Debates of Feb. 11th, 2000

Art Hanger Calgary Northeast, AB

Mr. Speaker, the hon. Prime Minister and the hon. House leader love to refer to all of the grants received by the opposition ridings, as if to imply that we are part of the problem over on that side.

I would ask the hon. Prime Minister if he would show me an opposition riding in which business cronies and criminals got millions of dollars, just as they did in the Prime Minister's riding when he interfered with the process.

Herb Gray Deputy Prime Minister

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member's premise for his question is totally wrong.

The Prime Minister has not interfered with the process. The decisions were made by officials according to the rules. I hope that is the case in the hon. member's riding and others, where Reform and other opposition members pleaded in writing for support from these programs. They pleaded, they begged, and now they are saying they do not like the programs. What a double standard.

Libby Davies Vancouver East, BC

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the minister of HRD.

Can the minister explain why in May 1997 the Liberal member representing Vancouver East qualified for a TJF, and why two weeks later, after the federal election, there were no further funds to this riding, which is very poor compared to the minister's own riding which did get funds? Even the website that the minister is so proud of says that TJF is available in northern Ontario only.

How does the minister explain these glaring contradictions?

Jane Stewart Minister of Human Resources Development

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize that the hon. member represents one of the poorest and most challenged regions in this country, Vancouver East.

I would like to recognize that we invest significantly, and I think very wisely, in that area and we will continue to do so.

Libby Davies Vancouver East, BC

Mr. Speaker, the minister has not answered the question about the contradiction.

I know that my riding is not an exception. That is why we in the NDP have repeatedly demanded in question period, in committee and on the order paper a full disclosure from the government.

Yesterday the minister said to the leader of the NDP that she could make it easy for us all if she put a question on the order paper. Well, we did, before that.

But the real question is, why is this minister making it so hard to get public information and full disclosure?

Jane Stewart Minister of Human Resources Development

Mr. Speaker, my intention is not to make it difficult, and as I have said on numerous occasions today, given the conversations that we had yesterday at committee, I have gone back to people in my department and asked them to look at the 40 different grants and contributions to see if they can pick the information out, put it together in some kind of reasonable fashion, which then could be provided to members of parliament for their use.

Jane Stewart Minister of Human Resources Development

Mr. Speaker, that too sounds like a question for the order paper.

Jane Stewart Minister of Human Resources Development

Mr. Speaker, again, when looking at the transitional jobs fund, the hon. member herself I think recognizes the importance to her region which that program has had.

We believe that there is a way in which to work in ridings with community members, with the support of members of parliament and others, to make sure our investments are wise and continue to provide opportunities for those who need opportunities.

Art Eggleton Minister of National Defence

Mr. Speaker, the report from members of the monitoring committee, which I appointed a couple of years ago, is most welcome. It clearly indicates that reforms are taking place.

We asked them to monitor over 300 reforms that came from the Somalia commission and numerous other reports on change to the Canadian Forces. They said such things as: “We believe that the reform program is gaining momentum. The department and the Canadian Forces have substantially met the goals of the reform measures”. It is a very positive report.

Those recommendations which are still outstanding—