Debates of June 6th, 2001

Herb Dhaliwal Minister of Fisheries and Oceans

Mr. Speaker, the strategy which we laid out is supported by the government and supported by other parties in the House except the Alliance.

We have said right from day one that we would resolve this issue by negotiation. That was exactly what the supreme court said, that it should be resolved through negotiation.

That hon. member wants us to go to the courts and litigate. We do not want to litigate. We want to negotiate. The difference between the Alliance Party and us is that we want to build bridges through dialogue, through co-operation and through peaceful means, not divide Canadians as it wants to do.

Yvan Loubier Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot, QC

Braggart.

Pierre Paquette Joliette, QC

Mr. Speaker, we do not have much need of empty successes like that one. We still do not have the texts.

Does the minister realize that, at the rate things are going, the texts will be out of date before we get them? As long as people are still waiting, the public debate cannot take place.

Is the minister prepared to commit to providing all updates as they are made available? Is he prepared to commit to that?

Cheryl Gallant Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON

Mr. Speaker, yesterday during testimony on the marine parks bill, a member opposite from northern Ontario revealed that an appointee of the government staff advisory committee on Lake Superior was an agent for Donahue Corporation, which may net a windfall profit when the government buys land Donahue owns in the area for a marine park.

Will the government now do the right thing, withdraw the marine parks bill and launch a full inquiry into this questionable land deal?

Sheila Copps Minister of Canadian Heritage

Mr. Speaker, at my request about three weeks ago the hon. member in question has undertaken a process involving the director of the Lakehead University to ensure that the advisory capacity is full and open. I believe the hon. member is very happy with the process that has been established.

Cheryl Gallant Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON

Mr. Speaker, these are serious accusations that come from a member on the government side who told the Canadian heritage committee that his party did not want him in committee.

The chair of that committee refused to permit witnesses to be heard from the official opposition. Why is the government covering up what is really going on in the Department of Canadian Heritage?

Sheila Copps Minister of Canadian Heritage

Mr. Speaker, I already advised the hon. member that about a month ago I had a meeting with the hon. member in question. At his request we have appointed a special adviser to look into the whole issue. The adviser happens to be the chancellor at Lakehead University.

If the member has a problem with that, I think she should understand the chancellor at Lakehead University is above reproach and is establishing an open and transparent process.

For the marine conservation areas to work we need everyone on side. That is normal. Obviously that is not the case in the Reform Party.

David Collenette Minister of Transport

Mr. Speaker, the federal government is examining on a priority basis the extension of highway 30, which impacts on bridges.

Transport Canada recently commissioned Deloitte & Touche Corporate Finance Canada to help it determine how interested the private sector is in this project. As early as July 1, private contractors should be actively involved in the process.

Due diligence must be observed in checking estimates, basic assumptions and forecasts of traffic volume and revenues.