Guy St-Julien

[Canadian Economy, October 21st, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday I announced some good news for the economy, and I will again today. This morning, Statistics Canada reported a 0.2% decrease in the consumer lending index for August-September, the biggest monthly drop in the past year.

Last Wednesday, the Minister of Finance announced that the Canadian Government had succeeded in having its first budget surplus in 28 years. Our government is managing public funds cautiously and efficiently. Solutions like the ones certain opposition parties are calling for are out of the question. They would put us all back into debt. We have no right to betray the trust of the Canadian people.

[Canadian Economy, October 20th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, the figures are making liars of the opposition parties, who predicted economic disaster for the country.

Yesterday, for example, Statistics Canada reported that manufacturers' deliveries were up 7% in August. It also reported that most analysts see the August figures as an important step forward for the economy.

But our government's message remains unchanged: caution is the order of the day. We must maintain optimal conditions for a lasting economic recovery. Fortunately, we are not following the advice of the opposition parties. Their idea is to increase the deficit in the years ahead. Perhaps they think we will not eventually have to pay the piper.

Our government has opted for a cautious approach, an approach that also focuses on creativity, growth and improving the quality of life for Canadians.

[Salaries For Stay At Home Mothers And Fathers, October 19th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, it is interesting to hear members from the other parties here. It is true that I can continue the debate this morning on family, mothers, fathers and, particularly, children. A number of members from all parties in this House have put forth ideas this morning.

It is important for the government to realize that members from all parties are here today to find solutions for families and children.

I said during my speech that we must respect all governments, including the provinces. But the important thing today is the ideas expressed by members. We should take the time at some point to discuss the motion put forward by the hon. member opposite seeking the unanimous consent of the House to continue the debate.

All the members who spoke this morning should table motions relating to their speeches. The issue must come back before the House, on behalf of all stakeholders in Canada, including Beverley Smith and all the groups that work for families, for mothers and fathers. It is important that we find solutions. It is also important that the government listen to families.

[Salaries For Stay At Home Mothers And Fathers, October 19th, 1998]

moved:

That, in the opinion of this House, the government should legislate to grant a salary to mothers and fathers who stay at home to care for their children.

Mr. Speaker, on October 7, 1997, I tabled the following motion in the Order Paper and Notice Paper :

That, in the opinion of this House, the government should legislate to grant a salary to mothers and fathers who stay at home to care for their children.

I thank the Liberal member for Mississauga South, who seconded my motion today.

We have been promoting this idea, with the support of many Canadians, for several years. On April 28, 1998, I said in this House that Canadian and Quebec parents seem to have the best of intentions about sharing the job of raising children.

Canadians must recognize the contribution made by parents in raising their children and governments must give them the maximum support possible. It is my view, and that of many Canadians, that a guaranteed annual salary would be an important tool in the fight against poverty.

At the instigation of the Minister of Finance, an ad hoc Liberal committee was formed in April to examine possible solutions to the problem of unpaid work in the home.

In point of fact, the Income Tax Act discriminates against Canadian parents who choose to care for their own children, especially those who have large families.

An example is the Côté-Germain family of 1016 Quessey Street in Val d'Or, Abitibi, whose child tax benefit was cut by a whopping $280 a month this year. Right now there are nine children in this family, and in a few months there will be ten. The eleven of them are relying on a single gross annual salary of $55,000 and, to add insult to injury, are not entitled to a GST refund.

The Government of Canada's tax legislation does not take size of family into account. We should rethink our approach and draft legislation that is fair to Canadian families.

I would like to thank Beverley Smith of Calgary, who has worked for years with a group of Canadian stakeholders in support of salaries for women and men who stay at home to raise their children. For many years now, the people of Abitibi and Canadian MPs have known about my efforts to see mothers or fathers who stay at home to care for their children paid a salary.

I turn the floor over to my colleagues. Canadian parents want to hear whether or not you will be supporting my motion today.

[International Rural Women's Day, October 7th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, on October 15, women the world over will celebrate International Rural Women's Day.

In Canada, women living in rural communities make a large contribution to the diversity and the excellence of the Canadian agricultural sector. They have shown us how vital their role is by playing a direct role in farm operations and management.

In Canada, over 25% of farms are run by women and 30% are run by married couples. Rural women play an important role in keeping communities going and sustaining rural life, through the long hours they devote to volunteer and community activities.

On behalf of my colleague, the Secretary of State for Agriculture and Agri-Food and Fisheries and Oceans, the member for Bellechasse—Etchemins—Montmagny—L'Islet, who is responsible for this file, I encourage all rural women to continue to be active in agriculture, and I thank them for the tremendous contribution they are making to the cultural, social and economic life of our country.

[Radio-Nord, September 21st, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, several days ago, the unionized employees of Radio-Nord in the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region began an indefinite general strike.

Since 1997, I made representations on a number of occasions to ensure that Radio-Nord maintained adequate services for the people back home. Radio-Nord provides only a minimum of local information, leaving the public largely unaware of the initiatives taken by its elected officials and leaders at the municipal, school board, sports, federal, provincial and regional levels.

The public is now asking for proactive radio and television services that will truly reflect the reality of our local communities. Radio-Nord is not fulfilling the commitments it makes when it goes before the CRTC to renew its licences. Therefore, the CRTC will have to discipline Radio-Nord, on behalf of the residents of the riding of Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik and of the whole Témiscamingue region.

[Abitibi, June 10th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, on June 13, Abitibi will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the annexation of its territory to Quebec.

Until 1867, the Abitibi region was part of the Northwest Territories. Negotiations were then initiated between the provinces and the federal government concerning disposition of the northern regions of the country.

On June 13, 1898, the Canadian government gave a favourable response to the Quebec government's request, and the territories of Abitibi and Mistissini were annexed through legislation.

The matter took 25 years to bring to a conclusion, and as a result, Quebec acquired an additional 168,749 square kilometers.

This region, which is renowned for its mining and forestry activities, plays an important role in the economic history of Quebec and Canada.

My best wishes to all those who will be organizing activities throughout the summer to mark this important anniversary.

[Supply, June 9th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to comment on the speech by the member for Beauséjour—Petitcodiac, which gets us thinking about domestic violence.

It is true that there are many volunteers doing some really good work right now. They have the expertise and often work long hours during the day and even late into the night to prevent suicides and help people in our society, in Abitibi, in her riding and in many areas of Canada.

I raise my hat to the member and say to her that we took due note when she said that prevention is really necessary and that there must be more family-oriented policies. Much work must be done, even though the Minister of Justice has introduced a multi-million dollar plan for Canadians and families. I congratulate the member. The speech she gave this evening has made us think about Canada as a whole.

[Val D'Or Kiwanis Club, June 8th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, the Val d'Or Kiwanis club came into being on September 17, 1947. Since its inception, this club has had but one goal: to help young people.

The Kiwanis club is involved primarily in the Atom and Pee Wee levels of minor hockey. Through the exceptional devotion of its members, the club has helped in other community ventures in Val d'Or and piloted the project to erect the statue of the miner in carré Lapointe.

In 1976, Kiwanis members joined with volunteers to establish the committee to fund a second rink. The city of Val d'Or is now calling the building the Kiwanis arena.

The hundreds of volunteers and donors who tirelessly support the members of the Kiwanis club and their work deserve our recognition. Today more than ever the commitment, camaraderie and pride of our members mean successful projects for young people.

[Member For Témiscamingue, June 3rd, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, for months now, the Bloc Quebecois member for Témiscamingue has been secretly touring the Canadian provinces with Reform members. The Bloc Quebecois member for Témiscamingue is in favour of bringing their two parties closer together.

Today, the people of Abitibi—Témiscamingue are starting to realize that there is a double agent in the Bloc Quebecois.

It seems to me that this member is trying to follow in the footsteps of former agent Claude Morin.