House of Commons Debates
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
CANADA House of Commons Debates VOLUME 133 • NUMBER 263 • 1st SESSION • 35th PARLIAMENT OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Thursday, November 23, 1995 Speaker: The Honourable Gilbert Parent 16697 HOUSE OF COMMONS Thursday, November 23, 1995 The House met at 10 a.m. Affairs regarding associate membership on the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food. _______________ If the House gives its consent, I intend to move Prayers concurrence in this report later this day. _______________ (1005) ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS FOREIGN AID RESTRICTION ACT [Translation] Mr. Art Hanger (Calgary Northeast, Ref.) moved for leave to introduce Bill C-357, an act respecting restriction on foreign aid. GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO PETITIONS He said: Mr. Speaker, this bill is designed to stop the flow of financial or other aid to any foreign country that refuses Mr. Peter Milliken (Parliamentary Secretary to Leader to accept re-entry of its nationals or former nationals of the Government in the House of Commons, Lib.): deported from Canada. Madam. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the Far too often when foreign born criminals are ordered government's response to two petitions. deported from Canada, deportation is hampered because some countries do not want to take back their nationals. The foreign aid restriction act addresses this issue by * * * freezing aid to countries that frustrate the Canadian deportation process. [English] The bill is a strong measure to ensure effective deportation COMMITTEES OF THE HOUSE policy in Canada. If a country will not take back its citizens who have committed criminal acts in Canada or who have misrepresented their past involvement in organized GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS criminal activity, terrorism or other activities as noted under section 19 of the Immigration Act of Canada and are Mr. Paul Zed (Fundy-Royal, Lib.): Madam Speaker, I ordered deported, the bill would then direct the Department have the honour to present, in both official languages, the of Foreign Affairs to suspend all foreign aid to that country. fifth report of the Standing Committee on Government Operations. (Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed.) Pursuant to an order of the House dated Wednesday, November 8, 1995, the committee studied Bill C-101, an * * * act to amend the National Housing Act, and has agreed to report it without amendment. COMMEMORATION OF THE BIRTHPLACE OF CONFEDERATION PROCEDURE AND HOUSE AFFAIRS ACT Mr. Peter Milliken (Parliamentary Secretary to Leader On the Order: Private Members' Business: of the Government in the House of Commons, Lib.): Second reading and reference to the Standing Committee Madam Speaker, I have the honour to present the 101st on Canadian Heritage of Bill C-292, an act to report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House 16698 COMMONS DEBATES November 23, 1995 commemorate the birthplace of Confederation-Member for The petitioners therefore pray and call on Parliament to Hillsborough. pursue initiatives to eliminate tax discrimination against Mr. George Proud (Hillsborough, Lib.): Madam families that decide to provide care in the home for preschool children, the disabled, the chronically ill or the Speaker, it is with great regret and lack of support by my aged. Liberal colleagues that I ask you to seek unanimous consent so that I withdraw my private members' bill, Bill BELL CANADA C-292, an act to commemorate the birthplace of Confederation. Mr. Andy Mitchell (Parry Sound-Muskoka, Lib.): Madam Speaker, I am pleased to present a petition on The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Maheu): Does the hon. behalf of over 500 Bell pensioners. member have the unanimous consent of the House? Some hon. members: Agreed. These pensioners believe that Bell Canada, which was responsible for the choice of Confederation Life as an administrator of its group RRSP funds and which (Order discharged and bill withdrawn.) encouraged its employees to participate in it, has an obligation to ensure that its employees do not suffer * * * economically from their pensions being placed at risk due to the collapse of Confederation Life. [Translation] They ask that Parliament initiate an investigation. COMMITTEES OF THE HOUSE “ON TO OTTAWA” TREK PROCEDURE AND HOUSE AFFAIRS Mr. Simon de Jong (Regina-Qu'Appelle, NDP): Madam Speaker, it is an honour today to present a petition Mr. Peter Milliken (Parliamentary Secretary to Leader concerning the “On to Ottawa” trek. of the Government in the House of Commons, Lib.): Madam Speaker, with leave of the House I move, seconded These petitions are historically important in that they bear by the hon. member for Mississauga South, that the 101st the signatures of some of the original 1935 “On to Ottawa” report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House trekkers, including Mr. Robert Savage, the last living Affairs tabled in the House today be concurred in. member of the delegation of eight to meet with the then Prime Minister R. B. Bennett. (Motion agreed to.) (1010 ) * * * Sixty years ago Prime Minister Bennett ordered the arrest [English] of the “On to Ottawa” trek leaders at a public meeting, hence provoking the Regina riot. The trekkers, citizens of Regina who witnessed the riot, family members and other PETITIONS Canadians draw the attention of the House to the “On to Ottawa” trek and its abrupt end in Regina on Dominion Day 1935, and the then federal government's role in the TAXATION police riot in Regina. Mr. Paul Szabo (Mississauga South, Lib.): Madam These petitioners call on Parliament to extend to the 1935 Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, I wish to present a trekkers, the Regina citizens and their families its petition which has been circulating across Canada. This unequivocal and official apology for its part in provoking petition has been signed by a number of Canadians from the police riot. Estevan, Saskatchewan. * * * The petitioners draw to the attention of the House that managing the family home and caring for preschool QUESTIONS ON THE ORDER PAPER children is an honourable profession which has not been recognized for its value to our society. Mr. Peter Milliken (Parliamentary Secretary to Leader They also state that the Income Tax Act discriminates of the Government in the House of Commons, Lib.): against families that make the choice to provide care in the Madam Speaker, I ask that all questions be allowed to home to preschool children, the disabled, the chronically ill stand. and the aged. November 23, 1995 COMMONS DEBATES 16699 The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Maheu): Is that agreed? highly centralized decision making, we need to allow a much greater degree of discretion and judgment in the field. Some hon. members: Agreed. Having been in the field of psychiatry and mental health for 30 years, I know what it means to tailor programs to GOVERNMENT ORDERS individuals; it is very important and this bill accomplishes that. [English] Over the last two years I have developed a close working DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN relationship with the Canada Employment Centre in my riding of Annapolis Valley-Hants. I have had many RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT opportunities to meet with the employees, listen to their ideas and watch these professionals do their jobs. I am The House resumed from November 21 consideration of convinced more than ever that decision making power must the motion that Bill C-96, an act to establish the rest with the local level. Department of Human Resources Development and to amend and repeal certain related acts, be read the second Decisions about what kinds of programs make sense in a time and referred to a committee. community should be made by the community, in partnership with local businesses, trade unions, community and municipal organizations. If it is going to work we have Mr. John Murphy (Annapolis Valley-Hants, Lib.): to completely rethink the way we define programs and Madam Speaker, I am pleased to have the opportunity services. today to speak on Bill C-96. (1015) The bill has a single and fairly simple purpose, integration. As my hon. colleague from Burin-St. George's stated, we The government is setting out a solid legislative process for cannot say to communities across Canada: “Here is a integrating Canada's social and labour market programs. program and here are all the rules you have to follow. Do it With these changes, the Department of Human Resources our way or not at all”. He also went on to say that Development brings under one roof all of our efforts to individuals need programs and even though it is not what help Canadians achieve their full potential in society and in they need, this is the only program we have money for so our economy. take it or leave it. Within this single department are all the programs and Instead, we want to say to communities and individuals: services that help people looking for work find and keep “Here are some basic tools that we know have worked. jobs, help employers find workers they need, help workers Here is the money and the available resources. Now you and employers under federal jurisdiction to maintain fair the client decide which tools make sense and how you can labour standards and a safe working environment, help use these resources most effectively”. Just do what needs to people between jobs, Canadian seniors, families with low be done. That is the motto of this bill. incomes and people with disabilities to get the income support they need. That is what integration means, bringing it down to the local level. That is what we are trying to do with Bill C-96. It will help people get training and develop new skills for a The government is also bringing this approach to the changing economy.