Darrel Stinson

[Supply, March 20th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, after listening to the member's speech I have to agree with him on the transfer payments going to Amtrak and Bombardier. However, with regard to health, everyone in the House knows that what the government did to the hepatitis C victims is a disgrace. It likes to talk about how caring and sharing it is and how it worries about people but it has only seen fit to pay off the lawyers in this case.

What does the hon. member think of a government that will pay off the lawyers and allow the victims to die?

[Supply, March 17th, 2000]

Madam Speaker, following that same line, I know that the province of Quebec and the province of Ontario should be congratulated for their payments toward the hepatitis C victims. The question here is how much is being saved in interest by making non-payments.

I also know that the federal government has paid the lawyers for the hepatitis C victims. Perhaps the hon. member could tell me if he has any idea how much money in interest the federal government is making by not paying the hepatitis C victims.

[Supply, March 17th, 2000]

Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order. We are discussing a very important function in Canada, our health care system. However, I do not see a quorum in here.

[Supply, March 17th, 2000]

Madam Speaker, I have a problem with Canada's health care that has been bothering me for quite some time. It is with regard to what we have done with our hep C victims or rather what the government has refused to do for them here in Canada. We know many of them contracted this disease through our health care system and yet the government has refused to make justifiable payments to these victims. Some of them are desperately in need of care and funding and are in fear of dying.

I would like to know if the hon. member has any idea what he would recommend the government do with regard to these victims.

[House Of Commons, March 16th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, I want to state right now that I am a Reform Party member and proud of it. I want to clarify for the member that I did not support this motion at all. I know many of my colleagues will not be voting in support of this motion. I just wanted to get that straight.

[Correctional Service Canada, March 16th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, would you like a membership in a club that gives you more time to lift weights, play baseball and ping-pong? It is easy to join. One just needs to be an inmate at Drumheller Annex in Alberta.

The assistant warden says the reason for giving prisoners more leisure activities is so they will not want to escape. Last year Drumheller had nine escapees.

Apparently Correctional Service Canada has decided inmates spend too much time just watching TV and chatting. What is CSC's solution? Give the inmates more perks so they will not want to escape. Officials are even going to add a gym, woodworking equipment and an activity room. Is this part of prison rehabilitation so inmates can get future jobs as ping-pong instructors?

What will the minister offer victims and victims' families? Law-abiding citizens must often deny their own children such benefits in order to pay the taxes that provide perks for prisoners.

Today's lesson for the solicitor general is prison is not supposed to be fun and games.

[Correctional Service Canada, February 22nd, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, did you know that we have a Pulitzer prize contender in the federal government? The commissioner of Correctional Service Canada, Ole Ingstrup, co-authored a how-to management book in August 1998. To date the book has sold a whopping 2,300 copies.

On the heels of the HRDC scandal, the solicitor general might find that he is the next minister in line to explain his actions. It was discovered recently that Ole's own department purchased 32% of those copies at a total cost to the taxpayer of $22,500.

This week's lesson for the solicitor general is to learn from his colleague's mistakes. He and only he will be held accountable for spending taxpayers' money to purchase a how-to book for the commissioner's own department. That sounds a little like double dipping to me.

A word of caution, Mr. Speaker. Do not get in the wrong line. You might find yourself standing behind the 14 convicted criminals waiting for their taxpayer funded sex change operations.

[Petitions, February 18th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, the second petition I will table today has been signed by 192 people from my riding of Okanagan—Shuswap.

The petitioners call upon parliament to prioritize funding for the national highway system in the 2000 budget to reduce fatalities, alleviate congestion, reduce emissions and improve Canada's overall economic prosperity.

[Petitions, February 18th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to present two petitions today. The first petition is signed by residents of the Vernon and Armstrong areas of my riding of Okanagan—Shuswap.

These Canadians ask parliament to take all measures necessary to ensure that the possession of child pornography remains a serious criminal offence.

[Petitions, December 16th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, my third petition is literally signed by thousands and thousands of people, mostly from Okanagan—Shuswap.

The petitioners ask for tax relief of 25% over the next three years leading the way to job creation, economic growth and reduction of poverty.