Deborah Grey

[Employment, May 27th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, it is one thing to talk about jobs created. I wonder how many were lost to balance that out.

The finance minister can spout off all he likes but Canadians know the real numbers in terms of unemployment: 1.4 million Canadians are unemployed; 30 per cent of Canadian workers are underemployed; and one in four Canadians are living in fear of losing their jobs.

The Prime Minister's statement about perpetually high underemployment and unemployment is simply an admission of failure. That should sound familiar because that is exactly what he told Kim Campbell when she said underemployment and unemployment will live with us until the year 2000.

I ask the Prime Minister and the finance minister, in this latest flip-flop, is such high unemployment the flip or just the flop?

[Employment, May 27th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, in the 1993 election this Prime Minister said about Kim Campbell and the Tories: "Their priority is clear. They want to create jobs for the year 2000. For us, the priority is to create jobs in 1993, right now. We will start in November".

During his trip out west last week, the Prime Minister said that Canadians are probably going to have to live with high unemployment and less job security. Did the Prime Minister ever intend to keep his election promise of jobs, jobs, jobs, or was it like the GST, just more Liberal rhetoric designed only to get them elected?

[The Senate, May 16th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister has thwarted democracy once again. Earlier today he appointed another new senator from Alberta.

The Prime Minister was fully aware that Alberta Premier Ralph Klein intended to hold an election to fill Alberta's vacant Senate seat. Rather than wait for Albertans to elect their own senator under Alberta's Senates Election Act, the Prime Minister has used an iron fist and smashed Alberta's right to have a democratic election. This is tantamount to a dictatorship.

In a recent response to the leader of the Reform Party, the Prime Minister stated in this House: "I will name a senator who I will choose and who will represent my party in the House of Commons". We can only assume this is exactly what the Prime Minister has done in his latest patronage appointment which occurred earlier today. This is aggressive arrogance on behalf of the Prime Minister. It is an injustice to all Albertans and all Canadians.

Allow me to remind the House that the late Senator Stan Waters would be ashamed of this appointment. He was the only truly legitimate accountable senator in Canada's history. I say long live the memory of Senator Stan.

[Petitions, May 15th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36 I am pleased to table a petition today signed by several members of the Beaver River constituency from Thorhild and Radway, as well as several individuals from Edmonton.

The petitioners state that the majority of Canadians believe that the privileges which society accords to heterosexual couples should not be extended to same sex relationships, and that societal approval, including the extension of societal privileges, would be given to same sex relationships if any amendment to the Canadian Human Rights Act were to include the undefined phrase of sexual orientation as a ground of discrimination. They therefore pray and request that Parliament not amend the Canadian Human Rights Act or the charter of rights and freedoms in any way which would tend to indicate societal approval of same sex relationships or of homosexuality, including amending the Canadian Human Rights Act to include in the prohibited grounds of discrimination the undefined phrase of sexual orientation.

[National Unity, May 15th, 1996]

You have my word on that, Mr. Speaker.

The Prime Minister is so reluctant to let his plans be known on national unity. We are facing a crisis here and he must speak up on this. He promised quite clearly, as he just referred to, in the government's throne speech that Canadians, no matter where they live, will have their say in the future of their country.

When will the Prime Minister let Canadians have their say? Will he let them see this national unity plan? If so, will it be before or after he gets together with the premiers behind closed doors?

[National Unity, May 15th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, I shudder to think where that document ended up-

[National Unity, May 15th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, procrastination seems to be the watchword for the government. It did not come up with a real strategy for the last referendum and now it is putting off developing a plan for national unity at all.

The Prime Minister promised Canadians plan A and plan B, the carrot and stick. So far we have seen a lot of the stick but the only thing vaguely related to the carrot is a national food inspection service.

My question to the Prime Minister is not too complex. Will he quit stalling and present Canadians with the details of the government's plan for national unity now?

[Liberal Party, May 6th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, if the Minister of Finance actually kept his promise, I would be interested to know why he said in his press conference: "We made a mistake". It would seem incongruous.

The promises the government has tried to keep have cost Canadians dearly: $1 billion to harmonize the GST, $2 billion to cancel and replace the EH-101 helicopters, and close to $1 billion for the privatization of the Pearson airport, all of which are Conservative policies from the last government. That is $4 billion of taxpayer money to try to keep a few red book promises, and the meter is still running.

How much is the government willing to spend to cover up the fact the red book does not mean anything any more?

[Liberal Party, May 6th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, the GST, stable funding for the CBC, national child care, changes to NAFTA, no cuts to old age security and a parliamentary review of patronage appointments were all promises the Liberals made when they were trying to get elected and promises they broke once in power.

Does the government still believe in what the Prime Minister said during the last election, that there would not be a promise in the campaign he would not keep, yes or no?

[Target: Top Gun, May 6th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, on May 2 I attended a supper in Grand Centre, Alberta to welcome a NATO delegation. They are studying the possibility of awarding a 20-year contract to Canada as NATO's flight training location. The other bidder is Texas and we are convinced that our program could beat it out by a country mile.

The project Target: Top Gun is a community based initiative in the tri-town area of Cold Lake, Grand Centre and 4 Wing Cold Lake. The government-industry team has focused on the military and economic benefits of training there. 4 Wing Cold Lake has some of the best training facilities in the world.

The special evening organized by Target: Top Gun was an excellent example of western hospitality. School kids decorated the entire area with handmade NATO country flags. The guests were treated to a fabulous supper of Alberta beef. It was a great display of unity and support.

Thanks to Gary Blanchard, chairman of the project, and his committee who did an excellent job of promoting our facilities. Congratulations, Target: Top Gun.