Canadian Islamic Congress | Key MPs Debates in the House of Commons

Alan Tonks (Lib., York South--Weston)

National Issues:
Infrastructure

Mr. Speaker, the Speech from the Throne broadly outlined the government's plan for a new deal for cities and communities. The Minister of State for Infrastructure and Communities has pursued an exhaustive consultation with stakeholders, for which he is to be congratulated.
Would the Minister of State for Infrastructure and Communities please provide the House with more detail on the gas tax and when municipalities across the country can expect to see the money flow?

National Issues:
Infrastructure

Alexa McDonough (NDP, Halifax)

National Issues:
Canadian Forces

All Canadians today are shocked and saddened by the death of Lieutenant Chris Saunders, an officer on board HMCS Chicoutimi.
On behalf of my caucus I extend deepest sympathy for this tragic loss to Lieutenant Saunders' wife Gwen, their two young sons and to his family, friends and colleagues.
As the member of Parliament for Halifax, I know the resilience of military families and how supportive they are of one another in the face of adversity. Lieutenant Saunders died serving Canada. For that, his community and his country express deep gratitude and extend our heartfelt sympathy.
We extend to Lieutenant Saunders' injured colleagues best wishes for a swift recovery and our prayers for all HMCS Chicoutimi crew to return home as speedily and safely as humanly possible.

André Bellavance (BQ, Richmond--Arthabaska)

National Issues:
Drunk Driving

Mr. Speaker, impaired driving is still a serious problem on our highways. The Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec reports that roughly 30% of highway fatalities involve impaired driving.
Since 2000, in the riding of Richmond-Arthabaska, a not-for-profit organization called Tolérance zéro has been providing a safe escort service all year round. In that time, this organization, which is located in Victoriaville just above my offices, has safely escorted more than 126,000 people to their destinations.
In the past four years, it has expanded its operations to seven regions in Quebec and it plans to keep on growing. It has 800 volunteers and 28 permanent staff.
In 2004, Tolérance zéro was awarded the Prix Hommage bénévolat-Québec in the direct service agency category, at an official ceremony at the Quebec National Assembly.
I would like to congratulate the entire team at Tolérance zéro for their commitment to the community and I wish them much success in their future expansion.

Andrew Scheer (CPC, Regina--Qu'Appelle)

National Issues:
Democratic Reform

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is off in Russia lecturing Vladimir Putin on, of all things, protecting democracy.
What could Mr. Putin possibly learn about protecting democracy from the Prime Minister? We in Canada have seen our own democratic institutions erode under this government's watch. The country is mostly run out of the Prime Minister's Office with more and more power gravitating to the Prime Minister's cronies.
Elected members in the House have had their role usurped by the judiciary. Liberal cronies land appointments to important diplomatic, regulatory and administrative positions solely because of who they know in the PMO.
The Prime Minister gave a lot of lip service to reforming and protecting democracy in Canada. He then quickly reneged on all his promises, such as Senate reform, allowing Parliament to scrutinize appointments and eliminating patronage.
Russia truly is facing challenges in upholding its relatively young democratic institutions. However, sending the Prime Minister on a junket around the world to talk about protecting democracy is a bit like hiring a fox to do a speaking tour on guarding henhouses.

Anita Neville (Lib., Winnipeg South Centr)

International Issues:
Middle East

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak out about a threat to the integrity of the United Nations General Assembly. Its legitimacy is eroding because of its hijacked agenda toward the Arab-Israeli conflict.
Twenty-three resolutions last session, a special investigative committee, and multiple reports show that the assembly has crossed the threshold of partisanship and has become a mouthpiece for the Palestinian side in the dispute.
Israel's violations, real and alleged, are ceaselessly highlighted, yet not a single resolution focuses on Palestinian terrorism and Israeli suffering. Not a single document condemns Palestinian incitement, and not a single report examines corruption and brutality of the Palestinian Authority.
The bias cannot be clearer. As a country committed to international peace and security, it is incumbent on Canada to lead the effort to rescue the UN from politicization. We acknowledge the bias in the assembly's agenda, but we still take part in the hijacked process through our support--

National Issues:
Women's Issues

Mr. Speaker, the establishment of a Standing Committee on the Status of Women is an important step forward for women parliamentarians and indeed all Canadian women.
The national Liberal women's caucus has called for this initiative several times over the past years and is extremely pleased to see the request realized. Having a national all-party committee will strengthen and build upon the progress that has been made by the women's movement across the country.
I know that my colleagues on this side of the House offer full support to this committee and look forward to working in a positive manner with colleagues from all parties to further the equality of Canadian women.

Anthony Rota (Lib., Nipissing--Timiskami)

National Issues:
Mental Health

Mr. Speaker, an unfortunate accident 14 years ago forced North Bay resident Dave Gallson, now the program director for the National Network for Mental Health, to face new realities, work through mental health issues and change his profession.
He created the BUILT Network: Building Up Individuals Through Learning and Teamwork. BUILT is a seven week program designed to assist people with mental health issues to overcome their employment barriers by enhancing their customer service skills.
BUILT Network is an innovative flagship program created and piloted in North Bay, Ontario. It is a project of the National Network for Mental Health and funded by Social Development Canada.
As we celebrate Mental Illness Awareness Week in Canada, I would like to recognize Dave Gallson and his colleagues for developing a project that has such a positive impact on people's lives. Their hard work and dedication demonstrates once again that the people in northern Ontario have the ideas, skills and expertise that can be translated into meaningful community development activities across the country.

Benoît Sauvageau (BQ, Repentigny)

National Issues:
Quebec

Mr. Speaker, while my colleague from La Pointe-de-l'?le is trying to express the opinion of the Bloc Quebecois about the throne speech, our colleague opposite is calling us traitors, is telling us to take our paycheque and go back to France. I cannot name the riding of this member because I think he is not sitting in his seat. If he is in his seat, he only has to name his riding.
In this House, the Prime Minister talked about cooperation and goodwill. I would like to have the member retract, apologize, stop calling us traitors and stop telling us, during the speech of the member for La Pointe-de-l'le, to return to another country.

Betty Hinton (CPC, Kamloops-Thompson--C)

National Issues:
Breast Cancer;

Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to rise today for the first time in the 38th Parliament on an issue that has affected myself and my family very personally.
Breast cancer is an insidious disease that claims the lives of many thousands of women every year. It is estimated that 21,200 women will develop breast cancer this year and of those, 5,200 will succumb to it.
My sister, Doreen Buss, dedicated her life to teaching children. Her legacy lives on in two generations of residents of Trail, B.C. who benefited from her talent.
In my riding of Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo, women are given hope and research funds through the efforts of the Salituro family who organize the annual Pink Ribbon Ball, and to others, like Kathy Roberts, who dedicate their time to raising funds through fashion shows.
Finally I would like to pay special tribute to every Canadian woman who is now fighting, or has in the past fought, this disease. We will beat cancer

Bev Desjarlais (NDP, -Haliburton--Kawarth)

International Issues:
Canadian Forces;

Mr. Speaker, earlier this week a tragic story jumped off the front pages of the national newspapers and into my constituency office in Lindsay, Ontario.
Yesterday I learned that Peter Bryan, brother-in-law to my executive assistant, Jamie Schmale, and older brother to his wife, Julia Bryan, is aboard HMCS Chicoutimi as its executive officer. Like so many other families, the Bryans have been awaiting word ever since that Peter is safe.
Last evening we were relieved to hear that HMCSChicoutimi is being towed back to port and that the worst of this catastrophe may be behind us. Unfortunately this will be scant relief to the family of Lieutenant Chris Saunders who lost his life while serving his country.
This week's tragedy reminds us of the dangerous work that our armed forces perform daily on our behalf.
It should also remind the government of its solemn responsibility to provide our men and women in the armed forces with both modern and safe equipment.

Bill Siksay (NDP, Burnaby--Douglas)

National Issues:
Marriage

Mr. Speaker, the Supreme Court of Canada held its hearings this week on the government's reference on same sex marriage. The government argued in support of lesbian and gay marriage and the minister has said clearly there is no ambiguity, so why the reference?
It is time to quit stalling. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees equality to all Canadians. Denying lesbian and gay couples the equal right to marry is a denial of our full human rights.
At this moment 82% of Canadians live in jurisdictions with equal marriage. I urge the government to respect the right of loving, committed lesbian and gay couples to celebrate our relationships in marriage.
It is time for the government to respect the charter and change the law. The Minister of Justice must demonstrate the courage of his convictions and table legislation immediately.

Bob Mills (CPC, Red Deer)

National Issues:
Environment

I have two interesting quotes regarding the lack of a Kyoto plan.
First we have the new environment minister saying 'We came out with a plan in 2002 , but this plan is not enough and it was not intended to be enough'.
We now have the recently fired environment minister saying 'There is no argument that he hasn't got a plan. The plans have been there for a long time'.
Can the minister finally be honest with Canadians and tell them whether we have a plan or whether we do not have a plan?

Borys Wrzesnewskyj (Lib., Etobicoke Centre)

International Issues:
Ukraine

Ukrainian officials recently summoned Canada's ambassador to Ukraine for publicly raising alarms about the possibility of an undemocratic election in the country's upcoming presidential election. As well, there has been an attempt, by poisoning, on the life of the frontrunner, Mr. Victor Yushchenko.
What is Canada doing to make it clear to Ukrainian authorities that a genuinely democratic political system is a prerequisite for the country's full integration into the western community of nations?

National Issues:
Breast Cancer

Mr. Speaker, this past Sunday I joined 160,000 fellow Canadians participating in the largest single day fundraiser in Canada dedicated to eradicating breast cancer.
Cancer is one of Canada's worst killers, and when breast cancer strikes a woman, this killer strikes at an organ which symbolizes nurturing and life itself.
What is especially tragic is the frequency of this killer. It is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among Canadian women.
The eighth annual CIBC Run for the Cure will support breast cancer research, education, diagnosis and treatment. The five kilometre run, and I can still feel it in my legs today, or the one kilometre walk was held in 40 communities nationwide and raised over $18 million.
I join all members in congratulating the volunteers, organizers and participants in the CIBC Run for the Cure.

Bradley Trost (CPC, Saskatoon--Humboldt)

National Issues:
BSE

It is a great honour and privilege to represent this riding, particularly in light of the history of some of the previous members from long ago who represented the riding. In particular, I think of the former Prime Minister, Mr. Diefenbaker, who represented most of the rural portion of my riding. Mr. Diefenbaker was a Prime Minister who stood for the farmers of Canada, and who unlike this government actually delivered for the farmers of Canada.
My question for the member for Cypress Hills-Grasslands is following on something said earlier by a colleague. One of the things we note is that most of these programs are provincially shared. In particular, looking at a document produced by the parliamentary library, it notes that the provincial share contributed by the Province of Saskatchewan as of September 26, 2004, was a mere $12.5 million. For Saskatchewan's 3.5 million cattle it works out to $3.50 per head.
Does the member think that the Calvert government has done an adequate job in providing only $3.50 per head as of this date, September 26?

Brent St. Denis (Lib., Algoma--Manitoulin--)

National Issues:
BSE

The beef and cattle industry is a major economic driver in this country. Exports were over $4 billion in the year 2002 with the lion's share of that going south. That kind of activity cannot be shut down without a severe domino effect right through the economy.
The BSE situation and specifically the U.S. border closure to live cattle is having a serious impact on the beef and cattle industry in Canada, right from farm families through to all the industries that depend on the beef sector. It is also affecting other livestock sectors, including sheep and goats, but especially dairy producers, who have lost markets for their cull cattle and bred heifers.
One might think that in a northern Ontario riding there would not be a dairy or beef industry, but in fact the opposite is true. I am glad to help inform members of this chamber that on Manitoulin Island, in east Algoma, on the north shore of Lake Huron, and indeed in the highway 11 Hearst and Kapuskasing area, there are many dairy and beef producers who have been hit severely. I, in sympathizing with my own constituents, sympathize with beef producers right across this country, whether they are in the west or the east or in central Canada.
I have had occasion to meet with many farmers over the last year and a half, people like Brian, Stan, Beth, Ron, Cathy, Tom, Gail, Doug, Jim, Harold and so many others, either at meetings in Gore Bay or Echo Bay or Bruce Station or individually at so many other locations throughout my large riding. I know they are hurting. I know they want to see this situation resolved. I know the government has stepped up to the plate. I wish we had jurisdiction over the U.S. side of the border, but we do not. What is important for us is that we continue to deal with the science, with regulation and with those issues that will ultimately bring a solution to this problem.
The Government of Canada continues to respond to the situation as it unfolds. In the roughly 17 months since the first native-born case of BSE was discovered, the federal government, along with the provincial governments, has been extremely active in developing a collaborative response to this problem. Since that case of BSE was discovered, the federal and provincial governments have delivered at least $2.5 billion to the beef and cattle industry, which serves to underscore how committed we as the federal government are, both to the industry and to working with our provincial counterparts.
This does not take into account the cattle industry repositioning strategy announced September 10 by the federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. At this time I would like to commend the efforts of both the present and the past agriculture ministers, who, faced with this very difficult problem, have worked diligently and tirelessly to find a solution. If it were entirely in their hands to find a solution, we would have long since had one.

Brian Pallister (CPC, Portage--Lisgar)

National Issues:
Prime Minster

Mr. Speaker, due diligence only when caught.
The fact is that the Prime Minister was given the Deloitte & Touche audit prior to the election, but he chose not to release it. Why not? Former revenue minister Stan Keyes had the answer. He said that was just too sensitive for politicians to deal with. He meant Liberal politicians. The fact is the Prime Minister delayed the truth and in so doing he hid the truth.
Will the Prime Minister admit to the House today that not only does he not want to get to the truth; he cannot handle the truth

Carol Skelton (CPC, Saskatoon--Rosetown-)

National Issues:
BSE

Mr. Chair, I would like to ask a question of my hon. colleague. This summer I was speaking to an editor of a livestock magazine at the Canadian junior Hereford show in Regina. He spoke about the hardship that his industry was experiencing with livestock publications and with all our farm magazines. It is just one area in the whole agricultural industry that is really suffering. What are the hon. member's communities saying about all the other hardships that are being experienced in agriculture?

Carole Lavallée (BQ, Saint-Bruno--Saint-H)

National Issues:
Labour

Mr. Speaker, as it has for six years now, National PEP Your Workplace Week, a creation of the Institute for Business Technology, will take place in early October.
The Government of Canada is one of the institute's major clients and consequently invests a considerable amount of money in training its employees to enable them to improve their personal efficiency and productivity, or PEP, in the workplace.
This same government could save a good deal of money, taxpayers' money, merely by showing some respect for its employees who are members of the Public Service Alliance. How so? By negotiating fair and reasonable conditions based on conciliation board reports from the various negotiating tables.
Negotiation is the best way to settle labour disputes and to better serve taxpayers. The result would be 130,000 employees who are motivated and 'peppy' employees instead of depressed and on strike.

Caroline St-Hilaire (BQ, Longueuil--Pierre-Bo)

National Issues:
Port Security

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Transport has expressed his intent to introduce a new policy on security in Canadian ports, including potential invasion of the privacy of longshoremen and other workers. There is talk of an investigation and even digging into their pasts.
Does the Minister of Transport not think it would be wiser, during the first phase of his policy, to return the RCMP to its previous strength in the ports, especially the port of Montreal, in order to attack criminal activity more effectively?

Charlie Angus (NDP, Timmins--James Bay)

International Issues:
Farming:

I will not draw attention to their name, except for the fact that this family drove nearly 1,000 kilometres today on less than 12 hours notice to be here tonight. I will be careful not to mention them by name, but to say that they have lived the nightmare of the closed border, the collapse of cattle prices and 15 months of inaction. I would implore the minister to sometime tonight find time to meet with them and find out what they have been going through.
This family that will remain nameless was here in July with a group of Algoma and Timmins--James Bay farmers to meet with the NDP caucus. We went out and met with the press. They delivered a plea that we needed immediate action plan in place before the fall auction sales. The fall is here and we have a plan but it is not really in place. In fact our farm families are telling us that what we have is all hat and no cattle.
The electronic tagging system for set aside feeder cattle is not ready. Farmers have no idea when it will be ready. We know that they do not know where the forms are. A basic floor price should have been in place this fall, but the government feels that we should have trusted the market. This family that I will not mention went to market, along with a number of other Algoma farm families, and they were killed on the floor this fall. That was the result.
I am sure the hon. minister will tell these nameless farm families to apply to CAIS, but they are not eligible for CAIS, like many other farm families across Canada.
I will mention another family, not by name of course. They are proud Franco-Ontarian pioneers in my riding who opened up farming in my region. Four generations of farm equity was wiped out in 15 months. The father, his sons and his grandsons phone my home every single day because they are their farm. They have taken the machines, they have liquidated the cattle and they are going after the grandfather's house. What do I tell them when they phone me? In this plan there is no debt relief. There is no tax relief. It is just all hat and no cattle. We are being told the promise is that we will advance next year's debt onto this year's debt.
Let us crunch the numbers. In dairy most families have lost $25,000 in the last year and the federal government is coming back with nothing more than $150 to $300 per farm. Top rated dairy cows valued last year at $1,800 a head are being written down for as low as $200 a head. They cannot take that to the bank. The debts are rising, our machines are being repossessed and our support infrastructure in rural Canada is crumbling.
While we are talking about cull cows, I would like to point out that our farmers are now more under the thumb of the large packers than ever. The packers have made a killing and they continue to make a killing. Without a basic floor price for cull cows, animals that should have been worth $400 are being bought up for little more than the price of a pair of rubber boots, and the consumer continues to pay a premium across Canada. Meanwhile, rural Canadians continue to be cast adrift and we are supposed to hope that somehow over the next year market forces will come to bear and help people out.
I know I am a newcomer to this room, but I would like to point out that since 1997 there have been more emergency debates on agriculture than any other single issue facing the House. We have talked a lot and the farm families here tonight have heard a lot of talk. However, the one difference between 1997 and today is that it has only got worse. I implore the minister to work with all of us. It has to stop.

Christiane Gagnon (BQ, Québec)

National Issues:
Child Care

Mr. Speaker, the Speech from the Throne reiterates the government's intention to introduce a Canada-wide child care program with standards that will apply across the country. Quebec's leading role in child care is recognized by all.
Does the federal government intend to fully respect Quebec's areas of jurisdiction when introducing its program?

Claude Bachand (BQ, Saint-Jean)

International Issues:
United States/Missile Defense System

It is difficult to understand how the government avoided publicly clarifying its position on the missile defence shield in the throne speech, unless that position was implied when the speech mentioned strengthening economic and security relations with the United States.
When the government says we must strengthen relations between Canada and the United States, are we to understand that they are announcing-indirectly-that they intend to join in the missile defence plan?

National Issues:
National Defense

Once again, the lives of members of our armed forces have been put in jeopardy, as evidenced by the tragic events that recently unfolded on the submarine HMCS Chicoutimi.
Since there is still potential risk, could the Minister of National Defence tell us about the measures that military authorities intend to take to ensure the safety of the submariners who are still adrift along the coast of Ireland?

Colin Carrie (CPC, Oshawa)

International Issues:
Ports;

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the people of my riding for electing me as the first Conservative MP for Oshawa in 36 years. I was elected to make Oshawa's concerns Ottawa's concerns.
For the past decade Oshawa, along with the rest of Ontario, has been ignored by this apathetic Liberal government. Oshawa is the only city on Lake Ontario without access to its port. Our harbour is federally controlled and an environmental nightmare. We have a toxic dump situated smack in the middle of our waterfront. Our marina has been closed for two years and its users have fought an uphill battle to get their boats back in the water.
I am here to put the government on notice. I will hold the government accountable for its election promise to provide funds for an environmental cleanup and I look forward to a funding announcement during this mandate. I am here to say that there is hope and I am glad to be part of the new team in town.

Dave Batters (CPC, Palliser)

National Issues:
BSE:

I rise today with a tremendous sense of responsibility and hope for the constituents in my riding of Palliser.
First of all, I wish to thank the citizens of Palliser for the great honour they have bestowed upon me in voting for me to represent them in this House.
The BSE crisis impacts my constituency of Palliser as much as it does any area in this great country. The beef industry is a huge economic driver in my riding, and not just in the rural areas. The spinoff is definitely felt in Moose Jaw and Regina.
Producers have faced incredible stress since the border closed in 2003. This government has promised relief to those in the beef industry, but promises alone cannot sustain families in Moose Jaw, Mossbank, Caron, Avonlea, and communities throughout my riding of Palliser.
Today I call on the Liberal government to immediately deliver the cash it has promised to these families. The people of Palliser continue to have hope. They deserve a government that will act quickly to restore their confidence.

David Anderson (CPC, Cypress Hills--Grass)

International Issues:
Health Care:

Mr. Speaker, health care in my riding has become like housing in communist Russia: it's free, but there isn't any.
The government has supposedly rescued the health care system. That is not true.
This summer the Saskatchewan government decided to shrink health care in my riding by closing down facilities and removing ambulance service. One affected area involved the communities of Val Marie, Bracken, Climax, Frontier and Claydon, an area of about 2,500 square miles. The government in its wisdom decided to lay waste to the only health care facility in the area and make it an eight hour a day clinic.
The local people have responded. They tried to negotiate with the provincial government. No chance. They have appealed to the federal minister. No response. They have now raised hundreds of thousands of dollars privately to keep their public health facility open. What we need is a commitment from the federal government to protect our right to access and a commitment from the provincial government to keep the facility open.
Is it not ironic that health region number one, the birthplace of medicare, will be using private money to keep the public health system operating?

David McGuinty (Lib., Ottawa South)

National Issues:
Housing

Mr. Speaker, many Canadians still face the challenge of finding safe and affordable housing. In last week's Speech from the Throne the government has rightly pointed to the affordable housing initiative as one of the tools it uses to meet these needs.
Can the minister responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation inform the House of the status of this program?

Dean Allison (CPC, Niagara West--Glanbr)

International Issues:
National

Mr. Speaker, it is truly an honour to stand here today. I am grateful to the people of Niagara West--Glanbrook for their faith in electing me to express their views in this Parliament. I trust that I will be a worthy representative.
The future of the greenhouse industry in my constituency is at risk because of delays and complications at select border crossings. U.S. customs has now implemented a policy of inspecting 100% of Canadian cut flower shipments for potential infestations. Ever increasing numbers of shipments are being unjustly turned away. Our grape growers are also experiencing difficulties due to extreme waits at border crossings.
I would ask that the government address both of these issues immediately.
Agriculture industry exporters are particularly vulnerable because of the perishable nature of their products. It is time for federal intervention. Whatever negative comments some government members may have about our neighbours to the south, we need to establish a better working relationship with the U.S. government, specifically in this regard. Quick action must be taken to resolve the barriers to efficient agriculture exportation.

Denise Poirier-Rivard (BQ, Châteauguay--Saint-C)

National Issues:
BSE

The minister argues that he has come up with long term solutions, but he is doing nothing to protect producers from any new cases of mad cow.
Let us now talk about the assistance programs that are ill suited to Quebec's needs. The federal government has implemented assistance programs to support producers and help them make it through this crisis. Livestock producers concentrated in Alberta are getting compensation for every head of cattle slaughtered.
In Quebec, the majority of beef producers are in fact dairy producers who sell the cows that no longer produce enough milk. These animals are what we call cull cows.
Every year, producers cull 25% of their herds. Unfortunately, the federal program compensates for only 16%. Although the price they get for their cattle has dropped by 70%, they only get compensation for two thirds of the livestock they sell. The federal government has to improve its compensation program for cull cattle as soon as possible.
The Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food recently set up his BSE-5 program to provide assistance to the beef producers hard hit by the mad cow crisis, but the flaws in this program are hurting Quebec.
The scientific term for the mad cow disease is bovine spongiform encephalopathy or BSE. The BSE-5 program was set up with Alberta in mind. Unfortunately, Quebec was forgotten. The program has a $488 million budget, of which Quebec is only getting 4%. For Ottawa to be fair, they should have improved upon the BSE-4 program under which Quebec was getting its traditional share of 10% to 12%. Then, Quebec would have received between $40 million and $45 million. Quebec's current share is estimated at $15 million.

Diane Ablonczy (CPC, Calgary--Nose Hill)

International Issues:
Canada Post

How can Canadians trust or respect someone whose solemn word proves worthless? The Prime Minister, facing outraged voters, purported to establish a new process for senior appointments to crown corporations. He promised, "We are going to condemn to history the practice and the politics of cronyism". Well, the new guidelines have just been swept aside for a Liberal crony to chair scandal plagued Canada Post.
Let the Prime Minister speak. Why does his word mean so little?

Diane Finley (CPC, Haldimand--Norfolk)

National Issues:
BSE

Mr. Chair, it is truly an honour for me to rise in the House of Commons to take part in a debate for the very first time. I want to wholeheartedly thank the fine folks of Haldimand--Norfolk for the trust they have placed in me as their representative in the House of Commons.
Further, it is a great honour for me to stand as the official opposition critic for agriculture and agrifood, and deliver my maiden speech on behalf of farmers and livestock producers right across this great land.
I wish to thank the hon. minister of agriculture and the government House leader for finally capitulating and heeding the Conservative Party's request to hold this important debate tonight.
Over the past several months I have met with a wide range of stakeholders across this country who have suffered greatly since the mad cow crisis hit on May 20, 2003. As a group we have launched a BSE action committee with many MPs from our party and others, seeking the input of their stakeholders right across the nation.
We have talked and we continue to meet with producers and packers, agricultural organizations, numerous government officials and the financial sector to hear their comments and their solutions. Everywhere it is overwhelmingly apparent that the Liberal government's plans have failed to deal effectively with the mad cow situation.
This evening I would like to concentrate on the recent Liberal BSE aid package and its evaluation as reported to us in our consultations. Although producers no doubt appreciate the government's initiative, this plan is long overdue. It is woefully inadequate and administratively unmanageable.
In September the plan was released that can only be considered phantom farm aid. Why phantom? One month after the minister announced this new aid package there are still no application forms available for producers to apply for desperately needed cash. These are phantom forms.
Astoundingly, the Agriculture Canada website link for Measures to Assist Industry in Response to BSE does not even list this new program. How can farmers apply for a program that has no application form, and for all intent and purpose does not exist almost a month after it was announced? Many of the funds are phantom too.
The original Liberal plan claimed $66 million for loan loss reserves to increase slaughter capacity. Really, when we dig into the depths of it, only $38 million has been earmarked for financing. The balance is for CFIA inspection.
While everyone agrees that increased slaughter capacity is critically important for the long term viability and sustainability of the industry, $38 million is barely enough to open one plant, get it up and running, let alone stimulate an entire industry.
What is more, as of October 6, 2004, the allocated funding proportions of this aid program were still not approved by the Treasury Board. Much of the $385 million pledged to sustain the industry until capacity is increased includes cash advances from the Canadian Agricultural Income Stabilization Program, CAISP, and from final payments under the Transitional Industry Support Program, TISP.
For the Liberals to announce final payments under the Transitional Industry Support Program as new money is not only misleading, it is an insult to the industry. The deadline for applications for TISP payments was July 31, 2004, and applications for both components are no longer being accepted. These too are phantom funds.
Lastly, the administrative viability of the proposal is cause for concern. Administrative relief through CAISP is a proven recipe for disaster. Many farmers are still waiting for their CAISP advances for 2003. If that is the government's definition of an advance payment, how long will it take to get a delayed payment for 2004?
CAISP is a disaster, but it is not a disaster program. It is intended to provide income when producers claim-year margins drop below their previous five year Olympic average. Until cattle prices increase through an open border or a substantial increase in slaughter, every year will be a claim year.

France Bonsant (BQ, Compton--Stanstead)

International Issues:
Olympic Games:

Mr. Speaker, I would like to draw attention to the fine performances by the many Quebec and Canadian athletes who attended the XXVIII Olympiad in Athens this past August and September. I would like to focus particularly on the Paralympics, held in recent weeks.
Congratulations to Diane Roy, a resident of Hatley, for bringing home two bronze medals. Diane finished third in the 400 and 1,500 metre events, in addition to a fine showing in the 800 and 5,000 metres and the marathon.
Jacques Martin of Saint-Denis-de-Brompton and André Beaudoin of Cowansville were among the representatives of the Eastern Townships who also gave it their all at these games.
Once again, congratulations to all these athletes and everyone involved on their extraordinary efforts. Their courage and resolve should serve as an example to us all.

Francine Lalonde (BQ, La Pointe-de-lle)

National Issues:
Quebec

You have to agree that this kind of participation is stimulating. I have to tie this in with what I was saying. I was talking about the sovereign provincial jurisdictions. Let me repeat the statement of a Quebec minister: To say that the distribution of powers is obsolete is to say that federalism is obsolete.
I find unacceptable many things in this throne speech. One of them was not mentioned by other members, but I would like to deal with it. At the beginning of the throne speech, one can read, and I quote:
The Government's actions on behalf of Canadians will be guided by these seven commitments:
--to promote the national interest by setting the nation's objectives and building a consensus toward achieving them--
I have two points to make about this. First, Quebec is not only a province, but also a nation. It is not an ethnic group, but a nation in the real sense of the word.
I might add that I am proud we have in this Parliament, thanks to the Bloc Quebecois, but mainly thanks to him, the first African-born MP, the hon. member for Saint-Lambert. He has been elected by wise and intelligent voters.
Quebec is not only a province, but also a nation. A large part of what I have to say about Quebec could also be said about other provinces. If Quebec had waited for a national federal initiative to further its development, if it had waited for some federal consensus to develop, it would still be marching to the drum of the fifties.
Saying that is really ignoring history. As to the Quebec social model, I know many provinces would like to implement it. There is a growing recognition of that in day care. This model was developed by the grassroots, the same way the healthcare model was developed in Saskatchewan many years ago. Our model was developed because we used our skills, intelligence, expertise and leadership to achieve our goal of protecting our national interest.
It is utterly unacceptable that the only type of leadership being suggested is a leadership that does not take into consideration the fact that Quebec has its own goals and means. It is not true that, outside a national consensus, particularly in matters of provincial jurisdiction, but also in other matters, there is no redemption.

Gerry Ritz (CPC, Battlefords--Lloydmi)

National Issues:
BSE

Chair, the member opposite sat on the same committee as I did in the heat of all of this BSE controversy. He is starting to talk as though testing is the answer, to say that there are countries just waiting to buy if we test these animals. I have had meetings with a lot of the ambassadors and the purchasers and so on from those countries. Unfortunately, none of them, not one of them, even Japan, is ready to sign on a purchase order if we test an animal.
My concern is that we can do it--and maybe that is part of the solution--but there is a cost of $30 a test for every animal or $200 a test if we take the expanded one. Increased freezer space is needed, as is an increase in CFIA inspection vets, who are poised to go on strike in a little while. We are already short-staffed with CFIA. They are overburdened now. Plus, we need lab space to do all the testing. How does the minister square all that when saying that testing is the answer when we physically do not have the infrastructure or the people to do it?

National Issues:
Sponsorship Program

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister pledged last spring to clear up the sponsorship scandal before he called an election. He said that he would provide all the documents to the public accounts committee. He did not do that. We now know he was more concerned about getting re-elected than in coming clean with Canadians.
How does the Prime Minister explain the sudden appearance of a 10 million page paper trail after the June election?

Gilles Duceppe (BQ, Laurier--Sainte-Mari)

International Issues:
Goverment Finance;

Mr. Speaker, this is Liberal style. They delight in cover-ups. It is not $1.9 billion, but $9.1 billion. This Minister of Finance suffers from financial dyslexia, and the government suffers from chronic under estimation. They are hiding the truth.
Enough is enough. Should the fiscal imbalance not be resolved by October 26?

National Issues:
Environment;

The same thing goes for the Kyoto protocol. In Quebec, we have made progress on environmental issues, while between 1970 and the present, Ottawa invested $72 billion in coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear power. We in Quebec paid one-quarter of that. The $329 million for clean energies, we paid to Hydro-Québec on our own, one-quarter of what Ontario Hydro, which is nuclear-powered, cost. And now, we are supposed to pay for one-quarter of the harm done?
We want a bilateral agreement on the environment that will take into consideration what Quebec has already done. This is what we want. We do not want the federal government to impose on us the effects of policies that have had a disastrous impact on the environment and that, moreover, we helped fund. To get taken-to put it mildly-once is bad enough. We do not want to get taken a second time. This is not like the advertisement for milk.

Gordon O'Connor (, )

Guy Lauzon (CPC, Stormont--Dundas--So)

National Issues:
BSE

Mr. Chair, it is a tremendous honour to stand in this place to speak for the first time since the good people of Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry elected me as their representative. I am very pleased that my first speech is on a subject of great importance to the people of my riding and to the people of Canada.
The leader of the official opposition and our agricultural critic have raised serious concerns about the BSE compensation program announced by the minister last month. The opposition struck a working group to consult farmers from coast to coast on BSE in the hope of improving upon the Liberal aid package by making it responsive to the needs of those directly impacted by the crisis. Members from all parties were invited to take part in this process. My role in this consultation process is to focus on the concerns of the dairy farmers.
I would like to thank the Dairy Farmers of Canada and all of the provincial dairy producer organizations for their excellent cooperation in this process. I would like to especially thank the individual dairy farmers who shared their experiences and insights with my office.
I am not being partisan when I say the feedback that I have received from dairy farmers about the Liberal BSE package has been very negative.

Hon. Aileen Carroll (Lib., Barrie Internationa)

International Issues:
BSE;

Mr. Speaker, Atlantic Canada farmers have suffered dramatic harm from the ban on Canadian beef by the U.S.A. and other countries. Government programs have been too little too late. Government efforts to resolve the issue have totally failed. Atlantic farmers must now adapt to the possibility of the border never opening again, which means we must create slaughter capacity to process cattle that once were shipped to the United States.
The co-op organization on Prince Edward Island in conjunction with the P.E.I. government have invested almost $20 million in a brand new plant that is almost finished. However, the current circumstances now require the plant to have two additional features not originally planned. First, in order to guarantee a quality product, traceability is absolutely essential. Second, it needs a federally inspected cull cow line in order to process and sell our own beef to Atlantic Canadians.
I urge the Minister of Agriculture to act quickly to help all Atlantic farmers in all four provinces by providing funding for both the traceability program and to help the cull cow line expansion, and to act now.

Hon. Andy Mitchell (Lib., Parry Sound--Muskoka)

National Issues:
Responsible Government/Canada Post

Mr. Speaker, last week the revenue minister appointed a friend of his and former banking colleague as the chair of Canada Post. The appointment violated the Treasury Board guidelines that the government established, and has demonstrated yet again that the government has a lot to learn when it comes to transparency and accountability.
Canadians want to know why did the revenue minister break the rules to give a job to his friend?

Hon. Anne McLellan (Lib., Edmonton Centre)

National Issues:
Arar Maher

Mr. Speaker, I want to acknowledge the hon. member's long-standing interest in this matter. Indeed, the government has taken this matter very seriously. That is why we established an independent commission of inquiry. Mr. Justice O'Connor is at this time hearing witnesses and reviewing evidence, and I think that as the hon. member is aware it is important to let him finish his work.

National Issues:
RCMP

Mr. Speaker, I am sure the hon. member would not want me to interfere in the operational matters of the RCMP. I do want to reassure the hon. member that this is a redeployment. The number of RCMP officers in the province of Quebec will remain the same. This redeployment only took place after broad based consultations, including the Sûreté du Québec.
Everyone, I am sure, is aware the RCMP is not the provincial police force in the province of Quebec. The RCMP works strategically with them. The redeployment is taking place to ensure that strategic cooperation is facilitated.

Hon. Bill Blaikie (NDP, Elmwood--Transcona)

National Issues:
National Defense:

I am glad to see that the Minister of National Defence has backed off the idea that there is no role for parliamentarians in reviewing the sub program because the other day he said it was strictly a matter for military inquiry.
I would ask the Prime Minister if he might also have a change of mind with respect to addressing the democratic deficit.
I say to the right hon. Prime Minister, if he is so convinced that there is no weaponization of space involved in the national missile defence program, why will he not allow members of his caucus to show that they are equally so convinced and allow them to vote on any decision taken by the Prime Minister?

Hon. Bill Graham (Lib., Toronto Centre)

National Issues:
Military

Mr. Speaker, what I can assure the House is that the maritime command, and in fact all of our military personnel, ensure how equipment works because security is the most important concern for their men. I can assure members of the House that the Canadian navy took all the precautions and professional measures necessary to determine the seaworthiness of this ship before it set to sea. I have had assurance from the chief of the maritime command that all necessary precautions were taken about the security of the ship before it set to sea. That is the procedure in our navy.

National Issues:
National Defense

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister clearly indicated that we are currently negotiating with the United States. We do not yet know what the conclusions will be, but as soon as negotiations are over, they will be submitted for cabinet approval. Then we shall consult the House, as the Prime Minister has promised. We will have an opportunity to discuss all the benefits and possible disadvantages.
Since the United States is our ally, it seems obvious to me that we should build strong relations with that nation, as the Minister of Foreign Affairs has said.

Hon. Bryon Wilfert (Lib., Richmond Hill)

International Issues:
World Sight Day

Mr. Speaker, I am happy to rise today to bring attention to a very important cause, one that often goes unnoticed but can change our lives dramatically. We should take the time to reflect on just how lucky we are to have the gift of sight.
Today the Canadian National Institute for the Blind is hosting its second annual World Sight Day. It is through the Vision 2020 initiative that the CNIB hopes to bring awareness to this highly preventable disease, find solutions and hopefully eliminate all preventable and treatable blindness by the year 2020.
It is worth paying close attention to the Vision 2020 plan, as its benefits are twofold. If Vision 2020 were to become a reality, not only would we prevent 100 million people from going blind but this would in turn amount to a savings of about $150 billion U.S. on a global scale.
While this is a major undertaking, it can become a reality with our help. If not for ourselves, consider this cause important because of the children facing this fate of blindness at an alarming rate of one child per minute.

Hon. David Emerson (Lib., Vancouver Kingsway)

National Issues:
Aerospace Industry

Mr. Speaker, I have been meeting with members of the aerospace industry in Canada. I have been meeting with the union leadership. I am having discussions with provincial governments. We are accelerating the development of an aerospace strategy for Canada that would include, of course, dealing with Bombardier issues, but it would be broader and it would extend to the aerospace industry across the country

National Issues:
Ferry/Shipping Industry

Mr. Speaker, Industry Canada is in fact reviewing the shipbuilding industry. We are having discussions with representatives of the shipbuilding industry. We are having discussions with the union movement.
The B.C. Ferry Corporation and its emanations is an independent company as the member knows. The federal government does not have any place in directing a private company as to where it should be acquiring its ships, but we will be pursuing this as it goes forward.

Hon. David Kilgour (Lib., Edmonton--Mill Woods)

National Issues:
BSE;

Mr. Chair, as many people have said here tonight, there has never been a more urgent time for all levels of government to start addressing the problems that we have heard about tonight and finding intelligent solutions to the continuing BSE crisis which is hurting tens of thousands of families across this country.
A good many producers are becoming more frustrated at not being consulted on how the crisis should be dealt with. The federal and provincial governments have worked with industry organizations, such as the Alberta Beef Producers and the Canadian Cattlemen's Association, but some producers say that those organizations do not represent them at this particular time on this particularly vital issue.
They complain that the various government initiatives to lessen the impact of BSE have disproportionately aided large meat packing concerns and ensured a consistent oversupply of cattle at low prices at the expense of producers and taxpayers. Cargill and Lakeside, for example, have been doubly compensated since they received $42 million after June 2003 while simultaneously benefiting from the oversupply of cattle caused by producers lacking access to the U.S. slaughter facilities.
Those who operate independently in the feedlot centre say the current situation is increasingly untenable, as colleagues know. Even with the funds that they have received from the CAIS program and other government initiatives, they are facing increasingly hostile lenders. One feedlot owner from Alberta expressed the following yesterday:
The real story of what farmers are feeling out here on the ground is not getting through to the people at the top, whether it's politicians or industry spokesmen. The banks are starting to put the death grip on some of us out here, especially the independent operators who feed exclusively their own cattle and do not custom feed for packers or Americans like ourselves. We need government to tell the banks to back off.
Without more assistance soon, some operators, as everyone in this House knows, will be forced to sell their operations to buyers from the U.S., who will benefit by picking off their farms at low prices and filling them with artificially cheap Canadian feeder animals.
Feedlot operators have also indicated to me that a 10% cap must be imposed on packer ownership of cattle. Without this the large packers are free to purchase feeders at currently depressed prices from thousands of cow calf operators, and then to contract them out to a select number of custom feedlots to be finished. At the same time that packer owned cattle are finishing, privately owned ones are doing so as well.
The large meat packers have no obligation to buy from private feedlot operators and can thus offer lower and lower prices to those who are anxious to get rid of their inventory, since the finished cattle in their possession are costing them money for maintenance and losing value as they become older and heavier.
The situation in regard to cull cows has been especially bad since they cannot be marketed domestically due to a lack of processing capacity. Nor can they be exported as live animals because they are more than 30 months of age. This has put many feedlot owners in a very severe predicament. They cannot sell these animals due to the lack of domestic slaughter capacity and yet they cannot afford to keep them as they are incurring maintenance costs on them, and banker's interest, with each passing day.
Although the new aid program announced in Calgary pledges money to support initiatives to increase domestic slaughter capacity, it has proven problematic for those attempting to secure financing to build plants to slaughter animals over 30 months of age. The current proposal is simply unworkable they say, because no financial institution will agree to accept a 60% liability for losses on loans which they deem to be high risk. This problem must be solved soon because if it is not, very little if any new slaughter capacity will come on line to absorb the glut, or the wall of beef as it has been put, and a lot of money will simply go to waste.
One key lesson we can all take from this crisis is that Canada needs to diversify our exports, as other members have mentioned. Canadians consume about 28% of our production. The rest must be exported. In the past the customer of choice of course has been overwhelmingly the United States. With the U.S. refusing to accept live animal exports, it becomes exceedingly urgent that Canada find other markets for beef. Australia, by the way, exports its beef to more than 100 countries.

Hon. Denis Paradis (Lib., Brome--Missisquoi I)

National Issues:
Military

Mr. Speaker, on Monday, when they set out for Halifax from the port of Faslane, Scotland, on their maiden voyage, the 57 crew members of HMCS Chicoutimi could not have imagined the tragedy that awaited them on the first leg of their Atlantic crossing.
The fire on board the submarine on Tuesday turned into a nightmare yesterday when one crew member, Lieutenant Chris Saunders, a combat systems engineer from Saint John, New Brunswick, succumbed while being transported to hospital.
In this time of grief, our thoughts are with the family and friends of Lieutenant Saunders.
We also salute the courage of all the crew members and their families in the difficult times they are going through. Your sense of duty is commendable and exemplary; we are very grateful to you.

Hon. Dominic LeBlanc (Lib., Beauséjour)

National Issues:
Renovation Month

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to inform the House that October is Renovation Month across Canada. For 15 years, the Canadian Home Builder's Association has been celebrating the renovation season by providing consumers with information on home renovation.
As Canada's national housing agency, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation supports this event and works together with home builders. We help Canadians make decisions about purchasing, renovating and maintaining their homes.
Through these activities, CMHC works with builders to provide Canadians with access to a broad range of quality housing at an affordable price

Hon. Don Boudria (Lib., Glengarry--Prescott-)

International Issues:
Haiti;

Mr. Speaker, Hurricane Jeanne has devastated the Caribbean and the United States, leaving in its wake thousands of fatalities and thousands of other people homeless and without food, particularly in Haiti.
What more is the Government of Canada prepared to do for the people of Haiti?

National Issues:
Pharmacy

Last month first ministers met and developed a 10-year health plan for which congratulations are in order. However, one important issue was not addressed and that is the problem of Internet pharmacies.
People living in the United States can buy prescription drugs in Canada over the Internet. I believe this practice is unethical. First, it can deplete Canadian prescription drug supplies. Also, patients receiving the medication have never seen a Canadian doctor nor pharmacist, thus increasing the chance of misdiagnosis.
Media reports inform us that one practitioner alone signed tens of thousands of these forms over a six-month period at a considerable profit.
Finally, there is no way of accurately preventing that medication being prescribed has not been counterfeited.
I ask the Minister of Health, along with his provincial counterparts at their meeting very shortly, to be seized of this issue and to take the necessary measures to stop it.

Hon. Ed Broadbent (NDP, Ottawa Centre)

National Issues:
National

My question is for the Prime Minister. I want to begin by complimenting the Prime Minister for finally including electoral reform in a throne speech.
In this context, considering that the present electoral system almost invariably produces parties both on the governing side and on the opposition side of the House that do not in any way reflect accurately the regional votes in Canada and thus, this in itself, contributes to regional conflict, will the Prime Minister promise that before the Christmas recess the government will take concrete action to implement this commitment?

Hon. Geoff Regan (Lib., Halifax West)

National Issues:
Fisheries

Mr. Speaker, Canadian NAFO inspectors have made more than 130 boardings and inspections of ships this year. In fact, they found evidence that infractions have decreased as a result of these efforts. We also know that one-third less foreign boats are on the nose and tail this year. The fact is that our strategy is working.

Hon. Hedy Fry (Lib., Vancouver Centre)

International Issues:
World Sight Day;

Mr. Speaker, I put on my glasses to say that tomorrow is World Sight Day, held annually to highlight the problem of global blindness and to raise awareness about the prevention and treatment of vision loss.
According to the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, more than one in nine Canadians over 65 and one in four over 80 experience vision loss that cannot be corrected with lenses. Given these numbers, we must focus on ameliorating the condition of the blind in Canada.
The CNIB has made several recommendations in this regard. One of these is government support for the production and distribution of published print material for the blind or visually impaired.
The World Health Organization estimates that 80% of blindness could be prevented or cured. WHO's Vision 2020 campaign aims to eliminate avoidable blindness by the year 2020, by providing measles immunization, cataract surgery, eyeglasses and other needed services.
I urge all parliamentarians to visit the websites of Vision 2020 and CNIB to understand what must be done to prevent blindness, improve the participation in Canadian society of the visually impaired and treat vision loss in Canada and abroad.

Hon. Irwin Cotler (Lib., Mount Royal Interna)

International Issues:
Textile Industry;

The elimination of quotas in the textile industry, scheduled for 2005, will cause a disastrous loss of 12,000 to 24,000 jobs in Quebec alone, thereby weakening the textile and clothing industry just a little more.
Will the federal government make public, and quickly, for time is of the essence, an action plan to stop this massive loss of employment? The government's current inaction is leading directly to catastrophe.

Hon. Jim Peterson (Lib., Willowdale)

National Issues:
Aerospace Industry

Mr. Speaker, we fully agree with the hon. leader of the Bloc Quebecois that the aerospace industry is very important to Canada. This is why, in the past, we have supported its exports and sales. We will continue to work with this key industry for our country.

Hon. John Godfrey (Lib., Don Valley West)

National Issues:
Infrastructure

Mr. Speaker, I would remind the House that during the election campaign, and confirmed in the Speech from the Throne, we indicated that we would provide $5 billion for sustainable infrastructure over the next five years.
The amounts will start to flow with budget 2005. We will begin on a modest ramp but it will spike up in the fifth year to $2 billion. That money will flow to the provinces as soon as we have completed negotiations with the provinces and discussions with the municipalities which will allow us to go forward

Hon. Keith Martin (Lib., Esquimalt--Juan de F)

National Issues:
Military

Mr. Speaker, the government purchased these subs which are excellent submarines. They met the operational demands and requirements of our navy and our country. I am pleased to say that these subs provide our navy and our military with superb capabilities that we have to engage in for the sovereignty of our nation.

Hon. Larry Bagnell (Lib., Yukon)

National Issues:
Enviroment

One of the issues in the throne speech related to the environment has also been raised by my constituents. It is the legislation to ensure the ecological integrity of national parks. I know that the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society will be quite happy that that is in the throne speech.

Hon. Larry Bagnell (Lib., Yukon)

National Issues:

The three different programs to be extended for homeless people will once again be very well received by the people w orking in the social area in my riding. All those three programs were well used in the past and were very popular. People will be happy that the SCPI program, the affordable housing initiative and the RRAP have been extended.

Hon. Liza Frulla (Lib., Jeanne-Le Ber)

National Issues:
CRTC

Mr. Speaker, the minister at that time defended the CRTC. She defended a $20 billion Canadian industry with 740,000 jobs. That is what she did.
She went to Banff, talked to one of the biggest, I would say, international television festivals. She did it within her mandate. It was mandatory to go. She accepted the invitation really.

Hon. Lucienne Robillard (Lib., Westmount--Ville-Mar)

National Issues:
Federalism

Mr. Speaker, our Prime Minister has always said that his federalism would be flexible and respectful of differences.
What are the guiding principles set out in the throne speech? Seven in number, they include recognition of diversity. And what is that, if not asymmetrical federalism?

Hon. Mauril Bélanger (Lib., Ottawa--Vanier)

National Issues:
Electoral Reform:

The suggestion of the member is one that we certainly will take note of. There is a commitment on the part of the government to take a look at electoral reform. We will do that, but we will do so in a way that engages citizens, that engages Canadians and that engages parliamentarians. In due course the government will state its intended course of action. I am sure that the member will be quite encouraged in the manner in which we will do so.

Hon. Paul Harold Macklin (Lib., Northumberland--Quin)

National Issues:
BSE

One of the issues that I would say we want to pay respect to in this process of BSE, has to do with those who have been dealing with the safety of our food. We are all concerned about the safety of the food we eat and the drugs we take. It does not matter whether we are talking about the beef industry or any other industry where our food safety is concerned. We clearly want to take all the precautions that we should to make sure that the industry is protected.
In this particular case, BSE is something that really did have some elements of protection built in through the system that we have in Canada. I think it is important that we review some of those processes that are there.
As it has been said a number of times today and on previous occasions in this House, we have one of the safest food supplies in the world. I cannot disagree with that. Canada has a multi-layered system where we are always working with a network of federal, provincial, territorial and local government departments, ministries and other agencies that combine with the private sector to make sure we are protecting the food from gate to plate.
Through the emergence of BSE in this country, Canada has had very unfortunate consequences for our cattlemen and the cattle producers, but at least we can say from the positive side that the detection and diversion of the infected animal away from the human food chain demonstrates that the Canadian food safety system worked in the detection and response to that threat.

Hon. Pierre Pettigrew (Lib., Papineau;)

International Issues:
Ukraine

Mr. Speaker, on September 21 our ambassador in Kiev declared publicly Canada's serious concern that the elections may fail to meet democratic standards.
The Government of Canada is sending about 40 observers, one of the largest contingents ever to observe the election. Our embassy is also leading an informal group of 25 diplomatic missions working together in Ukraine to monitor electoral developments.
Canada is actively engaged in efforts to encourage a free and fair election in Ukraine.

Hon. Ralph Goodale (Lib., Wascana)

National Issues:
Textile Industry

Mr. Speaker, obviously the government is very interested in the well-being of all Canadian businesses and industries in whatever sector they may be or in whatever region or province they may be.
In the previous Parliament we undertook certain steps to try to provide the appropriate action in relation to both the apparel sector and the textile sector and we continue to work very hard on that.
Some of these matters are, at the present time, before the Canadian International Trade Tribunal.

Hon. Rob Nicholson (CPC, Niagara Falls)

National Issues:
Port Security

Mr. Speaker, three years after 9/11 our port security is still not adequate. The Minister of Transport said 'It is clear that Canadian ports cannot remain sieves'. He was disturbed by a book that stated that the Hell's Angels had taken control of Canada's ports.
If the minister is scared that the Hell's Angels have taken control of Canada's ports, why has his government not done more to ensure the safety of Canadians

Hon. Robert Thibault (Lib., West Nova)

International Issues:
Pan American Health Organization

Mr. Speaker, on September 27 and 28 I had the opportunity to attend a Pan American Health Organization directing council meeting in Washington, D.C. Created in 1902, PAHO acts as the regional office of the World Health Organization and works with member countries to strengthen national health systems.
During the course of these meetings Canada was elected to serve on the executive committee of PAHO for a three year term. This achievement recognizes Canada's contribution to promoting security in the region, and improving the health and social status of the people of the Americas.
I would like to congratulate the members of the Canadian delegation for all of their hard work.

National Issues:
Fire Fighters

Mr. Speaker, I know it would sadden this House to learn that a home fire kills one person every day in Canada. I would like to inform the House that this year Fire Prevention Week takes place from October 3 to 9.
This year's theme reminds us to test our smoke alarms. If properly powered and tested regularly, smoke alarms can save lives. These efforts can minimize the suffering and loss that can affect not only our citizens, but our brave firefighters and their families.
On a more positive note, I was pleased on the weekend to bring greetings from all members of the House to two volunteers of the Yarmouth Fire Department, Mr. John Murphy and Mr. Robert Reid, who each celebrated 50 years of service in volunteer firefighting in rural Nova Scotia.
I wish to congratulate, and thank them and their families for a lifetime of sacrifice.

Hon. Sarmite Bulte (Lib., Parkdale--High Park)

International Issues:
Tibet;

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to inform the House of the Tibetan Youth Congress's 35th anniversary of the Tibetan Youth Day. The celebration is being held at the historic Palais Royale in my riding on Sunday, October 10.
The Tibetan Youth Congress was founded in India on October 7, 1970, and the Dalai Lama delivered its inaugural address. It is a non-profit organization with over 76 branches around the world whose main purpose is to promote Tibet's culture, traditions and religion under the guidance of the Dalai Lama.
The Toronto chapter of the Tibetan Youth Congress was established in 2002 and has grown quickly as increasing numbers of Tibetan Canadians have made the historic neighbourhood of Parkdale their home.
I salute the organizers and participants of this year's Tibetan Youth Congress event and I am delighted to be joining them this Sunday.

National Issues:
McLuhan International Festival:

I would like to inform the House of the launch of an exciting new cultural event, the first McLuhan International Festival of the Future. Thanks to the efforts of Mr. William Marshall, the executive director of the festival and also the co-founder of the Toronto International Film Festival, the organizers held a successful kickoff on October 8, 2004.
To honour the diverse fields that Marshall McLuhan has influenced, on Friday night the festival presented visionary awards for community, culture and commerce. As the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage, I had the honour of presenting the culture award to CHUM Ltd. Former Toronto mayor, David Crombie, received the community award and Roger Martin, dean of the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto, received the commerce award.
The McLuhan International Festival of the Future runs until October 17. It ambitiously attempts to cover the diverse areas of McLuhan's work with a 10 day festival that includes fora and performances in multimedia, new media, public arts, media literacy and sustainable living.

Hon. Stephen Harper (CPC, Calgary Southwest)

National Issues:
Agriculture;

The Conservative Party of Canada believes strongly that it is in the best interests of Canada and Canadian agriculture that industries under the protection of supply management remain viable but we still have no indication that the government will fight at the WTO to preserve our supply management system and to ensure it continues to provide a reasonable rate of return for producers who supply high quality food at a fair price to consumers

National Issues:
U.S/Missile Defense System;

We would of course strengthen the government's commitment to national defence, to foreign aid and to vigorous diplomacy. We believe also as well, and this is important, that Parliament should have a voice on crucial foreign policy issues of the day.
For example, the Conservative Party has always supported Canada's continued cooperation with the United States in our shared continental defence. We believe Norad is a key strategic alliance that allows us to be fully involved in the defence of North American security and also the defence of our own sovereignty.
At the same time, we believe there are many issues which the government must openly address before we would support full Canadian participation in a continental missile defence system. We need to know clearly the objective of this initiative, whether it is technically feasible, exactly what role Canada would play, as well as the potential costs and benefits, the nature and length of any Canadian commitments.

Hon. Ujjal Dosanjh (Lib., Vancouver South; Min)

International Issues:
Health Care;

Mr. Speaker, the fact that we entered into a historic agreement to provide $41 billion over 10 years to the provinces means that we are a successful federation.
Quebec would be setting the benchmarks in reporting to its citizens as will all the other provinces. We will be correlating all those reports through the Canadian Institute for Health Information, or CIHI, so that we have a national understanding of where the money is going, and whether or not we are successful in reforming, enhancing and improving our health care that all Canadians love from coast to coast to coast.

Hon. Wayne Easter (Lib., Malpeque)

International Issues:
Public Services;

Mr. Speaker, the threat of a widespread public service work stoppage is of concern to all Canadians. Any work stoppage has a dramatic and negative impact not only on the economy but also on the lives of Canadians in a most direct way.
It is therefore critical that both parties, the Treasury Board and representatives of PSAC, make a renewed and sincere effort on their return to the bargaining table. Both sides, and I emphasize both, must in good faith seek a fair and equitable resolution to the outstanding issues.
Public service workers of Canada perform a key function and have demonstrated a high degree of professionalism in conducting government business.
For collective bargaining to work, both Treasury Board and PSAC must negotiate with the objective of finding a settlement and must stay at the table until they get the job done.

National Issues:
BSE;

Mr. Chair, I do agree with several of the points that the Leader of the Opposition made in terms of how resilient the livestock industry is and how hardworking people in that industry are and how important the livestock industry is to this country. But I do not appreciate that he would get into the political rhetoric as if the government had been doing nothing all along. He knows full well that the government has been working strenuously from the very beginning to get the border open with the United States and we continue to do that.
He knows full well that discussions have been ongoing with the industry to change the approach. The Minister of Agriculture talked about that earlier. We are changing the approach in conjunction with the industry wishes to go to a higher slaughter capacity within Canada. The member should be standing in appreciation of the efforts of the Minister of Agriculture in that regard instead of trying to play political games and make political points while the industry is in trouble.

Inky Mark (CPC, Dauphin--Swan River-)

National Issues:
(Bill C-333)

Chinese Canadians Recognition and Resitution Act (Bill C-333), moved, seconded by the member for Winnipeg North, for leave to introduce Bill C-333, an act to recognize the injustices done to Chinese immigrants by head taxes and exclusion legislation, to provide for recognition of the extraordinary contribution they made to Canada, and to provide for restitution which is to be applied to education on Chinese Canadian history and the promotion of racial harmony.
He said: Mr. Speaker, first I want to thank the member for Winnipeg North for her support. I am honoured to table the bill on behalf of one million Canadians of Chinese descent. This is the third time I have tabled the bill, known as Bill C-333. It is long overdue. For 20 years the Chinese community in this country has been looking for justice to deal with both the head tax issue and the exclusion act.
In closing, I ask for unanimous consent to have the bill numbered Bill C-333, as it was known.

Jack Layton (NDP, Toronto--Danforth)

International Issues:
U.S/Canada Defense System

Tommy Douglas would also have had a few well chosen words about the Prime Minister's seeming desire to help George Bush launch the next arms race, without mentioning even once in the throne speech the so-called missile shield.
Let us hope that this omission means that the Prime Minister has converted to peaceful values and decided to say no to George Bush's star war.
Let us hope that the Prime Minister's values shift from the promotion of war and arms race to the values of peace.

National Issues:
Child Care

Let us have some specifics on child care. For example, 3 million kids in Canada have mothers who work, but there are only 515,000 child care spaces in this country. There are fewer child care spaces in my city of Toronto today than there were in 1993. We are falling backwards under this government.
In St. John's it now costs $415 a month for child care per child. In Yellowknife it is $605. In Ottawa it is $750. There are no targets, no dates, no specificity on child care. This is not acceptable.

National Issues:
Climate/Energy

As members know, I have taken on the responsibility of being our party's energy and climate change critic. After four Liberal throne speeches, I simply do not believe the fifth. We have a commitment to climate change efforts, but time and again that promise has been broken, and I do not believe that it will be followed. We intend to bring forward proposals and I hope the government will take a look at implementing them.
In 1993 the Prime Minister's own red book promised to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20%. Instead we have received a report from the OECD saying that we are last among the industrial countries and that we have a massive increase of global warming emissions.
We are facing a global crisis. It is transforming the very planet on which we live. Species that we may or may not care about are losing their capacity to survive on the planet. Hundreds of millions of people will find their lands flooded and their ability to live with any kind of quality of life attacked. That means we have to take urgent and direct action. It is not enough to call for more talks and more discussions of possible plans down the road. I was part of those talks in the past. They led no where.
Let us get going on these issues. It is possible to find solutions. I had a considerable amount to do with the wind turbine on Toronto's waterfront, as did others. I commend the mover of the motion on the Speech from the Throne for his help on that project, but it took six years to get up one turbine.
How long does it take to make change in the country? Surely it cannot take that long

James Bezan (CPC, Selkirk--Interlake)

National Issues:
BSE:

Mr. Speaker, today I would like to address the devastation felt by ranchers and farmers across Canada.
BSE has negatively affected farm and ranch families and has impacted all the towns and small businesses in my riding of Selkirk--Interlake. Producers have not been able to keep up with bill payments since the BSE crisis began and many face bankruptcy if prices do not rise.
I would like to pay tribute to those trying to improve the situation. I would like to thank the Manitoba Cattle Producers Association for its work on the BSE file. I would especially like to thank the board of directors of Rancher's Choice Beef Co-op, which has worked diligently to establish a new beef packing plant in Manitoba.
Finally, I would like to thank the Leader of the Official Opposition for talking to agriculture lenders and urging them to have patience and understanding in this time of crisis on the farm.

James Rajotte (CPC, Edmonton--Leduc)

National Issues:
Edmonton

I rise today to pay tribute to the great city of Edmonton on the occasion of its 100th birthday.
In 1795 the Hudson's Bay Company established a trading post on the banks of the North Saskatchewan River called Fort Edmonton. The railway arrived in 1902. It was incorporated as a city in 1904 and designated the provincial capital in 1906.
Edmonton quickly became known as the gateway to the north, a phrase that has held true since the Klondike gold rush when prospectors venturing northward stopped in Edmonton to trade their goods and gather supplies.
Edmonton has long had a diversified economy, historically driven by the fur trade and agriculture.
Then, in 1947, oil was discovered just south of Edmonton at Leduc No. 1. The pipeline and petrochemical industry were established and the economy and population began to boom.
Edmonton is a city whose quality of life is second to none. We have a vibrant arts community and our citizens are renowned for their charitable leadership and community fellowship.
I ask all of my colleagues here in Parliament to wish the city of Edmonton a wonderful 100th birthday.

Jason Kenney (CPC, Calgary Southeast)

International Issues:
U.S/Canada Relations

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Charbonneau is a serial anti-American.
The throne speech repeated the Prime Minister broken promise to fix Canada-U.S. relations, so why is he letting the American-bashing member for Mississauga--Erindale continue to sit in his caucus and become the de facto Liberal spokesman on U.S. relations?
Last year she famously said, "Damned Americans, I hate those bastards". Now she is at it again, calling our U.S. allies idiots in their coalition against terror.
Does the Prime Minister really believe that mutual respect can exist when he tolerates such hateful attitudes and if not, will he remove that member from his caucus?

National Issues:
Government Spending

Mr. Speaker, imagine taking a Challenger jet across the country at a cost of $55,000 for an 800 word speech. I think that works out to about $72 a word.
Why would the Prime Minister appoint this person as his principal secretary who spent $55,000, who violated the Elections Act and who violated the government policy with respect to the use of these jets? Why does the government not at least have the gumption to stand up and apologize for taking taxpayers for a ride?

Jean Crowder (NDP, Nanaimo--Cowichan)

International Issues:
Co-op Week in Canada;

Mr. Speaker, next week, October 17 to 23, is Co-op Week in Canada.
Co-operatives are founded on the idea that people know what is best for them and can work together to achieve their goals. They have been the cornerstone of local economies.
From co-ops in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, to credit unions in Duncan, British Columbia, the co-operative movement has helped communities drive their own economic growth. I myself am a member of three co-ops and enjoy the economic benefits they bring to my community of Nanaimo--Cowichan and to British Columbia.

National Issues:
Status of Women Standing Committee;

Mr. Speaker, first I would like to thank the people of my riding of Nanaimo--Cowichan for their confidence in electing me to be their member of Parliament.
I rise today to congratulate our leader, the member for Toronto--Danforth, and the members of the NDP women's caucus for insisting that the House establish the Standing Committee on the Status of Women. It is appropriate that this committee will get started during women's history month.
As the recent federal report on pay equity in the public service proved, we still have a long way to go. It is time to recognize that despite the great strides that women have made with respect to their qualifications and experience, women still earn less than men.
Women make up over half the population of this country and finally we will have a committee to address the issues on our behalf. I look forward to being a part of it.

Jeremy Harrison (CPC, Desnethé--Missinippi)

National Issues:
Agriculture;

My question is very short and straightforward. I would like to ask the hon. member how he can square his words of support for our agricultural producers with the lack of support shown for our agricultural producers by the NDP government in Saskatchewan which has repeatedly shown that it just does not care about rural Saskatchewan?

Jim Abbott (CPC, Kootenay--Columbia)

International Issues:
WTO:

On May 26, 2003 the 37th Parliament gave direction to the House to "express its support for the admission of Taiwan as an observer to the World Health Organization and call upon the government to actively urge other member states and non-governmental organizations to support this goal".
That was an explicit direction from the House with a vote of 163 to 67, yet when the government was faced with this at the WHO, it wimped out, backed out and did not follow the direction. Why?

Jim Gouk (CPC, British Columbia Sou)

National Issues:
Corrections Release Act;

Recently in Okanagan Valley we had yet another murder by one of these people who was released and who was known to have tendencies toward violence, but got out of jail automatically. Paroles should be earned, not given automatically. Then they would be taken more seriously.
This is long overdue and I hope the government will support the bill.

Jim Prentice (CPC, Calgary Centre-North)

National Issues:
Women

My question, Mr. Speaker, is for the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development.
This week Amnesty International issued a scathing report highlighting Canada's glaring and obvious inaction over the past decade toward the fact that Canadian aboriginal women face a higher risk of violence than other women in our society. The report states 'In every instance, Canadian authorities could and should have done more to' protect these women.
Why is the government failing to protect our aboriginal women from violence?

John Williams (CPC, Edmonton--St. Albert)

National Issues:
Sponsorship Scandal

Mr. Speaker, last spring the public accounts committee demanded all documents related to the sponsorship scandal, but we only received a few thousand pages. Now the minister is telling us how he has delivered 10 million pages to the Gomery commission.
My question for the Minister of Public Works is, why is he treating the committee of Parliament with contempt when it comes to the sponsorship scandal?

John Reynolds (CPC, West Vancouver--Suns)

National Issues:
Defense

Mr. Speaker, it was that parliamentary secretary for defence who said 'For 10 years the Liberals underfunded and disrespected their military by not giving them the tools to do their job'.
This report details a host of problems, including design flaws, system failures and cable communications. The subs had to be made safe and operational and that cost money. This was at a time when the Prime Minister was systematically cutting the defence budget year after year.
How did the Prime Minister's $54 million slash to the submarine program affect the improvements that were required to make these subs safe and operational

Kevin Sorenson (CPC, Crowfoot)

National Issues:
BSE

Before foreign customers are willing to accept our beef, their consumers need to know--we know it but they need to be assured--that it is safe. Providing meat packers with the regulatory and financial support to allow them to implement private BSE testing systems as part of their operations would provide this assistance.
There have been arguments, as we all know, about how private testing is unnecessary and expensive, but the reality is that foreign consumers require assurances concerning the safety of our beef, which they are currently not getting. Japan and South Korea have already indicated that they will accept Canadian beef exports provided all animals are screened for BSE. I believe the added cost of setting up regulatory and support for private testing is a small price to pay in comparison to the almost complete lack of access that Canadian beef is faced with at present.
Through private testing, we have the opportunity to turn tragedy into triumph. Once Canadian meat packers begin testing privately for BSE, they will be able to boast that Canadian beef is not only the best in the world but it is also the safest. That in effect would be a huge competitive advantage for Canadian beef and it would help the industry to thrive.

Larry Miller (CPC, Bruce--Grey--Owen So)

National Issues:
BSE

It gives me great pleasure to speak through you to the hon. member across the floor.
My first thoughts were that we should take a sample of what was in his glass tonight. He started out very clearly representing that Canadian food was not safe. We have the safest food in the world, bar none.
As said earlier by my leader tonight, our consumers in Canada proved to us how safe our Canadian beef was. The last figures that I have seen show consumption in this country having gone up a little over 5%. Although the member recovered a little later on in his comments, I took exception to that. I think it needs to be pointed out that we have the proudest farmers and the safest food in the world.

Lee Richardson (CPC, Calgary Centre)

National Issues:
Government Spending

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the heritage minister waved an invitation accepted by her predecessor on January 7 to speak at the Banff television festival on June 13. She flew out on a government jet. With five months in advance of the event, would the Prime Minister's aide not have had plenty of time to book a commercial flight?
Can the government tell us why the Prime Minister's top aide spent $50,000 of taxpayers' money when a $354 WestJet ticket could have got her there just fine?

Leon Benoit (CPC, Vegreville--Wainwrig)

National Issues:
BSE:

Mr. Speaker, the closure of the American border to Canadian beef has caused the worst crisis seen in beef and related sectors in the past 30 years.
These industries had done well in an almost ideal free market environment, which included the United States, with very little in the way of subsidies. This has all been destroyed by U.S. protectionism, which is simply wrong.
Not only has our government's undiplomatic treatment of Americans contributed to our border remaining closed, but the Liberals have done little to deal with the problem.
The government must do better. It has to figure out that simply having the border open will not solve the problem, because the industry will remain vulnerable to future closures. What must happen is the quick expansion of packing and processing capacity to allow processing of all of our beef and related animals here in Canada. This will re-establish a competitive market and allow us to take control of the industry once again.
It is long past time for the government to act. Talk is no longer enough. Our cattlemen need action today.

Lloyd St. Amand (Lib., Brant)

National Issues:
Cystic fibrosis

Mr. Speaker, I rise as the very proud new member of Parliament for the riding of Brant.
I wish to acknowledge the 18th birthday yesterday of a young man who was born with cystic fibrosis. When this young man was born, it was anticipated that his life expectancy would be six years. With advancements in research and due to his own courage and determination, as well as the loving care afforded to him by his mother, a single parent, he can now, like others afflicted with cystic fibrosis, expect to live into his late thirties and hopefully well beyond that.
I wish to commend his bravery and determination, as well as that of many, many others who live with this disease on a daily basis. They are an inspiration to the rest of us.

Louis Plamondon (BQ, Bas Richelieu--Nicol)

National Issues:
Federalism

Mr. Speaker, I am very surprised to hear a new member of Parliament read, somewhat foolishly, a canned speech that is totally contrary to the best interests of the provinces, and particularly the best interests of Quebec.
That speech no longer has anything to do with asymmetric federalism. It is totally silent on Quebec's specificity. This is a blatant encroachment on education, manpower and the environment.
There is nothing on employment insurance. Nor is there any confirmation that a vote will take place in the House of Commons on the missile defence shield issue, and there is nothing on the commitments made by the Liberals. This is a total lack of respect for everything that the public sought when it elected a minority government.
Today, this gentleman came up with this Address in Reply to the Speech from the Throne. He wants to propose these things to us, while claiming that this is precisely what the public wanted.
There is also nothing about agriculture, including supply management, which is such an important issue for Quebec. As for social housing, the government has totally given up. There is no follow up on the commitments made regarding parental leave. As for seniors, there is no guarantee of retroactivity.
I am asking the hon. member whether he realizes that his address goes totally against the best interests of the people who elected him

Louise Thibault (BQ, Rimouski-Neigette--T)

International Issues:
Peace Prize

Mr. Speaker, Wangari Maathai, a Kenyan woman who has been telling people for the past quarter-century that every time we plant a tree we plant a seed for peace, has just been announced as the Nobel Peace Prize winner for 2004.
She is the twelfth woman to receive this honour since the inception of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1901, and the first African woman.Kenyan's Deputy Minister of the Environment, Wangari Maathai founded the Green Belt Movement in 1977. Since its inception, this tree planting program has seen more than 30 million seeds for peace planted in Africa.The purpose of this ecological project is to promote diversity, and it has created numerous jobs for women in decision-making positions while raising their position in society.By growing trees for peace, she gives hope to humanity.

National Issues:
BSE

The Lower St. Lawrence region was hit hard by this mad cow crisis, and is still suffering the consequences. I would like to quote the president of the Union des producteurs agricoles of the Lower St. Lawrence, Claude Guimond, who reiterated as recently as last week that, 'There is a crisis, a serious crisis. It is huge and devastating.' He added that he truly feared for the future and that the producers felt abandoned by the government.
In the Lower St. Lawrence, this crisis affects more than 1,000 farms that have suffered losses in gross income estimated at roughly $17 million. The three RCMs that I have the privilege of representing, Rimouski-Neigette, Témiscouata and Les Basques, have roughly 50% of the affected farms. After deducting the assistance provided to the Lower St. Lawrence, there is still a real shortfall of $7 million for local farmers and action is urgently required.
I fully agree with what the hon. member said. The government has to act. The necessary measures have to be taken without delay in order to reopen the borders and to ensure that they stay open. The government should also use Quebec as a model for health regulations.
I heard the minister say that some problems and challenges are specific and unique to Quebec. I would like to ask my colleague if, in the whole issue of cull, she is prepared to remind the minister that we in Quebec are not only unique-which is regrettable in terms of our difficulties in this area-but that we are often very unique in finding solutions to our challenges.

Loyola Hearn (CPC, St. John's South--Mo)

National Issues:
Fisheries;

Mr. Speaker, during the election campaign the Prime Minister promised to stop overfishing, even if it meant taking custodial management. Canada did not raise the issue at the recent NAFO meetings and the only mention in the throne speech is that government will enhance the enforcement of rules concerning straddling stocks. This means issuing more citations.
Why has the Prime Minister gone back on his commitment to Atlantic Canadians?

Lynne Yelich (CPC, Blackstrap)

National Issues:
Agriculture

I listened to the member for Selkirk--Interlake and I thought that here we have a brand new member of Parliament in the House of Commons who probably thought, like we had thought, that we would hear some real good things this week in the throne speech because it was mentioned in the last throne speech in February. Agriculture was actually addressed with a whole paragraph. This time it was addressed as such:
The Government will do its part to enable the success of important sectors, including automotive, aerospace and other manufacturing, as well as agriculture and other resource-based industries.
How important does the hon. member think agriculture is to the government?

Marc Lemay (BQ, Abitibi--Témiscaming)

National Issues:
BSE

Mr. Speaker, at the beginning of his speech, if I understood him correctly, the minister asked for specific measures. I come from a riding called Abitibi-Témiscamingue, which is located next to the riding represented by my hon. colleague opposite. In my area, a majority of small and medium size businesses are going through an unprecedented crisis. Abitibi-Témiscamingue has lost $16,161,716 since the beginning of the mad cow crisis, and 1,400 producers are about to go bankrupt.
The minister asked for some very specific recommendations. The problem in our area is linked to the slaughterhouses. Between 1999 and 2003, close to 5 million head of cattle were exported from Canada to the United States. If the ban is scientifically based, how do you explain the fact that these millions of Canadian animals found their way from the feed lots to the tables of U.S. consumers, even after the discovery of the first case of mad cow?
We want the minister to realize that the phenomenon of the concentration of slaughterhouses has reached the point today where the four main slaughterhouses in the United States control 80% of the slaughter capacity. In Canada, four slaughterhouses, including two American owned businesses, account for 91% of the total weekly slaughter of steers and heifers.
On behalf of Quebec and probably the other provinces, we ask the minister to set a floor price, because the slaughterhouses have benefited and are still benefiting from this crisis. This is a well known fact. Fred Dunn, the Alberta auditor general, carried out a study which showed that the slaughterhouses gained the most during this crisis.
If he wanted, the minister could set a floor price for the slaughterhouses as early as tomorrow. Can we rely on him for that?

Marcel Gagnon (BQ, Saint-Maurice--Champ)

National Issues:
Guaranteed Income Supplement

Mr. Speaker, I have just heard another member of Parliament saying she was proud of the throne speech. She has the right to be proud, but it is the reasons why she is proud that I am questioning.
She talked among other things about the guaranteed income supplement for seniors, saying that the government would improve the supplement. That is the first thing that she mentioned to show us how proud she was. As a matter of fact, I am extremely disappointed for the same reason, and not for the improvement of the supplement.
Is she aware that the government has been robbing the poorest seniors for years? Indeed, it has collected $3.2 billion by taking this money away from the most disadvantaged seniors. It is now in the government coffers, along with the $45 billion or $50 billion from employment insurance.
We are asking, together with seniors, that they be reimbursed for this theft. We know that, if seniors did not receive what is rightfully theirs, it is because they were not informed enough. Indeed, the government has been mean-spirited about the way that it must inform vulnerable people in our society.
I know some seniors and older couples. Just yesterday I met a couple who had been robbed of $180,000. When they were 88 years old, this man and woman realized they had never received what they were owed. The retroactive payment is for 11 months. It can be proven that these people were not informed and that is why they were not given what they were owed.
I would applaud this measure if, in addition to increasing the supplement, the government said it was prepared to pay back money that had been stolen. There are people still living who continue to be in a difficult financial situation and who are owed money.
I know of a couple who at age 70 realized that they had been robbed of $4,000 a year for the past five years. They were paid back.

Mario Silva (Lib., Davenport)

International Issues:
Peacekeeping

Historically, Canada has been perceived around the world as a fair and just country, one which fulfills its international obligations and understands the importance of building bridges rather than walls.
We are a people of peacekeepers and, as we know, our flag has flown proudly in the most troubled parts of the world. It is viewed as a symbol of equity, dignity and responsibility.
Today, the government has shown that Canada will continue to be a model of international cooperation in conducting its international affairs.

National Issues:
Aboriginals

The government has also honoured its commitment to our first nations, Metis and Inuit people by announcing $500 million for medical equipment, and a further $700 million over five years specifically dedicated to first nations people.

National Issues:
Children

Each day, whether in my riding of Davenport or here in Ottawa, I pass elementary schools that are literally hives of activity. Children playing in the school yards before their learning day begins. Their laughter and their conversations are the sounds of our country's future. Into their hands we commend the hopes of tomorrow and the aspirations of a great nation.
In return they ask that we provide them with the tools they need to grow and the safety and protection they truly deserve. In this regard, and among other initiatives, the government will invest $5 billion over the next five years toward a Canada-wide system of early learning and child care.
All great countries have thrived only when they realize that in the eyes of our youth is reflected the true value of our society. If they are to grow into healthy and productive citizens, it is essential that they receive the care and instruction they need in their early years.
The government will work to implement policies that will assist Canadian children to realize their full potential regardless of where they live or what resources their families have. It is imperative that all levels of government work together to achieve the honourable goals that have been put forward in the last year in terms of caring for our young people.

Mark Holland (Lib., Ajax--Pickering)

National Issues:
Parliament;

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak for the first time in the House to commend the Prime Minister for a throne speech that lays out the foundation for a strong and progressive vision for this nation.
It builds upon other recent successes: the first ministers meeting on health care, a bold speech at the United Nations, and the deftly executed first offering of Petro-Canada. It demonstrates clearly that our government is ready to make this Parliament work for Canadians.
What is of concern to me is the cavalier way in which this Parliament is being regarded by some members of the opposition: as a game of chicken, a game that will put the priorities of Canadians in a train wreck in the name of ego and partisanship.
While the opposite side of the House plots and schemes and engages in games of chicken, we on this side of the House are ready to govern. We are ready to make this Parliament work and achieve great things for Canadians and nothing will deter us from that course.

Marlene Catterall (Lib., Ottawa West--Nepean)

International Issues:
College;

I am pleased to congratulate Algonquin College in my riding on the official opening yesterday of its new transportation and technology centre.
For almost 40 years, Algonquin has trained skilled technicians in transportation. The new centre, with 31,500 square feet of space and the most up to date equipment, will expand the college's ability to train new technicians and to keep skills in this trade at the leading edge. This is important not only for the students but for an industry that is experiencing a shortage of skilled technicians.
I wish to extend congratulations to Algonquin and to its partners in industry, the province of Ontario and the sector councils. All have collaborated to bring this project to completion.

National Issues:
Arar Maher;

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness.
The Arar inquiry continues to raise very disturbing questions about the involvement of CSIS and the RCMP in this case. Mr. Arar and his family have now lived under a cloud of suspicion for two years due to unproven allegations and independent innuendo by both agencies.
Will the minister now insist that these agencies, both under her direction, either bring forth evidence and lay charges so Mr. Arar can defend himself or admit they do not have evidence and he is innocent?

Michel Gauthier (BQ, Roberval--Lac-Saint-)

National Issues:
Federalism

Mr. Speaker, scarcely a month ago, the ministers of this government were talking about the discovery of the century: asymmetrical federalism. This was to be the antidote to centralizing federalism.
How can the Prime Minister explain the total absence from the entire Speech from the Throne yesterday of any reference to this concept of asymmetrical federalism? Instead, we got national standards, Canada-wide studies, accountability in the health care field. What has become of asymmetry.

Monique Guay (BQ, Rivière-du-Nord)

National Issues:
Quebec/2004 Federal Elections

Mr. Speaker, on June 28, Quebeckers spoke as a people, mandating the Bloc Quebecois to act as guardian of their values, defender of their rights and advocate of their difference in the federal political arena.
We are grateful to Quebeckers for placing their trust in us. We are aware of the responsibilities it entails as we reiterate our commitment to making their voices heard. A special thanks to the people of Rivière-du-Nord, who have supported and re-elected me for a fourth term.
With an effervescent yet balanced approach, we will stand in this House for Quebec's distinctiveness. With vigour and renewed faith, we will continue to ensure respect for the powers of the National Assembly and the indefeasible right of our people to develop to their fullest.

Monte Solberg (CPC, Medicine Hat)

National Issues:
Budget

Mr. Speaker, once again this morning we were treated to the farce of the finance minister's forecasting. The Liberals' projected surplus of $1.9 billion was $9.1 billion. Perhaps the finance minister has dyslexia. Could it be that the finance minister is that legendary dyslexic agnostic insomniac who wakes up in the middle of the night and wonders if there really is a dog? Or more likely, the finance minister is deliberately lowballing numbers.
When the Liberals mislead about the size of the surplus, Canadians are denied the chance to have a say on what to do with that money. For example, low income and middle income Canadians would love to have some of that money to spend on extravagances like groceries. Or what about properly equipping our military?
The Conservative Party believes that the revenue, expenditure and surplus forecast should be set independent of the government and its politicized agenda.
That surplus money belongs to Canadians, and Canadians deserve the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help them dog.

Myron Thompson (CPC, Wild Rose)

National Issues:
Farmers

Here is the reality. It should probably be directed to the minister, but I will ask my leader what he thinks. Later this fall I can guarantee that in my riding and many other ridings the banks are going to foreclose on scores of young farmers in particular because they cannot make their land payments. The basic payment that has reached the farm gate in Wild Rose on average has been $924 since the implementation of all of these programs. The minister can check the records if he does not believe that.
I am saying to the minister, can we get an application out quickly? Farmers are willing to borrow the money at low interest. They do not want a handout. Will the minister help them save their land and then leave the industry to them to continue to work and try to save it because they know how to do it. But they cannot do it if they lose everything because the banks are going to foreclose.
Will the minister at least provide something, or does my hon. leader believe that the government should at least provide some mechanism for them to make their fall payments to save the land so we can continue the battle?

Nicole Demers (BQ, Laval)

International Issues:
Quebec;

Mr. Speaker, in anticipation of the Speech from the Throne, the Bloc Quebecois had come up with five priorities involving employment insurance, the fiscal imbalance, health, the missile defence shield, agricultural supply management, parental leave and child care.
The message sent by Canadians and Quebeckers was ignored right from the first day. Liberal arrogance and thoughtlessness are back in full force, and every Bloc recommendation has been ignored.
In case the Liberals have already forgotten that they are in a minority position, they can count on the Bloc to remind them. With such a scornful attitude to Quebec's demands, the Prime Minister might have been calling an election next week, which he would otherwise not have done.
Unless he makes some adjustments soon, he may be in for a rude awakening.

Norman Doyle (CPC, St. John's East)

International Issues:
NFL & Labadour

Mr. Speaker, I was disappointed that two issues of great importance to Newfoundland and Labrador during the recent federal election campaign were not even mentioned in the throne speech.
The equalization program claws back the lion's share of our provincial offshore oil revenues. In response to our Conservative Party policy to eliminate the clawback, the Prime Minister also guaranteed that Newfoundland and Labrador would be allowed to keep 100% of its offshore oil revenues.
The Prime Minister also promised tougher action on foreign overfishing on areas of the Grand Banks outside the 200 mile limit, including the imposition of Canadian custodial management of those areas if necessary.
These commitments were made in the pressure cooker of an election campaign and I had hoped that they would have been reconfirmed in the throne speech. The election is now over. The time for promises is over. Now it is time for action.

October is National LupuBQ International (BQ, Drummond)

National Issues:
Textile Industry

Mr. Speaker, in Quebec there are nearly 40,000 jobs in the textile industry. With quotas to be removed in less than three months, the industry is threatened, especially by imports, and the government's action is ineffective. The rules of origin are ill-defined. The tariffs are mis-targeted.
Is the government waiting for the textile industry to disappear from Quebec's landscape before taking any properly targeted measures to save it and prevent having the few fabrics still produced here from being swept away by imports?

Paddy Torsney (Lib., Burlington)

National Issues:
Child Care

The measures related to families, which were outlined in the throne speech, are all-encompassing for our youngest citizens to our seniors, for those who need care and for those who deliver it. The government will meet its commitment to the development of early learning and child care based on principles arrived at by parents and child care experts: quality, universality, accessibility and development.

National Issues:
Seniors

Caregivers for our seniors and people with disabilities will benefit from improved tax-based support. The throne speech commits to increasing the guaranteed income supplement and a renewed new horizons program, measures that are important to Burlington's vibrant and sizeable seniors community.

National Issues:
CIDA

Through CIDA, Canadians support social and economic development programs in partner countries through governments, non-governmental organizations and institutions, community groups, businesses and through international bodies, such as UNICEF and the World Bank. CIDA support takes many forms: financial contributions; technical support such as information skills or equipment; support for human rights; environmental sustainability; and more effective aid programs. Support is based on the needs and priorities of our developing country partners.
The 2004 budget provided supplementary estimates of $248 million for foreign aid in 2005-06. This 8% increase is a significant step toward meeting Canada's commitment to double its development assistance by 2010. This substantial increase will help CIDA plan long term interventions and make our assistance more efficient.
CIDA is investing in sectors where we know that Canada can have a lasting impact. We are committed to sharing our expertise and experience with developing countries in areas such as education and health, including the fight against HIV and AIDS, private sector development and good governance. Canada has responded to the HIV-AIDS pandemic with a generous financial commitment, a comprehensive coordinated approach to our programming and strong strategic leadership.

Pat Martin (NDP, Winnipeg Centre)

National Issues:
Access to information Act

The bill seeks to expand the Access to Information Act so that it would include all crown corporations and virtually all the activities of government so as to expand the accountability and transparency of government so that we can shine the light of day on the activities of the government and so that scandals can no longer operate under the shadow of secrecy which I believe has plagued this Parliament since I have been a member of Parliament.
I am very pleased and honoured to introduce this important legislation today.

Paul Szabo (Lib., Mississauga South)

National Issues:
Child Care

Mr. Speaker, I am sure the member and all members throughout the House will agree that investing in our children is one of the most important investments we can make, which is why I am so proud of what we have achieved: the child tax benefit, the child care expense deduction, maternity and parental leave extension to a full year.
I know the finance committee was instrumental in other changes. I think there was a committee chaired by Nick Discepola on caring for our children. These are the principles with which we deal.
In that vein, the member will know that in this place we are seized with a demand from the electorate to govern and to act in a responsible fashion. I think everyone will agree with that. However when the member talks about breaking promises I think we also have to recognize that we have to be clear, concise and correct in our facts.
In 1993 the undertaking of the government in the red book was to create 150,000 new child care spaces once 3% growth of GDP was achieved and asked for matching funding from the provinces. The member will know that the provinces refused to participate and unfortunately we could not go forward. However in this throne speech the government's commitment is to move forward with these child care spaces even if the provincial governments refuse to participate. That is the difference.
This is not a broken promise from 1993. I hope the member will acknowledge that and help us to move forward and make sure the provinces participate so we can get more child care spaces in Canada.

National Issues:
Public Safety Officers Compensation Act

Bill C-207 proposes the creation of a public safety officers compensation fund comparable to the one that exists in the United States. It would be for the benefit of families of police officers, firefighters and other public safety officers who lose their lives in the line of duty.
I look forward to discussing this matter with my colleagues. I hope my bill will earn the support of all hon. members

Paul Zed (Lib., Saint John)

National Issues:
Canadian Forces

Mr. Speaker, like all Canadians, I was shocked to hear of the death of Lieutenant Saunders of the Canadian Navy, who was serving on board the HMCS Chicoutimi.
He was a 32 year old combat systems engineer who grew up in the Kennebecasis Valley near Saint John. As a teenager, Chris joined the cadets after graduating from Kennebecasis Valley High School in Quispamsis in 1990. He joined the regular officer training program on a full military scholarship.
One of his high school teachers this morning described Chris as a strong student who was a hard worker and who always had a smile on his face.
Lieutenant Saunders leaves behind his wife Gwen and two young sons in Halifax. He was a loving father, husband and son, and he will be greatly missed by those who loved him.
While serving our nation, the men and women who wear a Canadian Forces uniform put themselves in harm's way every day. Yesterday Chris Saunders gave the ultimate sacrifice, losing his life in the service of our country.
On behalf of the citizens of Saint John, I wish to offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Lieutenant Saunders. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this most difficult time.

Peter Julian (NDP, Burnaby--New Westmin)

National Issues:
Industry

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Industry.
More than 11,000 Canadian businesses were taken over by foreign investors under the Mulroney and Chrétien governments. Nothing could be easier than getting Investment Canada's green light for an acquisition; the light is always green.
Will the minister commit today to review the Investment Canada Act to secure an effective examination of foreign takeovers of Canadian firms, including human rights, labour and sustainability standards, starting with the expected Minmetals purchase of Noranda?

Peter MacKay (CPC, Central Nova)

National Issues:
Military

Mr. Speaker, the reality is that the HMCS Chicoutimi was not fit.
The litany of problems with the submarine project have been highlighted for years. A defence department memo notes that it would have been faster to build new ones. The recent problems of the Chicoutimi appear to have been class wide. The delays and additional expense have hurt naval operational capacity for years.
How did the government so badly underestimate these problems and costs associated with the submarine purchase? When will we see a full inquiry on all aspects of the purchase and repairs of these submarines in the House of Commons?

Peter Stoffer (NDP, Sackville--Eastern S)

National Issues:
Trade

I rise today, my first time addressing this distinguished House, on behalf of the remarkable people of Newmarket and Aurora.
Yesterday we learned the broad lines of the Liberals' priorities. The language sounded so familiar and it paled when compared to what has actually been done over the past 10 years.
I am looking ahead now to the allocation of adequate resources and strategic planning. When the spending estimates are presented soon, then Canadians can judge whether the grand words of the throne speech are real or not.
Trade is not about abstract numbers, but rather about quality of life. It is our lifeblood. The throne speech yesterday described the status quo and the status quo is not good enough. Border delays are still a major problem, exports are falling, and Canada's productivity is judged mediocre.
There is no indication that trade will be given the resources it needs from the government. It then ceases to be a priority and the country will pay the price

Peter Van Loan (CPC, York--Simcoe)

National Issues:
E.I

Mr. Speaker, I think Canadians might be outraged by the rhetoric of the member opposite. Those moneys have not flown out the door. They have not been lost. All of the moneys have been paid to Canadians who were on employment insurance and needed that money in order to pay their mortgages, send their kids to school and meet the day to day requirements of life. When those moneys were unaccounted for, they were recovered.
I want to applaud the member for recognizing that the report also indicates that there is an ongoing system to ensure that the success rate moves from 95.5% to 100%.

Pierre Paquette (BQ, Joliette)

National Issues:
Aboriginal

I would like to ask my hon. colleague a question. But first, let me say that I thought he described the situation very well when he talked about a meaningless throne speech following the results of the election on June 28.
Since my colleague was previously the Bloc Quebecois critic for aboriginal affairs, I would like him to comment on the fact that not one word is to be found in the Throne speech on the appalling conditions in which Canada's native people live.
As we know, some initiatives launched in Quebec were successful, including the peace of the braves, an agreement reached with the Cree, and the common approach with the Innu. Unfortunately, as I have witnessed myself, despite the efforts made by the government and the people of Quebec, native people in Quebec are still encountering difficulties because the federal government is doing absolutely nothing to help these communities solve their problems. I would like to ask the hon. member to speak on this.

Pierre Poilievre (CPC, Nepean--Carleton)

National Issues:
Government Appointments

Mr. Speaker, since taking office the Prime Minister has engaged in a smorgasbord of patronage that is so impressive it would make even his predecessor blush.
Gun registry bungler Allan Rock becomes UN ambassador; ivory tower Liberals Sophia Leung, Sarkis Assadourian and Yvon Charbonneau get cushy vacations as foreign advisors and ambassadors; Liberal yes man, John Harvard, hit the jackpot as Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba. The revenue minister personally appointed his banking buddy, Gordon Feeney, as the chairman of the ad scam plagued Canada Post.
Why is the Prime Minister turning back on his promise to do politics differently? He promised to condemn to history the practice and politics of cronyism. If this new king of cronyism will not stop the Liberal bonanza, the only thing Canadians will condemn to history is his government.

Rahim Jaffer (CPC, Edmonton--Strathcona)

National Issues:
Public Funds

Mr. Speaker, during the election campaign, former Minister of Canadian Heritage Hélène Scherrer flew to the Banff television festival in a Challenger jet, which ended up costing the taxpayer $55,000. During her time in Banff, she gave a speech that had but one purpose: to discredit the leader of the Conservative party. This was a purely partisan expenditure.
Why then was this trip paid for out of public funds?

Raynald Blais (BQ, Gaspésie--?les-de-la)

National Issues:
Environment:

The people of the Gaspé, the Magdalen Islands and New Brunswick have spoken out in large numbers against the Bennett project at Belledune. As we know, the decision allowing Bennett to proceed with its project is currently being appealed by the federal environment minister.
What is the government's explanation for considering this project hazardous enough to justify a commission of inquiry while still allowing the company to operate the plant? Might it not make more sense to impose a moratorium on all operations pending the outcome of the appeal?

Réal Ménard (BQ, Hochelaga)

National Issues:
Health Care

Mr. Speaker, on September 15, the Government of Quebec signed the premiers' agreement on health. Its acceptance was on the express condition that Quebec not be subjected to any federal accountability mechanism.
Now the throne speech makes no mention of the terms of the specific Quebec-Ottawa agreement on health. On the contrary, it repeats the obligation for all governments, Quebec included, to be accountable.
Can the Minister of Health again confirm that the agreement of September 15, 2004 imposes no obligation on the Government of Quebec to be accountable to Ottawa with respect to health, despite what is implied in the throne speech?

Richard Marceau (BQ, Charlesbourg--Haute-)

International Issues:
Ramadan

Mr. Speaker, the month of Ramadan begins at sunset on Friday, October 15. In the Muslim lunar calendar, Ramadan is the ninth month and a strict fast is observed. Fasting during Ramadan is the fourth of the five pillars of Islam and is probably the most observed rite among Muslims.
More than a billion Muslims throughout the world, including nearly 110,000 Quebeckers, will devote this month to fasting, meditation, devotion to God and self-control. From dawn to dusk each day for 30 days, Muslims abstain completely from eating, drinking and smoking.
The last 10 days of Ramadan are considered especially sacred, culminating in the 27th night, Lailat al-Qadr or the night of power, when the Qur'an was revealed to Mohammed.
Ramadan will be followed by three days of festivities called Eid-al-Fitr, the feast at the end of the fast.
My Bloc Quebecois colleagues and I wish all Muslims in Quebec a very joyous Ramadan.

Right Hon. Paul Martin (Lib., LaSalle--?mard)

National Issues:
Aboriginals

Prior to our meeting on health care, the premiers and I sat down with aboriginal leaders and agreed to work together to develop a blueprint to improve the health status of aboriginals. The Government of Canada announced a new program, a new investment of $700 million, money that will be used for health protection, promotion, disease prevention and better health results for aboriginals.
Better health is just part of what is required to ensure that for aboriginal Canadians the future is more likely to be one of prosperity than poverty. Our government will continue to focus on the areas that will hold the most promise to improve living conditions: lifelong learning, better and more affordable housing, good jobs, clean water. We will continue to ensure step by step, day by day, that the gaps in life chances between aboriginals and other Canadians are reduced. We look forward to a second meeting of aboriginal leaders and first ministers to pursue agreement on a comprehensive agenda of action for the benefit of all aboriginal people.

National Issues:
Infrastructure

This is an issue that needed to be brought to the national table. Canada's communities, large and urban, small and rural, face very different challenges and require very different solutions. However, both are key if we are to achieve our social goals and ensure our economic competitiveness. Both are facing enormous financial pressures. They are having trouble finding the money they need to build good roads, to maintain clean parks, to provide better transit. They are struggling with the challenge of coming to grips with the need for affordable housing. Our government understands this and we are doing something about it

National Issues:
Environment

As we look more broadly to the future, we understand that our success and our quality of life are increasingly tied to our relationship with our environment. The decisions we make now have profound implications for the future. For instance, we need to align our policies and incentives to advance Canada to a position of leadership in the fields of renewable energy, efficiency and conservation.
Environmental stewardship reflects a key element of our heritage. It is both a shared value and a fundamental imperative. For it is vital not only to our health and well-being but to our economy and our competitiveness. Vital to the ability of our cities to attract talent and investment.
That is why, for instance, the Kyoto accord on climate change, a treaty that is now more significant because of the Russian decision to ratify, is important for Canada.
And that is why we will devote a significant portion of the net proceeds from our sale of Petro-Canada, at least $1 billion, to support, develop and commercialize new environmental technologies, -technologies that will help not only Canada but other nations achieve a healthier environment.

National Issues:
Economy

The vicious circle has been shattered. Canadians now enjoy the benefits of the virtuous circle. Our balanced budget helps foster a strong economy, which in turn increases business and consumer confidence, which further fortifies our economic success.
The virtuous circle has enabled us to lower taxes in an equitable way and to invest in social programs. We will continue in this vein. But we must remember that the virtuous circle is not a birthright. To protect the collective future of Canadians, we will continue to budget a contingency reserve, a practice that has kept us out of deficit even as many other countries have returned. We will provide transparent, accountable management, treating every tax dollar with respect. And we will continue to bring down our national debt, to 25 % of our GDP within the next decade.
We will do this not to thrill the economists of the world but to ensure that future generations of Canadians have even greater freedom to make their own decisions.

Rob Merrifield (CPC, Yellowhead)

National Issues:
BSE

listened to my colleague's comments very intently. I am really a little bit confused because he talked about opening the border not necessarily being a solution. He talked about testing the animals as being a solution. He talked about the monopoly that has been identified within the province of Alberta and across the country with the packing plants' ownership of animals.
All of those points are interesting, but the member's government has come out with a program that is at least eight months late, probably a year late. It was done in consultation with the industry and hopefully with all the member's colleagues.
I am sitting here a little dumbfounded trying to discern exactly where the member is coming from with regard to the proposal that is on the table from the government as a solution for the BSE problem. Perhaps it is a flashback in the member's past. Maybe he is on the wrong side of the floor. I would like you to explain to us in the House exactly what you think of the proposal that is before the industry at this time.

Rob Moore (CPC, Fundy Royal)

National Issues:
Canadian Forces

on behalf of the constituents of Fundy Royal and citizens of New Brunswick, I would like to take this opportunity to express our heartfelt condolences on the passing of Lieutenant Chris Saunders. His loss of life was the result of a fire aboard the HMCS Chicoutimi.
Lieutenant Saunders was a truly distinguished servant of Canada, who started his military career in the 31st Service Battalion in Saint John while still in high school. As an outstanding student, he received several honours while in school and won a scholarship to military college in Saint-Jean, Quebec.
Earlier today I had the privilege of speaking with Debbie Sullivan, Lieutenant Saunders' mother, who remembered her son as a strongly committed young man dedicated to his job, his country and his family. We owe a great debt of gratitude to Lieutenant Saunders and will not forget the ultimate sacrifice that he made

Robert Vincent (BQ, Shefford)

National Issues:
RCMP

Mr. Speaker, the RCMP has made a brutal announcement about the closure of nine regional offices located throughout Quebec.
Will the Minister of Public Safety recognize that she should declare a moratorium on these closures to give the Standing Committee on Justice, Human Rights, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness a chance to hear witnesses and to make recommendations on the matter?

Roger Clavet (BQ, Louis-Hébert)

International Issues:
Death Penalty;

Mr. Speaker, from October 6 to 9, Montreal is hosting the 2nd annual World Congress Against the Death Penalty. The Bloc Quebecois wants to acknowledge the event and particularly to reiterate its full support for the abolishment of the death penalty.
This week, hundreds of people, activists, diplomats, academics, NGO officials, parliamentarians and celebrities descended on the city to debate strategies for encouraging more countries to remove the death penalty from their penal code. Numerous debates are on the program, as are artistic, cultural and educational events.
Even though the death penalty has been abolished in Canada since 1976, Amnesty International has made it clear that the global fight is far from over; it reported 1,146 executions in 2003.
The Bloc Quebecois wishes to add its voice to all the participants at the congress and calls upon the international community to say no to the death penalty.
We wish the congress much success and join with all those who oppose capital punishment.

Roger Gaudet (BQ, Montcalm)

National Issues:
BSE

Mr. Speaker, I take this opportunity to thank warmly all the voters in the riding of Montcalm who, in the June 28 election, re-elected me with the largest majority in Quebec. My thanks also to all the volunteers who made it possible for 71.2% of voters to vote for me. Thanks again.
Let us come back to tonight's debate. Agriculture is getting a rough ride from Ottawa. Few countries have let their farming sector down as badly as Canada has while the Prime Minister was the finance minister. Today, farm producers have less support than ever, even though they are in the middle of a crisis caused by the slump in prices and the mad cow crisis.
When Ottawa steps in, it is to implement national measures that do not meet the needs of producers in Quebec. The farming sector in Quebec is different from the farming sector in Canada. They are not structured the same way and do not have the same needs.
Quebec was affected in two ways by this crisis that should not have affected it at all.The discovery of a case of mad cow disease in Alberta in May 2003 and the American embargo that followed have resulted in a deep slump for Quebec's cattle industry. If Quebec were sovereign and had control over its borders and health policies, it would not be subject to the American embargo.
The situation is particularly frustrating for Quebec producers who have long been subjected to stricter rules than the Canadian ones, in order to ensure herd safety and irreproachable product quality.
We have been hearing about nothing but asymmetry for the past month. Ottawa, which claims to be open to special agreements with Quebec, ought to waste no time holding discussions with the Quebec authorities in order to decentralize the entire food inspection system and divide Canada into several different health regions. Regionalization of health practices would allow Quebec producers to be spared such a crisis in future and will allow Quebec to showcase its excellent practices.
Here is one conclusive example of the superiority of Quebec's system: cattle tagging. Implanting cattle with tags for tracing purposes was implemented in Canada and in Quebec at the same time. Quebec producers had until June 2002 to tag their cattle. The main differences between Canada and Quebec are as follows. Quebec has a centralized data base. In Canada, the tag distributors keep a record of the numbers assigned to each producer and they submit this information to the data base of the Canada Food Inspection Agency's national cattle identification program.
In Quebec the information is gathered every time the animal makes a move: birth, death, attendance at an agricultural fair, sale to a breeder and so on. In Canada, only birth and death information are gathered, nothing in between.
We can continue. There is the example of the American chicken with Newcastle disease. The territorial approach is good for everyone but Quebec? And yet, Canada itself used this approach less than a year ago.
Newcastle disease is a contagious and deadly viral disease affecting all species of birds, but more specifically poultry flocks. It is probably one of the most infectious diseases affecting poultry in the world. It can decimate an unvaccinated flock. Various American states were affected.
What did the CFIA do? In April 2003, it imposed restrictions on import and entrance into the country, but only the three states affected: California, Nevada and Arizona.
There is as well the case of PEI potatoes of October 31, 2000. The US agriculture secretary banned all imports of potatoes from Prince Edward Island because of potato scab. PEI alone was affected by the crisis.
Ottawa must quickly initiate discussions with Quebec and the other provinces in order to decentralize the food inspection system. If a regional approach to health practices had been in place last year, Quebec producers would have been spared the crisis.
The mad cow problem should have been regionalized and not spread across Canada for no reason. When the problem appeared in France, for example, Italy did not panic. The Italians, however, are much closer geographically to the French than Albertans are to Quebeckers.
Why make Quebec pay for a situation that, at first glance, does not concern it? When a single case of BSE was diagnosed in Canada, all the provinces were affected by the ban placed by our foreign partners. The American ban on all ruminants hit particularly hard, because the States is our only principal purchaser.
The Bloc Quebecois notes that, had Quebec been sovereign and controlled its own borders and health policies, it would not have been hit by the American ban.

Rona Ambrose (CPC, Edmonton--Spruce Gro)

International Issues:
Federalism:

Mr. Speaker, the recent first ministers meeting will not be remembered for any great innovations by the federal government with respect to health.
The Prime Minister claimed he had a vision of national standards. Instead, he turned his back on the shared legacy of Jean Chrétien and Pierre Trudeau and endorsed asymmetrical federalism.
Asymmetrical federalism is not a bad thing. In fact, it is the way federalism should work: provinces exercising their jurisdictional authority within the framework of our Constitution. It is not a new thing. It is just not a Liberal thing.
The Conservative Party has always believed strongly that areas of provincial jurisdiction must be respected. We were very impressed by the Prime Minister's endorsement of our policy, but this era of intergovernmental enlightenment did not last long. The throne speech mentioned no such commitment to asymmetrical federalism or to respecting the constitutional authority of the provinces.
What are the provinces to think? Is it asymmetrical federalism or Liberal politics as usual?

Roy Cullen (Lib, Etobicoke North)

International Issues:
RCMP

Mr. Speaker, there has been no reduction in strength of the RCMP in that division. Like other organizations, the RCMP regularly examines its programs to ensure the best possible use of its resources.
This is an operational matter for the RCMP. I remind the member opposite that this same review was done in the late 1990s in the province of Ontario.
This is a redeployment. There is no change in the number of RCMP in Quebec. This will make the force more efficient and more effective.

Serge Ménard (BQ, Marc-Aurèle-Fortin)

National Issues:
RCMP

Mr. Speaker, the plan that has recently been announced regarding the RCMP's redeployment in Quebec is producing some odd results.
In order to better protect our border, police officers are being moved farther away from it. In order to better fight organized crime in the remote areas where it moved to escape the close surveillance given it in the big cities, police officers are being removed from those areas. The regional listening posts essential to effective policing have been removed.
Before making the same error that was made in 1997, when police officers were withdrawn from international airports and harbours, which had to be remedied in 2001, does the minister not think there should be a moratorium before-

Stéphane Bergeron (BQ, Verchères--Les Patri)

National Issues:
Inter-governmental Affairs:

The Quebec Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs said that the throne speech was vague and ambiguous and he deplored the fact that it is completely silent on the notion of asymmetrical federalism. The federal Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs replied that this notion was now a principle, a fait accompli. She said that this work with the provinces can be found throughout the speech.
How can the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs claim that the notion of asymmetrical federalism is a fait accompli when we can see that the federal government's real intention is to step up encroachments on Quebec's jurisdictions such as education, manpower training and municipalities?

Steven Fletcher (CPC, Charleswood--St. Jam)

National Issues:
Health

Mr. Speaker, I thank everyone for that warm introduction. I have to say, however, that I do not think the government side will be applauding after I ask my first question.
This question is for the Minister of Health. This week the minister said that the Government of Ontario should account for how it spent the additional $83 million funded by the federal government to care for hepatitis C victims. Is that not ironic, the minister providing advice on accountability?
When will the government be accountable for all the victims who were affected by hepatitis C, not just those on the existing list who qualified for compensation?

Stockwell Day (CPC, Okanagan--Coquihalla)

International Issues:
Iraq;

Mr. Speaker, the UN is currently facing a serious challenge to its credibility. The Iraqi oil for food scandal investigation is reaching into the highest levels of power in France and Russia, even into the hierarchy of the United Nations itself.
As the Prime Minister meets with these very leaders, is he urging them and their ministers to be totally transparent and co-operative with the UN investigation, so that this dark cloud that is presently hanging over the Security Council may be lifted?

International Issues:
Israel/UNESCO;

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister's promise to end patronage and cronyism has fallen by the wayside. His appointment of his pal to be ambassador of UNESCO has startled Jewish groups and other fair-minded citizens right across the country. The former Liberal MP has accused Israelis of everything from genocide to economic terrorism.
Did the Prime Minister even check his old pal out before he gave him this appointment? If he did check him out, why did he go ahead with something that has offended so many Canadians?

Ted Menzies (CPC, Macleod)

National Issues:
Beef Industry

I have a question that I would like to address to a producer, and the hon. member has mentioned to us that he is an actual producer.
It is my understanding that we still have some barriers to livestock coming into Canada. Every time we approach the Americans to suggest that they should open their borders to our beef, we get this same old claim thrown back at us, that CFIA still will not allow breeding heifers to come from the United States into Canada because of the threat of blue tongue and anaplasmosis. In my discussions with the industry, it is more than willing, and has expressed this willingness to the federal minister, to run the risk of blue tongue and anaplasmosis just to get rid of the barrier, whether it is an actual barrier or a perceived barrier.
As a producer, could the hon. member enlighten us as to his feelings on that? I know he has travelled extensively promoting the beef industry. Could he share that with us?

Tom Wappel (Lib., Scarborough Southwes)

National Issues:
Child Prostitution

Mr. Speaker, on September 20 Salim Choueiri, a businessman and father, was convicted of obtaining the sexual services of minors on four occasions. The court imposed the lenient penalty of a six months suspended sentence, one year probation and a $500 fine.
Do the courts protect our children? The answer is sadly evident when we compare Choueiri's case to that of Chris Geoghegan's. Geoghegan was convicted of hitting Alberta Premier Ralph Klein in the face with a pie. Provincial Court Judge Terry Semenuk sentenced him to 30 days in jail, three months probation, 40 hours of community service and a $50 victim surcharge.Had Geoghegan been given the choice, I am certain he would have been more inclined to choose the punishment granted to the child abuser over his own.What kind of a society protects its children by giving a suspended sentence to a child abuser, yet gives jail time for throwing a pie?This statement is the beginning of a series examining how courts are sentencing child abusers and pedophiles.

Tony Martin (NDP, Sault Ste. Marie)

National Issues:
Child Care

Mr. Speaker, we now have a Speech from the Throne commitment to a national child care program. This is a benchmark after 20 years of promises from both Conservative and Liberal parties in election campaigns.
I have been across the country over the last month meeting with and listening to the child care community. There is great expectation. Canadian families are all now waiting for the details, timelines, legislative framework and a commitment of money.
We have an opportunity in this minority government to have this promise finally delivered. We New Democrats will be working hard to ensure that it actually happens and is rooted in the principles of quality, universality, accessibility, developmental, inclusive and affordable. We also insist that it be publicly funded and delivered, and that it be enshrined in legislation.

National Issues:
BSE

As I understand the program, the money being made available is a charge against the CAIS program. For those who do not know about the CAIS program, it does not work. I am also led to believe that the remaining money in is included in this package as well. The minister needs to be clear about what money is really available, how much, how much is new money and how someone can apply. None of this has been done. Farmers are making life-altering decisions without proper and adequate information. Let me explain.
If the CAIS program is used to flow the money, nobody knows if they will qualify because of the formula which looks at a farmer's last five years of financial information, and drops the highest and lowest. The industry has been so volatile it is just plain difficult for anybody to know.
Many farmers in Algoma who were expecting to qualify for CAIS this year have not. As a matter of fact the family that is here tonight has told me that they know of 20 to 25 farmers in the Algoma area who have received letters of denial for CAIS for this year. Cheques that are desperately needed for the cash flow for the families to get through the winter and keep the banks at bay will not be there. My hunch is they are not qualifying because they received BSE money last year and it is affecting their formula.
That is precisely what they are afraid of with this new program. It is going to drive farmers further into debt and disqualify them from applying in subsequent years. The minister needs to come clean on this. This is no way to treat the people who produce our food.
Let us look at TISP as an example of the kind of game that is being played here. When TISP was first announced, it was to be $150 per animal. Then it was decided it would be $80 per animal. When the money finally flowed, it was $56 per animal. How can anyone plan anything with that kind of fluctuation and reduction? It left approximately $30 million in that envelope which the farmers who applied and qualified could have used. That money should have been transferred without complication once it was determined there was money left. Now we are told it has been folded into this new money.
We are also told there is really no new money in the package to increase capacity to slaughter and to process. It is loans and loan guarantees. As my colleague from Timmins--James Bay said, this will not create one new plant. It will enrich the already existing operators and continue to bankrupt small farmers.
I say to the government, get real. Get out there and talk to some farmers. Talk to the gentleman here in the gallery tonight who drove nine hours to be here for this debate because it is so important to him and his neighbours. He left his farm and work and drove here to say by his presence that he and his neighbours are in trouble and they need the government's help.
The minister needs to make new, real money available and get it to the farmers now with no strings attached. The minister needs to put new, real money into support for new processing capacity across the country so at the very least we can bring some competition and some real market discipline to the industry. Otherwise we should get ready for bankruptcies, fewer farmers, and even greater reliance on the U.S. based food processing and distribution systems.

Vic Toews (CPC, Provencher)

National Issues:
Government Appointments

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister promised to bring transparency to the appointment of Supreme Court of Canada judges. Instead, he sent the justice minister to tell Canadians what he decided in private.
The promise of transparency has been abandoned for a rubber stamp process. Why did the Prime Minister break his word again?

Yasmin Ratansi (Lib., Don Valley East)

National Issues:
Health Care

Mr. Speaker, health care is a key commitment that was outlined in yesterday's Speech from the Throne.
For a long time Canadians have been telling their governments to stop arguing about funding and to get down to the business of fixing the current state of our national health care system. All Canadians therefore welcome the work of the Prime Minister, the provincial premiers, and the territorial leaders to agree on the 10 year plan to strengthen health care.
The plan holds all governments to account by setting clear targets to achieve meaningful reform. It will ensure better access to key tests and treatments, reduce waiting times for critical services, and increase the number of doctors and nurses and other health care professionals, including faster assessment and integration of those trained overseas.
As a newly elected member of the House, I look forward to working with my colleagues from all parties to ensure that Canadians receive the benefits of a strengthened and revitalized health care system.

Yvan Loubier (BQ, Saint-Hyacinthe--Bag)

National Issues:
Agriculture

For a number of years, the federal government has neglected farmers, so much so that if we compare the incomes of farm families now to those of the past 30 years, these are the lowest incomes for 30 years. The men and women who farm have been victims of an incredible depression, particularly in the last three years. Between mad cow disease and American subsidies, it has been incredible. Those subsidies represent at least 20 times what the federal government can provide to the producers of large-scale crops such as corn and wheat.

National Issues:
First Nations

Mr. Speaker, I thank my illustrious colleague from Joliette for his most important question.
The two and one-half years during which I was responsible for aboriginal issues were a great revelation to me. I learned something new every day. The situation of Canada's aboriginal people is disastrous, and not far off third-world levels. Every throne speech makes reference to aboriginal problems. It looks good. In all throne speeches there is a paragraph about recognizing the first nations.
How then does it come about that the necessary actions are not taken? The first thing we should have seen in the throne speech, particularly after the battle we led against the governance bill, C-7, unwanted by every aboriginal nation across Canada, is that the government was planning on allocating additional resources to speed up negotiations on first nations self-government. This is the only way to enable the first nations to take charge of their own affairs, to have their own tax base, to make decisions on their own future, and to have full jurisdiction over that future.
There is a frequent tendency to paint a bleak picture of our first nations, whereas 90% of these communities are administering their lands appropriately. They ought to be allowed to do so because it is their jurisdiction. They ought to be given the resources as well as compensation for the harm done by an Indian Act that is as bad as any apartheid regime the world has ever known.
But no, back they came again with the usual paternalistic approach, telling the aboriginal people what was good for them and how to do things. There we were with Bill C-7. My NDP colleague and I fought for 55 days and 55 evenings, some of them into the night, to get that bill rejected. Despite what we were told, this was just a second version of the Indian Act on top of the original one, which was terrible enough on its own.
The problems are so obvious: chronic under-employment, otherwise known as unemployment, a youth suicide rate double that of the rest of society, multiple addictions, housing problems. Some of the housing is not fit even for an animal to live in. I have had the opportunity to visit reserves in Quebec and in Canada, and the situation is shocking.
It is disgrace for a government not to have made the aboriginal issue a priority. Aboriginal people are promised the moon every five years or so. Such was the case with the report of the Erasmus-Dussault royal commission, which opened up incredible possibilities for them. In opposition to the Erasmus-Dussault report, they are presented with a bill no one wants. Enough time has been wasted on this issue. It is time to speed up negotiations. First, there has to be a recognition of first nations as nations, according to the UN definition, like any other nations of the world. In that sense, they have the right to self-determination and ought to be able to decide their future, as should Quebec's people.

Yves Lessard (BQ, Chambly--Borduas)

National Issues:
Employment Insurance

Mr. Speaker, in the Speech from the Throne, the government made a commitment to continue, and I quote, 'to review the employment insurance program to ensure that it remains well-suited to the needs of Canada's workforce'. To hear this from the government is surprising.
How can the Prime Minister write such a thing when the citizens of all regions of Quebec keep repeating that the current EI system does not work

Yvon Lévesque (BQ, Abitibi--Baie-James-)

National Issues:
Highway and Roads

Mr. Speaker, congratulations on your appointment. I am glad that the member for the Yukon is satisfied with the benefits of the federal government in his riding.
We also live in the north and we have constituents that do not even have any roads. In terms of transportation costs, they pay $12,000 for a van, for example. That is about the price of a snowmobile or an all terrain vehicle, the only vehicles they can use there. They pay the same for a loaf of bread that we would pay for several loaves of bread. I wonder if there is any way to take some of the federal money for roads in Canada and use it to subsidize transportation. Why should a nation get preferential treatment just because it is in Canada's north and not Quebec's north?