Deborah Grey

[Government Spending, June 13th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, the finance minister, his highness, maybe does not realize that $12,500 is a lot of money to the average Canadian family.

If the finance minister could convince Canadians that he is buying better health care or improving the education system, Canadians might not mind so much, but he has not. He knows that he has not restored the health funding even to 1993 levels and the government is running a $5 billion surplus.

Why is the government plundering Canadian families to pay for bungles, bubbles and boondoggles?

[Government Spending, June 13th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, because we do not believe it for some funny reason. Maybe it is just a drop in the sea to a shipping magnate but to the average family, $12,000—

[Government Spending, June 13th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, it is for sure that incomes had to rise. It is the only way they could afford the taxes really.

The government is spending $15 billion on transfers to health and $17 billion on grants and contributions. Canadian families have been forced to finance for example the history of strippers, a display of French prostitutes, and the porn flick Bubbles Galore . That is not to everyone's taste.

Why is the finance minister against Canadian families keeping more of what they earn?

[Government Spending, June 13th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, today StatsCan confirmed what Canadians have known for years, that the government is swallowing up more of their income in taxes than ever before. What does the government spend it on? Boondoggles, fountains, canoe museums, hotels, golf courses, and that is just in the Prime Minister's riding.

What right does the finance minister have to take so much of what Canadians earn and then squander it away?

[Human Resources Development, June 12th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to further suggest that the minister asked that the special ministerial briefing book on grants and contributions list a number of HRDC programs and the role MPs play in every one of them. For example on youth employment initiatives it says, “on a monthly basis, regions will inform national headquarters of successful projects that would offer good visibility for the minister”.

Is that not really what the grants and contributions are all about, visibility for the minister?

[Human Resources Development, June 12th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberals talked about this when they were in opposition because they did not get any of the glory.

This briefing book was not prepared just for the fun of it. It was the result of a specific request by the minister in August of last year. Instead of having her department clean up the billion dollar boondoggle mess, she had it put together lengthy briefing notes on how to get more publicity for her handouts.

Why was the minister so concerned about publicity and so unconcerned about the billion dollar bungle?

[Human Resources Development, June 12th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, we have always known that HRD grants and contributions are more about political benefits to the Liberals than they are about grants of genuine benefits to Canadians. A briefing book to the minister really puts it black and white. Let me quote from it:

—the Minister's Office contacts MPs to ask...if they would like to present the grant cheque to the organization. A copy of each project summary is also provided to Senator Fairbairn's office.

If they really are not about scoring political points, why are MPs and a Liberal senator keeping tabs on them?

[Airline Industry, June 8th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, maybe the government should have a little consultation with those people who will be left on the ground when pilots are on strike.

The parliamentary secretary can brag about the fact that this government is really looking after things well. How about a few solutions? How about acting on something? What about a 90 day cooling off period for the workers? How about final offer arbitration? How about allowing foreign competition in the industry?

Instead of just hoping for the best, will the government be prepared in the contingency that a strike happens next week?

[Airline Industry, June 8th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, I think it is a matter of trust. We agree with collective bargaining, but this government has allowed a virtual monopoly on national airline routes. This government has the responsibility and the obligation to ensure that travellers are not left stranded across the country. They will be held hostage if this happens, and this government should wear the shame of that.

Why will this government not prepare draft back-to-work legislation so that it is ready if need be so the people will not be left stranded across the country?

[Airline Industry, June 8th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, Air Canada's pilots are threatening to go on strike in just over a week. Thanks to this government's mismanagement of the airline industry, this could leave thousands of Canadians stranded.

Will the government draft and have ready back-to-work legislation if thee pilots decide to walk?