Located in Montreal, Toronto, Edmonton and Vancouver, these centres represent the combined talents of 15 of Canada's leading universities. Their objective is to examine the impact of immigration on cities around the world and to identify the best ways to promote successful integration. Their partners include local community groups, private sector organizations, international experts and governments at all levels.
A number of federal departments and agencies are collaborating to fund this visionary project because it has enormous practical applications in city planning, health services, housing and education to mention a few. Numerous countries will watch and learn from the work done at these centres which are Canada's major contribution to the international Metropolis research project.
The media claim that the natural resources minister wants binding timelines for environmental reviews. That would be a good start, but many other improvements are needed.
As a Liberal member of the committee pointed out, mining approvals in our NAFTA partner, Mexico, commonly take six months. In Canada it can take two to ten years.
I supported the committee's interim report on improving mining regulations which was tabled in December. The government is allowed 150 days to produce a believable response. I urge the government to use its time well and be able to announce it has achieved clarity, promptness and certainty in mining regulations, not just more good intentions tied up in government red tape.
The proposed Canada-U.S. agreement allows for the returning of a refugee to whichever of the two countries they had reached first. The U.S. has a sorry record when it comes to dealing with refugees, especially those from South and Central America. It has a record of rejecting and refouling 98 per cent of refugee claimants from El Salvador and Guatemala. Amnesty International has warned that the U.S. is not a safe destination for refugees.
This proposed agreement is just another example of the downsizing to the lowest common denominator. It strips away compassion from our society. It abrogates our moral responsibility to those fellow human beings fleeing danger and persecution. It makes our country less.
This agreement will be signed by a Liberal government that in opposition strenuously opposed this measure. Concerned Canadians would say, shame to this government.
This year's theme is Meteorology in the Service of Sports as this year marks the 100th anniversary of the modern Olympic Games.
Weather is important in the world of sports. The safety of athletes, spectators and the staging of events all depend on weather forecasts and environmental information such as temperature, humidity, wind and air quality. The Department of Environment Canada receives 50 million calls per year on its weather lines.
This year marks the 125th anniversary of the Canadian Weather Service, one of the oldest national institutes in Canada. It is fitting to salute Canada's 125 years of expertise in providing weather information to Canadians. Environment Canada, your window on the weather since 1871.
[Translation]
Francophonie in Quebec and Canada, which, it must be emphasized, ranks second in the world after France.
Beyond the statements and the official ceremonies, this event makes us realize how extremely vulnerable the French language is in Canada. On Wednesday, the Journée internationale de la Francophonie, I shared with this House distressing statistics regarding the rate at which francophones are being assimilated outside Quebec, especially in British Columbia, where the assimilation rate of francophones is as high as 75 per cent.
That was the precise moment that one of our colleagues from the Reform Party picked to utter in a very loud voice: ``It can't be soon enough'', suggesting by this petty and uncalled for remark that francophones can never be assimilated quickly enough and that a 75 per cent rate of assimilation is not high enough.
I am sure that you will want to join me, Mr. Speaker, in condemning such deplorable expressions of intolerance.
[English]
Sabian Cymbals in Meductic, New Brunswick has relocated its new, expanded and ultra modern facility, employing an addition 12-15 people. McCain Foods recently announced that it will substantially expand its Florenceville, New Brunswick data processing centre, thus allowing for the addition of 30 new employees. Briggs and Little Woolen Mills of York Mills recently rebuilt following its fall of 1994 fire, and will soon be reopening, allowing for several area jobs.
These and the many other examples in Carleton-Charlotte, indicate the upward trend of economic growth and job creation.
We offer our congratulations to these companies and to the hundreds of other companies across Canada that are expanding, creating economic growth and productive full time jobs.
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[Translation]
There are currently more than 8.5 million French speaking people in our country; one Canadian in three speaks French. As a founding member of the Francophonie, Canada actively promotes the French language and culture. Canada is the only French speaking country to be a member of both the Francophonie and the Commonwealth.
Our unique multicultural heritage and our linguistic duality eloquently show the world that to be different does not mean to be divided. During this Semaine nationale de la Francophonie, let us stress the contribution made by French speaking people to Canada and to the whole world.
[English]
Revenue Canada claims that these people were not entitled to the credits so ``pay up''. Why did it wait for three years? Is it that hard to trace Canadian based subsidiaries? Now it is a hardship on these taxpayers. Cannot the department handle the complexities of its own tax act? Another argument for a simplified tax system.
Let us not complain. In a way, the government may be doing us a favour. It is saying that if an individual has obtained moneys from the taxpayers improperly then the money must be paid back with interest and penalties.
The MPs gold plated pension plan has been improper since the 1970s when its provisions began to exceed those permitted in the private sector. I hope the Liberals and their friends will not scream too loud if the tax man finds a loophole and comes after their fat pensions in a few years retroactively.
[Translation]
Under the theme ``Formerly excluded, now integrated: together we make changes'', various activities took place throughout the week in Quebec to make people more aware of the problems
related to the integration of the mentally impaired. If we respect our differences and stand united, we can provide an egalitarian environment for these people, so that they can have the social life they are entitled to.
The Bloc Quebecois also wants to pay tribute to organizations such as the Saguenay association for the development of the mentally disabled, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. We say 1,000 thanks to Louisette Couture, Stella Beaulieu and the members of their board, for their dedication to this noble cause.
[English]
I stand as a Canadian aware of my own cultural origins that makes me unique and distinct and, at the same time, an integral part of the greatest nation in the world.
As a country, we have come a long way in our journey toward respect for diversity but we still have a distance to go. There are still racial tensions in our schools, some of our communities ghettoize themselves because of anxiety.
As a model to the world, we must remember to look closely in the mirror. As a society, we have a role to play in effecting change, to bring people together to talk about hopes, aspirations, challenges and fears and to find Canadian solutions to eliminate racism.
People talk about a melting pot as the answer to our racial problems. If we are all alike, we will surely get along. However, we are not all alike. That is the beauty of Canada.
We talk about being one people but we also allow ourselves to be unique and different. That is what I respect. Instead of a melting pot, Canada is just a great stir-fry with many colours and textures cooked together in one pot but letting the individual flavours remain distinctive. That is Canada's secret.
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I believe that if any country can eventually eliminate racism we can. We have the right recipe. The main ingredient is not tolerance which means merely putting up with something, but a respect that says that I admire you, you have something to offer. We can share and learn from each other and create a wonderful new reality.
The way is being paved for the first modern day treaty in that province. Today's signing marks an important step in the long struggle of the Nisga'a people to have their rights to the beautiful Nass river valley formally recognized.
The agreement which is being signed today follows extensive consultations with members of the wider British Columbia community. Today's ceremony takes us a long way to achieving certainty and establishing stability, and with these a new era of growth and prosperity can begin.
I would like to congratulate all parties to this historic agreement, particularly the Nisga'a people who have persevered for so long and have overcome so much.
[Translation]
The number of prisoners increases annually by 6 per cent. Before long, the Solicitor General will have no choice but to build new prisons or renovate existing ones in order to absorb this population increase.
Overpopulation in prisons threatens the lives of correctional officers and leads to conflicts between inmates. I call on the minister to put his intention to work with the provinces into effect to reduce the costs of inmate imprisonment and of prison overpopulation by signing an agreement with the Government of Quebec to use the facilities offered by the new provincial prison in Rivière-du-Loup.
[English]
graduation is from his training in the United States army in Fort Leonardwood, Missouri.
Unfortunately, regardless of his work in cadets and militia in this country, he was unable to fulfil his dream of being a soldier in the Canadian army simply because he is a white male. He therefore did not qualify according to the regulations brought about by this government and its employment equity quota system. As a result, this country will lose two citizens to the United States where he was able to enlist immediately.
Equality for all is obviously a meaningless term to this Liberal government. In its efforts to fight discrimination it has managed to create more. Canadians are a tolerant people but because of the ignorance of this Liberal government and its failure to hear the cries of the people, legislated discrimination will continue.
Let us all work for equality by replacing the government in power as soon as possible.
The Nisga'a agreement in principle lays a solid foundation for achieving the certainty that the users of land and resources need and marks an historic step in the process of building a new relationship between the Nisga'a and other aboriginal peoples and B.C.
Negotiated settlements are by far the best way to resolve outstanding aboriginal issues. This agreement is reasonable and complies with the government's directive that unresolved claims like those of the Nisga'a should be addressed in a manner that is fair and equitable to everyone in British Columbia.
A full reading of the agreement clearly demonstrates the balance which has been struck between varying interests and objectives. There will be refinements-
The Speaker: The hon. member for Brandon-Souris.
(1115)
This is a good example of the benefits of having a federal department of agriculture that can withstand local criticism and protect the long term well-being of the cattle industry and the public health of Canadians. It is also an example of good government that restores the faith of Canadians in federal institutions.