Debates of Dec. 9th, 2004

Prince Albert Centennial

[Brian Fitzpatrick, Conservative, Prince Albert, SK]

Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to congratulate the City of Prince Albert on its 100th anniversary as a city.

Prince Albert started as a settlement along the banks of the Saskatchewan River in the 1860s and soon emerged as a major centre for trade and development in the Northwest Territories. Upon Saskatchewan's entry into the Canadian federation, the thriving community of Prince Albert was incorporated as a city.

Prince Albert has a rich history. It has been home to three prime ministers: Wilfrid Laurier, Mackenzie King and John Diefenbaker. It has been a major factory for outstanding hockey players and coaches throughout Canada and North America. It was a pioneer in developing the model for our modern health care system.

I know that all members will want to join with me in offering the residents of Prince Albert our best wishes on their city's 100th birthday celebration.

Christmas Full of Caring Dinner

[Michael John Savage, Liberal, Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, NS]

Mr. Speaker, this past weekend the 10th annual Christmas Full of Caring Dinner was held in Dartmouth—Cole Harbour. This event, which raises money for Feed Others of Dartmouth, a community group that feeds the homeless, started in 1994 and sprang from the compassionate and productive mind of Neil Black, inspired by long-time patrons John and Margaret Savage and carried on this year by Paul and Mary O'Regan and an army of dedicated volunteers that has for a decade made this event a staple of the Christmas season.

The late Fred Marsland and the great Pat Connolly and Bill Carr have given freely of their time, as have so many others. Today, Doug Livingstone, Hector Muise, Debbie Norris, Marg Scott, Peggy Landes, Susan MacKay, Karen Goudie, Kim and Joyce McGinn and Elaine and Paul Robinson, as well as many others, put countless hours into this project, which is devoted to providing comfort and dignity to the least advantaged. This year's event was the most successful ever.

This event is what Christmas is all about. I know all members will join me in commending this great committee.

Shipbuilding

[Réal Lapierre, Bloc, Lévis—Bellechasse, QC]

Mr. Speaker, stakeholders in shipbuilding agree on the need for a marine policy. In this area, as in many others, the federal government gives with one hand and takes away with the other, according to Denise Verreault, CEO of Les Méchins shipyard. Individual protests have not been successful to date and will never solve the problem.

The best example is Davie shipyard in Lévis, a shining example of expertise and infrastructure, which unfortunately has filed for bankruptcy. Thanks to subsidies from the Quebec government through a trustee in bankruptcy, it is on life support, all because the Canadian government is not doing its homework.

There is an urgent need for the federal government to implement a marine policy that ensures, once and for all, that our shipyards are sustainable and able to compete on an international level.

Robert Gordon Teather

[Roy Cullen, Liberal, Etobicoke North, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the efforts of a retired RCMP officer who recently passed away, Corporal Robert Gordon Teather.

Corporal Bob Teather joined the RCMP in 1967 and served primarily within British Columbia in a variety of roles until his retirement in 1998.

On April 25, 1983 he was awarded the Cross of Valour, the highest Canadian bravery award that can be bestowed in peacetime, as a result of his actions and courage when he rescued two fishermen trapped in an overturned hull of a boat in September 1981, nearly losing his own life in the process. Indeed, his actions had serious repercussions which impacted his future quality of life.

He is the only member of the RCMP to ever have been bestowed with the Cross of Valour. Corporal Teather is also leaving a significant legacy through his mentoring and books. A memorial service will be held on December 10, 2004.

I encourage members of the House to join me in recognizing this most extraordinary individual.

Sanitec Canada

[Tom Lukiwski, Conservative, Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre, SK]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to recognize a Regina based company that has developed a product which may make Canada a global leader when it comes to the treatment of biohazardous waste.

Earlier this year the World Health Organization put out a statement that said, “Unsafe health care waste management leads to death and disability”. I am very proud that a company from my riding has developed a product that directly combats this problem.

Sanitec Canada has developed a product called the Ozonator, which uses ozone to sterilize hospital waste while reducing the volume of this waste by 80%. Until now dangerous hospital waste could only be disposed of through incineration, a process which releases hazardous materials into the atmosphere and raises significant environmental concerns.

The success of Sanitec is even more amazing since this company has yet to receive any funding from the federal government.

Today I call upon the government to closely examine the issue of biohazardous waste and take a look at what is truly an innovative product from Saskatchewan.

Grenada Medical Clinic

[Rose-Marie Ur, Liberal, Middlesex—Kent—Lambton, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the wrath of hurricane Ivan was felt thousands of miles away, but that did not stop two doctors living in Wallaceburg from feeling the pain of its devastation. Grenada is where Dr. Atoe studied medicine and met his wife, Dr. Gemma Bain-Atoe.

The Atoes' way of giving back to another community was to build a medical clinic in Grenada. The clinic has been hit by hurricanes and constantly suffers power outages. It is difficult to provide proper medical care. The Atoes recently sent a very large generator to the clinic. The residents of Wallaceburg and surrounding areas held their fundraising event on November 19 to support the doctors' project and raised over $7,200.

It was a successful evening thanks to the residents of Wallaceburg. The true generosity to help out another community that has been impacted by a natural disaster speaks volumes for the spirit of the people of Wallaceburg and the support of their doctors.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

[Peter Julian, NDP, Burnaby—New Westminster, BC]

Mr. Speaker, tomorrow, December 10, is the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the founding of a new world that advocates equality for all.

Our Canadian charter is an important example of such ambition, and we heard this morning a landmark decision from the Supreme Court reinforcing the right to equal marriage for gay and lesbian couples, one proud step forward for Canada.

However, for every step forward, there are two steps backward. The United Nations announced this morning that one billion children are without basic food and shelter and live in poverty, disease and despair. At the same time, the Bush administration wants to spend one trillion dollars on star wars. This money could address the fundamental needs of every single one of those children for housing, food, sanitation, health care and education.

Parliament has a responsibility to uphold human rights and that means we must at once implement equal marriage laws and fight star wars. Let us act swiftly and with resolve.

London Knights

[Joe Preston, Conservative, Elgin—Middlesex—London, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the London Knights major junior A hockey team skated into the history books last night in Kitchener: 28, 0 and 1 to start the season, 18 wins in a row and counting. This ties a record set by the 1978-79 Brandon Wheat Kings.

Coach Dale Hunter and co-owner brother Mark Hunter have built the team worthy of hosting this season's Memorial Cup. This young team leads the Ontario Hockey League in all categories: the league's leading goalie, the Knights; the top three in scoring, all from the Knights; the top power play and the top penalty kill, all from London.

Yes, there are stars on this team, but the success stems from the desire to work together as a team and have fun doing it. I am here to say as a fan that it sure is fun to watch, and go, Knights, go.

Grande Guignolée des médias

[Christiane Gagnon, Bloc, Québec, QC]

Mr. Speaker, today, December 9, is the annual Grande Guignolée des médias.

For three years now, all media outlets in Quebec, radio, television or written media, have been involved in this fund-raising drive for the less fortunate. Journalists will be taking to the streets with a red container in hand asking Quebeckers for a donation.

These volunteers are appealing to the generosity of Quebeckers from all regions in Quebec. The money collected will go to various local agencies such as the Sun Youth Organization, St.Vincent de Paul and Montréal Harvest.

Corporate sponsors are also lending a hand. Donations can left at any St. Hubert restaurant or Jean Coutu pharmacy.

I want to congratulate the Grande Guignolée des médias volunteers and organizers on their admirable work. The holiday season is a time for sharing. We must remember that not everyone will have a joyous holiday without our help.

The Bloc Québécois joins with the event spokespersons, Rita Lafontaine, Vincent Gratton and Louis-Josée Houde in calling upon Quebeckers to give generously.

Citizenship and Immigration

[Brian Pallister, Conservative, Portage—Lisgar, MB]

Mr. Speaker:

A cabinet minister is aahing and oohing,Romanian stripper could be her undoing,Biggest story in this town,Gonna get a dressing down,Termination has been signed,It's the Liberal bump and grind.

We need new Canadians, she has the answer.You can become an exotic dancer.And if you're a Liberal volunteerShe's gonna let you stay right here.Step up to the front, all the others won't mind.It's the Liberal bump and grind.You might be a doctor or a nurse,Improve your chances by stripping first.Chemist or engineer, heavy or gauntyYour chances expand if you do the full Monty.But don't let them touch you or else you'll get fined.It's the Liberal bump and grind.She isn't quite sure if she's coming or going.Her cover's been blown and the naked truth's showing.Doing partisan favours has led to a bashin'You can't jump the queue in the name of compassion.It's time for the PM to make up his mind.It's the Liberal bump and grind.

Peace Research Institute

[Russ Powers, Liberal, Ancaster—Dundas—Flamborough—Westdale, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the Peace Research Institute in Dundas, Ontario was founded in 1976 by Dr. Hanna Newcombe and the late Dr. Alan Newcombe.

For three decades, during times of great change in the world, the private non-profit organization dedicated its efforts to international peace advocacy and research. The institute conducted and published peace research in the anticipation that the presentation of facts may drive out myth and lay the foundation for a new society and a new humanity.

Hanna Newcombe is now in her mid-eighties and legally blind. Thus the Peace Research Institute is closing down. Hanna herself, however, insists that she will continue to work for peace.

I extend congratulations to Dr. Newcombe for a vocation well spent.

La Francophonie

[Guy André, Bloc, Berthier—Maskinongé, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I attended the 10th summit of La Francophonie, which was held in Burkina Faso. The theme this year was “La Francophonie, a community that supports sustainable development”.

Some of the negative effects of globalization, such as increased inequality and poverty, require our attention.

It is the hope of the summit organizers to encourage conditions that will foster shared growth and progress. The disadvantaged member countries of La Francophonie are calling for support from the more advanced member countries to help them develop more quickly.

We call upon the Canadian government to accelerate its policy of reducing the debt of the poorest countries and to commit to a realistic plan that will enable it to achieve the aid target of 0.7% of GDP by the year 2015.

Roy Overfors

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

Mr. Speaker, today is a very sad day in the House of Commons. Last week, we lost one of our great House of Commons security personnel, Sergeant Roy Overfors.

Sergeant Roy Overfors served proudly in the House of Commons security services for over 20 years, protecting and serving members of Parliament, employees and thousands of visitors to Parliament Hill.

He left behind his loving wife, Cathy, and two devoted sons, Jason and John. I would like to speak directly to John and Jason and say, I know you have lost your father, but your father was a very decent and honest man. We thank you for sharing him with us in the House of Commons.

The House of Commons security personnel provide us with the safety and security we need to do our jobs for all Canadians. On behalf of all members of Parliament and those in the Senate, we salute the memory of Sergeant Roy Overfors. To all the men and women of the House of Commons security staff, we say God bless each and every one of them, and God bless Sergeant Roy Overfors.

Citizenship and Immigration

[Peter MacKay, Conservative, Central Nova, NS]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Ethics Commissioner said that there was nothing preventing the Prime Minister from asking questions or, more important, firing the minister of immigration. The Prime Minister, by refusing to do so, is accepting the standard for his government of trafficking in ministerial permits for selected friends and campaign workers of the minister.

Why does the Prime Minister condone this low ethical standard? Does he believe that this is the best minister of immigration that he can produce from his Liberal caucus?

[Paul Martin, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, there is a certain standard of decency that ought to apply in this House despite the fact that hon. members have immunity. The fact is the member opposite has just breached that.

The fact is there is an independent Ethics Commissioner. He was put in place by this Parliament in order to look at these questions. That is why we want to give him the right to do so. What the hon. member is arguing is that we should take that right away.

[Peter MacKay, Conservative, Central Nova, NS]

Mr. Speaker, the Ethics Commissioner is not there as a shield for the Prime Minister to dither and dodge on this issue.

Yesterday, the Ethics Commissioner revealed that the one and only question submitted to him by the minister concerned the campaign worker. There was nothing about meetings in clubs, nothing about invasion of privacy, nothing about threats to MPs and nothing at all about fraudulent campaign expenses.

How long is the minister going to continue to try our patience?

[Paul Martin, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, the ethics commissioner is the one to decide on his mandate, on what he will examine. There are no restrictions.

The real question is this: how long is the member going to continue to abuse his position as a parliamentarian with these questions and insinuations concerning another member?

[Peter MacKay, Conservative, Central Nova, NS]

Mr. Speaker, I am just glad to see the Prime Minister finally get up and answer questions for us.

Yesterday the Ethics Commissioner confirmed the only thing that he was investigating was the immigration permit that the minister gave to her campaign worker.

For the last three weeks the minister has refused to answer questions about deportees, questionable election donations, privacy violations and inappropriate staff conduct. Day after day she has stood in this House and has told us that the commissioner was looking into those things. That was false. The minister misled this House about the scope of the Ethics Commissioner's investigation.

When will the Prime Minister simply do the right thing and fire that minister?

[Judy Sgro, Liberal, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration]

Mr. Speaker, I referred the issue of this individual permit to the Ethics Commissioner and I have asked him to report back. I am very confident that I have not broken any rules. It has the appearance of it and for that it gives me concern and I have referred it to the Ethics Commissioner.

Marriage

[Vic Toews, Conservative, Provencher, MB]

Mr. Speaker, today the Supreme Court of Canada refused to agree with the Prime Minister's position that the traditional definition of marriage is unconstitutional. The court refused to answer the question and referred the matter back to Parliament.

Why did the Prime Minister mislead Canadians when he stated that the Supreme Court upheld lower court decisions on the issue of constitutionality of the traditional definition of marriage?

Why does the Prime Minister continue to play politics with this important issue?

[Irwin Cotler, Liberal, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada]

Mr. Speaker, I would recommend to the hon. member that he read the judgment in its entirety. The judgment fully supports our draft legislation organized around equality rights and freedom of religion.

[Vic Toews, Conservative, Provencher, MB]

Mr. Speaker, coming from the justice minister, that is a disgrace. He should read the decision. The Supreme Court also ruled that the provisions of the draft bill dealing with the protection of religious officials was outside Parliament's jurisdiction.

How does the government propose to protect not only religious officials, but also public officials, such as marriage commissioners who, for reasons of conscience, cannot support same sex marriage? What about public officials, not only religious officials?

[Irwin Cotler, Liberal, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada]

Mr. Speaker, I respect the hon. member, but the more I hear from him, the more I am convinced he has not read the judgment.

The judgment is clear in its respect for freedom of religion as a foundational principle under the charter. It said that the provinces can add to that protection, not detract from it.

Aerospace Industry

[Gilles Duceppe, Bloc, Laurier, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the minister responsible for Quebec has admitted he is powerless. The Minister of Transport has said that the new Bombardier project was “big enough to provide jobs”, including in Ontario.

Since 55% of the aerospace industry is based in Quebec and the momentum must be encouraged, will the Minister of Transport admit that, in the case of Bombardier, it would be better to increase Quebec's share rather than to resort to “scattering”?

[David Emerson, Liberal, Minister of Industry]

Mr. Speaker, in my discussions with the aerospace industry from all across this country, they all agreed that Bombardier is a critical piece of that industrial cluster. We are working with the aerospace industry in all parts of the country. We are dealing with Bombardier. We will have a strong aerospace industry going forward as we have had in the past.