Brenda Chamberlain

[House Of Commons Standing Orders, February 7th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, in a referendum we have very solid views from Canadians from different parts of the country but they have had no opportunity to debate as we do here. I believe that part of our reason for being here is to have the opportunity for dialogue and to exchange views, to find out the rights and wrongs about things we would not have thought about perhaps if we were sitting in our living rooms at home reading a newspaper, watching the TV and getting all kinds of media reports.

There are good and bad sides to everything. Without that debate we would get a very cold, clinical, solid view in a referendum. I am quite concerned about that kind of push driving referendums. I would like to hear the opinion of the leader of the Reform Party on that.

[House Of Commons Standing Orders, February 7th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, to the Leader of the Opposition or who would like to be, that would be fair to say would it not, I would like to ask the leader of the Reform Party about the referendum idea. I am quite concerned. On the surface it sounds very nice and appealing to some people. However, on examination it is far too simplistic. This is part of my question, but I must share a little of this rationale.

[House Of Commons Standing Orders, February 7th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I say to the hon. member for Dartmouth that I too feel this is a positive step in this new government. When we were campaigning during September and October all members on all sides of the House heard the same thing from the Canadian people. They are not happy with the way Parliament has functioned. They are unhappy with the tight and rigid rules.

This is a step forward, but I believe we do have a long way to go. We have many avenues to explore in order to make all our voices heard in Parliament. Any movement forward will be seen as positive by all Canadians.

I would ask the member for Dartmouth to comment specifically on the areas of reform, such as pensions. In general Parliament has taken a fair amount of heat particularly from the Reform Party in suggesting that perhaps Liberal members are not supportive on reform in the pension areas. I believe that is not true and that a good many members are quite supportive of practical measures to be reformed in the pension area.

[Social Security System, February 3rd, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that the member for Hamilton Mountain has placed such an emphasis on youth as well as our studying of the social programs. I think that is very important.

We know our youth has an unemployment rate of about 20 per cent right now and we know that in the future career changes for youth will be four to five significant career changes. These are real career changes. These are not simply moving up the ladder or sideways, or into something a little bit different. This will be totally different career changes.

This is a really different world and we are all very much aware of that. It is absolutely imperative that we look at all groups but youth is our future. That is why I am particularly pleased that the member for Hamilton Mountain did place such an emphasis on youth.

My question has to do with the apprenticeship program that the red book, now famous of course, talks about. We know that an apprenticeship program is extremely positive and it is a good way to go.

It is my belief from the background that I have had it is really important that when we implement an apprenticeship program we bring in all partners: labour, business, industry as well as education.

Therefore I am wondering if the member for Hamilton Mountain could comment on that and the importance of making sure that those groups are not forgotten.