Roseanne Skoke

[The Environment, May 26th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, an excellent example of how government, industry and the community are co-operating to restore our environment is evident in my riding of Central Nova.

The Scott Maritimes pulp mill in my riding has been working steadily with the province of Nova Scotia in recent years to improve the quality of the effluent that is being released into the adjacent lagoon at Boat Harbour.

Scott Maritimes Limited is upgrading its treatment facility to meet federal government pulp and paper effluent regulations. In addition, the province, as owners of the Boat Harbour treatment facility, has proposed the construction of a pipeline to discharge the treated effluent one kilometre out into the Northumberland Strait instead of into the Boat Harbour lagoon.

Mr. Speaker, be advised today that the pipeline proposal is being subjected to an initial environmental assessment by Environment Canada, in co-operation with other federal departments and the province, to address environmental and social impacts.

As a first step, federal officials will meet in early June with fishermen, native groups and other local organizations.

[Westray Coal Mine, May 9th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Industry.

Exactly two years ago today, in my riding of Central Nova 26 coal miners were killed in the Westray coal mine explosion. Can the minister advise this honourable House as to what his position is regarding the recovery of the remains of the deceased coal miners still entombed in the mine?

[Rights Of The Family, May 3rd, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, in recognition of International Year of the Family my statement is prepared in defence of the family.

The conventional terms of debate in matters of political, economic and legal issues tend to focus on individual rights and the rights of state, not the rights of the family.

This is unfortunate and must change, for the family is the most important reality in our lives. To redefine the family to include homosexual and lesbian relationships is immoral, unjust and a violation of the rights of the family which are well founded in both Canadian and natural law.

The family unit is the basic institution of life and the solid foundation on which our forefathers built this great nation. The protection of families, family life and family values must be a priority with this government.

[Foreign Affairs, April 21st, 1994]

Madam Speaker, I rise in this House proud to be a Canadian, a Canadian with family residing in Croatia.

In resolving the issue before the House, the decision that we must make as a government is to determine what is in the best interests of our country Canada. When so doing we must consider what is in the interest of peace and security of the world.

On January 26 on debate in this honourable House I stated it is my position that Canada should withdraw its peacekeeping military forces from both Croatia and Bosnia. Bring the soldiers home. At that time my conclusion to withdraw the Canadian troops from the former Yugoslavia was predicated on the fact that there is no need for peacekeeping since there is no peace to keep.

However, due to the constantly changing circumstances on the ground it becomes extremely difficult and possibly meaningless to hold a fixed position among aspects of the wars in former Yugoslavia.

Today the original Canadian mandate to serve as peacekeepers and to deliver aid continues to be seriously compromised. The resistance of Bosnian Serbs to make peace has dictated the need for an urgent and a new direction for the role of Canada in defence and foreign affairs.

There is still no peace to keep and the war continues. As a nation of conscience we cannot tolerate the slaughter of innocent victims of genocide. We cannot trust the Serbs to negotiate peace. We cannot compromise our credibility as a nation.

This is the most difficult foreign policy question of our time. Since the end of World War II Canada has proudly stood as a leader in world affairs, stepping forward whenever international peace and security were threatened. However, the cold war has passed and the world we face today is much more complex.

The anticipated peace has given way to a resurgence and deep rooted and often brutal ethnic conflict. The situation in the former Yugoslavia is the most striking example of this problem.

The position the Canadian government will take on this very important issue will undoubtedly have profound implications on, first, the safety of Canada's armed forces; second, the practice of future peacekeeping; third, the evolution of the United Nations and its future mandate; fourth, the role of NATO; and, fifth and most important, the future of democracy in the western world and peace and security in our world.

It is my position that Canada has no alternative but to support NATO's demand for air strikes. It is in the best interest of Canadians. It is in the best interest of the people of the former Yugoslavia. However in the negotiations with NATO I ask our government to consider carefully the role of Russia.

NATO must take into consideration the position of Russia and consider carefully the consequences of Russia's position and the impact it will have on the resolution of the conflict. Russia at this time is the key to peace in this conflict. I trust that every effort will be made to ensure that Russia supports NATO's position regarding air strikes.

I wish to take this opportunity to commend the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of National Defence for their immediate attention to this urgent matter. I pray the decisions made by our government will bring lasting peace to former Yugoslavia.

[Abortion, April 21st, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, life begins from the moment of conception and continues until natural death. It is demanded that this Parliament exercise its power, authority and jurisdiction to enact legislation to protect and safeguard the rights and the life of the child dans le ventre de sa mère, the child within the womb.

Be reminded that the preamble of the Canadian Constitution and entrenched charter of rights recognizes the supremacy of God. However, a nation such as ours that condones, facilitates and finances abortion is indeed a nation without a conscience, a pagan nation.

Enact legislation now to guarantee the right to life at all stages from the moment of conception until natural death.

[Michelin Tires Canada Limited, April 14th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, people are working hard in the province of Nova Scotia and in my riding of Central Nova.

Michelin Tires Canada Limited has provided stable employment for 4,000 Nova Scotians, an annual direct Nova Scotia payroll of over $175 million and spinoff employment for thousands more Nova Scotians.

Congratulations are being extended today to the dedicated Michelin employees for reaching a significant milestone in Nova Scotia.

The Nova Scotia employees are proud to announce that 100 million man-made in Nova Scotia tires have been produced since the first tire rolled off the line in 1971. This achievement is a tribute to the dedication of all Michelin employees and management working together over the past 25 years.

We look forward to Michelin and its employees continuing the tradition of excellence and progress in Nova Scotia for years to come.

[Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Suspension Act, March 21st, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member has stated clearly that his riding would be adversely affected by an electoral boundary distribution. He is not happy with the proposed redistribution.

If this is so, why is there opposition today to the bill? If it will adversely affect the member's riding, it is respectfully submitted that the member has a duty and a responsibility to represent the best interests of his constituents. To oppose the bill today is in direct conflict with the best interest of the member's constituents and his riding.

It is unfortunate that the Reform Party insists on concentrating its focus on process. It is also unfortunate that the member has placed more confidence in the process than confidence in his own judgment to make a decision today that will protect and safeguard the best interest of his constituents.

[Excise Act, February 22nd, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member has been concentrating on law enforcement and talking about the criminal element. I would like to take this opportunity to make a comment and to remind the member that there is a distinction between civil legislation and criminal legislation and the enforcement of criminal provisions versus the enforcement of civil provisions. This proposed bill does not lessen or detract from the criminal law, nor does it detract from the enforcement provisions of the Criminal Code of Canada. It introduces a new authority to enforce the civil provisions of the Customs Act, the civil provisions of the Excise Act and the civil provisions of the Tobacco Sales to Young Persons Act.

No authority currently exists under the Excise Act to allow police forces other than the RCMP to enforce civil provisions of the act. What we are talking about today is the enforcement of civil provisions of these acts.

[Criminal Code, February 16th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, life begins at the moment of conception and continues until natural death.

Respect for life and the dignity of human suffering together with the recognition of the moral, ethical and spiritual values is well founded in both natural law and Canadian law.

The Criminal Code of Canada forbids aiding, counselling or assisting suicide. This law does not merely exist to regulate our behaviour. Rather, it articulates and symbolizes our values and beliefs as a nation.

In recognition of all the heroic individuals who silently suffer the physical pain and endure the emotional torments of this life from day unto day until natural death, I demand that the existing laws of the Criminal Code respecting assisted suicide be strictly enforced to ensure that our nation's values and moral conscience with respect to life not be fettered, for not to do so will create a greater injustice to mankind than any human pain or suffering could possibly inflict.

[Prince Edward Island Fixed Link, February 15th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I listened with interest to my colleague, the hon. member from Nova Scotia.

As the member for Central Nova, the issue of the fixed link is one of major concern in my riding. It is recognized that the Northumberland bridge, the fixed link to Prince Edward Island, is a link to economic opportunity and progress for Prince Edward Island and all of Atlantic Canada. This link will create job opportunities for Atlantic Canadians throughout construction of the bridge and maintenance thereafter. It will create opportunity for tourism and economic progress.

However in my riding of Central Nova some concerns have been expressed regarding competition between the fixed link at one end of the island and the ferry service at the other end. The employees of the ferry service rely upon this means for commercial and domestic transport and for carrying tourists from Caribou to Wood Islands. The shipbuilding industry and Steelworkers of America Union rely upon the building of new ferries and the maintenance of those existing for their livelihood.

I wish to reassure the people of Central Nova that the competing interests between one end of the island and the other and competing interests between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia along with the competing interests of construction workers, ferry workers and shipbuilders can be very readily reconciled.

The fixed link will create employment opportunity as well as tourism opportunity for all of us in Atlantic Canada. It will in no way diminish the importance of the ferry service running between Wood Islands and Caribou. The continuation and upgrading of the ferry service between Caribou and Wood Islands will create opportunities for tourism and economic progress in Central Nova and for the province of Nova Scotia.

Therefore on behalf of the people of Central Nova I support the motion put forward this morning by the hon. minister of public works. I thank my learned colleague for her comments.