CANADA Debates of the Senate 2nd SESSION . 40th PARLIAMENT . VOLUME 146 . NUMBER 47 OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Wednesday, June 17, 2009 ^ THE HONOURABLE NOËL A. KINSELLA SPEAKER CONTENTS (Daily index of proceedings appears at back of this issue). Debates Service: D'Arcy McPherson, Chambers Building, Room 943, Tel. 613-995-5756 Publications Centre: David Reeves, Chambers Building, Room 969, Tel. 613-947-0609 Published by the Senate Available from PWGSC ± Publishing and Depository Services, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0S5. Also available on the Internet: http://www.parl.gc.ca 1194 THE SENATE Wednesday, June 17, 2009 The Senate met at 1:30 p.m., the Speaker in the chair. an apology on behalf of my caucus colleagues to Chief Fontaine for the outrageous comments made by the member of Prime Prayers. Minister Stephen Harper's caucus last week. I want to assure him that Senator Brazeau does not speak for members on this side of the chamber. SENATORS' STATEMENTS YUKON WATER TREATMENT PROJECTS HONOURABLE PATRICK BRAZEAU Hon. Hector Daniel Lang: Honourable senators, last Thursday COMMENTS MADE DURING the following statement was made by Kevin Daniels, Interim COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE National Chief of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples: Hon. James S. Cowan (Leader of the Opposition): Honourable Another water issue that comes to my mind is in Watson senators, on June 11, 2008, the Prime Minister of Canada offered Lake in Southern Yukon, where water problems are causing a formal apology, ``on behalf of the Government of Canada and Aboriginal peoples to get very sick. That is a concern to me all Canadians,'' to the former students of the Indian residential as well. It is as a result of dumping waste and military schools. hardware and all kinds of other garbage that is going into the water systems. On that same day, Pierre Poilievre, a member of Prime Minister Harper's caucus, told an Ottawa radio station: As a senator for Yukon, I want to clarify for the record that the results of my inquiries into these allegations are as follows: First, Are we really getting value for all of this money, and there has been no reported illness of Aboriginal people or other is more money really going to solve the problem? My view is residents due to contaminated water in Watson Lake and area. that we need to engender the values of hard work and Second, over the years, there has been some concern about the independence and self-reliance. That's the solution in the possible effects the military hardware buried by the U.S. military long run — more money will not solve it. during the Second World War might have on the drinking water in the Watson Lake area. This concern prompted a number of The following day, Mr. Poilievre apologized for his remarks, scientific studies to be completed over the years, and I am pleased which he described as ``hurtful.'' to report that no water contamination was found. Exactly one year later, on June 11, 2009, we again had Honourable senators, Yukon has up-to-date drinking water inappropriate comments from a member of the Conservative regulations in place and they are enforced. Further, the caucus, this time when we assembled in Committee of the Whole Government of Yukon, with the assistance of financing to commemorate the one-year anniversary of that historic event. provided by the Government of Canada through the Canada Economic Action Plan, is proceeding this year with a number of I will not compound the wrong by repeating on the record the water treatment projects in our rural communities. I trust this outrageous remarks made by Senator Brazeau in this chamber to information corrects the record. the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, Phil Fontaine. 2009 CANADA SUMMER GAMES Following those remarks, Chief Fontaine said: Hon. Catherine S. Callbeck: Honourable senators, this summer What I have heard from Senator Brazeau is from August 15 to 29, Prince Edward Island will be playing host defamatory. I am quite disappointed that Senator to the 2009 Canada Summer Games, which are expected to attract Brazeau would make those kinds of allegations. They are upwards of 5,000 athletes from across Canada, together with their completely uncalled for but very consistent with Senator officials, families and friends. P.E.I. is proud to be hosting this Brazeau. prestigious national sporting event. It will be Island-wide, with venues for different sports held in communities across the When Chief Fontaine agreed to grace us with his presence last province. week, I, for one, did not expect that he would be attacked and defamed from behind that special immunity we parliamentarians Since their beginning in Quebec City, during Canada's enjoy in this chamber. centennial year in 1967, more than 50,000 young Canadians have participated in the summer and winter games. The games Senator Comeau: That is what you are doing now. provide a unique opportunity for young Canadians to develop their abilities and engage in friendly competition with other young Senator Cowan: A year ago, Prime Minister Stephen Harper people from across the country. The games also provide a stood in his place to offer an apology on behalf of the stimulus for Canadian young people to reach their athletic Government of Canada to Aboriginal peoples. Today, as leader potential, pursue personal excellence and develop their social and of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition in the Senate, I stand to offer culture ties with others from across the country. June 17, 2009 SENATE DEBATES 1195 The summer and winter games have also left a legacy for the her countless hours of dedicated coaching. Through her delivery host communities. Nearly $120 million has been invested in of a dynamic physical education program and opportunities to capital projects for the various sporting events. Sports facilities participate in athletics, Fran Brooke taught us to become healthy, have been built across Canada, which have been invaluable for active participants and to pursue excellence in all fields. growth in sports excellence and fitness in those communities. As yesterday's eight-hour marathon session in the chamber In conjunction with the Canada Summer Games, a cultural arts demonstrates, June is a month like no other on the Hill and for all festival will be taking place in various venues across the province. teachers. From endless marking to preparing final report cards, Island artists, performers and chefs will showcase our rich and from preparing students for final exams and the big world varied cultural traditions through the visual, performing and beyond, all the while maintaining order in the classrooms as the culinary arts. loud call of summer sings in everyone's ear, teachers are true public servants. I have the utmost respect for all of my former The province hosted the Canada Winter Games in 1991, and is colleagues and teachers everywhere and thank them for making a looking forward to hosting its first-ever summer games. Although difference in the lives of our students and our children, including Prince Edward Island is Canada's smallest province, Islanders my own daughter. have lots of experience in hosting regional, national and international sporting events. In honouring Fran Brooke, I also honour all teachers past and A team of committed volunteers has been busily preparing for present who have nurtured and inspired and are nurturing and the Canada Summer Games. About 6,000 Island volunteers look inspiring the next generation of teachers; captains of Stanley Cup forward to welcoming people from across the country and beyond champions, like Sidney Crosby; astronauts, like Julie Payette; to enjoy the games and the many other attractions the Island has outstanding Prime Ministers, like Stephen Harper; and humble to offer. senators, like me. Honourable senators, I wish to recognize the efforts of these Some Hon. Senators: Hear, hear! young athletes, their coaches, families and the P.E.I. volunteers. I am sure that, together, they will make the Canada Summer Games a great success. I also invite all Canadians to come MR. JACK YAZER, C.M. celebrate the 2009 Canada Summer Games in August and visit the beautiful province of Prince Edward Island. Hon. Jane Cordy: Honourable senators, a few weeks ago, I received a copy of the book Youth Speaks Up from my friend, MRS. FRANCIS BROOKE Jack Yazer, of Sydney, Nova Scotia. I had been invited to the book launch but was unable to attend. Today, I am honoured to Hon. Yonah Martin: Honourable senators, I rise today with pay tribute to Jack Yazer, the subject of the book and the founder these words: A teacher's purpose is not to create students in her of Youth Speaks Up, a student empowerment program. own image, but to develop students who can create their own image. Honourable senators, Jack Yazer is 95 years old and is not slowing down. A recipient of both the Order of Nova Scotia and Although I can tell you, honourable senators, that when the Order of Canada, Mr. Yazer emigrated from Poland to Cape Mrs. Brooke drove up to Renfrew Elementary School, in Breton in 1928 at the age of 14. Through hard work and Vancouver, B.C., in her fancy red convertible wearing her determination, he went on to become a successful businessman, a snazzy Adidas tracksuit with her long brown hair perfectly community leader and activist in the Sydney area. He was windswept and flowing, the students stopped their courtyard approached many times to run for mayor of Sydney, and I would hopscotch or tag to watch and greet their favourite teacher. be willing to bet that he was asked by a few political parties to run for office as well, but he always declined.