Debates of May 1st, 2001
House of Commons Hansard #52 of the 37th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was trade.
Topics
- National Child Benefit
- Trade
- Government Response To Petitions
- Business Of The House
- Interparliamentary Delegations
- Committees Of The House
- Canada Labour Code
- Petitions
- Questions On The Order Paper
- Supply
- Business Of The House
- Supply
- Gold Mining
- Aboriginal Affairs
- Fresh Water Resources
- Children's Park
- Jeunes En Tête
- Veterans Affairs
- Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month
- Quebec Cartier Mining Company
- Forum For Young Canadians
- Hepatitis C Month
- International Workers Day
- Nurses
- Emergency Preparedness Week
- Health
- Energy
- Canada Mortgage And Housing Corporation
- Immigration
- Food Inspection
- Business Development Bank Of Canada
- Space Shield
- Taxation
- Human Rights
- Gun Registry
- Business Development Bank Of Canada
- Treasury Board
- Employment Insurance
- National Defence
- Trade
- Foreign Affairs
- Victims Of Pyrite Damage
- Rural Development
- Agriculture
- Armenian People
- Business Development Bank Of Canada
- Presence In Gallery
- Point Of Order
- Petitions
- Supply
- Committees Of The House
- Message From The Senate
- Supply
- Message From The Senate
- Supply
- Division No. 79
- Division No. 80
- Canada Elections Act
- Division No. 81
- Eldorado Nuclear Limited Reorganization And Divestiture Act
- Division No. 82
- Charities Registration (Security Information) Act
- Division No. 83
- Farm Credit Corporation Act
- Division No. 84
- Business Of The House
- Criminal Code
- Modernization Of The Standing Orders Of The House Of Commons
Employment Insurance
Oral Question Period
2:45 p.m.
Brant
Ontario
Liberal
Jane Stewart Minister of Human Resources Development
Mr. Speaker, we have the Bloc asking for changes to the Employment Insurance Act when it voted against the amendments that were presented in Bill C-2.
If it were up to the opposition, the intensity rule would still be part of the act, medium income Canadians would still be subject to the clawback, and the re-entrance rule would not have been changed. I suggest that party is not standing up at all for workers in the province of Quebec.
Employment Insurance
Oral Question Period
2:45 p.m.
Bloc
Gérard Asselin Charlevoix, QC
Mr. Speaker, during the election campaign, the Prime Minister himself acknowledged that the changes to employment insurance had had negative impacts on seasonal workers in the regions.
Instead of proposing measures that cannot be carried out, like extending the working season, is the minister going to reach the same conclusions and recommend special status for seasonal workers?
Employment Insurance
Oral Question Period
2:50 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, as hon. members are aware, certain measures are before the House at this time, ones that will be of great assistance to all seasonal workers in Quebec and in all of Canada.
I find what the hon. member has just said deplorable. To say that our actions to help diversify the economy, to extend the tourist season so that there will be a decent economy, are unrealistic is irresponsible. This government is going to work to help the people in the regions.
Employment Insurance
Oral Question Period
2:50 p.m.
Some hon. members
Hear, hear.
Employment Insurance
Oral Question Period
2:50 p.m.
Some hon. members
Oh, oh.
Employment Insurance
Oral Question Period
2:50 p.m.
The Speaker
Order, please. It is very difficult for the Chair to hear the member who has the floor. The hon. member for Edmonton Centre-East.
National Defence
Oral Question Period
2:50 p.m.
Canadian Alliance
Peter Goldring Edmonton Centre-East, AB
Mr. Speaker, the Americans are moving ahead with the development of their missile defence program. Yesterday President Bush was reported to have called the Prime Minister to discuss this important security issue.
Understandably final details are required for a final decision, but did the Prime Minister give qualified support? Did he give support in principle? Did he give encouragement for this plan?
National Defence
Oral Question Period
2:50 p.m.
Saint-Maurice
Québec
Liberal
Jean Chrétien Prime Minister
Mr. Speaker, as I replied earlier, the president informed me that he would be making a speech, which he is doing at this time. He is proposing a new plan in this field. He said he would consult before putting the plan in place, not only with Canada but with the European countries, the Russians and the Chinese.
As I said, we are not confronted with the decision now because we do not know exactly what the plan will be.
National Defence
Oral Question Period
2:50 p.m.
Canadian Alliance
Peter Goldring Edmonton Centre-East, AB
Mr. Speaker, the question was: Did we give support to the plan? The government has dithered on this issue for years while the Americans have been looking for a positive Canadian response.
The director general of policy and planning in the Department of National Defence stated:
—the value of our political support will depreciate as we approach decision time. Once the U.S. has made its decision, that value will be reduced to nothing.
When will the government get off the fence and speak out in Canada's national interest?
National Defence
Oral Question Period
2:50 p.m.
Saint-Maurice
Québec
Liberal
Trade
Oral Question Period
May 1st, 2001 / 2:50 p.m.
Liberal
Bryon Wilfert Oak Ridges, ON
Mr. Speaker, this week a delegation of Japanese parliamentarians came to Ottawa for bilateral consultations with the Canada-Japan Interparliamentary Group. Recently the Secretary of State for Asia-Pacific visited Japan.
Given the importance of Canada-Japan relations, what initiatives is the minister undertaking to enhance our relationship?
Trade
Oral Question Period
2:50 p.m.
Winnipeg North—St. Paul
Manitoba
Liberal
Rey D. Pagtakhan Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific)
Mr. Speaker, the Government of Canada has undertaken numerous initiatives to revitalize our economic relations with Japan, Canada's second largest trading partner.
Early last month in Tokyo, I represented the Prime Minister at the Pacific Basin Economic Council forum which looked at how we could revitalize the economy.
Also I launched the Think Canada Festival 2001, a three month long event to reinforce Canada's image as a highly industrialized country with world class technology. I also met with the Canadian chambers of commerce.
Foreign Affairs
Oral Question Period
2:50 p.m.
Canadian Alliance
Keith Martin Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca, BC
Mr. Speaker, Zimbabwe's president Robert Mugabe is a vicious dictator who is a threat to the stability of southern Africa. Under his regime, its inflation rate is up 60%. He is throwing opposition people in jail and is even giving amnesty to those who have killed opposition supporters.
My question for the minister is very simple. Will the Minister of Foreign Affairs stop all Canadian government to government aid to Zimbabwe?
Foreign Affairs
Oral Question Period
2:50 p.m.
Ottawa South
Ontario
Liberal
John Manley Minister of Foreign Affairs
Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned to the hon. member yesterday, this relationship is one that must be seen in the context of the Commonwealth.
I expect based on the discussions which occurred, although not part of the agenda at the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group a few weeks ago, that it will be a subject of discussion at the Commonwealth heads of government meeting in a few months. I think we will take appropriate action in co-operation with other Commonwealth countries.
Foreign Affairs
Oral Question Period
2:55 p.m.
Canadian Alliance
Keith Martin Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca, BC
Mr. Speaker, as a nation we took the lead with South Africa. It is not good enough to wait months while people in Zimbabwe are being killed and the whole structure in southern African is poised to crumble. We have an opportunity to lead.
While President Mugabe is throwing members of the judiciary in prison and is actually threatening them, will the Minister of Foreign Affairs say to our representatives at the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank that they will push for a withholding of all grants and loans to Zimbabwe until the rule of law is once again restored?