Canadians deplore and condemn the excessive and inappropriate use of force by the Cuban government in downing civilian aircraft, action which coalesced Congressional support for this unacceptable legislation.
Equally, we deplore and condemn the excessive and inappropriate use of trade sanctions by the U.S. government which violates the spirit and text of NAFTA and WTO agreements.
The U.S. is an ally, our largest trading partner and a friend. Friends do not do this to friends. I urge the U.S. government to repeal this ill conceived legislation.
I strongly urge this government to vigorously support and protect the rights of Canadian businesses and investment. Above all, let us send a strong message that the United States of America does not dictate Canadian trade policies.
Liberal patronage opened the way for the election in five safe Liberal ridings. Two of those safe seats gave the Liberals a scare last night, thanks to Reform.
The byelections are over but the issues remain. Will the new backbencher from Labrador fight to correct the injustice to his constituents posed by the Churchill Falls hydroelectric contract? Will the backbencher from Etobicoke North insist that the finance minister abolish the GST like he promised? Will the backbencher from Humber-St. Barbe-Baie Verte demand that the Liberals stop breaking their pledge to allow free votes in the House of Commons? Will the two new Quebec ministers realize that a majority of Canadians do not want special distinct society status for Quebec but rather equality of all provinces?
I want to thank the six excellent Reform candidates who capably communicated the Reform platform. I want to thank the thousands of voters who said no to Liberal nonsense and yes to Reform common sense.
We in the New Democratic Party support this idea now just as we did last year after hundreds of RCMP officers gathered on Parliament Hill calling on the government to withdraw Bill C-58 which would have weakened the labour rights of RCMP officers rather than strengthen them.
Other police forces in Canada enjoy collective bargaining rights without undermining the special functions of police officers in our society. There is no reason that RCMP officers should be denied their basic labour rights.
I call on the government to listen to the Canada Labour Commission and to begin the process of developing legislation to grant RCMP officers what is after all only their right.
Paul Sherwood and Dée-Anne Vermette developed and organized an activity entitled ``Envolée FM 95'' with students from their class. This musical show was presented in five Franco-Manitoban villages. Promoting and teaching French in a minority environment is a lot of work and a heavy responsibility. Mrs. Vermette, Mr. Sherwood and the students at the École Lavallée have been very successful in facing that challenge. In my opinion,
these enthusiastic teachers and students are excellent proof of the vitality of francophone communities in western Canada. We have not-poof!-disappeared.
[English]
The first reason is that the Liberal candidates they voted for in the byelections were all elected. I want to congratulate my new colleagues to this House.
The second reason is that they celebrated the 175th anniversary of the independence of the Hellenic republic. On that day in 1821, the Greeks declared their independence from nearly 400 years of Ottoman rule. The struggle for independence and democracy put forth by the Greeks of that time will forever be remembered by their descendants no matter where they are in the world.
Today on Parliament Hill we will celebrate this special day with Canadians of Greek origin from across Canada. I wish to take this opportunity to welcome them to Ottawa and to offer them my best wishes. I ask all my colleagues to attend if they can tonight.
ZHTO H ELLAS
ZHTO O KANADAS
CESO is supported by CIDA, the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Canadian corporations and individuals.
Speaking with Walter this morning, I learned that he had held a seminar for 150 government, business and farm personnel on consumer driven economics. I also learned of how he assisted Russian farmers with management issues such as operations, financial management and marketing. Before conducting such seminars, Walter spent time in the area to familiarize himself with the reality of farming in Russia in 1996. I was struck by his comment that there is little value in fine marketing theories when the biggest obstacle facing the Russian farmer in selling his crop is a lack of protection on the highway against hijackers on his way to market.
Walter said after his work in Russia he realized even more vividly how lucky we are to live in Canada. I would add how lucky we are to have committed volunteers like Walter representing us throughout the world.
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In Papineau-Saint-Michel and in Saint-Laurent-Cartierville, which, as we know, remain two Liberal strongholds, candidates from the Bloc performed well. Our party is grateful to them.
As for Lac-Saint-Jean, the unequivocal choice of the people in that riding will bring among us the youngest member of this 35th Parliament. The election of that member confirmed the status of the Bloc Quebecois as official opposition.
Thanks to all voters who supported the Bloc. Congratulations to Michel Sarra-Bournet, Daniel Turp and Stéphan Tremblay. Welcome to the new member for Lac-Saint-Jean, who will join us in defending Quebec's interests and our sovereignist option.
Thousands of Canadian airmen gave their lives during this war and I know from personal experience the sacrifices they and their families made. My father, who was a navigator in the RCAF, gave his life overseas during this war.
The Senate committee found serious inaccuracies in this docudrama and strongly recommended that CBC fulfil its promise to the Canadian public not to rebroadcast ``The Valour and the Horror'' in its original form, yet CBC has refused to listen.
I am personally outraged that CBC, funded by taxpayers, intends to rebroadcast this production which completely distorts history and casts a dark shadow on our brave airmen.
The Brandon Police Service has developed an innovative approach to traditional crime prevention, one that is community based with a focus on youth.
In January 1995 to increase informal accessibility of police officers to young people, six Brandon schools formally adopted a cop. The officer is sometimes a guest in the classroom or a walker in the halls which provides students with the opportunity to interact with the officer at whatever level they choose.
Canadian police forces across the country are making great efforts to bring policing closer to the communities and are working with the communities to address issues relating to crime prevention.
I salute the initiative of the Brandon Police Service and the administrative staff of the participating schools. I encourage more involvement of this type across the country.
Federalists say that there will be no negotiations following a declaration of sovereignty? Standard & Poor's thinks otherwise. Federalists say that economic ties between Canada and Quebec will suffer? Standard & Poor's says that they will be maintained. Federalists are talking about a ruthless breakup. Standard & Poor's says that negotiations will take place in a climate of responsibility.
In addition, the firm expresses confidence in Quebec's approach, and this is reflected in the bond market, where there has been an upswing in the performance of Quebec government bonds.
The markets are putting to rest the federal government's campaign of fear. It is high time that the government faced up to the inevitable and began to prepare for Quebec's sovereignty.
[English]
Several weeks ago China began conducting military exercises along the coast of the island of Taiwan in an attempt to influence the outcome of this historic vote. Taiwan has demonstrated great courage and has shown it will not be intimidated by China's military manoeuvres.
Canadians and all others who believe in democracy must support the Taiwanese people as they move forward.
It is interesting to note that in this byelection the Reform Party gained only eight more votes than it received in 1993. Only eight more votes despite a considerable sum of money and a great amount of energy put into trying to win voter support in Etobicoke North.
I ask you, Mr. Speaker, is this a strong second? It is not even striking distance. The voters of Etobicoke North have spoken. They support the policies and vision of the Liberal government. They recognize the Liberal government is good for Ontarians and is an excellent government for the people of Ontario.
Welcome to the member for Etobicoke North.
After the brutal cuts in unemployment insurance, the student loans program, transfer payments to the provinces and, soon, in the universality of old age pensions, we must ask ourselves what has become of the fine principles that led to the creation of Canada's social safety net.
While the people of Labrador have set a new first, they have soundly rejected the Progressive Conservatives of course and have shown their willingness to consider a new political alternative in the Reform Party of Canada. I can assure the people of Labrador that we are in Labrador to stay and we will be even more active in the months and years ahead.
We also congratulate the new member for Labrador. We hope he enjoys his short stay in the House of Commons. We urge him, no we dare him, to stand up for the rights of his constituents because the voters have served noticed that in the coming days the person who puts the party ahead of the constituents will have to find a new job come the next general election.
I am happy to note that Humber-St. Barbe-Baie Verte is giving us a gentleman we know and has given overwhelming support for Gerry Byrne. The name is well known around Parliament Hill as he worked with former member and now Premier Brian Tobin. Gerry's experience is going to serve the House and his people very well.
Labradorians had the good sense to put their confidence in Lawrence O'Brien. In so doing I say to the leader of the Reform Party they sent a strong signal of support for the Liberal government here.
I look forward to working with both members. I want to extend my gratitude and that of all the caucus to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador for their ongoing confidence and trust in the government's efforts on behalf of Atlantic Canada.
[Translation]
Voters in Humber-Sainte-Barbe-Baie Verte will be well represented by Gerry Byrne. So will those in Labrador, by Lawrence O'Brien; those in Etobicoke North, by Roy Cullen; those in Papineau-Saint-Michel, by the Hon. Pierre Pettigrew; and those in Saint-Laurent-Cartierville, by the Hon. Stéphane Dion.
Since 1993, our party has won four of the five byelections held in Quebec, and eight of the nine held across the country. This is Stanley Cup material.
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Canadians, in Quebec and elsewhere in the country, have once again renewed their confidence in our government and our Prime Minister.