Mauril Bélanger

[Reform Party, May 3rd, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, I was pleased to learn last night that the leader of the Reform Party was finally going to take action and teach his caucus members something about respect for human rights.

I have a few questions. Where was the leader of the third party when other members of his caucus have shown the same intolerant attitudes? Where was the leader this week when another member of his party supported discrimination against gays in the workplace?

When the immigration critic said Jamaicans were responsible for crime in Toronto, the leader blamed it on the media and said there was no need to apologize for grassroot conversations. When a member of his party blamed women for domestic violence, the leader said it was a question of political correctness. Where was he when a member of his caucus mused aloud in this Chamber that the country might be better off without francophones?

Intolerance is not a new problem in the third party.

[The Environment, April 26th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, public attention has recently been focused on the issue of air quality in urban centres. The coming summer brings concern about rising smog levels and ozone depletion. Vehicle emissions are a major contributor to air pollution.

What is the government doing to promote alternative methods of transportation with a view to addressing air quality issues?

[Fédération Des Caisses Populaires De L'Ontario, April 19th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, 1996 marks the 50th anniversary of the Fédération des caisses populaires de l'Ontario. Over the years, the francophone community of Ontario has built its own network of credit unions. Today, the federation has 42 branches and 65 outlets to serve its members. Some 200,000 Franco-Ontarians have joined the co-operative movement and the network as a whole administers total assets of $1.6 billion.

The members of the caisse populaires have obviously created a powerful development tool that reflects their dreams and aspirations. Throughout the year, several cultural, co-operative and community activities organized in partnership with local organizations will mark the federation's 50th anniversary. This is a fine example of the vitality of Ontario's many francophone communities.

[Revenue Canada, March 28th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Revenue.

Revenue Canada and Citizenship and Immigration Canada recently recovered at Port Lacolle in Quebec a four-year old child abducted by his non-custodial father in Germany on March 19.

Would the parliamentary secretary explain what role Revenue Canada plays in the recovery of missing or abducted children?

[Semaine Nationale De La Francophonie, March 20th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, today is the Journée internationale de la Francophonie. This day is celebrated each year with many activities and festivities that highlight the diversity of francophone communities across the country.

Today is also the second day of the Semaine nationale de la Francophonie organized by the Association canadienne d'éducation de langue française or ACELF. This is a great opportunity to recognize the important contribution made by francophones to Canada's linguistic, cultural and economic vitality.

As a member of Parliament of Franco-Ontarian origin, I am in a good position to note the full extent of francophones' contribution to society in Ontario and Canada. Ottawa-Vanier boasts many organizations that mirror the strong francophone presence outside la Belle Province. I am thinking in particular of the Ottawa campus of La Cité collégiale, the University of Ottawa, the many primary and secondary schools for francophones and immersion students, the Centre francophone de Vanier, the Richelieu service clubs, the Patro in Lowertown, Montfort Hospital, the regional ACFO, the Caisses populaires, and so on.

I urge all French-Canadians to be proud of their mother tongue and to contribute to its development.

[Hull Casino, March 15th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, the new Hull casino will open its doors next week.

I would like to congratulate the mayor of Hull, Yves Ducharme, and all the economic stakeholders in the Quebec Outaouais for their fine work on this initiative. Thanks to the casino, the national capital region has just added 1,000 direct new jobs and over 1,500 indirect jobs to its job creation record in the region.

The hotel sector alone hopes to rent an additional 75,000 rooms next year, for an increase of $5 million. Overall, the annual economic benefit to Hull, the Quebec Outaouais, Ottawa-Carleton and Eastern Ontario will amount to several tens of millions of dollars. And that is to say nothing of the number of local inhabitants who will spend their money here rather than travelling somewhere else.

Today, I pay tribute to the people of Hull and the Outaouais who, once again, have led the way in sustainable economic development in the national capital region.

[Points Of Order, March 8th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order, pursuant to citation 495 of Beauchesne.

When the Leader of the Government in the House and Solicitor General of Canada quotes from a document, it would be better if this document were to be tabled, so that all members of Parliament can have a copy and stop misquoting it. I refer, of course, to the red book.

[Advanced Technologies, March 8th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, there is now some good news for high-tech, aerospace and biotechnology companies.

In his budget speech, the Minister of Finance announced that the Minister of Industry would soon introduce a program called Technology Partnerships Canada. This initiative will make Canada more competitive in advanced technologies.

Under this program, the government will share the risks of technological research with the private sector. This fund will increase from $150 million this year to $250 million next year. Moreover, the Federal Business Development Bank will receive an additional $50 million to finance businesses.

These initiatives will help create jobs and revive the economy in some parts of the country like the Montreal area and the national capital region.

[Gender Equality, March 6th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, the concept of gender equality is at the very heart of the values in which Canadians firmly believe.

We recognize that women face particular problems which must be eliminated in order to ensure equality. Since women are confronted to situations that differ from those that men face, the federal government pledged to take these differences into account in the development, review and implementation of federal initiatives.

The guide to policy development, which is based on a comparative analysis between the two sexes and which was released earlier this week, will be a key component in the fulfilment of our commitment.

I ask all members to join me in stressing the vital contribution of women to our society's success. Together, let us make sure that women and men can co-operate as equals in the building of a better world.

[Federal Public Servants, March 1st, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, I have a question for the President of the Treasury Board, whom I want to congratulate on his recent appointment, incidentally.

As of yesterday, federal public servants are now invited to submit privatization and commercialization projects. Could the minister indicate to the House whether the government employees submitting such projects will be able to do so confidentially and without fear of reprisals from their managers or from their peers?