Debates of Sept. 23rd, 1998

Andy Scott Solicitor General of Canada

Mr. Speaker, as I have said, the security arrangements around APEC were the responsibility of the RCMP. It is those very arrangements that are being investigated by a structure that was put in place by the House and deserves our respect.

They are going to get to the truth and I wish members opposite would let them do their job.

Gurbax Malhi Bramalea—Gore—Malton, ON

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

The minister recently announced the launch of a series of nationwide consultations on the future of the health protection program in Canada.

Could the minister explain the full scope of these consultations by outlining how he plans to strengthen and modernize our capacity for protecting the health of all Canadians?

Allan Rock Minister of Health

Mr. Speaker, the process of renewing and strengthening the health protection branch is well underway.

During the summer we published discussion documents which set out the principles we want Canadians to consider. There are public hearings being held now across the country. Winnipeg tomorrow. Halifax earlier this month.

We are identifying a need for leading edge science in the health protection branch. We want to make the process is more open so that whether it is drug approvals or veterinary products Canadians will understand the process by which we consider, weigh risks and give approval or denial. We also appointed an arm's length science advisory board.

Lyle Vanclief Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

Mr. Speaker, the ambassador in Washington is meeting with high level people in the United States today. We are making it very clear to those in the United States that we will take action if they do not fix this situation and bring their people into line. We will follow the legal course that is available to us through NAFTA and WTO.

Lyle Vanclief Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

Mr. Speaker, we are treating this disease the same way that we treat all reportable diseases in Canada and in an equitable way across the country.

The disease has to be treated in that way. We are doing it exactly the way in which the advisory council of the chief federation for Canada advised us and requested us to do. We will continue to proceed on that and work with the industry and the provincial government of Quebec in order to help the industry.

I would again request that the hon. member might ask the minister of agriculture in Quebec to respond to the correspondence from me.

Andy Scott Solicitor General of Canada

Mr. Speaker, quite the contrary. Because the public complaints commission represents the interests of Canadians, that was the reason we did not want to offer support to hire lawyers. We do not want this to become a court. We do not wish this to take on an adversarial nature.

We have been assured by the public complaints commission that these processes are done informally. It is not intended to be adversarial. The students will have their opportunity to appear before the agency that has been struck in their interest.

Bill Matthews Burin—St. George's, NL

Mr. Speaker, individuals 53 and 54 years of age with 35 years of attachment to the Atlantic fishing industry do not qualify for the government post-TAGS early retirement program. People who are 55 with 10 years of attachment to the industry receive benefits.

Would the Minister of Human Resources Development devise a formula of age plus attachment to the industry and redirect funds from the $730 million post-TAGS fund to consider those people with 30, 32 and 35 years of attachment to the industry and give them—

John Harvard Charleswood—Assiniboine, MB

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister for International Trade.

Will the minister further update the House on efforts to stop harassment by several U.S. states of Canadian trucks carrying agricultural products across the line? What action is the minister taking to force the Americans to respect existing trade agreements?