Jacques Saada

[International Federation For Parent Education, June 9th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, on May 16 I had the pleasure of speaking in Tunis to the International Federation for Parent Education.

This symposium was attended by representatives of about 40 different countries and the theme addressed was: Parents and globalization: their contribution to protecting children from its dangers.

In particular, I addressed issues relating to children's rights, child labour, child soldiers and antipersonnel mines, which, as we know, claim large numbers of young victims every year.

I called attention to Canada's heavy involvement in these areas, and stressed the fundamental role played by civilian society, the NGOs in particular, in addressing this problem.

I would like to congratulate the International Federation for Parent Education for taking the initiative to hold this symposium. My best wishes to the federation and its executive.

[Business Of The House, June 9th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, this is very interesting.

This morning, the hon. member for Bourassa accused the Reformers of not having substance, of not taking part in the debates, of contradicting themselves and of being interested in technical rather than substantive positions.

Of course, this upset them. The Reformers rose and started protesting. They swore that this was not their intention.

Let me give you one example, just one. The Reformers talked about human rights, about democracy. Barely two weeks ago, we led a mission that went to Chiapas to look at the situation of human rights, democracy and people whose lives are threatened. No Reformers accompanied us, because of a decision made by their own party. They are not interested in protecting the interests of people or democracy. They are not interested in fighting poverty. They are only interested in debates of a technical nature.

[Interparliamentary Delegation, June 3rd, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 34(1), I have the honour to present to the House, in both official languages, the report of the Canadian delegation of the Canadian section of the International Assembly of French-Speaking Parliamentarians, as well as the financial report of the meeting of the IAFSP political and administrative committee, held in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, April 16 and 17, 1998.

[Chiapas, June 2nd, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, from May 8 to 12, I had the honour of leading a parliamentary delegation to Chiapas, Mexico. Upon our return, I denounced the fear and destitution these people are living in on a daily basis.

I have the pleasure today of informing the House that the Government of Mexico has formally invited the International Committee of the Red Cross to resume its humanitarian activities in Chiapas. These activities include direct humanitarian relief to affected populations and will be conducted in co-operation with the Mexican Red Cross and the Red Crescent.

Furthermore, the Mexican government will give the international Red Cross direct and full access to all those jailed in connection with the events in Chiapas.

I should point out that the Mexican government's request to the Red Cross represents a major initiative in terms of human rights, one which will bring appeasement, peace and hope to the region.

[Child Labour, June 1st, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

One of the scourges afflicting the children of this world is being forced to work at a very young age in conditions that are often hazardous and always unpropitious to their schooling and development.

I would like to know what Canada is doing about these nearly 250 million children whose childhood is being stolen from them in this way.

[Parks Canada Act, May 28th, 1998]

Madam Speaker, why am I not surprised by my Reform colleague's opposition? If my colleague is irritated by the requirement to provide services in both official languages, I hope he is not looking to me for an apology.

The Reform Party's opposition to the basic principles underlying the Official Languages Act is nothing new. In the rather simplistic view of things we have all seen outlined in their program—and I am summarizing it, of course—Quebec would be entirely francophone and the rest of Canada totally anglophone. That would fix everything.

I am sorry, but this is not the way this country was built. There are one million francophones outside Quebec, and anglophones make up 15% of Quebec's population. And they are just as Canadian as the members opposite.

I think talking about limiting the use of French in services provided by the Government of Canada or its representatives is entirely normal. Clause 36.1 or Motion No. 8, which we are proposing, is an amendment intended to reaffirm the spirit and the letter of the Official Languages Act. I think that questioning this is fanning the flames.

[Parks Canada Act, May 28th, 1998]

moved:

Motion No. 8

That Bill C-29, in Clause 36, be amended by replacing lines 6 and 7 on page 17 with the following:

“36.1 For greater certainty, the Official Languages Act applies to the Agency and the Agency has the duty, under section 25 of that Act, to ensure that, where services are provided or made available by another person or organization on its behalf, any member of the public in Canada or elsewhere can communicate with and obtain those services from that person or organization in either official language, in any case where those services, if provided by the Agency, would be required under Part IV of the Official Languages Act to be provided in either official language.”

[The Late Jean Hamelin, May 26th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, on May 15, Quebec lost one of its great historians, with the passing of Jean Hamelin at the age of 66.

Jean Hamelin, Professor Emeritus at Laval University, contributed during a career spanning over 30 years to the training of an impressive number of historians now dispersed throughout the major universities of Canada.

He graduated from Laval University, and in 1957 from the École des Hautes Études de Paris. Among his awards were the Tyrell medal, in 1972, and the Governor General's Literary Award in 1972 and 1985. Among his many books were works on the economic, social, political and religious history of Canada, and of Quebec in particular.

We salute Jean Hamelin's extraordinary accomplishments over his lifetime, and offer our most sincere condolences to his family and friends.

[World Red Cross Day, May 7th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, tomorrow, May 8, is World Red Cross Day.

The Red Cross has been a pillar of civil society. It was instrumental in the signing of the convention on the elimination of antipersonnel mines by 122 countries, in Ottawa, last December.

In Oslo, back in September 1997 when the text of the convention was being worked out, I was privileged to have long discussions with Red Cross officials and with victims who benefited from that organization's help. One had to see the emotion with which these victims expressed their true and personal appreciation for this great community organization to understand the importance of its role.

There are close to 100 million land mines in the world. Each month—and I mean each month—these mines make 2,000 new victims. Given the new world order in which civil society is going to play a vital role, I wanted to mark the day celebrating the Red Cross, which is one of the great humanitarian institutions of the world.

[Holidays Act, May 6th, 1998]

Madam Speaker, I am very pleased to take part in the debate on Sir Wilfrid Laurier's contribution to our history.

I had hoped to do so in a non political fashion, as a Canadian recognizing the contribution of an eminent Canadian to our history.

However, before beginning, I must make a quick correction. In her speech, a few minutes ago, the hon. member for Rimouski—Mitis said that the Canadians of the time were today's Quebeckers, when she referred to a well researched document which I respect, even though I do not share the views of its author. This is not quite accurate because, at the time, the term Canadians referred to all francophones in America, in Canada, and did not just include those we now call Quebeckers.

Some 12 or 15 months ago, I attended a meeting with history teachers and I asked them point blank who, in their opinion, had been the best Prime Minister in the history of Canada. The answer to such a question requires one to think for a moment. However, two of the teachers spontaneously said it was probably Wilfrid Laurier. I asked them why. The first answer that came from one of the teachers was Laurier's sense of compromise.

It goes without saying that no political career can be perfect. Politicians face unavoidable obstacles. Their decisions may be arguable, but it is the spirit of compromise shown by Laurier, and by others, but particularly by Sir Wilfrid Laurier, that led to the building of a country which, while it may not be perfect, is nevertheless the envy of many.

Canada was built on compromise, on honourable compromise that was respectful of the other party. This is not just a philosophy or a concept: it is also reflected by concrete measures, such a equalization.

There are many writers, musicians, artists and authors who did not get the recognition they deserved in their day. The same is true for—