VOLUME 133 NUMBER 018 1st SESSION 35th PARLIAMENT OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Wednesday, February 9, 1994 Speaker: The Honourable Gilbert Parent HOUSE OF COMMONS Wednesday, February 9, 1994 The House met at 2 p.m. This biological dephosphorization project at the cost of $860,000 over two years will allow, among other things, to _______________ reduce discharges of phosphorus, thereby complying with the new environmental protection standards. Prayers I commend the instigators of this major initiative, who are _______________ showing a strong desire to develop a more performing technolo- gy while remaining aware of environmental laws and responsi- ble towards them. STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS * * * [English] [English] DEBT RECOVERY BONDS THE GOODMAN FAMILY Mrs. Dianne Brushett (Cumberland—Colchester): Mr. Mr. Jim Hart (Okanagan—Similkameen—Merritt): Mr. Speaker, during World War II the Government of Canada issued Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to a prominent family in the victory bonds as a means to pay for our war effort. Patriotic Okanagan—Similkameen—Merritt riding. With today’s rapid Canadians bought the bonds and thereby saved their children development and technological advances we rarely stop to think and grandchildren a legacy of heavy debt. about those people who shaped our communities in their forma- tive years. Today a new generation of patriotic Canadians is offering its financial support to pay down this country’s debt. Each year the South Okanagan Historical Society awards the pioneer award to a family that has made a great contribution to This government could issue a debt recovery bond and sell it the development of the Okanagan. This year the Goodman domestically to Canadians. We could set an attractive rate of family of Osoyoos, B.C., was recognized for service to the interest and use the entire subscription proceeds to pay down the community that dates back to the early years of this century. debt. Our first priority would be the discharge of our foreign debt obligations. Decades ago Les and Dais Goodman were involved in farm- ing, road building, education, development of parkland and We owe it to our children to give them a debt free Canada. A other activities of leadership and involvement. Still today their debt recovery bond will appeal to both the patriotism and children and grandchildren carry on this family tradition of financial self–interest of Canadians. It will have the added dedication to the community. benefit of providing taxes on the bond’s interest for our federal treasury. I ask the House to join me in congratulating the Goodman family for its invaluable contribution to the development of the * * * south Okanagan and this great nation. [Translation] * * * ÉCO–ÉQUIPEMENT INC. SEXUAL ABUSE Mr. Benoît Sauvageau (Terrebonne): Mr. Speaker, Éco– Mrs. Brenda Chamberlain (Guelph—Wellington): Mr. Équipement Inc. is a company that was recently established in Speaker, I recently received a letter describing a Guelph constit- my riding. It is preparing to do research in wastewater treat- uent’s ordeal of sexual abuse. Surviving sexual abuse is a day to ment. day struggle often faced with pain, guilt and grief. Fortunately many have the support of family and friends. All survivors need This study, which is conducted in co–operation with Agropur, our support. the École polytechnique of Montreal as well as two government agencies, the Department of Environment of Quebec and the Survivors of sexual abuse who decide to pursue their ordeal Centre québécois de valorisation de la biomasse, is aimed at through the courts should be treated with compassion and developing wastewater treatment in the agri–food industry. respect. 1097 COMMONS DEBATES February 9, 1994 S. O. 31 All Canadians pay a great price when we deal with the effects has its plant in Drummondville, in my riding, announced a $2.5 of sexual abuse. For example, many young offenders are million investment to reduce by 25 per cent its emissions of victims. Unfortunately too often it is a cycle that continues acetone into the atmosphere. from generation to generation. Our justice system must recog- nize and respond to the needs of both the victim and the It should be noted that Celanese Canada Inc. was already offender. complying with all government standards for environmental protection and that this initiative resulted solely from its health, I urge the Minister of Justice to recognize that our decisions security and environmental protection policies. must reflect a system that is just and fair. Celanese Canada Inc. is an example to be cited when talking * * * about sustainable development and companies which are re- sponsible within their community. I take this opportunity to 1994 WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES congratulate the company. Mr. Stan Dromisky (Thunder Bay—Atikokan): Mr. Speak- * * * er, on behalf of my constituents in Thunder Bay—Atikokan and all the young Canadians who aspire to achieve levels of superior [English] performance in their respective athletic endeavours, I wish to congratulate Thunder Bay’s John Lockyer on becoming Cana- 1995 CANADA WINTER GAMES da’s champion ski jumper, an outstanding athlete who has Mr. Charlie Penson (Peace River): Mr. Speaker, from earned international respect and acclaim. February 19 to March 4, 1995 the city of Grand Prairie will host the Canada Winter Games. I am proud to say that Grand Prairie (1405 ) is in my riding and is the most northerly city ever to host the However as the only member of Canada’s national ski jump- Canada Winter Games. ing A–team John will not be competing in the winter Olympics This important event will bring together more than 3,200 in Lillehammer, the first time in winter Olympic history that athletes, coaches and officials who will participate in 21 differ- Canadian ski jumpers will not be participating. ent sports. The Canadian Olympic Association must be encouraged to The games are held every second year, alternating between re–examine its new regulations which without doubt will pre- winter and summer. They are a training ground for future vent many of our champions from entering future games and Olympians. The games are also a celebration of culture and for which also give the appearance that the true purpose and spirit of this reason Grand Prairie will be proud to display the many the Olympic Games are lost. facets of our Canadian and northern heritage. * * * The theme of the games is Iskoteo, which is a Cree word for fire. The fire is in our sky with the northern lights. It is also in GREG JODERY the spirit of the people who rise to challenge the climate and the Mr. John Murphy (Annapolis Valley—Hants): Mr. Speak- power of the land. er, in the peaceful Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia, Greg Jodery * * * was brutally beaten to death. His killer was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to a mere four years. SOLDIERS MISSING IN ACTION Supposedly the court found that actions of Jodery’s killer Mr. Joseph Volpe (Eglinton—Lawrence): Mr. Speaker, the were mitigated by the victim’s own violent behaviour. These peace process in the Middle East is promising for all those charges were unsubstantiated and it was too late for Greg Jodery advocating peace and normalcy. Families with soldiers missing to speak for himself. in action on both sides dare to hope. A community is hurt and outraged. This crime still cries out Mrs. Miriam Baumel, one such parent charged with renewed for justice. As representatives of the people we cannot be silent. vigour when Messrs. Arafat and Rabin shook hands last fall, has Justice must be done for Greg Jodery. If not, our system will not been pressing the issue of soldiers missing in action with foreign deserve Canada’s respect. governments and international organizations. Today she met with Canadian parliamentarians. * * * Her son and other Israeli soldiers have been missing in action [Translation] in Lebanon since 1982. British parliamentarians have com- CELANESE CANADA INC. mitted to raising the matter with Syrian and Iranian officials. A U.S. congressional delegation has gone on a fact finding mission Mrs. Pauline Picard (Drummond): Mr. Speaker, on January in the area. Mrs. Baumel has just come from a meeting with 7 of this year, Celanese Canada Inc., a textile company which members of Congress in the United States. 1098 February 9, 1994 COMMONS DEBATES S. O. 31 I note the Geneva convention makes the country where MIAs taxation to a minimum to help small business and Canadians as a were last seen in action responsible for their whereabouts. That whole. country, Syria, is a signatory to that convention. [Translation] I urge the Minister of Foreign Affairs to address the issue vigorously with Syrian authorities and with Mr. Arafat himself THE SENATE so as to make the return of MIAs part of the peace package. Mr. Gaston Leroux (Richmond—Wolfe): Mr. Speaker, in * * * addition to all the horrors mentioned in the last report of the Auditor General, we learned last week that the operation of the (1410 ) other House cost Quebecers and Canadian taxpayers more than $43 million last year. Moreover there were only 47 days of proceedings during the session and, of that total, 29 days over a WINTER OLYMPICS four–month period, from February to May 1993. Mr. Paul Steckle (Huron—Bruce): Mr. Speaker, I rise in the This means one million dollars per day of work or $150,000 House today to wish all of the country’s athletes, especially two per federal riding and these already have representatives in the young and talented Canadians in the figure skating pairs disci- House of Commons. pline, the best of luck in the 17th Winter Olympics in Lilleham- mer, Norway. If we were to ask the constituents of Richmond—Wolfe if such spending of public funds is appropriate, I can say right Lloyd Eisler and Isabelle Brasseur are the reigning world away what their answer would be.