Debates of Jan. 31st, 2005

Border Caucus

[Russ Hiebert, Conservative, South Surrey—White Rock—Cloverdale, BC]

Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to announce the creation of a new all party caucus.

The Parliamentary Border Caucus will complement the work of our government in addressing issues of trade and security that affect our border with the United States.

This border is a precious resource, sustaining the world's largest bilateral trading agreement. Thousands of jobs in our ridings rely directly on the border, while millions of Canadians benefit from the export of goods and services across it

We will be holding our founding meeting on Tuesday, February 8 and MPs who have a border crossing point in their riding are welcome to attend.

I am very pleased to announce that our guest speaker next Tuesday will be the U.S. Ambassador, Mr. Paul Cellucci.

Finally, I want to thank my colleagues, the member for Saint Jean, the member for Sarnia--Lambton and the member for Windsor West for their efforts in making this all party caucus a reality.

World Leprosy Day

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise before the House to acknowledge World Leprosy Day yesterday, January 30. Now more correctly known as Hansen's disease, this condition plagues approximately 500 Canadians, with about a dozen cases arising each year.

Admittedly this disease is not widespread in our nation, but with Canada's vast involvement in global affairs, as well as its sincere acceptance of immigrants and refugees, such an ailment must be conscientiously monitored. Contrary to common belief, this condition is not transmitted through touch, and more evidence is proving that this disease has been mischaracterized.

I wish to commend the efforts of the Leprosy Mission of Canada and Leprosy Relief Canada. Also, there are Canadians living here and abroad who are helping to raise awareness in various places about this often misunderstood disease.

Windsor Wildcats Tragedy

[Brian Masse, NDP, Windsor West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with great sadness in my heart. On Saturday in Rochester, New York, three people from the Windsor area, who were travelling with the Windsor Wildcats women's intermediate hockey team, and the driver of a transport truck were tragically killed in an accident.

Wildcats coach Rick Edwards will be remembered as a leader and an enthusiast for hockey in our community. His son Brian will be missed by his own hockey teammates in LaSalle and all those in the wider community that he and his dad were part of, both during the season and in the off season. My deepest condolences go out to the Edwards family and their friends.

On a personal note, I send my heartfelt sympathies to my former colleague Mike Roach, with whom I sat on city council, and to his daughter Erin and two sons for the loss of their loving mother Cathy. I will remember Cathy, who died on Saturday, and I know she will be deeply missed in the community.

The Windsor and Essex County community is proud of these young women ambassadors from our country playing our national sport and showcasing our best to the world. I hope that the bonds of teamwork will help the Wildcats and their families and friends through this difficult time.

I would like to send to all those still recovering and the many grieving families and friends our best wishes and prayers, not only from my colleague, the member for Windsor—Tecumseh, and from me, but from all my colleagues in the House of Commons. Canada is thinking of them.

Iraq

[Stockwell Day, Conservative, Okanagan—Coquihalla, BC]

Mr. Speaker, democracy is best defined as government based upon the consent of the governed.

As Conservatives, we believe that people everywhere have a natural God-given right to democracy and liberty. We applaud the results of yesterday's election in Iraq, the first fully open, voluntary and democratic election in the Arab world.

We were all moved by scenes of long lines of citizens of the new Iraq standing patiently and proudly, bravely defying all threats and joining hands with their children so that those young eyes would remember forever the price so many were paying for their liberty.

Skeptics throughout the world, including many in our midst, said that these people lacked a desire for democracy and were indifferent to its alleged blessings. Iraqis, they said, would not measure up to this challenge to defy suicide bombers for the sake of depositing a ballot in a box.

The people of Iraq have proven wrong this pessimistic and demeaning judgment of them. They have reignited the cause of democracy and have set an example for those in our own midst, where only 60% of our citizens vote in federal elections.

We salute the supreme sacrifice which has been paid by Iraqi forces and coalition forces. We thank the people of Iraq for this reminder--

[The Speaker]

The hon. member for Abitibi—Témiscamingue.

Soirée des Masques

[Marc Lemay, Bloc, Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Soirée des Masques, which celebrates the work of Quebec artists, was held last night. Theatre is the embodiment of our culture, our imagination, our identity and everything that distinguishes us. Theatre is the reflection of a people.

Some twenty actors won awards in various categories, and the Théâtre de Quat'Sous, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, was awarded the prix Hommage, which is a special tribute award. This provided an opportunity to salute the boldness and the vision of its founder and its artistic directors.

However, the evening was overshadowed by the announcement of the passing of actress Gisèle Schmidt. This great lady with a unique voice was a first rate actor for 60 years.

I want to make special mention of the performance of Rouyn-Noranda's Théâtre du Tandem and, particularly, the fact that Muriel Dutil received the performer of the year award. The Bloc Québécois congratulates all the nominees and recipients at the Soirée des Masques.

Tsunami Relief

[Gurmant Grewal, Conservative, Newton—North Delta, BC]

Mr. Speaker, in watching the scenes of death and destruction resulting from the devastating tsunami that hit South Asia, our hearts immediately went out to the more than 220,000 victims and the millions left homeless. This catastrophe made us realize that even with all our scientific and technological advances, we remain vulnerable to the power of nature.

As the United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan said, “The tsunami was an unprecedented global natural disaster” and it deserved “an unprecedented, global response”.

Governments, NGOs and ordinary people have contributed billions of dollars to the devastated countries.

In my constituency, people are doing all they can for the victims. Musicians have held concerts. Students have raised thousands through loonie drives. Maninder Gill of Radio India raised over $700,000 for the Red Cross; I personally spent eight hours on the air as part of his fundraiser.

British Columbians are vulnerable. Our government should learn some lessons from this disaster, including improving response times for our DART and better emergency preparedness.

On behalf of my constituents, I want to thank--

[The Speaker]

The hon. member for Glengarry—Prescott—Russell.

Réseau de la ruralité franco-ontarienne

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

Mr. Speaker, last Friday I had the honour of attending the launch of the Réseau de la ruralité franco-ontarienne. This Internet site consolidates relevant information on events and the accomplishments of rural Franco-Ontarians.

This portal will help to stimulate the creation and distribution of Internet information in French targeted at rural communities.

A tip of the hat to the Union des cultivateurs franco-ontariens, its president, Pierre Bercier, and the other visionaries behind this project. Thanks to the Minister of Industry and the Minister of Canadian Heritage for their contributions.

[The Speaker]

I would ask members to rise to observe a minute of silence in memory of the victims of the tsunami.

Sponsorship Program

[Stephen Harper, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, on a happier note, I am sure that all of the House will want to join with us in congratulating the brave people of Iraq in standing up to tyranny and terrorism and advancing the cause of democracy.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear!

[Stephen Harper, Conservative, Calgary Southwest, AB]

Speaking of democracy, whenever a public inquiry gets close to the truth, the Liberals shut it down. That is what they did with Somalia and APEC and they tried the same thing with Krever.

Now that the former Liberal leader is trying to have Justice Gomery removed, the Prime Minister has suddenly become very silent. Has the Prime Minister told Mr. Chrétien in no uncertain terms that his actions are inappropriate and unacceptable?

[Paul Martin, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, first of all, on the subject of Iraq I would like to inform the House that I spoke to Mr. Kingsley this morning. As we know, he oversaw the election process that took place. He has already published on his website that in fact the election was held under circumstances which can give us great confidence in the results. I, too, want to speak on behalf of the Canadian people and say how much we admire the courage of the Iraqi people and how glad we are to see the result.

In terms of the hon. member's question, he should know that this afternoon, in fact perhaps as we speak, the government's counsel is before the commission giving the government's position. But let me just assure the hon. member that it was this government that brought the commission into being, not the opposition. We did it because we want the Canadian public to have all of the answers. That was our position then, it is our position today, and it will be our position tomorrow.

[Stephen Harper, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, I will be happy to acknowledge that the government set up the commission as long as it acknowledges that it shut down all the previous ones.

I am looking for the Prime Minister to be more categorical in leadership in telling Mr. Chrétien that his actions are unacceptable, but on top of that, can the Prime Minister explain why the Liberal Party's own lawyers did not appear before the commission today to make this argument?

[Paul Martin, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, it is somewhat ironic to hear the Leader of the Opposition now standing up attempting to defend the commission when for the last six months he and his party have done every single thing they could to subvert what the commission is doing, by standing up in the House of Commons misstating evidence, contradicting testimony that has been given, and taking things out of context.

They have tried to throw every obstacle they can in the way of the commission. They have not succeeded and they will not succeed.

[Stephen Harper, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, what this party has done is exercise its constitutional responsibility to force answers on the floor of the House as well as at the commission.

On January 21, for the second time, Justice Gomery asked the Prime Minister to give him access to certain cabinet documents. And suddenly the former Liberal leader asked that the judge be replaced.

Instead of replacing Justice Gomery, will the Prime Minister give him the documents he is looking for?

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

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to report to the House that government and inquiry counsel met today and resolved all outstanding issues to the satisfaction of all parties. In fact, Justice Gomery is very much satisfied with the response of the government because he knows that this Prime Minister and this government have provided full cooperation, openness and transparency and support for Justice Gomery's work. We support Justice Gomery's work and we will continue to do so.

[Peter MacKay, Conservative, Central Nova, NS]

Mr. Speaker, what people should be saying to that is “finally”. Last year this government and this minister said repeatedly “we are providing full cooperation to Justice Gomery”. Months later, now they are admitting that yes, they will finally cooperate.

We know the Privy Council Office routinely edited documents before releasing them to Mr. Justice Gomery, so let me ask the Prime Minister, why was his government preventing Justice Gomery from doing his important work? What was he hiding then and what is he hiding now?

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

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member will no doubt benefit from the knowledge that the information that Justice Gomery is satisfied with today is the same information that was provided to Justice Gomery earlier. With the discussions this morning between the government counsel and the counsel representing the commission it was agreed that the information was fully consistent with the government's commitment to provide all the cabinet confidences that pertain to the mandate of the Gomery commission.

[Peter MacKay, Conservative, Central Nova, NS]

Mr. Speaker, that makes no sense at all.

The former prime minister is putting a Shawinigan handshake on the Gomery commission. The Prime Minister is doing the CSL cabinet shuffle. Mr. Chrétien is doing everything he can to shut down the Gomery commission and the Prime Minister was, for the longest time, trying very hard to limit the information that Mr. Gomery could access.

The Prime Minister has now been forced by his former leader, Mr. Chrétien, to defend the integrity of Mr. Justice Gomery. It is good to see that he is finally prepared to defend the integrity of the commission itself.

Why was the Prime Minister withholding information from the Gomery commission until today's agreement with Mr. Justice Gomery?

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

Mr. Speaker, I will explain once again that the information that Justice Gomery is comfortable with and accepts as full disclosure on behalf of the government is the same information.

The fact is that the government committed to providing all pertinent information as it pertained to the mandate of the Gomery commission. The government provided that information. Justice Gomery is totally satisfied. The real question is why the opposition is not satisfied with Justice Gomery's satisfaction with the government's response and why the opposition is interfering with the work and the analysis of Justice Gomery.

[Gilles Duceppe, Bloc, Laurier, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister intervened through his office when he was Minister of Finance, in order to split a contract worth $600,000 to promote the hiring of the EKOS company, a partner of Earnscliffe, which thus obtained a contract for $300,000 without being the lowest bidder.

Can the Prime Minister, who denounced cronyism in the sponsorship scandal, explain why he acted in the same way to give an advantage to his buddies in the Earnscliffe matter?

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

Mr. Speaker, if the hon. member has information that pertains to the sponsorship program he should submit it. The Bloc is in fact an intervenor to the Gomery commission. I would urge him to submit any information he has. Justice Gomery will continue to work hard and provide his sound analysis on behalf of all Canadians.

[Gilles Duceppe, Bloc, Laurier, QC]

Mr. Speaker, should we understand from the Minister's reply that the Prime Minister, when he testifies before the Gomery Commission will be completely open to answering the questions he will be asked regarding the Earnscliffe file and that the federal government's counsel will not object in any way to having the Commission tackle the Earnscliffe matter and to its being part of the mandate of the Gomery Commission?