Jean Chrétien

[The Economy, January 19th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, we understand that we have a huge debt in Canada. Yesterday apparently we surpassed the fantastic figure of $500 billion. It is a big burden that the Conservative Party left as a legacy with which we must start our work today. It is a reality and it is a big problem for the nation.

There are two ways we can solve this problem and it will take some time. We have to cut expenditures but the main thing we can do to reduce the debt is to make sure that there are jobs in Canada for Canadians so that they can work and produce growth

and produce taxes. That is the way we want to approach the problem.

[Speech From The Throne, January 19th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, we are willing to work with all the parties of this House to make sure that we find the cuts needed to reduce the deficit.

The finance committee will be meeting very soon. The different committees will have the opportunity to look at the estimates of every department. We will look at every aspect of the government operations and make sure to review the expenditures.

I do not think it is possible, as the hon. Leader of the Opposition is trying to tell us, to have your cake and eat it too. We have to look at everything.

[Speech From The Throne, January 19th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, there is no contradiction here. If we are able, working in co-operation with the provinces, to reduce the health care expenditures of all levels of government, then both the provinces and the federal government will save money.

[Speech From The Throne, January 19th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to tell the Leader of the Opposition once again that the government has a very clear program for deficit reduction and that the Minister of Finance will be tabling a budget next month. When the Minister of Finance met with his provincial counterparts and when I myself met with the provincial premiers in December, we made it very clear that we had no intention of reducing transfer payments to the provinces.

[January 18th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I move:

That Mr. Bob Kilger, member for the electoral district of Stormont-Dundas, be appointed Assistant Deputy Chairman of committee of the whole House.

(Motion agreed to.)

[January 18th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I move:

That Shirley Maheu, member for the electoral district of Saint-Laurent-Cartierville, be appointed Deputy Chairman of committee of the whole House.

(Motion agreed to.)

[January 18th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I move:

That Mr. David Kilgour, member for the electoral district of Edmonton Southeast, be appointed Deputy Speaker of the House and Chairman of committee of the whole House.

(Motion agreed to.)

[January 18th, 1994]

moved:

That the Speech of His Excellency the Governor General, delivered this day from the Throne to the two Houses of Parliament, be taken into consideration later this day.

(Motion agreed to.)

[January 18th, 1994]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-1, respecting the administration of oaths of office.

(Motion agreed to and bill read the first time.)

[Sitting Resumed, January 17th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, let me begin by congratulating you on your election.

It was quite a day for all of us, for all politicians. Now we know that every vote is very important.

I would also like to congratulate Mr. Jean-Robert Gauthier and the other candidates for this office. Indeed, it is because of the quality of the candidates in the running that it took us an entire afternoon to elect a Speaker.

It is a good omen for you, Mr. Speaker, because you have earned it. You sweated a lot all afternoon, but I can tell you that my party and I will support you. It is the desire of all members of the House to make sure that this Parliament will bring a new mood to this House, and you will play a very big role.

If we want to win the trust of all Canadians, it is extremely important that we show this country's institutions, especially the House of Commons, the respect they deserve. Your task, Mr. Speaker, will be to help us make this House what it rightly should be, namely the living room of the nation, the place where all ideas are discussed.

It has to be a place where everyone can speak freely, express the wishes and the views of himself and his electorate, but at the end of the day it will be the nation that will win.

I wish you the best of luck. You can count on our support and friendship. Good luck.