National symbols.

 

MP Dennis Mills, House of Commons Ottawa, May 15, 1992.

House of Commons Ottawa February 7, 1994 Mr. Alex Shepherd (Durham) "Mr. Speaker, those of us who are proud Canadians are offended that CP Rail has decided to change its company logo into what in effect looks like the Canadian flag is becoming or being subsumed into the American flag.

It is not just Canadians who are offended by this logo. This logo has also been challenged in the United States for defaming the American flag. Regardless of CP's rights as a private company to choose any logo it wants, Canadians should have a voice in this matter. CP Rail is a company that Canadian taxpayers have helped to establish through subsidies, outright gifts of land and other means.

I note that most of the tracks in eastern Canada are owned by CN and more precisely the taxpayers of Canada. Currently CN, which displays the Canadian flag on its trains, and CP are in negotiation for consolidation of rail services in eastern Canada. I would like to bring this matter to the attention of the House so that we can convey our desire to have the Canadian flag and not the offensive logo of CP Rail flying over taxpayers' property in eastern Canada." 

House of Commons Ottawa May 18, 1995 Mr. Michel Guimond (Beauport-Montmorency-Orleans, BQ) "My question is for the Minister of Transport. The minister is about to privatize one of the most important crown corporations without restricting foreign ownership. CN, which was established at a cost of billions of dollars of public moneys, is an asset for Canada and Quebec. Should it be under foreign control it might not serve the interests of Canadians."

House of Commons Ottawa May 29, 1995 Mr. Guimond (Beauport-Montmorency-Orleans, BQ) "...What criteria should the government use in selling the assets other than the railway? What criteria should it use in selling the CN Tower for example? How much do you think its worth?"

The Chairman: "Get the most you can get for it."

House of Commons Ottawa December 7, 1987 Mr. Neil Young (Beaches) New Democratic Party: "Can you imagine, Mr. Speaker, the Government of Egypt selling off the Pyramids, the Chinese people placing the Great Wall on the auction block or the Eiffel Tower turned over to the private sector. Only in Canada we say "sell the CN Tower." 

And what is the CN Tower to be called; Alpo Dog Food Heights, Loblaws Skyscraper, Pizza Pizza Peak or perhaps Ronald Reagan Lookout. 

The Tower was built with $57 million of Canadian money. It does serve 15 media centres. It does accommodate two million visitors a year, and it does bring a sense of pride to Canadians. All of this, and the Tower turned a tidy $5 million dollar profit last year. If the Government insists on bequeathing the CN Tower to the private sector, it should at least attempt to secure a guarantee that the purchaser will find a small place for the Government's epitaph to be displayed for all Canadians to see."