Debates of May 1st, 2001

Jean Chrétien Prime Minister

Mr. Speaker, I just said a minute ago that the goal of the government is to achieve the objectives that were agreed upon in Kyoto.

The government has already done one-third of what has to be done to meet the level that was established in Kyoto. We intend over the period that has been allocated to meet the objectives of Kyoto. It is the environmental policy of the Canadian government.

Alexa McDonough Halifax, NS

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister knows that there are made in Canada solutions, that we could be doing a lot more about environmentally responsible alternatives ourselves, things that Canada could be exporting with a vengeance.

Instead of promoting these alternatives which would be in Canada's interest economically and environmentally, why is the government acting like the drug dealer helping to keep the American's habit going?

Jean Chrétien Prime Minister

Mr. Speaker, the government is well known for its major investments in new technology. Let us look at the money and the success of Ballard in Vancouver.

Is the member for Halifax proposing that the Canadian government stop selling natural gas from Nova Scotia to the American market?

Joe Clark Calgary Centre, AB

Mr. Speaker, as part of its fight against poverty the government is insuring the construction of million dollar condominiums at One Post Road in Toronto. CMHC is also insuring the construction of Thornwood in Toronto. Those units start at $400,000 each.

What is the total amount of taxpayer money being used in projects like these to insure condominiums for the rich? What is the total liability of the Government of Canada if these construction projects fail?

Alfonso Gagliano Minister of Public Works and Government Services

Mr. Speaker, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation has established a mortgage insurance program with financial institutions. It does provide mortgage insurance. The program has helped many people who needed affordable housing. For example, 95% of a mortgage can now be insured so that people can have access to housing. We cannot have it both ways.

Let me assure the member that CMHC's insurance program is profitable and costs the taxpayers nothing.

Joe Clark Calgary Centre, AB

Mr. Speaker, during the election campaign, the government promised to provide housing for the poor and the homeless. But in fact the Liberals are subsidizing condominiums for the rich. In Calgary, in Quebec and elsewhere, some Canadians spend over 50% of their salary on housing, but the Liberals would rather help the rich.

When exactly will the government announce a national housing strategy for low income and homeless Canadians?

Alfonso Gagliano Minister of Public Works and Government Services

Mr. Speaker, very soon.

Elinor Caplan Minister of Citizenship and Immigration

Mr. Speaker, let me be clear. My department does not read the member's grandmother's mail.

We receive and inspect documents that customs believes and suspects are fraudulent. How does the member think that the Ressams of this world operate? They use phony passports, false birth certificates and forged documents.

We do not read the mail. We use sophisticated, high tech equipment to identify fraudulent documents using the most up to date techniques.

Leon Benoit Lakeland, AB

Mr. Speaker, now the minister says that it is okay to read the mail. In a recent immigration standing committee, the minister stated “Canadians love the fact that we are free. Nobody monitors our movements. Nobody checks our whereabouts in a way which makes us feel like big brother is watching us”.

That is what she said but it flies in the face of what she actually does. She acts like big brother when she opens our mail. When will the minister end this practice?

Elinor Caplan Minister of Citizenship and Immigration

Mr. Speaker, the member is wrong. My department does not open mail. Customs has the authority under the law to check documents and packages coming into Canada. It looks for fraudulent documents.

It was that party in 1994 that identified a loophole when a fraudulent document was identified by customs. In 1994 there was nothing the Government of Canada could do about it. That party said that we should fix that law and in 1995 we did.

Today that party has flip flopped. It wants Canada to be the fraudulent document capital of the world.

Suzanne Tremblay Rimouski-Neigette-Et-La Mitis, QC

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the minister refused to answer our questions on the Starlink corn grown in Canada and currently sold on the Quebec and Ontario markets.

As seeding is about to begin, can the minister guarantee that, since last Friday, his department has tracked down the contaminated seeds?

Lyle Vanclief Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

Mr. Speaker, there was some confusion in the question yesterday in which corn was referred to as food. It was seed corn.

The company found some genetically modified seed corn and withheld the sale of it. The rest of the lot of corn that tested negative did go out to some farmers. It is my understanding that it has not been planted. The company will recall it and make sure that it is negative as the original test showed.

Suzanne Tremblay Rimouski-Neigette-Et-La Mitis, QC

Mr. Speaker, over the past three months, the Starlink gene has been found in feed corn, in corn sold in groceries and, more recently, on the Quebec and Ontario seed markets.

Will the minister admit that not only is his inspection system no longer adequate to control Starlink shipments to Canada, but that it also cannot control the production of genetically modified corn in the country?