House of Commons photoWon her last election, in 2000, with 51% of the vote.
Rcmp November 27th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, does the solicitor general know that the present premier of the province of New Brunswick told the mayor of Moncton, New Brunswick that either the mayor and the council agree to remove the police force and put in the RCMP or they will never receive another grant, or they will never receive another thing from the province of New Brunswick?
Does this government want to be part of that kind of an agreement?
Rcmp November 27th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the solicitor general.
In the province of New Brunswick the provincial government is poised to remove the local police force and replace it with the RCMP even though the provincial labour board has ruled that the RCMP is acting without lawful authority.
My question for the solicitor general is has this government entered into an agreement with the Liberal provincial government in New Brunswick to allow police forces to be removed from municipalities and replaced with the RCMP?
Employment Insurance November 19th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, I am shocked to hear the minister say he does not know about his actuarial report. Everybody else knows about it. The Canadian business community knows about it.
High payroll taxes kill jobs. The government is refusing to accept this and the advice of its own actuary which shows that EI premiums could be cut significantly.
Will the minister, based on the actuarial report, reduce the EI premiums immediately and table the report? And I have it, Mr. Speaker.
Employment Insurance November 19th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Human Resources Development.
We are aware that the government's own actuary has reported that the EI premiums need not be any higher than $2, as opposed to the government's rate of $2.90. We know the government has circulated this report to Canada's business community.
Will the Minister of Human Resources Development share the same information with the House of Commons today? If not, why not?
Shipbuilding November 17th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, three weeks ago information was forwarded to the Minister of Industry regarding a new shipbuilding policy for Canada.
My question, based on this new information showing that we are not asking for any subsidies whatsoever, is will the Minister of Industry tell the House of Commons if he is looking at a new shipbuilding policy for the whole of Canada?
International Development November 17th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the University of New Brunswick, Saint John campus, for acquiring the support of CIDA for a major international project.
The project entitled “Community based conservation management: China and Vietnam” will support a five year project that will respond to major gaps that exist in species conservation and habitat protection for China and Vietnam.
Through community oriented field training activities the project will develop institutional expertise in ecosystem health and conservation management and enhance linkages between the two countries.
This is the third international development project the university has received funding for. With the help of CIDA and the leadership of Dr. Rick Meiner, vice-president of UNBSJ, our university is emerging as the leader in the maritimes in the field of international development.
I say congratulations to UNBSJ and good luck with its new project.
Amendment To The Constitution Of Canada (Quebec) November 17th, 1997
Madam Speaker, the hon. member on the government side said that the Catholic bishops were in favour of this change. No. I want to say to him that on March 6, 1996, 15 members of the permanent council of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, of which six bishops were from Quebec, agreed to the following recommendation.
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops asked the members of the House of Commons and the members of the Senate of Canada to weigh carefully the implications of this proposal and to indicate that they cannot associate themselves with the passage of legislation that would deprive minorities of religious and educational rights.
As well, when this was first discussed about linguistic school boards, the protection of section 93 was not even being considered at that time. Therefore I have a major concern. I want to ask the hon. member, abrogating the constitutional rights of a minority without their consent is a terrible precedent in our country, I cannot imagine that this government or this member would be part of that—
Merchant Navy November 4th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, two weeks ago merchant navy veterans received a very special recognition from my riding of Saint John, New Brunswick. During Naval Week, the city invited the merchant navy veteran's association to fly its flag on the official city flagpole.
Saint John is the only city in Canada to permit this. Its actions go a long way to recognizing the efforts and the important role the merchant navy played in the second world war. The merchant navy has been fighting to receive equal status in relation to other veterans. Some merchant navy veterans still cannot qualify for benefits.
Today members of the merchant navy coalition held a press conference on the Hill, urging the government to honour its obligations to these veterans.
As we embark upon Remembrance Week and as we get closer to Remembrance Day, I urge the government to remember the role members of the merchant navy played in bringing peace around the world and finally provide them with equal access to equal benefits.
Supply October 30th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, I have listened this morning to all members from all parties. We are about to hear again from a member of the Reform Party, but as the hon. member from the Progressive Conservative Party has stated, we must throw the politics away.
I am asking that there be something in the educational system to assist young people. They are responsible young people today. If they had those stats showing the negative impact of drinking and driving I am sure that they would work among themselves to change things around.
In today's society the word “cool” is a big thing. For young people in high school it is a cool thing to go to the pub. It is a cool think to be drinking. No one seems to ask anyone any more “Are you 18 years of age? How old are you?” I have seen young people in the high schools in my own city with cases of beer and they are under age.
The penalty for selling liquor to underaged people has to be increased. But these young people have to be educated also. I say to our House leader and to all of those who are here, please let us do something for them as well and help them out.
They do not want to hurt people, like what happened to my parents, what happened to other people as well. They do not want to do that. Let us help them.
Supply October 30th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, I guess I can relate to this issue perhaps a little more than some of the others that are here, as my mother and father on their 50th wedding anniversary were hit by two young men who were drunk. My mother never walked alone again after that. She had 13 pins put in her side. My dad was hurt as well. So I can relate to what is happening.
As well, Mr. Speaker, you will see in the gallery today a senator who has also had two of her immediate family killed right here in Ottawa.
I want to say to the hon. member that we support this motion, but I want to say that there has to be an educational process. There also has to be a legislative change whereby those who sell liquor to young people recognize that it is a serious offence. We have to change the penalty for that.
We support the member and will work with him. I can relate to this probably more than anyone else, with the exception of the senator in the gallery.