Elsie Wayne

[The Senate, May 28th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Prime Minister. It is reported that the government is deeming certain individuals to be “national treasures” because they are “invaluable” to the institutions of parliament.

Could the Prime Minister please tell this chamber of parliament who is making these decisions and who is paying for these decisions? Finally, when will the government account to the taxpayers of Canada for these expenses?

[Employment, May 27th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I want to tell the hon. finance minister that when we were in power we had 4,000 people working at the shipyard and now we do not have people working at the shipyard. We just lost Atlantic Sugar a week ago.

I want to say to the minister that the government's own actuary has said that the EI premiums need not be any higher than $2. Media reports indicate that government officials are saying that the finance minister will have to amend the EI act if he wants to keep padding the books at the expense of the Canadian taxpayers.

Is that what the minister is planning to do, or will he cut those premiums and put more money back in the pockets—

[Employment, May 27th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I just heard the Minister of Finance say that he had created jobs in health care and education. I would like to tell that to all the doctors and nurses who have had to leave our part of the country and go to the United States to work.

We have been asking the finance minister to stop taxing jobs by keeping EI premiums higher than needed for two years. Back in my riding we have the highest unemployment rate that we have had in 30 years.

The EI fund is not supposed to be used to pad the government's books. Now that the EI surplus is at least $12 billion, will the government reduce this job killing tax to $2 today?

[The Environment, May 26th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, my understanding is that the government will be waiting 18 months before it implements anything.

Canada's watchdog on the environment has said that the government does not have a workable plan to reduce greenhouse gases. He has also stated that the federal government has a responsibility to lead the nation in developing a realistic, broad based and cost effective response to climate change that minimizes any negative impact and maximizes any positive impact on Canada's economy.

Will the House ever see such a plan from the government?

[The Environment, May 26th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, going into Kyoto the government was more interested in one-upping the Americans and greenhouse gas targets than on showing leadership, but the environment minister could not even accomplish that.

Now the commissioner for the environment has stated that there is no federal leadership on climate change and no targets to measure whether Canada is meeting commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Does the minister have any idea about how Canada will meet its Kyoto commitments?

[Health, May 14th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I am very glad the minister is going to look into it because it has been several years since that this man has been working with the government to try to get his compensation.

Representatives of hepatitis C victims said today that the number of victims infected between 1986 and 1990 is much lower than estimated in the Krever report. The health minister has argued that treating all hepatitis C victims equally would bankrupt the health care system.

How can the minister make such a claim and continue to refuse compensation when he has not put in place a mechanism to identify the total number of people infected?

[Health, May 14th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, can the Minister of National Defence inform this House what steps he has taken to redress the case of Rudy Saueracker of Moncton, New Brunswick, a corporal who contracted hepatitis and HIV from a tainted blood transfusion in a military hospital?

[Supply, May 14th, 1998]

Madam Speaker, when it comes to the submarines, they have bought used submarines from Britain and unlike nuclear subs they cannot stay submerge indefinitely and therefore do not allow for Arctic patrolling.

The auditor general takes note of a very limited capability to assert national will in the very demanding environment of Canada's Arctic. He has stated this is not good. Furthermore, when it comes to the Sea Kings he did not mention that because some of our people lost their lives. In our area they lost their lives and their parents are writing to us and the Sea Kings are still there. Every one that goes up in the air has to have 70 hours of maintenance afterwards. It is an absolute disgrace. Why do I not want McDonald's and Subway and everybody on the side of our vehicles for national defence? Ask around the world. It is embarrassing when we reach rock bottom like that. For our defence people that is embarrassing.

So I say to him work to put back the respect that should be there. Some of our people now in the forces there are going to food banks. He wants me to be proud of that. No, I will fight tooth and nail to give them their respect.

[Supply, May 14th, 1998]

I have the answer if I have the time to answer.

[Supply, May 14th, 1998]

Madam Speaker, all I want is enough time for me to reply to his question. It does not leave a lot of time for me.