Bernie Collins

[The Budget, February 24th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, let me just highlight the process we have in the province of Saskatchewan with regard to infrastructure program. I look forward to the infrastucture program in Saskatchewan because I think it has all kinds of potential, certainly for the city I come from.

We are looking at putting a sewer and water program in place that will cost about $4 million. Whether it will be selected as one of the projects to be approved by the province will be a provincial decision. What will it do for our area?

I know very well that many people in southeast Saskatchewan, particularly in the riding I am from, are looking for jobs. They are looking for an opportunity to do some work and to develop some skills.

What will it do? It will give us people who will work on those jobs, in those places and as those improvements to our city come on stream we can hire those people as part of our infrastructure program within the city. Therefore, we also have the feature of being able to supplement and have these people right on the job in the city as a permanent possibility for the city of Estevan. I look forward to the infrastructure program. That is just in the south part.

Let us go to the north part of Saskatchewan. The infrastructure program, as we have it set for the native people, has tremendous possibilities. We have the possibility for head start education; the possibility for them to determine for themselves new inroads in the educational field. For job opportunities I think there is tremendous potential.

[The Budget, February 24th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague from Oxford for his maiden speech. It was very well done and certainly very timely in this Chamber.

As I rise this afternoon to place some comments before this House with regard to the budget of the finance minister, I think that it is a credit to the people of Canada that they elected the government they did that keeps its promises.

Within four months every single item we proposed in the red book has been met or budgeted for. I can tell my constituents in Souris-Moose Mountain that there are no new taxes. For farmers and small business in my riding, it is good news. They were concerned over the $500,000 capital gains provision, that it not be touched.

For many farmers their farms are their pension plans. The exemption is a legitimate means of financial security. This budget is an investment in the future of Canada. It is fair, it is pragmatic and it is progressively oriented.

I was very pleased that agriculture was given careful consideration in this budget. Again the citizens of Souris-Moose Mountain are greatly affected by the agricultural industry. Every livelihood in our riding is affected by it.

It therefore pleases me very much to see that many programs affecting the industry were kept in place. The people of Souris-Moose Mountain are responsible and they are compassionate people. They want to contribute their share to this country, to the reduction of the deficit and to the development of our economy. They are willing to shoulder their share of the burden. However, they want to know that the contribution they make is handled responsibly by this government.

That is what pleases me about this budget. It is a balanced responsible approach to problems of the future. We are reducing the deficit while stimulating jobs. We are supporting those in need while closing loopholes and eliminating waste. We are putting our own house in order, just what my constituents asked us to do.

In that same spirit of co-operation and contribution my constituents are saying to me with respect to agriculture that they will make their contribution but we should handle things responsibly, guard the industry from disaster and collapse.

This budget is addressing those concerns. Although grants and contributions will see a 5 per cent across the board cut, essential agricultural insurance programs will not be affected. The gross revenue insurance plan, the net income stabilization account and crop insurance were exempted from these cuts. This is very good news for the people of my riding. They have been severely affected by circumstances far beyond their control in the field of agriculture. The exemption of these programs from the restraint measures is much needed and appreciated.

As well the finance minister has announced that there will be a study of the taxation of capital gains as it applies to small business and farmers. We have been given assurance by the minister that no changes will be made to the current exemption without the agreement of the farming community.

The grain farmers in my riding have one concern. That is with regard to cuts in the Western Grain Transportation Act. The report of the producer payment panel is still outstanding. The agriculture community would like to have a chance to agree on a new process before any cuts to this program are made.

With respect to the impact of the budget on growth and jobs, the budget provides funding for a number of programs mentioned in "Creating Opportunities" which will create jobs immediately and build the foundation for job creation in the future.

The infrastructure program is now being implemented and agreements have been signed with every province. Over the next three years the programs will create 50,000 to 65,000 new jobs. There are other initiatives in the budget that offer hope to young people. For example, the Canadian Youth Services program will put together a place where young Canadians get meaningful work experience and develop personal skills.

In addition, new youth internship programs will be developed with the province which will help to provide young people with alternative training.

It is important to note that there are no changes to the access to RRSPs for first time home buyers. That was a major concern to the people of my constituency and one that the budget delivers well on.

With respect to social programs, I am very pleased that the government intends to overhaul Canada's outdated social security system within two years. It will build bridges to work and support independence and not dependence. The budget calls for an investment of $800 million to test innovative new approaches to release Canadians from dependency and get them back to work.

As promised in the government's platform, the budget provided funding for the aboriginal head start program, a centre for excellence for women's health, the creation of the Canadian race relations foundation, the reinstatement of the law reform commission and the court challenges program and a prenatal program for low income pregnant women.

As an alderman and a former mayor of the city of Estevan, I have always believed in fiscal responsibility and fiscal restraint. This budget addresses both. For every dollar raised in new revenues, the government will cut $5 from government spending, resulting in a $23 billion cut over three years. The cancellation of the EH-101 helicopter added another $1.7 billion over three years.

In addition to focusing on fiscal restraint, we also have focused on budget loopholes. Through incentives we are going to bring together fairness to Canada's tax system.

The corporate income tax deduction for meals being reduced from 80 per cent to 50 per cent is a good direction to travel in. The $100,000 capital gains exemption which primarily benefits high income Canadians is eliminated immediately, another right direction.

The Liberal government promised to create jobs and to this end the budget addresses economic renewal. We encourage innovation and technology development and the government is supporting the vital small business. Canada's investment program, venture capital, and Canada's technology network program are excellent moves.

For years governments have promised more than they can deliver and delivered more than they can afford. We are confronting a deficit head on. In three years we will reduce that deficit from $45.7 billion to $32.7 billion. As a government committed to cutting expenditures, we intend as an example cutting $3 billion from government operations and putting on salary freezes.

Finally, with regard to UIC, the move from $3.07 to $3 will add $300 million for new investment by small business.

I want to assure this House and all Canadians that we will be taking home the gold. Never has so much been done by such a finance minister as the present Minister of Finance. I am pleased to stand here and support the budget this evening.

[supply, February 11th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I commend the hon. member from the other side on his observation on what was in the Auditor General's report.

As part of what has transpired over the years, around 1970 if one were to find out how many students of native ancestry completed a university degree, the number was somewhere in the neighbourhood of 12. We now have over 6,000 people of native ancestry who are proud to have completed university degrees.

The reason they did that was they wanted to move forward in this opportunity for self-government.

I had an opportunity to meet with some of the bands recently and I can assure the House that the bands in my riding do know what aboriginal self-government means. They are headed in the right direction.

I have some concerns, as the hon. member has mentioned, about the Auditor General's report. It is one thing to write out in a report what the concerns are and another thing to see what is actually happening and then put those into practice.

On behalf of the Government of Canada, with Mr. Ron Irwin as our new minister in charge of Indian Affairs we are going to see the direction change very drastically.

I would ask the member on behalf of the constituents I represent if he feels that the budgetary process that we have needs to be overhauled? What recommendations is he prepared to make that he would see put in place through his members on the standing committee that is going to be reviewing those budgets?

[Petitions, February 11th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(1), I would like to present this petition on behalf of citizens of the province of Saskatchewan.

The undersigned, the residents of the province of Saskatchewan, draw to the attention of the House the following: Whereas under section 745 of the Criminal Code of Canada convicted murderers sentenced to life imprisonment without chance of parole for 25 years are able to apply for review after only 15 years, and whereas the murder of police officers and prison guards in the execution of their duties is a most reprehensible crime, the petitioners request that Parliament repeal section 745 of the Criminal Code of Canada.

[Social Security System, February 2nd, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, as an educator for over 31 years I had the opportunity to deal with the rich, the poor, the wise and those who were not so wise. I was happy to have them all. I say to the hon. member that if I knew of one youngster who needed my attention, rich or poor, I would want to be there as an educator, as a parent and as a citizen of this country.

The day we start elevating those who are rich and distinguishing between rich and poor, we are in a real problem state. I say to the hon. member that this is the problem in education. We have lost our commitment that we do have something to give these youngsters. If any one of them stayed away from problems because I looked after him, I would feel that is one thing I did to help him along the way in life. I see no problem there. I want us to have those opportunities for them.

[Social Security System, February 2nd, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, having a son who went through nine years of university and accumulated well over $50,000 of debt and happens to live in Alberta, I appreciate what the member is saying. I agree wholeheartedly with him. We have to assist students. We do not want to throttle them so they have no chance of getting a job and repaying their debt. Therefore I support the member wholeheartedly. That is the way we have to go. Otherwise we are going to frustrate young people so that they have no thought about even going into the educational field or any post-secondary field because of the problems they are going to be confronted with.

[Social Security System, February 2nd, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I respect the question of the hon. member. I feel that he is as competent as I am in making that suggestion to the government. As I see the 35th Parliament, all of us are that government. Each of those suggestions have merit. Why not put it forward? I certainly have no problem with that.

[Social Security System, February 2nd, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, this evening I had the pleasure to listen to members of the Reform, the Bloc and the Liberal parties put forward their presentations. It is refreshing that people have come here with an honest concern for considering the social aspects of the society in which we live.

I have had experiences working for three years in a boys' school that I will likely never forget. I guess another name for it would be reform school. Hon. members would like me to recognize the school was for wayward people who were to be straightened around. I did not want to tell them but it is true.

One young fellow who was there while I worked there ran away to his home in North Battleford. He visited me while I was attending university. He wanted to know what he should do. We sat there for two hours, at the end of which time I said: "Make up your mind. If you want to go back I will take you back". He decided to go back and serve his time, which he did.

On returning to the institution one of the people working there called him a stupid so-and-so and said: "What are you doing back here? Why didn't you keep running?" Those were the people who were looking after him. Those were the people we entrusted with our young people.

As I travelled to Moose Mountain after the election I picked up a young fellow in Grenfell, Saskatchewan. He was from Richmond, B.C. He was 18 years old and did not even have a grade nine education. He was going to Winnipeg to get a job as a salesman. Now it is true some people would say that is fantastic. I tried to encourage him to go back home to his parents and improve his education. I hope he does.

I bring before us these analogies of the problems that face us all. We elected four Liberals from Saskatchewan. They wanted to make sure there was a balance so they put a teacher on the ballot. I know that one of those four, a fellow member, is a lawyer. He feels there is an equal balance now: three lawyers and one teacher.

With regard to human resource development we are honoured to have the hon. member for Winnipeg South Centre as minister in charge. My constituents have made clear in many meetings and discussions that they have many concerns regarding our social programs, a fundamental part of our country that requires review.

On the issue of fiscal relations and federal spending power, concern revolves around our ability to form a partnership of fiscal cohesion throughout the country to deliver social programs. When one considers that federal spending on social programs is between $70 billion and $80 billion annually, which equals as much as two-thirds of program spending at the federal level, there is a level of dissatisfaction among the voters of Souris-Moose Mountain over the manner in which our social programs are structured. I would like for a moment to discuss some of the needs we see in regard to the Unemployment Insurance Commission programs. We feel we need to move toward a level of maximum payout so that there is a ceiling on earnings one can make during a year in order to be beneficiary of UIC. In my opinion seasonal jobs which continue to require a payout year after year need to be reviewed. We cannot constantly require a higher contribution from both employer and employee in particular seasonal occupations.

Also we have to allocate earnings more effectively to those who are receiving unemployment so they can be actively doing something, performing some type of work or receiving some form of education during the period between jobs. If we can improve their educational background we can provide them with the additional incentive to be able to enter the workforce in a productive nature.

As well, we have to encourage employers to retain staff so if they wish to downsize they do it through natural attrition rather than make thousands of Canadians face job loss and uncertainty. Nowhere in the history of Canada have we seen so many people going to work day after day fearful of losing their jobs.

I would like to highlight those students completing degrees and looking to go into the workforce but are unable to find work. They should have an opportunity to work as assistants to senior people in their chosen fields. This would help them gain some credibility and obtain a work record. This would also help them to enter into the job placement process.

I would like to address a concern of mine regarding education and young people receiving assistance in the form of student loans. We have to ensure that their expectations in terms of paying back their loans are reasonable. We must frame it in a manner in which repayment of the loans is reasonable and they have some certainty of a place in the job market when they have completed their degree. As well interest rates must reflect the ability of young people to pay. If we want our young people to be educated and our human resources to be competitive restructuring of the student loan program is essential.

When we review social security programs some very serious facts need to be addressed. My riding includes seven First Nations bands. I know their hopes and aspirations. They hope for recognition as a First Nation and for self-government. They too search out in hope for the best for their families.

We now find that families in which both the husband and wife work outside the home are nearing 60 per cent of all families in the workforce. There are many latch-key children, youngsters leaving home for school likely with no breakfast, returning home at noon likely with no lunch and coming home after school with no adult to greet them.

This is a very serious problem. I am not questioning the actions of parents. Many families would much sooner have one parent at home. However the reality is that they need two incomes just to keep the family together and to pay the bills. We see many single parent families headed by women. They are growing at an ever increasing rate. We have the highest incidence of low income in this group. The needs of these families are real and great. The demands placed on single parents are even greater.

The schools could have a great deal to do with before and after school programs. The infrastructure and the schools are there. They are heated. We could create programs within the structure to assist parents requiring assistance with their children while they must be at work. What about the children of the next generation? We know that 1.1 million people live in households with social assistance as a way of life. We also know that in March 1993 three million Canadians required social assistance.

This year is significant in that it is the International Year of the Family and the International Year of Indigenous Peoples. For each member of the 35th Parliament, our concerns for these groups are very real and growing. We must address their concerns and we will. For the young, we must address their family needs; for youth, the need for jobs; for seniors, a social safety net whereby they are assured their pensions will not be eroded. We cannot allow the poor and the disadvantaged to go unheard. We must assist.

The payouts for these programs are significant: $7.4 million in welfare payments. When we take a look at our red book we find that our proposals show a strong desire to return hope for desperation, to remove fear and to provide a decent way of life for Canadians. The challenge is tremendous.

[Pre-Budget Consultations, February 1st, 1994]

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

On many occasions he and I have shared the opportunity of coming together on certain topics. The kind of thing that has to happen in this House is that we have to come up with a collective approach to dealing with problems.

I assure the hon. member not only will I be part of that but I want to work very hard to convince all members from Saskatchewan that we collectively ensure the base at Moose Jaw continues to stay open.

[Pre-Budget Consultations, February 1st, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the question the hon. member has put forward.

Let me say that he is being more than optimistic in his thought that all of us in this House, with the exception of the Bloc, are going to stand by while he departs from this country, because it will not happen. We are in this for the long haul. In this, the 35th Parliament, each and every one of us has a commitment to the debt and to the improvement of the welfare of this great country of ours.

I can assure hon. members that the people of Souris-Moose Mountain will make their commitment to continuing to come up with a budget that considers Quebec, that considers Yukon, that considers all of Canada.

I am pleased that the hon. member for Yukon is here because she is going to be part of this process so that jointly we come up with a decision. We are not going to do it as individuals but together collectively we will come up with a solution.

It is easy to turn to the past and say that it was the fault of someone else. I suggest that we have to come up to today's standard and ask: What are we going to do now? We have a new group of people. They are optimistic. I am optimistic and I can see nothing but good for this country under the leadership of our great Prime Minister and our Minister of Finance.

Along with us, the hon. member from Quebec will be surprised how happy he will be when the budget for 1994 comes forward.