Hon. Bill Blaikie (Elmwood—Transcona, NDP):

Mr. Speaker, I rise today on a matter that I have raised before in this House and that is the growing length of trains and the subsequent length of time the trains take to clear a crossing.

Waits of 10 to 15 minutes are not uncommon. This is a problem in many constituencies but it is particularly acute in Transcona where constituents report that some crossings are tied up for close to half an hour because of switching in and out of the nearby yard.

I urge the Rail Safety Task Force, headed by former transport minister, Doug Lewis, to look into the effect that these 10,000 or 11,000 foot, or two mile trains, are having on public safety and community access to emergency services. Otherwise, it may be only a matter of time before someone in an emergency situation is sacrificed to a railway bottom line.

Hon. Bill Blaikie (Elmwood-Transcona, NDP):  Mr.Speaker, as the only current member of the House who was here when the Hon. Lloyd Francis was Deputy Speaker and Speaker of the House, I am pleased to have been asked by my NDP colleagues to speak on their behalf in tribute to my former colleague.

The Hon. Lloyd Francis led a life of distinguished public service stretching from his service in the RCAF during the second world war through a career in the civil service and municipal and federal politics, as an ambassador, and in more recent years as an international election observer.

Speaking of the war, I certainly have fond memories of discussions with him about his time in Manitoba with the Commonwealth air training program. I believe he was stationed at Rivers, Manitoba.

By his own admission in his book Ottawa Boy, it was his time as Deputy Speaker and Speaker that he felt was his greatest opportunity to contribute to his country.

the part he played in reforming the administration of the House of Commons, although very unpopular at the time, and the part he played in defending the Chair and by extension Parliament from an unruly mob during the debate on the patriation of the Constitution were both significant contributions to the evolution and preservation of Parliament.

but he did not allow his  refusal to be intimidated and that the Chair was really threatened to leave his parliamentary legacy which was a wondeful lesson for all of us to the value of a parliamentary culture in which shouting and screaming  is no substitute for an argument or procedural acumen.

To his family we offer our sincere condolences and our gratitude for a life well lived in service to community and country.

Hon. Bill Blaikie (Elmwood-Transcona, NDP): Mr. Speaker, last night, thanks to the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, all the members of Parliament had a great chance to go and see the movie Amazing Grace, whichis about astory of William Wilberforce’s who had a long fight to abolish slavery. This superb movie was produced to coincide with the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade in the British Empire

At a time when human slavery is making a comeback illicitly, in a way that calls for concerted international action, it is important to remember that before 1807 slavery was a legal and an integral part of the imperial economy. Wilberforce had to contend with arguments that the abolition of slavery would make Britain less competitive, that it would advantage Britain’s enemies, that it would eliminate jobs and that government revenues would be affected.

Wilberforce  not only contended with the  profiteers and the  sugar barons and, he also contened against an intergrated economic system that went against  God’s will for human equality. He insisted that the moral thing to do was the best thing to do and that the example would catch on as ultimately it did. Surely we would do well to heed this insight when dealing with the issues of our own time.

Hon. Bill Blaikie (Elmwood—Transcona, NDP): Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a constituent, a friend and a mentor, Dr. Brian Keenan, professor of philosophy at the University of Winnipeg.

Dr. Keenan, who lives with his wife Jany in the Elmwood area of my riding, received the Robson award for excellence in teaching at the University of Winnipeg’s annual convocation ceremonies on June 4. It was a well-deserved honour for someone who has taught philosophy at the University of Winnipeg with insight, humour and relevance for some 33 years. He earned a special place in the memories of so many students as one who made classes something to look forward to and the year end party something to remember.

I am sure I speak on behalf of all his students, from those like myself who enjoyed his classes in the early 1970s to those who are freshly graduated, when I say congratulations to Dr. Keenan. I thank him for all the years of helping to sort out the truth, the false and the interesting claims that are to be found in the world views that compete for our intellectual loyalty. May he teach for as many more seasons as he wishes.

The Honourable Carol Skelton
Minister of National Revenue
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario   K1A 0A6

Dear Minister,

I recently received a letter from Ian Gray, Director of the Winnipeg Tax Centre, indicating that the public services counter at the taxation centre on Stapon Road will be discontinued indefinitely effective October 10th.  This closure represents a troubling reduction of services by Revenue Canada for the residents of Elmwood, East Kildonan and Transcona, as well as a reduction of service to all Manitobans.

Since it first became apparent that it was CRA’s intention to terminate these services, I have worked with CRA employee’s, their union and constituents who have shown an interest in this issue, to try to convince successive Liberal and Conservative ministers that the public counters are of great value to the tax-paying public.  As well, in April last year I joined my NDP colleagues and workers from the taxation centre at a protest action to express my strong opposition to this decision.

As of last year, 7% of all income tax, or over $2 billion, was paid at CRA public service counters across the country. Long line-ups each year in April at the Stapon road facility further demonstrates that many residents have come to rely on this service, especially during “tax-crunch” time when obtaining information in a timely manner is crucial, and making an appointment may be impractical.    Many residents have also complained to me that service from CRA over the phone during this time is insufficient, and that face-to-face service is the only way to get definitive and timely answers to their questions.  I believe that taking this option away will affect all citizens; but I fear seniors, low-income families and new Canadians will be affected most.

I have heard from many constituents on this issue and expect to hear from many more when those people who use the service realize it is no longer available in the next tax season.  Public services are there to serve the public, and I believe that government should be looking at adding services for citizens rather than taking them away.

I find it ironic that a department whose slogan is “more ways to serve you” is cutting these important services. I call on the government to reconsider its decision to discontinue this essential service.

Sincerely,

Bill Blaikie, MP

Elmwood-Transcona