Debates of April 11th, 2000

Bob Nault Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development

Mr. Speaker, what the auditor general says is that in fact the most appropriate way to achieve our goals of having the kind of education we want for first nations students is to give them control in their own communities. I hope the member will vote for that when we bring it into the House.

Lyle Vanclief Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

Mr. Speaker, there has been no ill effect on our exports of individual products into the European Union.

As I reminded the House and the member yesterday, even though the European Union has put some legislation in place it has become very clear to it that it does not have a criterion or a method of testing the level of content of anything that is genetically modified. It has put legislation in place which is not meaningful, which is not credible and which is not enforceable.

That is not the way we are going to go. We are going to meet that challenge before we—

Lyle Vanclief Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

Mr. Speaker, the European Union has admitted and demonstrated that the level of content of genetically modified products or commodities within a product is not detectable. It does not have a method of doing that, and that is why it is not able to enforce its legislation.

Leon Benoit Lakeland, AB

Mr. Speaker, the auditor general in his report today slams the government for bungling the management of the immigration department. This mismanagement has opened the doors to organized crime which threatens the security of our nation.

This report is almost a carbon copy of the 1990 report. The minister and her government have had seven years to fix the problem. Why should Canadians believe that she will fix the problem now?

Elinor Caplan Minister of Citizenship and Immigration

Mr. Speaker, the health and security of Canadians is my number one priority.

Elinor Caplan Thornhill, ON

We are aware of the AG's concerns. I want the hon. member and all members in the House to know that we are moving forward with very significant administrative changes.

We received additional funding in the recent budget and the legislative package. I am hoping that the member and his party will support Bill C-31 so we can implement the legislative changes that the auditor general recommends.

Leon Benoit Lakeland, AB

Mr. Speaker, the auditor general says that more money will not fix the problem and new legislation will not fix the problem. Better management, better training and better auditing will.

The common theme here is the mismanagement of the government. Her government has had seven years to fix the mess from the last auditor general's report and it has not. How can we believe that she will fix the problem now?

Elinor Caplan Minister of Citizenship and Immigration

Mr. Speaker, the auditor general says that the immigration department needs additional resources. We have received those resources in the existing budget. Those resources will be used to update the technology that we need and for additional controls and additional training that we need.

The new legislation I just tabled will also go a long way to responding to the concerns of the auditor general, and I hope the member and his party will support that legislation.