Jean Chrétien

[Cigarette Smuggling, February 2nd, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, it would be very helpful if we could get a clear position from the opposition. The other day, the health critic made it clear to the Minister of National Health and Welfare that he did not want tax rates to be reduced. It would also be very helpful if the Leader of the Opposition asked his members not to join demonstrations with individuals who are breaking the law in Canada.

[Cigarette Smuggling, February 2nd, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, we have been working on this problem for a number of weeks. We are in touch with the provincial governments. I intend to discuss the problem early next week with the Premier of Quebec, as soon as he gets back from his trip, and also with others who are now absent.

I was speaking to several provincial premiers this morning, and we hope to reach a conclusion on the issue as soon as possible.

[Indian Affairs, February 1st, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, we have a Minister of Justice to give legal opinions.

The meaning of inherent right to self-government has been debated in Canada for some time. The Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development is discussing how it can be implemented with the aboriginal peoples at this time. If they come to an agreement we will have a clear definition.

[Voter's Recall, February 1st, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, we have been elected under the law of the land and the law of the land states that we were elected for the full term.

Of course often after an election some citizens are not too happy with the way they voted. I am sure that in the riding of the hon. gentleman there are more than 100 persons today who regret they voted for the Reform Party and if they had a chance they would need, in his case, only 110 people to sign a petition that would void the majority he had in the election.

[Voter's Recall, February 1st, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I spoke about this problem on Friday. It was tried in Alberta in 1936. There was a request by the people who elected the premier at the time, Mr. Aberhart, that he be recalled. He passed legislation abrogating the legislation retroactively.

This is puzzling me a little bit, so I hope he will consult with his leader because his father was involved at that time. We should study the situation of 1936 and after that we can consider what should be done.

[Montreal Economy, February 1st, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, Quebec has six representatives in Cabinet and four of them come from Montreal. I think we already have our committee.

[Montreal Economy, February 1st, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, last summer the city of Toronto only had one minister in cabinet. It now has a much better representation with very good ministers. I can say the same about Montreal.

The City of Montreal is very well represented in Cabinet by senior ministers. I think that the residents of Montreal know that their interests are very well represented in government by the ministers of finance, foreign affairs and heritage, as well as by the member for Mount Royal who is a secretary of State and assists us in Cabinet. Therefore, Canada's two major cities are very well represented and that is what I said in Toronto.

[Government Expenditures, February 1st, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, we have taken action in a number of areas as part of the ongoing debate on duplication. I discussed the matter with the premiers in December, and work is being done at this time at both levels of government. As for the budget, the Leader of the Opposition will soon realize that this government is not afraid to act responsibly.

[Government Expenditures, February 1st, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, with everything that has been said so far, the Minister of Finance has consulted broadly in Canada. Today for the first time ever there is a debate in the House where members have been invited to make suggestions to the Minister of Finance. Then he will write his budget in the next three weeks. Now we have to wait. The time of speculation is over. It is a time of action. I know the Minister of Finance will prepare a very good budget.

[Government Expenditures, February 1st, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, the government's policy is well known. We said that cuts were needed but that budget cuts alone were not the answer, that we would also have to rely on economic growth.

After winding up his consultations in the House of Commons this afternoon, the Minister of Finance will prepare his budget, and we are looking forward to hearing the budget speech before the end of this month. For the time being, this is all speculation. I simply said that cuts would prevent us from achieving all our objectives, because we must ensure that jobs are created in Canada, otherwise the problem will just get worse.