Debates of Oct. 19th, 2005

[The Speaker]

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

Millennium Scholarship Excellence Award

[Brenda Chamberlain, Liberal, Guelph, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today to recognize and congratulate four outstanding students from my community. This past July the Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation awarded Rebecca Cain, Margherita Braga, Brynn Laxton and Aliya Nanjee millennium excellence awards for the 2004-2005 academic year.

The recipients were chosen in a nationwide competition on the basis of outstanding achievement in four key areas: academics, community service, leadership and innovation. Rebecca was one of 100 students to receive a national award of $5,000 renewable up to three times. Margherita, Brynn and Aliya were three of only 623 students nationally to receive a one-time local award of $4,000.

I congratulate these fine students and the Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation for supporting them.

South Asia Earthquake

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

Mr. Speaker, last week residents of B.C.'s South Asian community emptied their wallets and piggy banks to assist earthquake victims in Pakistan and Kashmir.

Radio stations Sher-E-Punjab and Radio India generously dedicated their airwaves to the cause raising approximately $500,000 and $1 million respectively. Over the two days, I and other volunteers at both stations appealed to listeners, and people from all walks of life responded in a wonderful example of community helping community.

The generosity of the community and the radio stations in their response to this disaster makes me proud. I particularly wish to single out Mr. Maninder Gill, the managing director of Radio India in the constituency of Newton—North Delta. Mr. Gill has raised over $3 million for Asian tsunami victims, the Canadian Cancer Society, the Surrey, Delta and Vancouver hospitals.

Please join me in applauding everyone who helped out the victims.

Forest Industry

[Roger Valley, Liberal, Kenora, ON]

Mr. Speaker, forestry is one of the most critical industries in my riding of Kenora. This industry affects everyone in all communities. Hundreds of families depend on forestry to provide paycheques for quality of life in the north.

Abitibi Consolidated, in the city of Kenora, has decided to stop operations at the plant, permanently shutting down half of its machines and idling the other half. Many fear that if operations do not restart this winter, the entire shutdown will be permanent.

Forestry and logging represents one of the most important wage earning industries in Canada. My entire riding will be impacted if things are allowed to proceed without intervention from governments. Concerned parties have been working toward a solution for months but continue to be stonewalled in Ontario by high energy prices.

As Abitibi Consolidated contemplates the closure of one of the most significant places of work in my riding, I am asking the government to devise a strategy to work with citizens, industry and all levels of government to keep these Canadians working.

International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

[Carole Lavallée, Bloc, Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC]

Mr. Speaker, for the past 13 years, October 17 has been recognized by the UN as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

Each year, since 1987, Quebeckers are invited to reflect and to take tangible action to fight poverty.

The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is celebrated all over the world through various events that emphasize pride and promote the efforts and courage of the poorest in our society.

In Saint-Hubert, the activities held on that day are organized by the Comité du refus de la misère, which was set up by Saint-Hubert's Table d'entraide, and are coordinated by Jean-Marie Girard, who also heads Action-Dignité. This year, the committee inaugurated a huge symbolic slab in the city's main park. That slab was laid right next to the tree planted by the committee last year.

While there may be only one day of the year set aside to express our outrage at poverty, there will be two major symbols in Saint-Hubert, namely the slab and the tree, that will serve as permanent reminders.

Bullying

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise to thank two persons in my riding of Brant for their tireless efforts in addressing the issue of bullying in schools. Sherrie and Gareth Marshall founded the “Stop Bullying Today” program which specializes in educating youth and parents about the root causes of bullying and preventive measures that young people can take to stop this hurtful practice.

Bullying has become an escalating problem in our school system. Whether it is physical, emotional, or psychological, bullying has a tremendously negative effect on young persons and can lead to low self-esteem, depression and even suicide.

However, thanks to the hard work of Sherrie and Gareth Marshall, this problem is being addressed and dealt with in an effective manner. Please join me in thanking these two far-sighted individuals for their dedication to this important issue.

Iraq

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

Mr. Speaker, it is my honour today to rise on behalf of the leader of the official opposition and all Canadians to congratulate the people of Iraq for achieving another important milestone in their determined march toward democracy. This past weekend the good people of Iraq voted by the millions in a referendum on their proposed constitution.

In Canada we sometimes take democracy for granted. In Iraq people went out to the polls knowing that in many areas they actually faced death threats from the destructive haters of freedom who would try and destroy what is happening in that great country. But Iraqis voted. They voted bravely, determinedly and proudly. They are achieving what many naysayers said would never happen. They are building a democratic nation with hopes and dreams for a future of peace and prosperity. In fact, most areas of Iraq now enjoy peace and a growing economy.

We send our congratulations and our ongoing support to the people of Iraq. May they achieve the peace, the democracy, the freedom and the prosperity that they hope for and that we know they can find.

Nicholas Salamis

[Eleni Bakopanos, Liberal, Ahuntsic, QC]

Mr. Speaker, we were deeply saddened on Saturday to learn about the passing of the Right Reverend Nicholas Salamis.

This is a loss for his family, his friends, myself, the Greek Orthodox Church and the thousands of parishioners whom he served for over four decades as a priest.

Father Nicholas Salamis was among the first of the Greeks to have immigrated to Canada, settling in Montreal in 1919.

At the age of 35 Nicholas Salamis returned to Athens to study theology and was ordained a Greek Orthodox priest in 1938.

Father Salamis was my spiritual leader when I was a student at Socrates Elementary School. During his long career he touched many lives, bearing witness to over four generations of Greek immigrants to Canada, selflessly contributing to his beloved community in Montreal, having baptized, married and buried tens of thousands of Canadians of Hellenic origin while at the same time watching as each new generation matured and made their contribution to Canada, his own beloved second patrida .

He had turned 108 just last August, his life indeed also bearing witness to Canada's rise from little more than a colony into the independent nation we know today.

Elie Saab

[Caroline St-Hilaire, Bloc, Longueuil, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Elie Saab, a Boucherville alderman who passed away on October 11.

Born in Beirut, Lebanon, in 1951, Mr. Saab made his mark on his community from the day he arrived in Quebec. He was a cultured man who spoke five languages: French, English, Spanish, Arabic and Greek.

His active involvement in sports, education, community affairs and politics, as well as his commitment, dedication and sense of humanity constantly inspired and motivated his community. This exceptional man will not be forgotten. His contagious smile, which inspired candour and joy in us all, will long be remembered.

As the member for Longueuil—Pierre-Boucher, I extend my deepest condolences to his wife, Colette Tremblay, his two sons, Alain and Charles, and his friends and relatives.

Violence against Women

[Nancy Karetak-Lindell, Liberal, Nunavut, NU]

Mr. Speaker, the violent death in 2002 of Jennifer Naglingniq, a grade 8 student in Iqaluit, shocked and horrified us all in Nunavut.

A painting of a flower made by 13-year-old Jennifer shortly before her untimely passing is now on a poster published in both Inuktitut and English asking that Nunavummiut work together to reduce violence against women. Even better, let us end violence against all women, young and old alike.

Nunavummiut are now seeking to stop the cycle of violence. People are speaking out and taking action at the grassroots level such as with the Take Back the Night walk. People are working together to prevent family violence which destroys so many.

I am thankful to the many people, especially volunteers, who work tirelessly on this social dilemma that plagues too many of our communities everywhere. I am also thankful to the federal funding, like the national crime prevention strategy, that is helping local groups address the root problems.

Let us continue to speak out and work together.

Transport

[Mark Warawa, Conservative, Langley, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the transport minister is aware of the terrible traffic problems in my riding of Langley. I met with him and his senior staff in B.C. He knows a rail line runs right through the middle of Langley cutting the community in half. Many times every day, trains over 15,000 feet long close all five crossings at the same time, making it impossible for traffic, including emergency vehicles, to move.

The trains are bringing containers to and from the growing Deltaport container facility. This port needs to expand and is part of the rumoured $560 million gateway project for B.C. It would mean a dramatic increase in the number of trains which would be devastating to Langley. Solutions discussed at a stakeholder meeting include rail overpasses to remove the conflict between the trains and the cars, permitting safe movement of goods and people.

I hope the transport minister will guarantee that part of the $560 million will be used to support building rail overpasses in Langley.

Elder Abuse

[John Maloney, Liberal, Welland, ON]

Mr. Speaker, today marks the first observance of Elder Abuse Awareness Day in the province of Ontario. I am proud to announce that in my riding the communities of Port Colborne and Welland are hosting events to raise public awareness of this serious problem.

Elder abuse is defined as the mistreatment of older people by those in a position of trust, power or responsibility for their care. Different forms of abuse are most commonly grouped into four categories: physical abuse, psychological abuse, financial abuse and neglect.

All too often it has existed in the realm of silence, denial and isolation. Although it is difficult to determine how many senior Canadians are affected, all Canadians need to be vigilant and educated on this issue.

As awareness grows and attitudes change, communities like Welland and Port Colborne are responding to this issue by developing sensitive ways of intervening and working with abusers and victims to end the violence and promote healing.

People who have been abused or are experiencing abuse are not alone. They should seek help now.

Pay Equity

[Jean Crowder, NDP, Nanaimo—Cowichan, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the Standing Committee on the Status of Women has received a response from the government on pay equity legislation and women across the country are outraged.

The Liberals have yet again decided to study and consult. They want to explore the relationship between pay equity and collective bargaining, which all women know is Liberal code for putting pay equity on the bargaining table. Women are insulted.

The pay equity task force studied and consulted for years. It held public hearings around the country. There were five multi-stakeholder round tables, 29 external research reports and more than 50 written submissions. It heard from hundreds of witnesses and held a symposium with scholars and experts.

The end result was a 500 page report with a clear plan of action for proactive federal pay equity legislation. Over and over again the Liberals refer to pay equity as a fundamental human right, yet every day women continue to earn less, challenge their employers in court and wait for legislation.

What is human or right about that? Where is the legislation?

Seniors

[Norman Doyle, Conservative, St. John's North, NL]

Mr. Speaker, under the able chairmanship of the hon. member for Niagara West—Glanbrook we have been holding a series of Canada-wide round tables on seniors issues in an effort to develop and fine tune our party policy as it relates to Canadian seniors.

On Saturday my colleague from Niagara West—Glanbrook, our leader and I participated in a round table on seniors issues in St. John's.

All told, six seniors organizations took part in a very lively and informative exchange of views on issues like health care and seniors, elder abuse and fraud, and income and retirement. Seniors are an important and growing sector of our society. It is our party's intention to offer them a relevant and comprehensive policy platform in the next federal election.

Seniors built our country. It is about time they were given the attention and support they deserve.

Corinne Côté-Lévesque

[Michel Gauthier, Bloc, Roberval, QC]

Mr. Speaker, we were saddened and dismayed to learn that Corinne Côté-Lévesque, the widow of former Quebec Premier René Lévesque, passed away this morning at the age of 61.

Whether she was at her husband's side or working for the Parti Québécois, Corinne Côté-Lévesque faithfully walked alongside Quebec in its inevitable march toward sovereignty.

A sworn activist and a woman of passion who epitomized discretion, determination and commitment, she was the political assistant to the Executive Council under the Parti Québécois government from 1976 to 1985.

She then sat on the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada and the board of directors of Place des Arts in Montreal.

The Bloc Québécois recognizes the remarkable contribution of Corinne Côté-Lévesque to the advancement of Quebec and extends its heartfelt condolences to her family.

Crystal Meth

[Randy Kamp, Conservative, Dewdney—Alouette, BC]

Mr. Speaker, this past spring the Liberal health and justice ministers came to B.C. for a phony photo op announcement on crystal meth.

This past Saturday the mayor of Vancouver and newly appointed senator, Larry Campbell, revealed the real Liberal philosophy on fighting drugs when he said, “This idea that there's a huge crystal meth disaster happening in this country is garbage”. He went on to say that those fighting to stop the spread of crystal meth are suffering from paranoia and a knee-jerk reaction.

It is no wonder that Mr. Campbell has been given a Liberal patronage appointment to the Senate. After all, like all good Liberals, he would rather hand out free crack than crack down on drug crime.

Unlike Liberals who support sanctioned shooting galleries and conditional sentences for drug dealers, the Conservative Party would put drug dealers behind bars. We will continue to press for an effective national drug strategy, one that includes measures to combat crystal meth.

Finally, let me congratulate the Maple Ridge Crystal Meth Task Force for winning a community safety and crime prevention award. Mayor Campbell has got it wrong, but the people in my community have got it right.

Member for Laurier—Sainte-Marie

[Raymonde Folco, Liberal, Laval—Les Îles, QC]

Mr. Speaker, we learn today that the hon. member for Laurier—Sainte-Marie believes that if Quebec someday became sovereign, it would need an army right away, since a sovereign Quebec might have to go to war.

We might well ask the hon. member for Laurier—Sainte-Marie whom he thinks a future sovereign Quebec would declare war against.

While the hon. member is dreaming of unlikely military conquests, I would like to remind him that Quebeckers are far more concerned about how to deal with the impact of the aging population on the health care system.

Social programs and reducing greenhouse gas emissions to fight climate change are the primary concerns of Quebeckers, not joining an army to tilt at windmills.

This just proves once again that the hon. member is far more interested in destroying our country than in defending the interests of Quebec.

Justice

[Stephen Harper, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Deputy Prime Minister was asked about convicted criminals getting passes to children's theme parks. She told the House she did not know whether this was happening. Yet a Correctional Service Canada official says it happens all the time. In fact, the York region police chief says that hard core criminals on no less than nine occasions got travel permits to Wonderland this summer.

How can the minister not have a clue that this sort of thing is going on in her own department?

[Anne McLellan, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness]

Mr. Speaker, as I indicated yesterday, the allegations made by the chief of police were not known to me. I asked Correctional Service Canada to follow up on this, and it is investigating the matter.

Temporary releases are provided from facilities such as halfway houses. They always are provided on conditions. I have asked Correctional Service Canada to follow up on the specific allegation that the chief has made. However, I also call upon the chief and would ask the chief to provide me with any specific information or facts he has.

[Stephen Harper, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, the minister's job is to know that this happens and to ensure that it never happens in the first place.

The president of the Ontario police chiefs said, “Conditional and intermittent sentences, house arrest, 2 for 1 and 3 for 1 earned sentence protocols, mandatory parole and weekend passes to local theme parks do little to dissuade murderers, marijuana grow operators, ecstasy manufacturers, carjackers, child molesters and others from committing these horrific crimes”.

Everyone else in the country knows being soft of crime does not work. When is the minister and the government going to get it?

[Anne McLellan, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness]

Mr. Speaker, as I made plain yesterday, the purpose of our corrections system and our parole system, the transcendent and fundamental objective of that system, is public safety. I also have suggested that it is time for us to review both our Corrections and Conditional Release Act and our parole legislation. That is why I have referred both to the Standing Committee on Justice.

If the opposition does not have any views on that and want to leave it up to us to look at the reform of those legislations, then we will do that. However, in the name of democracy--

[The Speaker]

The hon. Leader of the Opposition.

[Stephen Harper, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, the Deputy Prime Minister started both these answers with this cute little smirk. When I take my family to Wonderland and other families, there is nothing funny about it.

The Vancouver Board of Trade has said that crime is so bad in Vancouver that it is doing damage—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Speaker]

Order, please. We need to have a little order. The Deputy Prime Minister I know is waiting to hear the next question. I cannot hear it. I do not know how she can and she is sitting right across from the Leader of the Opposition. We will have to have a little order, please. The Leader of the Opposition has the floor.