Debates of Nov. 8th, 2002

Jim Abbott Kootenay—Columbia, BC

Mr. Speaker, there is considerable hostility between Parks Canada management and parks users. Property owners and lease holders providing services in our parks consistently state that the interests of environmental and native groups have considerably more weight with parks officials than do the concerns of parks users.

When is the government going to see Parks Canada as parks instead of exclusive preserves?

Sheila Copps Minister of Canadian Heritage

I think one of the issues, Mr. Speaker, relates back to the question that was asked about tuberculosis. One of the mandates of Parks Canada, which actually was conferred by this Parliament, is that above and beyond any other concern the question of ecological integrity is paramount. Obviously ecological integrity means putting the environment first.

Of course Parks Canada is very happy to meet with groups, individuals and others who feel that their issues do not coincide with those of the environment, but I think Canadians expect Parks Canada to put the environment first.

Cheryl Gallant Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON

Mr. Speaker, the decision to use a civilian helicopter not intended for search and rescue missions led to the deaths of Captain Colin Sonoski and Captain Juli-Ann Mackenzie on July 18 of this year.

Under this minister's watch, rescue efforts were further hampered by the fact that the C-146 is painted camouflage green. Since 1996 there has been a request to paint the Griffon helicopters yellow so that they are easier to find when they crash.

Is not the reason the Griffon helicopters were never repainted that the military was waiting for the Sea King replacements to use as search and rescue helicopters?

John McCallum Minister of National Defence

Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to answer this question. It almost sounds as if it is a planted Liberal question, because the fact of the matter is that a couple of weeks ago I was in Goose Bay and met a corporal who was involved in that incident and who made a personal plea to me to have those helicopters painted yellow.

I have issued the instruction that the search and rescue helicopters in Goose Bay be painted yellow, so it is happening.

Yvan Loubier Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot, QC

Mr. Speaker, the proliferation of private ATMs is a cause for concern. They are totally uncontrolled and may, according to the Sûreté du Québec, might conceal money laundering activities, the cloning of cards, and the illegal recording of PIN numbers.

Will the government commit to passing legislation as soon as possible to limit the expansion of private ATMs, adopt tight regulations for them, and strengthen provisions of the Criminal Code to thwart counterfeiters and protect consumers?

Bryon Wilfert Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance

Mr. Speaker, the banking payment system in Canada is one of the most sound in the world. The government does not generally regulate the pricing of financial institutions' charges for their services.

Larry Bagnell Yukon, YT

This is my question, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday the member for Okanagan—Coquihalla stood in the House and stated that a year after the September 11 attacks a Canadian presence is needed in Afghanistan to visibly work with agencies to restore and protect school programs for young Afghan children and women. He also stated that Canada should now help build and maintain the programs that will make liberation in Afghanistan a reality for generations to come.

This gives the impression that the government is not doing its share to help with Afghanistan's reconstruction efforts.

Could the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for International Cooperation please outline what the Government of Canada is doing in this regard?

Marlene Jennings Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for International Cooperation

Mr. Speaker, through CIDA, Canada has been and continues to be present in Afghanistan's reconstruction efforts. Since 9/11, Canada has committed over $160 million to Afghanistan. Of that amount, $22 million has been provided for reconstruction and development initiatives, including vocational training for women and primary education. CIDA does work on the ground with reputable organizations like UNICEF, CARE Canada and the Red Cross.

Before the hon. member for Okanagan—Coquihalla makes such misleading statements, perhaps--

David Collenette Minister of Transport

Mr. Speaker, I replied to a similar question yesterday and stated that there has been a complaint filed by a member of the opposition to the ethics counsellor. I assume that he is looking into that matter and will report in due course.

What I said earlier, I should also say in English, that is, the Prime Minister and all of us on the Liberal side of the House have the utmost confidence in the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration and the great work that he is doing.

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

Mr. Speaker, more and more complaints are being received from people who cannot draw employment insurance when they have left a job in order to care for a family member who is ill. In the last throne speech, the government made a commitment to remedying this problem by allowing people to look after family members who are gravely or terminally ill “without fear of sudden income or job loss”.

When does the Minister of Human Resources Development intend to follow up on this commitment made in the Speech from the Throne?

Raymonde Folco Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Human Resources Development

Mr. Speaker, the government does indeed consider it a priority to help Canadians strike a proper balance between work and family life.

As outlined in the throne speech, the government is going to bring in changes to these programs in order to provide Canadians with the necessary support when they need to be off work to care for a child, partner or parent who is seriously ill or dying.

Our main objective will be to provide an appropriate and effective response to the needs of Canadian workers and their families.