Debates of May 14th, 1999

Bonnie Brown Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Human Resources Development

Mr. Speaker, the national child benefit goals are clear to all of us. They are to reduce and prevent child poverty, to promote attachment to the workforce, and to reduce overlap and duplication.

Today, as the questioner mentioned, the first report of the national child benefit will be tabled in Quebec City. The progress report begins to fulfil the commitment of ministers to report regularly to the Canadian public in an open and transparent way on this important initiative.

It is a concrete demonstration of the commitment of the Government of Canada to the social union framework principles. The progress report will be available to the public.

Stan Dromisky Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Transport

Mr. Speaker, I would like to point out that the government is very pleased with Justice Estey's vision for a more efficient and reliable grain handling and transportation system, including appropriate safeguards where they are required.

The Minister of Transport appointed Mr. Arthur Kroeger, a very eminent individual, to consult with the stakeholders over the summer of this year on the details of how a more commercial system would work. The chairman will report back to the Minister of Transport by September 30, 1999.

Howard Hilstrom Selkirk—Interlake, MB

Mr. Speaker, the Estey report has every thing to do with farmers' income. The Canadian Wheat Board is set up by federal legislation but it does not represent every farmer.

The Canadian Wheat Board minister is ultimately responsible to farmers for how it fulfils its mandate. The Canadian Wheat Board is obstructing this progress by not going along with improvements to this transportation system. Without the Canadian Wheat Board being on side, Arthur Kroeger has very little chance of success.

What is the agriculture minister going to do to ensure that the Canadian Wheat Board or the Canadian Wheat Board minister do not obstruct badly needed improvements?

Lyle Vanclief Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

Mr. Speaker, I think the hon. member is behind the times. The process that the transport minister put in place was announced two or three days ago. The wheat board has said that it is very willing and very much wants to be a part of that discussion on the Estey report with all others. The wheat board clearly said it wants to be and it will be at the table for those discussions.

Lyle Vanclief Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

Mr. Speaker, we began to further address the challenges of putting in place a farm safety net program for Canadian farmers many months ago. Last fall as members know we added the AIDA program to that.

I am pleased to say that in the last few days applications from all of the provinces are coming in at a very good rate. I had a discussion with all of my provincial counterparts yesterday. They said that they are pleased with that, bar none, including the minister of agriculture from Saskatchewan and the minister of agriculture from Manitoba. They say that we will continue on course for 1998 and continue our other discussions—

Lyle Vanclief Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

Mr. Speaker, unfortunately I do not have enough money in my department for staff to personally help the farmers fill out their forms. I do know there are lots of qualified people out there. I would suggest that the farmer speak to his accountant. Every farmer has an accountant. The expertise is there. If they are enrolled in NISA, it is a very simple process to move the numbers over.

Allan Rock Minister of Health

Mr. Speaker, there are tens of millions of reasons why Newfoundland is in a better position today than it was three months ago to deal with those health issues.

In the budget in mid-February we increased the transfers to the provinces over the coming five years by $11.5 billion. We did that on a per capita basis and Newfoundland will get its per capita share.

I know that throughout the country provincial ministers of health face real challenges in delivering quality services with an aging population and increased costs. All health ministers are working together now with additional money provided by our budget to help meet those needs on the ground.

Charlie Power St. John's West, NL

Mr. Speaker, it is a good speech. We have heard it many times. Even if every single Newfoundlander agreed with every single word the minister said, the reality is that we have a crisis in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The minister has said many times that nurses are the heart of the health care system. In Newfoundland because we have a significant shortage of nurses, we also have a significant crisis in health care.

As we might say in Newfoundland, does the minister have even the foggiest idea of how to correct this situation?

Allan Rock Minister of Health

Mr. Speaker, it is my full time job to come to grips with exactly that kind of issue.

Let us be clear. The provincial governments are responsible for delivering health services. The federal government transfers money to assist them to do that.

What I am telling the hon. member is that I have a very good idea of the challenges faced by Joan Marie Aylward. She is doing a tremendous job facing those difficulties in Newfoundland.

We have increased the transfers to the provinces very substantially over the coming five years with stable and higher levels of funding. We will be there to help and to work with provincial ministers, including in Newfoundland, but ultimately the province must deliver those services.