Sheila Copps

[Hibernia Project, April 22nd, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, what is unfortunate in this situation is that the Bloc members, ever since the beginning of this new session, have been demanding job creation programs, and that is what we are trying to do.

Before asking us to axe Hibernia, I think the hon. member should take a look at who stands to benefit from these contracts? Does he realize that 34 Quebec companies are involved in the project? SNC Lavallin, MIL Davie, Monenco, Janin Construction, and Atlas Construction have all obtained contracts, following the commitment on the part of the federal government to ensure that the project is 65 per cent Canadian?

Does the hon. member want the federal government to break its commitment to SNC Lavallin, Monenco, Atlas and other private companies that need contracts from all over Canada?

[Social Program Reform, April 22nd, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, the federal government works very hard with all the provinces to reduce overlap in every sector, including human resources and the environment.

I also said that the work done by my colleague, the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, aims precisely at determining costs and reducing those costs for all taxpayers.

The hon. member asked about the cost of federalism. I think that, instead of complaining like he does about every initiative taken by the government, he should tell Quebecers about the cost of separation.

[Social Program Reform, April 22nd, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, the Government of Canada is concerned with duplication at every level.

As a matter of fact we are working very hard with the province of Quebec and other provinces on harmonization of environmental laws. We are working very hard on harmonization of laws relating to trade. We are working very hard at breaking down the barriers between provinces.

We see this as an important pillar in building the Canadian economy. Anything we can do to cut down expenses to the taxpayers we will support.

[Questions On The Order Paper, April 21st, 1994]

(a) The activities being undertaken to address the concerns raised are primarily the responsibility of the Minister of Transport. The Canadian Coast Guard has taken a number of steps in co-operation with the Department of Environment and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans during the last three years to improve Canada's marine spill response capability.

Strategy: On June 26, 1991, the federal government announced a $100 million green plan marine environmental emergencies response strategy to implement the most urgent and high priority recommendations put forward by the public review panel on tanker safety and marine spills response capabilities.

Prevention measures: All foreign flag tankers are now inspected on their first visit each year to a Canadian port. Inspections of all foreign vessels entering Canada (including 100 per cent of foreign flag tankers) have increased from 9.2 per cent in 1989 to 38 per cent in 1992.

Preparedness measures: The Coast Guard has spent over $15 million since 1990 to acquire additional pollution countermeasures equipment.

Policy: The amendments to the Canada Shipping Act (Bill C-121) received royal assent June 23, 1993 and provide for tougher sentences for pollution offences, new shipping safety regulations and implementation of international conventions including OPRC 90 and salvage convention.

(b) The environmental protection measures to deal with potential spills from Hibernia are regulated by the federal government (lead is the Department of Natural Resources) through its participation in the Canada-Newfoundland Off-Shore Petroleum Board. The board ensures that appropriate contingency plans are in place to respond to any hazardous materials spills quickly and effectively.

[Refugees, April 20th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, in the absence of my colleague, the minister of immigration, I am happy to inform the House that one of the main points of the new immigration policy recently announced by the minister was an increase in the family class.

Our red book recognizes that it is important for families to be reunited here in this country, both for their integration and for the good of Canada. I am sure that the minister will consider the suggestions of the hon. member opposite and act accordingly.

[Refugees, April 20th, 1994]

I think that the hon. member shows a good knowledge of the very difficult situation in Rwanda.

Clearly, our government has always had a very open policy regarding the warm welcome extended to those who are forced to flee their country, but we will also have to be very efficient at turning away the people who contributed to terrorism.

I think we will take his suggestion and refer it to the minister of immigration who has already done some work on this very important issue for Canadians.

[Federalism, April 20th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, to understand what Quebec wants I think the member has to start by electing some members of Parliament from Quebec.

The member's unfortunate ignorance of the situation in Quebec is reflected by the resolution put yesterday which basically tried to carve up the city of Montreal into east and west.

The reality is a nation is built by celebrating its differences, by making sure every part of the country feels it is part of the whole. Every single policy that passes through the government is going to be based on principles of equity and fairness. Therefore we say exactly the same thing in the city of Montreal as we do in the city of Vancouver. We do not wait for a telephone call to tell us what our policy should be.

[Federalism, April 20th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, over the last six months the government has shown it is not the party of the status quo. We do not believe that by changing suits you are going to somehow show people that you have a better government.

What this party has shown over the last six months and what we will continue to show is balance in decision making. We will also continue to fight, as we fought yesterday, for the rights of every single minority wherever they live in our country. An important part of a country is understanding that in building for the future you also have to understand your history and that is what the Liberal Party represents.

[Federalism, April 20th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I welcome the admonition of the leader of the Reform Party to take this issue seriously.

The Liberal Party believes that the future of the country is a very serious matter. We do not consider it a family feud and we do not consider it simply a matter to be discussed by Quebecers. We think the issue of Canada staying together is an issue that touches every single one of us in every part of the country.

That being said, we think that the best way to convince Quebecers that Canada wants them as part of our country is by showing Quebecers and the rest of the country that we are capable of providing good, decent, honest government for all Canadians.

[Points Of Order, April 15th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, with respect, I asked to rise on a point of order because only the Government of Canada can act to defend the credentials of the Clerk of the Privy Council if they are challenged. I wanted to point out for the benefit of all members that in the alleged document that claims to be the accurate credentials of every member, I took the opportunity of reviewing the credentials of myself, the member for Glengarry-Prescott-Russell and the member for Cochrane-Superior.