Raymond Chan

[Supply, September 30th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, I have no apologies to make. If the distinct society clause is what will keep Canada united, then that is exactly what I believe was necessary at the time of the referendum. The Prime Minister came out boldly to support that cause and carried through with the legislation to honour his promise to keep Canada together.

As an immigrant who came to this country-and I love this country-I came here for freedom, but I want a united Canada. I have no apologizes to make to support the initiative to keep Canada together. On the contrary, I would ask the Reform Party: Where were you in the referendum? Where were you to be seen? During the referendum I went into Quebec three or four times-

[Supply, September 30th, 1996]

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier my colleagues mentioned the efforts we have put forward to make sure that we kept our entitled quota on softwood lumber. It is because we all worked so hard that we were able to convince the ministers in charge that softwood lumber is critical for the future of British Columbians. We finally won what we set out to do.

Talking about the deficit, whenever I go back to my riding to meet with British Columbians they all talk about the necessity of keeping our irons in the fire to make sure that we do a good job to maintain our target goals on our deficit reduction project. Even though the agenda we put forth on the deficit reduction process has a great deal of impact on the other regions of Canada, and at the same time British Columbians have less of a burden in this process, the cabinet and the Prime Minister have been able to pursue and continue with-

[Supply, September 30th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, before beginning I would like to draw the attention of the House to the fact that the Reform Party is once again trying to pit some regions against other regions in Canada. Last week it was Quebec against Newfoundland with the Churchill Falls issue. This week it is trying to pit British Columbia against other regions of the country. It is sad.

I would like to suggest that the reason the Reform Party is playing politics this way is because it is continually dropping in the polls which are taken in British Columbia. In September the Gallup poll showed that it only has about 21 per cent support in B.C. I would like to advise the third party that doing politics this way will not earn it any more brownie points.

During Question Period I asked the Reform member if he understood the Asia-Pacific agenda of the government and, in particular, as it pertains to B.C. He said no. He said that trade in British Columbia is thriving in spite of government efforts.

I would like to take this opportunity to share some information with him. The Prime Minister and the Liberal government in November 1993 recognized how important the Asia-Pacific region is and how important it is to British Columbia. It is no coincidence that Canada's first Secretary of State for Asia-Pacific is from British Columbia. I want to share the efforts which the government and I have made over the last three years for British Columbia.

One of the reasons the Asia-Pacific region is so important for us is because of the job and economic growth agenda which is a priority of the government. We led Team Canada missions into that region: China in 1994, and India, Pakistan, Indonesia and Malaysia in January 1996. These missions have led to some $17 billion in new business deals and follow-up activities. Other missions led by

other Canadian ministers and myself have also promoted our commercial interests and through them, jobs and growth at home.

It is estimated that every billion dollars of exports in Canada which are exported through British Columbia generate about 11,000 jobs for Canadians. In British Columbia alone, 50 per cent of our exports are to the Asia-Pacific region. I can share with the members some of the successes from British Columbia.

Innotech Aviation of Richmond, a company in my riding has recently signed an agreement with the Chinese General Administration of Civil Aviation Authority to complete a major maintenance project for Chinese Cessna Citation jets. Sun-Rype Products of Kelowna signed a memorandum of understanding that is worth $13 million while on a recent trade mission. Chai-na-ta Corporation has two projects worth $27 million which will sustain 100 jobs in its Langley operation. Kryton Technologies of Vancouver will create 10 jobs as a direct result of its joint ventures in Asia through participation in Team Canada.

Improving Canada's trade performance and links between countries is one of the best moves we can make to create jobs in Canada. Another way of linking Canada and the countries of the Asia-Pacific is through the open skies agreement. We understand how important the open skies agreement is to Canada and how the overall transportation system on the west coast is so important to British Columbia. It is no coincidence again that Canada's transport minister is from British Columbia. The Minister of Transport has done a great job.

I still remember that when we first got elected, the first thing I did was to meet with the airport authority to talk about how important the open skies agreement was. The former Minister of Transport and the present Minister of Transport, who is an hon. member from British Columbia, have done a tremendous job in implementing that policy. In February 1995 the agreement was signed.

How important is the open skies agreement for British Columbia? It has made Vancouver the gateway to the Asia-Pacific. The reason the tourism industry has flourished and so many airlines have started using us is that we have the open skies agreement. Talking about high tech industries in British Columbia, because of that agreement, Richmond will no longer be at a competitive disadvantage because of poor airline connections.

I am proud to announce that Vancouver has been chosen as the site where Canada will host the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation conference in November 1997. It is no coincidence the Government of Canada decided that Vancouver should be the site. We recognize it is important for Vancouver to have that opportunity, to showcase Vancouver, British Columbia and in fact, the whole of Canada to the Asia-Pacific region. This is also why the Prime Minister will announce later that 1997 will be the year of Asia-Pacific for Canada. This is all because we want to put

emphasis on helping Vancouver and British Columbia and Canada to do much more in the Asia-Pacific region.

Talking about the technology industry, I would like to remind the member that in the 1995 budget we planned $165 million for TRIUMF, which is one of the flagships of the high technology industry in Canada and indeed in British Columbia. This was done at a time when a lot of research and development projects in other parts of the country were being cut back.

The reason we managed this is that all six caucus members of the Liberal Party from British Columbia worked very hard to convince our colleagues in the rest of the country that it is important for British Columbia to continue with the TRIUMF project. It is important that those scientists and technologists who are so important for this country stay in the lower mainland to continue to provide a lot of spin-off benefits for the high technology industries in British Columbia.

It is no coincidence either that because of the hard work of the Liberal caucus members from British Columbia as my colleague, Mr. McWhinney, has mentioned-

[Supply, September 30th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, I am very sad that the Reform Party has again decided to pit Canadian regions against regions. Last week it was Newfoundland against Quebec with Churchill Falls and this week it is B.C. against everybody else in Canada.

Does the hon. member think that our government has ignored B.C? Does he recognize the government's effort in the Asia-Pacific region? The government agenda has been beneficial to the province of British Columbia. B.C. alone gained the most from this agenda.

Can the hon. member tell us if he understands the impact of our Asia-Pacific agenda on economic development in B.C.?

[Hong Kong, September 27th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for the question.

There is a lot of concern among Canadians of Hong Kong origin that in order to maintain their permanent resident status in Hong Kong they were asked to return to Hong Kong by July 1. But their concern is with how long they have to stay after that and how long before they have to be in Hong Kong. Does it mean that all Hong Kong residents who have foreign visas or who have foreign citizenship status have to remain stagnant in Hong Kong after July 1, before they register?

I expressed that concern to the foreign affairs minister of China when he visited Canada last week. He agreed to look into the matter and give us a decision in the near future.

[China, June 4th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today on the occasion of the seventh anniversary of the tragic events of 1989 in Tiananmen Square to present to the House an update of the government's continuing efforts to engage Chinese leaders on these issues.

Our long term relations with China are based on interlocking pillars: economic partnership, peace and security, sustainable development, human rights, good governance and the rule of law. With regard to economic partnership, systematic and wide ranging contact leads to calls for greater openness and freedom. Trade reduces isolationism. Trade also expands the scope of international law and generates the growth required to sustain social change and development. A society that depends little on trade and international investment is not open to the inflow of ideas and values.

My recent meetings with regional leaders in China reviewed a sensitivity to the need for rule of law and a clear, fair, transparent, legal and regulatory framework. While there was a recognition that China had a long way to go, there was also serious intent.

Respect for human rights and the rule of law in China are essential Canadian objectives. On the bilateral front, Canada is developing a constructive dialogue on human rights issues. Recently bilateral dialogue at the official level was held in Beijing and we are assisting China in reform of its legal and judicial structures.

Multilaterally we expressed concern about violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms in China. Canada uses every opportunity to discuss our concerns with the Chinese government.

Good governance and the rule of law were major themes of the recent visit to Canada of the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, Qiao Shi. Mr. Qiao and his delegation met many of the people embodying the rule of law in Canada and held in depth discussions with them.

The Chinese delegation was quite interested in the workings of Canada's Parliament and legal systems. It is our hope we can build on this to assist China in creating an environment that is more respectful to the rule of law.

My recent trade mission to China was also an excellent example of our government's approach toward China. While I helped Canadian firms meet face to face with key decision makers in booming regional markets, I also used this trip to raise human rights issues with Chinese officials in Beijing.

For the first time we received assurance from Chinese officials that the 100,000 Canadians in Hong Kong can remain permanent residents there after 1997 and continue to receive Canadian consular protection.

I also told Chinese officials that China's plans to install a temporary legislative counsel in Hong Kong is damaging the competence of the Hong Kong people as well as the international community.

In meetings with foreign affairs minister Qian Qichen, I pressed the issue of human rights and the treatment of dissidents in China. I also met with the sister of imprisoned dissident Wei Jing Shang to discuss this case while she was in Canada.

As I pointed out to the Chinese authorities on my recent trip, I agree there have been significant human rights improvements in the everyday lives of ordinary Chinese since 1989. Individuals now have a greater freedom of mobility within China. Food rationing has disappeared and people can seek their own employment.

However, this does not excuse the fact that human rights leaders and pro democracy activists continue to receive swift and harsh punishment. Let me point out today that I disagree with those who

argue democracy is not appropriate in Asia because it is alien to Asian values such as Confucianism.

The ruling class always elaborates this in its own self-interest. It manipulates Confucianism to support its own cause. As far as I am concerned, democracy and freedom of thought are well entrenched in Confucian thought.

We will continue to point out to the Chinese government through both bilateral and multilateral channels that it still does not meet the basic requirements necessary to protect human rights.

At the same time, we will continue assisting the Chinese in specific areas such as trade, regional security and improved bilateral projects to help create an environment in China that in the end respects basic human rights.

[Jaswant Khalra, May 27th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, the government has made repeated representations to the Government of India on the disappearance of Mr. Khalra.

During the recent visit of the Team Canada mission to India, both the Prime Minister and I discussed the case with our Indian counterparts.

The high profile of the case has led to an order by the Supreme Court of India to the powerful Central Bureau of Investigation to begin its own investigation of the disappearance. Pending the conclusion of the CBI's investigation, the National Commission of Human Rights has suspended its own inquiry.

In the meantime, officials of NCHR are in regular contact with the CBI. They are confident the latter is doing the right thing and heading in the right direction.

Today, however, there is no news concerning the whereabouts of Mr. Khalra. Rest assured Canada is putting a high priority on this case and will continue to monitor the whereabouts of Mr. Khalra.

[Supply, March 19th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, it is important to note that social transfer payments to the provinces are composed of two components: first is the tax points which were transferred to the provinces in previous years and second is the cash transfer.

As we cap the total transfers to the provinces and as the tax points which were transferred earlier continue to increase, the cash component of the transfer will continue to decrease. According to the experts the cash transfer would be reduced to zero in 10 or 15 years time if we did nothing about it.

It is important for the government to recognize if the cash transfer becomes zero, then it is impossible for us to influence the provinces to uphold the Canada Health Act. This is why it is so important for us to establish a cash floor to be transferred to the provinces. It will maintain our influence on the provincial governments for the delivery of medicare.

[Supply, March 19th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, before discussing today's motion I would like to take this opportunity to briefly point out to members of the House the reaction of my constituents in Richmond to the finance minister's 1996 budget.

The budget is further proof that the voices of my Richmond constituents are being heard in Ottawa. In my town hall meetings, in discussions with community groups and in my regular meetings with the non-partisan community liaison committee in Richmond the message has been very consistent: maintain vital social programs but reduce the deficit with spending cuts, not tax increases. That is the message I brought to Ottawa.

This budget delivers. After a lower than projected deficit last year, the government is on track to meet or better its target for 1996-97, reducing the deficit from 6 per cent of gross domestic product to 3 per cent within three years of taking office. As a Liberal candidate I made a promise to the people of Richmond that we would meet this target. We are on track to deliver on that commitment, but our work does not stop there. Our ultimate goal has to be deficit elimination and paying down the debt.

Also in the budget the government reallocated funds to new initiatives to support youth, technology and international trade, which are areas critical to future jobs and growth. If our future is to be brighter and more prosperous, we have to invest in it. We have to apply our successful Team Canada approach right here at home to establish partnerships with the private sector that will create opportunities for young people.

The budget also announced a system of secure, stable and growing federal support for medicare, post-secondary education and social assistance which will see Canada health and social transfer payments increase within a few years.

The deficit is on a permanent downward track. The finance minister's firm but steady approach to deficit reduction is working. It is improving the economic environment for jobs and economic growth. Let us look at the evidence.

Short term interest rates have declined by about three percentage points since March 1995. Canada's cost competitiveness is the best it has been in 45 years. Our merchandise trade surplus has reached record levels and the current account deficit as a share of GDP is at its lowest level in 10 years. Canadian dependence on new foreign loans has fallen from $29 billion in 1993 to $13 billion in 1995. Every year that dependency will decline more and more.

At the same time we are restoring growth to provincial transfer payments and we have guaranteed that the cash component of the CHST will not go below $11 billion per year for the next five years.

Jobs and economic growth remain our government's priority. We are investing in three priority areas: youth, technology and trade, areas critical to future growth and jobs.

People I have talked with in Richmond are worried about the sustainability of the public pension system. They want us to act now. The new seniors benefit targets help to seniors with low and modest incomes, ensuring the system is fair and sustainable for the future.

I believe Canada is on the right track. The federal deficit will continue to decrease. Our dependency on foreign lending markets is going down. Personal income tax rates have not gone up and we are restoring growth to provincial transfers for social programs. In my continuing discussions with constituents, they support the measures this budget takes to secure Canada's social and financial future.

The budget reflects our government's commitment to put in place the strongest possible economic framework for sustained growth and jobs. We are also providing funding to encourage development in key fields such as the aerospace sector and biotechnology, important industries for Richmond and British Columbia.

Securing our financial future is not just about cutting spending. It is also about creating an environment where business can grow

and create jobs. The federal government plays an important role in creating that environment. We have to ensure the tax system is as fair and as simple as possible.

Canadians want a system that encourages economic growth and job creation. To that end the finance minister announced in his 1996 budget the establishment of a technical committee to consider ways in which Canada's business taxation system could contribute to the creation of jobs. Given the complexity of this task the government has decided to undertake a review of those aspects of tax law that most affect the creation of jobs.

The technical committee will consider ways to: improve the tax system to promote job creation and economic growth; simplify the taxation of businesses to facilitate compliance and administration; and enhance fairness to ensure that all businesses share the cost of providing government services. The committee will also consider the interaction between taxes paid by business, including corporate income tax, capital and payroll taxes, and taxes paid by individuals on income derived from investments.

The motion put forward by the member for Saint-Hyacinthe-Bagot clearly questions the integrity of the members of the technical committee on business taxation. The finance minister has brought together a distinguished and capable group of professionals who will meet the challenging mandate that has been set before them. The technical committee will be composed of a panel with legal, accounting and economic expertise in the tax field.

It is also important to remember the technical committee will report to the Minister of Finance later this year and that public consultations will follow the release of this report. This government has consulted Canadians on all three of its budgets. We are consulting Canadians on changes to public pensions. Canadians will also have a say on the technical committee's report.

An effective business tax system should be designed to create jobs. It is time for a comprehensive look at these issues. The technical committee's first objective should be to identify any obstacles to job creation in the tax system and to suggest reforms. All of our efforts to cut costs, reduce the deficit, redefine government and reform the tax system have a common goal: the creation of secure, meaningful jobs for Canadians. Every effort of government, including the technical committee on business taxation, should be directed toward that end.

[Taiwan, March 12th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, I think it is inappropriate for us to comment on any discussions we are trying to have with our allies. It is important that all western democracies express their concerns about the situation.