Ronald J. Duhamel

[Excise Tax Act, June 20th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I just wanted to present the government's arguments, which I find quite rational in that they will reduce the tax burden on short-haul domestic and transborder flights.

The present uniform tax of $10 will be reduced to $6. To increase the recovery of the cost of air transportation facilities and services, the maximum air transportation tax on domestic and transborder flights will be increased from $40 to $50.

I think most people would agree that there is a substantial saving nonetheless for short flights.

The drop from $10 to $6, however, is not enough. In order to recover as much as possible to pay for these facilities and services, it seems essential to look for money elsewhere. So we, the government, decided to focus our efforts there.

Those are really the only two comments I want to make. I want to point out for those who take shorter distance flights that the tax will be reduced from $10 to $6, which is an important reduction. At the same time for those who will be taking longer flights it will indeed be increased to try and recuperate as much as possible to pay for public installations and services that these people are using.

[Petitions, June 20th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, in the second instance we have petitioners who condemn abuse in the media, whether it be physical abuse, abusive language or other forms of abuse. They point out that abuse often counteracts the efforts of parents to raise their children. They also point out that abuse is not necessary in order to entertain or to inform.

[Petitions, June 20th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, in the first instance the petitioners point out that seniors have contributed and continue to contribute significantly to the quality of life that we enjoy in Canada today. They point out that as the population ages there will be a need for more housing, more

affordable and accessible health care and more appropriate and adequate pensions.

They ask government that whenever it undertakes any legislative or program changes, it reflect upon its seniors, their contributions and the changing demographics in Canada.

[Holidays, June 20th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, two major holidays are coming soon in Canada. Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day, on June 24, which was first celebrated in Montreal in the 1800s, is the national holiday for francophones across the country, including of course Quebecers.

Then there is Canada Day, on July 1, which is celebrated by all Canadians across the country.

Canada Day will be celebrated from coast to coast to coast.

These two major holidays are opportunities to celebrate with friends what unites us and makes this country one of the best in the world.

It is a wonderful opportunity for all of us as Canadians to celebrate these two great events within the next few days.

[Social Housing, June 16th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, there were a number of agreements.

There is agreement to remove and reduce duplication and overlap and to harmonize the building codes in Canada. They have completed consultations on environmental problems but, most important, it was agreed to develop new partnerships, to develop additional strategies to attack social housing, to-

I am saying so for everyone, through the Speaker.

-establish priority of need in each of the jurisdictions by the end of the summer and to come forward with new concrete initiatives that they will develop from the savings and efficiencies that they have undertaken.

It is a boon for Canadians who earn low income in remote, small, isolated rural and urban areas, as well as for home owners and renters.

[Ethics Package, June 16th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, we said we would do it in the red book and we have done it.

We have delivered the goods.

Today the Prime Minister announced the following:

The appointment of the first ethics counsellor in the history of this great nation.

Second, the strengthening of the Lobbyists Registration Act.

The clarification and strengthening of the conflict of interest code.

And that is not all. This Parliament will develop a code of conduct for members of Parliament and senators. We have met our commitments and more.

[Petitions, June 16th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I have a petition which indicates that most people would acknowledge that young people are the country's greatest asset. Most people would recognize the number of pressures young people have encountered, for example, the breakdown in the traditional family structure, urban decay, youth unemployment, and difficulty in accessing the appropriate education.

These petitioners also ask that whatever social policy changes occur and whenever there is a reduction of the deficit including the debt that it must not be without recognizing the realities of these particular challenges to our young people.

They also say that job creation must continue to be the government's first priority.

[Petitions, June 14th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I have a petition from business men and women who point out that some progress has indeed been made by government and the private sector with regard to access to more capital to provide more growth and therefore more jobs.

They also point out that there is a need to continue to work hard to eliminate the red tape which is often an impediment to conducting business in Canada. They see the current goods and services tax as cumbersome, as wasteful and as burdensome. They want the GST replaced and while doing so they want government and those who are working with government on an alternative not to forget the small and medium size business men and women.

[Petitions, June 13th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I have a petition wherein the citizens ask the government to request the CRTC to monitor different forms of abuse whether it be inappropriate language, physical or other forms of violence.

They point out that it is not necessary to have abusive kinds of relationships or language or behaviour portrayed on television in order to entertain or inform.

These petitioners believe that many of the efforts they make to raise their families are counteracted by the abusive forms of behaviour we see on television and other media.

[High School Graduates, June 13th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of all parliamentarians, I want to congratulate our high school graduates across the country.

Congratulations to all our high school students. We wish them well in the future, whatever path they choose to follow, whether it is further education or entering the work force.

Graduation normally means parties, and we want to alert the young people to be careful. Driving to and from parties can be dangerous. Sometimes it is difficult to avoid drinking. If possible it should be avoided. If that cannot be done there is a program called Safegrad, managed almost totally by students.

Safegrad has a program to help increase travel safety and to ensure that if drinking takes place it is done under safer conditions.

On behalf of all those who love you a lot, I urge all graduates to be careful.