That is government by opportunism.
Lost his last election, in 2004, with 39% of the vote.
Capital Punishment September 20th, 1995
That is government by opportunism.
Orangeville Northmen September 20th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, I would like to take the time today to extend my congratulations as well as those of the people of Orangeville and Dufferin county to the Orangeville Northmen, the Canadian Junior A lacrosse champions.
I cannot remember a lacrosse team that has so dominated its competition, winning its second Minto Cup in three years. The Northmen, their coach Terry Sanderson, general manager Bob Clevely climaxed a phenomenal season winning 35 of 36 regular season games and all 16 of its playoff games.
It was a truly astounding 1995 season. I wish to indicate my appreciation to the young men who represented Orangeville, including first year Captain Rusty Kruger who won the most valuable player award for his play during the Minto Cup.
My thanks to the Orangeville Northmen.
Questions On The Order Paper September 18th, 1995
How much money has the government of Canada spent on Lyme disease research since 1985 and what are the titles of the resulting studies?
Questions On The Order Paper September 18th, 1995
Concerning the Consensus conference on Lyme disease (1991), why has the statement not been updated with regard to ( a ) identification of endemic areas for Lyme disease in Canada, ( b ) identification of symptoms, and ( c ) methods of diagnosis by newer, more effective antibiotics?
Questions On The Order Paper September 18th, 1995
Concerning Lyme disease in Canada, ( a ) how can some areas of Canada be reported as non-endemic when a thorough examination of vectors/hosts for the Lyme disease bacteria has not been conducted, ( b ) why has Lyme disease not been made a national reportable disease, ( c ) what is the total number and location of Lyme disease incidences in Canada, ( d ) what information is provided to health care providers to identify Lyme disease, ( e ) why are there no protocols to force health care officials to report cases of Lyme disease, and ( f ) why doesn't the government provide information for people to protect themselves against the disease?
Dairy Industry June 22nd, 1995
Mr. Speaker, there is a saying around my farm that if it ain't broke, don't fix it. In other words, if something is running smoothly, do not tempt fate to try to make it better.
That is what is happening within the Canadian dairy industry as it relates to the introduction of BST as an enhancer of milk production. Our milk is among the purest. Our cows are among the highest producing in the world. However, there are those who would tamper with this system even though the economic gain to farmers is insignificant when compared to the damage it will do to the dairy industry.
I cannot understand, given the health of the industry, why it is necessary to even contemplate the introduction of BST.
The moratorium on the sale of BST will expire on July 1 unless extended by Health Canada. I would ask that before any decision is made to licence BST, the minister not only consider the damage that might be done to the dairy industry, but the possibility that the long term health of both animals and humans may be at risk.
Agriculture May 5th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, this debate is on Motion No. 314 by the hon. member for Moose Jaw-Lake Centre. It gives the government an opportunity to point out that it is working with the provinces and industry to deliver effective, cost efficient programming for the benefit of the primary agriculture and agri-food industry and the consumer.
The fundamental proposal in the motion has considerable merit. Who could not agree with the notion of reducing the duplication of programs and services? I cannot. It does not make sense for two levels of government to do the same thing. It does not make sense to spend $1 more than what is necessary.
If the government were to adopt the hon. member's motion to immediately pursue negotiations with the provinces and the agri-food industry to eliminate overlap and duplication, we would be reinventing the wheel.
We do not want a new set of constitutional negotiations. I remember what happened during the last set. We want agreements with the provinces to make a real difference in the lives of the people actively farming in Canada today.
I can think of no better example than agriculture, a shared responsibility between provincial and federal levels of government, to illustrate the enormous effort made by the federal government, provinces, the industry and municipal governments to work together to resolve issues and deliver effective programming and reduce spending.
There are many examples such as safety nets, where both levels of government and industry have come up with a national whole farm program that will provide $1 billion of income support for producers this year; $600 million from the federal government and the rest from provincial governments.
The federal government has been working with the provinces, with industry and even with municipal governments to put in place a national food inspection system that will harmonize standards across the country, get rid of duplication of effort where it does exist and at the same time maintain Canada's high standards of food safety and quality which are respected worldwide.
In financial services the Farm Credit Corporation and interested provinces are discussing ways to reduce duplication of government services. The FCC has acquired the New Brunswick agricultural development board portfolio. It has been working with the Alberta Financial Services Corporation since last June to combine the two lending services into a single delivery point.
In research, a valuable tool for Canadian agriculture and agri-food, the federal government is working closely with the private sector and universities to continue a long tradition of scientific excellence. The Canadian agriculture food research council, which has representatives from provincial governments, universities and industry, helps ensure there is a co-ordinated approach and that we avoid duplication.
The list is almost endless and I will not tire the House with much more, just a few more points: trade and market development, environmental initiatives, a new range of adaptation measures following the February 27 budget to support industry as it adjusts to a market driven economy.
There is no area where federal and provincial governments do not collaborate effectively. After all, what have we been doing in agriculture since 1867? That is what we will continue to do in the integrated world of agriculture and agri-food where co-operation among all the players is more important than it ever was in the past.
For these reasons I urge members to vote against the motion.
Members Of Parliament Retiring Allowances Act May 4th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, I listened with interest to the hon. member's speech.
The hon. member has made a comparison between what a member of Parliament and someone in the business community makes. It is important for him to remember and understand the fact that to have credible government we have to have credible people here.
In my other life I was a poultry producer. I was respected in that occupation and 18 months later I hope I am respected in this one. Personally I have not changed.
To become a member of Parliament it cost my farming operation over $12,000 a year. That was just in workmen's compensation payments and unemployment insurance to replace me.
When the hon. member talks about gold plated pensions and so on, a study was done that stated that members of Parliament were underpaid. We have by the way frozen our wages again. I know it is not an option because we cannot give ourselves a raise when we are telling everyone else to hold the line. However, the report recommended an increase in pay for members of Parliament. I would be more than happy if that happened to see the pensions done away with and work within an RRSP program.
We know we cannot have an increase in pay. The public will not stand for it. I agree with that. Therefore I feel the pension reform is more reflective of what that increase in pay would have been. I know if a member of Parliament was working in the business community he would be making a heck of a lot more money than what he is making right now.
Does the hon. member think a member of Parliament makes as much as a person in the business community does if he is doing the same job that we are doing?
Budget Implementation Act, 1995 April 26th, 1995
I am ashamed of the member.
The budget has a number of advantages. We have pledged that in 1995-96 the debt will not exceed $32.7 billion. We want that reduced to 3 per cent of the GDP or $24.3 billion for 1996-97. This is something that was laid down in the Maastricht treaty. We recognize that a large percentage of our money is borrowed from the international market and it is our responsibility to make that figure.
That is one of the reasons why the Canadian dollar today is strong, interest rates within the country are stable and why we are the leader in the G-7 nations in exporting. We are an exporting nation. If we are going to keep our standard of living we have to export. Thirty million people within this country without exports just does not cut it. Therefore, we have to be an efficient exporting nation. We have to be ISO 9000 effective. We have to take every advantage. We have to be innovative and creative which is exactly what the budget is.
I hope that the member across the way will see the light and vote for Bill C-76.
Budget Implementation Act, 1995 April 26th, 1995
The GST will be worked out later this year. It is in process right now. The member can laugh. I love the way the member for Simcoe Centre tries to work this around. He stood up and chastised the infrastructure program. In fact, a few months ago he made a statement in the House questioning the minister responsible. However, at the same time, I found some correspondence he had written the mayor of Barrie praising the program. It is cynicism like that which gives politicians a bad name.