Joe Fontana

[Rodger Dusky, March 1st, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to pay tribute today in the House to Mr. Rodger Dusky from my riding in London, Ontario.

On February 16, Mr. Dusky received the Prime Minister's award for teaching excellence in science, technology and mathematics. This award recognizes teachers across Canada who have had a major proven impact on student performance and interest in these areas. Mr. Dusky was nominated for this award by one of his former students.

Mr. Dusky has been a teacher for 32 years and has been teaching science and chemistry at London Central Secondary School since 1987. Most notable in his achievements is "The Mentor Connection". This program twins high school students with professionals from the community in order to support and enhance the autonomous learning projects of the students.

This program has been a tremendous success locally. Mr. Dusky is presently in the process of trying to expand the program so more students can benefit from this unique opportunity. It is through these types of initiatives and teachers such as Mr. Dusky that our children have the skills and knowledge to effectively compete in the constantly changing workplace.

[Religious Freedom, February 15th, 1995]

Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. member for her question this evening.

Highways in Canada, except for those on federal property, are the responsibility of the provincial government. The member knows that. It is a simple fact but true.

I do not think there is anyone in Canada who is more knowledgeable or concerned about highways than Premier McKenna of New Brunswick and his transportation minister, the Hon. Seldon Lee. Therefore, quite simply, the appropriate place to raise questions about the routing of a highway within the province of New Brunswick is in the New Brunswick legislature, not the federal House of Commons.

Premier McKenna is doing the best job he can and we of course will do everything we can within our jurisdiction to assist him in his most laudable goals.

As for the choosing of the route, as I understand it, the province hired a consultant to review the options to improve the trans-Canada highway in New Brunswick. I should point out the study did not involve the federal government whatsoever. The province is working toward a four lane highway from the New Brunswick-U.S.A. border at St. Stephen through Saint John to the Nova Scotia border. That is its right, its duty and its jurisdiction.

[Canarctic Shipping, December 15th, 1994]

Madam Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the 1993 annual report of the Canarctic Shipping Company Ltd.

[Communications Security Establishment, December 13th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, part I of the Canada Labour Code establishes the framework for industrial relations and regulates the conduct of collective bargaining in the federal private sector.

This jurisdiction covers the operations of enterprises which fall within the definition of federal work, undertaking or business and includes interprovincial and international rail, road and pipeline transportation, air transportation, shipping, longshoring, grain handling, telecommunications, broadcasting, banking and certain crown corporations.

As the Minister of Human Resources Development indicated on December 5 in responding to an inquiry raised by the hon. member for Manicouagan, part I of the Canada Labour Code, including the issue of replacement workers, is currently being reviewed with the view to modernizing and improving it so that it can better reflect today's realities. Creating a legislative framework which is free of barriers to co-operative labour management relationships also supports the initiative of the Minister of Industry in building a more innovative economy.

The minister has asked a senior assistant deputy minister to undertake the review process. This involves a consultative process with business, labour unions and other affected parties to seek their views. The views expressed during the consultative process will be carefully considered prior to introducing amendments to part I of the Canada Labour Code.

The hon. member for Manicouagan also made reference to a dispute involving Archer Daniels Midland Company, formerly Ogilvie Flour Mills, and the Syndicat national des employés des Minoteries Ogilvie Ltée.

The company and the union are currently negotiating the renewal of their collective agreement which expired on January 31, 1992, and which covers approximately 150 flour mill employees. When the parties were to conclude an agreement with the assistance of a conciliation officer appointed by the minister they were placed in a strike-lockout position. The union membership began a strike on June 6, 1994, following the rejection of a company offer on the previous day.

A federal mediator met with the parties in July and October of 1994 but little progress was made. Meanwhile the union filed a request with the minister for consent to file a complaint with the Canada Labour Relations Board alleging that the company had failed to bargain in good faith.

Ministerial consent was granted and the CLRB held a hearing on November 4, 1994, at which time the parties agreed to resume mediation meetings in an effort to settle their differences. The mediator met with the parties November 30 and December 1 and talks resumed today, December 13, 1994.

A federal mediator resumed meetings with the parties today and mediation talks are scheduled to continue December 14 and 15. It is encouraging that the parties are continuing to meet and I am advised some progress is being made. Both sides have been urged to take advantage of this opportunity to arrive at a settlement of their long and difficult dispute.

[Communications Security Establishment, December 13th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, as of today the government has released four background papers: "Income Security for Children", "Persons with Disabilities","Child Care and Development " and "From Unemployment Insurance to Employment Insurance". The remaining four papers will be released in the next few days. I can assure the member there is still time for public debate and for the standing committee to analyse these papers as it prepares its final report early in the new year.

Social security reform is an ongoing process. We will continue to make information available to the public throughout the process. Let me emphasize again that our programs are outdated, costly, and no longer meet the needs of today's labour market.

As recent polls have shown, the Canadian people believe there are problems with our social programs and that changes are required: 96 per cent of the people believe there are at least some problems with social programs requiring either minor changes, 17 per cent; major changes, 53 per cent; or a complete overhaul, 26 per cent. Slightly fewer Canadians, 89 per cent, believe the UI system should be changed. The majority, 55 per cent, believe change is required because the system is antiquated, while one-third believe the expense associated with the program is the main reason the UI system should be changed. There is overwhelming support, 80 per cent, for our two-tier system of UI.

I am convinced the government has the support of the Canadian people as we work to reform an antiquated social security system. The release of the remaining technical papers in the next few days will further inform and allow us to make the important decisions required to ensure the survival of Canada's social security system.

[Communications Security Establishment, December 13th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, owing to the impending sale of CP's operating assets between Sherbrooke and Saint John, there is no assurance of continued access for the Atlantic train. The member knows that VIA does not own tracks. It operates on running rights from CN and CP. Therefore with CP selling the assets there is no track available for VIA.

VIA will discontinue its Atlantic train over the CP route on December 17 and will increase train frequency to six round trips per week over the ocean route. VIA has done a first rate job in arranging for bus service between Saint John and Moncton to connect VIA passengers with the ocean service. This is the most economical way to provide connections within the VIA network.

In addition, the interline ticketing and tariff agreement VIA has made with SMT will provide for ease of ticketing and baggage handling. SMT will also be modifying schedules on its Fredericton to Newcastle route, providing a direct connection at Newcastle to the ocean for passengers from Fredericton.

It is evident that a connecting bus service is the less costly option by far. The annual cost of a dayliner service would be in the order of $1.2 million per year. The bus service is much less than that by half.

We have been asked why VIA's newly constructed station in Saint John will no longer be used. Perhaps the member should ask her former Conservative government. When the station was constructed CP was already negotiating the sale of the entire Sherbrooke to Saint John line. The member might want to respond on why her colleagues spent the money on the basis of speculation.

The commitment of Minister of Transport to Saint John and New Brunswick is unquestionable. His actions with respect to the CAA at Saint John, his action with respect to the port of Saint John and with respect to highways in Saint John and New Brunswick are sure testimony of the minister's commitment to good transportation systems in Saint John and New Brunswick.

[Pearson International Airport, December 6th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I know that the member is concerned with the safe and efficient operations at Pearson as the minister is. I want to tell the member that the rates have not been changed since 1991 except for the changes necessary because of the Ontario tax changes. Also, the parking meters are provided at the most congestion sensitive areas of the airport and are only meant to provide short term parking for luggage and dispersing of passengers. If people want to park for longer periods of time then the parking garage at Pearson is only $3 per half hour. That is how we are going to deal with the congestion problems at Pearson.

[Jim Ashton, November 24th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to pay tribute to a great Londoner, Jim Ashton, who passed away suddenly on October 25, 1994. His contribution to the city of London was immense for such a short life.

Jim became a member of the United Auto Workers in 1974 and in September of 1985 became president of CAW Local 27. Jim Ashton was elected president of the London Labour Council in October of 1988 and was re-elected to that position just prior to his death.

He was more than a union leader. He was a community and social activist who spoke his mind and stood his ground. He is survived by his wife Lucy and daughters Amanda, Jessica and Tanya, and his sister Susan Ashton of London.

He will truly be missed by all of us but his memory and contribution to the city of London will live forever.

[Marine Transportation Security Act, November 3rd, 1994]

Point of order, Mr. Speaker. You alluded to the fact that it was a new procedure with respect to Bill C-38. I do want to thank all members of the House who worked on this bill at the standing committee for their co-operation. That is why this bill is moving so positively through the House. I convey that message of thanks to all members of all parties.

[Criminal Code, October 19th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Minister of Transport I would like to respond to the question from my hon. colleague, the member for Mississauga West.

Let me first assure my colleague that she can reassure the residents of Mississauga that when the new north-south runway is completed at Pearson it will be used primarily for landings. In recognition of the concerns of the residents living near the airport about noise I want to reiterate that the new runway will only be used 5 per cent of the time when severe cross winds make landings on the two east-west runways unsafe.

The only time the new north-south runway would be used for take-offs would be on those extremely rare occasions when, combined with adverse weather conditions, the existing north-south runway is unavailable due to emergency or repairs. On these occasions only take-offs toward the north following the established departure path of the existing north-south runway would be permitted.

The minister wants to assure the member and her constituents that absolutely no decision will be taken on the matter of additional east-west runways until the Canadian airport authority is in place and functioning at Pearson International Airport. In any event it is anticipated that the additional east-west runways would not be constructed until traffic warrants it. This is not expected to happen until the turn of the century.

One of our colleagues from the Reform Party has said that we do not intend to move on the new Canadian airport authorities for Pearson until 1998. Nothing could be further from the truth.

As the minister has made very clear we will be moving to establish CAAs at many airports as soon as the communities involved identify their representatives and pass the necessary local resolutions which is indeed the case for Pearson. There is no question about waiting until 1998.

The fact is that the local municipalities have named their representatives and the minister has indicated that we will proceed with all that needs to be done at Pearson. The only logical option though is to work with these representatives in an advisory capacity for the time being.

We will move to activate a Canadian airport authority which we believe is in the best interests of the Canadian public as soon as the Senate puts the interest of the taxpayer ahead of its rhetoric.