House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2000, with 54% of the vote.
Old Age Pensions March 13th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, I see the problem of the Reform Party. It is trying to build up some straw bonhomme, as we say in English, toshoot at.
Our social programs will be reviewed thoroughly with the participation of all members of the House of Commons. Unfor-
tunately members of the Reform Party will not do a lot to make sure the poorest in society are protected. They will make sure the rich do very well.
Old Age Pensions March 13th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, as usual Canadian people will have their answers after we have had public discussions with them and with members of the House.
I hope members of the Reform Party will have good ideas about it, but I do not think they will get them from Mr. Gingrich in Washington.
Old Age Pensions March 13th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, there will be a paper on aging. The Minister of Human Resources Development is working on it. It is very much in line with the reform of social programs.
We said that we have to enter into negotiations with the provinces. There will be discussions with members of the House. There will be committees and eventually resolution of the problem by the House.
I can assure everybody that our goal is to make sure we maintain a very good social security system for retired people in Canada.
Health March 2nd, 1995
Mr. Speaker, I explained very clearly it is because we want to maintain the five conditions of the health act that we have to make sure we transfer cash. That is why we decided to have a system of block funding so that we could have some influence.
When they have tax points the provinces are not obliged to listen to us any more. I recognize that we need some leverage because if we did not have leverage some provinces would have already cut into the five conditions. We need to have the means to make sure they do not use the fact that they have only tax points to destroy medicare.
We will keep what is needed for medicare to stay as it is.
Fisheries March 2nd, 1995
I cannot carry on. I do not want to inflate his ego too much.
Fisheries March 2nd, 1995
Mr. Speaker, many Canadians think the Minister of Fisheries has been the best fighter that we have ever had for the fisheries.
Canada Health Act March 2nd, 1995
Mr. Speaker, it is easy. We, on this side of the House, keep repeating it. The minister said it: the five principles governing the Canada Health Act will remain in force.
There may be circumstances where some amendments could be made. However, we will not compromise on the principles: they are there to stay. There is no contradiction between that position and the possibility of discussing certain changes which could benefit both the federal government and the provinces. However, the five principles will not be changed.
The Budget March 2nd, 1995
Mr. Speaker, I would really like to know when this referendum will be held and whether there will even be a referendum. After reading in the newspapers about the differences and contradictions among opposition members on this subject, how can I know when the referendum will be held? We are not influenced by that, since they are not even able to agree on a question.
If they want to win the referendum, all they have to do is ask the very short, very clear question that I am suggesting. If they want a guaranteed "yes", they only have to ask the following question: Do you want to stay in Canada? And Quebecers will say yes.
The Budget March 2nd, 1995
Mr. Speaker, we have no intention of reducing benefits and access to this plan. However, all social programs must be reviewed. That is what the Minister of Human Resources Development is doing.
Studies were conducted in other areas, and the Canada Pension Plan, which is the pension paid to citizens in Canada, needs to be reviewed at this time. It is something we have to do in any case, in preparation for an upcoming meeting with provincial governments, and because programs are dovetailed to a certain extent.
The Minister of Human Resources Development intends to review the whole question, which is very important for the future of seniors in Canada. This government does not favour the status quo. It has the capacity to review all elements of the social policy.
Health March 2nd, 1995
Mr. Speaker, when I see the leader of the Reform party getting up to talk about the protection of medicare I wonder if Colonel Sanders has become a vegetarian.
What we intend to do with the transfer payments and everything else is clearly written in the budget. If the hon. member reads it he will have the answer.