House of Commons Hansard #136 of the 37th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was youth.

Topics

Minister of National DefenceOral Question Period

2:45 p.m.

The Speaker

The hon. Deputy Prime Minister.

Minister of National DefenceOral Question Period

2:45 p.m.

Ottawa South Ontario

Liberal

John Manley LiberalDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Crown Corporations

Mr. Speaker, first of all let us make perfectly clear that the position of the Government of Canada is that the law of international conflict applies to our troops, including those that are soon to depart as well as those that have already been engaged. Therefore the Geneva conventions apply.

Canadian troops are under instructions to respect the principles of international law, including the Geneva conventions, and have done so thoroughly throughout their engagement. There is no ambiguity about the rules under which they are being engaged in this conflict.

National DefenceOral Question Period

2:45 p.m.

Canadian Alliance

Peter Goldring Canadian Alliance Edmonton Centre-East, AB

Mr. Speaker, the deputy minister of public works confirms that the program to replace the Sea King is woefully behind schedule, full of unnecessary risks and has skyrocketing budget problems. That is the Liberal way.

The minister told this House and the military that it would have its first Sea King replacement by 2005. The public works deputy minister says 2006.

When will the litany of Liberal contradictions end?

National DefenceOral Question Period

2:45 p.m.

York Centre Ontario

Liberal

Art Eggleton LiberalMinister of National Defence

Mr. Speaker, we are still aiming to get the replacement helicopter just as quickly as we can. If we could get them by the end of 2005 we certainly want to.

Yes, there has been some loss of time. We hope we can maybe make up some of that loss of time as we go through this process, but it may be possible that we will have to wait a little bit longer.

I will say one thing: the Sea Kings that are used in the Arabian Sea as part of our Operation Apollo are performing exceedingly well and they are performing exceedingly well because of the men and women who keep them flying, and flying safely, and are producing some solid results for the coalition.

National DefenceOral Question Period

2:45 p.m.

Canadian Alliance

Peter Goldring Canadian Alliance Edmonton Centre-East, AB

Mr. Speaker, the minister clearly does not know what is happening. Or is he waiting for another week before he is going to tell us?

The Sea King replacement program is over budgeted and mismanaged and is quickly falling off the rails; thirty years and the Liberals are still screwing around with the specifications.

Why are we using a split procurement when the public works department and industry both say it wastes tax dollars, increases risk and delays the delivery?

National DefenceOral Question Period

2:45 p.m.

The Speaker

I hope that we will perhaps improve the language a little in the House. I think it would be better.

National DefenceOral Question Period

2:45 p.m.

York Centre Ontario

Liberal

Art Eggleton LiberalMinister of National Defence

Mr. Speaker, the Sea King replacement is going well within financial parameters that are far better than what they would have been under the old outdated plan of the Conservatives. We are going to save over $1 billion in this replacement of the Sea Kings.

Minister of National DefenceOral Question Period

2:45 p.m.

Bloc

Michel Gauthier Bloc Roberval, QC

Mr. Speaker, on the weekend, the Prime Minister made a statement to reporters when leaving the Liberal caucus to the effect that “There are no prisoners. It is hypothetical, and they will be treated according to an agreement entered into with the Americans”.

He said the same thing Monday in question period, in response to the leader of the Bloc Québécois.

I am asking the Minister of National Defence, who has been well informed from the 21st that there had been prisoners taken, who had seen photos and had the opportunity to discuss these prisoners with his department, why he did not take the trouble to forewarn the Prime Minister between the time he made the statement on Sunday and his response during question period in the House.

Minister of National DefenceOral Question Period

2:45 p.m.

York Centre Ontario

Liberal

Art Eggleton LiberalMinister of National Defence

First, Mr. Speaker, with respect to the debate on Monday night, that was dealing with the question of the 750 troops going to Afghanistan. There was extensive discussion about detainees, all in the policy context which has been repeated time and time again.

Minister of National DefenceOral Question Period

2:50 p.m.

Bloc

Michel Gauthier Bloc Roberval, QC

Mr. Speaker, the minister has said that the Prime Minister was not informed that Canadians had taken prisoners. He said “I did not inform him. I am sorry, I put him in an awkward position”.

How can he explain that, on Monday, when they were preparing for oral question period—and we know the government does prepare itself—the minister, having heard what the PM said on the weekend, the PMO, having also heard what he said, not a soul could tell the Prime Minister “There has been a mistake. There are prisoners, but we didn't tell you”? How can he explain this?

Minister of National DefenceOral Question Period

2:50 p.m.

York Centre Ontario

Liberal

Art Eggleton LiberalMinister of National Defence

Mr. Speaker, as I have said continually, we operated within policy, and a policy that the Prime Minister understood in the conversation that I had. The members of this House had an understanding through my presentation at the committee on the same points.

When I first heard this news on the Monday, I determined that it was necessary to in fact get more information about the matter when I returned from my trip to Mexico, which I did, and at the earliest opportunity, which was Tuesday morning, I advised the Prime Minister and the cabinet. Of course I regret that he was asked the question on Monday and did not have the full information at that time. I have extended my apology to him.

ImmigrationOral Question Period

2:50 p.m.

Canadian Alliance

Paul Forseth Canadian Alliance New Westminster—Coquitlam—Burnaby, BC

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the minister of immigration.

Last May, the new Minister of Natural Resources had his ability to intervene with the immigration ministry over visa permits suspended because the people he vouched for failed to obey the law and leave Canada when required.

The system must be defended from political interference. Will this immigration minister continue the suspension policy?

ImmigrationOral Question Period

2:50 p.m.

Bourassa Québec

Liberal

Denis Coderre LiberalMinister of Citizenship and Immigration

Mr. Speaker, I am somewhat disturbed by the style of the question.

I am for immigration.

As immigration minister, I have the prerogative to issue special permits. I believe all hon. members are honest and honourable. Each time a case is submitted to me, I take it as a recommendation and I make the final decision. That is what I have done, moreover, with several Canadian Alliance MPs.

ImmigrationOral Question Period

2:50 p.m.

Canadian Alliance

Paul Forseth Canadian Alliance New Westminster—Coquitlam—Burnaby, BC

Mr. Speaker, the minister may not be able to make up his mind whether it is for or of, but certainly he has an opportunity to put his personal stamp of, maybe, achievement on a department that needs a lot of help.

MPs who inappropriately interfere, usually Liberal ones, should be brought into line. Will the minister guarantee Canadians that he will maintain some semblance of order over there and suspend MPs like his colleague, the political minister from British Columbia, from meddling to obtain votes?

ImmigrationOral Question Period

2:50 p.m.

Bourassa Québec

Liberal

Denis Coderre LiberalMinister of Citizenship and Immigration

Mr. Speaker, I need your advice. I just received a letter stating “I am writing with urgency to support an application for permanent residence”. It is signed by the Leader of the Opposition.

Research and DevelopmentOral Question Period

January 31st, 2002 / 2:50 p.m.

Liberal

Walt Lastewka Liberal St. Catharines, ON

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Secretary of State for Science, Research and Development.

All members of the House know that investing in Canadian students and Canadian research will ensure that Canada remains a world class centre for research and development. Could the secretary of state tell the House what recent initiatives the government has taken to attract and retain the best and the brightest researchers in the world?

Research and DevelopmentOral Question Period

2:50 p.m.

Vaughan—King—Aurora Ontario

Liberal

Maurizio Bevilacqua LiberalSecretary of State (Science

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his question and am pleased to inform the House that just yesterday the Minister of Industry announced $779 million in new funding by the Canada Foundation for Innovation to support research throughout Canada.

These strategic initiatives are extremely important because they promote economic growth in Canada, enhance the quality of life for Canadians and, more important than that, they also position Canada as a globally competitive and innovative nation.

Needless to say, in science, research and development we aim for excellence.

Softwood LumberOral Question Period

2:50 p.m.

Canadian Alliance

John Duncan Canadian Alliance Vancouver Island North, BC

Mr. Speaker, it is very apparent that the workers, the communities and the industry affected by the softwood lumber crisis are not a priority for the Prime Minister. The many months long and one sided negotiating strategy of the minister has not inspired confidence and now there are real questions about whether Canada is prepared for the U.S. lumber lobby counter proposals.

There is no evidence that the minister has initiated a cost analysis to guide the Canadian response. Why is the minister waiting to do the necessary homework?

Softwood LumberOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

London—Fanshawe Ontario

Liberal

Pat O'Brien LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister for International Trade

Mr. Speaker, once again the member has it wrong.

The provinces have made submissions to the United States. At the request of Governor Racicot, the American industry is to respond to them with concrete proposals. It has not done so yet, so our government is continuing to wait to hear from the American administration. The member has it all backwards again.

Minister of National DefenceOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Bloc

Gilles Duceppe Bloc Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC

Mr. Speaker, a little earlier, we were told that there was no written agreement. We are being led to believe that there was perhaps no agreement at all.

But when I asked the Prime Minister a question this week, he replied “Mr. Speaker, my information is that, when we concluded an agreement with the Americans, they were going to respect all international laws, including the Geneva declaration”.

So, who concluded this agreement and when was it concluded, since the Prime Minister says that there was one? Who concluded it and when?

Minister of National DefenceOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

York Centre Ontario

Liberal

Art Eggleton LiberalMinister of National Defence

Mr. Speaker, as I said, the agreement comes from the United States clearly stating that it will abide by international law and operate consistent with the Geneva conventions, that it will in fact treat any detainees in a humane way. I have no doubt that is what it is doing.

We are talking about a friend, an ally, a democratic country. I believe it is in fact treating these people in a humane way. There is a determination that has to be made about their status. Again, we expect international law and the Geneva conventions to be followed.

Minister of National DefenceOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Progressive Conservative

Joe Clark Progressive Conservative Calgary Centre, AB

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Deputy Prime Minister.

On January 28, the Prime Minister said that the capture of prisoners by Canadian troops was just a hypothetical question. But, more than a week earlier, Canadian soldiers had already captured prisoners and had so informed their superiors in a significant incident report.

Does such a report have to be sent or communicated to the Privy Council Office or to anyone else in the government? In the present very specific case, was the report sent to the PCO, and when was it received?

Minister of National DefenceOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

York Centre Ontario

Liberal

Art Eggleton LiberalMinister of National Defence

Mr. Speaker, matters that are relevant to the Joint Task Force 2 are given orally. They are given to me by the CDS as part of the briefing that I receive every day.

I have made clear, when I got that information, my desire to seek further information when I returned to Canada from Mexico, and then I subsequently advised the Prime Minister and the cabinet.

The EnvironmentOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Liberal

Julian Reed Liberal Halton, ON

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of the Environment.

Last week press reports indicated that U.S. Ambassador Cellucci urged Canada not to ratify the Kyoto protocol. Could the minister tell the House if the government is concerned about these headlines?

The EnvironmentOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Victoria B.C.

Liberal

David Anderson LiberalMinister of the Environment

Mr. Speaker, it is clear from looking past the headlines to the story and actually reading the words of Ambassador Cellucci that he was not in fact urging Canada to take any particular position with respect to the Kyoto accord. This position has been confirmed with embassy officials. The ambassador was simply stating what all members of the House know, namely that the United States and the Canadian economies are closely linked. Could I add that the government has been clear that we wish to be in a position to ratify the Kyoto agreement following full consultation with Canadians, perhaps as early as this year.