CANADA VOLUME 133 S NUMBER 272 S 1st SESSION S 35th PARLIAMENT OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Wednesday, December 6, 1995 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 17271 HOUSE OF COMMONS Wednesday, December 6, 1995 The House met at 2 p.m. ment’s constitutional veto to provincial governments rather than the people, the government will pit one province against the _______________ others. Prayers The net effect of the government’s package is to increase inequality. Without a doubt, denying all citizens constitutional _______________ equality will entrench the notion that all Canadians are unequal. The Speaker: As is our custom, we will be led today in the My constituents in Edmonton—Strathcona and I support the singing of the national anthem by the hon. member for Kootenay Reform’s blue book policy which states clearly our commitment East. to Canada as one nation and to our vision of Canada as a [Editor’s Note: Whereupon members sang the national an- balanced federation of 10 equal provinces and citizens. them.] * * * _____________________________________________ SRI LANKA STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS Ms. Colleen Beaumier (Brampton, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, Sri Lanka is a country consumed in violence by the ongoing conflict [English] between the Sri Lankan army and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. Since 1983, 50,000 people have been killed and another NATIONAL SAFE DRIVING WEEK 500,000 Tamils have been forced into exile. Mr. Stan Dromisky (Thunder Bay—Atikokan, Lib.): Mr. The Minister of Foreign Affairs has stated Canada’s position: Speaker, this is National Safe Driving Week. There can be no military solution to the problems in Sri Lanka. Ten years ago, vehicle collisions killed 4,364 Canadians and Both the minister and the secretary of state have stated on a injured another 259,200. It was estimated then that approxi- number of occasions that Canada is willing to become involved mately 43 per cent of driver fatalities involved the use of in resolving the conflict if asked by both sides. alcohol. The situation in Sri Lanka is grave. Innocent people are being By 1994, even with the doubling of vehicles on the road, subjected to terrible violence, hunger and despair. Amidst this vehicle collision deaths had fallen by 25 per cent to 3,260 and terrible violence, allegations have arisen that aid money is being the number of injured by 5 per cent to 245,000. However, of used to buy military equipment. those collisions, 44 per cent of driver fatalities involved the use I applaud the efforts of the minister and the secretary of state of alcohol. in issuing a standing offer to become involved in resolving this The conclusion is obvious. We have made great strides in dispute, and encourage them to act to ensure that aid reaches reducing the number of Canadians killed and injured on our those who need it the most. roads, but impaired driving continues to demand our attention. That is why the theme of this year’s national safe driving week is * * * ‘‘The Hidden Face of Impaired Driving’’. Canadians are still [Translation] having accidents that could have been prevented by not mixing drinking and driving. VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN * * * Mrs. Pauline Picard (Drummond, BQ): Mr. Speaker, today is a very special day. RENEWAL OF CANADIAN FEDERALISM Every year for the past six years, December 6 has been a day Mr. Hugh Hanrahan (Edmonton—Strathcona, Ref.): Mr. to reflect on violence against women. Since the day when 14 Speaker, the Liberal so–called unity package is going to have a young women were shot and killed at the École polytechnique in negative effect on Canada. This package will divide the country Montreal, Canadians and Quebecers have become less and less more than it will unite it. The distinct society clause will be seen tolerant of all forms of violence, particularly violence against as giving Quebec special status. By lending the federal govern- women. How can one not be appalled by the fact that three out of 17272 COMMONS DEBATES December 6, 1995 S. O. 31 ten women in Canada have been hit at least once by their Steps have been taken by the Liberal government over the last spouses? two years to curb violence against women and to promote women’s equality both within Canada and internationally. With- The Quebec government understands the need to act and it has in Canada, the federal plan for gender equality was announced chosen this day to table its policy on violence against women. while internationally, Canada played a leading role at the United Nations World Conference on Women. However, we still have a The federal government should follow in its footsteps and long way to go. deal with the causes of violence, which are mostly psychologi- cal distress and despair linked to unemployment, indebtedness Today, on the national day of remembrance and action on and poverty. violence against women, take a moment to remember the 14 young women who died, as well as countless others who have suffered, both here in Canada and around the world. * * * [English] * * * VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN PORNOGRAPHY Mrs. Rose–Marie Ur (Lambton—Middlesex, Lib.): Mr. Mrs. Elsie Wayne (Saint John, PC): Mr. Speaker, I rise to Speaker, today marks the sixth anniversary of the tragic deaths bring to the attention of the House the deep concerns of many of of 14 young women at the École Polytechnique in Montreal. my constituents regarding pornography. In honour of this national day of remembrance and action on The local chapter of the Saint John Catholic Women’s League violence against women, the Government of Canada calls on all has sent me several little ribbons in recognition of White Canadians to recognize that violence against women is a viola- Ribbons Against Pornography or WRAP week. The CWL took tion of women’s human rights and has no place in Canadian part in WRAP activities from October 22 to 29. society. D (1405 ) The members of the CWL and their parishioners wore the ribbons, wrote their names on the backs of them and sent them to Unfortunately too many women continue to suffer various me to show their opposition to pornography in any form. We forms of abuse at the hands of their partners, acquaintances or need stronger laws to protect us from this destructive menace in strangers. Therefore, eliminating violence remains a priority of our society. the Canadian government. Today we remember the 14 young women who were brutally Since the tragedy in Montreal, the federal government has and tragically murdered at École Polytechnique in Montreal five stepped up its efforts to eliminate violence against women. In years ago. As we honour their memories let us remember that fact, Canada is viewed as a world leader in recognizing and pornography contributes to the type of violent act that took their addressing the problem through community based action, infor- lives. mation exchange and awareness, and shelters for battered women and children. I commend my constituents for their efforts and I wholeheart- I call on all Canadians to assume responsibility for the edly agree with them. I urge the government to stand up for eradication of all forms of violence against women in this Canadians and pass stronger anti–pornography laws. country. * * * * * * VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN BILL C–103 Mr. Jim Abbott (Kootenay East, Ref.): Mr. Speaker, yester- Mr. Derek Wells (South Shore, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, today we day a Senate committee proposed an amendment to Bill C–103 remember the tragedy that occurred on December 6, 1989. It has that would grandfather the Canadian version of Sports Illus- been six years since 14 young women at École Polytechnique in trated. In so doing, it joined the Reform Party, the task force on Montreal lost their lives. The pain of that day is still fresh in our the Canadian magazine industry and the current Minister for minds. International Trade in making this recommendation. Although much has been done to improve public awareness Unbelievably the Minister of Canadian Heritage is compro- with respect to violence against women, we have only to read the mising our international reputation by insisting that Sports papers to see that it is still happening every day. One look at the Illustrated be banned retroactively as of March 1993. If the statistics demonstrates that women continue to be the target of Senate, a special task force on split runs and the Minister for violent acts. International Trade all recognize the legitimate rights of Sports December 6, 1995 COMMONS DEBATES 17273 S. O. 31 Illustrated to run a split run in Canada, why does not the Women have shown clear leadership on this issue but it is not Minister of Canadian Heritage? enough. Maybe the answer is that he clearly does not know what he is We must mobilize our communities, the media and busi- doing. Yesterday he said: ‘‘What we are trying to do is make sure nesses. We must make this issue a cause nationale. Violent our Canadian industries remain Canadian, are able to grow and crimes cost this country over $4 billion a year in money but the export, because export is part of their ability to mature’’. But get real cost in terms of human life and hope is immeasurable. this: Bill C–103 will impose a Canadian 80 per cent excise tax on our magazine exports. Unbelievable. * * * VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN * * * Mr. John Maloney (Erie, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, today we mark VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN December 6 as Canada’s national day of remembrance and action on violence against women.