Guy St-Julien

[*Question No. 163, June 20th, 2002]

With respect to the first nations water management strategy: ( a ) how much has Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) spent on improving water and sewer systems in 2001-02; ( b ) what percentage of the delay in constructing water and sewage treatment facilities has been made up since the 1999-2000 Report on Plans and Priorities came out; ( c ) how many first nations still do not have basic water and sewer services; ( d ) what are the components of INAC's water management strategy; ( e ) how many of the water and sewer treatment facilities categorized as substandard by INAC and Health Canada in 1995, and again by Health Canada in 1999 and 2000, are still substandard from a health and safety point of view; ( f ) what measures to enhance capacity has the minister planned or taken to ensure that first nations, to whom he has handed over responsibility for water systems, are able to safely manage their water supply; and ( g ) what level of priority has been accorded to unsafe water systems?

[Petitions, June 20th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, the Inuit petitioners from Ivujivik, Puvirnituk and Umiujaq, in Nunavik, draw to the attention of the House that the federal government, through one of its departments, ordered the killing of Inuit sled dogs from 1950 to 1969.

The federal government did not hold public consultations with the Inuit communities in Nunavik. The killing of these dogs has had a tragic social, economic and cultural impact on the Inuit in Nunavik.

In conclusion, we are asking for a public inquiry into the federal policy of dog killing that was implemented in Nunavik.

[Highways, June 14th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, for some years I have been visiting the territory of Nunavik in Quebec, the land of our Inuit friends.

My fondest wish is to see a highway system in place which would enable us to start from Radisson on James Bay and travel to Kuujjuarapik, Umiujaq, Inukjuak, Puvirnituq, Akulivik, Ivujivik, Salluit, Kangiqsujuaq, the Raglan mine, Quaqtaq, Kangirsuk, Aupaluk, Tasiujaq, Kuujjuaq and Kangiqsualujjuaq, then heading to the Brisay generating station, then finally reaching the James Bay highway to Matagami, Amos, Val-d'Or and southern Quebec.

The governments of Canada and Quebec need to take this magnificent project seriously, with a view to enhancing relations between the people of Nunavik and the people in the south of Quebec and of Canada.

[Committees of the House, June 13th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I noted the remarks of NDP members this morning. We have the same problem in my great riding of Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik.

I totally support the remarks these members made, because we must review this government decision, as soon as possible. I know what I am talking about, since one of my brothers is a person with disabilities.

When persons with disabilities are under attack, this is what I have to say.

My staff has recently told me about certain cases. My assistant Françoise Lamarche is working very hard on social issues. As it stands right now, Quebec agrees with tax credits, and is standing firm on its position, but the Canadian government is backing away and penalizing persons with disabilities.

I would like to ask the hon. member opposite if there are many cases like this in all provinces and in Quebec.

[Common Currency, June 6th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, according to a survey released on June 3, the Americans do not want Canadians to adopt their currency.

They are opposed to the creation of a common North American euro-style currency.

The Americans perceive this as a threat to their sovereignty.

[Question No. 153, June 6th, 2002]

With regard to Inuit sled dogs, for the current Nunavik territory and for the period from 1950 to 1969, did the government, through one of its departments or agencies (i) order the killing of the dogs, (ii) adopt a policy supporting it, (iii) promote it directly or indirectly, and if so: ( a ) what were the reasons, and what was the nature of the problem the government was seeking to resolve; ( b ) was any consideration given to other actions or approaches for resolving that problem; ( c ) how was it decided that the killing of the dogs was the most appropriate action to be pursued in relation to the said problem; ( d ) how many dogs were killed as a result of government decisions, policies or actions; ( e ) were the Inuit consulted on the killing of the dogs, and if so, how and to what extent; ( f ) were any Inuit directly compensated for the loss of their dogs, and if so, how and in what amount or by what means; and ( g ) were any remedial measures taken to help offset effects on Inuit resulting from the killing of the dogs, and if so, what was the nature of these remedial measures?

[Rita Dionne-Marsolais, June 3rd, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, Rita Dionne-Marsolais, the PQ government minister, made a comment on a radio station in Trois-Rivières. Speaking about young Quebecers, she said that they “are the reflection of a very individualistic generation that is only concerned about itself”.

With her statement, this minister in the government of Premier Designate Bernard Landry is showing all the contempt that she has for young Quebecers.

[Mining Industry, May 28th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, in an article entitled “The Future of mines”, appearing in Le Soleil on May 25, 2002, Réjean Lacombe and François Pouliot wrote:

The non-renewal of mineral reserves in Abitibi, the asbestos crisis and problems in the steel market are like the sword of Damocles over at least 2,500 of the 6,500 or so direct jobs in Quebec's mining industry.

In Abitibi, if nothing happens in the next ten years, there will only be one mine left at Matagami (Bell Allard), La Ronde and maybe Doyon. The others will be shut down.

The reserves are running out in Abitibi. Half of the twenty or so mines in Quebec currently have reserves of less than five years.

All of the threatened mines are located in the Abitibi--Chibougamau region. The region currently employs some 3,000 miners, half of whom are in the group at risk.

[Petitions, May 24th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I too have the honour to present a petition signed by 27 constituents of Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik in support of rural route mail couriers.

Whereas private sector workers who deliver mail in rural areas, such as Quebec's far north, have collective bargaining rights, as do public sector workers who deliver mail for the Canada Post Corporation in major urban centres; whereas subsection 13(5) of the Canada Post Corporation Act deprives rural route mail couriers of their collective bargaining rights; now therefore these 27 petitioners call on the government to repeal subsection 13(5) of the Canada Post Corporation Act.

[National Missing Children's Day, May 24th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, May 25 is National Missing Children's Day.

On this special day, our thoughts go out in hope to the thousands of families throughout Canada who have had a child gone missing. This is an opportunity to stand together with these families that are thinking of their children today and every day.

This day is also intended to highlight the success of the Canada's national “Our Missing Children Program” designed to return missing children to their legitimate parents.

The national missing children's service and its partners have helped find 4,841 children. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate those who have contributed to the federal “Our Missing Children Program” for the hope they have brought to thousands of families across Canada affected by the disappearance of a child.