Simon de Jong

[Petitions, May 19th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I am also duty bound to introduce this petition from constituents of Fort Qu'Appelle.

The constituents and the petitioners are not happy with Image Cablesystem, which has changed their programming and rates. The petitioners ask Parliament to regulate Image Cablesystem and all cable companies in regard to program services and rates, regardless of subscriber numbers.

They also ask Parliament to address their immediate concern of requesting the CRTC take the steps necessary to restore their previous service, with new programming being offered in additional group packages at a competitive rate.

[Petitions, May 19th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, as I am duty bound, I have a petition mainly from constituents of Regina criticizing Bill C-41.

These petitioners ask that Parliament not amend the human rights code, the Canadian Human Rights Act, or the Charter of Rights and Freedoms in any way that would tend to indicate societal approval of same sex relationships.

[Petitions, May 19th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I have a few petitions to introduce.

As I am duty bound, I have a petition signed by constituents mainly from Regina and from Fort Qu'Appelle and district that asks Parliament to ensure that the present provisions of the Criminal Code prohibiting assisted suicides are enforced vigorously and that Parliament make no changes to the law that would sanction or allow the aiding or abetting of suicide or active or passive euthanasia.

[Infrastructure, May 1st, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, the National Capital Commission has a proposed master plan for the development of a high tech park in the greenbelt area in Nepean. There already exists a high tech district in Kanata which is under utilized and ready for business.

Is it necessary to build when the infrastructure already exists? Is it necessary to destroy a green area when other areas are already serviced and desperate for business? Would more stable employment not be generated faster if the existing infrastructure were used?

Furthermore, the NCC's plans are bitterly opposed by the neighbourhood. Most residents of Crystal Bay have signed letters protesting the proposal. Earlier in March a public meeting was held and the residents clearly stated they wanted the greenbelt green, not paved.

The government repeatedly promises to be responsible and frugal in its spending. The Liberals say they are committed to

reducing the public debt and encouraging private sector growth in the areas of high technology and employment.

Therefore is it not time to shelve the NCC's master plan for a high tech park?

[Petitions, March 31st, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, the other petition is from people across Canada.

The petitioners point out the importance of the social programs as the fabric of Canadian society, the importance that Canadians have access to proper health care, old age security, et cetera.

They are petitioning Parliament to maintain and enhance the social programs which are our right and heritage.

[Petitions, March 31st, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to introduce two petitions. One petition is from people in my constituency in Balcarres and Fort Qu'Appelle.

The petitioners request that Parliament support laws that will severely punish all violent criminals who use weapons in the commission of crimes, support new Criminal Code firearm control provisions and support legislation that will repeal and modify existing gun control laws that have not improved public safety.

[Immigration, March 31st, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to the minister of immigration.

The question concerns refugees who do not intend to buy 40-inch TV sets as their second or third purchase in Canada.

As the minister is aware no other country in the world charges a fee of $975 for refugees. He has assured us, however, that loans will be available to refugees from poorer countries who cannot afford the $975 fee. There is a catch-22 however.

My question is for the minister of immigration. Will he deny entry to those immigrants and refugees who do not meet the criteria to repay the loan? Will he assure us that no refugee will be denied entrance into Canada even though they cannot pay the $975 fee and do not meet the criteria for qualifying to receive a loan?

[Budget Implementation Act, 1995, March 30th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, the comments of the government member surely cannot go unchallenged.

The member expressed great concern about government revenues supporting labour education with the CLC. The member seems to be totally blind to the government largesse to the banks and vested interest groups through what is called tax expenditures that run into the billions of dollars.

The member took great glee and satisfaction in denouncing Kids Help Phone which helps kids in emergency and suicide situations. Funds are being cut to this organization and that organization, many of which are staffed by volunteers who work hard at what the government should have been doing anyway. However government keeps cutting back and cutting back.

The member took great pride in going after kids organizations and organizations which help the needy and poor. He did not say one word about the tremendous assistance this government and previous Liberal and Tory governments have given to the very wealthy and the very rich. Governments have allowed the Royal Bank of Canada to have millions and millions of dollars in profit and to pay zero amount in taxes. The government allows a teller with the Royal Bank of Canada to pay more dollars and cents in taxes than the bank does. Do we hear one word of protest about this inequity and the unfairness? The member enjoys going after kids and kids' organizations that help the poor, the weak, the sick and the elderly. He certainly does not go after those who are the powerful, his friends, that helped to elect him.

[Peacekeeping, March 29th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, it is not with pleasure that I join the debate. I am certain all members present do not find much joy in debating this subject. We have debated the topic several times. Parliament has sat late to debate our role in the former Yugoslavia.

This time as I listened to members from all political parties I sensed a sense of weariness with what our role has been. There is more weariness now than I heard in previous debates.

The Reform Party is calling for our troops to be brought home. The minister of defence made it abundantly clear in his remarks that even if he recommits our troops it would only be for a limited period of time.

The Leader of the Opposition talked in terms of renewing our mandate because there is not much choice. The views expressed by the members of the House really reflect the mood in the country from coast to coast.

The lack of progress in ending hostilities, the ongoing flagrant denial of basic human rights while our troops under the UN command stand helplessly by, the incidents in which our troops were detained and humiliated as well as our budgetary problems have all added to the sense of weariness.

What are we doing there is the basic fundamental question that gets asked. It is important for us and for Canadians to realize the tremendous job Canadian troops have done. There would have been a lot more death, destruction, carnage, rape and denial of basic civilized human rights had there not been the United Nations and the Canadian troops present.

It is hard to quantify that but let there be no doubt Canadian troops have saved innocent lives. It is important that all Canadians tip their hats to the men and women both in the RCMP and in our military who have done a very professional job. Canada can be proud of them.

The frustration we feel is also the frustration the Croatian people feel. I and two other members of the House visited Croatia in June 1994. We talked to its foreign minister as well as members of its Parliament. Overwhelmingly they talked in terms of ending the Vance peace agreement of 1994, the mandate by which UNPROFOR forces are in Croatia.

The Croatians have the same fear the minister of defence expressed, that this becomes a permanent situation. Under the original agreement the local Serb groups were to be disarmed. There was to be UN monitoring and taking over heavy armaments. Non-Serbs were to be allowed back home. None of this has happened. The concern is this present occupation of almost

one-third of Croatia by Serb forces will become a permanent situation.

When one looks at a map for the areas controlled by the Serbs, one sees how it prevents north-south and east-west communications and transportation in Croatia. Croatia cannot economically develop as long as this situation continues. There is a tremendous sense of frustration.

When President Tudjman called for an end to the mandate, he was not speaking for himself. It was a unanimous decision passed by the Parliament of Croatia. Because of international pressure the Croatian government has agreed to back down.

An agreement was reached with Mr. Tudjman and the Vice- President of the United States, Al Gore, in Copenhagen. That agreement has not been implemented in a mandate. There is no agreement as things stand now for a new mandate. That is why the government a bit amiss when it asks the House for advice to renew that mandate. Right now no mandate exists.

The agreement reached in Copenhagen has not been finalized in an agreement that would allow a new mandate to be implemented in Croatia. In part what we are discussing here could very well be beside the point. The Croatian government has given until the end of May to reach this agreement. I understand the condition will continue as it is now until the end of May.

No agreement exists right now that would allow Canadian troops to stay in Croatia. Hopefully something can be achieved by the end of May. If it can be achieved, I urge the Canadian government to allow our Canadian troops to remain there for humanitarian purposes in the hope and prayer we all share, that peace can be achieved in that part of the world. Our prayers are with them.

[Peacekeeping, March 29th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I seek unanimous consent of the House to extend the debate for myself and the member for Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca.