Wednesday, December 17, 1997
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CANADA 1st SESSION 36th PARLIAMENT VOLUME 137 NUMBER 34 OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Wednesday, December 17, 1997 THE HONOURABLE GILDAS L. MOLGAT SPEAKER CONTENTS (Daily index of proceedings appears at back of this issue.) Debates: Victoria Building, Room 407, Tel. 996-0397 Published by the Senate Available from Canada Communication Group — Publishing, Public Works and Government Services Canada, Ottawa K1A 0S9, at $1.75 per copy or $158 per year. Also available on the Internet: http://www.parl.gc.ca 831 THE SENATE Wednesday, December 17, 1997 The Senate met at 1:30 p.m., the Speaker in the Chair. That the Senate urges the Government to defer licensing the use of Recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (RBGH) Prayers. to increase the milk production of the Canadian dairy herd for at least one year, and thereafter until such time as scientific studies have been designed, tested and completed ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS whose conclusions enable the Government to either precisely identify for Canadians the long-term risks to BUSINESS OF THE SENATE public health or, in the alternative, to publicly assure them that the use of this growth hormone will not affect their ADJOURNMENT individual health. Hon. Sharon Carstairs: Honourable senators, with leave of the Senate and notwithstanding rules 58(1)(i), I move: [Translation] That, when the Senate adjourns today, it do stand NATIONAL DEFENCE adjourned until tomorrow, Thursday, December 18, 1997, at 9:00 a.m.; PURCHASE OF HELICOPTERS—NOTICE OF MOTION PROVIDING FOR RECALL OF SENATE IN EVENT OF GOVERNMENT That the Senate proceed immediately to sit in Committee ANNOUNCEMENT of the Whole to hear the following witnesses respecting the Resolution to amend Term 17 of the Constitution respecting Hon. Michel Cogger: Honourable senators, I give notice that the school system in the Province of Newfoundland: tomorrow, December 18, 1997, I will move: − from9:05a.m.to9:45a.m.,TheCanadian That the Speaker use the powers conferred upon him Conference of Catholic Bishops; under rule 17 to call a meeting of the Senate at a time earlier than that provided in the motion for adjournment, as soon as − from 9:45 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Education First; and possible, under the rules, after a decision has been made and − at 10:30 a.m., the Honourable Stéphane Dion, announced regarding the purchase of helicopters by the President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada and Canadian government, should such a decision and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs; and announcement be made between December 18, 1997 and February 2, 1998. That at the conclusion of the proceedings of the Committee of the Whole, the Senate will resume the sitting [English] and proceed to the daily order of business. The Hon. the Speaker: Is leave granted, honourable senators? NATIONAL FINANCE Hon. Senators: Agreed. NOTICE OF MOTION TO AUTHORIZE COMMITTEE TO TRAVEL Motion agreed to. Hon. Terry Stratton: Honourable Senators, I give notice that on Thursday next, December 18, 1997, I will move: AGRICULTURE That the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance have power to adjourn from place to place within Canada NOTICE OF MOTION URGING DEFERRAL OF LICENSING OF RECOMBINANT BOVINE GROWTH HORMONE PENDING STUDY for the purpose of its examination and consideration of such bills, and subject-matters of bills, messages, petitions, Hon. Eugene Whelan: Honourable senators, I give notice that inquiries, and other matters related to federal estimates. on Thursday next, December 18, 1997, I will move: 832 SENATE DEBATES December 17, 1997 QUESTION PERIOD With respect to any press release coming from the company or companies involved, I could not speculate as to the nature of those announcements. ENERGY Senator Simard: Honourable senators, I introduced a notice SABLE ISLAND GAS PROJECTS AGREEMENT REACHED— of motion on this subject yesterday. Will the Leader of the GOVERNMENT POSITION Government in the Senate assure his colleagues here that he will do his utmost — the impossible, if necessary — to ensure that Hon. Jean-Maurice Simard: Honourable senators, I have a debate on this matter starts today and that it will be voted upon question for the Leader of the Government in the Senate. A before we leave for Christmas? report which appeared in the Halifax Chronicle-Herald this morning states: Senator Graham: Honourable senators, we have a very heavy agenda, and it would be wrong for me to give such an undertaking. I understand the concerns that Honourable Senator Also on Tuesday, senior federal government sources Simard has raised. I understand the concerns of all Atlantic confirmed the federal cabinet has given the green light to Canadians. Indeed, all Canadians are interested in this project the Sable Island natural gas project, removing the last major which is important not only to Atlantic Canadians and Nova obstacle to the construction of a pipeline through New Scotians but to all regions of Canada. It would be dishonest for Brunswick into New England. me to give such an undertaking. However, if it is possible, we will certainly give that consideration. Sources in Ottawa said the Chrétien cabinet has ratified a National Energy Board report approving the Sable [Translation] development. This will allow Maritimes and Northeast Senator Simard: Honourable senators, I know that everyone Pipeline and the Sable Offshore Energy Project to construct has heard the threats uttered by Mobil Oil over the past three, drilling, production, transmission and processing facilities. four or six months. I am no expert in threats. I do not like them. However, I can tell you that, if unanimous consent is required, I Can the minister confirm such an agreement? will insist on having the resolution debated and voted on before the Christmas adjournment. I would ask you to take my Hon. B. Alasdair Graham (Leader of the Government): suggestion into consideration. I will not let this matter drop, Honourable senators, until such an agreement is announced honourable senators. officially, I regret very much that I cannot speculate. [English] Senator Simard: Honourable senators, in the same article, Premier Russ MacLellan is also noted as confirming the decision Senator Graham: Honourable senators, I think we should of the federal cabinet. The article goes on: wait and watch as things unfold on the Senate agenda. Sources in Ottawa said the National Energy Board will NATIONAL DEFENCE notify Maritimes and Northeast of cabinet’s decision approving the overall project, and the company will make SEARCH AND RESCUE HELICOPTER REPLACEMENT an official announcement by the end of the week. PROGRAM—NECESSITY OF TIMELY PURCHASE OF REPLACEMENT MACHINES—GOVERNMENT POSITION (1340) Hon. Gerry St. Germain: Honourable senators, yesterday I The reporter continued: asked a short supplementary question in regard to search and rescue helicopters on which, I gather from various things I have “Maritimes and Northeast are obligated by law to issue a read, the government is trying to make a decision. I realize that press release,” said one official, who asked not to be the Leader of the Government in the Senate recognizes the identified. seriousness of this issue. However, I should like to bring to the attention of the Senate the onerous task that is being placed on the backs of the pilots who must fly the Sea Kings. As a pilot, I Natural Resources Minister Ralph Goodale danced know that uncertainty as to the reliability of an aircraft amplifies around the issue, neither denying nor confirming the project the stress of flying it. had been ratified at a two-hour cabinet meeting. In the spirit of working with our military, which has come Does the Leader of the Government in the Senate want to under excessive and unfair criticism in, I believe, 99 per cent of change his previous answer to my question? the cases, has the Leader of the Government in the Senate any more information to give to military personnel who must fly the Senator Graham: No, honourable senators. Any Sea Kings with regard to whether the cabinet has made a announcement of that nature will come from either or both the favourable decision to acquire proper equipment for search and National Energy Board and the Minister of Natural Resources. rescue operations? December 17, 1997 SENATE DEBATES 833 Hon. B. Alasdair Graham (Leader of the Government): question. I am perhaps the member of this chamber who flies into Honourable senators, I wish to acknowledge the concern of my Fredericton more often than any other, and I often use the flight honourable friend for the pilots in charge of any aircraft, be they that crashed last evening. Could the Leader of the Government in helicopters or fixed wing. I am often asked by people whether I the Senate advise us whether, in conducting its investigation of am afraid to fly, because I do so much flying. I always say no, the crash, the Department of Transport will be taking into that I have total confidence in the pilots, whom I know want to consideration the absence of air traffic personnel in the control arrive safely as much as I do. I know that Senator St. Germain, tower, a decision taken by your government in the recent past? being a licensed pilot himself, would appreciate that perhaps more than anyone else in this chamber. Hon. B. Alasdair Graham (Leader of the Government): I cannot put words into the mouths of those responsible for Having said that, I regret that I am unable to bring forth any investigating such matters. It would be too early to speculate on further information except to say that to my understanding a final the probable causes of the accident. It is my understanding that decision has not yet been made. It is hoped that the decision will NAV CANADA operates a 24-hour-per-day flight service station be made soon.