Jean Chrétien

[Government Expenditures, April 13th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I have been elected by three times as many Canadians in English Canada as he has. I am the Prime Minister of all Canadians. I resent him trying to portray my defence of Canada as a family fight with the temporary Leader of the Opposition.

[Government Expenditures, April 13th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, it was not a very suitable way for the Leader of the Opposition to put a question. I would like to tell the leader of the Reform Party that it was not a family fight. I understand there was one on Monday night in his family.

[Manpower Training, April 13th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I think that the hon. member is ranting and that he will do the honourable thing and resign his seat after losing the referendum on Quebec separation.

[Manpower Training, April 13th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, Question Period is not the appropriate time for speeches, but if you want me to make a speech, I will. No question was asked. This is sheer hypocrisy-

[Manpower Training, April 13th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition, his voice breaking with emotion, is trying to be convincing, when he knows very well that even if we did have an agreement in this area, tomorrow morning he would still want to take Quebec out of Canada. This from the same member who, only a few years ago, defended francophones outside Quebec and who today, does not have the courage to rise in this House to defend bilingualism in this country. This is ironic, coming from someone who changes his mind as often as the Leader of the Reform Party changes suits. We are taking a serious look at ways of providing all Canadians, including Quebecers, with the best possible social security system and job creation initiatives.

[Manpower Training, April 13th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, all these programs contains an element of equalization. Under the Canadian federal system, money can be transferred from those who are employed to those who are not. And unfortunately, Quebec has more unemployed people than the rest of Canada. The situation is worse still in Atlantic Canada where the unemployment rate tops that in Quebec. These programs were introduced to allow us to take money from the more prosperous regions in Canada and redirect it to areas which are not as well off. And it is in this spirit that we want to resolve the problem. We believe that all of Canada can work together. There is nothing twisted about wanting to ensure that the least fortunate in Canada receive money from the rest of the country. Our system is based on generosity and we are not about to dismantle it on a whim.

We are currently undertaking an in-depth review of the system and we will listen to the views of all parties in this House in order to devise a system that will satisfy all Canadians. To resolve only part of the problem would be like taking a step backward, rather than forward. We have at heart the interests not only of Quebecers, but of the less fortunate provinces as well. We want to ensure that social justice prevails throughout Canada.

[Manpower Training, April 13th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, my government has entered into negotiations on this matter with all of the provinces, including Quebec. We are making progress. We have undertaken a complete overhaul of federal social programs and we are trying to eliminate as much duplication as possible. The answer given yesterday by the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs was correct. We are trying as best we can to work out an agreement. If the hon. member would take a moment to think about it, there is no question that the real power lies on this side of the House, not on his side.

[Points Of Order, April 12th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to make a little correction to an answer I gave earlier on the number of people who are bilingual in Canada, when I referred to the francophone and anglophone population. What I should have said was that in 1971, 3 per cent outside of Quebec were fluent in the two official languages, and now because of our policy of bilingualism in Canada it has almost quadrupled at 11 per cent.

[Rail Transport, April 12th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to answer that question. I think that transportation is an important issue, and the parliamentary secretary answered the question well. However, at the present time, we have many programs to review. Just yesterday, his leader was asking us to cut budgets. Today, the hon. member is asking us to increase government spending.

[Official Languages, April 12th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, there are always some administrative problems with any program. We are looking into it.

This program has been a very good incentive in Canada in helping a lot of people to learn the other official language. It is a great asset when people can do that.

In fact, the report indicates that the number of young Canadians who have become bilingual since the program was instituted has gone from 3 per cent to 11 per cent. That means the number of young anglophones who have learned French and francophones who have learned English has quadrupled since this program was instituted. It is a great thing for Canada.

All those who can have the two official languages feel better about it. The hon. member who is bilingual should be grateful we made it possible for him to learn the other official language.