House of Commons Hansard #18 of the 37th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was turkey.

Topics

2 p.m.

The Speaker

As is our practice on Wednesday we will now sing O Canada, and we will be led by the hon. member for Burlington.

[Editor's Note: Members sang the national anthem]

See Jane RunStatements By Members

February 25th, 2004 / 2 p.m.

Liberal

Karen Redman Liberal Kitchener Centre, ON

Mr. Speaker, this past weekend I hosted a spectacular event in my riding of Kitchener Centre called See Jane Run.

See Jane Run is a venue that brings women together to help each other: women helping women sit on more boards, to feel empowered within our community, to succeed in corporate life and to become leaders in whatever their realm of interest is.

Women from all age groups have said that there is a need for these kinds of opportunities, to share their knowledge and experiences so that the next generation of Canadian women can continue to benefit and to create new opportunities, not only for women but for all Canadians.

One hundred and forty women participated in this year's event. They came to listen to a dynamic speaker, Marion Thomson Howell, and to learn from each other. We were left with one message at the end of the day. This must continue.

AgricultureStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Canadian Alliance

Howard Hilstrom Canadian Alliance Selkirk—Interlake, MB

Mr. Speaker, it has been 10 months since the borders were shut to Canadian beef and the government has not gotten the borders re-opened. Not only that, the government is expecting producers to rely on the CAIS program, of which details have not been finalized.

Realized net income is the worst it has been since statistics were kept in the 1920s.

The Liberal government has been responsible for the viability of the agriculture sector since 1993 and it has done a poor job. The agriculture minister claims to be in charge but has failed miserably at getting the borders re-opened. He has not even completed the necessary regulatory changes that need to be made before the borders are re-opened.

Canadian farm families are facing bankruptcy. It is time the government stands up and takes responsibility for helping our producers and their families through these terrible times.

The EnvironmentStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

Julian Reed Liberal Halton, ON

Mr. Speaker, today I would like to commend the region of Halton, as well as Burlington, Oakville and Halton Hills on their clean air initiatives.

Halton started buying biodiesel in October 2003 and now it accounts for almost 40% of their total fuel purchases. Biodiesel helps reduce smog causing emissions and air toxins from being released into the air. They also have an anti-idling engine policy.

Burlington has programs in place to encourage the use of public transit and a public awareness campaign.

Oakville reduces emission emitting activities on smog days and has reduced pesticide use.

Halton Hills has a longstanding tree planting program.

I congratulate these local governments for clearing the air, literally.

CKCO TelevisionStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

Janko Peric Liberal Cambridge, ON

Mr. Speaker, on March 1, 1954, CKCO Television in Kitchener began broadcasting to residents of southern Ontario.

For half a century the station has provided the very best in entertainment and information programming. It produced shows like Polka Time, Romper Room, and Bowling for Dollars , while its current show Good Morning Canada is being aired on the CTV network.

CKCO's journalists are exceptional and in the last five years, the station has received seven awards from the Radio-Television News Directors Association. CKCO Television has become an institution and its journalists a trusted source of information on local, national and international events.

My colleagues from southern Ontario and I join with the House in congratulating the entire team at CKCO Television for 50 years of top-notch, award-winning programming.

Junior Achievement MonthStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

Dominic LeBlanc Liberal Beauséjour—Petitcodiac, NB

Mr. Speaker, February is Junior Achievement Month in Canada and I would like to congratulate the organization for the tremendous work it does on behalf of youth in Atlantic Canada.

The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency has enjoyed a long and productive partnership with Junior Achievement. They both recognize the importance of exposing young people to entrepreneurship at a stage in their lives when they are making decisions about what to do and where to live.

In my riding, Junior Achievement provides programs to school children, and 20 teenagers from Bouctouche benefit from a company program offered at École Clément-Cormier.

The ACOA has undertaken a number of activities to raise young people's awareness of the benefits of entrepreneurship.

One of them, the Youth Ventures Program, resulted in 260 new summer businesses and 400 new jobs.

It is clear that the partnership between the ACOA and Junior Achievement has been very productive.

Natural ResourcesStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Progressive Conservative

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

Mr. Speaker, Canada is a country blessed with great natural resources. The proper development of these resources could create an economy which could care for all of our needs.

If we maximized every bit of potential from our non-renewable resources and if we carefully managed our renewable resources, all our provinces would have stable economies. The problem is that we are not getting maximum benefits from resource development. We are not protecting or enhancing our agriculture, our fisheries, our forestry and our environment generally.

The lead here is in government hands. The example should be set by the federal government. Regrettably, in this regard, the Liberal government has been an abysmal failure.

Elizabeth BeatonStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Liberal

Mark Eyking Liberal Sydney—Victoria, NS

Mr. Speaker, today I would like to recognize a remarkable Cape Bretoner who touched many lives in her 85 years.

Elizabeth Beaton was born in New Waterford, Cape Breton in March 1918. At 15, she found her true calling in life, joined the Ursuline order and became Sister Bess Beaton. Though she would spend the next 70 years working in Edmonton as a dedicated teacher, she found time to occasionally return to her beloved Cape Breton.

In addition to teaching, she was also an avid athlete in her younger days. That interest in sports was recognized by the basketball team at Edmonton's Archbishop Jordan High School, which made her an honourary member, complete with her own team jersey.

Her death in January of this year has left the world and the many people she touched a little poorer, but when she was here she made our lives a lot richer.

World Cup of DivingStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Bloc

Madeleine Dalphond-Guiral Bloc Laval Centre, QC

Mr. Speaker, last weekend, Quebec athletes performed brilliantly at the 49-nation FINA World Cup of Diving.

Two young men from Laval, Alexandre Despatie and Philippe Comtois, won the bronze medal for the synchronized 10-metre platform dive, thus qualifying for the Olympic Games in Athens this summer. It is especially exciting since synchronized diving will be included as an Olympic sport for the first time.

Alexandre Despatie also won a gold medal in the 3-metre springboard and a bronze medal in the 10-metre platform competition. He had already qualified for the Athens Games in these two events.

Along with the people of Laval and all of Quebec, I am very proud of the achievements of these two young men; personally, and on behalf of the Bloc Quebecois, I wish them the best of luck in Athens.

International Women's DayStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Liberal

Sarmite Bulte Liberal Parkdale—High Park, ON

Mr. Speaker, to commemorate International Women's Day, on March 8 I will be hosting my sixth annual breakfast in my riding to acknowledge the accomplishments of the women of Parkdale--High Park.

This year we will celebrate the successes of the following women: Jane Bunnett, award winning musician; Heather Haldane, producer, Tapestry Pictures Inc.; Kathy Kennedy, business executive and community activist; Aurora Meliton, advocate for seniors; Dr. Barbara Sharratt, teacher, literary critic, political and social activist and journalist; and Pat Schnurr, artist and entrepreneur.

The theme for 2004 International Women's Day is “She's on a Role!” Many Canadian women, from athletes to social activists, have accomplished great things in their community, country and around the world. Some of these women receive little recognition for their efforts, yet provide shining examples for Canadians and Canadian youth by having followed their dreams no matter what barriers or opposition they may face.

International Women's Day is a special day to honour the variety and accomplishments made by women throughout all of our communities.

Democratic ReformStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Canadian Alliance

Ted White Canadian Alliance North Vancouver, BC

Mr. Speaker, the House sent Bill C-3 to committee before second reading because the Minister responsible for Democratic Reform led us to believe he wanted meaningful input on the legislation.

However, during my questioning of the minister at committee yesterday, he admitted that he had never bothered to contact any of the parties affected by the bill. Not only that, the minister also told us that nobody affected by the bill even knew that it had been introduced.

As if that was not bad enough, the minister used his Liberal members on the committee to block the appearance of any witnesses. Not even the Chief Electoral Officer, who must administer the bill, is allowed to attend.

We foolishly believed that the democratic reforms promised by the minister meant that things would be more democratic around this place. However, it is worse, much worse than it was under the previous minister. The new minister's reforms simply mean that now there is no democracy at all.

Export Development CanadaStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Liberal

Gérard Binet Liberal Frontenac—Mégantic, QC

Mr. Speaker, yesterday evening the Auditor General presented Export Development Canada with the Award for Excellence in Annual Reporting in the category of large crown corporations. This is the sixth time that EDC has received this award since its inception in 1994.

This award demonstrates EDC's dedication to the principles of transparency and accountability. It also recognizes the excellence of EDC as an organization that has succeeded in balancing a business-like approach with the implementation of major public policy projects.

We should also point out that, for the first time, the Canadian Commercial Corporation won the Award for Excellence in Annual Reporting in the category of small crown corporations.

The Minister for International Trade is privileged to be responsible for these two crown corporations that have won the Auditor General's award this year.

Status of WomenStatements By Members

2:15 p.m.

NDP

Judy Wasylycia-Leis NDP Winnipeg North Centre, MB

Mr. Speaker, with every day that passes under a Liberal government, the situation facing women gets worse. We are losing, not gaining ground.

Let us look at the evidence.

Oxfam reported recently that half the women working in Canada earn less than $20,000 a year. This is precarious work and it is on the rise.

Then the Prairie Women's Health Centre in Manitoba reported that almost half of Canadian households with core housing needs are headed by women. That means they live in desperate housing conditions and they are invisible to the government.

Now today the Canadian Institutes of Health Research confirms that wealth means health, that one-third of women-headed single parent families are poor and that without a national child care program, low income children face a lifetime health and learning disadvantage.

Where is the federal government in all this? It is AWOL, missing in action, obsessed with filling their corporate pals' pockets, with turning huge surpluses over to tax cuts and paying off bankers while more than 50% of the population falls further and further behind.

When will the government wake up and stand up for Canadian--

Status of WomenStatements By Members

2:15 p.m.

The Speaker

The hon. member for Verchères—Les-Patriotes.

St. Lawrence SeawayStatements By Members

2:15 p.m.

Bloc

Stéphane Bergeron Bloc Verchères—Les Patriotes, QC

Mr. Speaker, a few weeks ago, I sent my constituents a householder denouncing the U.S. Army's plan to widen the St. Lawrence Seaway, a plan the Government of Canada obviously supports since a feasibility study is already underway.

In the riding of Verchères—Les-Patriotes alone, more than 800 people have already reacted by sending me a reply coupon expressing their strong opposition to this plan, which will have a catastrophic impact on Quebec's economy and environment.

Big ships—many more of which would be able to sail between the ocean and the Great Lakes—would stop unloading their cargoes in Quebec ports since they would be able to go directly to ports in the U.S. and Ontario. Moreover, this plan would increase shoreline erosion and wreak havoc on fragile ecosystems.

I am demanding that the federal government take a stand with the Bush administration and ensure that the plan to widen the St. Lawrence Seaway never sees the light of day, period.

Oil IndustryStatements By Members

2:15 p.m.

Liberal

Roger Gallaway Liberal Sarnia—Lambton, ON

Mr. Speaker, many Canadians believe that our commercial oil industry was born in Alberta.

Next Saturday at the Oil Museum of Canada in the village of Oil Springs, the site of Canada's first commercial oil well, author Patricia McGee will launch her new book entitled, The Story of Fairbank Oil, a chronicle of the Ontario birth of Canadian and world production of crude oil.

The oil business was born in Lambton County in southwestern Ontario in the 1850s. The technology and manpower of that time were exported to a country then called Persia where Lambton County residents opened these oil fields.

Ms. McGee's book traces the story of the Fairbank family which for 124 consecutive years has sold Lambton County crude to Imperial Oil, a company also founded in Lambton County.

One hundred and thirty-nine years after its founding, the Van Tuyl and Fairbank hardware store in Petrolia is poised to become a national historic site, a fitting recognition of the importance of the Fairbank family in the world oil--

Oil IndustryStatements By Members

2:15 p.m.

The Speaker

The hon. member for Lethbridge.

HealthStatements By Members

2:15 p.m.

Canadian Alliance

Rick Casson Canadian Alliance Lethbridge, AB

Mr. Speaker, today the Canadian Medical Association launched its national health access campaign, calling on governments to act now to ensure Canadians have timely access to quality health care.

CMA president, Dr. Sunil Patel, noted that one of the easiest ways for the federal government to relieve the pressure on an overstretched system would be to fully reimburse or zero-rate the GST now paid for health care services. Correcting this historic oversight was the reason I presented a private member's bill addressing this issue.

Zero-rating health care services will help hospitals and other health care institutions groaning under the weight of ever increasing capital costs. Currently, the GST paid by hospitals alone would fund the purchase of some 25 MRI machines. Zero-rating all health care services would result in an infusion of $210 million per year, reducing waiting times for needed care.

The CMA points out that this is in keeping with the recent announcement regarding the GST and the new deal for cities. Now is the time for a new deal for health.

Black History MonthStatements By Members

2:20 p.m.

Liberal

Gurbax Malhi Liberal Bramalea—Gore—Malton—Springdale, ON

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to rise today in honour of Black History Month.

This is a time to celebrate the many achievements and contributions of black Canadians who, throughout history, have done so much to make Canada the culturally diverse, compassionate, and prosperous nation we know today.

It is also an opportunity for the majority of Canadians to learn about the experiences of black Canadians in our society and the vital role this community has played throughout our shared history.

The Brampton library celebrates Black History Month with special displays at all four library branches. As well, local students will also take part in a variety of Black History Month activities. For instance, secondary students from across the region of Peel will gather at the Peel board's HJA Brown Education Centre today to take part in overcoming obstacles, a forum celebrating Black History Month.

I therefore invite all my colleagues in the House to join me in recognizing the black community's contributions to Canadian society.

Sponsorship ProgramOral Question Period

2:20 p.m.

Macleod Alberta

Canadian Alliance

Grant Hill Canadian AllianceLeader of the Opposition

Mr. Speaker, the Liberal sponsorship mess did not become a government program until December 2002, when Liberals were caught by the Auditor General. Before that time it was a secret Liberal slush fund.

Why was this fund used to benefit Liberal friends and ad companies?

Sponsorship ProgramOral Question Period

2:20 p.m.

Vancouver Quadra B.C.

Liberal

Stephen Owen LiberalMinister of Public Works and Government Services

Mr. Speaker, the Auditor General's review that commenced in March 2002 was referred to her by the government to look into the program.

I would like to quote from a letter from the member of Parliament for Red Deer on December 12, 2001, to the minister at the time, Mr. Gagliano, asking for support for a program in his riding at that time. Six months before the member said there was no program, he wrote to the minister.

Sponsorship ProgramOral Question Period

2:20 p.m.

Macleod Alberta

Canadian Alliance

Grant Hill Canadian AllianceLeader of the Opposition

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the minister who makes this claim, let me quote the Privy Council Secretary who said this under oath. Kathy O'Hara said, “The sponsorship program actually wasn't a program until December 2002”. That is her quote, the PCO Secretary.

How many cabinet ministers accessed this fund before December 2002?

Sponsorship ProgramOral Question Period

2:20 p.m.

Vancouver Quadra B.C.

Liberal

Stephen Owen LiberalMinister of Public Works and Government Services

Mr. Speaker, we know that many MPs in the House, from all parties, have referred constituents to this program. Whether it was a formal program, whether it was an informal program, it was operating and representations were made to it by members of Parliament. We also know that many valid important festivals were funded through this program in many of our ridings.

The problem is in the middle, in the passage of the funds and the taking of commissions. It is not that any member of Parliament might make representations on the part of a constituent--

Sponsorship ProgramOral Question Period

2:20 p.m.

The Speaker

The hon. Leader of the Opposition.

Sponsorship ProgramOral Question Period

2:20 p.m.

Macleod Alberta

Canadian Alliance

Grant Hill Canadian AllianceLeader of the Opposition

Mr. Speaker, here is the way the slush fund worked. No application was necessary. Only Liberal friends need to apply and no commission payable, it has already been skimmed.

Do members know what they tried to do? They put $5,000 into my own riding. The difference is I did not get a kickback. Why did Liberals get kickbacks?