Ronald J. Duhamel

[Rail Strike, March 24th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, why has the Bloc Quebecois decided to prevent rail workers from returning to work?

It is jeopardizing jobs across Canada. This is an irresponsible action causing jobs to be lost nation wide. The Bloc could not care less about Canadians and the Canadian economy, including that of Quebec. It is wasting public money, the money of Canadians from all regions of the country.

Its agenda is the separation of Quebec. That is its priority. Is this the kind of economic co-operation separatists want from Canada? Is this the kind of action it really believes Quebecers and Canadians want?

I urge them to join forces with the government, as the New Democratic Party has done, and support the bill.

[Act To Revoke The Conviction Of Louis David Riel, March 23rd, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, it is a great pleasure to address the House this afternoon.

I think that this initiative must be carefully examined.

My intention today is not to bring back the past. I do not know the answers. As we know very well, there are people who question whether or not justice was served. I honestly believe that a number of irregularities were committed which clearly show that justice was not served. But let us not join the debate. Let us look at the situation today, at what people believe happened to him. That is what I am mainly interested in.

There is a great deal of controversy surrounding Riel, and I think this is not the objective we have in mind. I could identify historians who could come and tell us what they believe is the truth about Riel. They are absolutely convinced that they are right, and I suspect that they would share to a certain extent the opinion of my colleague who spoke before me. Others would tend to side with the hon. member who delivered the first speech.

So I will put all that aside for now. I would like to focus on what we know, the facts on which we can agree. For example, I think that we agree on the fact that irregularities were committed during the trial. We heard all kinds of evidence and I will not go over it again. I think that we should talk, as I did, to the Metis in Manitoba and elsewhere about Riel, because he is still a hero to them. They know, admire and respect Louis Riel, who is a symbol to the Metis and a number of other groups, including francophones, at least francophones in my region-and I am not saying that to denigrate francophones elsewhere. The fact is that we may know him a little better because we lived with him.

He was elected three times to the legislature. There was a certain amount of respect on the part of the population. Whether or not we agree on his definition of society, he worked to define and formulate his constituents' demands and objectives. He was very sincere in doing this. We often forget that he wanted Manitoba to join Confederation and not the Northwest Territories. He wanted religious and linguistic guarantees in the Manitoba Act. He looked after, perhaps mainly, the interest of the Metis, but also that of the francophones, of course, and the anglophones as well because, as mentioned earlier, he was a man ahead of his time. Even at that time, he was a man with a very keen sense of justice, a judgment like we wish we could see more often in many sectors of our society today.

On March 10, 1992, the following resolution was introduced in this House, and I quote: "That this House recognize the unique and historic role of Louis Riel as a founder of Manitoba and his contribution in the development of Confederation and support by its actions the true attainment, both in principle and practice, of the constitutional rights of the Metis people". That is what this House declared on March 10, 1992. I was there. I even spoke on this resolution. If I am not mistaken-I did not have the time to go back and check- the majority, if not the vast majority, of the members present supported this resolution. I find this very commendable.

As I said earlier, I do not intend to try to change or rewrite history, because I do not have the answers. But what I will do is look at who Riel is today. I shared with you, Mr. Speaker, and my hon. colleagues of this House what I was told by the Metis people, the francophones who know him, and the historians who studied him.

This bill calls for Louis Riel's conviction to be revoked. As I said at the beginning of my remarks, I think this is something we should take a real good look at and I suggest that we appoint a committee, with perhaps one MP from each party, to determine whether or not this is feasible. Perhaps we could-and this is my wish and my distinct preference-find unanimous consent to do so.

I will sum up with these few words in English:

Louis Riel is a hero, a symbol. He was a political personality and a leader who became a victim because of a number of situations in which he found himself. Let us not kid ourselves.

He was not treated like just any other individual.

We know that. We know it deep down in our hearts.

We know it very well. We know that he was a Metis and a Catholic and that he spoke French. And we know the at the time it was very difficult to be these three things.

I said in 1992 and I will say again that Mr. Riel was a unique person, a historical personality. He was recognized as the founder of Manitoba. He has to be appreciated for his contribution to this confederation.

I will repeat my proposal that we seek the possibility of forming a committee with at least one member from each party to see whether we can make this project a reality or come to some sort of satisfactory conclusion.

[Petitions, March 23rd, 1995]

Madam Speaker, these petitioners believe that the inclusion of sexual orientation in the Canadian Human Rights Act will provide certain groups with special status, rights and privileges.

They also believe that it will infringe on the historic rights of Canadians, such as freedom of religion, conscience, expression and association. They oppose any amendments to the Canadian Human Rights Act.

[Racial Discrimination, March 22nd, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, in 1966 the United Nations declared March 21 the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Since 1988 this date has been officially recognized and celebrated in Canada for this purpose.

While that date has passed, it is important for us all to remember that the purpose of this day is to promote racial tolerance and understanding. There is no place for racism in Canadian society. Prejudice and discrimination are problems that must be acknowledged and addressed. They must be stamped out. As Canadian citizens, we must take individual responsibility in the elimination of racism and racial discrimination.

Our greatest legacy to the world, if we so choose, is to develop a model bilingual and multicultural society where each Canadian is valued, where each and every one of us learns to work and celebrate together in a spirit of harmony and unity.

[Supply, March 21st, 1995]

Madam Speaker, since its beginnings, la Société Radio-Canada-The French language counterpart of the CBC-has been the voice of Canada's francophone population and the mirror of our culture.

Sociologists will tell you just how closely the birth of the Québécois identity is linked to the cultural programming that Radio-Canada broadcast into our living rooms. Thanks to Radio-Canada, francophones in all parts of Canada have seen and recognized themselves. The network has offered shared experiences to all and, through its programs, opened up a window on the world. In more recent years, Radio-Canada has allowed the world to learn about our culture, our way of life, and our values.

We are all proud of Radio-Canada's achievements. We are proud because they are closely linked to the success of our broadcasting policy. This policy, which is set out in the Broadcasting Act, ensures high calibre programming in French. The Act stipulates that "English and French language broadcasting, while sharing common aspects, operate under different conditions and may have different requirements".

And in fact, la Société Radio-Canada has managed to give us quite unique programming, programming that has been highly successful and is even the envy of some on the English-language CBC side.

Thanks to this broadcasting policy, French-language programming obtains unbelievably high audience ratings, year after year. Nineteen of the twenty most popular French-language shows, and forty-seven of the fifty most popular French-language shows are produced in Canada. Yes, they are produced in Canada. And these programs are popular because they are good, their quality is universally recognized. This explains why a series like "Les filles de Caleb" has been sold in over forty countries.

Some people will say that this series owes its success to those who made it, which is true. We are indeed lucky to be able to count on such talented artists. Some of them have had their talents recognized abroad and have decided to work there. Gifted though they may be, however, not many of them could have reached such heights without the help of government policies and support to the cultural community.

Among the federal institutions which contributed in this way, I should mention Telefilm Canada, the National Film Board and the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission.

Not only has Radio-Canada played a leading role in the process of cultural affirmation, it has also played an incalculable role with regard to linguistic affirmation. As explained by the Authors of the report of the Task Force on Broadcasting Policy, also known as the Sauvageau-Caplan Committee: "Francophones are well aware of the importance of radio and television in strengthening the language. The best known example is the sports vocabulary, which was almost completely anglicized, even in France. Two Radio-Canada announcers, Michel Normandin and René Lecavalier, had to develop new terms to describe the games they were announcing and the French equivalents they developed were adopted so wholeheartedly that competing private broadcasters, print media and sports fans gradually began to use them, and they eventually became an accepted part of the language."

However, not only do francophones benefit from good quality programming, they are also able to receive broadcasting signals from a variety of sources. In the first place, there are the conventional television services: Télé-Métropole and Télévision Quatre Saisons, as well as two French-language educational networks: Radio-Québec and TVOntario's La Chaîne.

In addition to these, there are a number of specialized services: Réseau des sports, Météomédia, Canal Famille, TV5, Musique Plus and, just recently, Réseau de l'information, RDI. This last service addresses a need that had been identified within the Canadian broadcasting system. I hasten to add that the Bloc Quebecois itself had demanded that such a service be established. RDI went on the air January 1, 1995, and since then it has been doing an admirable job of covering events in Canada and elsewhere.

All these services provide a range of programming more varied than that available in any other francophone country.

Furthermore through TV 5 the federal government has been able to ensure that the influence of Canada's francophone culture spreads to the four corners of the earth. TV 5 broadcasts in Europe, Africa, the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean. We anticipate that its signal will soon be picked up in Asia. In all these parts of the world a Canadian traveller staying in a place with the necessary receiving equipment will be able to watch Bernard Derome and numerous other broadcasts produced in Canada.

One cannot speak of Radio-Canada without mentioning its regional presence, particularly outside Quebec where its programming had considerable impact in communities such as my own in St. Boniface which until recently had the impression that mass media were inevitably anglophone. Collective identities in minority communities began to emerge thanks to Radio-Canada.

There is no doubt that the review of the corporation's mandate and the budget cuts the government had to impose will require some realignment. However the need for realignment had become unavoidable because of the 500-channel universe and the information highway.

The reality is that we are going through a period when certainties will be tested, when change will be the only constant, when our creativity will be our chief resource and unfortunately when public funds will continue to be in limited supply.

This does not mean that we are giving up. We must find common solutions to ensure the continued vitality of French language culture and to ensure the relevance of our national institutions based less on the resources allocated to them and more on the imagination we are capable of showing. The committee on heritage has already taken steps in this direction. We must continue our deliberations and come up with innovative solutions.

Radio-Canada will measure up to the challenges. It will be able to fulfil its present mandate as well as any other mandate that it might be given. Its past accomplishments has secured it a promising future.

[Petitions, March 17th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, these petitioners believe that violence and abuse in all forms is a growing concern in our society.

They also believe that these are not necessary in order to inform or to entertain. They are particularly concerned about abuse and violence in various forms that appear in the media.

They ask the government to ensure that the CRTC regulate this and remove it if at all possible or certainly diminish it. They also believe that violence is counter to the values they try to instil in their families. They do, however, point out that there have been some gains. They appreciate the efforts that have been made to date.

[Yude Henteleff, March 17th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize in the House today Mr. Yude Henteleff of Winnipeg who has been selected to receive a citation for citizenship.

Mr. Henteleff's commitment to improving the lives of special needs individuals has significantly enhanced the lives of many in Manitoba.

As past president of the Learning Disabilities Association of Canada, Mr. Henteleff has worked assiduously to ensure that children and adults with disabilities receive the services they require.

Mr. Henteleff's efforts in championing the human rights of the mentally handicapped and promoting the integration of disabled persons in our society are truly admirable and make him more than deserving of the citation for citizenship.

On behalf of all my colleagues, I congratulate this man who is making society better.

Hear, hear, Mr. Henteleff. Well done.

[Supply, March 16th, 1995]

Madam Speaker, I have listened with interest to the minister's speech and I would like to ask her a question.

Like her, I realize that the government is doing a number of things for the women of Canada.

For example, we have come forward with an agreement for equal pay for work of equal value. We have the gun control legislation that is being supported by women. We have the prenatal nutrition program. We have the court challenges program that has been reinstituted, centres of excellence on women's health and a number of others.

There is simply a larger proportion of women who are poor, a larger proportion of women in society who are victims of violence and abuse, and a larger proportion of women who are single parents. Women still earn less than men.

Despite various initiatives that have been undertaken by government and because of certain decisions that have been taken-my colleague has addressed one of them-are we assured that we will continue to make progress on these fronts?

I tried to raise a question previously with respect to the importance of research on those fronts. I have a bias, I must admit. I think research on those issues is of critical importance to ensure that we continue to move forward because there are serious problems in society that affect women disproportionately.

[Supply, March 16th, 1995]

Madam Speaker, I happen to be one of those people who believes we do not do enough research in Canada and probably throughout the world on people issues, the questions of poverty, racial discrimination, et cetera.

I am particularly concerned with the following. Is it the hon. member's opinion that we undertake enough research on people issues in Canada, obviously including issues that are directly related to women in society in general. I refer specifically to equal pay for work of equal value. Do we undertake enough research on other issues are particularly relevant to women, for example in the field of health? Do we undertake enough research in redressing some of the financial injustices women suffer in society?

[Linguistic Duality, March 15th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, as the member representing the federal riding of St. Boniface, as a French-speaking resident of a province and a region outside Quebec, and as a Canadian of French-speaking origin born in St. Boniface, Manitoba, I am pleased that the Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada gave its unequivocal support to Canadian federalism.

The federation, like myself, believes in a dynamic and progressive Canada which is proud to promote its linguistic duality and whose government actively supports the French fact throughout the country. We hope that the referendum will be held as soon as possible, so that all of us, including Quebecers of course, can concentrate our energy on building our country, Canada.