Jesse Flis

[Supply, May 5th, 1994]

Madam Speaker, unfortunately the civil war continues to claim numerous lives in Rwanda. We are in contact with the UN, the Organization of African Unity, friendly countries and other NGOs in order to determine how best to come to the aid of the Rwandan people.

Next week the Prime Minister will be meeting with the president of the international committee of the Red Cross to exchange views on the provision of humanitarian assistance.

CIDA has already provided $3 million in emergency aid since April's outbreak of violence. General Dallaire I must point out again continues to play a key role in leading the United Nations assistance mission to Rwanda. As an intermediary between the warring factions and as a participant in the humanitarian operations he has done his utmost to attempt to obtain a ceasefire with the assistance of the other seven Canadian soldiers.

Before deciding what action to take, the Security Council is awaiting a reply from the African countries to the Secretary-General's request for assistance. Canada's eventual contribution will be considered in light of the Security Council's decision.

The Security Council is apparently leaning toward a regional solution with OAU participation funded by the United Nations. The RPF and representatives of the government have travelled to Tanzania to negotiate a ceasefire but are not talking to one another. However, they talk separately to the Tanzanian facilitator.

The Department of Foreign Affairs received the Rwandan ambassador earlier this week to encourage his government to negotiate in good faith and end the killing once and for all. A similar message has been transmitted to the RPF via his representative in New York. Politicians of both sides were told that Canada will have a long memory toward those who exert responsibilities and do not use their power to put an end to these massacres.

The Canadian Forces Hercules operating out of Nairobi into Kigali was shot at this morning after landing in Kigali. There were no injuries and damage was superficial. Flying has temporarily ceased until the situation at the airport has stabilized.

I thank the hon. member for Rosedale for bringing this crisis to the attention of Canada's Parliament. I also want to congratulate him on the excellent work he is doing in the whole area of foreign affairs.

[Supply, May 5th, 1994]

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to respond on behalf of the government to the hon. member's question and I

thank him for taking such an interest in the workers in his constituency.

The question of restricting the use of replacement workers during legal work stoppages raises a number of complex issues, including the need to ensure that necessary services are provided to the Canadian public. Protecting the public interest is of particular relevance in the federal jurisdiction as the Canada Labour Code governs many industries which provide necessary services.

While the code does not prohibit the use of replacement workers, it does provide protection for workers engaged in legal work stoppages. The code prohibits an employer from disciplining an employee for engaging in a legal work stoppage. As well, an employer cannot discipline an employee for refusing to perform the duties of another employee who is involved in a legal work stoppage.

Once a work stoppage is terminated, employees are entitled to return to their employment in preference to any persons hired to replace them.

Despite the complex nature of labour relations within federal jurisdiction, the existing system generally works as intended. Most collective bargaining negotiations are settled by the parties in direct negotiations. Of those that do require conciliation officer assistance, more than 90 per cent-many people do not realize this, Madam Speaker-are settled without a work stoppage.

Part I of the Canada Labour Code has been designed to balance the rights and responsibilities of labour and management. This careful balance ensures that the collective bargaining system functions effectively in the vast majority of cases. For this reason it is important to consider the issue of restricting the use of replacement workers during work stoppages only in the context of a comprehensive review of the code.

At a future date in the context of the full review, extensive consultations will be held and full consideration will be given to all representations on this subject.

I hope this answers the hon. member's concerns.

[South African Elections, April 27th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs it is my honour to pay tribute to the democratic process which is unfolding in South Africa today.

The Government of Canada is committed to the advancement of human rights and our support continues with some 150 Canadians currently in South Africa to observe the elections and to provide electoral expertise in the first democratic and non-racial elections.

At present the Secretary of State for Latin America and Africa is leading the official bilateral team of electoral observers, while many other Canadians are serving with the United Nations, the Commonwealth and non-governmental organizations during this historic transition.

I salute all the people of the new South Africa. Today marks an end to the past and is hope for the future.

[Bilingualism, April 25th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport has asked me to address the concerns expressed in the House over perceived delays in the granting of the necessary federal approval for Ste. Marguerite 3 hydro electric project.

The construction of the project requires a permit under the Navigable Waters Protection Act, which is administered by the Department of Transport.

The scope of the work required an environmental assessment. To that end the federal and provincial governments agreed to conduct a joint public panel.

On March 28, 1994 the Department of Transport, on behalf of the federal government, made public the federal response to the Bureau d'audiences publique sur l'environnement, BAPE, panel report.

The Department of Transport is moving expeditiously to complete its statutory responsibilities. Following the minister's February 24 announcement, departmental officials contacted the province and Hydro Quebec to explain the requirements for Navigable Waters Protection Act approval.

In order to finalize the approval documents the Department of Transport will have to receive and approve the final detailed plans and drawings of the project. In accordance with the Navigable Waters Protection Act, Hydro Quebec must deposit these plans in a land registry office and advertise their project intentions in two local newspapers and the Canada Gazette and await 30 days prior to commencing any work which may interfere with navigation.

To close, Hydro Quebec can and has, I believe, begun the road work for the project. There is certainly work that is not associated with the Navigable Waters Protection Act process with which they can proceed. Contrary to the comments of the hon. member for Frontenac, I believe the government commitment to both the protection of the environment and to job creation have been met.

I might also remind the hon. member that not long ago the United Nations declared Canada the number one place on the planet where to live, measured against certain criteria and thanks to the co-operation of all provinces, territories and the federal government. He should take that to bed and sleep on it.

[Sahtu Dene And Metis Land Claim Settlement Act, April 25th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry has asked me to comment on the issue raised by the hon. member for Beauport-Montmorency-Orleans on April 12 and I am sure he will get a clear answer as he requested.

The future of MIL Davie and its ability to generate meaningful long-term employment is of great importance to this government and I know how important it is for the population of the Quebec region.

With the completion later this year of the Canadian patrol frigate and trump contracts at MIL Davie the government will discuss the future of the shipyard with its owner, the province of Quebec. As a basis for the discussion, the province of Quebec is assessing a corporate business plan identifying the direction the company will take to ensure its future success.

I understand that the provincial government has not approved the draft plan and the MIL Davie business plan has not been presented to the federal government at this time.

Unsolicited proposals have been made by MIL Davie for two federal construction contracts. The first is a contract for the replacement of the Lucy Maud Montgomery ferry operating between the Magdalen Islands and P.E.I. The second is for a multifunctional vessel or smart ship for the Department of National Defence.

In the case of the ferry my colleague, the Minister of Transport, is evaluating the options available to him in the context of limited budget resources, other Canadian shipyards and the provision of timely and effective ferry service.

Regarding construction of the smart ship, the Minister of National Defence will be able to assess future naval requirements following the completion of the defence policy review that the member knows is going on at present.

In conclusion the long term future of MIL Davie and the well-being of its workers and the community is important to this government. As my colleague the Minister of Industry has said many times, we are committed to working with the yard's owner, the province of Quebec in a co-operative fashion.

[Ukrainian Elections, April 11th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, democratic development and good governance are the hallmarks of peace and co-operation in the modern era.

The successful outcome of Ukraine's first fair and free elections since its independence is testimony to what can be achieved given the strong will and perseverance of a people who do not fear change.

The Canadian government played a significant role in providing a $2.5 million electoral assistance package, including ballot paper, media training and voter education.

I was pleased to lead a team of Canadian observers to monitor the elections on March 27. After the second round of balloting on April 9 and 10, I have been informed that 312 out of 450 deputies have been elected and further results are pending.

Given that the quorum has been reached to form a new parliament and that at least 50 per cent of voters cast their ballots in the Crimea, it may be concluded that the Ukrainian elections were valid and that Ukraine is on its way to achieving a healthy, multi-party democratic parliamentary system.

[South Africa, March 17th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, two years ago today South Africa made a bold choice to end the system of apartheid and instead embark upon democracy.

As Canadians we can take a great deal of pride in the fact that Canada has always stood on the forefront of international efforts aimed at promoting change in South Africa. We can also be proud of the fact that Canada is continuing assistance during the national elections taking place in South Africa on April 26.

Our Secretary of State for Latin America and Africa will lead a delegation of election monitors and observers which will be necessary in order to ensure a free and fair vote.

I wish the Canadian delegation every success and hope that all of South Africa puts violence aside and in the interest of peace takes part in the democratic process.

[Canadian Foreign Policy, March 15th, 1994]

If we have some time, Madam Speaker, I do want to caution the hon. member that in our findings the trade commissioners were the most efficient and the most effective in promoting export trade.

That could have changed over the 10 years, but we complimented the trade commissioners in our report because we got very positive feedback on their service and their effectiveness.

[Canadian Foreign Policy, March 15th, 1994]

Madam Speaker, the hon. member welcomed suggestions on his concept of a Canadian trading organization. I am wondering whether he is familiar with a parliamentary task force that submitted a report over 12 years ago now. It was not called a Canadian trading organization. It was called a national trading corporation.

This all-party task force which travelled across Canada and actually through Europe, looked at trading houses, looked at bartering, et cetera. The whole idea was that if we could help small and medium sized businesses increase their exports by 10 per cent and if we could get some firms that were not exporting into the export business, we could generate $10 billion worth of additional trade. That was back then; it would be more like $100 billion now.

The concept was that this national trading corporation would be funded 50 per cent by government and 50 per cent by the private sector. As we know, many countries today will not trade with another unless there is some government involvement and that was the idea of the 50-50 per cent.

Unfortunately on the day when the special parliamentary task force tabled its report the Conservatives at the time submitted a minority report and shot down the main report. They agreed with the recommendations. Actually, many of the recommendations came from the Conservatives. Unfortunately on the day that the report was tabled it was not supported.

I recommend it to the hon. member. I believe there will be a copy of the report in the parliamentary library. I know it would be of great interest to him because I think that is the kind of foreign affairs, independent Canadian foreign policy, that we should be looking at.

I really appreciated his creative suggestions. It is too bad that he was not here 12 years ago.

[Canadian Foreign Policy, March 15th, 1994]

Madam Speaker, I am glad the hon. gentleman shared his experience and his roots because it is members like him who understand.

We are not here to throw money around. My parents came from Poland in 1930, right into the Depression. They had no handouts. Because they had no relatives they had to work for two years on a farm in Saskatchewan and they ended up working for 22 years. They know what it is like to save for the future, to tighten the belt. Our party knows it too, but we also have to think of the over one million people who are looking for jobs.

I am sure for that member like myself the hardest thing is when someone comes to his constituency office and asks for help in finding a job and there are not any around. I see a lot of members nodding their heads. I thank the hon. member for sharing that with us.