Debates of Nov. 3rd, 2005

Health

[James Lunney, Conservative, Nanaimo—Alberni, BC]

Mr. Speaker, reports indicate that C. difficile infections in Montreal area hospitals alone may cause up to 1,000 deaths a year. Explanations focused on three aspects: the need for hand washing, overcrowding, and overuse of antibiotics.

Early reports spoke of a fourth factor, patients who were concurrently taking a common class of medication. Proton pump inhibitors reduce gastric acidity and are used to treat heartburn or so-called GERD disease. Researchers writing in the CMA journal estimate the risk of serious infection is a whopping 250% higher if the patient is on these medications.

I asked the Minister of Health what the department was doing to warn doctors and patients about this serious situation? I received a written response from Health Canada. What did it do? It asked the drug companies, and guess what. They did not see anything wrong. Based on the response from the manufacturers, Health Canada decided no warnings were necessary.

Why would Health Canada ignore independent research when the lives of Canadians are at risk? When will action be taken to warn doctors and the public?

Year of the Veteran

[Judy Sgro, Liberal, York West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize November 11 as a very special Remembrance Day as we celebrate the Year of the Veteran.

Canadian veterans from all wars are honoured especially this year for their sacrifice and their service to our country.

From November 5 to November 11 we will be marking Veterans Week by remembering how important it is to pay tribute to our veterans by teaching our children and grandchildren what our heroes have done for us.

The greatest tribute we can make to our veterans is to build a better world and to carry on the proud tradition of Canada in their memory.

On this Remembrance Day I would like to thank our forces, both in Canada and abroad, and honour our veterans from all wars for their courage, sacrifice and devotion to our great country.

Human Rights

[Bernard Cleary, Bloc, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

Mr. Speaker, as an aboriginal living on the Mashteuiatsh reserve, I am not entitled to file a human rights complaint against any action relating to the Indian Act or made pursuant to that act.

How can Canada, in all conscience, promote respect for human rights around the world and yet deny those same rights to the first nations? This has been going on for 28 years.

The Canadian Human Rights Commission is calling, in a special report, for the repeal of section 67 of the Canadian Human Rights Act because it believes that this section violates the charter and numerous international human rights conventions to which Canada has acceded.

This is the consideration Canada gives its first nations.

Missing Persons Index

[Gary Lunn, Conservative, Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the creation of a DNA missing persons index is long overdue, but the public safety minister is standing in the way.

The missing persons index would provide law enforcement agencies with an important tool to investigate missing persons files and bring closure to grieving families.

In order for the database to work, we need to be able to match the DNA of missing persons with the over 20,000 unidentified DNA profiles obtained from crime scenes across the country.

Yet access to information documents revealed that the government deliberately removed all reference to this discussion from its own public consultation. In its place was an internal memo from which I quote, “The question will not arise because we won't let it”. This blatant partisan inference is another example of how the government views public consultations.

Federal and provincial ministers will be meeting next week in Whitehorse. This is a chance for the minister to undo the damage she has done to the public consultation. I urge her to commit to a fair discussion on the merits of linkage so we can start finding the 7,000-plus missing people in Canada.

Violence against Women

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

Mr. Speaker, in September the federal, provincial and territorial ministers responsible for the status of women agreed to host a policy forum with aboriginal women in 2006 to discuss violence.

The objective of the forum is to give aboriginal women an opportunity to share their experiences and make suggestions for solutions. It will also strengthen the collective capacity to address issues of violence and mobilize governments and aboriginal organizations to develop policy initiatives to help reduce the rate of violent incidences.

Violence against anyone is unacceptable, but the violence experienced by women is part of a wider social problem that requires special attention. Providing a forum to explore ways to deal with this issue is another step toward finding effective solutions. Unfortunately, violence against women is a significant and persistent social and economic problem in our country.

I ask my hon. colleagues to join me in commending the ministers for initiating this event.

Jacques Demers

[Denise Poirier-Rivard, Bloc, Châteauguay—Saint-Constant, QC]

Mr. Speaker, people in Quebec and the sports world in general are reeling from the shock wave that hit like lightening yesterday. In his newly released biography written by Mario Leclerc, Jacques Demers admits that he is illiterate.

It is hard to imagine that he reached such heights despite his handicap. He was a professional coach in St. Louis, Detroit and Tampa Bay, where he was also general manager, before leading the Montreal Canadians, the “Glorious ones”, to their last Stanley Cup victory in 1993.

We salute his courage and we hope that he will serve as an example to the millions of illiterate Quebeckers. Hats off to Mr. Demers. The Bloc Québécois salutes your unparalleled honesty and courage.

Northern Ontario School of Medicine

[Ken Boshcoff, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Rainy River, ON]

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to announce the opening of the first new medical school in Canada in over 30 years. The Northern Ontario School of Medicine is a partnership between Laurentian University in Sudbury and Lakehead University in Thunder Bay.

With a special emphasis on rural and remote medicine, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine will pioneer the marriage of technology, education, research and health care delivery. The school is based on the premise that medical students tend to practise where they have studied and graduates will contribute to reducing the critical shortage of physicians in northern Ontario.

I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to founding dean Dr. Roger Strasser and his dedicated team who have worked tirelessly for the past three years to see this dream come true.

I ask members to please join me in applauding Canada's newest medical school, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine.

Veterans

[Peter MacKay, Conservative, Central Nova, NS]

Mr. Speaker, on November 11 Canadians everywhere will attend Remembrance Day services to pay respect and thank our veterans for the enormous sacrifices made in conflicts and peacekeeping missions around the globe.

Last week I had the opportunity to attend such a remembrance service in Tracadie, a community in Central Nova. Later I visited with Reg Connors, a highly decorated veteran who served with the North Nova Scotia Highlanders in the United Kingdom and Germany, and participated in the liberation of Holland. He and so many other proud Nova Scotians gave so much to Canada and the cause of peace through selfless service and sacrifice.

As time marches on and our war veterans grow older, it becomes increasingly important for the public to keep alive the stories and the memories of those like Reg Connors and thousands of Canadian vets who gave so selflessly for the freedoms of things that we enjoy today.

It is critically important as well for the current and future generations to take up the torch and ensure that our veterans and their families are cared for, honoured and respected and that their sacrifice is not forgotten. It is the least we can do.

We keep in our thoughts and prayers the memories of those who continue that proud tradition of military service and we will be forever grateful.

Young Achievers

[Francis Scarpaleggia, Liberal, Lac-Saint-Louis, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I ask the House to join me in congratulating three remarkable young people from my riding of Lac-Saint-Louis, Muhammad Ahsan Khan, Nazish Noor Khan and Seharish Noor Khan, for recently receiving young achievers awards.

At age 11 Muhammad is working to promote a no bullying policy at St. Anthony school. He has also helped to raise more than $8,000 for the Terry Fox Foundation and has worked to collect donations for the tsunami relief fund. I also understand he is a spirited soccer player and has been teaching children in his neighbourhood to play cricket.

Nazish is 13 years old and is already one of my community's strongest literacy advocates. Last year she was named the top reader in a local readathon contest and has been commended repeatedly for her humanitarian work. She spends much of her time helping children with learning disabilities.

At 15 Seharish harbours a remarkable passion for volunteer work, fundraising on behalf of the Multiple Sclerosis Society, the Terry Fox cancer research centre, the Montreal Children's Hospital and the tsunami relief fund. Seharish also volunteers at the Lakeshore General Hospital and tutors special needs students at St. Anthony school.

Once again, I congratulate these three youth and indeed all young achievers for the inspiring work they do every day to enrich the life of my community and our country.

APM Diesel

[Denis Paradis, Liberal, Brome—Missisquoi, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I would like today to congratulate APM Diesel of Brome—Missisquoi, which has just won a contract from the Department of National Defence in the amount of $12 million to refurbish 400 military vehicles.

The contract will entail an investment of nearly $1 million to expand the Cowansville shop and create 20 new jobs.

I recall the first federal government contract APM Diesel won through the MERX system of tendering on the Internet. The system is a transparent, open and public one that businesses may use to obtain government contracts.

This is happening in Quebec, in the regions, with the Canadian army. Good job, APM Diesel.

Roy Battagello

[Brian Masse, NDP, Windsor West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, it is with much sadness that I rise today to pay tribute to a man whose political and social work have been a source of local pride and admiration for over 40 years in my community of Windsor.

“Battling” Roy Battagello died Saturday after a long and courageous fight with prostate cancer. When I was first elected to city council, I heard many stories about Roy's tireless efforts and accomplishments for the city, as he was elected as a city councillor for many terms in the 1960s and 1970s. As a councillor and after, he fought tirelessly for what he called “our sacred trust”, Windsor's waterfront.

Roy Battagello was an accomplished athlete, playing football for the Ottawa Roughriders, receiving awards and accolades for his athletic accomplishments. He served for over 15 years on the Windsor Utilities Commission. He is remembered as a great teacher, coach and principal for his work at local schools over the many years.

I know I speak on behalf of all the people of Windsor and the House when I express my deepest condolences to his wife Nancy, children Lisa and Dave, and his six grandchildren. Windsor will remember and honour the legacy that Roy has left with us and are thankful to his family for sharing his energy, passion and time with us.

Canada Post

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

Mr. Speaker, at noon today, the chair of the Quebec Conservative caucus, Josée Verner, announced that a Conservative Party government would review Canada Post's decision to close the Quebec City sorting centre.

It is unthinkable to us that the Montreal centre alone can provide consistent service quality across the province. The people of eastern Quebec deserve quality postal service, equivalent to that provided in the rest of the province.

The Conservative Party therefore opposes the decision. We are proud of the work done by Josée Verner in this matter. We firmly intend to carry on the work in order to meet the needs of Quebeckers and deliver quality public service.

Sponsorship Program

[Nicole Demers, Bloc, Laval, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister may say and claim he did not know anything about the sponsorship scandal, he has zero credibility.

Even Jean Chrétien confirmed that the former Minister of Finance was aware, as he himself was aware and as the other ministers were aware.

Moreover, Jean Chrétien confirmed that the sponsorship program was approved by cabinet, and that the $50 million allocated annually, in an attempt to buy Quebec, were included in the budget by the Minister of Finance.

The evidence is damning. Not only was the current Prime Minister aware, he was also at the very centre of the strategy that led to the sponsorship scandal. The Prime Minister has been unmasked. Quebec is outraged. This Prime Minister no longer has the moral authority to govern.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Nepean—Carleton, ON]

He said no, Mr. Speaker. He refused to sign the dirty contracts, he alerted authorities to the Liberal ad scam and for him wilful blindness was just not good enough. Allan Cutler spoke out and exposed the breadth of Liberal theft and Liberal fraud.

For that, the Liberal government sought a pound of flesh from him. It moved Cutler out of his job, declared him surplus and denied him promotion. Ironically, he has suffered more punishment for exposing the ad scam than Liberal officials have endured for perpetrating it.

Now Gomery has vindicated him and it is time that Allan Cutler was restored. Today, I call on the government to reimburse Cutler for lost pay and missed professional opportunities. On behalf of law-abiding Canadians, I intend to nominate him for the Order of Canada.

Thanks very much, Allan Cutler, for doing the right thing.

Islamic Foundation of Toronto

[Derek Lee, Liberal, Scarborough—Rouge River, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the tremendous efforts of the Islamic Foundation of Toronto, Canada's largest mosque, in responding to the earthquake in Kashmir. To date, the foundation has raised $414,000 to aid in the recovery of the region. Of course, with matched funding, that amount effectively doubles.

However, there is more. Within six days of the disaster, the foundation sent a team of four doctors into Kashmir to help treat survivors. Dr. Akram Syed, Dr. Asif Pathan, Dr. Sayz Malam and Dr. Khuram Sher have been on the ground for over three weeks now, often hiking into the more remote parts of the region to treat those cut off from the main lines of assistance.

These young Canadian men, along with our community that supports them in the middle of Ramadan, stand as a testament to the best that we as Canadians aspire to be. We are proud of them and wish them well in their work in Kashmir, and a safe return.

Housing

[Libby Davies, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

Mr. Speaker, in the 2005 Social Watch report, Canadian economist Armine Yalnizan says that:

-- despite unparalleled economic and fiscal capacity, Canada has failed to make serious progress in the fight against poverty and inequality.

It was the NDP that forced the federal Liberals to commit $4.6 billion for social and environmental investment, including $1.6 billion for housing. However, Canadians are still waiting for access to affordable housing.

Even existing low income housing is at risk because the government has withdrawn subsidies for co-op housing and countless low income Canadians are at risk. The minister says that he will fix the problem, but co-ops are fed up waiting.

The appalling housing conditions for so many aboriginal people is a national disgrace, as so hauntingly exposed in Kashechewan.

The National Housing and Homeless Network has given the federal government a failing grade in its 2005 report card, and still the government will not commit to ongoing funding of important programs like SCPI.

We in the NDP believe accessible, affordable and safe housing is a fundamental human right. Time is running out for the government.

Sponsorship Program

[Stephen Harper, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister says he rejects the Gomery report finding that the Liberal Party is responsible for the scandal. Justice Gomery wrote that “The Liberal Party as an institution cannot escape responsibility for the misconduct of its officers and representatives”.

Will the Prime Minister admit that he is wrong, and Justice Gomery right, and that that legal proceedings should be instituted against the Liberal Party to recover the money stolen from the taxpayers?

[Jean Lapierre, Liberal, Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister has been very clear. We agree with Justice Gomery's findings because he is the specialist in this matter. He has studied it from all angles, and we subscribe to his conclusions.

[Stephen Harper, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, the fact is the government is rejecting the recommendations and conclusions of Gomery.

Gomery concluded that the Liberal Party, as an institution, is responsible. That is the very premise the Prime Minister rejected in the House yesterday. The judge has said that the Liberal Party is responsible for the misconduct of its officers and representatives.

Once again, will the Prime Minister admit that he is wrong, that the judge is right and that he has a responsibility to sue the Liberal Party for the millions of dollars that were stolen and still unaccounted for?

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

Mr. Speaker, our party has repaid the Canadian Treasury every penny that was received inappropriately. We based our calculations on Justice Gomery's report. Whereas, the Conservatives and the Bloc have been pulling figures out of thin air.

Yesterday, they were talking $45 million. The day before, they were talking $5.4 million. Earlier this week, the leader was talking about $700,000.

We support Justice Gomery's work. That is why we based our analysis on his facts.

[Stephen Harper, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberal Party somehow believes it can make a plea bargain with itself. It is trying to be above the law.

This scheme was not set up for the benefit of a few bit players or a few ad companies. This was a scam, first and foremost, by the Liberal Party, of the Liberal Party and for the Liberal Party.

Will the Prime Minister get up and admit that he has a responsibility to go after every single cent of the $40 million that are still missing and to go after the Liberal Party--

[The Speaker]

The hon. Minister of Public Works and Government Services.

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

Mr. Speaker, once again, the party was guided by the facts in the Gomery report. The party has returned $789,000, specifically identified by Justice Gomery's inquiry as having been improperly received. Further, the party has also remitted to the taxpayers $354,000 of money, properly receipted, but received from agencies against whom Justice Gomery specifically assigned blame in relation to their conduct.

The Liberal Party has accepted its responsibility and has repaid the Canadian taxpayer any funds received inappropriately.

[Peter MacKay, Conservative, Central Nova, NS]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister has taken the incredibly harsh step of banning 10 Liberal organizers from the Liberal Party. Ouch, that has got to hurt. Passing out stolen sponsorship money is okay, but it is not fine to use it.

We know from testimony that the illegal kickback cash was used by the campaigns of Hélène Scherrer, now the principal secretary to the Prime Minister, and Yvon Charbonneau, now the ambassador to UNESCO.

Elections were stolen, using dirty money, and the law was broken. Yet, like his mentor, Mr. Chrétien, the Prime Minister rewards Liberal cronies and unethical behaviour. When will this stop?

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

Mr. Speaker, the first thing the Prime Minister did upon receiving Justice Gomery's report was to refer it to the RCMP. The RCMP is the appropriate party to conduct further investigations into this.

The Conservative Party, we know, does not trust the work of the RCMP. In fact, the deputy leader of the Conservative Party earlier this week accused the RCMP of being partisan.

Canadians trust Justice Gomery. Canadians trust the RCMP. They do not trust the Conservative Party, its deputy leader nor its leader.