VOLUME 133 NUMBER 241 1st SESSION 35th PARLIAMENT OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Tuesday, October 17, 1995 Speaker: The Honourable Gilbert Parent HOUSE OF COMMONS Tuesday, October 17, 1995 The House met at 10 a.m. Canadian presence in the Japanese market and allow us to work with our business communities in encouraging increased com- _______________ mercial activity with Japan. Prayers * * * _______________ BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE Mr. Peter Milliken (Parliamentary Secretary to Leader of ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS the Government in the House of Commons, Lib.): Mr. Speak- er, I think you might find unanimous consent for a House order [English] along the following lines: That today the first item of business on Government Orders be resumption of GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO PETITIONS debate at third reading of Bill C–64, an act respecting employment equity, and that at the conclusion of two hours of debate, or at such earlier time as no one rises Mr. Peter Milliken (Parliamentary Secretary to Leader of to speak, the question shall be deemed to have been put, a division deemed the Government in the House of Commons, Lib.): Mr. Speak- demanded and the vote deferred until 5 p.m. this day, provided that no amendment to the motion for third reading shall be received by the Chair during er, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8), I have the honour to table, such extended debate. in both official languages, the government’s response to three petitions. (Motion agreed to.) * * * * * * [Translation] PETITIONS INTERPARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION BOVINE SOMATOTROPIN Mrs. Anna Terrana (Vancouver East, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, I Mr. John Solomon (Regina—Lumsden, NDP): Mr. Speaker, have the honour to present, in English and in French, the report I have two petitions to present this morning. I am pleased to do of the 6th annual meeting of the Canada–Japan interparliamen- so on behalf of many constituents of Regina—Lumsden as well tary group, held in Tokyo and Osaka from September 9 to 16, as the surrounding area. 1995. The first petition is signed by a number of people who are [English] concerned about the approval of a synthetic bovine growth hormone, known as BGH or BST, a drug injected into cows to Japan is Canada’s largest trading partner after the United increase milk production. States. The volume of trade has more than doubled since 1985 and is increasingly diversified in composition. These signators call on Parliament to take steps to keep BGH out of Canada through legislating a moratorium or stoppage on In 1994 Canada’s exports to Japan rose 13 per cent to $9.5 BGH use and sale until the year 2000 and examining the billion, resulting in an increase of over $1 billion for the second outstanding health and economic questions through an indepen- year in a row. dent and transparent review. Ignoring the impact of liberalized Japanese markets and THE SENATE increased Canadian competitiveness, projected exports from Canada to Japan will climb to $14 billion in the year 2002, which Mr. John Solomon (Regina—Lumsden, NDP): Mr. Speaker, is 80 per cent greater than 1993 levels. pursuant to Standing Order 36, I have another petition concern- (1005 ) ing the Senate of Canada. It is signed by many constituents of Regina—Lumsden and other parts of Saskatchewan. The peti- While in Japan, members of the delegation were able to tioners are quite concerned about taxpayers’ money being spent express Canadian concerns and promote Canadian excellence on the Senate, an unelected, unaccountable institution which is with our Japanese counterparts. This will help ensure a growing costing Canadians over $54 million a year. 15443 COMMONS DEBATES October 17, 1995 Government Orders They request Parliament urge the government to abolish the thing. Good business practice would require that companies do Senate, which would save taxpayers this money and eliminate a something to improve access to world markets. Members of body which is in essence useless for Canadians. ethnocultural communities, with insider cultural linguistic knowledge as well as contacts with their country of origin, can GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS play a key role in penetrating new markets. They are a rich resource in the workplace environment. Mrs. Dianne Brushett (Cumberland—Colchester, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, I present a petition It is puzzling to me how the Reform Party can fail to see the today with 26 names. The petition arises from proposals coming desirability of the bill now before the House. My colleagues on before the Department of National Defence to change the the opposite side of the Chamber seem frozen in time. I have tendering process. Its signators believe the process we have now news for them, the past cannot be resuscitated. The 1950s are is fair and equitable and serves all moving vans appropriately. over. The petitioners call on Parliament to resolve the situation and to veto any proposed change to the present tendering process of We live in a radically restructured working world, different the Department of National Defence and to support the present from anything that has gone before. Rapidly changing technolo- system of tendering moving processes for all military personnel. gies and failing trade barriers are globalizing the economy, challenging us to become more competitive. * * * Canada’s export driven economy is heavily dependent on QUESTIONS ON THE ORDER PAPER foreign sales. Expansion into emerging markets, most notably in Latin America and Asia, will change even further our economic Mr. Peter Milliken (Parliamentary Secretary to Leader of reality. the Government in the House of Commons, Lib.): Mr. Speak- er, I ask that all questions be allowed to stand. This greater interdependence poses new challenges. It means that our business organizations must be able to understand the The Deputy Speaker: Is that agreed? culture and outlook of our new consumers. Some hon. members: Agreed. Another fact of Canadian life is Canada’s evolution as a technology based society. Knowledge is key to Canada’s future _____________________________________________ prosperity and our human resources are our greatest asset. GOVERNMENT ORDERS Consequently, policies that develop our human capital are pivotal to our ability to compete. As everyone can see, employ- ment equity is nothing to be feared or shunned. It is a policy that [English] permits our society to move forward and to take into account the talents and potential of all our citizens. EMPLOYMENT EQUITY ACT The House resumed from October 16 consideration of the It is no surprise that Canadian companies with experience in motion that Bill C–64, an act respecting employment equity, be employment equity are often the strongest supporters of this read the third time and passed. legislation. They have seen firsthand how employment equity programs bring them numerous benefits. By having a fair and Mr. Maurizio Bevilacqua (Parliamentary Secretary to efficient human resources development strategy and a very Minister of Human Resources Development, Lib.): Mr. efficient environment, employers have a chance to access a Speaker, millions of Canadian workers experience barriers broader set of skills, a base of skills that makes their companies preventing them from participating as fully as possible in the more productive. By improving the workplace they stabilize labour market. For example, many women continue to be their workforce, boost employer’s morale and increase produc- ghettoized in low paying and part time work. In spite of that fact, tivity. They also enhance their corporate image in the communi- in 1990 women obtained 55 per cent of university bachelor ty at large. degrees. Employers cannot afford to exclude a wide segment of Unjust hiring criteria, attitudinal barriers and uneven training qualified individuals if they want to survive and succeed in the and promotion practices still prevent women, as well as persons global economy. Private sector companies, and among them with disabilities, aboriginal people and members of visible most progressive business leaders, have long appreciated the minorities, from achieving equality in the workplace. added value of employment equity. (1010 ) Our challenge in the workplace is to accommodate the differ- In light of these facts there can be no doubt in anyone’s mind ent needs of our diverse workforce and to demonstrate flexibil- that employment equity is not only a good thing, it is a necessary ity. These initiatives are in no way a threat to other Canadians. 15444 October 17, 1995 COMMONS DEBATES Government Orders Bill C–64 is not about hurting the chances of white males to not have to hire unqualified workers. The merit principle is only earn a living and pursue a career. It is about creating real enhanced by this legislation. equality of opportunity in the federal government, in the feder- ally regulated private sector and among federal contractors. It When we eliminate irrelevant criteria for hiring, does that not recognizes that making overt discrimination illegal and unac- strengthen the merit principle even further? When we ensure ceptable in society was a critical step to that goal. that more people have more chances to apply for a job or get suitable training, does that not strengthen the merit principle The next step is for employers and society to find and break even further? down the hidden barriers that discourage people from applying for jobs or that keep them in certain occupational ghettos. Bill C–64 makes merit work. It opens doors to opportunity that have been closed for far too long. The fact that designated groups are under–represented and concentrated in lower paying Bill C–64 ensures that employers look at their workforce and jobs is a reality the Reform Party just does not understand. their employment practices thoroughly in order to identify and These groups have historically had higher unemployment rates remove barriers. They then set targets for hiring and promotion and lower average salaries.