House of Commons photoWon her last election, in 1997, with 62% of the vote.
Committees Of The House October 29th, 1997
Mr. Deputy Speaker, first it is a pleasure to welcome you in that seat. It is very nice to have you call for this report which I am honoured to present as the chair of the official languages committee. It is the first report of the Standing Committee on Official Languages.
Human Resources April 24th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, I have always been of the view that job training for our labour force ought to be designed to meet specific needs closer to the regional grassroots in Quebec, for the reality is very different in Chicoutimi than it would be in Montreal, Sherbrooke or Gaspé.
I am pleased the government signed an agreement with the Government of Quebec to help in active employment measures and programs to help the unemployed re-enter the job market.
My question is for the Minister of Human Resources Development. I need a clarification with respect to the availability and acceptability of these programs for the English speaking community. Just how are they to be protected and access ensured under the provisions of the Quebec-Canada accord and the new management policy?
Committees Of The House April 23rd, 1997
Mr. Speaker, I have the pleasure of presenting for the information of the House, in both official languages, the report on privacy entitled "Where do
we draw the line?" It is the third report of the Standing Committee on Human Rights and the Status of Persons with Disabilities.
We all know that privacy is understood to be the right to be left alone in our society, but in the technical age in which we now live there have been many changes. This report brings to our attention issues about which we should all know.
In accordance with the committee's permanent mandate under Standing Order 108(3), your committee has agreed to conduct a study on privacy rights and new technologies, report its findings with recommendations and, in accordance with Standing Order 109, the committee requests a government response if and when this government returns to work.
Centennial Flame Research Report April 23rd, 1997
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to section 7 of the Centennial Flame Research Award Act, I have the privilege of tabling the report of the Standing Committee on Human Rights and Status of Disabled Persons in both official languages for the 1994-1995 centennial flame research report.
I bring to members' attention the Crane story which will be tabled with the report, which is a report on the first of the Braille libraries set up in Canada. I commend the reading of this marvellous story.
War Criminals March 19th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, Friday, March 21 marks the international day for the elimination of racial discrimination, an important time for all of us to reflect on and rejoice in the values inherent in living with respect and understanding for the diversity of our people in both official languages.
Our charter speaks to non-discrimination as a goal yet to be reached in our evolving history of growth and development. There have been many breaches in the contract of fairness, equality and tolerance that must be challenged and overcome.
Today, on the 10th anniversary of the Deschenes commission report, I met with private investigator Steve Rambam on the issue of Nazi war criminals fraudulently making a home in our country. While 12 such cases are presently being reviewed, other criminals must also be pursued, for he presented a very disturbing portrait of
the RCMP's lack of serious pursuit and investigative tactics against these perpetrators of horrific crimes.
It was a damning criticism of our respect for the value of our own humanity, our own citizenship, and this is a matter of international justice and human rights, not revenge.
Health Care February 5th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, Premier Bouchard has reneged on his solemn promise that language would not become a health issue.
Quebec law directs regional health boards to review access plans to health and social services across the province. Qualified French
and English experts determine health services that are required to adequately serve all Quebecers. There is no legal or moral reason to refer this matter to the Office de la langue française, for language is a diagnostic and therapeutic tool.
This is pure political harassment that has sparked a new wave of protest and deep concern within the English speaking community, justified concern. The level of distrust has rightly reached new heights.
Premier Bouchard, when you ask for trust, your actions belie your words. The paramount issue here is not the language of work but the right to the language of treatment.
Radio-Canada International December 12th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, Radio-Canada International is Canada's fair and balanced voice around the world. Most of us recognize and know that it will cease operations on March 31, 1997. This will mean that Canada will be the only industrial nation worldwide without a voice on the international scene.
My question is for the Minister of Foreign Affairs. What does he intend to do to preserve Radio-Canada International not just for the short term, but for the long term?
United Nations Universal Declaration Of Human Rights December 10th, 1996
My intervention is more in the nature of a comment, Madam Speaker. I want to note that this debate has been most interesting. I am really delighted with the number of people who have participated for the government and on all sides of this House.
It is particularly important to note that the last speaker for the evening is the past chairman of the Standing Committee on Human
Rights and the Status of the Disabled. He was the guiding spirit in that new committee and certainly oversaw some very wonderful pieces of research, particularly in relation to the disabled. I want to congratulate him on the work which he and his committee did and to tell him how pleased I am that he who in, of and by himself speaks to human rights in his everyday life is a real testament to the nature of the kind of debate we had tonight for which I thank him personally.
United Nations Universal Declaration Of Human Rights December 10th, 1996
Madam Speaker, I want to thank the secretary of state for his remarks. They bring the degree of clarity we need as we have been talking about trade, international law, human rights, freedom of expression, freedom of the person and the assurance that politicians and people who speak out do not end up being incarcerated because they have cared to speak about democracy and freedom and the right to self-expression.
The member did not address the situations in Vietnam and Burma. He did address the situation in China. In the view of the secretary of state, what would be the outcome of isolating, of not trading or of undertaking sanctions against countries like Burma or Vietnam? I could mention many other countries in the same breath that have incarcerated their parliamentarians or that have ignored supposed open democracy. They have had free elections yet they have ignored those elections and in many cases put the elected persons into prison. What does the member believe we can do in the light of the work we have already undertaken at the United Nations and in the light of the helpful remarks made by the foreign minister?
United Nations Universal Declaration Of Human Rights December 10th, 1996
Madam Speaker, I would like to make an additional comment. This is precisely what Canada did at the Inter-Parliamentary Union. We proposed that the expression "les droits de l'homme" be amended in the statutes to reflect this equality, and in fact the even greater number of women than men in society.
Unfortunately, France steadily opposed the proposal. It was debated in committee and in plenary. The executive and the committee of the whole rejected it, based on the fact that "les droits de l'homme" contains in its very conception the notion of women, and that it should therefore not be changed. What do you think? How are we to deal with France?