Employment Equity  Speaker, the hon. member should know that the public service of the Government of Canada has been subject to a series of guidelines related to employment equity going back to the previous Liberal government when the then Solicitor General who was responsible established a very good regime. We want to ensure in the legislation that there is clear parity and balance between the rules that apply in the private sector and the public sector. This is something that was asked for by the public servants of Canada.

Employment Equity  Mr. Speaker, as the hon. member knows that was a clear commitment we made during the last election campaign, that we would reform the employment equity programs. I would remind hon. members we have over 170 members to prove just how many Canadians supported that mandate.

Province Of Quebec  Speaker, it is unfortunate that the leader of the Reform Party is playing Jacques Parizeau's game. We do not intend to play that game. We intend to ask the people of Quebec a very clear question: Do you want to stay with Canada or do you want to separate? That is the question they will be voting on in the referendum.

Gun Control  We have decided, for instance, to table a bill next February here in the House, to amend the existing legislation. We have three objectives. First, we want to make it clear that Canada does not want the gun culture that exists in the United States and that we need stricter controls on firearms for society in general. Second, we want to make changes in the Criminal Code to ensure that people who use firearms to commit crimes will go to court for appropriate sentencing, and third, we want to protect the public by introduc- ing universal registration of all firearms and thus encourage compliance with safe storage requirements.

Human Rights  Speaker, this morning our leader, the hon. member for Calgary Southwest, announced that as a caucus we are opposed to the inclusion of sexual orientation in the Canadian Human Rights Act on legal and human rights grounds. He also made it clear that the Reform Party was against the recognition of same sex spouses and the extension of spousal benefits to same sex relationships as per the resolution adopted at our October 1994 party assembly.

Violence Against Women  Speaker, frankly, today I do not feel like debating who does more for women-the provinces or the federal government. I think it is clear that all parties must do much more, especially for family welfare. Clearly, throughout Canada, a family's welfare depends on the woman and the man in the couple. As for social welfare, yes, there is lots of room for improvement.

Violence Against Women  Madam Speaker, can I be perfectly clear in asking the member, would she then say that she does not support nor does the Reform Party support any funding for transition homes through the Canada assistance plan?

Violence Against Women  Bill C-41 gives the courts the means to make a distinction between serious violent crimes and less serious non-violent crimes. This sends a clear message to society: violence against women and children will not be tolerated. The bill stipulates that evidence that a crime, including a sexual offence, was motivated by hate or that the offender abused a position of trust or authority will be deemed by the judge to be an aggravating factor for the purpose of sentencing.

Canadian Environmental Assessment Act  It is inconsistent and illogical to advocate these two things at the same time, that is, an independent agency whose recommendations will be submitted to a higher authority. The NDP is not very clear and rigorous in its proposals. If what it wants is to give more power to the people, its two motions are not very convincing. They are pulling in opposite directions. The result is a draw, since it is impossible to answer yes and no at the same time.

Canadian Environmental Assessment Act  Although the spirit of the government's amendment is to ensure that responses to public panel recommendations are decided by cabinet, it must be clear that cabinet, or governor in council, does not refer to cabinet as a whole. Cabinet remains undefined. It could mean full cabinet or it could refer to only a few ministers. Cabinet may be many things.

Government Spending  I think it is about time that we get down to some specifics rather than these generalizations. It has been very clear that Canadian business has said the best way for government to create a competitive environment is to reduce taxes. Yet there is no such statement in the industrial strategy. Why will the minister not make a definitive commitment to reducing taxes?

Canadian Wheat Board  It is a recognition of the outstanding job that the wheat board has done selling Canadian grain, expanding export markets and working with farmers to make Canada a world leader in agricultural production. The message from farmers is clear. The future of Canadian agriculture must include a strong Canadian Wheat Board.

Social Program Reform  These young people refuse to have imposed on them a reform which endangers their future and cuts social benefits hard-won by previous generations. The results of the public consultation are loud and clear: the proposed reform is unacceptable and young people reject it.

Canada Grain Act  There have been a lot of allegations of political interference particularly in the Klemmer case. We may never know the full story behind that situation, but it is clear producers must be aware of where they are protected by the Canadian Grain Commission and where they are not protected. With this motion the hon. member for Vegreville is attempting to clarify that and allow the special grains people to opt out so they can bring in their own special crops act, which would clearly protect producers who deal with them.

Canada Grain Act  This amendment also imposes certain conditions for opting out to make sure that it is very clear to people using these services that this particular dealer or elevator operator is not licensed and therefore meets no bonding requirements under the Canada Grain Act. That is an important protection which I think is necessary to make this opting out work.