Debates of Nov. 5th, 2004

Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec Act

[James Moore, Conservative, Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I understand the hon. member's reservations about this bill.

We know what happened with the sponsorship program. It was supposed to unite all Canadians and Quebeckers to promote the interests of the regions in Canada. It was turned into a program to serve the interests of the Liberal Party instead of the interests of Quebeckers and of Canada.

If the hon. member has in mind any changes he would like to make to the bill, we will examine them and support them if we agree.

Career Week

[Lloyd St. Amand, Liberal, Brant, ON]

Mr. Speaker, “Make Career Connections--Team Up!” is the theme of Canada Career Week 2004.

From October 31 to November 6 community events are being organized across Canada urging career seekers to access all their allies and connect with the people, programs and resources needed to develop workplace skills and build rewarding careers. By building networks of supporters and by being part of the networks of others, we can find challenging and rewarding work opportunities.

The Government of Canada realizes that our success in the knowledge-based economy depends on each Canadian realizing his or her career potential.

Earlier this week, Take Our Kids to Work Day helped students to job shadow an older friend or parent in the workplace and to explore the range of choices available to them after high school. Skills development does not stop at school but continues throughout our working lives.

The Environment

[Bev Oda, Conservative, Clarington—Scugog—Uxbridge, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the Durham region is one of the fastest growing areas in the greater Toronto area. We need to ensure that we do not fall behind. Durham needs a regional transportation plan and the federal government is an important part of this plan. The federal portion of the gas tax that will be dedicated to assisting rural areas and smaller communities is a key building block.

I rise today to congratulate a business in my riding which is doing its part to advance transportation and environmental causes and to contribute to cost savings for our municipality. The hydrogen fuel injection system, developed by Bowmanville based Canadian Hydrogen Energy Company will result in improved fuel economy and a reduction in emissions when installed on municipal buses.

Clarington is the first municipality in Canada to install this new technology on its buses. This is the kind of forward thinking that demonstrates--

[The Deputy Speaker]

The hon. member for Beauce.

Alphonse Desjardins

[Claude Drouin, Liberal, Beauce, QC]

Mr. Speaker, today, Friday November 5, 2004, marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of the founder of the caisses populaires, Alphonse Desjardins, considered the father of the cooperative savings and loan movement in North America. It is therefore important to note the birth of this great builder.

The Mouvement des caisses Desjardins is today the largest financial institution in Quebec and the sixth largest in Canada, with 5 million member-clients and total assets in excess of $100 billion. Its strength depends on the skill and commitment of its 38,000-plus employees and close to 7,500 elected directors.

The model designed by Alphonse Desjardins has spread to the United States and English Canada, where there are several major networks of credit unions.

In Beauce alone the caisses Desjardins employ 737 people and have contributed this past year close to $1 million to the community development fund and in sponsorships and donations.

Alphonse Desjardins was a man with a strong vision for the world, and his vision lives on.

Veterans Week

[Robert Carrier, Bloc, Alfred-Pellan, QC]

Mr. Speaker, in this Veterans' Week, I wish to draw attention to the fact that this year marks the 60th anniversary of the Italian campaign, which took place from 1943 to 1945.

Close to 100,000 of our brave compatriots were involved in this campaign. Allied troops landed in Sicily in 1943, where they had to contend with the dust and heat and the mountainous terrain in order to reach the towns and villages of Italy. Let us remember today the sacrifices made by these heroes who served their country and the cause of human rights and freedom. I salute them all.

As hon. members are aware, a number of my constituents in the riding of Alfred-Pellan are originally from Italy. They have come to realize how staunchly we defend the values we hold dear, and together we shall build a better future for Quebec. I am proud of their contribution to our society and very grateful as well.

Osteoporosis

[Beth Phinney, Liberal, Hamilton Mountain, ON]

Mr. Speaker, November is Osteoporosis Awareness Month. Osteoporosis, currently affecting 1.4 million Canadians, is a disease that makes bones fragile and more likely to fracture. These fractures most commonly occur in the spine, hip and wrist. As a result, people affected by osteoporosis often require hospitalization and surgery.

Osteoporosis is referred to as the silent thief because no symptoms are apparent until a fracture occurs. Luckily, once diagnosed, there is a variety of drug treatments that will help prevent further loss of bone density. A diet rich in calcium and vitamin D is also recommended for treatment and prevention of this disease.

I would like to recognize the contribution of many charities including the Osteoporosis Society of Canada. These organizations strive to educate the public about the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, and to support individuals affected by this disease.

Fixed Incomes

[Carol Skelton, Conservative, Saskatoon—Rosetown—Biggar, SK]

Mr. Speaker, across Canada, there are seniors who are struggling to make ends meet. Many are on fixed incomes that have failed to keep up with rising expenses. The small increases in their incomes fail to keep pace with major spikes in expenses like rent, electricity and heating.

This government needs to be more proactive to ensure that those on fixed incomes are better able to address these increases faster. The lag time between cost spikes today and increases in their cheques later is creating undue hardship. Seniors in my riding are telling me that their cheques just went up $3 a month and their electricity costs have gone up $30 a month.

It benefits none of us to have our seniors skipping meals or medication just to make these budget adjustments. I know this is a problem right across Canada. For this reason, I hope this government will act soon.

Eastern Ontario Development

[Don Boudria, Liberal, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

Mr. Speaker, earlier this week, I had the privilege of being in Cornwall, Ontario, for the launch of the first project of the Eastern Ontario Development Fund. This $98,000 plus project will help initiate the strategic plan for CFDCs, the Community Futures Development Corporations, in eastern Ontario.

The $10 million Eastern Ontario Development Fund was launched a week earlier on the recommendation of the mayors and reeves in the eastern part of our province, supported, of course, by the Liberal caucus of eastern Ontario.

I want to congratulate the government on this excellent initiative to further develop eastern Ontario.

Armenians

[Nicole Demers, Bloc, Laval, QC]

Mr. Speaker, on November 14, I will have the opportunity to take part in the festivities for the 10th anniversary of the Armenian Community Centre in Laval and the founding of the Sourp Kevork Armenian church.

The centre promotes the rights and interests of the Armenian community in Laval. By teaching Armenian culture to young people, this centre contributes to preserving cultural identity. As well, through their charity work with the disadvantaged, they are contributing to their host country, Quebec.

The committee espouses the same values as the Bloc Québécois: justice, equality and respect.

We are very proud that in April 2003, Ms. Dalphond-Guiral succeeded in obtaining the passage of Motion M-380 to recognize the Armenian genocide of 1915. We share in this goal of not forgetting this nation's great suffering and its rights and freedoms.

I want to congratulate the Armenian National Committee on its 10 years of service to the community.

Remembrance Day

[Bryon Wilfert, Liberal, Richmond Hill, ON]

Mr. Speaker, as Remembrance Day approaches I would like to pay tribute to my Canadian hero. My late father served in the Argyle and Southern Highlanders in the second world war.

He landed on the beaches of Normandy on June 6, 1944, only to have his landing craft blown up and he woke up in a British hospital. He returned for the Battle of the Falaise Gap, Caen, and the liberation of Holland. He returned from the war with shrapnel badly lodged in his legs and the loss of hearing in one ear.

Yet he said he would have done it all over again in the defence of freedom and to ensure that Canadians would have a better life. He instilled in me a love of my country, and an appreciation for the valour and sacrifice that so many made and are continuing to make for Canada. I will never forget.

[Andrew Scheer, Conservative, Regina—Qu'Appelle, SK]

Mr. Speaker, as this is the last sitting day before Remembrance Day I would like to pay tribute to all those who have proudly served this country in our military.

Legion halls all over this country are filled with pictures, names and memories of our brave soldiers. Making so many personal sacrifices in their lives to ensure that the rest of us can fully enjoy ours, these brave men and women fought to keep our country free, and to promote peace and security throughout the world.

At this time, when we remember the great contributions that our men and women in uniform have given us, I would also urge this government to ensure that our present generation of armed forces personnel have all the tools they need to do their job.

Our men and women in service are second to none. We owe them a great debt. The least we can do is to ensure that when we in this House call on them for duty, that we fulfill our duty by providing them with military equipment that is second to none and not just second hand.

Sports Hall of Fame

[Rodger Cuzner, Liberal, Cape Breton—Canso, NS]

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to acknowledge six outstanding Canadians who earlier this week were inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame.

Among these six individuals were: Lori Fung, one of our country's most recognized rhythmic gymnasts; Olympic medal winning track star, Donovan Bailey; and the late Jack Donohue, an icon for his leadership and promotion of basketball in Canada.

In addition, Abby Hoffman will be recognized for her accomplishments as an athlete and sport administrator, and a champion for the advancement of women in sport.

From the world of hockey, there are two legends, Larry Robinson, one of the game's great defencemen, and Scotty Bowman for his incredible contribution as a coach and administrator.

All of these individuals are heroes who have contributed to Canada's pride through the advancement of sport.

Arts and Culture

[Alexa McDonough, NDP, Halifax, NS]

Mr. Speaker, tomorrow Wendy Lill's friends, family and colleagues will gather to pay tribute to the former Dartmouth MP who endowed this chamber with creativity, compassion and dignity.

Wendy Lill brought national attention to challenges facing Canadians living with disabilities; worked relentlessly to establish a parliamentary committee on persons living with disabilities.

This talented playwright turned parliamentarian earned affection and acclaim as an articulate champion of Canadian arts and culture. Wendy Lill's successor stated in this House yesterday:

Her tireless efforts to help the poor and the disadvantaged are causes we all should champion.

Let us translate Wendy's extraordinary work in Parliament into a lasting legacy by taking up these worthy causes with the same spirit and tenacity demonstrated by this wonderful, remarkable woman.

Remembrance Day

[Nina Grewal, Conservative, Fleetwood—Port Kells, BC]

Mr. Speaker, as Remembrance Day approaches, I rise today to pay tribute to those Canadians who gave the ultimate sacrifice in defence of our nation.

From Vimy Ridge to Dieppe, from Juno Beach to Korea, from Suez to Kabul, Canadians have always heeded the call to defend peace.

On November 11 we will pause at war memorials around the country and think of those who did not come home. We will think of those for whom Canada meant so much that they were willing to lay down their lives in her defence.

Recently we saw some of our veterans of the Italian campaign return to Ortona for the 60th anniversary of that bloody battle.

On behalf of the constituents of Fleetwood—Port Kells, allow me to thank all our veterans, but most especially those who did not return home.

Lest we forget.

Cascades

[André Bellavance, Bloc, Richmond—Arthabaska, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to mention the 40th anniversary of an outstanding Quebec business.

The Cascades group, founded by Bernard Lemaire in Kingsey Falls in 1964, with only 12 employees, is now among North America's leaders in the manufacturing of packaging products, tissue paper and specialized fine papers. It now relies on a workforce of 15,000 employees in nearly 150 units located in Quebec, Canada, the United States, France, England, Germany and Sweden.

Cascades is a major international company that recycles more than two million tons of paper and board annually. Leading edge de-inking technology and sustained research and development enable Cascades to create innovative, high-value-added products.

I want to congratulate the brothers who built the company, Bernard, Laurent and Alain Lemaire, and all their employees on their success and their contribution to Quebec's economic development.

Canadian Flag

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Nepean—Carleton, ON]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday Canadians were outraged that the member of Parliament for Richmond—Arthabaska in Quebec would put politics ahead of patriotism. He told Richmond's Royal Canadian Legion that it would not get a Canadian flag for Remembrance Day.

The Conservative Party of Canada is proud of our veterans and those who continue to make sacrifices for our country around the world. That is why my leader has already acted to send 10 Canadian flags to the legion in question.

Our veterans risked their lives, lost limbs, suffered untold trauma and pain so that this Bloc politician would have the freedom to stand in the House, indeed so that freedom would stand forever.

It is the responsibility of all members to serve all their constituents, especially the veterans.

The least we can do is put our politics aside and put our veterans first.

Let us never forget.

Gennum Corporation

[Paddy Torsney, Liberal, Burlington, ON]

Mr. Speaker, on November 10, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce will give its large business award to Gennum Corporation.

Gennum is headquartered in Burlington and it won in April of this year the Burlington Chamber of Commerce innovative technology award.

Gennum was chosen from a record number of nominations. It was singled out for its performance and achievements in sales, in innovation, in entrepreneurship and overall business excellence.

Founded in 1973 and headquartered in Burlington, Gennum makes components for specialized audio and video applications through two divisions: the video productions division and the hearing instrument division. It has a design centre in Ottawa, subsidiaries in Japan and the U.K., and it employs over 600 people under the leadership of Ian McWalter.

I offer my congratulations to all the employees of Gennum who work hard to bring innovation right around the world, who distinguish themselves and our community and who contribute invaluably to our general community.

Auto Theft

[Chuck Cadman, Independent, Surrey North, BC]

Mr. Speaker, first I would like to thank the voters of Surrey North for returning me to this place. I am inspired by the confidence they have shown in me.

My purpose for rising today is to commend the residents of Surrey and our law enforcement community for being diligent and working together to curb auto theft in our city.

Members may be aware from past comments in this place that in recent years Surrey has suffered some of the highest rates of auto theft in North America.

Our police point out that residents have played a key role in reducing the problem by locking their vehicles, ensuring that nothing of value is left in them and using anti-theft devices.

For their part, the police have implemented a number of programs, not the least of which is the use of bait cars, a strategy which has proven exceptionally effective. They have also turned up the heat on repeat offenders.

The substantial decrease in auto theft in Surrey in the first half of this year shows us that a community working together can make a difference.

Natural Resources

[Peter MacKay, Conservative, Central Nova, NS]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday we engaged in what I would describe as a very productive debate, a motion moved by the opposition leader to provide the Prime Minister with the ability to provide Nova Scotia and Newfoundland with 100% of their offshore revenues from their oil and gas. Most members of the House, including members on the government side, spoke favourably of the motion.

Is the Minister of Finance prepared to commit today to live up to the Prime Minister's promise and to communicate this directly with Premiers Hamm and Williams, and sign a deal to do just that?

[Ralph Goodale, Liberal, Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, I can tell the House that last evening I had a very lengthy conversation with Minister Sullivan from Newfoundland. Discussion between the governments is continuing. I think all of us want to achieve the very best possible result and we will work toward that in a very constructive frame of mind.

Sponsorship Program

[Peter MacKay, Conservative, Central Nova, NS]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the minister for that.

My supplementary question deals with a 1995 letter from businessman Paul Pednault, who complained of the Minister of Finance's office breaking Treasury Board rules on contracting, and he did so with a degree of expertise on these rules.

Mr. Pednault was a private sector member of the government's own selection committee for ad agencies. He noted that all departments followed Treasury Board rules, except the finance department which picked companies based on political affiliation.

What did the Prime Minister, the man who was going to end political cronyism, do when he found out that his own office was engaging in the activity of political cronyism?

[Scott Brison, Liberal, Minister of Public Works and Government Services]

Mr. Speaker, again the opposition members are getting it wrong. They were wrong on Francis Fox. They were wrong when they accused the Prime Minister of personally making phone calls. They were wrong in saying that only Liberals knew about the sponsorship program. Yesterday they wrongfully accused Terrie O'Leary of intervening in the awarding of a contract.

Why do they not just get it right, support the work of Justice Gomery and stop, on a day to day basis, making errors by manipulatively commenting on selective testimony?

[Peter MacKay, Conservative, Central Nova, NS]

Mr. Speaker, the deflections from a political deflector are wearing a little thin.

Justice Gomery has said clearly that research contracts are not part of his mandate at the inquiry. Documents released at the Gomery commission indicate that a number of sole source research contracts were directed to Earnscliffe by the current Prime Minister's Office.

Did the Prime Minister ever inquire as to whether Treasury Board rules were being followed with respect to Earnscliffe or the ad agencies, and if he did not inquire, why not?

[Scott Brison, Liberal, Minister of Public Works and Government Services]

Mr. Speaker, I missed the first part of the hon. member's question, but I think he might be considered to be a defective politician in fact.

I draw to the hon. member's attention an article in today's Globe and Mail :

Judge Gomery said his mandate does not include polling contracts, but he said he will think about admitting further evidence on the Finance contracts to clear the air.

He went further. He said specifically:

The mention of political interference by the Department of Finance makes headlines. If the statement is made and is left there, it is left to the media and the public to speculate.

He further stated that next week he will be making a decision about this issue.