Deborah Grey

[Hepatitis C, May 14th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, it seems that in these discussions the federal health minister has sat in stony silence. Nobody knows what the federal government's position is.

The highest responsibility lies with the federal government because it is the regulator of the blood system. This government is trying to blame the provinces and say it is their fault.

Will this government accept its responsibility and compensate all these victims, yes or no?

[Hepatitis C, May 14th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, today at the hepatitis C conference the victims blew the lid off the health minister's excuses.

The head of the Canadian Hemophilia Society told the conference that the number of victims infected before 1986 who are sick enough to need compensation is probably only 5,000 to 8,000. That is a far cry from the 60,000 people the health minister's propaganda suggests.

Is the government prepared to pay all those victims who are sick enough to help, yes or no?

[Young Offenders Act, May 13th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, if that is her strategy it is a tragedy and nothing more. It has taken 337 days for the justice minister to come up with a press conference. After all was said and done, a lot was said but nothing was done.

For months the justice minister has kept telling us that she would have her legislation ready in a timely fashion. How many more days will it take for Canadians to get real legislation to do something about the Young Offenders Act? Where is the bill?

[Young Offenders Act, May 13th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the justice minister had her splashy press conference about the broken Young Offenders Act.

She did speak a lot but she did not exactly do anything. She did not change a single section in the law. She did not hire one more police officer or a single social worker.

Is she soft on crime or just buying time?

[Trade, May 12th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, that sounds exactly like Brian Mulroney when he sat in that chair just ahead of the member.

Twelve million dollars and counting this Prime Minister spent. Nine and a half million dollars it was for Mr. Mulroney and he said “We don't apologize at all”.

This Deputy Prime Minister in 1993 said it is egomania. If the shoe fits, they have to wear it.

Let me ask again. If it was so wrong for Mulroney, why is it so right for this Prime Minister?

[Trade, May 12th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, when the Liberals were in opposition they went up one side and down the other of Brian Mulroney for spending $9.5 million on international travel in those five years. But since 1993 this Prime Minister has racked up over $12 million in international travel.

I just have one question for the government. Why was it so bad when it was in opposition but it is so good when it is in government?

[Justice, May 11th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, it is time for more than a response. It is time for legislation.

I hold this minister accountable for the broken Young Offenders Act which she has refused to fix for 335 days. This was the bloodiest beating in the history of Victoria. The Young Offenders Act means these murderers will just walk free.

Is the Minister of Justice prepared today to look Reena Virk's mother in the eye and say that everything will be corrected tomorrow at this little press conference?

[Justice, May 11th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, Reena Virk was a Victoria school girl who was beaten mercilessly by a pack of 15 young offenders. They swarmed her, beat her and burned her with cigarettes. She staggered away barely alive but they came back. They got her and they killed her.

The first two attackers were sentenced last week. One of them got away with just a year in open custody, no jail; she just got grounded.

Does the justice minister think that is fair?

[Hepatitis C, May 6th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, at least I can admire Mike Harris for admitting he was wrong more than I can admit that this minister is just not able to do the same thing.

The Liberals have poisoned the atmosphere in this whole thing. The health minister has been discredited. He talks about statesmanship, leadership and this word partnership.

Let me ask the Prime Minister, is he willing to go into this partnership with the provincial premiers who want to do the right thing and compensate all victims?

[Hepatitis C, May 6th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, Mike Harris did change his mind only after a few hours on Friday, but at least it only took him a few hours to realize what was right and he changed his mind in a positive direction. Now the province of Quebec has said that it is willing to look at opening up the package financially for compensation.

Why is the Prime Minister not prepared to do the right thing, change his mind, admit it and do what is right for all victims?