Lost his last election, in 2006, with 38% of the vote.
The Environment April 23rd, 1999
Mr. Speaker, yesterday was Earth Day. We know that if we do not work together to protect our planet many species will reach extinction, the earth's climate will warm up, and the health of humans will be put into jeopardy.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Environment tell the House what she is doing to make sure that the earth continues to be a healthy place to live for all of us and for the generations to follow?
Public Sector Pension Investment Board Act April 22nd, 1999
Madam Speaker, I think it is important to keep in mind and keep in perspective that the pension advisory committee and board, as the hon. member refers to it, will in fact be a much strengthened committee. It will underscore the commitment of the government to ensure that men and women from across Canada are placed in that position, to listen to all sides and make recommendations which are important to people who need that kind of advice and who are looking forward to that ability to give it.
I say to the hon. member that as usual, we on the government side will ensure that qualified people will be sitting on that committee and will offer the kind of assistance that is necessary for Canadians wherever they may live to ensure that their voices are heard and that the right thing at the end of the day is done on behalf of those people.
Public Sector Pension Investment Board Act April 22nd, 1999
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member opposite for her question. Of course there is no real analogy to the EI fund as it exists. As members know, it was a decision of the auditor general back in 1986 to have that fund put into the consolidated revenue fund of the Government of Canada.
I think it is important to note that Bill C-78 is a strengthened bill that will enable us to move forward as a government in a very positive and meaningful way. It will ensure that pensioners and people looking forward to that income will be able to enjoy it in a way that is in their best interests and those of their families. I think it is important to note that they will not have to pay any more, nor will they have to pay any less.
It is important that we proceed with Bill C-78. It is an important piece of legislation which will ensure that Canadians on pensions will find the resources necessary to carry on with the quality of life necessary for their circumstances.
Public Sector Pension Investment Board Act April 22nd, 1999
Mr. Speaker, I want to take a few minutes to talk about the RCMP. As you know, I have a very strong interest in policing matters. I was a former chairman of the Waterloo Regional Police. I think we need to ensure that all things are done in every way for our police services across Canada, wherever they may be, and I think it is important to highlight this fact.
I want to begin by pointing out that the government is aware that some members of the RCMP have expressed concern over the lack of RCMP input into the pension amendment package. It is true that the same degree of consultation did not take place with RCMP representatives as it was the case with public service employee representatives.
I think it is fair to say that the government would have preferred to consult more widely with the RCMP on its future pension arrangements. I think that is clear. Most of the proposed changes, however, will address pressing financial issues facing all of the public sector pension plans, including the RCMP plan. I think we need to note that the superannuation plan in that sense will be fully taken into account.
For example, because of the way the RCMPSA is harmonized with the Canada Pension Plan, RCMP members have been protected from CPP contribution increases since 1987, while the government's costs have been increasing. The urgency of addressing these financial pressures was a major reason for the government's decision to proceed as quickly as possible with the pension changes, including benefit improvements included in Bill C-71, the budget implementation act. The change to base the pension calculation on a five year instead of a six year average is an important change.
The government recognizes the fact that the RCMP is a unique organization and that consultation with members around plan changes is highly desirable. For these reasons, Bill C-78 contains a number of areas in which consultation can take place in the future. It should be noted that the solicitor general has ensured that the proposed amendments to the RCMPSA contain flexibility to adjust the pension plan to meet the future needs of the RCMP. The areas where change will be possible are vesting, portability of pension credits, both in and out of the RCMPSA, expanded elective service provisions and plan provisions for members working part time.
Present vesting periods are set at 10 years for regular members and 5 years for civilian members. The bill will allow these periods to be shortened by regulations if, after extensive study and consultation, such changes are indeed desirable.
Under the current provisions of the RCMPSA, members wishing to increase their pensionable service can only do so if they have prior public service, or service in the Canadian forces, or service as a member of a provincial or municipal police force absorbed by the RCMP. The bill provides for greater pension portability for members joining or leaving the RCMP. The bill will make it possible to transfer pension credits from a previous employer, which is an important provision for police personnel. It is one that we should note and indicate that we are prepared to support.
For members leaving the RCMP in the future, a new option will be available to improve pension portability under conditions to be determined in new regulations. Members will be able to transfer the actuarially calculated value of their pension benefits to locked-in financial vehicles or to another employer's pension plan.
Currently, there are a number of RCMP members who are working on a part time basis. This bill will make it possible to accommodate such members through the making of new regulations. Again that is an important provision and one that is important to police personnel.
Another area in which future consultation between the solicitor general and the RCMP will take place is on the member contribution rates which will be in effect beginning in the year 2004. For the period beginning January 1, 2004, the Treasury Board will set the member contribution rates on the joint recommendation of the solicitor general and the President of the Treasury Board. Although the bill specifically states that RCMPSA member contribution increases cannot be greater than those of the public service, because of the unique nature of the force the contribution increases could in fact be less.
Finally, the solicitor general will be given increased powers under the new bill for the financing and funding of the RCMP superannuation plan. In addition, the solicitor general's pension advisory committee created under the RCMPSA is being given a strengthened mandate in Bill C-78. That is an important implementation provision and one that all members of the House should be prepared to support.
This strengthened mandate will ensure that members and pensioners will be able to use their pension advisory committee for the purposes of making recommendations to the solicitor general on the administration, design and funding of the pension plan. That too is an important area in which personnel will have valued input.
The solicitor general will rely on his pension advisory committee to assist him in carrying out his increased responsibilities. In addition, a stronger pension advisory committee will lead to greater opportunities for meaningful consultation with RCMP plan members in the future.
I think these are important areas that need to have the legislative background which will ensure that our police services and the RCMP in particular have the kind of provisions that are necessary. Bill C-78 does that. Therefore, I would urge all members of the House to support it because it is an important initiative and one that benefits RCMP, wherever they may be in Canada.
Public Sector Pension Investment Board April 22nd, 1999
Mr. Speaker, part way through the member's speech, I think he said that we, on the governing side, had a questionable approach to finances and bookkeeping.
I find it odd that the member would talk about questionable bookkeeping. This country was faced with a massive deficit of $42 billion in 1993 because of the mess left by this member's party. For him to talk along those lines is outrageous at best and ridiculous at most.
I also listened with intent while he was talking about EI. I noted that it was in 1986 when the then auditor general indicated that in fact that money was to be part of the consolidated revenue. That, again, was during the tenure of the member's party. I am not sure what point the member was trying to make, but he knows full well that the rules we operate under are the rules that have been set out by the auditor general.
When it comes to appointments to boards and commissions, there was no one in the history of this country who was better than his party leader, Mr. Mulroney, when it came to appointments and patronage. I can tell members that Canadians still look fondly upon Mr. Mulroney as the king of patronage, bar none, when it comes to those kinds of issues.
This is an excellent piece of legislation despite what the hon. member says about trying to stir up and upset seniors over whether or not their pensions are guaranteed. The member knows full well that they are. It is important for us to indicate to our pensioners and senior population that they are not going to get any more, but they are also not going to get any less. We have that guarantee for them in place.
I was interested in the member's comments on the foreign content rule. Could he perhaps elaborate a little further on why he thinks there should not be at least some portion of investment here in Canada? Does he think it should be wide open and go far beyond other jurisdictions? I thought I heard him say that. What does he have against investments in Canada? I would be interested in his comments.
Public Sector Pension Investment Board April 22nd, 1999
Mr. Speaker, I listened with great intent to the member opposite. I am a little appalled by some of the statements that the member made specifically to try to stir up our seniors and to leave the impression that somehow their pensions are not guaranteed.
That is just not the way it should be done. I think the hon. member should go on record to correct that fact. We do not want to stir up people who, in good faith, have paid into the plan, have done the right thing and are counting on their pensions. He knows, or he should know full well, that these pensions are guaranteed.
Does the hon. member think it is appropriate to create this kind of mischief and fear among our senior population in this regard? Does he acknowledge that those pensions are in fact guaranteed and that we need not create this kind of fuss to stir up our seniors, as he is doing?
Youth Criminal Justice Act April 15th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, I listened to the member opposite and I wanted to say as a former chairman of the Waterloo Regional Police that Bill C-68 is a very balanced and effective piece of legislation. I think we should be very proud of what it is attempting to accomplish and indeed will accomplish.
It is interesting to hear the member from the Reform Party and his colleagues speak about the kinds of things that they do, always with an extremist kind of view, fear mongering and trying to stir up the pot. They have no monopoly on criminal justice issues. We in the government have done the right thing with this piece of legislation.
Why would you not spend a dollar now to save seven later for youth rehabilitation?
Daffodil Month April 13th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, April is daffodil month in Canada, an event formerly known as cancer month.
Annually, the Canadian Cancer Society organizes a countrywide fundraising campaign for cancer victims, sending thousands of volunteers door to door to collect donations for a very worthy cause. Last year in Ontario alone donations from generous Canadians provided more than $25 million for cancer research.
The sad facts are that 129,200 new cases of cancer were discovered in Canada in 1998, along with 62,700 cancer related deaths. The most frequent cancers continue to be breast cancer for women and prostate cancer for men. During their lifetimes this is a real problem and research will help us combat cancer.
The daffodil, which the Canadian Cancer Society has chosen as a symbol, gives a sense of hope and renewed life. During the month of April I urge all Canadians to be generous and to contribute to the Canadian Cancer Society effort to combat this terrible disease. The reward is wonderful.
Supply April 13th, 1999
Madam Speaker, I emphasize that the Government of Canada continues to want to provide and will continue to provide the kinds of services that are required for any of our regions no matter where they exist in Canada including, and especially in the north, Yukon and the other two territories.
It is fundamental that we as a federal government ensure that there is a federal presence to make sure that the quality of life for people, not only in the north but across this great country of ours, is sustained in a fashion that we have taken for granted over the years and is consistent with the values that we share and cherish as Canadians.
I know that the federal government will continue to do that in a manner that is meaningful for people wherever they may live.
Supply April 13th, 1999
Madam Speaker, I want to reply to the question in terms of what we as a government are doing in western Canada.
We talk about the variety of issues that hon. member raised. We do so on a continuing basis. It is important to engage the Canadian people wherever they may live in this great country of ours in the kind of debate that is necessary to provide good government.
We are very proud of economic diversification and what it does for people in the west. It is a very good foundation upon which to build. Businesses, aboriginal people, young people and all kinds of western Canadians benefit as a result.
I am very proud of what our government has accomplished in this area. I will repeat what I said at the outset. I find it quite silly that members of the Reform Party, in their usual extremist views and their usual attempt to alienate people and pit people against each other, would go to this extent. It is a kind of sad reflection on them in terms of how they think, but I guess it is the reality of where they are coming from.
I am more for our government being an inclusive government, as opposed to the Reformers who exclude people, who want to break people apart and who do those kinds of things to the detriment of Canada. I do not want any part of that and most Canadians do not either.