CANADA VOLUME 133 S NUMBER 001 S 2nd SESSION S 35th PARLIAMENT OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Tuesday, February 27, 1996 Speaker: The Honourable Gilbert Parent CONTENTS (Table of Contents appears at back of this issue.) The House of Commons Debates and the Proceedings of Committee evidence are accessible on the Parliamentary Internet Parlementaire at the following address: http://www.parl.gc.ca 1 HOUSE OF COMMONS Tuesday, February 27, 1996 _______________ [English] Prayers SPEECH FROM THE THRONE _______________ The Speaker: I have the honour to inform the House that when the House of Commons did attend His Excellency the Governor SECOND SESSION—35TH General this day in the Senate chamber, His Excellency was PARLIAMENT—OPENING pleased to make a speech to both Houses of Parliament. To prevent mistakes I have obtained a copy which is as follows: [English] * * * The Parliament which had been prorogued on February 2, 1996, met this day at Ottawa for the dispatch of business. SPEECH FROM THE THRONE TO OPEN The House met at two o’clock, the Speaker in the chair. THE SECOND SESSION The Speaker read a communication from the Secretary to the THIRTY-FIFTH PARLIAMENT OF CANADA Governor General announcing that His Excellency the Governor General would proceed to the Senate chamber at 1.50 p.m. on this February 27, 1996 day for the purpose of formally opening the Second Session of the 35th Parliament of Canada. Ladies and Gentlemen, Honourable Members of the Senate; Ladies and Gentlemen, Members of the House of Commons: A message was delivered by the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod as follows: A year ago when I became Governor General, I spoke about the Mr. Speaker, His Excellency the Governor General desires the immediate generosity and the compassion of Canadians. I spoke especially of attendance of this honourable House in the chamber of the honourable the the unsung heroes, the volunteers and helpers who encourage and Senate. care for their communities. Accordingly, the Speaker, with the House went up to the Senate chamber. Since then, travelling to almost every province, I have seen how D much Canadians love their country and how generous and open (1500) they can be to those in need. I have discovered the great strength of And being returned to the Commons chamber: those currents of generosity and compassion. The Speaker: I wish to inform the House that in accordance In the schools and the Scout troops and in every part of life, from with the representation made by the government, pursuant to the nurseries of the newborn to palliative care for the dying, Standing Order 55(1), I have caused to be published a special Order Canadians give endless help to one another. Surely this must be the Paper giving notice of a government motion. I now lay upon the most giving of countries. table the relevant document. We are developing a new award to recognize the unsung heroes * * * of Canada; and hundreds of Canadians have already put forward the [Translation] names of their fellow citizens, to honour their constant help and their open hearts. OATHS OF OFFICE On the opening of the second session of this Parliament, and on Right Hon. Jean Chrétien (Prime Minister, Lib.) moved for behalf of the Government of Canada, I make the following brief leave to introduce Bill C-1, respecting the administration of oaths statements of government policy. The Prime Minister and Minis- of office. ters will expand on this in coming days. Legislation and other (Motion agreed to and bill read the first time.) administrative measures will follow. 2 COMMONS DEBATES February 27, 1996 The Address Twenty-eight months ago, Canadians elected a new Parliament —The Government will announce measures to double the num- and chose a new government. Since then, the Government has ber of federal summer student jobs this summer. The Government acted to meet its commitments to the Canadian people. Ministers challenges the business community and provincial and municipal have insisted upon the highest standards of integrity and honesty in governments to do likewise. fulfilling their mandate. —The Government will work in active partnership with the The Government approaches the second half of its mandate provinces, the private sector and young people themselves to confident that what unites us as Canadians is far greater than what prepare initiatives to enhance youth job opportunities so that young divides us; certain that the values we share as Canadians are as Canadians can get work experience. relevant today as they have been at any time during our history; and —The Government will challenge business and labour and all determined to apply basic Canadian values and principles to the levels of government to work together to create new approaches to new policies and fresh approaches that are required to prepare assist young people in finding their first job. ourselves and our national institutions to deal with the challenges of the 21st century. Science and Technology Canadians are concerned about economic uncertainty, the sus- To create enduring jobs for Canadians in the economy of the 21st tainability of social programs and the unity of the country. The century, investment in knowledge and technology is essential. The scope and enormity of the challenges are such that no individual, Government will establish guiding principles to improve the municipality, province or region acting in isolation can expect or effectiveness and focus of the federal science and technology hope to address them successfully. It will take the will to reason effort. In particular: together and to pull together. Each of us must join with those with whom we have the most in common, with whom we share the most —The Government will make specific proposals to support at the most basic level—at the level of values. And when we reflect technology development in the aerospace industry, in environmen- on it, we realize it is with other Canadians that we have the most in tal technologies, and in critical enabling technologies such as common. And when we look at our history, and at our place in the biotechnology. Further measures will be taken to promote technol- world, we know we can solve our problems. ogy diffusion, including the launch of a Canadian technology network. Ensuring Opportunity: A Strong Economy —The Government will support technological innovation by providing a predictable policy and regulatory framework for the A strong economy is the essence of a strong society. A strong information highway. economy creates the ability to translate into reality the values of equality of opportunity, compassion for the underprivileged and —The Government will continue to expand the access to the protection of the vulnerable. School Net and Community Access programs so that Canadians, particularly those in rural communities, will be able to use Government has a necessary and essential role in facilitating technology to increase their knowledge and access to each other change in society. Many Canadians are concerned about their and to the rest of the world. security, and particularly their security of employment. The Gov- Trade ernment will work with the private sector and the provinces to make the collective investments required to produce hope, growth Canadian jobs and growth depend heavily on our exports. Every and jobs. Because government does not have the resources to do one billion dollars of exports means 11,000 Canadian jobs. The everything, it must be strategic in its approach. It must invest in success of ‘‘Trade Team Canada’’ demonstrates the value of people. The Government will focus its new initiatives on youth, working together to succeed in world markets and therefore create science and technology, and trade. job prospects at home. Youth Further ‘‘Trade Team Canada’’ missions will be undertaken under the leadership of the Prime Minister. Young Canadians want the opportunity to put their energies and talents to use. Young Canadians deserve a climate of opportunity. To create jobs at home, the Government will announce new This must be a national objective. measures to enhance export development and financing, with emphasis on developing new products and new exporters and attracting new foreign investment. It is time to harness the energy of the Team Canada partnership abroad between the federal and the provincial governments and the The Government will continue efforts to expand NAFTA and private sector to create hope, opportunity and jobs for young people will work towards more world trade liberalization. at home. The Government will challenge the provincial govern- ments and the private sector to enter into a domestic Team Canada Where there are trade disputes, the Government will spare no partnership to create such opportunity for young people. In particu- effort to promote and defend legitimate Canadian trade rights and lar: interests. February 27, 1996 COMMONS DEBATES 3 The Address A Climate for Economic Growth and Job Creation to support people in their old age; that our environment is protected; and that Canadians will be safe in their homes and In the first half of its mandate, the Government has taken steps to communities. ensure that the economic and fiscal conditions are in place for sustained growth and job creation. The Government has made A Secure Social Safety Net major structural reforms. The deficit has been cut. International trade and investment initiatives have been undertaken. Much has The Government is committed to ensuring opportunity through a been accomplished. Canadians are beginning to see dividends, sustainable social safety net for the future. The Government will particularly with lower interest rates. secure Canada’s social union for the future and will adapt our federal arrangements as necessary to meet current challenges and But the job is not yet completed. The Government will continue to prepare for the next century.