Debates of Oct. 5th, 1998

Andy Scott Solicitor General of Canada

Mr. Speaker, the security arrangements around APEC were completely and entirely the responsibility of the RCMP. I have been assured by the RCMP since the conference on many occasions that it is entirely security decisions. The RCMP will be speaking to these questions during the hearings that have started today.

Christine Stewart Minister of the Environment

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for this important question because certainly the issue of endangered species is of great concern to Canadians at large.

My department for many years has put in place policies, legislation and regulations to protect endangered species. Part of my staff in the Canadian Wildlife Service has also worked hard to develop science and encourage stewardship on the part of Canadians, but a lot more has to be done.

I am working with the stakeholders, the provinces and the territories to develop a national accord which will put in place an effective and meaningful safety net for all endangered species, and I will introduce legislation—

Val Meredith South Surrey—White Rock—Langley, BC

Mr. Speaker, I am surprised that the Liberals continue to get away with misusing question period.

Canadians are watching a unique debate in the House of Commons where four opposition parties are joining with all 10 premiers in the country to promote the social union. Only the Prime Minister and his federal Liberals oppose this initiative.

I ask the Deputy Prime Minister why the government is doing less.

Herb Gray Deputy Prime Minister

Mr. Speaker, it certainly takes a lot of nerve for a Reform member to complain about the misuse of question period. When it comes to misuse of question period they have set a standard which I do not think has been matched by any party in the past for low level or degree.

I further want to say that the government wants to work with the provinces on a sound social union concept which protects the national interest.

Why does not the Reform want to support—

Pierre Brien Témiscamingue, QC

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Agriculture.

The Minister of Agriculture has announced that there would be no retroactive compensation for sheep farmers whose flocks are affected by scrapie.

Does the minister consider it acceptable that the people first affected by this problem, those who respected the law and reported the problem to the department, thus preventing spread of the disease, are those ones now getting the least compensation and being penalized by this government?

Lyle Vanclief Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

Mr. Speaker, as I have said a number of times in the House, we are treating sheep farmers who had their flocks destroyed to some extent, and some of them completely I will admit, because of the reportable disease in Canada in exactly the same way in which we treat reportable diseases in livestock and flocks across the country.

We had an excellent meeting with the industry on Friday morning. I continue to look forward to a very good resolution of this issue.

Andy Scott Solicitor General of Canada

Mr. Speaker, I am sure the hon. member understands there is a process in place to get to the truth. It is a process that I have defended in the House quite consistently for the last couple of weeks.

That process has to be allowed to get to the truth. I am sure they will speak to whomever they need to, to get to the truth.

John Manley Minister of Industry

Mr. Speaker, there are several industrial expansion programs throughout Canada. This is a rather odd question.

Jean Augustine Etobicoke—Lakeshore, ON

Mr. Speaker, as Canadians our sympathies always go to people caught in desperate situations as a result of national and natural disasters.

Recently thousands of people have been left homeless and without food in southern Mexico as a result of extensive flooding. Could the Minister for International Cooperation tell us if and what our government is doing to help the flood victims in Mexico?