Debates of Oct. 24th, 2001

Jane Stewart Minister of Human Resources Development

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 109, I am pleased to submit herewith two copies, in both official languages, of the government's response to the report of the Standing Committee on Human Resources Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities entitled “Beyond Bill C-2: A Review of Other Proposals to Reform Employment Insurance”, that was tabled in the House on Thursday, May 31.

Bill Graham Toronto Centre—Rosedale, ON

Mr. Speaker, I have the privilege, pursuant to Standing Order 34(1), to present to the House, in both official languages, the report of the Canadian delegation of the Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly held in Paris, France, July 6 to 9.

Sarmite Bulte Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the first report of the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage.

Pursuant to its order of reference dated Friday, February 28, your committee has adopted Bill S-14, an act respecting Sir John A. Macdonald Day and Sir Wilfrid Laurier Day, and agreed on Thursday, October 18 to report it without amendments.

Andy Scott Fredericton, NB

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the fifth report of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108, your committee has considered the proposals for a miscellaneous statute law amendment act, 2001 and recommends that the following articles not be included in the act: 5, 7, 8, 38, 59, 75, 76, 77, 105 and 106, given that articles 33 and 34 have already been withdrawn by the responsible department.

Rose-Marie Ur Lambton—Kent—Middlesex, ON

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, I am honoured to present a petition on behalf of constituents living in Grand Bend in the riding of Lambton--Kent--Middlesex who call upon parliament to protect the health of seniors and children and the environment by abandoning the disputed gas additive MMT.

The use of MMT in gasoline results in significantly higher smog producing hydrocarbon emissions and enhances global warming.

Pierre Paquette Joliette, QC

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present a petition in support of Bill C-287, which, unfortunately, has already been defeated in this House. The petitioners draw to the attention of parliamentarians the need for mandatory labelling of genetically modified foods.

Bill Matthews Burin—St. George's, NL

Mr. Speaker, I am presenting a petition on behalf of residents of Winterton, New Pearlican and Heart's Content, communities in the riding of Bonavista--Trinity--Conception in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The petitioners request the Government of Canada to reinstate 10 weeks of employment as the divisor for employment insurance instead of the current diviser of 14 weeks.

Howard Hilstrom Selkirk—Interlake, MB

Mr. Speaker, I have a petition from constituents and people across Canada regarding the U.S. national missile defence program. The petitioners feel that it is the first step toward deployment of the defence system in space. They petition the Government of Canada to declare that Canada objects to the national missile defence program of the United States.

Geoff Regan Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

Mr. Speaker, would you be so kind as to call Starred Question No. 72. I ask that the question and answer to Question No. 72 be printed in Hansard as if read.

John McCallum Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance

Mr. Speaker, with respect to (a), the daily turnover in the international gold market is approximately six to seven million ounces per day.

With respect to (b), Canada has had a clear and transparent policy since 1980 to sell gold at a gradual and controlled pace to reduce the proportion of gold held in our official international reserves in order to benefit Canadian taxpayers. Because gold is less liquid than many other assets and earns a low rate of return, this policy has increased the return on Canada’s reserve assets and increased their liquidity.

With respect to (c), yes, the gold sales program has been very profitable for the Government of Canada. Estimates show that, since the beginning of the gold sales program, the income on reserve assets has been more than U.S.$13 billion higher than if the gold stocks had been maintained.

With respect to (d), proceeds from Canada’s gold sales are used to purchase other foreign currency assets that yield higher returns. These higher returns benefit Canadian taxpayers.

Geoff Regan Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

Mr. Speaker, if Question No. 42 could be made an order for return, the return would be tabled immediately.