Deborah Grey

[Health, December 1st, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, that is right, but this is not something new that the auditor general has talked about. It should be acted on before he even thinks of reporting how despicable it is.

The auditor general also says that there are weaknesses in the surveillance of diseases and injuries which are compromising the ability of Health Canada to protect Canadians. That is what it is all about.

After confiscating half the income of Canadians on taxes one would think the government would take it upon itself to try to protect Canadians from health risks. Why is the government so good at cutting and so bad at caring?

[Health, December 1st, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, the government has absolutely no idea what it is actually spending on health care. It knows that it slashed $21 billion from the health care budget, but other than that the details are getting pretty sketchy.

The auditor general says that the federal government has no idea whether its health care spending ever makes it to the waiting lines or the emergency rooms. The truth is that it ain't even coming close.

Why does the government care so little about the health of Canadians that it does not even bother to monitor where Canadian health tax dollars are going?

[Minister Of International Trade, November 30th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, there are serious allegations that the international trade minister has broken the law under the Canada Elections Act. It would seem to me that the wisest thing to do would be to have an investigation, clear it up and prove the minister's innocence.

I will ask my question again. Regardless of what the National Post or a convicted murderer said, when will the government have an investigation to clear this mess up?

[Minister Of International Trade, November 30th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, the official agent giving reports is not exactly unbiased information either.

The minister talks about “for the benefit of the minister”. For the benefit of the country, I think this needs to be brought—

[Minister Of International Trade, November 30th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, because these clouds and allegations are hanging over his head, perhaps the wisest thing for the international trade minister to do would be to absolutely clear his name. I am sure he is sleepless in Seattle and it is probably not the trade talks that are bothering him.

If the trade minister categorically denies, as this minister just said that he has, why in the world would the government not have an investigation as soon as possible and clear his good name?

[National Unity, November 29th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, here we go waxing on about clarity, but if that was clarity, it is pathetic. This is getting thicker and foggier every time the Prime Minister opens his mouth.

Whether the finance minister likes it or not, the rejection of the democratic will of Quebecers would create even more confusion and uncertainty, especially in the international financial markets.

Does the Prime Minister believe that the international markets would support the Prime Minister's rejection of the democratic outcome of a democratic question? Yes or no?

[National Unity, November 29th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, if the Prime Minister did not think it should be discussed right now, why in the world did he bring it up? That would be a question he should think about.

The finance minister is responsible for the federal government's fiscal policy. He knows that a yes vote in Quebec would send the economy into a period of serious uncertainty, but the rejection of the will of a democratic majority on a clear question would create even more chaos.

Has the finance minister developed a contingency plan to support the Prime Minister's rejection of the will of a democratic majority of Quebecers?

[Taxation, November 24th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, well, there we have it, an unbiased source when they get that from the federal government I cannot believe that he would holler about that.

Doreen herself says “thanks very little”. It is pretty hard to be grateful when she takes home 20 bucks out of $50. Doreen and millions of other Canadians are trying to work a little overtime, trying to make a extra dollar or two. Then comes Mr. Scrooge and, as slick as a whistle, just snatches 60% of that right out of their hands.

Who would want to even work one hour of overtime this Christmas when this covetous, curmudgeon finance minister wants it all?

[Taxation, November 24th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I will tell you one thing that is clear across Canada. Everyone thinks they are paying too high taxes and the government should pay attention to that.

Doreen from Manitoba worked overtime and made $53. Income tax and the EI premium took $31 of those 53 bucks. That is 60% that she had to give to the government.

I would like to ask a little question of the tax hungry finance minister. Why in the world does he think he is entitled to 60% of Doreen's paycheque?

[Aboriginal Affairs, November 23rd, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister should be the first one to know that many of the treaties that have been signed have been a colossal disaster right across the country and they need to be reworked.

The Indian affairs minister seems to be quite pleased with the way he has turned out. He has said that the Nisga'a deal is just too complicated and complex for the people of British Columbia to figure out what it is all about. Is that not patronizing?

Yesterday he called my colleague for South Surrey—White Rock—Langley silly for even daring to ask a question about the democratic rights of the B.C. people.

Does the Prime Minister endorse the Indian affairs minister's contempt for the democratic rights of the people of B.C.? Does he endorse it or not?