House of Commons Hansard #101 of the 36th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was code.

Topics

JusticeOral Question Period

11:55 a.m.

Edmonton West Alberta

Liberal

Anne McLellan LiberalMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

Mr. Speaker, at our last provincial and territorial meeting of attorneys general, I had the opportunity to put this issue on the table for discussion. A number of my provincial colleagues felt that the matter of home invasion required further consideration on my part.

We are looking at a number of options, one of which does include the possibility of ensuring that judges have the ability to take into account, as an aggravating circumstance on sentencing, the fact that a home invasion has taken place.

Smart CommunitiesOral Question Period

11:55 a.m.

Bloc

Maurice Dumas Bloc Argenteuil—Papineau, QC

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the Minister of Industry said the files of the smart communities had been analyzed by an independent committee. That is all very well. However, he set up the committee, chose its members and set the criteria for Groupe Forces of Shawinigan.

Will the minister acknowledge his responsibility in this matter and reveal the criteria set and the results obtained by each of the finalists?

Smart CommunitiesOral Question Period

11:55 a.m.

Ottawa South Ontario

Liberal

John Manley LiberalMinister of Industry

Mr. Speaker, each member received an explanation of the criteria and of the selection of each of the winners from the committee.

I would call this a very positive situation. We are the first country in the world to have 12 projects like that representing the best ideas of communities throughout Canada. This is something to celebrate, not criticize.

Canadian ForcesOral Question Period

Noon

NDP

Gordon Earle NDP Halifax West, NS

Mr. Speaker, recent newspaper headlines read, “Racism alive and well in the forces”. There are 25 racist incidents documented between 1995 and 1999 involving military personnel from coast to coast. These were reportedly after the forces instituted in 1994 zero tolerance regulations concerning racist behaviour.

What is being done today to ensure the enforcement of zero tolerance regulations and to create an appropriate environment for our Canadian forces?

Canadian ForcesOral Question Period

Noon

Pontiac—Gatineau—Labelle Québec

Liberal

Robert Bertrand LiberalParliamentary Secretary to Minister of National Defence

Mr. Speaker, I would like to say to the member and the House that racism is not acceptable in the Canadian armed forces and anywhere in Canadian society. We have completed a racism awareness program and prevention training for all CF members through our SHARP program. Such training is now given during basic training and leadership development training.

Human Resources DevelopmentOral Question Period

May 19th, 2000 / noon

Progressive Conservative

Peter MacKay Progressive Conservative Pictou—Antigonish—Guysborough, NS

Mr. Speaker, this week's revelation that HRDC is keeping files on every single Canadian was disturbing enough. Coupled with that, the fact that some computer hacker could get in and get access to that type of information is further worry for Canadians.

According to Martine Nantel, the legal adviser for the privacy commissioner, CSIS and RCMP can legally access that information without a warrant, without any authorization and even without the knowledge of Canadians.

I ask the government, where are the safeguards for Canadians in this state run computer information sieve?

Human Resources DevelopmentOral Question Period

Noon

Brant Ontario

Liberal

Jane Stewart LiberalMinister of Human Resources Development

Mr. Speaker, I responded to that question earlier today. Indeed CSIS and the RCMP do not have direct access to this database. If they were to ask for information, it would only be with the support of a court order. The privacy commissioner himself has indicated that there have been no such requests and it has not been used for administrative work in this regard ever.

Points Of OrderOral Question Period

Noon

Mississauga Centre Ontario

Liberal

Carolyn Parrish LiberalParliamentary Secretary to Minister of Public Works and Government Services

Madam Speaker, it is a good thing I was not going for a million dollar question today. I have to correct two errors in the record.

In my answer to the question from the member for Vancouver East I said that CMHC was insuring 650,000 units last year. It is 475,000 units.

In my answer to the question from the member from New Westminster, there is no such thing as tax free loans, but in this case I was referring to low interest loans for B.C.

Government Response To PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

Noon

Pontiac—Gatineau—Labelle Québec

Liberal

Robert Bertrand LiberalParliamentary Secretary to Minister of National Defence

Madam Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's response to six petitions.

Order In Council AppointmentsRoutine Proceedings

Noon

Pontiac—Gatineau—Labelle Québec

Liberal

Robert Bertrand LiberalParliamentary Secretary to Minister of National Defence

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to table, in both official languages, a number of order in council appointments made recently by the government.

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

12:05 p.m.

Reform

Myron Thompson Reform Wild Rose, AB

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to present two petitions today on behalf of the residents of the Airdrie and Crossfield district of my riding. They call upon the government at its earliest opportunity to invoke section 33 of the charter of rights and freedoms, the notwithstanding clause, to override the B.C. Court of Appeal decision in order to make it absolutely clear across the country that child pornography will never be acceptable anywhere in the country.

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

12:05 p.m.

Reform

Myron Thompson Reform Wild Rose, AB

Madam Speaker, the second petition is presented on behalf of the people of the area surrounding the town of Cochrane.

The petitioners pray that parliament withdraw Bill C-23 and affirm the opposite sex definition of marriage and ensure that marriage is recognized as a unique institution.

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

12:05 p.m.

Bloc

Hélène Alarie Bloc Louis-Hébert, QC

Madam Speaker, I have the pleasure of presenting a petition bearing 1,155 names. This petition calls for the mandatory labelling of genetically engineered foors.

In order to label them, it must be known whether they are modified or not, and this would avoid the disaster they are facing in Europe. It is therefore my pleasure to submit this petition.

Questions On The Order PaperRoutine Proceedings

12:05 p.m.

Pontiac—Gatineau—Labelle Québec

Liberal

Robert Bertrand LiberalParliamentary Secretary to Minister of National Defence

Madam Speaker, Question No. Q-99 will be answered today. .[Text]

Question No. 99—

Questions On The Order PaperRoutine Proceedings

12:05 p.m.

Progressive Conservative

Norman E. Doyle Progressive Conservative St. John's East, NL

Concerning the vessel Stena Challenger purchased by Marine Atlantic: ( a ) what was the price paid for the vessel; ( b ) was the normal public procurement process followed and if not, why not; ( c ) who were the brokers on both sides of the transaction; ( d ) what is the date of construction of the vessel; ( e ) where was it built; ( f ) what facilities will be used to upgrade the vessel; ( g ) what is the extent of the upgrading; ( h ) how much will the upgrading cost; and ( i ) has the vessel been registered under any other names?

Questions On The Order PaperRoutine Proceedings

12:05 p.m.

Thunder Bay—Atikokan Ontario

Liberal

Stan Dromisky LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport

(a) The list price of the vessel, the Stena Challenger, was $60 million CDN, firm and final. However, it appears that Marine Atlantic, MAI, was able to negotiate a $2 million reduction on this price, for a final cost of $58 million. The vessel is also subject to a 25% foreign vessel import duty and 15% harmonized sales tax, HST, on the purchase price, for an additional combined cost of approximately $25 million.

(b) MAI followed an open and trasparent process in selecting its vessel. Early in the fall, MAI carried out some initial market research on the availability of vessels. Subsequent to receiving formal direction to negotiate on the purchase of a vessel and to maximize market coverage, MAI proceeded with an invitation to tender, ITT, to secure firm offers from brokers.

In their vessel search, MAI went to the market and researched over 40 vessels that were suggested by shipbrokers. Analysis was done on the suitability, cost and capacity of the vessels. A short list of six vessels that appeared to be reasonable candidates for the gulf service was developed. In November of 1999, a technical team was sent to Europe to inspect the six vessels.

In december 1999, with a desire to proceed with a transparent selection process, MAI issued an ITT to maximize market coverage and to secure firm offers. Using previously developed criteria, an assessment team composed of MAI personnel and a naval architect from Public Works and Government Services Canada, PWGSC, formed a short list of three candidate vessels; a night ferry, a day ferry and a Ro-Pax, from the 27 vessels offered by brokers through the ITT. Of the three vessels, one was subsequently removed due to its advancing age, high price and lack of adequate head room for commercial traffic. The two remaining vessels, owned by the same company, were deemed to meet price, condition and capacity requirements. Of these two, the Stena Challenger was chosen by MAI as best meeting their fleet requirements.

(c) Twenty-one brokers from around the globe submitted a list of vessels in response to MAI's ITT. To avoid the issue of multiple brokers claiming the same vessel, MAI requested that the brokers provide a letter of acknowledgement from the seller, identifying them as the preferred broker on any particular vessel. The Stena Challenger, was submitted by Brax Shipping AB of Gothenburg, Sweden, along with the appropriate letter of acknowledgement from Stena Lines.

(d) The Stena Challenger is nine years old. Constructed in 1991, it will be the youngest vessel in MAI's fleet.

(e) The Stena Challenger was built in Norway by the Fosen Mek Versteder Shipyard.

(f) The Challenger had undergone a refit prior to being purchased by MAI and will require only minor modifications. This work will likely be carried out just prior to the vessel being put into service on the gulf in 2001 after the current lease contract has expired. No decision has been made yet as to which facility will be used to carry out the upgrade.

(g) Having recently undergone a refit, MAI anticipates that very little upgrading will be required to the Challenger and would involve such things as the installation of additional seating, Canadian approved safety equipment and new signage. Most of the work is minor in nature and it is expected that is should be completed within a month to six weeks of receiving the vessel.

(h) MAI estimates that it will cost $2 million to bring this vessel up to Canadian standards, however, registration and vessel survey and inspection fees are included in this amount. Actual modifications and upgrade expenses are estimated to cost in the range of $1.3 million.

(i) No, the vessel has only been registered under the name the Stena Challenger.

Questions On The Order PaperRoutine Proceedings

12:05 p.m.

Liberal

Robert Bertrand Liberal Pontiac—Gatineau—Labelle, QC

I ask, Madam Speaker, that the remaining questions be allowed to stand.

Questions On The Order PaperRoutine Proceedings

12:05 p.m.

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Thibeault)

Is that agreed?

Questions On The Order PaperRoutine Proceedings

12:05 p.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

Points Of OrderRoutine Proceedings

12:05 p.m.

Edmonton Southeast Alberta

Liberal

David Kilgour LiberalSecretary of State (Latin America and Africa)

Madam Speaker, during Oral Question Period, I gave some figures to my colleague from St. John's East and I would like to correct them.

I said $16 million was destined for the victims of the crisis in Ethiopia. To be exact, I should have said the figure was $16 million for the past three years, which is nearly $45 million.

Points Of OrderRoutine Proceedings

12:05 p.m.

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Thibeault)

The record has now been corrected.

The House resumed consideration of Bill C-12, an act to amend the Canada Labour Code (Part II) in respect of occupational health and safety, to make technical amendments to the Canada Labour Code (Part I) and to make consequential amendments to other acts, as reported (with amendment) from the committee.

Canada Labour CodeGovernment Orders

12:05 p.m.

Liberal

Bob Kilger Liberal Stormont—Dundas, ON

Madam Speaker, discussions have taken place between all parties and I believe that you would find unanimous consent for the following motion:

That, when debate on report stage of Bill C-12 ends later this day all questions necessary to dispose of the said stage of the said bill shall be deemed put, a recorded division requested and deferred until the expiry of government orders on Tuesday, May 30, 2000.

Canada Labour CodeGovernment Orders

12:05 p.m.

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Thibeault)

Is there unanimous consent to proceed in this fashion?

Canada Labour CodeGovernment Orders

12:05 p.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

(Motion agreed to)