Ben Serré

[Supply, February 17th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, earlier, the hon. member for Portneuf talked about wasting time and money. The biggest waste of time and money for Quebecers was to elect 50 some members from the Bloc Quebecois.

These members have been sitting here for about three and a half years. I did some quick calculations. I figured that, over the last three years, they collectively spent, in salaries, budgets for their ridings and transportation, some $100 million, all this on purely separatist propaganda.

The only motion which I could support today in this House would be: "That this House condemn the use of public funds by the Bloc Quebecois on purely separatist propaganda activities".

[Supply, February 17th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, I certainly agree with the hon. member for St. Denis when she referred, in English, to "the pot calling the kettle black". How can Bloc members rise in the House and with a straight face say things like "Denounce the use of public funds"?

They object to our spending $15 million on promoting unity and tolerance in this wonderful country, and they just spent $60 million on a referendum that is divisive and hurts Quebec's economy. Talk about a double standard.

I think that is appalling. I have friends among the First Nations, and they would probably call this speaking with a forked tongue. On one side, millions have been spent. The separatist movement, which the Bloc supports, has infiltrated our schools and the CBC. Millions have been spent. At this very moment, the Government of Quebec is spending millions of dollars of federal money to promote its independence option.

So I am proud to be a Canadian. I am proud of my Canadian flag. In recent years, I travelled in many countries, and people recognize the Canadian flag and the symbol it represents. It is not recognized because it has a nice maple leaf and it is red, although I am rather fond of the colour red. This flag is known throughout the world for what it represents: the best country in the world where tolerance is a fact of life. And it is this tolerance, this unity we want to keep in Canada and Quebec, because Quebec is still part of Canada.

I have my roots in Quebec as well. My ancestors arrived in Quebec City in 1634 and 1658, respectively. My francophone culture is not Quebec culture, not Franco-Ontarian but Canadian. When we refer to Canadian culture, we are talking about anglophone culture, francophone culture and the culture of all the ethnic groups in this country.

[Manpower Training, December 6th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, today our government will sign an historic agreement with Alberta, showing that we are keeping our promises to renew federalism.

From the date this agreement takes effect, Alberta will be responsible for all active job measures and job training generally.

In addition, we are continuing to negotiate with the other provinces, and are hopeful that agreements can be signed with them in short order. Our government has set aside a budget of approximately $2 billion to implement this new system.

In our view, what is important is that Canadian workers have access to the best training services possible. Quebec shares this objective with us, and we are certain that we will arrive at an agreement in the very near future.

[English]

[Health Care, December 2nd, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians have been telling us time and time again that maintaining our health care system is by far their first priority. In a recent survey close to 80 per cent of Canadians said that they preferred to maintain a good health care system even if it means fewer tax cuts.

Also, medicare provides competitive advantages to companies operating in Canada. These advantages include lower employee benefit costs-I would like the Reform to please listen to the House-a mobile workforce that can respond to where the jobs are, the elimination of health care as a major source of labour-management disputes and work stoppages and a health work force.

Our health system is the envy of the entire world. It must be maintained at all cost. This member and this government will not make cuts in the style of Mike Harris and then cut taxes for the well to do. I would willingly give back the $600 that Mr. Harris would have me save in order to insure the health of my parents, children and grandchildren.

This member and this government will not compromise with the health and welfare-

[Economic Development, November 29th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Natural Resources.

I was in Yellowknife not too long ago as part of the natural resources committee study on rural economic development and I heard some very deep concerns about the depletion in the availability of carving stones for the Inuit. I understand that there has been a major discovery of alabaster on Victoria Island recently.

Can the minister tell the House if NRCan played a role in that discovery and what it means for northern communities and Canada?

[The Liberal Government, November 4th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, today, we are celebrating the third anniversary of our government's taking office.

The people of Canada realize that the Liberal government they have elected is fulfilling its election commitments. As our Prime Minister stated last week, we have already fulfilled 78 per cent of our campaign promises. And we still have a year left in our mandate.

To achieve these results, our government has opted for rigour and integrity and ignored the blanket solutions that help no one and unfairly upset everyone. Our government has chosen to redefine the role of the federal government instead of undermining the whole machinery of government.

We appreciate the confidence Canadian voters have shown us in the last election and we will continue to rely on hard work and honestly to maintain their confidence in us.

[Temagami, October 1st, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, over the last week hundreds of prospectors have come to the Temagami region in my riding in what may be one of the biggest prospecting rushes ever.

Not only has the opening of almost 6,000 square kilometres of land for exploration created much excitement for prospectors and mining companies, but it has created great hopes in communities in the area that new, high paying year-round jobs will follow in the future.

Of course, all operations must be environmentally viable. Since the Canadian mining industry is a world leader in the development and implementation of environmentally sound practices, I am convinced that all mining development in the Temagami region will meet Canadian standards.

I look forward to working with local groups, aboriginal leaders and the mining industry to ensure that any development in the Temagami region is managed in a responsible way.

I will gladly work together with local groups, aboriginal leaders and the industry-

[The Death Of Franklin Pickard, September 26th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, I was sorry to hear about the untimely death of Franklin Pickard, President and Chief Executive Officer of Falconbridge Limited.

On behalf of the Minister of Natural Resources, the Hon. Anne McLellan and the Government of Canada, I wish to convey our sincere condolences to Mr. Pickard's family and to the employees of Falconbridge.

Mr. Pickard had been head of Falconbridge since 1991. He was well known and respected within Canada's mining industry and everywhere else. Born in Sudbury, Mr. Pickard started out at Falconbridge in 1957 as a metallurgical engineer. He performed various duties in the company, gradually climbing the corporate ladder. As a result of his excellent work, his leadership and his great qualities, he became the head of this flourishing company.

Mr. Pickard developed a sense of family among Falconbridge employees. He will be sorely missed by all those who had the pleasure to know this great member of Canada's mining industry.

[The Late Arnold Peters, September 18th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, Timiskaming mourns today the death of one of its most distinguished citizens, Mr. Arnold Peters, who devoted over 20 years of his life to public service as MP for Timiskaming. Not only did Arnold Peters serve the riding of Timiskaming in the House of Commons from 1957 to 1980, but he was first and foremost a grassroots politician and a people's person.

As the present MP for Timiskaming-French River, I wish to express my personal appreciation for the valuable service and selfless dedication he provided to the citizens of Timiskaming. He will be sadly missed. On behalf of all the constituents of Timiskaming-French River and all my colleagues in the House of Commons, I wish to extend our deepest sympathy to his family and friends.

[The Death Of Rose Ouellette, September 17th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, Rose Ouellette, known affectionately to everyone as "La Poune", has died at the age of 93.

Her death marks the end of a glorious era, the days of burlesque comedy and vaudeville.

For all the generations who have grown up in Quebec since the time she began her career in 1916, the mere mention of "La Poune" was enough to set them off in gales of laughter.

This woman was a symbol of humility and simplicity, and all those who have had the pleasure of working with her agree that, for her, there was nothing in the world more important than making people laugh.

Rose Ouellette, "La Poune", is no longer with us, but she will live on in the memory of each of us, reminding us that humour and cheerfulness are the secrets of a long life.