A motion to adjourn the House under Standing Order 38 deemed to have been moved.
I posed a question to the minister of public works concerning the Peace Tower project. She answered a very small part of the broad range of questions I raised. She pointed out that the Ann Raney and Ray Wolf discrimination case had been withdrawn and concentrated her answer on that.
There are a great many things the House should be aware of with regard to the Peace Tower project. As a review, the previous minister of public works said he could not enforce any of the anti-discrimination clauses in the contract for the Peace Tower project because gender discrimination had not been proven. He essentially used the argument that it was before the courts.
That has now been proven and admitted to by the offending parties. The present minister is seeming to say that if there is nothing outstanding with regard to gender discrimination, there is nothing she can say.
Members are aware that there are still two outstanding discrimination claims before the Ontario Human Rights Commission, the case of Marcel and Denis Lamoureux.
Other aspects of this contract become more and more disturbing as we go through it. There seems to be what I can only interpret as mismanagement on the part of Public Works and Government Services Canada and the officials handling the contracts.
The contract is available through the right to know legislation. There is a 30-day arbitration clause built into the contract. This issue began in August 1995 and public works officials did not step in to correct the problem of $165,000 worth of work already done on the project for which Pro-Tech, Ray Wolf's company where Ann Raney worked, has never been paid. The salaries of 25 workers are still outstanding as a result of that. Also, a number of tools were left on site which they have been unable to recover.
Public works did a very poor job of investigating this situation. It did a cursory investigation of people on the site during working hours under the nose of the supervisor who appeared to have been most of the problem. How can honest answers be obtained from workers when their jobs depend on what they say about their supervisor, the person being investigated, when their supervisor is sitting there listening? They will not speak honestly or directly. Public works officials never arranged to meet with them off site or off the job. It did not do a proper investigation. Raney and Wolf were never interviewed by public works officials, yet public works has told the minister that it did an investigation.
Since those investigations and from listening to the CBC radio program ``The House'', there seems to be clear evidence that the subcontractor required that Ray Wolf as the owner of Pro-Tech pay what amounts to kickbacks in order to maintain himself on the site. Reports were that he paid almost $13,000 in four or five weeks in June and early July.
(2135)
He had been told by the supervisor that if these payments stopped there would be no work for him and his crew. It is unclear whether the reason for the pressure on Ann Raney was to put further pressure on Ray Wolf and his crew to continue the payments or whether it was simply a straight matter of sexual harassment.
However, the result has been that these workers have not been paid. Mr. Wolf and his company have been put under severe financial stress. He has lost a lot of tools, his truck, his car and perhaps his reputation with this situation. It appears on the surface at least that Mr. Wolf has acted in a relatively straightforward and honest way in this matter.
It really makes me, as a citizen of Canada, upset to think that our officials at public works would permit this kind of operation to go on right under their noses, or above our heads more specifically, in the House of Commons on the Peace Tower project and not do anything to correct the injustice.
I had hoped the minister would address these broader issues to the rather broad question that I had put. All the minister did was say the parties had signed off over the sexual harassment case. I repeat, there continues to be a human rights case before the courts. That is true. However, all these other issues, which I think public works Canada has within its grasp to resolve and look after our interest as taxpayers, should be investigated. I am not sure public works Canada officials are the ones who should be the investigators any more.
Mr. John Harvard (Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Public Works and Government Services, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for Mackenzie for his presentation.
Let me repeat for the hon. member this is a complicated case which deals with two very different issues. On one hand, there were allegations of discrimination involving two subcontractors, Colonial Building and Pro-Tech Restoration. Fuller Construction is the main contractor on this project.
When the Department of Public Works and Government Services learned of the allegations of discrimination on the job site, it immediately advised the general contractor, Fuller, that the anti-discrimination clause would have to be respected.
In this case the contractor accepted his responsibilities for the conduct of his subcontractor, Colonial. A settlement was negotiated between Colonial and Mr. Wolf and Ms. Raney. This agreement was signed by all parties involved and therefore fully resolves the issue of discrimination.
Even though this dispute was resolved through an agreement signed by all parties, the Minister of Public Works and Government Services wants to do more. She wants to do whatever is within her power to ensure this kind of situation can be dealt with more quickly and more efficiently in the future.
For this reason the minister has instructed her officials to review the terms of the department's contacts to ensure corrective action can be taken against contractors who have violated laws protecting individuals from discrimination and to ensure the department can quickly deal with any allegations of discrimination which may arise.
The department is also revising the terms of its contracts to ensure the non-discrimination clause also applies to subcontractors. This is in addition to asking Labour Canada to strengthen the anti-discrimination clause so this type of situation can be handled better in the future.
An interdepartmental team has been put in place to explore practices and procedures to enforce the government's commitment to fairness in the workplace. The government strongly believes no one should have to suffer discrimination and we are committed to doing whatever we can to eliminate it.
(2140)
At the time I raised the question on March 25, I wanted to deal with the whole issue of how the department treated sports that were inherently and specifically Canadian. In particular I raised the question of lacrosse.
The Department of Canadian Heritage through Sports Canada is there to encourage sports in this country at a national level. In other words, we would have and provide some level of funding to those organizations which provide a national tie to other local and provincial organizations.
In Canada there are more than 200,000 young people participating in the sport of lacrosse, yet under the funding framework devised by Sports Canada the Canadian Lacrosse Association, the national co-ordinating agency for lacrosse in Canada, was cut totally from any funding whatsoever.
It seemed that was an anomaly, a bleep in the funding framework, created by people at Sports Canada. In bobsledding, in which there are 400 people including athletes and support staff, its national association received $315,500 in 1995-96. Synchronized swimming, in which there are fewer than 10,000 people, received $535,000 for its national association. Yet those youth, some 200,000, who participate in lacrosse in Canada are receiving nothing.
As a result of that I raised the question to the Minister of Canadian Heritage, who replied on March 25 that she would instruct her officials to find a way to provide funding to the Canadian Lacrosse Association because without that national association the sport will eventually die. There will be no national perspective, no national tournaments.
To this date there has been no funding provided, although the department has indicated it wants to explore it with the Canadian Lacrosse Association. I suggest there are certain anomalies within the department that must be corrected.
I will go one step further to what is referred to as carded A athletes. We certainly want to encourage our top level athletes in this country, as most countries do. We have reached a point where we are providing funding to athletes who are very wealthy.
For example, those athletes who sign endorsements for hundreds of thousands of dollars, in some cases more, continue to receive $800 a month from the Government of Canada. The department seems to have reversed its priorities, whereas it has cut lacrosse off at the knees and provided $315,000 to bobsledding and $535,000 to synchronized swimming. It has said to these 200,000 children involved in lacrosse sorry, their national association does not count because under the circumstances it is not a recognized Olympic sport.
At the same time we are feeding out $800 a month, about $200 more than a single welfare recipient receives in the province of Ontario. Yet at the same time they are receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars in endorsements from commercial interests.
I am asking the department therefore to get its priorities in order, to say we believe there are some sports that are inherently Canadian. Let us forget about the International Olympic Association. Let us start looking at Canada. Let us start looking within the Department of Canadian Heritage. Let us start encouraging those sports that are inherently Canadian and provide funding to encourage them rather than to say we will write a blank cheque to the International Olympic Association and provide funding to those sports which are Olympic in nature but which in most respects are inherently not Canadian. I once again urge the department to move on that.
Mr. Gordon Kirkby (Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for Sarnia-Lambton for his interest in this issue.
The Minister of Canadian Heritage has acknowledged earlier the importance of lacrosse as a sport in Canada and has pledged to restore some of its funding. The minister is pleased to announce the cultural development and heritage program within the Department of Canadian Heritage is providing a contribution of $150,000 to the Canadian Lacrosse Foundation.
Lacrosse, which Parliament has declared as Canada's official national summer sport, has played an important role in the history and culture of our country and in shaping Canadian identity.
The support being provided by the cultural development and heritage program combined with other private sector sources of funds will allow the Canadian Lacrosse Foundation through the Lacrosse Heritage Institute and the Canadian Lacrosse Association to continue this long Canadian tradition.
In addition, consideration is being given to the introduction of a sport development initiative which could assist sport organizations with a large domestic participation base. The minister fully expects that Lacrosse will be one of the sports that would be eligible for funding from such an initiative once it has met the criteria of the new program.
The minister has directed the officials of the department to work with the Canadian Lacrosse Association in order to pursue this
avenue in greater detail. I thank the hon. member for Sarnia-Lambton-
The Deputy Speaker: The motion to adjourn the House is now deemed to have been adopted. The House stands adjourned until tomorrow at 2 p.m.
(The House adjourned at 9.46 p.m.)
ADRESS PRINTED AS APPENDIX
APPENDIX
Address
of
His Excellency Ernesto Zedillo
President of the United States of Mexico
to
both Houses of Parliament
in the
House of Commons, Ottawa
on
Tuesday, June 11, 1996
ADDRESS
of
His Excellency Ernesto Zedillo
President of the United States of Mexico
to
both Houses of Parliament
in the
House of Commons, Ottawa
on
Tuesday, June 11, 1996
His Excellency and Madam Ernesto Zedillo were welcomed by the Right Honourable Jean Chrétien, Prime Minister of Canada, the Honourable Gildas L. Molgat, Speaker of the Senate, and the Honourable Gilbert Parent, Speaker of the House of Commons.
(1035)
[Translation]
Hon. Gilbert Parent (Speaker of the House of Commons): Mr. President, Mr. Prime Minister, dear colleagues, Mexican friends and fellow Canadians.
[English]
I present to you the Right Hon. Prime Minister of Canada, Jean Chrétien.
Right Hon. Jean Chrétien (Prime Minister of Canada): Mr. President, on behalf of all Canadians it is an honour to welcome you to this special joint session of Parliament.
I want to take this opportunity to relate a little known story about the relationship between our two countries. It is reported that in the summer of 1861, several years before Confederation here in Canada, a trade mission left the port of Montreal to look for new markets for our goods. Word had reached the north that Mexico was a promising destination. A small delegation of entrepreneurs arrived off the port of Veracruz later that year.
Their timing was not very good. A few weeks earlier Britain and France, our two founding nations, plus Spain had landed troops in the city. In May 1862 Mexico fought a battle outside the city of Puebla. Of course our Mexican guests will know that Mexico won that battle. In fact, May 5 is still a national holiday. However, they may not know that in the meantime the Canadians had run away and decided to go to Brazil instead. They were not to come back empty handed. They always tried to do business. We are still like that.
Our bilateral relations may have been delayed somewhat in those very early days but we have made up for it since then. In 1905 Canada posted its first trade commissioner to Mexico. A few years ago we celebrated our 50th anniversary of official diplomatic relations. Over those years we have developed extensive political and economic links as well as countless personal connections between our citizens. Most recently, our commercial relations have been galvanized by the North American Free Trade Agreement.
(1040)
[Translation]
Trade is an important part of our relationship. Since the first year of NAFTA, we have seen a dramatic increase in bilateral trade between Canada and Mexico, as well as expanded trade and investment in the entire continent. We must continue to build on these accomplishments.
Our trade with each other is boosting economic growth and job creation in both our countries. The scope for expanding our trade and our investment contacts is enormous. The impressive business delegation you have brought with you will be visiting some of the major economic centres of Canada and will meet with our business community. We intend to make our partnership grow.
Of course our friendship extends well beyond trade. Since March 1990 more than 35 bilateral agreements have been signed with Mexico on matters ranging from environmental co-operation and education to mining and energy. Your visit will see more agreements signed, including a technical co-operation agreement between Elections Canada and your federal electoral institute.
[English]
Your visit also comes at a time when Mexico is undergoing a profound transformation. Under your leadership Mexico is preparing itself for the challenges of the 21st century.
As you know, Mr. President, I have been to Mexico myself. My visit in March 1994 coincided with one of the most tragic events in your history. It was a challenging year for your country, and there were some who feared for Mexico at that time.
I did not. I said that very day that I had faith in the ability of your democracy to survive those difficult shocks. Today I am extremely pleased to see that I was right. Two years later your administration is moving ahead quickly with important political and economic reforms. The turnaround you have achieved within the last few months is dramatic. Mexico is set for solid growth this year and has become a market economy to be reckoned with. I congratulate you on these remarkable achievements.
Mr. President, I think you will agree that Canada and Mexico have more in common than many people realize. Like Mexico, Canada is a country proud of its indigenous past and proud of the traditions we inherited from the European colonists who settled this country. We also value the contribution made by more recent immigrants.
Both Mexicans and Canadians are proud to have built unique and independent nations here in North America.
Like Mexico, we share a border with a large and powerful neighbour, the United States. Both our countries have a bilateral relationship with that country which is sometimes frustrating, often complex, but generally very rewarding.
In the course of your visit, Mr. President, you will travel 5,000 kilometres and I hope you will gain a better picture of who we are and the land we live in. Because the friendship between our two countries is important to Canada as we approach the 21st century, your visit is an opportunity for us to look to our common future, to assess how we can work together for our mutual benefit and to lead the way forward.
(1045 )
I am delighted that you have accepted our invitation to speak to the Parliament of Canada today.
Fellow parliamentarians, honoured guests, mes chers amis, please join me in welcoming our neighbour, y nuestro estimado amigo, the President of Mexico, Ernesto Zedillo.
Some hon. members: Hear, hear.
[Editor's Note: President Ernesto Zedillo spoke in Spanish and provided the following translation:]
[Translation]
His Excellency Ernesto Zedillo (President of the United Mexican States): Excellency Mr. Jean Chrétien, Prime Minister of Canada; Very distinguished Mrs. Aline Chrétien; Mr. Speaker of the Senate; Mr. Speaker of the House of Commons; Honourable Senators and members of the House of Commons; Distinguished members of the Diplomatic Corps; ladies and gentlemen:
I deeply thank the Prime Minister for his words, those of a visionary statesman who has distinguished himself by serving his country and his people, the Chief of Government of a country respected and admired by all.
It is a great honour to address the representatives of a country founded in the values of peace and liberty, pluralism and respect, personal achievement and harmonious co-existence, democracy and justice.
Canadians are greatly appreciated in Mexico and throughout all the Continent due to their multiple origins which have become the strength of this great country, and because it has been able to prosper thanks to its rich diversity.
Mexico sees Canada as a nation with which we have the vision for a high-potential hemisphere with rising opportunities.
Mexico sees Canada as a North American partner, as a permanent interlocutor and a partner of initiatives; as a friend that lives in and is a part of the American Continent, one who today looks towards the American Continent like never before.
This is why Mexicans are pleased and encouraged by Canada's presence in continental forums such as the Organization of American States.
We are pleased and encouraged by Canada's increasing relations with Latin America and the convergent positions towards the Atlantic and the Pacific.
Most of all, we are pleased and inspired by the new ties of friendship, the intensification of productive exchanges and mutually beneficial co-operation which have been developing between Canadians and Mexicans during the last few years.
We recognize and appreciate the conviction and determination with which the Honourable Members of this Parliament are contributing to increase the dialogue and the interparliamentary relationship with Mexico.
That is why I am very pleased to be accompanied here and throughout this State Visit, by representatives of parliamentary groups of the Honourable Mexican Senate.
(1050)
Thanks to more intensive work done by the Legislative Powers of both countries, the private sectors, the academic and cultural communities of both our nations, and of both Executive Branches, Mexico and Canada have already become close friends as well as trusted and reliable partners.
These new links have certainly received a decisive momentum from our partnership in the North American Free Trade Agreement.
To this effect, I pay homage to Prime Minister Jean Chrétien for the vision and the determination with which he has steered the Agreement's application here in Canada.
With NAFTA, the initiatives and projects used to sporadically appear in decades, are currently proliferating in just a few months.
With NAFTA, we are proving that a framework of liberty brings us closer, multiplies opportunities and contributes to stimulate progress and mutual benefits.
Thus, Mexico and Canada share the will and the commitment to include Chile in NAFTA. The access of that industrious country and of its vigorous economy in NAFTA will increase the opportunities and the benefits for all of us.
Mexico and Canada also share the will to extend free trade throughout the Continent.
NAFTA constitutes the legal framework for constructive goals. Its essence and objectives are accuracy and consensus; the defence of each legitimate interest and the transparency and acceptance of
solutions to each dispute; the recognition of rules we have jointly created and must jointly apply.
Mexico's conviction fully coincides with Canada's when it comes to applying and demanding respect of International Law principles.
Thus, like Canada, Mexico opposes legislation which entails an extraterritorial application contrary to International Law.
Like Canada, Mexico deems inadmissible any action that, while undertaken against one country, affects other nations; that instead of promoting liberty, it hinders someone else's; that instead of tearing down barriers, it builds them while prejudicing international investment and trade.
During the period in which Mexico suffered a grave foreign threat, President Juarez was inspired by an ancient principle in order to reaffirm that true peace may only be founded on respect of the Law, be it between men and women as well as amongst nations.
Mexicans have been absolutely faithful to the ideals and aspirations of liberalism that unites us as a sovereign and independent nation. This is why we defend and believe in this principle's validity.
(1055)
Based on the affinity of ideas and principles, and on our ever cordial relations, Mexicans wish to establish with Canada an alliance to achieve change, progress and justice.
Mexico has become a country dedicated to deep change, an intense transformation that will reform past imbalances and undertake future challenges.
These imbalances created a severe financial crisis that we had to deal with ever since the first days of my government.
The Mexican people decided to quickly confront it in unison and determination by means of a strategy that will be the quickest, the one least affecting society, and the one establishing strong and long-lasting foundations to advance a vigorous, continued and sustained growth.
When we first applied this strategy we had the efficient and timely financial support of friendly countries and trade partners such as Canada. Today, I reiterate Mexico's recognition and gratitude to the Canadian people and government for their solidarity and their ever respectful attitude.
I also reiterate that the strategy has begun to show evidence of being the right one. The short-term disequilibriums that brought about the crisis have been corrected.
We are determined to preserve this strategy.
Thus, we have kept and shall keep maintaining the discipline and rigor indispensable to recovery and growth.
That is why we shall also maintain responsible and consistent policies to promote productive investment, protect and create jobs, increase wages due to rising productivity, and promote our domestic savings.
Our transformation is not short term, but one projected into years to come.
This is why structural change has continued with greater momentum through constitutional, legal and institutional reforms towards a greater liberalization of our economy.
Thanks to the reforms carried out during almost a decade and that we have reinforced in the past years, today, Mexico is undoubtedly a market economy, an open economy founded on free initiatives of small and large businesses, and on the free will of all workers and farmers.
My government has not seen last year's difficulties as a reason for paralysis and frustration, nor to go back to past policies or delay changes, but as a challenge to renew efforts and expand the transformation.
That is why our transformation is not only economic, but one that also involves our justice system, our democracy and our social life.
Based on our Constitution and freedoms, we have begun the transformation of our justice system.
Law reinforcement lies on freedom: the antidote against crime, corruption and impunity.
That is why laws in Mexico are being reinforced and solid foundations have been laid so that the Judicial Power can genuinely be impartial and independent, increasingly more professional and better trained to honestly and reliably carry out its responsibilities.
Amidst freedom and due process, justice must prevail in strict compliance with the law. And amidst all of this, no human rights violation can be tolerated.
My government firmly believes that no violation should ever be concealed, but that all authorities have a duty to rectify it and to reconcile the rule of law with full respect to all individuals' rights and dignity, to harmonize the individual's and society's rights.
(1100)
That is the reason why, six years after its establishment, Mexico has the world's largest ombudsman system. This system has become an efficient tool for the protection of fundamental rights and more important, for the creation of a new culture of respect and awareness of human rights.
Living conditions bound by law, foster citizen participation and are the foundation for democracy, governing and a plural and harmonious coexistence.
The Mexican people have been transforming the norms and practices of our political life in order to live today in a full democracy.
Thus, even before taking office as President, I summoned all political parties, social organizations and citizens representatives to undertake a reform that guarantees just and impartial electoral conditions and civility in its application.
Today, the national political parties and Congress are putting together an electoral reform so that the 1997 federal elections be legal, transparent and fair beyond question.
Due to my political and moral convictions, and because of the popular mandate, I have an unyielding commitment to the democratic development in Mexico.
Law, democracy and dialogue constitute the framework to resolve differences inherent to a society complex and diverse, plural and dynamic.
Our rich diversity is showing in our vigorous cultural vitality. It is also expressed by sharp contrasts, things left undone over the years, poverty and marginalization.
This explains why in our public policies the highest priority is placed on social policy. More than half of the federal government's budget is devoted toward children's education, training for youth, family health, support for men and women living in rural areas, and basic community services.
Social policy has been widely and efficiently applied and has significantly enabled modern and highly developed areas in Mexico.
By the same token, the limitations and failings in its application help to explain why underdevelopment, poverty and injustice still prevail in other areas.
Underdevelopment, poverty, discrimination and injustice are precisely at the origin of conflicts which are, as in Chiapas, a matter of concern for all Mexicans and that have attracted international attention.
I have and will continue to have the conviction that the solution in Chiapas lies not in violence but in the law, nor does it lie on rancour but on dialogue; nor in confrontation but on negotiation until concord is reached and a harmonious coexistence is consecrated to overcome substantive problems.
A concord and a harmonious coexistence that become the source of long-lasting tranquillity, certainty and encouragement for communities that wish to reconcile the building conditions for a dignified and productive life, while safe keeping their customs and traditions.
The Mexican people are proud of these traditions and customs, of the pluralism derived from the millennial roots of our culture which has marked our history with its own unique seal.
In Mexico's National Emblem, an eagle stands on a cactus and wrestles with a snake. This millennial symbol sums up duality in the universe: celestial and earth forces, air and earth, fire and water, are battling against each other.
(1105 )
The need for alignment, without putting aside opposite views, is the kernel of our identity and may be recognized throughout all our history. You can find it from the mythical creation of the sun and the moon in Teotihuacan, and the vigorous indigenous and European roots of our civilization, to the basic education transmitted today via satellite in indigenous languages to the most remote communities in our territory.
The need to not put aside opposite views but to keep and appease this duality is what Octavio Paz has referred to as the longing to live, that deep Mexican longing to prevail.
That is why we are committed to preserving and strengthening our indigenous community's rights to their cultural identity, their language and their customs.
We know that by preserving this plural vitality we cultivate the essential strength that nurtures our society.
We know that our transformation shall be complete only if it preserves that plural vitality; if it respects our history's and culture's legacy; if, united in diversity, it leads us to a future of well-being and dignity for all.
That is why Mexico is interested in developing closer ties with Canada, a nation built upon a rich diversity which is the foundation of its strength and which vigorously shoulders a continuous transformation.
All Mexicans share with Canadians the desire, in Margaret Atwood's words, of having good jobs, food on the table, a secure future for the children, as well as respect, social justice and cultural continuity.
Mexicans also share with Canadians that, as Prime Minister Jean Chrétien has put it, we are people who do not expect miracles to happen. We expect integrity, hard work and an environment of trust to overcome our challenges and benefit from opportunities.
I firmly believe that through the strengthening of our relationship we are creating this environment of trust for intense work and transformation, for peace and justice, for stronger partnership and mutual prosperity, and for a closer friendship between Mexico and Canada.
Merci beaucoup. Thank you very much. Muchas gracias.
Some hon. members: Hear, hear.
(1110 )
[English]
Hon. Gildas L. Molgat (Speaker of the Senate): Your Excellency, El Presidente de Mexico, monsieur le premier ministre du Canada, Mr. Speaker of the House of Commons, Your Excellencies, my colleagues in the Parliaments of Canada and Mexico, mesdames et messieurs, buenas dias a totos y bienvenida a Canada.
It is my honour to join my compatriots in welcoming you, Mr. President, to the Parliament of Canada and to thank you for the very gracious address which you have just given us. But my words are as nothing compared to the warmth of the applause that you heard from my colleagues.
We are doubly honoured by the attendance of so many distinguished visitors from your country in your delegation: many members of your Parliament and several of your cabinet ministers.
We welcome you to Canada in summer, just as so many Canadians have been welcomed to Mexico in winter, a practice which long preceded NAFTA.
[Translation]
Canadians greatly enjoy your climate and your culture, but, above all, they greatly enjoy the warmth of your people.
[English]
Some 200 years ago, England's Sir Horace Walpole wrote:
The new Augustan age will dawn on the other side of the Atlantic. There will perhaps be-a Virgil in Mexico.[Translation]
Given your literature, your music, your history and your modern architecture, and also when we think about the economic recovery that you have achieved with Canada and with the United States, we rediscover faith like Walpole.
[English]
Your expanding outlook, your associations are far reaching indeed. They are world-encompassing associations. Your partnership in NAFTA, your links with the Rio Group, with the Organization of American States and with the United Nations, all of these are indications of the broad vision of Mexico.
Mexico and Canada have travelled far down the road to progress. While our histories may differ in many ways, Mexico and Canada have many similarities.
We both started from colonial roots and by the determination of our people we have created new nations; nations committed to human advancement. These purposes which we share, these links which we have forged, will stand us in good stead in the years ahead.
Co-operation now exists between us across a very diverse spectrum, from science to communications, labour to finance, from environment to culture. This co-operation has fostered solid relations between our people; relations that are enhanced by important visits such as this one.
The recently concluded 10th interparliamentary conference on Mexico and Canada held in Ottawa also attests to our deepening ties. I am delighted to see here, in your delegation, the Speaker of your Senate, Senator Fernando Ortiz Arana, and others who took part in those discussions.
Through increased tourism, student exchanges and business associations, Canada-Mexico links are becoming stronger.
[Translation]
Our respective governments must encourage these contacts. The friendships that these contacts build and also the opportunity to exchange ideas that they allow will play a crucial role in promoting mutual understanding in a world that is becoming a global village.
[English]
We thank you, Your Excellency, for your expressions of friendship which we deeply appreciate and warmly return. We also thank you for the insights that your address has given us. We look forward to further opportunities to increase our ties to your magnificent country.
(1115 )
Que la amistad entre Canada y Mexico continue prosperando.
Some hon. members: Hear, hear.
[Translation]
Hon. Gilbert Parent (Speaker of the House of Commons): Mr. President, we listened with a great deal of interest to the speech that you have delivered on behalf of your government and on behalf of the Mexican people. Your warm words reaffirm the solid links that bind our countries, and bear witness to a friendship that is deepening and intensifying.
[English]
Mr. President, this Chamber embodies our history and reflects the face of Canada. Here in Parliament our democracy finds its ultimate expression and Canadians shape their destiny.
Mr. President, you have brought a very friendly atmosphere to this normally fiery and partisan place. And I hope it stays this pleasant when we resume our debates this afternoon.
You know, Mr. President, we follow pretty strict rules to keep things civil in this House. For one thing, we rarely let in our colleagues from the other place but they are here today. And we never allow strangers to speak in this chamber.
You are no stranger to us, Mr. President.
Some hon. members: Hear, hear.
Mr. Speaker Parent: We reserve you this honour because you are more than just a neighbour. We count you among our friends.
Indeed, it is you who have honoured us with your presence and you have honoured all Canadians with your words of friendship.
It is on their behalf that I offer you our very deepest thanks for coming to be with us.
I now adjourn this meeting.