My question is this. Is it true, is it possible, does the government know whether OSFI closed the books on the Voyageur employees because the former finance minister wanted it to?

Voyageur Colonial Pension FundOral Question Period

2:20 p.m.

Ottawa South Ontario

Liberal

John Manley LiberalDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance

No, Mr. Speaker.

Voyageur Colonial Pension FundOral Question Period

2:20 p.m.

Calgary Southwest Alberta

Canadian Alliance

Stephen Harper Canadian AllianceLeader of the Opposition

Mr. Speaker, I am not sure whether no means they do not know or they have investigated and know the answer.

Let me give the minister some additional information. In the minutes we have obtained from access to information an OSFI official was asked point blank, “What political pressure has been put on OSFI?” The response is blank. The answer has been whited out.

What is the government hiding? What political pressure did the former finance minister apply?

Voyageur Colonial Pension FundOral Question Period

2:20 p.m.

Ottawa South Ontario

Liberal

John Manley LiberalDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance

Mr. Speaker, items that are blanked out in response to access to information are reviewed by the appropriate officers of the information commissioner. He reports independently to parliament. He is an officer of the House.

Consequently, there is no basis on the fact that information was not disclosed to conclude what that information was.

AgricultureOral Question Period

2:20 p.m.

Canadian Alliance

Gerry Ritz Canadian Alliance Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the parliamentary secretary for agriculture said that with the border open a crack the crisis is over.

The agriculture minister thinks since he threw around a few dollars livestock producers are saved. Guess what, both of them are wrong and both need new jobs.

Farmers are on Parliament Hill today to ask questions of their AWOL minister. When will he accept the industry's recommendations and announce phase two and the budget to implement it? When will the minister do that?

AgricultureOral Question Period

2:20 p.m.

Prince Edward—Hastings Ontario

Liberal

Lyle Vanclief LiberalMinister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

Mr. Speaker, I wish to thank Canadians and all the members in the House for supporting the beef industry this summer. We know the situation that has been created in the beef industry.

I also want to say and point out to the hon. member that it was only a very few weeks after the situation that the government came forward with over $300 million. There are hundreds of millions of dollars more available to producers. Let us use that up and then we will see what more money we need after that. That is the goal that I have. Unfortunately, there has to be agreements to allow that to flow. We will do that.

Meanwhile we will continue to work on opening the borders more than they are open at the present time.

AgricultureOral Question Period

2:25 p.m.

Canadian Alliance

Gerry Ritz Canadian Alliance Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK

Mr. Speaker, the minister stays true to form. He always ignores the victims in this. He is forgetting about the farm and ranch families, the real folks out there, and the livestock producers. The primary producers are left hanging out to dry.

Why does the minister always put his own political agenda ahead of these producing families?