Debates of Oct. 16th, 2000

Diane Ablonczy Calgary—Nose Hill, AB

Mr. Speaker, the information commissioner's report is very damning to the government. Especially troubling is a section that says:

The future careers in the public service of the Commissioner's staff have, in not so subtle terms, been threatened.

This development in inexcusably unprofessional and profoundly troubling. If members of the public service come to believe that it is career suicide to work, and to do a good job, for the Information Commissioner, the future viability and effectiveness of the Commissioner's office is in grave jeopardy.

Why is the government attacking—

Lucienne Robillard President of the Treasury Board and Minister responsible for Infrastructure

Mr. Speaker, these are very serious allegations. It has always been a policy of this government to support the role of the information commissioner. It is very clear that if there are grounds for these allegations, we will act accordingly, but we will ask the commissioner to supply the relevant information.

Monique Guay Laurentides, QC

Mr. Speaker, the legislative provisions having to do with pay equity are still too timid and the way in which the legislation is now being applied is short-changing the majority of women.

My question is for the President of the Treasury Board. What is the government waiting for to abandon the judicial approach to pay equity and adopt proactive legislation that would speed up the resolution of disputes and force the parties, employees and employers alike, to sit down and negotiate pay equity in good faith?

Lucienne Robillard President of the Treasury Board and Minister responsible for Infrastructure

Mr. Speaker, I am very happy that we have resolved the pay equity dispute involving all employees of the Public Service of Canada.

When this dispute was resolved, the Minister of Finance and myself announced that we would be reviewing the legislation specifically with a view to a much more proactive pay equity mechanism. We are most certainly going to follow up on this commitment.

Lyle Vanclief Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

Mr. Speaker, in the last two years we have increased the support and the safety net to Canadian farms by 85%. We said that we will pledge to continue to support Canadian farmers in every way we can, both domestically and internationally, in trade talks. It will take the work of all of us, and a very diligent and strong effort, to do so. We will continue to do that on behalf of Canadian farmers.

Peter MacKay Pictou—Antigonish—Guysborough, NS

Mr. Speaker, as costs skyrocket, the gun registry continues to be a cumbersome failure on the part of the government.

Can the Minister of Justice provide absolute assurances that there has been no breach in the security of the gun registry databank? Such a breach would provide a government sponsored road map for criminals who choose to steal guns. Could she provide that assurance today?

Peter MacKay Pictou—Antigonish—Guysborough, NS

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order with respect to statements by ministers. I am wondering if, given the volatility of the situation in the Middle East, we are going to hear a government statement in response to that situation.

Howard Hilstrom Selkirk—Interlake, MB

Mr. Speaker, my point of order is in relation to the letter that I delivered to your office as to whether you would consider, under Standing Order 52, having an emergency debate.