Patrick Gagnon

[Supply, May 18th, 1995]

Madam Speaker, I listened very carefully to the last speaker. Unfortunately, I did not sense in his speech the real human dimension of the problem faced by natives in Quebec and, let us be frank, in all areas of Canada.

The debate revolves around a ten-year old dispute between Quebec and the federal government. And I would point out that the federal government has already paid out a considerable amount of money.

However, I will leave it to my colleagues on this side to make speeches that will undoubtedly be brilliant and informative for the opposition.

What I find unfortunate in the statements of the opposition is the fact that they did not speak about the social, human and economic situation in which Quebec's natives live. I think that it would have been more humble, more humane for the opposition to focus more on the means of helping these people to improve their lot. This has been a point of contention for several years now.

I remember that in 1981, under the PQ government, 1,000 police officers invaded-that is the word, invaded-the Restigouche reserve. That was unfortunate and I think that that is when the relations between natives and Quebecers began to deteriorate. I believe that we do not do enough for natives. I think that we should encourage dialogue instead of resorting to fear mongering, threats and statements like: "If it had been up to Quebec, we would have solved the problem long ago".

I ask the official opposition to make a proper evaluation of the situation and not to confuse the issue with sovereignty and with the upcoming referendum debate. I think that the first step should be to consider the economic and social situation of Quebec's natives as well as their problems. I think that that should be the real subject of the debate. It is not a money issue, but a human issue that we should address in a co-operative fashion.

[National Police Week, May 15th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, the week of May 14 to May 20 marks the 25th anniversary of National Police Week in Canada, an event aimed at strengthening co-operation between the police and the public.

As you know, the Liberal government cares about the safety of Canadians. We must ensure that this co-operation between all members of the community remains strong, to ensure that Canadian law enforcement services continue to be efficient.

The police play a vital role in public safety and security and this year's police week theme "Partnerships with the Community" underscores this special relationship.

To mark the 25th year anniversary of police week, police services across the country are undertaking activities to underscore the importance of partnerships and co-operation between the police and the community in the fight against crime.

Police forces in Canada do an extraordinary job. Their achievements must not go unnoticed, and this is why we invite all Canadians to pay tribute to those who work tirelessly to protect them.

[Manpower Training, May 12th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I have the privilege of announcing, for the benefit of the Bloc Quebecois in particular, the names of community organizations that were recently granted federal subsidies for research, job creation and occupational training.

The $2.6 million in subsidies includes $314,000 for the Club de recherche d'emploi; $475,000 for CTI Société Inc.; $391,00 for the Le Portage job training centre; $296,000 for the Centre de formation en options and $425,000 for the Bois-Francs job access service. Not to mention the millions of dollars awarded every year by the federal government to the community development assistance centre.

We can therefore conclude that our government is a welcome and essential partner for these Quebec community organizations.

[Canadian Security Intelligence Service, May 10th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, CSIS has a specific mandate to look into any problems that might arise in so far as it concerns the security of Canada. This is one allegation we are looking into. I can assure the hon. member that we have a process in place. It is working. It has worked in the past and I am sure it will work in the future.

[Canadian Security Intelligence Service, May 10th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, as we very well know, the matter is currently being investigated by CSIS. I am not at liberty to comment on the operations of CSIS.

I should add there is also SIRC which has the mandate to look into this and possibly make a recommendation to the government and to the service in relation to this matter as raised by the opposition member.

[Points Of Order, May 9th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, yes, the debate in Quebec is getting under way, and it is true we have been hearing all kinds of comments from the opposition these last few months about federalist forces, Liberals, and members lawfully elected in Quebec.

I admit I did use the term, but not in speaking to the hon. member. I agree that in the heat of debate, people say certain things. I certainly do apologize for using this term here in the House.

[Violence, April 24th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, the week that just drew to a close was

tarnished with acts of unprecedented violence which must be categorically condemned by all.

Our so-called industrialized societies seem to have become the preferred targets of hatemongers and assassins. Whatever the motives of the perpetrators of such savage and senseless acts, their murderous rampages can never be considered justifiable.

I am calling on all of the members of this House and all Canadians to join in the fight against intolerance and hatred in our society.

[Quebec Sovereignty, March 30th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, Quebecers are realizing that independence is not the best way to meet the real needs of the outlying regions.

During the hearings held by the regional commission on Quebec's future, the PQ vice-president, Mrs. Monique Simard, warned her party not to enshrine in a new constitution the powers of the regions. Instead, she said that it might be wiser to deal with decentralization through legislation, adding: "You cannot amend the Constitution at the drop of a hat".

Our government agrees with Quebecers that we can achieve much more through administrative agreements than with another constitutional debate; we can only hope that the Parti Quebecois will eventually discover this virtue of federalism. Let us hope that the Parizeau government will decide to co-operate with the Canadian government, because this is what the vast majority of Quebecers want.

[Justice, March 24th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I do not know the specifics of the case, but I will take the question as notice. I am convinced the minister will answer the hon. member from Alberta in due course.

[Royal Canadian Mounted Police, March 2nd, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I will not comment on the operations of the RCMP. I think it is clear there will be an investigation, and the Solicitor General will be able to respond to the opposition member's question in due time.