Debates of Sept. 18th, 2003

Immigration

[Denis Coderre, Liberal, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration]

Mr. Speaker, that is the same question again.

Our government is pretty keen on security. We are doing what it takes. Every time there is an inquiry we are now participating in that inquiry. We have the RCMP, our people from our department doing their jobs. We are not interfering. Every time there is a serious allegation we react and we act.

Same Sex Couples

[Richard Marceau, Bloc, Charlesbourg—Jacques-Cartier, QC]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday we had yet another example of this government's inconsistency. Right after the Liberal caucus meeting, the Minister of Health said that a future government would not feel bound by the current government's draft bill on same sex couples.

In light of such contradictory positions on the government side, could the Minister of Justice tell us where exactly the Liberal Party of Canada stands on this issue?

[Martin Cauchon, Liberal, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada]

Mr. Speaker, I think that my position is well known, not only in this House, but also across Canada. As a government, we have decided to implement a process that is respectful of the courts, of the public at large and of all parliamentarians, who will get to participate in a free vote.

We are also talking about an established public policy recognizing mariage between persons of the same sex and the principle of equality. At the same time, this policy recognizes freedom of religion, which is also protected under the Canadian Constitution. This a rather well-balanced draft bill.

That having been said, what is true for this government will also be true, I would say, for future governments.

[Richard Marceau, Bloc, Charlesbourg—Jacques-Cartier, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Justice knows where to stand on the issue of same sex couples. The future Prime Minister, that is the hon. member for LaSalle—Émard, reiterated today his preference for a civil union.

Does the Minister of Justice plan to amend his draft bill on marriage between persons of the same sex to please his future boss?

[Martin Cauchon, Liberal, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada]

Mr. Speaker, this government has made a clear and unequivocal decision. We are talking about a Liberal Party policy of recognizing marriage between persons of the same sex. This is a generous policy in that it complies with two fundamental principles that underlie our Constitution.

That having been said, prospective questions are hypothetical questions. l will repeat once again, however, that the reality of this government will also be the reality of the next.

Government Assistance

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

Mr. Speaker, the defence minister stated that federal aid to offset the costs of this summer's forest fires will come from the disaster financial assistance program. Unfortunately, that program does not apply to loss of income or the full cost of fighting the fires, and it takes years to deliver the funds.

Instead of making vague reference to a review, will the minister simply commit to giving real and timely assistance to B.C. fire victims?

[Dominic LeBlanc, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, on this side of the House we are very proud of the commitment that members of the Canadian Forces made. Over 2,600 military personnel and reservists were fighting with civilian workers.

We are also very proud of civilian employers who gave reservists a chance to participate in this important effort.

The minister has made it very clear that the government has received a request from the province of British Columbia and we will do whatever we can to assist the Government of British Columbia.

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

Mr. Speaker, I am very proud too of our marvellous military and I am not questioning them for one moment.

This government likes to talk about giving full co-operation for disaster victims but talk is cheap. On August 21 I wrote letters to nine ministers regarding specific proposals to rebuild the North Thompson but so far not one minister has replied.

When will the federal government stop blowing smoke and start giving me answers for people whose lives are in ashes?

[Dominic LeBlanc, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, the member knows very well that the government was not blowing smoke, it was fighting fires. That is exactly what the Canadian Forces have done.

The minister has made it very clear, as have other ministers of the government, that at all times when a request is received from a provincial authority for disaster relief assistance the request will be studied. I have every reason to think that the Government of Canada will be generous with the province of British Columbia.

Foreign Affairs

[Charles Caccia, Liberal, Davenport, ON]

Mr. Speaker, given the fact that the Department of Foreign Affairs has just announced the opening of seven consulates in the United States, could the Minister of Foreign Affairs inform the House as to when a consulate is likely to be opened in Strasbourg, France.

Strasbourg is the seat of the Council of Europe, the European Parliament, the European Court of Human Rights, the International Human Rights Institute and the Assembly of European Regions.

[Bill Graham, Liberal, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for Davenport, not only for his question but for the tremendous interest that he has in Europe and in making sure Canada is properly represented in the European Parliament. He has had a distinguished career.

I am glad he drew the House's attention to our opening of seven consulates in the United States because this is very important. We have also opened an embassy recently in Kabul, which is equally important for Canada.

We will look at the issue of Strasbourg. My department is, in fact, currently undertaking a full review of our representation abroad. I will be taking that to cabinet later this year.

I recognize the importance of Strasbourg but we must look at the way in which we are represented abroad to make sure that Canada and its interests are fully and properly represented in a global sense.

Canadian Heritage

[John Williams, Canadian Alliance, St. Albert, AB]

Mr. Speaker, champagne Charlie Boyer knew how to live the good life at taxpayers' expense. The assistant to the Minister of Canadian Heritage also had the minister's blessing because she signed each and every expense claim: dinner meetings on New Year's Eve; two dinners in one night; sushi at seven; steak at nine. She signed them all. Now she says that she will do a line by line examination.

Why did the minister not do a line by line examination when she signed the reports instead of after the scandal has broken?

[Carole-Marie Allard, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage]

Mr. Speaker, I am told that all the reimbursements were made in accordance with Treasury Board guidelines. I have nothing more to say.

[John Williams, Canadian Alliance, St. Albert, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I have something more to add.

First the minister spends $180,000 with no receipts and now her high dining assistant spends $30,000 with receipts but with no information. Treasury Board guidelines are a mile wide and anybody could drive a catering truck through there. While the people in her department are dining in style, the taxpayers are choking on the bill.

My question is for the minister. Is there anybody else over at the Department of Canadian Heritage who is doing the same thing and treating their expense accounts like a private dinner club?

[Carole-Marie Allard, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage]

Mr. Speaker, obviously the hon. member does not understand. I will try it in the other official language.

All reimbursements were done according to Treasury Board guidelines.

Foreign Affairs

[Diane Bourgeois, Bloc, Terrebonne—Blainville, QC]

Mr. Speaker, on July 10, Iranian-born Montreal photojournalist Zahra Kazemi died in prison after being interrogated under the direction of Tehran's prosecutor general. People close to President Khatami described the death as a murder.

Does the Prime Minister intend to follow up on the requests of Ms. Kazemi's son and the coalition of 19 organizations that support him and are demanding an immediate plan of action?

[Bill Graham, Liberal, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, this sad case has been raised in the House repeatedly. We deeply regret Ms. Kazemi's death.

It is tragic. She was a journalist who was doing her job. I made promises to her family and to the Canadian public. I am working with all our partners around the world to ensure that Iran protects journalists who go to that country.

We have a plan of action that is multilateral and bilateral, and we will follow it.

Fisheries and Oceans

[Loyola Hearn, Progressive Conservative, St. John's West, NL]

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans has just instituted an experimental crab fishery in Newfoundland. A laudable move. Fishermen are participating. A laudable move. However when fishermen go to put their name in the draw, licensed fishermen are being told that unless they are paid up, not just a member, but a paid up member of the union or a member of a co-op they are not qualified to participate.

Participants should be legitimate licence holders. Is the minister going to ensure that happens?

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

Mr. Speaker, the member is absolutely right. Fishermen have to be licensed members and that should be the only criteria. I thank the member for bringing that to my attention and I will be taking the appropriate action.

Workers' Compensation

[Peter Stoffer, NDP, Sackville—Musquodoboit Valley—Eastern Shore, NS]

Mr. Speaker, last November the Prime Minister met with dockyard workers in Saint John, New Brunswick, and promised them fair severances and retraining packages for any deal with the Irvings. We now find that this deal is contingent on the fact that the Irvings get their way and de-certify this union. It is incredible that the Prime Minister would allocate $55 million of taxpayer money to destroy the representation of workers.

Will the Prime Minister now stop this deal and go back to the workers and show them the respect that they deserve?

[Andy Mitchell, Liberal, Secretary of State (Rural Development) (Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario)]

Mr. Speaker, the reality is that the government is working with the employees, with Saint John and with the community to help it recover, to create new economic activities and to create new jobs.

That is what the government is committed to do and that is what the government is in the process of doing.

Veterans Affairs

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

Mr. Speaker, two veterans' widows living in the same town and on the same block both have lost their husbands; some 14 months difference in the deaths. One widow will receive benefits under the VIP for the rest of her life while the other widow has been cut off those benefits.

Could anyone on the other side explain this obvious injustice?

[Ivan Grose, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, in the programs announced this morning by the veterans affairs minister, the enhancement of those programs was done with money from within the budget.

We rearranged our priorities, as any good business or government department should do, but there was only so much money. There had to be a cut-off date for the VIP for widows. I agree, it is a regrettable instance that the member quoted, but it has to be. We only have so much money.

BioChem Pharma

[Stéphane Bergeron, Bloc, Verchères—Les Patriotes, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the former finance minister and, in all likelihood, the future leader of the Liberal Party has just made a statement in Montreal to the effect that the government should disclose the conditions of the agreement with Shire, with respect to its obligation to maintain activities at BioChem Pharma's Laval laboratory.

Does the Minister of Industry intend to carry out the wishes of the man who, in all likelihood, will be the next Prime Minister and reveal these conditions, as he is legally entitled to?

[Allan Rock, Liberal, Minister of Industry]

Mr. Speaker, I intend to do my job, which is to ensure that all commitments made by Shire at the time of the takeover are honoured.