Debates of May 14th, 1999

Ronald J. Duhamel Secretary of State (Science

Mr. Speaker, in western rural Canada through the community futures development corporations, the Government of Canada has provided $6.5 million in loans. This has resulted in 319 loans and roughly 650 jobs.

With respect to the urban areas, we are in the cities of Edmonton and Calgary and the cities of Saskatoon, Regina and Winnipeg with similar kinds of programs. We are looking to grow into other cities because these programs have worked. The Government of Canada is vitally interested in providing the correct tools so that disabled Canadians can be—

Deepak Obhrai Calgary East, AB

Mr. Speaker, the right of landing fee is a discriminatory head tax which penalizes genuine refugees seeking protection in Canada. It is ludicrous to offer them financial assistance through resettlement on the one hand and then force them to go into debt in order to pay this head tax on the other. On October 7, 1997, I introduced a private member's bill calling for the elimination of the right of landing fee.

Canadians are compassionate and tolerant people. Why can this government not learn from its citizens, show a bit of compassion and eliminate this head tax for refugees?

Herb Gray Deputy Prime Minister

Mr. Speaker, I am glad that after 10 years of existence the Reform Party has finally discovered compassion.

This government has been and continues to be a government of compassion. We are certainly showing that by the way we are receiving along with all Canadians the refugees from Kosovo. We are opening our country to them. They are not paying any taxes to come into the country as refugees. If they do not want to return to their homes and they want to stay here, we have laws in place to deal with that. If there are changes required, I am sure the government will consider those changes.

Paul Mercier Terrebonne—Blainville, QC

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the Government of Quebec tabled a bill making Mirabel a tax free zone. In the meantime, the government opposite does nothing. But we know that the Minister of National Revenue has all kinds of spare time now that his department has been privatized and turned into an agency.

My question is for the Minister of National Revenue. It would seem that the minister is studying the question, but what is he waiting for to take action and do something concrete to help Mirabel out of the mess his government has landed it in over the last 30 years?

Herb Dhaliwal Minister of National Revenue

Mr. Speaker, we have had royal assent on the revenue agency bill. It will make sure we get rid of overlap and duplication. The members on the Bloc side bring up quite often their wish to get rid of overlap and duplication.

A recent poll showed that more Quebeckers would rather have Revenue Canada collect their taxes than Revenue Quebec. I think they should be working toward reducing overlap and duplication by signing on to the agency so they have a single window tax collection system that would reduce compliance costs and save Canadians millions of dollars.

Pat Martin Winnipeg Centre, MB

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of all pensioners of the public service, the military and the RCMP, I want the government to clarify something. If working people have no right to the $30 billion surplus in their own pension, why does the pensions benefit act require a two-thirds majority vote by all plan members on the use of any surplus in any other pension plan in the federal sector? Why does the government not see fit to live up to the same standards it imposes on everybody else?

I want the government to tell pensioners once and for all how their retirement pension fund surplus became the government's latest cash cow.

Allan Rock Minister of Health

Mr. Speaker, the President of the Treasury Board has made it clear on a number of occasions here in the House and elsewhere that these pension plans are created by statute. They have their own particular characteristics. The steps proposed by the government are entirely consistent with the nature of those pension plans and entirely fair to the members.

Lyle Vanclief Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member has his numbers wrong.

We treated Nova Scotia exactly the same way as we have treated other provinces. We are giving Nova Scotia credit for provincial programs that it has had and has already carried out in 1998 and will in 1999. We estimate and Nova Scotia estimates it will be in the area of $3.5 million. It is also estimated that on top of that, there could be a further $3 million, $3.5 million or $4 million going to farmers in the province of Nova Scotia when their applications come in. In Nova Scotia as in every other province, the numbers being used are estimates of the total call on the AIDA program.

Nancy Karetak-Lindell Nunavut, NU

Mr. Speaker, small businesses led by women are increasing in importance in the Canadian economy, however, they still face barriers to accessing international markets.

Can the Secretary of State for the Status of Women tell the House how the government is helping women in business access global markets and create more opportunities for all Canadians?

Hedy Fry Secretary of State (Multiculturalism)(Status of Women)

Mr. Speaker, women who have businesses created more jobs last year than the top 100 companies in Canada. Women are becoming assets to Canada's global competitiveness. Last year Canada led in encouraging the first ever APEC women's ministerial meeting. Next week in Toronto the first ever U.S.-Canada trade summit will be held. Policy issues with regard to this problem will be discussed.

I want to congratulate the Minister for International Trade for his outreach, his research and his initiatives in trade missions to assist women to achieve this agenda.

Jay Hill Prince George—Peace River, BC

Mr. Speaker, while the Department of National Defence is forced to beg, borrow or steal a boat to get our troops to Kosovo, the government is spending $1.7 million to put huge Canada signs on government buildings.

Access to information documents reveal the federal government's self-promotion campaign to place giant illuminated signs on buildings showing the government's impact on the community, as if high taxes and high unemployment are not enough.

Why can this government not get its priorities straight? Is plastering buildings with giant signs not the wrong way to go? Why not give overtaxed Canadians the tax relief they deserve?

Herb Gray Deputy Prime Minister

Mr. Speaker, we are giving Canadians tax relief in this budget. We gave them tax relief in the last budget. We are going to continue to give them tax relief.

At the same time, we are responding to the desire of Canadians to have the name of their country proudly displayed. Why does the Reform Party oppose such an obvious step to promote our country?