Herb Gray

[National Parole Board, June 15th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, as the hon. member knows, the parole board is an independent

quasi-judicial tribunal, operating at arm's length from the minister, who has no right under the law to interfere in its decisions.

However, I want to say that the investigation report which was released had recommendations for change and a correction in the situation to help prevent it from taking place again. I want to ensure that these changes are put in place because, like the hon. member, I do not want to see this kind of thing happening again.

[Ethics, June 15th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, ethics are very important to the government. We show this in many ways every day when it comes to the cabinet and when it comes to the public service.

Dealing with the hon. member's rather tasteless metaphor about fish, obviously things have stretched quite a way down to the bottom of that party judging by his question.

[G-7 Summit, June 15th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I totally reject the premise of the hon. member's question. The face we are showing at the summit is that of a bilingual, proud and united country. The hon. member's attempt to tarnish this image of unity is regrettable.

[G-7 Summit, June 15th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, since this summit is being attended by spokespersons for the G-7 countries, including France and Canada, it is obvious that both official languages are represented at the summit site.

[Minister Of Canadian Heritage, June 15th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member has made what I consider to be a totally unwarranted accusation by saying that access to the minister of heritage was being sold. Ministers generally come in contact with the public in a whole range of acceptable ways, including attending fundraising dinners.

It is clear if anybody is putting politics ahead of principles it is that member and her party.

[Minister Of Canadian Heritage, June 15th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, it is clear from public information that this dinner was not organized by the government and the invitations were not sent by the minister or the government. These are not materials within the control of the government, except to the extent that they are

recorded in the Elections Canada returns. To have information disclosed in the Elections Canada returns is not hiding the matter. It is carrying out the requirements of the law.

I again ask the hon. member why she is asking questions like this rather than about matters of real concern to most Canadians.

[Minister Of Canadian Heritage, June 15th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, there is a fundamental flaw in the hon. member's question because on the public face of information available it is not based on fact. There is no information I am aware of to say that the minister personally invited people to the dinner but rather that he simply attended the dinner. It is quite proper for ministers and members of all parties to attend fundraising dinners. It is part of the normal political process in the country and I am informed that the donations were properly recorded.

I can ask the hon. member a question. Why is she asking questions that do not appear to be based on facts?

[Income Tax Act, June 15th, 1995]

moved that the bill be read the third time and passed.

[Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act, 1995, June 14th, 1995]

moved:

That a Message be sent to the Senate to acquaint Their Honours that this House agrees to amendment number 4( a ) made by the Senate to Bill C-69, an act to provide for the establishment of electoral boundary commissions and the readjustment of electoral boundaries, and this House disagrees with amendments numbers 1, 2, 3, 4( b ), 4( c ), 5 and 6 for the following reasons:

The bill was, in accordance with the new procedures of this House, prepared by a committee of the House. While amendment number 4( a ) corrects an omission, the other amendments address points, each of which were supported by members representing at least two of the three parties officially recognized in the House. Taken together, the bill represents a balance aimed at improving the responsiveness of the system of readjusting electoral boundaries both to rapid shifts of population and to the operative realities of effective representation of the people, a balance that, in the opinion of this House, requires: a ) in view of the varied Canadian geography and demography, the retention of a variation of up to 25 per cent from the electoral quota of each province (addressed by amendments number 1 and 6( a )); b ) the avoidance of unnecessary electoral boundary adjustments in provinces where shifts of population do not require them (addressed in amendments number 2, 3, 5, 6( b )(i) and 7); c ) the clear acceptance of the non-partisan status of members of commissions through the provision of parliamentary oversight of appointments (addressed by amendments number 4( b ) and 4( c )); d ) the retention of the definition of ``community of interest'' developed on a non-partisan basis by currently serving elected representatives, through a consensus of all parties, in the House of Commons Standing Committee rather than the substitution of another definition (addressed by amendment number 6( b )(ii)).

[Minister Of Canadian Heritage, June 14th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, again I do not accept the premise of the hon. member's question. It is clear when it comes to this topic that it is not the hon. member's strong suit.