Canada-United States Tax Convention Act, 1984  I have no dispute whatsoever with the hon. member for York South-Weston, the hon. member for Regina-Lumsden or any other member with respect to the tradition of the House. I was simply trying to clear the air by saying that yes, the Chair assumes members are staying. Unless we can actually verify the absence of someone clearly and definitely, obviously the best measure is to take the advice of the chief government whip and take the vote on Motion No. 2.

Excise Tax Act  Some people like to say that if we took away all the benefits, all the bells and whistles from the existing system there would be so much efficiency that we would not have to change the quantum of tax. The quantum of tax would be reduced and when the smoke cleared nobody would be paying any more taxes than they were before. Some people would be paying a little bit less and everyone would understand the system better. Therefore it would be an efficient system.

Points Of Order  When an ordinary member like you or me, again forgive my words, quotes from a document in the House, we need unanimous consent of the House. The rules are quite clear on that. Do you want another clarification?

Excise Tax Act  Howe Institute, and almost every economic think tank in Canada and many in the U.S. have sent a clear message to the Canadian government, this Liberal government: "Get your spending in control and get your level of taxation down or you guys are going to be in a whole bunch of trouble".

Francophones Outside Quebec  I like it because it gives me the opportunity to say once again that there may be problems, there have always been problems, things have always been difficult, but one thing is clear: francophones outside Quebec-

Francophones Outside Quebec  In causing the closure of the Centre francophone de santé et des services communautaires in southern Ontario, the Harris government has revealed its true colours. For Franco-Ontarians, the message is clear: If you want services in French, move to Quebec. How does the Prime Minister explain his silent complicity with Mike Harris, as he cuts services to francophones in Ontario?

Justice  The Reform Party leader joined by the justice critics, the hon. members for Calgary Northeast, Crowfoot and Wild Rose, will deliver Reform's clear common sense plan for strong and effective changes to Canada's justice system. Canadians are tired of having to look back over their shoulders in fear rather than ahead in security and confidence as they build their lives and their futures.

Francophones Outside Quebec  Speaker, by causing the Centre francophone de santé et de services communautaires in southern Ontario to close, the Harris government has just revealed its true intentions with regard to Ontario francophones. For Franco-Ontarians, the message is clear: if you really want services in French, move to Quebec. This action, which speaks volumes, unfortunately confirms that Quebec's presence in Canada does nothing to prevent decisions that flout the fundamental rights of francophones outside Quebec.

Employment Equity Act  Another group in the workplace affected in a negative way by these quotas is the employers. Other members from my party have made it clear these are quotas we are talking about. The companies will be affected by this legislation. They have been affected in the past by previous employment equity legislation. How do they feel about this?

Employment Equity Act  If the government wanted to deal with discrimination in hiring or in promotion practices in the public service all it had to do was make it clear that anyone who engages in such a practice will be immediately fired. If this approach had been taken we would have obtained the same results without instituting the state sponsored discrimination that Bill C-64 brings.

Pearson International Airport Agreements Act  Lapointe made the following comment regarding the decision of the Montreal Airports Advisory Board to keep both airports in operation: "It is clear that Ottawa has opted in favour of Toronto. Can Quebec have a competitive airport system? The answer is no. Quebec will only manage to do that through sovereignty, because its hands will no longer be tied by the decisions made in Ottawa".

Employment Equity Act  Speaker, the federal budget of last February did contain certain proposals on the payment to compensate for the ending of the Western Grain Transportation Act. At the time of the budget, the government made very clear its intentions to consult extensively with farm leaders on these proposals so that the program would be as fair and as workable as possible. In the budget we proposed that land which would be eligible for the $1.6 billion ex gratia payment was that land producing WGTA eligible crops and summer fallow.

Employment Equity Act  He had no objection to her work. He was only objecting because she was female. He made that quite clear. He forced them off the job. They left their tools and they cannot recover them. They can go to court. They have due process. I have talked to members on the government side who have said: "Use due process, that is what you have to do".

Employment Equity Act  I would like to take a moment to tell members of the Reform Party what the difference is between quotas and goals since it is clear from their arguments that they do not seem to know. I want to say at the outset that Bill C-64 specifically states that quotas cannot be imposed. Under the bill a quota is defined as a requirement to hire or promote a fixed and arbitrary number of persons during a given period.

Employment Equity Act  At the same time, I do not support and I know many of my colleagues do not support the fact that someone would be hired specifically because he or she is part of one of those four groups. Let us be very clear about what the Reform members are trying to say in the House today. I was really pleased that I was present today when we saw Ms. Alexa McDonough presented to the Chamber today. She was just elected president of the New Democratic Party, not because she was a woman but because she had the confidence of the delegates of the NDP convention that she was the best person for the job.