Debates of Sept. 22nd, 2003

Margaret Atwood

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Margaret Atwood on her novel Oryx and Crake being shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize, Britain's best known literary award. Ms. Atwood, who won the Booker Prize just three years ago for The Blind Assassin, is the only Canadian among the six finalists. In the past, she has also been nominated for the Booker Prize for her unforgettable novels,

The Handmaid's Tale, Cat's Eye and Alias Grace .

I know that Canadians will be thinking of Ms. Atwood on October 14 when the prize is announced in London.

This is a good reminder of the quality of Canadian literature. What better time than today to pick up a book by one of Canada's authors. I encourage all members in the House of Commons as well as all Canadians to do just that.

Agriculture

[Guy St-Julien, Liberal, Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik, QC]

Mr. Speaker, last August I wrote to my government to pass on the contents of a letter I had received from Alain Richard, President of the Fédération de l'UPA d'Abitibi-Témiscamingue, and Rosaire Mongrain, President of the Syndicat des producteurs de bovins d'Abitibi-Témiscamingue. In it they voiced concerns for the future of farm operations in their area as a result of the repercussions of mad cow disease.

Everyone is appreciative of the funding made available by the governments of Canada and Quebec to help farmers out of this crisis.

Today, however, governments must continue their efforts and improve their support to farmers.

Changes must be made to the cost-shared program between the governments of Quebec and of Canada announced on July 16, 2003.

If the U.S. embargo continues, Canada will have to implement one of its own on American beef.

National Sex Offender Registry

[Chuck Cadman, Canadian Alliance, Surrey North, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the government failed to provide Canadians with a national sex offender registry by January 2002, even though it supported the Canadian Alliance motion calling for it a year earlier.

Last week, a Canada-wide warrant was issued for 51 year old Christopher Lance Neale of Surrey whose record of 44 convictions spans more than 20 years. He is wanted on nine counts of assault against two 13 year old girls. He fled Surrey with a young boy and police were concerned for the boy's welfare. Fortunately, I have been informed that the boy has been returned home safely. In a previous case, Neale sexually assaulted a 12 year old boy while the director of a youth program. Edmonton police want him on eight other charges. He is accused of offering runaway girls accommodation, food and illegal drugs in return for sex.

If the Liberal idea of a sex offender registry were in effect, this predator would not be on it. Unbelievably, he would not be automatically registered even following a further conviction; the Crown would be forced to apply. Finally, if registered, he could apply for an exemption. The Liberal idea for a national sex offender registry is a total fraud.

South Pole Rescue

[Alan Tonks, Liberal, York South—Weston, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Sean Loutitt, a pilot from Calgary, who once again displayed the kind of courage and skill of which we can all be proud. Mr. Loutitt, along with a second plane piloted by Jim Haffey, made an extraordinary rescue at the South Pole yesterday.

This weekend Mr. Loutitt and his crew successfully completed the daring rescue of an American worker who needed urgent medical attention at the Amundsen-Scott Polar Research Station.

The Twin Otter plan left Calgary almost two weeks ago but could not attempt the rescue until now because of poor weather conditions. After more than 24 hours, they arrived safely at Punta Arenas International Airport in Chile.

I ask the House to join me in extending our congratulations and our thanks to Mr. Loutitt, his crew and all the other brave Canadians who undertake dangerous missions like this one to save the lives of others.

Élaine Allard

[Robert Lanctôt, Bloc, Châteauguay, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I and my colleague, the member for Bas-Richelieu—Nicolet—Bécancourt, wish to pay tribute to an exemplary athlete.

Élaine Allard has given us proof that people can do anything if they want to hard enough. She took part in an expedition to Mount Everest, despite being in a wheelchair.

On April 24, 2003, she successfully reached Mount Kala Pattar, with an altitude of 5,545 metres, which is 145 metres higher than the Everest base camp.

Ms. Allard succeeded despite her personal obstacles. Her determination and courage, coupled with the backing of her family and the community as a whole, led to her success.

This exploit adds to my conviction that there is always hope. One day, I am sure, my son, who is also disabled, will be able to conquer the world.

I extend congratulations to Ms. Allard.

Homelessness

[Joe Peschisolido, Liberal, Richmond, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the valuable contribution the national homelessness initiative has made to my riding of Richmond. Through this initiative, the government provided Chimo Crisis Services with $697,000 to help build a transition house for needy families. The homelessness initiative also provided $390,000 for a non-profit family housing development in Richmond.

Based on the success of the initiative and the continuing need to support homelessness people, the Government of Canada has renewed the national homeless initiative for an additional three years with a $405 million investment.

The continuation of the initiative will help communities, such as Richmond, to continue their efforts to reduce homelessness and to focus on longer term solutions, such as transitional and supportive housing.

South Pole Rescue

[Grant Hill, Canadian Alliance, Macleod, AB]

Mr. Speaker, Canada's tradition of pioneer aviators has once again been highlighted by a recent aerial rescue mission to the Antarctic.

Two years ago a Canadian Twin Otter flew a daring medical rescue to the South Pole. That feat has been repeated as another rescue has just been completed this past weekend.

Some have asked: Why does a bush pilot from Calgary have to travel around the world to perform such a rescue? The reason is quite simple: because they are the best. This is due to the expertise gained by regular use of these aircraft in Canada's rugged north.

Pilots Sean Loutitt and the support teams from Kenn Borek Air are experts with no equal when it comes to cold weather flying. Sean's response when he was called a hero for his mission was also quite typical of a pioneer: “Just another day at the office”.

My comment for Sean is, nice office, nice day.

World Peace Day

[Walt Lastewka, Liberal, St. Catharines, ON]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday marked one of the most important dates on our calendar. World Peace Day passed us by with war and violence being waged all over the world. Despite this, Canada's commitment to the goal of peace must persist.

Canadians have a proud tradition of commitment to the pursuit of peaceful resolutions to global conflicts. Former Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson won the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in the establishment of the international peacekeeping.

I believe that it is through continued support of the ideals of the United Nations and peacekeeping missions that the world will become a more secure and just place.

Today I ask all Canadians to join me in recognizing World Peace Day and use this occasion to commit themselves to a peaceful world for us and for generations to come.

Agriculture

[Inky Mark, Canadian Alliance, Dauphin—Swan River, MB]

Mr. Speaker, Canada's $30 billion cattle industry is still at risk. Contrary to popular belief, the borders are not open. I repeat, the borders are not open. The U.S. government is currently taking applications from American beef importers.

Canada exports six out of ten cows we produce but the beef industry is at a standstill. A way of life is at risk. Tens of thousands of farm families are about to lose their livelihood. The Liberal government has not done enough to resolve the problem.

Politics created this problem and it will take politics to fix it.

When will the government convene and lead a multi-party delegation, including representatives of the industry, to Washington at the earliest possible date to discuss with officials of Congress and the Government of the United States all possible means to fully reopen the U.S. border to shipments of Canadians livestock?

Employment Insurance

[Pauline Picard, Bloc, Drummond, QC]

Mr. Speaker, according to a formal study by the Canadian Labour Congress, made public just a few weeks ago, employment insurance was costing claimants and the local economy in Drummondville $21.3 million per year.

Michel Dupont, FTQ regional representative commented:

It is all the more unacceptable since, of the $40 billion in the employment insurance fund, 64% came from workers earning $20,000 or less annually in 1999. This surplus will reach $45 billion at the end of 2003. These people are contributing to the fund but they will never be eligible for benefits under the current criteria.

Women are the most severely penalized. In 1990, 76% of unemployed women in Quebec were entitled to benefits; today, only 39% are.

When will a self-sustaining employment insurance fund be created, as we have been demanding for so long?

The United Nations

[Sophia Leung, Liberal, Vancouver Kingsway, BC]

Mr. Speaker, today the Prime Minister is in New York to attend the opening of the 58th General Assembly of the United Nations. The Prime Minister has made it clear that his goal for this week's meeting is to see multilateral cooperation strengthened through the UN.

The Prime Minister also plans to attend two other important meetings today while in New York. First, he will participate in the leader's round table at the Fighting Terrorism for Humanity Conference. The goal of this conference is to provide world leaders with a forum to discuss the roots and origins of terrorism, as well as policy measures in the global campaign against terrorism.

Later today the Prime Minister will attend a leader's interactive panel discussion on HIV-AIDS in the UN.

Canada is working with various partners to meet the millennium development goals and the UN--

[The Speaker]

The hon. member for Vancouver East.

Health

[Libby Davies, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

Mr. Speaker, last night in Vancouver's downtown eastside, drug users began using Insite, the first officially sanctioned, supervised injection facility in North America. It is an historic day marking a commitment to restore health and dignity to a community that has witnessed and withstood much pain and scrutiny.

I want to pay tribute to the members of VANDU, the Portland Hotel, PIVOT and the Coalition for Harm Reduction, who never gave up hope to make Insite a reality to save lives, despite many barriers. The courage and commitment of Bud Osborn, Ann Livingston, Dean Wilson, Chuck, Earl, Brian, Melissa and many others who worked tirelessly is a powerful example of how justice can be won and the voices and needs of the most marginalized can be heard.

I feel honoured to have worked with this community to help bring about these measures to stop overdose deaths and prevent infections like HIV-AIDS and hepatitis C. There is still much to be done but we have begun at the right place.

Fisheries

[Shawn Murphy, Liberal, Hillsborough, PE]

Mr. Speaker, last week the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization held its annual meeting in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Conservation and compliance were the major points of discussion, and Canada made progress in a number of key areas.

NAFO parties agreed to a multi-year conservation plan for turbot that includes an overall reduction of 60% in the total allowable catch. Canada is pleased with this move away from a year to year management regime toward a comprehensive, long term rebuilding strategy. This plan will save millions of fish. There will be an immediate and significant reduction of the total allowable catch, with the 2004 quota being reduced to 20,000 tonnes from 42,000 tonnes in 2003, and further annual reductions leading to a quota of 16,000 tonnes in 2007.

This reduction is significant and demonstrates political will among NAFO parties to focus on conservation of such an important stock.

Agriculture

[Lynne Yelich, Canadian Alliance, Blackstrap, SK]

Mr. Speaker, the agriculture minister is meeting with his provincial counterparts here in Ottawa this afternoon. Given the minister's ineffective record on certain issues, I have to wonder what, if any, new information he will provide about BSE relief efforts or provincial unease about the agricultural policy framework.

The Saskatchewan government has valid concerns about the minister's attempts to lump extraordinary circumstances, such as the beef crisis, in with the less severe situations that the APF was designed to address.

Saskatchewan has not signed on to the agricultural policy framework, yet with the aid in some cases tied to the APF our producers are left in limbo.

The uncertainty is making a terrible situation worse. I plead with the minister to make clear his intentions so that everyone can get back to the business of beef.

Member for LaSalle--Émard

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

Mr. Speaker, last week the new leader of the Liberal Party laid out some of his fiscal plans. He has been calling for new spending initiatives of undisclosed proportions. He also has called for debt reduction targets which, if we take them literally, would require $62.5 billion in spending reductions.

What is the policy of the new leader of the Liberal Party? Is it massive spending increases or $62.5 billion in spending cuts?

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh.

[The Speaker]

The Leader of the Opposition will have to confine his questions to the government. Asking questions of people who are party leaders is very interesting but unfortunately they are not eligible to answer questions in the House unless they are ministers. Therefore he will have to direct his question to a minister. Perhaps in a supplementary question he will find the kind of answer for which he is looking.

[Stephen Harper, Canadian Alliance, Calgary Southwest, AB]

Mr. Speaker, he finished by bragging about his new found power on the lawns of Parliament Hill.

However I will tell you this, Mr. Speaker. This man controls the governing party, he is leader of the governing party, he has a seat in the Commons and under our system of responsible government he should be here to answer questions.

This is unprecedented. The member is involved in drafting a new budget.

Therefore, I will ask the government this. Is the government committed to having its new leader come to the House of Commons and answer questions?

[David Collenette, Liberal, Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, I do not want to give a lecture in civics to the hon. member on the floor of the House of Commons. He talks about responsible government. We have a responsible government sitting here led by a Prime Minister. When that changes and a new prime minister comes in, then he can direct questions to that new prime minister.

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

Mr. Speaker, he will not answer questions in the House, he will not answer them in committee, but apparently he can hold a press conference in the tourist information centre on Parliament Hill. He is responsible for the new budget, making policy statements that he will cut $62.5 billion in spending.

I ask the minister this. Will the government at least agree to consult the member on the answers to these questions and report those answers back to the House of Commons?

[David Collenette, Liberal, Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, I quite understand the fact that the Leader of the Opposition cannot wait until we have a new prime minister in the House because he wants to put questions to that prime minister.

In the meantime I think he should do what he is paid to do by the taxpayers of Canada and that is put questions to the government that is actually in office.

Agriculture

[Carol Skelton, Canadian Alliance, Saskatoon—Rosetown—Biggar, SK]

Mr. Speaker, today the agriculture minister is holding meetings with his provincial counterparts. There is little expectation that the government and the minister will bring anything new and useful to the table.

What will the agriculture minister offer to the provinces other than blackmailing them into signing the agricultural policy framework?

[Lyle Vanclief, Liberal, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food]

Mr. Speaker, I will repeat again, there are hundreds of millions of dollars that the federal government has available for the provinces. Some provinces have not even agreed to put their 40% with that, so their industry should be asking those provinces why they are not there to support them.

As well, last Friday I announced the payment to the farmers of the second $600 million transitional fund. That will be there to help producers and that will go to all farmers across Canada whether they sign the implementation agreement or not.

[Carol Skelton, Canadian Alliance, Saskatoon—Rosetown—Biggar, SK]

Mr. Speaker, the agriculture minister can do a lot of extra talking but the borders are still closed to all livestock in this country.

For years Canadian cattlemen have called for year round access to American feeder cattle. Uncertainty is the last thing that the cattle industry needs right now.

The minister needs to answer the important question for our farmers. When will his government allow year round access to American feeder cattle so that for once and for all we can get this border open?