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CANADA House of Commons Debates VOLUME 137 Ï NUMBER 116 Ï 1st SESSION Ï 37th PARLIAMENT OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Wednesday, November 21, 2001 Speaker: The Honourable Peter Milliken CONTENTS (Table of Contents appears at back of this issue.) All parliamentary publications are available on the ``Parliamentary Internet Parlementaire´´ at the following address: http://www.parl.gc.ca 7367 HOUSE OF COMMONS Wednesday, November 21, 2001 The House met at 2 p.m. new arrivals to our shores. We also affirm our international humanitarian obligation to receive our share of genuine refugees. Prayers However we believe that the best way to keep Canada's doors open to immigrants and genuine refugees is to improve the system so that it expeditiously processes applications and effectively screens Ï (1400) out those abusing the system. [English] To do this, new arrivals must be required to produce verifiable The Speaker: As is our practice on Wednesday we will now sing documentation so that security and background checks can be done. O Canada, and we will be led by the hon. member for Winnipeg Those without documentation should be detained until declared safe North Centre. or deported. Failed refugee claimants and illegal entrants must be [Editor's Note: Members sang the national anthem] deported and those who organize abuses of the system for profit must be vigorously prosecuted. To make the system work for those we want to welcome we must STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS get tough on those who abuse the system and put it in jeopardy for everyone. [English] *** EDUCATION [Translation] Mr. Andrew Telegdi (KitchenerWaterloo, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, for the 10th year in a row Maclean's magazine has ranked the ESTELLE CHAMBERLAND-GOBEIL University of Waterloo as the best overall university in the national Mr. Gérard Binet (FrontenacMégantic, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, part of its reputation survey, as well as number one in its today I would like to extend sincere congratulations to Mrs. Estelle comprehensive category which comprises four areas: best overall, Chamberland-Gobeil, to whom the Simone-Monet-Chartrand award highest quality, most innovative and leaders of tomorrow. for 2001 was presented last Tuesday evening. PricewaterhouseCoopers has singled out the University of Water- The award is given by the Centre des femmes de Montréal to loo as the leading source of spinoff companies in the Canadian high recognize the exceptional accomplishments of a mother whose life tech sector. This is a key factor in improving Canada's competitive perpetuates the values of Simone Monet-Chartrand. position internationally and a great benefit to the economic growth Like this great Quebec woman, who died in 1993, Mrs. of the country. Chamberland-Gobeil is a woman of many talents. An ardent My riding of KitchenerWaterloo is also the home of Wilfrid feminist, and an enthusiastic volunteer, she has made a name for Laurier University, which is ranked by Maclean's in the top third of herself in the region of Mégantic and Haut-Saint-François through the primary undergraduate category. Furthermore, Waterloo has the her efforts, which have been mainly focussed on youth and seniors, campus of Conestoga College, the number one college in the as well as women's issues. province of Ontario. Once again, my congratulations. FrontenacMégantic is proud of Congratulations are due to the universities of Waterloo and Wilfrid you. Laurier and Conestoga College for their pursuit of educational *** excellence. [English] *** WOMEN'S RIGHTS IMMIGRATION Ms. Carolyn Bennett (St. Paul's, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, the name Mr. Maurice Vellacott (SaskatoonWanuskewin, Canadian MATCH International Centre may not immediately ring a bell with Alliance): Mr. Speaker, the Canadian Alliance Party recognizes that all members of parliament, but I stand here today to salute the small Canada is a nation of immigrants that has always been enriched by organization on its 25th anniversary. 7368 COMMONS DEBATES November 21, 2001 S. O. 31 MATCH is known as one of the key organizations that has monthly from his cheque, or if a little extra money was needed for strengthened the global women's movement. To achieve this groceries, perhaps he could afford $12. recognition MATCH has supported women's groups offering front- line services to women and their children and has spearheaded many Who would victimize our seniors like that? Who is the fox in the achievements that Canadian women now cherish, such as enhanced hen house? Members have guessed it; it is our own Canadian legal rights for women victims of violence and the growth of government. Pensioners are already victimized by the size of the women's shelters Canadawide. cheque and when it comes to solicitation it should be done another way. I urge members of parliament not to stand by and watch the deterioration of Canada's social network that helps women victims of *** violence. The undoing of such gains by the women of Canada, and indeed by MATCH and its partners in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean THE ENVIRONMENT and South America, will not go unchallenged by the thousands of Mr. Paul Bonwick (SimcoeGrey, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, I am Canadians who uphold the rights of women to live free from requesting the support of the House of Commons on behalf of the violence. Conservation Authorities of Ontario. Over the past 50 years the Conservation Authorities have been charged with the responsibility MATCH stands with every woman and child that has experienced of maintaining the delicate environmental balance in our Great Lakes violence in Canada, and today we congratulate MATCH Interna- Watershed Basin. They have done this by creating unique partner- tional Centre and its dynamic team for the work they are doing in ships with all levels of government as well as the private sector. raising awareness on women's rights around the world. *** It is also worth mentioning that in fulfilling their mandate they have saved our government over $3.5 billion annually. I should also Ï (1405) state that these same Great Lakes Watershed Basins contribute over [Translation] $7 billion annually to our economy. HIGHWAY INFRASTRUCTURE However, to contend with the eroding environmental conditions Mr. Robert Bertrand (PontiacGatineauLabelle, Lib.): Mr. facing our Great Lakes, the Conservation Authorities have brought Speaker, this week we learned that an agreement has been reached forward a two-part plan: the healthy Great Lakes program and the on the matter of Highway 50 in the Outaouais region. fish habitat endowment fund. Not only do we have a constitutional obligation to support these initiatives, but, greater than that, we have The Government of Quebec and the Union des producteurs an obligation to our environmentally sensitive Great Lakes. agricoles have reached agreement on the route the highway will take between Montée Laurin, at Lochaber, and Montebello. This new On behalf of the Conservation Authorities of Ontario, I route will preserve the environment of the region and its arable land, respectfully request everybody to join in supporting these initiatives. as the farmers' union had demanded. *** This is a step in the right direction for the development of the economy and tourism in the Outaouais area. I would remind hon. [Translation] members that the federal government has invested $100 million in Highway 50 over the past 30 years. I cannot wait to see this project AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL completed. Mr. Pierre Paquette (Joliette, BQ): Mr. Speaker, last weekend, I hope that the outcome of this issue will lead to the completion of the annual youth convention of Amnesty International was held in other highway projects in Quebec. the riding of Joliette. *** More than 600 young Quebecers came together for the occasion in the municipality of Assomption. In a great gesture of solidarity, they [English] took a magnificent step in support of the hundreds of thousands of PENSIONS Afghani refugees affected by the war that is raging in their country. Mr. Rob Merrifield (Yellowhead, Canadian Alliance): Mr. They signed a petition in a tent that was symbolic of the only shelter Speaker, the arrival of the first Canada pension cheque should be a available to refugees fleeing violence and persecution. joyous occasion. After years of hard work it is time to sit back and In this petition, which I shall be handing over to the Prime enjoy the rewards of retirement. Minister, the 600 youth members of Amnesty International call for Last week one of my constituents reached that milestone, but the countries bordering on Afghanistan to open up their borders to instead of joy he felt shock and disgust. Those were the emotions he those who are fleeing the bombing in that country and for a program experienced. I am not referring to the size of the cheque but to the to be put in place to support these countries, along with a refugee letter that was enclosed soliciting donations for charities. resettlement program. As well, they wish to see Canada maintain its laws and policies guaranteeing that all refugee claims will undergo a Most of us avoid telemarketers like the plague. We especially fair and proper examination, regardless of country of origin. dislike those who target vulnerable seniors. Enclosed was a letter saying just sign and $18, $16 or $14 will be automatically deducted Well done, you young people! November 21, 2001 COMMONS DEBATES 7369 S. O. 31 JEAN TANGUAY Those outstanding individuals have contributed their time and Mr. Mauril Bélanger (OttawaVanier, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, on energy to make Vancouver Kingsway a better place to live. They are November 2, Bernard Michael Watson, a former teacher at North an example of the best of Canadian society, and I congratulate them Bay's Algonquin Secondary School, passed away. I extend my on their well deserved honour. I am very proud to have those condolences to his family and friends.