Myron Thompson

[Borrowing Authority Act, 1994-95, February 25th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, my congratulations to the hon. minister on his maiden speech and congratulations on your election and appointment to your high office.

Throughout the speech I heard several times the word waste and also the word essential. I have jotted down four items. I would like the minister to comment on whether he considers these items essential or non-essential. If he feels they are non-essential, would he consider removing these from the present expenditures and putting this money either toward more job creation or toward the poverty stricken children in our country according to the Minister of Human Resources Development?

The first thing I have on my list are the Challenger jets, which should not surprise anybody, MPs pensions, the blue cars that the cabinet ministers run around the hill in and the $4.5 million museum that is going to be constructed in the Prime Minister's riding.

I ask the last one based on the idea that we presently fund 12 museums to the tune of $268 million. They cannot support themselves and I would question that one. I would like the minister's comments, please.

[Point Of Order, February 25th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, earlier in Question Period I attempted to question the expenditures of the highest office in the land. I would like to know if I could be provided with the standing order that does not permit that. If there is a proper way of doing it I would like to know because I wish to do it in the proper manner.

[Governor General, February 25th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I do not believe anyone is questioning any individual. As representatives of the Canadian people we have the right and should question the spending of tax dollars. That is what I am doing.

No one is questioning the need for security. The issue is that of the abuse and privilege demonstrated by the use of these government jets as a holiday shuttle service.

Will the Acting Prime Minister or this government rein in the flights of these snowbirds?

[Governor General, February 25th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Acting Prime Minister.

In reference to the question I asked yesterday regarding a Canadian representative who vacations in Arizona, it is reported that the various Challenger flights back and forth from Arizona to accommodate this person's vacation schedule cost taxpayers $707,000 since the beginning of the year.

Will this government act to end this irresponsible use of government jets?

[The Budget, February 24th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, my congratulations to the hon. member on her maiden speech.

I assume that she is a new member as I am. I know one feels after one gets that first speech done. It feels great. Thank goodness it is over.

Although the hon. member did not mention specifically about getting our own house in order I know she alluded to responsible spending and the accountability of politicians, the importance of it, being careful with the money, being very cautious in our spending so that we do not get carried away. I would like to know how the member feels on some issues and I will pick on three because the list is quite extensive.

There are a couple of things that are happening in this country that I find disturbing. One of them was mentioned by the Minister of Human Resources Development when he said that over a million children were living in poverty in this country. It is really a shame to hear that kind of news.

I have here on the top of my list that the Challenger jets cost us in excess of $3 million a year, the little blue cars that the cabinet ministers drive around in cost us in the neighbourhood of $1.3 million a year, the outrageous tax funded pensions for MPs are over $2 million a year. We are coming up to about $10 million.

Does the member agree with me that cutting that kind of fat out of the spending from the government and transferring those funds to help the poverty stricken children in this country would make a lot more sense?

[Governor General, February 24th, 1994]

The next question I have for the minister is: Would the finance minister be willing to take on an immediate, full scale review of pay and perks for all employees of the people of the country to put a stop to extravagant spending?

[Governor General, February 24th, 1994]

Probably security can be a factor. However I believe there might be better ways of doing it.

[Governor General, February 24th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I can accept that security may be important. I am not sure if it is or not. I would like to check into it more.

[Governor General, February 24th, 1994]

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was surprised I even had to talk about Challenger jets. I heard they were for sale.

I wonder if the finance minister would agree that it is time the government started showing some restraint in this kind of spending in these tough times.

[Governor General, February 24th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Finance, and he will happy to know he will not need reams of paper to answer it.

Last night CTV reported that the Governor General was using a Challenger jet to shuttle between Ottawa and Arizona for a total cost of $160,000. I know that we would all like to head-