Debates of Oct. 25th, 2001
House of Commons Hansard #102 of the 37th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was trade.
Topics
- Government Response to Petitions
- Air Canada Public Participation Act
- Interparliamentary Delegations
- Canada Post Act
- Corrections and Conditional Release Act
- Petitions
- Questions on the Order Paper
- Question No. 68
- Question No. 70
- Canada—Costa Rica Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act
- Small Business Week
- Poppy Campaign
- Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month
- James Gladstone
- Medical Radiation Technology Week
- Literacy Action Day
- Marc Alexandre Chartrand
- Block Parents
- Literacy Action Day
- The Economy
- Literacy
- Veterans Affairs
- 2006 Gay Games
- Harbours
- Immigration
- Liberal Government
- Chalk River Laboratories
- Health
- Patent Legislation
- Health
- The Economy
- National Security
- Employment Insurance
- Customs and Excise
- Terrorism
- Air Canada
- Trade
- Health
- Terrorism
- Afghanistan
- National Security
- The Economy
- National Security
- Charitable Organizations
- Apec
- Health
- Housing
- Pay Equity
- Health
- Business of the House
- Privilege
- Canada-Costa Rica Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act
- National Rivers Day
Customs and Excise
Oral Question Period
2:40 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, if the hon. member would have a look at the reform, he would know it is already in place. We have some pilot projects at the land border respecting the crossing of goods and people, for example Canpass and Nexus.
We are working at this point in time, and my colleague in Washington talked about it yesterday, to ensure that we will resume those programs. More specific, we would like to resume Nexus which is a joint program, a harmonized program.
Apart from that he would know as well that indeed we are talking about preclearance using a new technology customs zone at airports and plenty of good things that will ensure we have an efficient border.
Terrorism
Oral Question Period
2:40 p.m.
Liberal
Bernard Patry Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Foreign Affairs. The Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting which was postponed earlier this month would have provided an opportunity for Commonwealth leaders to discuss measures for international co-operation against terrorism.
Has the Commonwealth taken any steps since the postponement was announced to address the terrorism issue?
Terrorism
Oral Question Period
2:40 p.m.
Ottawa South
Ontario
Liberal
John Manley Minister of Foreign Affairs
Mr. Speaker, earlier today the Secretary General of the Commonwealth issued a very clear and strong statement against terrorism on behalf of Commonwealth leaders.
This follows the suggestion that went to him, to the incoming prime minister of Australia, the incoming chair of the Commonwealth Heads of Government, and the outgoing chair, the prime minister of South Africa, from our Prime Minister recommending a strong statement. We are pleased that it was adopted.
It is yet one more step along the way to building the broadest possible coalition against terrorism.
Air Canada
Oral Question Period
2:40 p.m.
NDP
Bev Desjarlais Churchill, MB
Mr. Speaker, the government is scrapping the 15% shareholder limit in Air Canada. Given that industry analysts are telling us that there are no large investors waiting in the wings to buy shares in Air Canada, will the Minister of Transport admit that the move is simply a substitute for taking substantive measures to help the airline?
Why will the government not consider significant proposals that will actually have some effect, like lower airport lease fees, lower air navigation fees and workplace stabilization plans such as those suggested by the employees?
Air Canada
Oral Question Period
2:40 p.m.
Don Valley East
Ontario
Liberal
David Collenette Minister of Transport
Mr. Speaker, it has become quite apparent over the last few weeks that the 15% single shareholder limit under the Air Canada Public Participation Act provides a constraint on Air Canada's ability to raise equity in the markets. That is why we have taken the position to introduce the bill today that will eliminate the particular provision.
We are advised by our financial advisers there will be people in the country who will come forward to take an equity stake now that the changes will be passed by parliament.
Trade
Oral Question Period
2:40 p.m.
NDP
Dick Proctor Palliser, SK
Mr. Speaker, the trade minister will know that western Canadian premiers met last August with governors from 18 western states. The Canadian government kindly prepared a briefing book for our premiers out west that contained messages and talking points on everything from P.E.I. potatoes to greenhouse tomatoes to Great Lakes water.
Strangely absent from the notes, however, was any reference to the growing disparity between grain and oilseed producers and prices because the government will not match U.S. support payments.
Why were matters such as export subsidies and domestic support for grains and oilseeds not given any profile whatsoever by his department in the briefing to western Canadian premiers?
Trade
Oral Question Period
2:40 p.m.
Papineau—Saint-Denis
Québec
Liberal
Pierre Pettigrew Minister for International Trade
Mr. Speaker, I certainly trust enough the premiers of the western provinces to understand these issues very well indeed. Our determination for promoting at the WTO a reform in agricultural trade is loud and clear and is there all the time.
We often work with the Americans at the multilateral level, hoping that it will also help our farmers in competition with the Americans, while they will have to respect this important structural reform that we want in agricultural trade.
Health
Oral Question Period
2:40 p.m.
Progressive Conservative
Peter MacKay Pictou—Antigonish—Guysborough, NS
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Health has referred defensively to politically motivated witch hunts, which is quite ironical and cynical coming from the architect of the ongoing Airbus investigation.
The Minister of Health felt compelled in 1997 to consult with the ethics counsellor about his potential conflict of interest due to a prior connection with Apotex.
However, if the Cipro kid wants to be consistent and credible, can he tell us if in 1994, when he was the attorney general and his department and Apotex were together before the Supreme Court of Canada, he consulted with the ethics counsellor about his then potential conflict of interest?
Health
Oral Question Period
2:40 p.m.
Etobicoke Centre
Ontario
Liberal
Allan Rock Minister of Health
As a matter of fact, Mr. Speaker, when I was attorney general I told my officials I would disqualify myself from any involvement in any litigation involving Apotex because I had acted for the company.
I have behaved myself since I have been in public life, entirely in compliance with the highest standards of ethics. I say to this member, as I say to the rest of that party, if they have anything to allege against me let them come out and say it. Otherwise it is offensive to listen to these types of questions.
Health
Oral Question Period
2:45 p.m.
Canadian Alliance
Deborah Grey Edmonton North, AB
Mr. Speaker, I thought we were saying it.
There he was, the sixties hippie, the eighties lawyer and now Minister of Health. He should always obey the law but he broke the patent law and failed his number one responsibility. Then he said that there was no national emergency, and then he blamed it on his officials. Now he has been caught in a glaring conflict of interest.
In all these incarnations, why has this minister not learned that when he breaks the law he pays the price?
Health
Oral Question Period
2:45 p.m.
Etobicoke Centre
Ontario
Liberal
Allan Rock Minister of Health
Mr. Speaker, this member is wrong in everything she just said. The easiest way of dealing with that absurd question is to say no.
Terrorism
Oral Question Period
October 25th, 2001 / 2:45 p.m.
Canadian Alliance
Vic Toews Provencher, MB
Mr. Speaker, the Algerian armed Islamic group had a 20 member terrorist cell operating in Montreal for years. It included Ahmed Ressam, who was finally arrested by American authorities when he attempted to cross the border with his bomb making material. We have now learned that although French authorities continually advised Canada of this group's terrorist activities the government did nothing to assist in their arrests. Why?
Terrorism
Oral Question Period
2:45 p.m.
Cardigan
P.E.I.
Liberal
Lawrence MacAulay Solicitor General of Canada
Mr. Speaker, I think in the Ressam case my hon. colleague is fully aware that the American government thanked the RCMP and CSIS for the part they played in that case.
My hon. colleague is also well aware that CSIS and the RCMP work with all the police and security intelligence agencies around the world.
Terrorism
Oral Question Period
2:45 p.m.
Canadian Alliance
Vic Toews Provencher, MB
Mr. Speaker, the only thing I remember is the astonishment of the judge who remarked on the procedures of the RCMP and the member's department in that case.
While other countries assisted the French in carrying out arrests when some of these terrorists finally left Canada, Canada only frustrated French efforts to put an end to the activities of this terrorist group.
Were French sources correct when they advised the media that Canada closed its eyes to this terrorist activity in order to buy peace with these terrorists?
Terrorism
Oral Question Period
2:45 p.m.
Cardigan
P.E.I.
Liberal
Lawrence MacAulay Solicitor General of Canada
Mr. Speaker, I am disappointed that an hon. colleague would make such a statement in the House of Commons. I am really disappointed.
The fact of the matter is that my hon. colleague is well aware that the attorney general of the United States and the director of the FBI thanked CSIS and the RCMP for their co-operation and support in this case and in many other cases.