House of Commons Hansard #211 of the 35th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was provinces.

Topics

Budget Implementation Act, 1995Government Orders

7:10 p.m.

The Speaker

Is that agreed?

Budget Implementation Act, 1995Government Orders

7:10 p.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

(The House divided on the motion, which was negatived on the following division:)

Budget Implementation Act, 1995Government Orders

7:10 p.m.

The Speaker

I declare Motion No. 49 defeated. I therefore declare Motions Nos. 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55 and 57 defeated.

The next question is on Motion No. 68. The vote on this motion also applies to Motions Nos. 69, 70, 71, 72 and 73.

Budget Implementation Act, 1995Government Orders

7:10 p.m.

Liberal

Don Boudria Liberal Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON

Mr. Speaker, if you were to seek it I believe you would find unanimous consent to apply the vote taken on report stage Motion No. 17 to the vote now before the House. I should add it is with the addition of the hon. member for Saint-Hubert voting on the yea side for that motion.

Budget Implementation Act, 1995Government Orders

7:10 p.m.

The Speaker

Is that agreed?

Budget Implementation Act, 1995Government Orders

7:10 p.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

(The House divided on the motion, which was negatived on the following division:)

Budget Implementation Act, 1995Government Orders

7:10 p.m.

The Speaker

I declare Motion No. 68 defeated.

Budget Implementation Act, 1995Government Orders

7:20 p.m.

LaSalle—Émard Québec

Liberal

Paul Martin LiberalMinister of Finance and Minister responsible for the Federal Office of Regional Development-Quebec

moved that the bill, as amended, be concurred in.

Budget Implementation Act, 1995Government Orders

7:20 p.m.

Liberal

Don Boudria Liberal Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON

Mr. Speaker, I wish to seek unanimous consent that the vote taken on report stage Motion No. 3, the first vote taken today, be applied in reverse to the motion now before the House, adding the hon. member for Saint-Hubert on the nay side.

Budget Implementation Act, 1995Government Orders

7:20 p.m.

The Speaker

Is it agreed?

Budget Implementation Act, 1995Government Orders

7:20 p.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

Budget Implementation Act, 1995Government Orders

7:20 p.m.

Liberal

Warren Allmand Liberal Notre-Dame-De-Grâce, QC

Mr. Speaker, I will be voting against the motion.

(The House divided on the motion, which was agreed to on the following division:)

Budget Implementation Act, 1995Government Orders

7:20 p.m.

The Speaker

I declare the motion carried.

A motion to adjourn the House under Standing Order 38 deemed to have been moved.

Budget Implementation Act, 1995Adjournment Proceedings

7:20 p.m.

Bloc

Jean-Guy Chrétien Bloc Frontenac, QC

Mr. Speaker, On May 16, I asked a question to the Minister of Agriculture about an article published in the Montreal daily La Presse , in which it was claimed that some dairy producers were illegally using recombinant bovine somatotropin. The minister tried to be reassuring by saying that his officials were investigating the allegations, and that he would inform me of their findings.

That was over three weeks ago, and I have yet to hear from the Minister of Agriculture or his parliamentary secretary. When the minister is asked what he intends to do to solve the issue, he points out that it is not the manufacturers of the product who do not comply with the moratorium, but the producers who dismiss the directive.

That answer clearly shows that the minister's primary concern is neither the reputation of dairy producers, nor the safety of consumers. The overriding consideration is big money.

It is very sad to see that no one will protect the producers and the consumers in this most important debate.

The minister clearly told us that he did not care by repeating for the umpteenth time that it is his colleague, the Minister of Health, who will make the final decision. It is too easy to just pass the buck. The Minister of Agriculture has a responsibility to dairy producers, not to rich pharmaceutical companies.

Why does the government leave a doubt as to the quality of our dairy products, considering that our producers must slow down their production and that the quality of our milk is recognized worldwide?

In my opinion, there is absolutely no reason for a Minister of Agriculture to close his eyes to acts that tarnish the excellent reputation the Quebec and Canadian dairy industry has built for itself over the years. Why does the minister allow companies like Monsanto and Ely Lilly to continue in the hope of making a fortune and having us drink milk containing a synthetic hormone?

What is on one side of the scales is becoming increasingly clear. Consumers do not want to drink milk containing recombinant bovine somatotropin at the moment, producers see no need to use the hormone and studies on the safety of the product are not conclusive.

Why put off extending the moratorium, then? Our guess is that there is no clear, explainable or public reason on the other side of the scales. Try explaining to a parent that his or her children are drinking milk that is more or less safe for purely economic reasons.

Statistics obtained in a study by Optima Research indicate very clearly that a high percentage of consumers will stop buying milk if it contains recombinant bovine somatotropin. Why in this case is the minister not protecting the interests of producers by putting pressure on his colleague in the health portfolio to put an end to the hopes of the pharmaceutical companies? I know very well that this whole matter is one of big bucks. Are there politicians or perhaps senior public servants with hidden interests?

Past certifications by Health Canada provide no assurance. They include breast implants, urea formaldehyde and thalidomide.

If it approves the use of recombinant bovine somatotropin for dairy herds, will Health Canada agree to compensate dairy producers for all consumer claims as the result of health problems arising through the consumption of dairy products?

In closing, I would ask why this government does not follow the example of the European Community and declare a moratorium until independent studies can really examine this hormone in depth? Should they ever come out in favour of its use, then and only then, could we start using recombinant bovine somatotropin.

Budget Implementation Act, 1995Adjournment Proceedings

7:25 p.m.

Prince Edward—Hastings Ontario

Liberal

Lyle Vanclief LiberalParliamentary Secretary to Minister of Agriculture and Agri-food

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to provide the hon. member for Frontenac and the House with information regarding the alleged importation and use of rBST or recombinant bovine somatotropin, as well as an update on various related issues.

It is important to stress that the high standards and integrity of both the regulatory system and the Canadian dairy industry continue to be maintained.

First and foremost, no decision has yet been made regarding the approval and licensing of rBST for use in Canada. This decision, I repeat again for the member, is the responsibility of Health Canada. Its review is being administered under the Food and Drugs Act, which sets out the standards for the safety of food and drugs used in Canada.

A notice of compliance must be received in order to sell rBST in Canada. This means that the sale of rBST is prohibited and importation of this product is controlled at the border by Revenue Canada. Therefore the sale, distribution, or importation of rBST in Canada at this time is illegal and subject to criminal prosecution.

I would like to also take the opportunity to highlight some of the key events that have occurred over the past year.

In response to recommendations of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-food, the government has negotiated a one-year delay with the manufacturers, until July 1 of this year. Also, the government commissioned a task force report, which provides more information on costs and benefits to the Canadian dairy industry, animal genetics, U.S. consumer reactions, and human and animal health issues.

In addition, Health Canada has developed a document outlining how veterinary drugs are licensed in Canada. Also, both Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and Health Canada have completed a document outlining consistent procedures for the handling of biotechnology products. All documentation is publicly available.

I hope this addresses the concerns on importation, as it provides the most up-to-date information that is available on this issue.

Budget Implementation Act, 1995Adjournment Proceedings

7:25 p.m.

The Speaker

Pursuant to Standing Order 38(5), the motion to adjourn the House is now deemed to have been adopted.

Accordingly, this House stands adjourned until tomorrow at 10.00 a.m., pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).

(The House adjourned at 7.32 p.m.)