Tuesday, October 12, 1999
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CANADA 2nd SESSION • 36th PARLIAMENT • VOLUME 138 • NUMBER 1 OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Tuesday, October 12, 1999 THE HONOURABLE GILDAS L. MOLGAT SPEAKER This issue contains the latest listing of Senators, Officers of the Senate and the Ministry. CONTENTS (Daily index of proceedings appears at back of this issue.) Debates: Chambers Building, Room 943, Tel. 996-0193 Published by the Senate Available from Canada Communication Group — Publishing, Public Works and Government Services Canada, Ottawa K1A 0S9, Also available on the Internet: http://www.parl.gc.ca 1 THE SENATE Tuesday, October 12, 1999 THIRTY-SIXTH PARLIAMENT The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, unfortunately, OPENING OF SECOND SESSION this is not possible, since this afternoon we will have the Speech from the Throne, and the chairs have neither earphones nor Parliament having been summoned by Proclamation to meet microphones. We can certainly ask everyone to speak in both this day for the dispatch of business: official languages. The Senate met at 11:30 a.m., the Speaker in the Chair. Senator Nolin: I am prepared to do so. Prayers. [English] COMMUNICATION FROM GOVERNOR GENERAL’S SECRETARY NEW SENATOR The Hon. the Speaker informed the Senate that a The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, I have the communication had been received from the Secretary to the honour to inform the Senate that the Clerk has received a Governor General, as follows: certificate from the Registrar General of Canada showing that J. Bernard Boudreau, P.C., has been summoned to the Senate. RIDEAU HALL INTRODUCTION October 8, 1999 The Hon. the Speaker having informed the Senate that there was a senator without, waiting to be introduced: Mr. Speaker, The following honourable senator was introduced; presented I have the honour to inform you that Their Excellencies, Her Majesty’s writ of summons; took the oath prescribed by law, the Governor General and John Ralston Saul, will arrive at which was administered by the Clerk; and was seated. the Peace Tower at 14:30 on Tuesday, the 12th day of October, 1999. Hon. J. Bernard Boudreau, of Halifax, Nova Scotia, introduced between Hon. B. Alasdair Graham, P.C. and When it has been indicated that all is in readiness, Their Hon. John B. Stewart. Excellencies will proceed to the Chamber of the Senate to formally open the Second Session of the Thirty-Sixth The Hon. the Speaker informed the Senate that the Parliament of Canada. honourable senator named above had made and subscribed the declaration of qualification required by the Constitution Act, Yours sincerely, 1867, in the presence of the Clerk of the Senate, the Commissioner appointed to receive and witness the said Judith A. LaRocque declaration. Secretary to the Governor General The Senate adjourned until 2:30 p.m. The Honourable The Speaker of the Senate Ottawa SECOND SITTING [Translation] The Senate met at 2:30 p.m., the Speaker in the Chair. BUSINESS OF THE SENATE The Hon. the Speaker: As there is no business before the Hon. Marcel Prud’homme: Honourable senators, I would Senate, is it your pleasure, honourable senators, that the Senate like to point out that there is no interpretation this morning. do now adjourn during pleasure to await the arrival of Her Excellency the Governor General? Hon. Pierre Claude Nolin: Honourable senators, that is true. Is there a way to overcome this problem, because each of the The Senate adjourned during pleasure. speakers will otherwise have to use both official languages? 2 SENATE DEBATES October 12, 1999 • (1440) order and good government for all its citizens. It took foresight and commitment to break the mould of the nation-state founded on a single language, culture or SPEECH FROM THE THRONE religion. That foresight and commitment have been greatly rewarded. At 2:45 p.m. Her Excellency the Governor General proceeded to the Senate Chamber and took her seat upon the Throne. Canada began as a small colony with little industry and Her Excellency was pleased to command the attendance of the House of Commons, and, that House being come, with their no role of its own in global affairs. Over generations, Speaker, Her Excellency was then pleased to open the Second individual Canadians built a better future for their families Session of the Thirty-sixth Parliament of Canada with the and their communities. Canadians and their governments following speech: overcame barriers of distance and a harsh northern climate to build a national railway, a system of highways, a postal Honourable Members of the Senate, service, and national cultural institutions, as well as hospitals, universities, and other institutions. Canadians and Members of the House of Commons, their governments also put in place a modern social safety net. Together, these achievements have provided the Ladies and Gentlemen: foundation for our quality of life. It is an honour for me, today, to open this Second Session Within a few generations, we evolved into an independent of the Thirty-Sixth Parliament of Canada. I appreciate nation with an advanced industrialized economy and a voice having the opportunity so early in my mandate to represent in the councils of the world: the United Nations, the G-8, the Queen as one of the three elements of Parliament. It is a the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and responsibility which I take seriously, and I intend to follow Development, NATO, and many others. Canada is now your deliberations closely. serving its sixth elected term on the United Nations Security Council. [Translation] Ours is a voice for peace. Canada was the first to propose Unlike my immediate predecessors, I have not had the the use of troops for peacekeeping. Today, Canadians are privilege of serving among you. I do, however, value highly keeping the peace in many countries around the world. But the role that you play and the dedication that you show in whenever tyranny has threatened peace and security, making this remarkable institution work effectively as the Canadians have never hesitated to answer the call. Together centrepiece of the Canadian democratic system. I am very with our proud Canadian veterans, we remember those who aware of the sacrifices that so many of you make in your paid with their lives at Vimy Ridge, on Juno Beach, and at personal and professional lives in accepting the challenges Hill 355 in Korea. of public office. The commitment you have made is one that I share, and I look forward to working with you over the [Translation] next five years in the service of the people of Canada. [English] In the tradition of the coureurs des bois, we have explored the frontiers of science. From the invention of newsprint to Today, the representatives of the Canadian people gather the creation of advanced computer languages, Canadian to open the session of Parliament that will carry the country ingenuity has helped to build the information age. From the into the new millennium. discovery of insulin to the earliest pacemaker, Canadians have given new life to millions around the world. Canada We stand before a new century confident in the promise was a pioneer in the peaceful use of space, becoming a of Canada for our children and grandchildren. Technology is leader in satellite communications and remote-sensing altering every aspect of our lives. Knowledge and creativity technologies. Today, our astronauts are using Canadian are now the driving force in a new economy. And technology to help assemble the International Space Station collaboration is becoming more essential as the issues — the largest scientific project in history. facing our diverse society grow in their complexity. But Canadians will succeed in this changing world, just as we In a complex world, diverse approaches, skills and ideas have succeeded throughout our country’s history. are essential to building a higher quality of life. Canada is a bilingual country in which both men and women of many The promise of Canada was born in an age when different cultures, races and religions participate in countries were forged through war or revolution. Our economic, social and political life. Our diversity is a source nation’s founders chose a unique path, which has become of strength and creativity, making us modern and the Canadian way — creating a country dedicated to peace, forward-looking. October 12, 1999 SENATE DEBATES 3 [English] even stronger and more united Canada, a Canada that remains an example to the world. Our actions and our history make us at home in a world of change and increasing interdependence. Our human [English] talent, our values and our commitment to working together will secure Canada’s leadership in the knowledge-based Canadians expect their national government to focus on economy. areas where it can and must make a difference. And they want this done in the Canadian way — working together, Today, Canadians can look with pride on Canada’s balancing individual and government action, and listening to success. We have a dynamic economy, a strong and citizens. Canadians expect their Government to be fiscally democratic society, and a sense of community. We are prudent, to reduce the debt burden, to cut taxes, and to recognized throughout the world for our quality of life. We pursue the policies necessary for a strong society. The will build a higher quality of life for all Canadians — for emerging global marketplace offers an enormous our children, ourselves, and our neighbours. opportunity to create more Canadian jobs, more Canadian growth and more Canadian influence in the world. It A STRONG AND UNITED CANADA provides expanding opportunities to secure a higher quality of life for all Canadians. To seize these opportunities, we A high quality of life for Canadians and a strong, united must build on our strengths.