Bryon Wilfert

[Speech From The Throne, February 1st, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question. I have enjoyed the opportunity of working with the member on a number of occasions and have always found him to be a very forthright and honest individual, particularly when it comes to his convictions.

As far as the issue of distinct society is concerned, the government certainly has indicated that wherever they are in Canada residents are part of a greater good. The government has worked extremely well in embracing that.

The country was created in spite of geography and in spite of history. We have managed to create one of the best societies in history. The fact that we have been recognized continually by the United Nations as the best place to live, along with the fact that people continually want to immigrate here, would indicate that this is a country of opportunity.

I support the view of distinct society. Quebec is a distinct society, although one might argue that British Columbia or Newfoundland are distinct societies. Within the cultural and linguistic roles that we see in Quebec, I would definitely concur.

The government has taken very constructive steps over the years. There is the fact that we have official bilingualism in Canada. Anyone in the country can obtain services in either French or English from the federal government. I think that is an important recognition.

There is the fact that Quebec participates in international conferences with federal representatives. There is the fact that there have been more federal-provincial conferences. As a student of history, Mr. Speaker, you may know that the first federal-provincial conference was developed by Sir Wilfrid Laurier. He listened to our provincial counterparts.

I intend to rededicate myself this term to working with my colleagues, particularly those from Quebec. As a former president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities I have had the great pleasure of working with many mayors and councillors in Quebec. I have learned a lot about their concerns and their issues, which are often not much different from ours.

The fact is that people want a strong economy. People want to be recognized for their individual worth and they want respect, and we are working to ensure all of those things.

[Speech From The Throne, February 1st, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, I will be splitting my time with the hon. member for Ancaster—Dundas—Flamborough—Aldershot. This is an opportunity for me to address issues of concern to the residents of Oak Ridges, to my colleagues in the House and indeed to all Canadians. First and foremost, I welcome back my colleagues from the previous parliament and welcome the new members.

Elections by their very nature can be extremely partisan experiences, but when we enter the Chamber we come here for a common purpose: to work on behalf of all Canadians for the public good. I hope that in this session of parliament we will become better listeners and that we will try to strive together to deal with issues that are of concern to Canadians at large. It takes time to learn the procedures, practices and protocols of the House. Indeed every day is a learning experience. I wish all new members a very speedy learning curve.

The responsibility placed on all of us, by our constituents in our individual ridings and as a whole across Canada, is very awesome. Over the course of this parliament we will shape the very future of the country. I certainly would not be here today if it were not for the confidence again placed in me by the residents of the riding of Oak Ridges. I thank each and every one of them for their support and reassure them that I will dedicate my efforts to working on their behalf every day in the House.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate you on your appointment as Deputy Speaker. There is no question about your vast experience and I look forward to fair rulings and orderly procedures. I must say that you have already started off very well today. I congratulate you.

I will focus on two key areas that I believe are important not only to me personally but to the residents of my riding. Today I will be dealing with the issues of urban centres and the conservation of Canada's natural spaces. My comments will focus on the issue of partnerships, which again I believe the Speech from the Throne addresses very well.

The roles that cities and towns and our local governments play in contributing to the quality of life of Canadians has been recognized in the Speech from the Throne. They are vital roles, impacting on everyday life, from water and waste water services, garbage collection and parks and recreation services to local roads, bridges and public transit.

Our cities are tasked with providing services that are essential to everyday life and they do so under great jurisdictional regulations. Every day our cities search for practical ways and means to meet the increasing demands on their financial resources.

For example, in Ontario the scope of provincial control over municipal governments remains largely unfettered. Municipal responsibilities can be altered by votes of the provincial legislature, although it was heartening to read that the premier of Ontario just indicated that he would like to see a more activist role by the Government of Canada in assisting with a number of key issues facing people who live in the cities, towns and villages of the province of Ontario.

In my own riding the municipal governments are faced with particular challenges, including homelessness, affordable housing, public transit, air pollution, and potential development of large tracts of land of the Oak Ridges Moraine.

The greater Toronto area federal caucus of the Liberal Party has been very active in articulating these issues over the past few years. I am very pleased that the Speech from the Throne addresses issues such as housing and the need to work with all orders of government in improving public transit and in dealing with environmental concerns, both in the greater Toronto area and across the country.

The Speech from the Throne also deals with the issue of improving municipal water and waste water systems through the federal-provincial-municipal infrastructure Canada program. I am very proud to say that in 1994 the government launched the first Canada works infrastructure program and renewed it in 1997. The fact that we are going forward again indicates that there is a very constructive and very positive role for the federal government to play, not only with the provinces and territories but with cities across the country. That is extremely important.

It is also important to note that the federal government in launching the national infrastructure program has recognized issues such as the need to improve public transit, water systems and waste management systems across Canada. It is providing dollars for that in conjunction with not only our provincial, territorial and municipal partners but also by encouraging and involving the private sector.

Close to home, one of the issues dealing with the environment which is very important to residents in my community is the issue of development on the Oak Ridges Moraine. Nothing would please me more than to see development on that moraine curtailed to conserve this unique part of the Canadian landscape, the rain barrel of southern Ontario. In the past I certainly have favoured, and I continue to favour, a commission similar to the Niagara Escarpment Commission to ensure that the moraine is well looked after.

The moraine is a 160 kilometre ridge of sand and gravel that runs from the Niagara escarpment to Cobourg. It contains the headwaters of at least three major rivers: the Humber, the Don and the Rouge.

Conserving the natural spaces of the moraine and developing a greenbelt around the greater Toronto area would enhance the quality of life for people who live in an area with a population of about 4.5 million. With increasing urban pressures and mounting pollution problems, it could play a number of roles. It could be a place to go hiking or to ride a bike or a horse. It could be a protected area in which to preserve species at risk.

The Speech from the Throne addresses the point that we will be reintroducing the very important species at risk legislation. On the moraine there are 17 identified species at risk. Whether they be plants or animals, this is very important legislation which I hope will be embraced by all members of the House to protect those habitats and to safeguard the quality of water for the people of southern Ontario and the many others who draw their drinking water from the wells.

Many groups and individuals made a large and sincere effort to preserve this important physical feature. I commend the nine conservation authorities which have united as the Conservation Authorities Moraine Coalition to advocate for and protect the Oak Ridges Moraine along its entire length. Together the authorities own about 5% of the moraine and will work to preserve the integrity of the moraine.

There is a role for the federal government to play and I will continue to urge it to do so. Although the best approach is to permit local solutions to local problems and challenges, each order of government can and should be playing a very constructive role in this effort.

Issues also addressed in the Speech from the Throne that are of concern to my constituents include, interestingly enough, the issue of the agricultural sector. Although I have a very urban riding I do have some farmland and very active farms. The comment that we will move beyond crisis management in the farming sector is an important one because we are at a disadvantage when dealing with our American counterparts and the Europeans, particularly in the oilseed and grain areas. Others have applied subsidies that obviously have affected the farming sector very negatively.

The greater Toronto area federal caucus was involved in promoting the family farm last March. I was very pleased that my colleagues were involved in that promotion, recognizing that although we come from a predominantly urban area we cannot survive without the support of strong farms.

Issues that have been raised by my constituents include health care, taxes and debt reduction. The government's announcement last September of $21 billion for health care was very welcome in our rapidly growing area.

We are here to improve Canada for the betterment of all Canadians. It is certainly my hope that we will be able to secure a strong, united Canada with opportunities and security for all in the future.

[Interparliamentary Delegations, October 5th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 34(1) I have the honour to present to the House, in both official languages, the report of the chair of the Canada-Japan Interparliamentary Group annual visit to Diet members, September 4 to 10, 2000.

[Communities In Bloom, September 21st, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, today I am pleased to let you know that Richmond Hill in my riding of Oak Ridges has received the highest possible rating, a four bloom rating this past weekend at the awards ceremony of the national Communities in Bloom program.

To win a four bloom rating a municipality must achieve more than 800 out of a possible 1,000 points in eight different categories. The town is particularly pleased that it achieved its highest scores in the areas of heritage and community involvement.

Richmond Hill has been invited to represent the province of Ontario in the national competition next year, one of only six towns and cities to have earned that opportunity.

The Communities in Bloom program is dedicated to improving the quality of life of Canadian municipalities. Improving the appearance of neighbourhoods, parks and streets through the use of flowers, plants and trees and increasing environmental awareness helps make Richmond Hill a wonderful place to live, work and play.

Good luck next year in the national competition. I look forward to seeing yet another beautiful display of my community in bloom.

[Organized Crime, September 18th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for his question. I do not think that talking about trafficking of narcotics, illegal gambling, extortion or prostitution is making light of the fact that this is a very serious issue.

I pointed out those issues very clearly in the CISC report. The government has information and has acted. The hon. member said that Bill C-95 was not much legislation at all. It was passed in two days with the consent of all parties including his own. I would suggest on reflection that maybe if it was not what the member wanted in 1997, his party should not have given it the support that it did.

Very clearly we have said that we are prepared to deal with this issue. We have brought in legislation and we will continue to fight organized crime wherever it exists.

In my region of York we have a problem with Asian and eastern European gangs. There was an excellent report done by our police force on this issue. It is very disturbing to see the influence and the depth at which organized crime operates both in my own region and elsewhere in the country.

The Minister of Justice clearly indicated today that in consultation with her provincial and territorial counterparts she is prepared to look at whatever additional tools are needed, but I do not think an artificial date of October 6 will necessarily be the answer. We need to make sure that the proper tools are in place, that those tools will meet the test of law, and that at the end of the day they can be used for the very purpose which we all in the House want to see, that is an end to the role of organized crime wherever it exists in the country so that people are not in fear.

The CISC 2000 annual report is very important reading for all members. That is the base on which the Minister of Justice and the Solicitor General of Canada have indicated that they are prepared to work with their counterparts and policing agencies across the country to provide additional tools for enforcement.

[Organized Crime, September 18th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, public safety and protection are fundamental objectives of Canada's criminal justice system.

Last week's deplorable shooting of Journal de Montréal reporter Michel Auger once again brings home the need for effective action against such criminal acts. Combating organized crime is a key part of maintaining public safety.

I would like to draw to the attention of hon. members a recent report by the Criminal Intelligence Service of Canada, CISC. CISC is the organization responsible for assembling the information and intelligence needed by law enforcement to carry on the fight against organized crime.

One of the keys to success in the fight against organized crime is partnerships between governments, between enforcement agencies and between the police and individual members of the public. CISC operates entirely on the basis of co-operation made available by such partnerships. It provides a network by which police across Canada come together for the common purpose of fighting the spread of organized crime.

What does CISC have to say about organized crime groups in Canada? The CISC annual report for 2000 reviews organized crime groups and their activities in Canada. I should note, as the report itself does, that none of the references to criminal activity associated with ethnic or other groups is to be taken to suggest that all members of that group are involved in organized crime. The report does make it clear from the police perspective that organized crime extends its influence into many parts of our society.

For example, CISC reports that the Hell's Angels remain one of the most powerful and well structured criminal organizations in Canada.

Mr. Speaker, I should mention that I will be splitting my time with the hon. member for Scarborough East.

CISC notes that the armed conflict which started in 1994 between the Hell's Angels and the Quebec based Rock Machine is likely to escalate, with expansion of the Hell's Angels and the Rock Machine's recent move into Ontario.

Members of the Hell's Angels continue to be involved in the importation and distribution of cocaine, the production and the distribution of methamphetamine, as well as the cultivation and exportation of high grade marijuana. Members use a vast network of associates to assist in growth and harvesting of the drugs and with its illegal trafficking.

CISC also reports that the outlaw motorcycle gangs are involved in the illegal trafficking of firearms, explosives, the collection of protection money for both legitimate and illegitimate businesses, fraud, money laundering, prostitution and the use of intimidation and threats.

The CISC annual report goes on to describe the activities of organized criminal groups. According to the CISC annual report, Asian based organized crime groups are involved in the importation and trafficking of narcotics, counterfeit currency, software, credit and debit cards, prostitution, illegal gambling, extortion and a variety of violent crimes, particularly in western Canada, but I might say also in my own region of York.

During 1999 the Asian based organized crime gangs continued to exploit Canada's ports of entry, attempting to import illegal contraband and illegal immigrants. As members well know, Canada's public safety agencies thwarted several such attempts over the last year.

CISC expects Asian based criminal groups to increase such activities in the future. That is why we are exercising increased vigilance and increased intelligence sharing to counter these efforts.

These groups are expected to build greater alliances with other organized criminal elements. They rely increasingly on new technologies to facilitate their illegal activities.

CISC notes that in the past, eastern European based organized crime groups have been involved primarily in extortion, prostitution and other street crimes. It is reported that these groups are becoming involved in a variety of white collar crimes, including counterfeiting of credit cards and debit cards, as well as immigration fraud, organized theft and automobile smuggling.

The police have also taken note of the increased involvement of eastern European based groups in drug smuggling and money laundering. The CISC report also states that traditional organized crime groups remain a threat to Canada, despite the success of law enforcement efforts against the Sicilian Mafia.

In western Canada illegal gaming continues to be the primary activity of such groups. Elsewhere these groups are reported to be involved in drug trafficking, extortion, loan sharking and money laundering. CISC notes that increased criminal activity is being reported in tobacco, alcohol and diamond smuggling. It also reports increased criminal activity in the illegal import of firearms primarily from the United States.

Similarly, illegal gaming is reportedly being used to finance many organized crimes and other criminal activities such as drug trafficking.

Lastly, CISC reports an increased likelihood of organized criminals to use computer hackers and individuals with technological skills to forge credit and debit cards, all of which gives a sophisticated edge to criminals and makes detection and enforcement that much more difficult.

These facts compiled from Canada's most knowledgeable law enforcement officials by CISC underline the seriousness of organized crime activity in Canada.

In response to these threats, governments at all levels in Canada are working together in the fight against organized crime. First, we must know the problem and that is why the efforts of the CISC and law enforcement across Canada in intelligence gathering and sharing are so important.

Armed with this information the government and its provincial and territorial partners have come up with new strategies to fight organized crime.

The government's record of achievement is clear. We brought in Bill C-95, the anti-gang bill that introduced the concepts of criminal organization, criminal organization offence and participation in a criminal organization offence. This was a tool the police asked for to investigate outlaw gangs, and the government acted.

The CISC report talks about money laundering. We now have Bill C-22 in place which has one of the most comprehensive anti-money laundering regimes in the world. With this legislation authorities can target cross-border currency movement and other superficial financial transactions.

We have a very vigorous proceeds of crime law in effect. There are now 13 dedicated units in major centres across the country investigating and seizing the assets of criminals. Some $70 million in fines and forfeitures have been levelled against crime figures since 1997, a big blow to organized crime.

We have bolstered our anti-smuggling initiative, increased RCMP presence at airports to fight organized crime and dedicated $30 million this year to develop ways to help police deal with the use of new technologies by criminals.

The CISC report contains some troubling information and so it should. Governments and Canadians need to know the extent of the problem we are dealing with and how organized crime targets us. Such reports have been of great use to us in developing appropriate strategies, developing the right enforcement tools and identifying areas for further research.

The fight against organized crime has been and will continue to be a key part of the government's longstanding commitment to safer communities. The same commitment was again demonstrated by federal, provincial and territorial ministers in the outcome of their meetings in Iqaluit last week.

The federal government will not relent in its efforts to provide national leadership in the fight against organized crime, building on the advice of the police community across Canada.

[2000 Olympic Games, September 18th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, together with all residents of my riding of Oak Ridges I want to wish all our athletes at the Olympic Games in Sydney good luck and best wishes for success.

I know that these members of our Olympic team will represent Canada and their hometowns with pride: Garret Pulle of Markham in the 4x100 metre freestyle; Rob Rusnov of Richmond Hill in archery; Carl Georgevski, an assistant coach in athletics; Tammy Sutton-Brown of Markham in basketball; John Pearce of Stouffville in the equestrian events of team and individual jumping, backed up by the efforts of Donna Peacock, a groom from Stouffville; Mathieu Turgeon of Unionville on the trampoline; and Colleen Smith of Markham in softball. I know they will be aiming for personal bests and giving their best efforts in the first games of the new millennium.

Australian athletes are certainly benefiting from performing in front of their home crowds. I hope we can look forward to the same benefit if Toronto succeeds in hosting the 2008 Olympic Games.

[Supply, June 15th, 2000]

Madam Speaker, I had the pleasure a few weeks ago to attend the Federation of Canadian Municipalities annual convention. Many mayors and councillors gave me the same message which was very clear. Canada's health care system needs more than tinkering with. We need to deal with the structure. Money alone will not solve the problem.

It is very clear that when we talk about pharmacare, primary care and a lot of the structural issues that are delivered by the provinces and territories, we as a federal government are prepared to talk two streams. One is money, but most important, is to make sure that this time next year or even five years from now we are not talking about the same structural issues.

I want to clarify an erroneous impression given by my colleague from the New Democratic Party. This government does not give 13 cents, 12 cents or 15 cents on the dollar. I would point out it is a combination of cash and tax credits. The provinces very conveniently forget about tax points and tax credits because they know they total about 33 cents to 34 cents that the federal government contributes.

If we are going to solve the problem, as my hon. colleague suggested, we have to make sure that those issues are solved for future generations. This is too important an issue to simply talk money which we have already indicated we are prepared to do. But we cannot do one and not do the other. We must solve it for the future. That is what the government intends to do. That is what the government will do. With the support of Canadians and the provinces and territories, we will get the job done.

[Supply, June 15th, 2000]

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to have the opportunity to address the motion today. Let us remember what is important for Canadians. This issue comes down to access to high quality care in our public and universal system.

Canadians value our health care system above all other social programs and it is what sets us apart from other countries around the world. To achieve that, Canadians expect governments to work together, openly and with transparency. A lot of work has been done between the federal, provincial and territorial governments in the past, and that is how this government intends to approach the health care system renewal now and in the future.

In the last two years alone much concrete work has been done to lay the foundation for sustaining Canada's health care system and the health of Canadians. In September 1998 the federal health minister, with provincial and territorial ministers of health, agreed to a number of key federal, provincial and territorial priorities to facilitate governments working more closely and collaboratively. Ministers identified the following future directions and key priorities and emphasized the need to achieve concrete results and improve accountability to Canadians.

Ministers agreed to joint action on maintaining a financially sustainable, publicly funded Canadian health care system; supporting high quality, integrated and continuing community based health services; implementing population approaches to improve the health of Canadians; promoting the development and efficient use of information and research technology, and planning and reporting systems; and, collaborating in areas such as health, human resource planning, identifying best service practices, research evaluation, primary care reform and public health policy.

At their 1999 September meeting, federal, provincial and territorial ministers of health reviewed the work accomplished and noted concrete progress on their joint priorities. They endorsed intensified collaborative work in primary care reform as an essential element to ensuring the sustainability and accessibility of our health care system; tasked federal, provincial and territorial officials with preparing options for strengthening the development of the health human resource professionals; and, undertook to improve collaboration between governments and health care providers.

As part of that commitment, last November the Minister of Health co-chaired meetings of health ministers and representatives of the medical and nursing professions. Furthermore, in the past year federal, provincial and territorial ministers of health released by significant reports on the health of Canadians and the importance of investing in early childhood development; endorsed a national strategy for collaborative action on tobacco controls in Canada; released several reports on pharmaceutical issues to ensure that drug prices are fair and reasonable, and that drugs are prescribed and used appropriately; and, approved the establishment of a council of organ and tissue donation and transplantation.

Madam Speaker, I also point out that I will be splitting my time with my colleague from Waterloo—Wellington.

Provincial ministers of health noted that the federal-provincial-territorial ministers meetings in the fall of 1999 were productive. They supported strategic direction in the ministers' key priority areas such as sustainability of the health care system, health human resources and preparation for an aging population. Today, 12% of Canadians are now over the age of 65. This is obviously a very important area and initiative we will work on with our provincial and territorial colleagues. This is only a partial accounting of the depth and breadth of the federal-provincial-territorial collaboration of the health sector on important health issues.

The government is committed and dedicated to working with the provinces and territories to find common solutions to ensure the future of the publicly funded health care system for the benefit of Canadians. I stress that does not mean that as important and complex issues are being considered, there is not room for different points of view to be expressed and for open and frank discussions to take place. Our focus is to renew the public health care system. Working together on joint objectives and priorities, consultation, and transparent information sharing are some of the ways to strengthen the collaborative partnership. This is what the government will continue to do.

The Prime Minister and the health minister have spoken about the Government of Canada's commitment to sustaining, strengthening and preserving public health care in Canada. The federal minister is actively working with provincial and territorial ministers to lay the groundwork for an agreement on health by first ministers this fall. The federal minister has had positive one on one discussions with provincial and territorial ministers. He is speaking with them collaboratively this week to continue their dialogue and to set out a concrete plan of action to prepare recommendations on health for the first ministers' consideration.

We are confident that this important work will succeed in ensuring that the kinds of broad innovations that are necessary to renew health care in this country are put in place with the support of all governments acting together in the interest of all Canadians.

[Canada National Parks Act, June 13th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, Bill C-27 proposes a number of important measures related to seven communities located within national parks. In order to understand these provisions we should examine the history of the communities and the prospects for their future.

All seven communities have their origins in the last part of the 19th century and the early part of the 20th century. In the Rocky Mountain parks of Banff, Jasper and Yoho, the development of communities is tightly linked to the development of our national railway and road transportation corridors. The town of Banff was a railway construction and service centre some years before the national park was established.

Both the towns of Banff and Jasper even today continue to serve railway needs along with the national park needs. A small community which is an operational centre for the Canadian Pacific Railway as well as the administrative centre for the park, Field is essentially a residential community for railway and park employees. Lake Louise and Banff National Park were developed as a tourist centre by the CPR prior to being incorporated into the park.

Further south, the community of Waterton Park in Waterton Lakes National Park was developed with the primary purpose of serving park visitors. It operates seasonally and has a year round population of fewer than 100 residents. The same is true of Waskesiu in Prince Albert National Park, Saskatchewan, and Wasagaming in Riding Mountain National Park, Manitoba.

I note these facts to underscore the context within which the communities were established. It was at a time in Canada's history when we looked upon our nation as having unlimited wilderness. Extraction of natural resources was not perceived as being in conflict with that belief. Consequently forestry and mining were allowed within some national parks and communities which were established to serve those interests. For example, Anthracite and Bankhead were coal mining towns established in Banff National Park. Oil City, in Waterton Lakes National Park, served the first of our oil drilling operations. Although these extracting activities in the communities of Anthracite, Bankhead and Oil City have long vanished, they remind us of an era when such activities were deemed appropriate within national parks.

Today, however, we know that our wilderness is limited and we understand the need to preserve representative areas within our national park system. We no longer allow the commercial exploitation of natural resources within national parks.

Moreover, we understand that any development within a national park should be carefully limited so as to avoid impairment to its ecological integrity. We understand, too, that high quality environmental conditions are the foundations for the tourist industry and the very reason millions of people visit our parks annually. Therefore, no new communities will be located within national park boundaries. The existing communities will be managed in ways that support park values.

The Minister of Canadian Heritage has put great effort and thought into the drafting the community provisions in the bill before. She has been diligent in analyzing the key studies which identified problems and solutions within the national park system, which we discussed at committee.

The Banff-Bow Valley study of 1996, and the work of the ecological integrity panel, which reported to her this March, contained wide ranging recommendations which served as the basis for her ecological integrity action plan.

The previous version of this bill, Bill C-70, died on the order paper last year. One of its provisions related to the introduction of municipal taxation within park communities. These provisions would not have applied to Banff since it already has a municipal taxation regime as a municipality incorporated under Alberta legislation.

The proposal to introduce municipal taxation in the other communities led to concerns which could best be summarized in the phrase “taxation without representation”. The taxation provisions have been removed and Parks Canada will continue to subsidize the administration of these communities.

At the same time, I want to reassure members of the House that the park community residents will be actively involved in the management of their communities. Each community is unique and the management model that evolves in a particular community will be tailored to that community.

Given that the communities are special, federal responsibilities situated on federal crown lands within a national park, it is important that parliament retain an overview of their role and development. To that effect, Bill C-27 proposes that community plans be tabled in each House as soon as possible after proclamation of the new Canada National Parks Act. The plans with respect to the provisions in this act will be consistent with the park management plan; an accord with guidelines for appropriate activities; and, provide a strategy for growth management.

Growth management will be achieved by describing the boundaries of the community and its commercial zones, along with a measure of maximum floor area permitted within the zones. The shaping of these plans will also be guided by principles stated in the bill, namely, no net environmental impact, responsible environmental stewardship and heritage conservation.

Concerns were raised by the park community representatives during the hearings on Bill C-27 and the standing committee responded. Regarding concerns with respect to the termination of the leases, the bill has been amended to state that the Expropriation Act applies. Community plan has been identified to mean a land use plan for the park community. This new definition serves two purposes. First, it ensures that there will be no confusion between the use of the term “community plan” and this legislation and how the term is used in the Alberta legislation.

Second, it signals to park community residents that there is no impediment to them undertaking their own planning for social, educational, health and related needs of their community.

The section on public consultation now makes explicit reference to the representatives of park communities and requires that the minister consult with them on land use planning and development in park communities.

Implementing the provisions of Bill C-27 will ensure a proper evolution of the communities from the past century into the new millennium. They have gone from logging and mining to the prime purpose of maintaining the ecological integrity of national parks for the benefit, education and enjoyment of present and future generations.

The communities have an important role in this and in serving visitors. They will remain. They will be supported. We look forward to them becoming models for environmental stewardship.