Debates of Oct. 24th, 2001
House of Commons Hansard #101 of the 37th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was competition.
Topics
- Regional Products
- Terrorism
- Breeder's Crown
- United Nations Day
- Don McDermid
- Women of the Year Awards
- United Nations Day
- Agreement between Quebec and the Cree
- Exshaw School
- Northern Ireland
- United Nations Day
- Information Programs
- Operation Apollo
- Trade
- Health
- The Economy
- Health
- The Budget
- Health
- National Security
- Health
- Anti-Terrorism Legislation
- The Budget
- Health
- The Economy
- Anti-Terrorism Legislation
- National Security
- Veterans Affairs
- Minister for International Cooperation
- Softwood Lumber
- Government Services
- The Economy
- Committees of the House
- Government Response to Petitions
- Interparliamentary Delegations
- Committees of the House
- Petitions
- Starred Questions
- *Question No. 72
- Questions Passed as Orders for Return
- Question No. 42
- Motions for Papers
- Customs Act
- Competition Act
National Security
Oral Question Period
2:50 p.m.
Saint-Maurice
Québec
Liberal
Jean Chrétien Prime Minister
Mr. Speaker, we want the movement of goods to be as it was before September 11 with the Americans. The Minister of Foreign Affairs is discussing that today in Washington. I had the occasion to raise it with the president while I was in Shanghai, China. I clearly made the point and the same day the president called the secretary of the treasury who informed the Minister of Finance that the Prime Minister had talked about the problem with the president that very day.
National Security
Oral Question Period
2:50 p.m.
Canadian Alliance
Paul Forseth New Westminster—Coquitlam—Burnaby, BC
Mr. Speaker, Canada must be seen as a good neighbour. Yesterday we presented in the House a plan for security perimeter measures including more powers for customs and immigration officers and detaining questionable claimants. So when the foreign affairs minister meets with Governor Ridge, would taking these concrete actions not speak better for Canada than unfulfilled Liberal promises?
National Security
Oral Question Period
2:55 p.m.
Outremont
Québec
Liberal
Martin Cauchon Minister of National Revenue and Secretary of State (Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec)
Mr. Speaker, we have every reason to be proud of our Canadian customs system. We have taken some concrete actions. Two weeks ago we announced more technology and more resources.
I must report to the House that the meeting between my foreign affairs colleague and Governor Ridge this morning went very well. They were very positive with regard to the situation at the border. We recognize that we have to work in co-operation. As well they have been quite open minded with regard to the use of technology to proceed with much better risk assessment. What we are going to put in place is a high tech, smart border that will better serve all Canadians.
Veterans Affairs
Oral Question Period
2:55 p.m.
Liberal
Bryon Wilfert Oak Ridges, ON
Mr. Speaker, for three months in 1945 Canadian airmen were subjected to very harsh treatment, not as prisoners in a prisoner of war camp but as inmates at Buchenwald concentration camp. These airmen were mistakenly arrested as civilians and endured inhumane conditions as well as being forced to work.
What is the Minister of Veterans Affairs doing to recognize and compensate these brave individuals?
Veterans Affairs
Oral Question Period
2:55 p.m.
Saint Boniface
Manitoba
Liberal
Ronald J. Duhamel Minister of Veterans Affairs
Mr. Speaker, yesterday we issued an announcement saying that these 15 airmen will be compensated by the German government as a result of the law that addresses the whole issue of slave labour. This is great news.
There will be 15 airmen who will be compensated. As well, there were four airmen who died before the legislation came into effect. The Canadian government will give the same amount of money to their spouses. That is $5,400--
Veterans Affairs
Oral Question Period
2:55 p.m.
The Speaker
The hon. member for Calgary East.
Minister for International Cooperation
Oral Question Period
October 24th, 2001 / 2:55 p.m.
Canadian Alliance
Deepak Obhrai Calgary East, AB
Mr. Speaker, the Minister for International Cooperation used her cabinet position for personal electoral gain. A CIDA contract given to her senior campaign workers was signed after the event had taken place on her personal recommendation and to the benefit of no one but herself.
She has tarnished her department's reputation. There is only one course of action and that is for her to resign. Will the Prime Minister ask for her resignation?
Minister for International Cooperation
Oral Question Period
2:55 p.m.
Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine
Québec
Liberal
Marlene Jennings Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for International Cooperation
Mr. Speaker, these are the same outrageous allegations which were stated in the House yesterday. The facts are clear. The facts do not change because the question is asked 3 million times. Those contracts were awarded in full compliance with treasury board guidelines.
Minister for International Cooperation
Oral Question Period
2:55 p.m.
Canadian Alliance
Deepak Obhrai Calgary East, AB
Mr. Speaker, I agree with her that the facts do not change. The fact is the minister used her position for personal gain. The minister openly disregarded the principles of transparency and fairness.
This is a minister that goes around the world preaching for fairness and an end to patronage. She herself cannot follow her own preachings. She is an embarrassment to Canada.
Will the Prime Minister ask for her immediate resignation?
Minister for International Cooperation
Oral Question Period
2:55 p.m.
Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine
Québec
Liberal
Marlene Jennings Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for International Cooperation
Mr. Speaker, I have great pride, as does everyone on this side of the House, in stating that the Minister for International Cooperation is an outstanding minister.
The contracts the member refers to were awarded in full compliance with treasury board rules and guidelines.
Softwood Lumber
Oral Question Period
2:55 p.m.
Bloc
Pierre Paquette Joliette, QC
Mr. Speaker, the Minister for International Trade continues to say that there are no negotiations at the moment on softwood lumber.
However, the Americans have appointed a special negotiator, and the B.C. forestry minister is talking openly of negotiations.
A week away from the results of the anti-dumping investigation, which could still affect our softwood lumber industry, is it the minister's intention to invite all the players to reaffirm the consensus for a full return to free trade?
Softwood Lumber
Oral Question Period
2:55 p.m.
Papineau—Saint-Denis
Québec
Liberal
Pierre Pettigrew Minister for International Trade
Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for Joliette for the opportunity to inform the House that, as we speak, discussions are being held in Montreal. The Department of International Trade has co-ordinated discussions with the Americans for several months, and they have been going very well.
Last week, these discussions were held in Vancouver, with British Columbia. We are very grateful for the co-operation of the provincial governments, which are responsible for natural resources and forest management.
We appreciate the Americans' appointment of Marc Racicot of Montana, who is helping to bring the President of the United States himself into the loop, as the Prime Minister of Canada requested.
Government Services
Oral Question Period
3 p.m.
Liberal
Robert Bertrand Pontiac—Gatineau—Labelle, QC
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the President of the Treasury Board.
We all know that more and more Canadians want to have online access to government information and services.
Therefore, could the minister tell us about the progress of the Government On-Line initiative?
Government Services
Oral Question Period
3 p.m.
Westmount—Ville-Marie
Québec
Liberal
Lucienne Robillard President of the Treasury Board and Minister responsible for Infrastructure
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to report that we are well on our way to fulfilling our commitment to provide online information and services by the year 2004.
We currently have 82 pathfinder projects in various departments, and much to the satisfaction of the public. If we have these projects, it is because Canadians are among the greatest users of the Internet.
This initiative will allow them, wherever they live, and at the time and in the language of their choice, to be in contact with our government and to have access to necessary services. This is a real improvement.
The Economy
Oral Question Period
3 p.m.
Canadian Alliance
Werner Schmidt Kelowna, BC
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Finance. The Minister of Finance knows that we are in an economic downturn. He also knows that the people who suffer the most because of this are those who are at the lower income level.
Will the finance minister, in his budget, declare that the increase in the Canada pension plan will not take place in January 2002?