Debates of March 17th, 1998

Maud Debien Laval East, QC

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Prime Minister.

The MAI is stirring people up everywhere in the world. For instance, the European Parliament passed a motion last week which called for parliamentarians to play a role in the negotiations.

When the Liberals were in opposition, they demanded a special debate in the House when NAFTA was being negotiated. Does the government commit today to doing the same before the MAI if and when an agreement is reached?

Julian Reed Parliamentary Secretary to Minister for International Trade

Mr. Speaker, the process is simply that parliamentarians who are elected to the House have all the input it is possible to have to the negotiating team. The negotiating team listens to all the parties that participate on that committee.

I assure my hon. friend that with her participation on the committee her points of view and the points of view of her constituents will be passed—

Julian Reed Parliamentary Secretary to Minister for International Trade

Mr. Speaker, through our committee we have already heard from every part of the country. We have heard expressions repeated on just about every issue of concern that there could possibly be over the MAI.

My hon. friend suggests that we should back out of negotiations, turn tail and run. Canada will stay in negotiations right to the very end. We will sign a deal only if it is a good deal for Canadians.

Scott Brison Kings—Hants, NS

Mr. Speaker, the other chamber is currently holding hearings on Bill C-2 and the appointment process to the CPP investment board. The appearance of non-political appointments to this investment board is paramount to the integrity of the board itself and to Canadians' trust and confidence that their money will be invested properly.

What steps has the Minister of Finance taken to ensure that the board will not simply become another pit of patronage for this government?

Paul Martin Minister of Finance

Mr. Speaker, we certainly share the view as do the provinces, that confidence in the board is paramount. That is why we have set in place a process whereby the provinces and the federal government will put together a list of nominees from which the directors will be chosen.

I can assure the hon. member that each and every one of those nominees will be a person of the highest character, integrity and competence.

Sheila Copps Minister of Canadian Heritage

Mr. Speaker, with respect to the allegations made by the hon. member of the Bloc Quebecois, I would like to table a letter from ACELF, the organization to which he has referred today, which reads as follows: “As for the quote in the newspaper article—we wish to dissociate ourselves from this false statement, and we apologize for having attributed certain intentions to the Minister of Canadian Heritage without justification”.

I would therefore like to table this letter which, in fact, confirms that the hon. member's statement is incorrect.

Michel Gauthier Roberval, QC

Mr. Speaker, following up on the minister's action, I request the unanimous consent of the House to table the letter from the president of the organization in question, which was the object of—