CANADA House of Commons Debates VOLUME 141 Ï NUMBER 120 Ï 1st SESSION Ï 39th PARLIAMENT OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Wednesday, February 28, 2007 Speaker: The Honourable Peter Milliken CONTENTS (Table of Contents appears at back of this issue.) Also available on the Parliament of Canada Web Site at the following address: http://www.parl.gc.ca 7417 HOUSE OF COMMONS Wednesday, February 28, 2007 The House met at 2 p.m. ZIMBABWE Hon. Joe McGuire (Egmont, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, today Zimbabwe is a graveyard. Prayers One of the worst humanitarian catastrophes in recent history is happening in Zimbabwe, a catastrophe said to be 10 times worse than Darfur. And the UN said it would not happen again. Ï (1405) [English] President Robert Mugabe has ruined one of the most prosperous, productive nations on the African continent. Its population has been The Speaker: It being Wednesday, we will now have the singing decimated by government-induced famine and disease. The of the national anthem led by the hon. member for Crowfoot. economy has collapsed and an estimated 1.2 million Zimbabweans have fled. [Members sang the national anthem] Zimbabwe currently has an estimated 1.3 million orphans; an 80% unemployment rate; millions of people missing; 42,000 women who died in childbirth last year compared to 1,000 a decade ago; an STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS average life expectancy that has dropped by 30 years since 1990, from 67 years to 37 years; and one in five adults is infected with [English] HIV-AIDS. HERSHEY COMPANY In the midst of all this suffering, Robert Mugabe held an elaborate Mr. Scott Reid (Lanark—Frontenac—Lennox and Addington, party to celebrate his own birthday. It cost over $300 million CPC): Mr. Speaker, last week the Hershey Company announced that Zimbabwean dollars. He threw a party at a funeral, Zimbabwe's it would be closing its plant in Smiths Falls. funeral. It is hard to overstate the impact of this decision. Five hundred I ask the Parliament of Canada to support the people of factory jobs will be lost. A market for 1,000 litres of Ontario milk Zimbabwe. every day will vanish. The Hershey chocolate shop, which attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, will no longer draw *** tourists. [Translation] But these are not the only reasons why I today call on Hershey to QUEBEC GAMES reverse its decision. Mr. Raymond Gravel (Repentigny, BQ): Mr. Speaker, from The decision is a spinoff of what the company calls a global March 2 to 10, thousands of young Quebeckers, along with their supply chain transformation, a process which, by its nature, tends to coaches and chaperones, will gather in the RCM of L'Assomption miss out on local profit centres. While no one can deny that wages in for the 42nd Quebec Games Final. Mexico may be lower than in Smiths Falls, it is equally clear that some things cannot be globalized. For over a year, hundreds of people have been working hard to give the youth a memorable welcome and to plan a seamless event, The decision makers in Pennsylvania may simply be overlooking with the steadfast support of the municipal authorities of the high quality of Canadian milk, which will be difficult to Charlemagne, L'Assomption, L'Épiphanie—city and parish— Re- duplicate abroad. And shutting down the hugely profitable chocolate pentigny and Saint-Sulpice, as well as a number of partners and shop makes no sense, since it caters to a domestic market. sponsors. In years past, Milton Hershey understood the link between I would like to congratulate and thank all those involved in this community and profit. I call upon his successors to live up to his event, which will no doubt be a great success, and in particular the example. board of directors of the 42nd games, chaired by Dany Bergeron. 7418 COMMONS DEBATES February 28, 2007 Statements by Members I invite one and all to attend the sporting events, participate in the Ï (1410) activities, and join our mascot Tison for a fantastic time at these 42nd Quebec Games. JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS *** Hon. Raymond Chan (Richmond, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, by the [English] Prime Minister's own admission, judges will be chosen based on his own objectives and agenda. INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY Ms. Penny Priddy (Surrey North, NDP): Mr. Speaker, each year I have grave concerns about Conservative attacks on judicial on March 8 we celebrate International Women's Day. This day began independence and the separation of powers between the executive to mark the fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory, where 146 and the judiciary. working women lost their lives because the door of the factory was locked. I am deeply concerned about the government's intentions, as it has Today, almost 100 years later, we remember how far we have already eliminated the Law Commission of Canada and the court come and realize how much farther we have to go. challenges program. Too many women continue to suffer under harsh working Judicial independence is a cornerstone of Canadian democracy. conditions. Too many women are living in poverty. Too many Now even the Canadian Judicial Council has spoken out against the women cannot find or afford adequate child care. Too many women government's attacks. The former and current chief justices have face violence in their homes and communities. Too many women are stated that the government “is trying to interfere with the sentencing not receiving equal pay for work of equal value. process” and that the Conservative government is putting judicial independence “in peril”. March 8 is a day that brings women together to celebrate our power and our potential. I would like to wish all the women of this House, women in my community of Surrey and women across I call upon the government to stop attacking the independence of Canada a happy International Women's Day. the judiciary. *** *** UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA ROYAL MANITOBA WINTER FAIR Mr. Rod Bruinooge (Winnipeg South, CPC): Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to rise today to mark the 130th birthday of one of the finest educational institutions in the country, the University of Manitoba, Mr. Merv Tweed (Brandon—Souris, CPC): Mr. Speaker, I which is located in my riding of Winnipeg South. would like to bring attention to a milestone event in my riding of Brandon—Souris. The 100th Royal Manitoba Winter Fair will take Established in 1877, western Canada's first university has touched place in Brandon on March 26 through 31. thousands of lives. Today the university is the province's most valuable intellectual asset, contributing immeasurably to Manitoba's Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II honoured the fair with her economic and cultural success, raising our profile around the world, attendance in 1970 and officially declared it a royal event. The Royal and fostering leadership. I have often called the U of M the jewel of Manitoba Winter Fair is one of just three fairs in the entire world to Winnipeg South. have the royal designation and is renowned as one of Canada's largest agricultural events. The university has a strong reputation for academics and research. Its 170,000 graduates include Rhodes scholars, champion athletes, community leaders, world class researchers and academic experts. Activities at the fair include equestrian events, heavy horse Several members in this chamber graduated from this fine institution, competition, livestock displays and sales, awareness programs, and the University of Manitoba is my alma mater as well. entertainment, and over 300 commercial and agricultural exhibits. The University of Manitoba provides a world class education and This year's event will highlight our region's rich heritage and continues to have a global impact as a centre of research where history as the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair celebrates a century of scientists, scholars and students seek innovative ways to address the agricultural excellence in the western Manitoba region. most significant challenges facing Canada and the world in the 21st century. Mr. Speaker, I want to invite you and all Canadians to visit the I hope all members will join me in commemorating this very 100th Royal Manitoba Winter Fair in Brandon, Manitoba, from special day. March 26 to 31. Everyone should plan to be there. February 28, 2007 COMMONS DEBATES 7419 Statements by Members [Translation] What was she insinuating? That because his mother is French that makes him less of a Canadian than she or anyone else is? Is she REPUBLIC OF GUINEA implying that I as a Greek Canadian am less of a Canadian than she Ms. Francine Lalonde (La Pointe-de-l'Île, BQ): Mr. Speaker, or anyone else is? Or that because one has dual heritage one should the situation in Guinea is very disturbing. Last week, a number of be labelled a second class citizen? Quebec and Canadian organizations, including NGOs, unions, women's groups and human rights groups, asked the Minister of I would ask this member and all Canadians, aside from our first Foreign Affairs to use every diplomatic means available to convince nations people, to look at their family tree and realize that at some the Guinean president to put an end to all forms of repression—over time we all came from another country. 100 people have died, including several young persons—and to end the state of siege. Canada did not do anything, while the international However, I am not surprised, for that party is typically known for community has quickly rallied. its divisive tactics, for pitting one Canadian against another. Who On Monday, the situation returned to normal when president knows? Maybe its next step is to kick out all those who have dual Lansana Conté agreed to appoint as prime minister a coalition citizenship.