Elsie Wayne

[Trade, February 27th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Prime Minister.

As part of the Prime Minister's promise on February 14 to this House, would the Prime Minister please inform Parliament as to the outcome of his discussions with President Clinton regarding the American restrictions on Canadian sugar and products containing sugar?

[Religious Freedom, February 15th, 1995]

Madam Speaker, I rise to pursue a question that I asked the Minister of Transport last week in the House about a proposed route for the Trans-Canada Highway through New Brunswick.

In answering my question the Minister of Transport said that he could not address the matter because it was a provincial jurisdiction. What the minister failed to note was that the federal government cost shares on all trans-Canada projects. That makes it a federal concern.

Although the ultimate route has not yet been determined, the New Brunswick government is leaning toward the idea of an expanded Trans-Canada Highway from Fredericton to Moncton, New Brunswick through Jemseg Marsh and CFB Camp Gagetown. This plan will cost an estimated $1 billion and will cause environmental problems.

Under this plan, Saint John would not be on the Trans-Canada Highway route. As the province's largest city, its industrial centre and the city closest to the U.S. border, Saint John should be directly on the TCH. In fact, this new route would also cut off Sussex, New Brunswick and many other towns and villages along the way.

There is an environmental assessment being done of Premier McKenna's choice of the route. The possibility of the route going through a designated flood plain and going through Camp Gagetown, including one of the province's largest inland marshes is worrisome.

Citizens groups from my province say Premier McKenna's preference seems to fly in the face of a federal government policy calling for no net loss of water habitat for wildlife. Even if this is not of concern to the transport minister, it should of interest to federal ministers of the environment and defence.

The preferable route would twin Saint John, Fredericton, Moncton and St. Stephen and can be built for $220 million. It could be done by upgrading the existing highways linking these four centres. This option will make the three largest cities in the province of New Brunswick equal and will pose no threat to the environment whatsoever.

I ask the minister once again to reassure the House that the government will not contribute one federal dollar to a trans-Canada highway project that is not only exorbitant in cost but may also be harmful to the environment. How could any member of this government agree to spend $1 billion when in fact it can achieve its objective by spending $220 million?

[Income Tax Act, February 14th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, the PC member votes yes.

(The House divided on the motion, which was negatived on the following division:)

[Veterans Review And Appeal Board Act, February 14th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I will be voting in favour of this motion.

(The House divided on the motion, which was agreed to on the following division:)

[Government Organization Act (Federal Agencies), February 14th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I will be voting no.

(The House divided on the motion, which was agreed to on the following division:)

[Sugar, February 14th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Prime Minister.

Will the Prime Minister reassure this House that he will raise the matter of further American restrictions of Canadian sugar and sugar containing products that are endangering our sugar industry when he meets with President Clinton later this month? Will the Prime Minister stand up for Canadians whose jobs are at risk because of American protectionism?

[Trans-Canada Highway, February 9th, 1995]

Will the Minister of Transport confirm to this House that his government will not be part of a cost sharing agreement for the TCH in New Brunswick that will cost the taxpayers $1 billion when the present route can be built for $200 million which ensures that all the three major cities, Saint John, Fredericton and Moncton, are treated equally and are connected to the U.S. border with a four-lane highway from St. Stephen?

[Trans-Canada Highway, February 9th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Transport.

I have been informed that the new plan for the Trans-Canada Highway through New Brunswick is on the desk of the premier of the province of New Brunswick and he is negotiating with the federal government for funding for same.

The proposal cuts off the largest industrial base in the province of New Brunswick, the city of Saint John. I am informed that it costs over $1 billion to go through the base.

There is another route and that is the existing route-

[Copyright Act, February 6th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, recently the minister of heritage announced plans to introduce legislation that will amend the Copyright Act.

In his announcement the minister mentioned there would be reforms that would include some neighbouring rights for producers and performers for the use of their creations. The neighbouring rights amendments will have a negative impact on the private radio broadcasting industry which could result in the closing of radio stations and job losses.

A government study has been released by the Department of Canadian Heritage which mentions that higher copyright payments will seriously hurt most and put some radio stations out of business. If this government study is correct, I ask the minister why he continues to implement such legislation.

This Liberal government continues to renege on its election promise of creating jobs. All this government has done since its inception is eliminated this country's permanent infrastructure of long term jobs and replaced it with short term infrastructure jobs.

I urge the minister to reconsider tabling such legislation that will have a devastating impact on private radio broadcasters.

[Via Rail, December 14th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker,

'Twas the eve of Christmas recess, And all through the House, Not a member of the rat pack was stirring, not even a mouse. The statements were chosen by the Speaker with care, In hopes that all House members would be fair. The MPs were nestled all snug in their seats, In hopes of receiving some Christmas treats. I rose from my chair to see what was near, When, what to my wandering eyes should appear, But the Minister of Transport with no VIA, But eight tiny reindeer. With a little driver, so young-like and slick, I knew in a moment it must not be Saint Nick, More rapid than a Challenger the cuts they came, And he snorted and he stomped while shouting, No train! No train! But I heard the good people of Saint John exclaim, Don't worry, Elsie, the PCers will return, And we will have the VIA train once again. Merry Christmas everyone.