CONTENTS
Monday, April 14, 1997
Bill S-15. Motion for second reading 9627
Mr. Chrétien (Frontenac) 9627
Mr. Hill (Prince George-Peace River) 9628
(Motion agreed to, bill read the second time, by unanimousconsent considered in committee and
concurred in.) 9628
Motion for third reading 9628
(Motion agreed to, bill read the third time and passed.) 9628
(The sitting of the House was suspended at 11.18 a.m.) 9628
The House resumed at 12 p.m. 9628
Bill C-93. Consideration resumed of motion 9628
Mr. Chrétien (Frontenac) 9630
Mr. Martin (Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca) 9632
Bill C-27. Motion for third reading 9639
Mr. Bernier (Mégantic-Compton-Stanstead) 9647
Mrs. Gagnon (Québec) 9647
Mr. Chrétien (Saint-Maurice) 9649
Mr. Chrétien (Saint-Maurice) 9649
Mr. Chrétien (Saint-Maurice) 9649
Mrs. Tremblay (Rimouski-Témiscouata) 9652
Mrs. Tremblay (Rimouski-Témiscouata) 9652
Mr. White (Fraser Valley West) 9653
Mr. White (Fraser Valley West) 9653
Mr. White (Fraser Valley West) 9654
Mr. White (Fraser Valley West) 9654
Mr. Hill (Prince George-Peace River) 9655
Mr. Hill (Prince George-Peace River) 9655
Mr. Mills (Red Deer) 9656
Mr. Mills (Red Deer) 9656
Bill C-402. Motions for introduction and first readingdeemed adopted 9657
Bill C-403. Motions for introduction and first readingdeemed adopted 9657
Mr. White (Fraser Valley West) 9657
Mr. Scott (Fredericton-York-Sunbury) 9657
Mr. Mills (Red Deer) 9657
Mr. White (Fraser Valley West) 9658
Bill C-27. Consideration resumed of motion for thirdreading 9659
Mr. White (Fraser Valley West) 9664
Mr. Hill (Prince George-Peace River) 9666
Mr. Martin (Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca) 9667
Mr. Hill (Prince George-Peace River) 9674
Mr. Breitkreuz (Yorkton-Melville) 9677
(Motion agreed to, bill read the third time and passed.) 9681
Bill C-44. Report stage 9681
The Acting Speaker (Mr. Milliken) 9681
Motions Nos. 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 60, 63,82 and 113 9682
Mr. Mills (Broadview-Greenwood) 9688
Motions Nos. 2, 65 to 79, 81, 83 to 93, 95 and 96 9690
Motions Nos. 80, 94, 102 and 115 9692
Motions Nos. 4, 6, 7 and 9 9692
Motions Nos. 8, 10 to 14, 16 to 17, 26, 27, 29, 32,118 to 120 and 122 9693
Motions Nos. 15 and 28 9694
Motions Nos. 18 and 19 9694
Motions Nos. 20 and 31 9694
Motions Nos. 21, 22 and 35 9694
Motions Nos. 23 and 34 9694
Motions Nos. 24, 25, 36, 38 to 42, 47 to 49, 58, 112,114, 117 and 125 9694
Motions Nos. 33, 37, 43, 44, 45, 46, and 127 9698
Mr. Mills (Broadview-Greenwood) 9698
Motions Nos. 59, 64, 97, 98, 107, 111 and 116 9698
Motions Nos. 61 and 62 9699
Motions Nos. 100 and 101 9699
Motions Nos. 104 and 108 9699
Motions Nos. 105, 106, 109 and 110 9699
Motions Nos. 103, 123 and 124 9700
(Divisions deemed demanded and deemed deferred.) 9701
9627
HOUSE OF COMMONS
Monday, April 14, 1997
The House met at 11 a.m.
_______________
Prayers
_______________
PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS
[
English]
Mr. Jim Peterson (Willowdale, Lib.) moved that Bill S-15, an
act to amend an Act to Incorporate the Bishop of the Arctic of the
Church of England in Canada, be read the second time and referred
to a committee.
He said: Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to rise today to bring
about some amendments to the act incorporating the bishop of the
Arctic for the Anglican church.
By way of background, the Anglican church in Canada was
officially founded in 1893, although many of its dioceses had
existed prior to Confederation.
Today there are 30 dioceses of the Anglican church in Canada,
each one incorporated. The act we are dealing with deals with the
diocese of the Arctic, which was incorporated by a federal act of
Parliament in 1934.
The diocese of the Arctic covers the Northwest Territories and
the northern third of Quebec. It has 51 active parishes, 20 of which
have resident Anglican ministers.
Also by way of background, the primate of the Anglican church
in Canada is the Most Reverend Michael G. Teers. He is
responsible for five Canadian ecclesiastical provinces as they are
called under the Anglican church. The archbishop for the
ecclesiastical province of Rupert's Land is the Most Reverend
Barry Curtis. He is situated in Calgary and the bishop of the
diocese of the Arctic, Bishop Christopher Williams, reports to him.
The Anglican church has changed over the years. It now has 15
ordained Inuit clergy. Last year it elected its first Inuk bishop, Paul
Idlout, a former member of the RCMP.
(1110 )
The Anglican Church has a history of long and distinguished
service to the people of Canada's north. The first missionary who
came from England, Reverend E.J. Peck, gave the Inuit of the
eastern Arctic their syllabic writing system which is in use today.
The church continues to minister to the spiritual and other needs of
the people of the north and has undertaken tremendous work in
translating hymns, prayers and scriptures into many of the local
languages.
I am very pleased today that we have the opportunity to salute
the work of the Anglican church in Canada's north and to bring its
active incorporation into line with modern needs.
Under the present act of 1934 the investment powers of the
Anglican church in the north are very limited. It can invest only in
the bonds of the Canadian or provincial governments or the
Government of Great Britain and some mortgages on land. It is
facing severe financial trials in these difficult times because of its
immense responsibilities in that area. We as members of
Parliament can help it to have greater investment powers and
hopefully a greater income from its invested moneys in order to
carry out its worthwhile work.
[Translation]
Mr. Jean-Guy Chrétien (Frontenac, BQ): Mr. Speaker, I am
speaking this morning on behalf of the official opposition, the Bloc
Quebecois, on Bill S-15, an act to amend an Act to incorporate the
Bishop of the Arctic of the Church of England in Canada.
This private member's bill, passed by the Senate on March 18,
1997 and sponsored by Senator Meighen, broadens the investment
powers of the Bishop of the Arctic.
As you know, I am a hardline abolitionist as far as the Senate is
concerned. It is, in my opinion, an archaic institution which
perpetuates colonialism in this country and interferes with the
sovereignty of the House of Commons. I find it useless, therefore,
to retain this institution on the eve of the third millennium.
When the public interest of Quebecers and all Canadians is at
stake, however, I am capable of being open-minded. I am aware of
the problems involved in designating the Bishop of the Arctic in
9628
French as a ``corporation'' rather than a ``personne morale''. For
this reason, the official opposition, the Bloc Quebecois, will vote in
favour of Bill S-15.
[English]
Mr. Jay Hill (Prince George-Peace River, Ref.): Mr.
Speaker, it is a pleasure for me to join my colleagues from
Willowdale and Frontenac in the debate on Senate Bill S-15.
Bill S-15 amends an Act to Incorporate the Bishop of the Arctic
of the Church of England in Canada, an act passed by Parliament in
1934.
The main purpose of the amendment is to allow the Anglican
diocese of the Arctic more flexibility in how it administers the
endowment fund of the bishop of the Arctic.
Since 1934 and up to the present this fund is limited to
investments in securities of the governments of the Dominion of
Canada and the United Kingdom and first mortgages in Canada.
Churches across Canada, as has already been indicated by my
hon. colleague from Willowdale, find themselves in increasing
financial constraints, and the Anglican diocese of the Arctic is no
exception.
I believe this amendment will provide it additional versatility in
investment alternatives for its endowment fund. Being able to
secure the best return possible on its investments will obviously
increase the funds available for the diocese to carry on its good
work in the Arctic and in northern Quebec. The other two
amendments are merely housekeeping items, necessary changes to
the French text of the act to name the corporation, and the term
corporation itself in French terms, which will bring the act into line
with current French terminology.
(1115)
On behalf of the Reform Party it gives me great pleasure to
indicate our support for Bill S-15 and I call on the House for its
speedy passage.
The Acting Speaker (Mr. Milliken): Is the House ready for the
question?
Some hon. members: Question.
The Acting Speaker (Mr. Milliken): The question is on the
motion. Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?
Some hon. members: Agreed.
Mr. Peterson: Mr. Speaker, I believe you will find unanimous
consent that the House do now proceed to dispose of the bill at all
stages, including committee of the whole.
The Acting Speaker (Mr. Milliken): Is there unanimous
consent that the bill now be dealt with in committee of the whole?
Some hon. members: Agreed.
(Motion agreed to, bill read the second time, by unanimous
consent considered in committee and concurred in.)
The Acting Speaker (Mr. Milliken): When shall the bill be read
the third time? By leave, now?
Some hon. members: Agreed.
Mr. Peterson moved that the bill be read the third time and
passed.
He said: Mr. Speaker, I wish to thank my seconder, the member
for Kitchener, the member for Frontenac, the member for Prince
George-Peace River and all members of the House for their
co-operation in ensuring the speedy and necessary passage of Bill
S-15.
I also wish to commend the hon. Senator Michael Meighen for
the work he did in the other House on this bill.
(Motion agreed to, bill read the third time and passed.)
The Acting Speaker (Mr. Milliken): Is it the pleasure of the
House to suspend the sitting until noon?
Some hon. members: Agreed.
(The sitting of the House was suspended at 11.18 a.m.)
_______________
The House resumed at 12 p.m.
9628
GOVERNMENT ORDERS
[
English]
The House resumed from April 10 consideration of the motion.
Mr. Jesse Flis (Parkdale-High Park, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, I am
pleased to participate in the debate of Bill C-93, the budget
implementation act, 1997.
With all the election fever in the air, this may be the last
opportunity in my political career to share with you and others
some experiences I have had since the introduction of the last
budget.
It is peculiar that this last budget statement invoked very little
response from my constituents in Parkdale-High Park who are as
conscientious as they are diverse. As usual I received many
representations from constituents before this year's budget
presentation, but since the minister's statement I have had few
comments that came to my attention.
I recently had the opportunity to interview the hon. Minister of
Finance on a local television station and I explained to him the
9629
situation. In response the minister explained that the reason why
Canadians have not reacted adversely to the last budget is because
it was the result of a process that incorporated the wants and needs
of Canadians. The budget is proof that the government has listened
to Canadians and responded accordingly.
For this reason we can be proud of the popular participation of
conscientious Canadians as it has reaped rewards like the child
benefit act, expanded financial assistance for students in
post-secondary studies, an extended interest in the Canada
infrastructure program, and the list goes on.
During my interview with the minister I asked him the questions
I thought my constituents would ask him if they had the
opportunity. Of particular interest in my constituency is the
Canadian infrastructure program. One of the larger projects that
has been undertaken as a result of the federal funding is the
Western Beaches tunnel. This $57 million project will provide a
conduit for the area's storm sewage so that it may be diverted to
treatment plants, keeping Lake Ontario free of materials that
prevent adults and children from enjoying the city beaches every
time the temperature goes up above 25 degrees Celsius.
Thousands of constituents and visitors are making excellent use
of the new Western Beaches boardwalk, built not with boards but
with a recycled plastic substance, making the boardwalk almost
indestructible. Furthermore, the infrastructure works program has
provided improved lighting and new paved roadways for High
Park, a major attraction for the city's walkers, picnickers and
tourists.
Projects like these have had an impact on long term and short
term employment as well as on relations between the federal,
provincial and municipal governments in investing in our future. I
emphasize the word ``investment'' as it is the predominant theme
in the budget.
(1205 )
An additional issue that has held the attention of many of my
constituents is that of small business promotion. Parkdale-High
Park is home to many small family run businesses. These
businesses have multiplied over the years and have created
communities that are renowned for their shopping and services.
Throughout my riding one can find business improvement areas
and associations, known as BIAs, that have engaged the interests of
local business people to pool their resources in order to improve the
local environment and attract consumers. Members of these BIAs,
including the Parkdale Village BIA, Junction Gardens BIA, Bloor
West Village, Roncesville Village and Bloor by the Park BIA,
depend on programs like the Small Business Loans Act and the
quarterly remittance of withholding amounts in order to stimulate
their operations and assist them in reaching their markets. The
presidents of the BIAs that I contacted for input on the recent
budget statement were all pleased with the actions the government
had taken and encouraged the minister to stay the course.
Speaking of staying the course, I assume that one of the
fundamental reasons for Canadian support of the last budget is
because they are pleased that the minister has committed to deficit
reducing measures, and has not been swayed by the recent success
of overachieving deficit targets. I am sure that everyone here is
aware that the government surpassed its goals and reduced the
Canadian deficit to the lowest among G-7 nations. This level is the
lowest Canadians have experienced in 15 years and it is a testament
to the excellent job the government is doing in controlling its
spending and taxation activities.
Canadians are proud to be in such economic good health but they
are also wary that there is still a long way to go. For this reason the
government has shown its prudence in not reversing the current
trend. However, due to a combination of success and prudence, the
government made no new program spending cuts in its last budget
announcement. Instead it created new outlets for assistance to
Canadian students, children below the poverty line and Canadians
who are searching for jobs. These programs will cost the
government less than $1 billion to implement and the result will be
a great profit for all Canadians in the form of a preserved social
safety net and a growing commitment to investment in Canada's
future.
The idea of investment takes on the guise of a theme throughout
the budget. On this particular theme two initiatives spring to mind.
The first is a child tax benefit for impoverished children and
Canadian families, and the second is the government's
commitment to post-secondary students, a demographic that is
essential to the continued growth and prosperity of our nation.
The issue of the child tax benefit is of great interest to me
because I spent many years with the Toronto Board of Education
where I was challenged to stimulate the attention of young children
who came to school with hunger pains and the troubles associated
with living below the poverty line.
With the child tax benefit the government is increasing its
current level of spending of $5.1 billion to $6 billion with the
intention of increasing services and programs for poor working
families such as child care, drug and dental benefits. This is a clear
investment in the children who will one day grow up to be
contributing members of society.
Finally, I would like to spend a moment on the issue of
post-secondary education and initiatives by the government to ease
this pressing concern of students and parents across the country.
Students are currently facing tuition increases in most
post-secondary institutions. The fear of increased debt loads by
students who need to borrow money to complete their studies is a
great deterrent to potential.
9630
As a government we must do what we can to ensure that
Canadian educational institutions will continue to produce highly
educated adults who will be the next professionals and teachers
for future generations. Through tax assistance and changes to the
registered education savings plan, the RESP, student and parents
will be better able to save and provide funds for those important
years of study.
The government has announced its intention to extend the
interest free period for students facing hardships in repaying their
loans from 18 to 30 months. Furthermore, the Minister of Human
Resources Development will be looking into the possibility of
negotiating with the provinces to alleviate part of the burden of a
payment schedule for students.
(1210)
The initiatives I have discussed are the ones I have gauged to be
of the most interest to my constituents in my riding of
Parkdale-High Park. These initiatives are clear responses to
representations from my constituents and other Canadians who
have shared their views with the government throughout its
mandate. Canadians are content that their voices have been heard
and they feel as if they have had a valuable hand in formulating the
budgetary process.
I would like to conclude by applying this public confidence and
participation to a more global context. I recently had the honour to
represent Canada at the Liberal International meeting, hosted by
China. This nation has indicated that it is open to the ideas of
liberalism which guide many North American and European
national policies.
During the nine day meeting, I spent a great deal of time
discussing the virtues of public participation in Canada's
democratic society. The Chinese were interested to learn how our
budget process works, along with the decision making process for
deficit targets and monetary policies. I believe that the Canadian
system stands as a perfect example of how the public can become
involved in the political process by speaking up and being heard.
What Canadians have been saying and what the government has
been hearing is: Stay the course.
My course will be to exit this Chamber after the 35th Parliament
is dissolved. Before doing so, I wish to thank you, Mr. Speaker, for
ensuring objectivity and fairness to the democratic process. You
protected the rights of every elected member in the House,
regardless of party affiliation or sitting as independent members.
You also brought into the House outstanding Canadians, such as
former parliamentarians, well known artists, outstanding athletes
and photographers. You made all of us feel at home in our House of
Commons.
I would like to express my appreciation to the table officers, the
pages, the interpreters and the Library of Parliament for making my
work easier and more effective.
During each of the four terms that I was elected, I was sent here
to serve my constituents, to make Canada a better country in which
to live and to represent Canada abroad. I was able to do so
effectively, thanks to the support resources on the Hill, within the
House of Commons and outside the Chamber, especially in
committees.
To all individuals, departments, researchers, media, staff and all
the others who I would like to mention but do not have the time, my
sincere appreciation for all of their support.
[Translation]
Mr. Jean-Guy Chrétien (Frontenac, BQ): Mr. Speaker, this
morning we now have 71 minutes left to talk about the latest
budget, about Bill C-93, the Budget Implementation Act, 1997, and
the motion to refer the bill to committee before second reading.
As the member for the beautiful riding of Frontenac in Quebec
and as a member of the Bloc Quebecois, the official opposition, I
can hardly be expected to be enthusiastic about the latest budget
which as far as I am concerned is a lot of smoke and mirrors. This
is an electoral budget.
First of all, when the Liberal Party came to power on October 25,
1993, about three and a half years ago, the Conservative deficit was
around $42 billion. For the current year, the deficit should be
around $17 billion. Sure, the deficit went down by $25 billion,
because the minister was able to take advantage of favourable
economic trends and because of the drastic and often brutal cuts he
made in his budget.
First of all, let us remind the Minister of Finance that today the
employment insurance fund has a $6 billion surplus.
(1215)
So what did they do to get this $6 billion dollars? They kept
employer and employee premiums very high. They reduced the
time during which workers who lose their jobs can receive benefits.
They also increased the number of hours worked-we now talk
about hours-people need to qualify.
Furthermore, 1 per cent of 55 per cent is deducted for every 20
weeks a worker draws employment insurance. If a worker receives
employment insurance every year, after 20 weeks of benefits he
will reach the minimum, which is 50 per cent of his eligible
earnings.
So there is a $6 billion surplus the government uses year after
year to reduce its deficit. It also cut $4.5 billion in transfers to the
9631
provinces. In other words, the government has offloaded a
substantial part of its deficit onto the provinces, including Quebec.
The Quebec government also has to make cuts in transfers to
municipalities and school boards. This is a chain reaction. You kick
your neighbour, who kicks the next person, and so forth.
What I really want to condemn this morning, during the 10
minutes I am allowed, are the promises made but not kept in the
notorious red book that was distributed across Canada. Today, we
are looking for copies to give our constituents before the next
election, but they have become very rare. I am willing to pay a lot
for the red books that were being circulated in 1993, just like Mao's
little red book. I suppose the Liberal Party, in its shame, has
collected all the red books and burnt them.
Mr. Speaker, you know the Prime Minister often has a colourful
choice of words. He said they were going to scrap, and I imagine he
meant tear up, the GST legislation. And now, less than three and a
half years later, instead of scrapping the GST, he is doing
everything he can to hide it. In fact, he gave $960 million, nearly $1
billion, to three small maritime provinces for harmonizing his GST
with their provincial sales tax, the so-called harmonized sales tax,
the HST. So that is what the Prime Minister and the Minister of
Finance did to make us accept the fact that the GST would no
longer exist, at least in part of the country.
I may remind the Minister of Finance that he is not being fair to
all citizens of this country. Two weeks ago, in a pre-election tour of
my new riding, I met the mayor of Saint-Ludger, in the Beauce
region, who asked me: ``Why is the government not treating
Quebec fairly? How does it explain giving $1 billion to harmonize
the GST in the Maritimes, when we in Quebec did it in 1991 with
Robert Bourassa, the Liberal premier in Quebec at the time, and
Brian Mulroney, the Conservative Prime Minister?'' Mr. Mulroney
had the courage to create the GST, and it is the cause of his
downfall to a large extent and of the Conservative Party's being
swept out of office in all but two ridings in Canada.
So, Brian Mulroney and Robert Bourassa agreed in Quebec to
harmonize their sales taxes, the GST and the QST. The Government
of Quebec collects them, while, in the case of the maritimes,
Ottawa will be collecting them. Year in and year out, it costs the
government in Ottawa some $60 million, because we split the cost
of recovering the government's GST fifty-fifty.
(1220)
What does this government give the Quebec government in
exchange for having harmonized in good faith in 1991? Zilch. It
gives it nothing. This government is not treating Quebec taxpayers
fairly. And Frank McKenna is using the money he gets from the
federal government to pay for advertising to lure our industry
away.
Another fine promise I would like to look at in the now extinct
famous red book is the slogan of ``jobs, jobs, jobs''. I was listening
to the Prime Minister saying in a speech last week: ``We have
created 675,000 jobs in the past three years''. In my region, while I
was taking part in the opening of a new store known as
Intermarché, the owner told me they were going to crea