Debates of Nov. 30th, 2001

Paul Szabo Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Works and Government Services

Mr. Speaker, Canada Post has worked closely with its unions to ensure the safety of the employees.

In this particular case which occurred on October 29, the mail was held to ensure the safety of the employees. Once the mail was considered safe after consultations with Health Canada and with others, it was returned for delivery. Employees in this case who still had safety concerns were offered work elsewhere. They refused and therefore were laid off. They will be put back into the rotation once they decide to come back to work.

I want to assure the House and all Canadians that no mail or parcels in Canada have had anthrax.

Marlene Jennings Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for International Cooperation

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member opposite for her question.

I am very pleased to say that, indeed, Canada has a relationship with Afghanistan that spans several years. So far, we have contributed $150 million in aid to that country, plus an additional $16 million since the September 11 events.

The money given to Afghanistan as international assistance was not paid to the Taliban, but to NGOs working with women—

Kevin Sorenson Crowfoot, AB

Mr. Speaker, unanimously the Ontario legislature passed a motion yesterday denouncing Correctional Service Canada's decision to transfer cop killer Clinton Suzack from one medium security penitentiary to another. The solicitor general and his parliamentary secretary have both insultingly defended CSC's decision despite the repeated demands from Ontario's 13,000 police officers for justice in the name of their fallen colleague Joe MacDonald.

Will the solicitor general right this wrong? Will he send Suzack back to maximum security?

Lawrence MacAulay Solicitor General of Canada

Mr. Speaker, as I have said many times, when individuals are arrested in this country, they are placed in an institution and evaluated as to whether they should be in maximum, medium or minimum.

In this situation the individual was in one institution. The decision was made by Correctional Service Canada after evaluation to transfer him to another institution.

Mauril Bélanger Ottawa—Vanier, ON

Mr. Speaker, I wish to raise a question of privilege. During oral question period, I had the opportunity to ask a question. While I was doing so, some Bloc Quebecois members took it upon themselves to suggest to me, if I can put it that way, to speak French.

If Bloc Quebecois members choose to speak French exclusively, it is their choice and I respect it. Similarly, I hope they will respect my decision to reflect the linguistic reality of the constituency that I represent. I am asking that they stop harassing me when I address this House in either one of the two official languages of the country.

Mac Harb Ottawa Centre, ON

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 13th report of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade.

Also, in accordance with its order of reference of Tuesday, November 20, the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade is happy to present its 14th report to the House of Commons on Bill C-41, an act to amend the Canadian Commercial Corporation Act. The committee agreed on Thursday, November 29, to report it without amendment.

Marlene Jennings Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for International Cooperation

Mr. Speaker, Question No. 79 will be answered today.

Bill Casey Cumberland—Colchester, NS

With regard to the Sydney Tar Ponds environmental cleanup, can the government identify which federal departments have provided funding, and for each department involved advise: ( a ) how much funding was provided; ( b ) when the funding was provided; ( c ) who received the funding or will be receiving the funding; and ( d ) what is the specific purpose of the funding?

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

I am informed by Environment Canada, Health Canada and the Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation as follows:

Environment Canada and Health Canada

Environment Canada and Health Canada are the federal departments that have contributed funding toward the Sydney tar ponds and former coke ovens cleanup. The answers below pertain to both departments.

(a) Environment Canada and Health Canada contributed jointly to a cabinet submission to secure $37.9 million in federal funds, part of a three year $62 million cost share agreement among the federal, provincial and municipal governments. Environment Canada is the custodian of these funds.

(b) The funding, announced in May 1999, was to be spread over the three years of the cost share agreement.

(c) Recipients of the funding were the Nova Scotia department of transportation and public works, the Cape Breton Regional Municipality CBRM, and the joint action group JAG, through the CBRM.

(d) The purpose of the funding was to support the administration and operation of JAG through the JAG secretariat to complete the required environmental and health evaluation and assessment work on issues associated with the Muggah Creek watershed and to undertake initial remediation projects, all through contracts with private sector companies.

Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation

In 1997 Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation provided $522,180.22 under the Canada--Nova Scotia infrastructure works program to the Cape Breton regional municipality for the construction of an interceptor sewer, phase I, in the Muggah Creek, the Sydney tar ponds.

Marlene Jennings Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine, QC

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