Debates of Feb. 2nd, 2004

Address in Reply

[Joe Comartin, NDP, Windsor—St. Clair, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I must admit that there were a number of points made in the last speech by my colleague from Kitchener with which I would like to take issue but time limits me to addressing the lack of any mention in the throne speech of the need for a national auto policy.

The particular member knows full well the importance of us dealing with an auto policy for the country, one that we have not done anything about and in fact have ignored for the whole term of this government.

In particular, one major company, which is part of her riding, Budd Canada Inc., is just teetering on whether it will be able to stay in business. The problem it has is reflective of the problem the auto parts industry has in the country generally.

In addition, I spent yesterday morning at a meeting in Oakville. Almost 1,000 auto workers showed up at that meeting crying for the government to do something about saving their jobs, which are in very real danger. We have Budd and so many other auto parts suppliers and major auto makers that are in very serious difficulty because of the lack of an auto policy.

Therefore I would like to ask the member if she is doing anything to see that we work toward a national auto policy and that the government will actually do something to save the auto industry in the country.

[Karen Redman, Liberal, Kitchener Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, if my hon. colleague would just turn to page 13 of the Speech from the Throne he would see that we do talk about working with sectoral councils. We do talk about building globally competitive firms. We are investing in science and technology, which does aid the auto firms as well as other industries. I know in the past we have had a very robust program with the technology partnership program which also helps that industry.

[Paddy Torsney, Liberal, Burlington, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I for one was very pleased to see in the Speech from the Throne a lot of discussion about helping poor families, and particularly poor children, achieve all they can. As I know the hon. member is committed to families and to children in particular, I wonder if she would elaborate on the post-secondary sector given how much she has in her constituency related to the post-secondary sector, and the importance of poor children getting access to post-secondary education.

[Karen Redman, Liberal, Kitchener Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I am truly pleased to talk on this issue as I have two universities and an outstanding community college within my community.

The fact that we are looking at a grant program is huge news, because all the members on this side of the House, who were part of the post-secondary caucus, recognize that accessibility to education has been a huge factor.

Not only are we looking at how we can improve our loan program, we are looking to enrich the program for matching people who want to put money into saving for their children's education. We are also looking at a grant program, which will make a huge difference for young people who find that moving on past secondary education is barred by financial issues.

[Werner Schmidt, Canadian Alliance, Kelowna, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member who just spoke is rather eloquent and I know some of the things she stands for are absolutely the same things that I stand for, but how does she explain the absence in the Speech from the Throne of dealing with justice, of bringing about safer streets and of developing a national drug strategy to ensure our children are protected?

It is all very well to talk in very general terms but where are the specifics on what we will do in the justice system to make sure our parole system does the kinds of things we want it to do and that in fact our families are protected from the predators of their children?

[Karen Redman, Liberal, Kitchener Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, we are re-introducing legislation that will deal protecting children from predators on the Internet.

I would also point out to my hon. colleague that as much as this is an energized government with a new Prime Minister and a new vision, and I certainly feel the buzz on this side of the House, we have to acknowledge that over the past 10 years we have made investments . I would remind my hon. colleague of the community safety and crime prevention councils that were set up with $3 million. They do go into communities and the communities identify local initiatives. We are stopping crime and we are making streets safer by dealing with the issues upstream instead of waiting until people get into correctional institutions.

[Peter MacKay, Progressive Conservative, Pictou—Antigonish—Guysborough, NS]

Mr. Speaker, while we saw a plethora of platitudes paraded out today by the Prime Minister, it may leave some Canadians hopeful but more so doubtful.

We have seen the cynical promise to bring back the Sea King program cancelled by the Prime Minister with a stroke of the pen 10 years ago.

However, one of the glaring omissions that we saw today was the complete absence of any mention of the fisheries. In Atlantic Canada, this is still the biggest issue. Places like Canso are dying on the vine. Not a single, solitary mention of the fisheries. Although we have a newly appointed minister from the province of Nova Scotia, it did not even warrant a passing reference.

Does the hon. member not realize the plight of the fisheries and the anxious anticipation that many in Atlantic Canada and, I suggest, on the west coast and throughout the country, were waiting to hear something, some kernel of hope that might exist for the recovery of the fisheries?

[Karen Redman, Liberal, Kitchener Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I too absolutely feel the plight of the fishery but I would point out that other issues have been raised. We have the softwood lumber issue and the issue of ranchers who are dealing BSE. In my riding I have health food manufacturers and pet food manufacturers that are dealing with these issues.

All the issues that we deal with on a daily basis have an incredible impact on one sector of the Canadian economy and they impact real Canadians.

The Speech from the Throne is a broad brush, as I said, of finding our compass, our true north, rather than winding our watch.

I would suggest to the hon. member opposite that we will deal with those issues and we will talk to Canadians and find the kinds of solutions that will be long term.

[Grant Hill, Canadian Alliance, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, I would propose that we thank both the mover and the seconder for their speeches.

The Speech from the Throne looks very much to me like a document designed for an electoral campaign, one that, frankly, normally would be secret at this point in time. I wonder if Your Excellency might, being in possession of such a secret document, expect a visit from the RCMP.

I move:

That the debate be now adjourned.

(On motion of Mr. Grant Hill the debate was adjouned)

[Mauril Bélanger, Liberal, Deputy Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, I move:

That this House do now adjourn.

(Motion agreed to)

(The House adjourned at 5:55 p.m.)