Debates of May 1st, 2002

James Moore Port Moody—Coquitlam—Port Coquitlam, BC

Mr. Speaker, with governing like this, thank God this Prime Minister is not running again.

In his red book, the Prime Minister promised that there would be an independent ethics counsellor reporting to the House. He broke his word.

Could the next Liberal leader please stand up and tell Canadians whether or not he or she will resuscitate this promise to Canadians?

Jean Chrétien Prime Minister

Mr. Speaker, in 10 days from now I will have my eighth leader of the opposition on the front bench. Since that party has had a new leader the quality of the questions has gone down. I see the former leader smiled when I said that.

Jean-Yves Roy Matapédia—Matane, QC

Mr. Speaker, on November 16, 2001, the member for Bonaventure--Gaspé--Îles-de-la-Madeleine--Pabok announced funding of $2.2 million towards the development of the wind industry in the Gaspé.

Yesterday, the member for Beauce announced another $2.2 million for the same industry.

Are we to understand from these two announcements, including the one made yesterday by the member for Beauce, that Economic Development Canada's investment in Gaspé's wind industry has gone up to $4.4 million?

Claude Drouin Secretary of State (Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec)

Mr. Speaker, we have perhaps taken a page from the book of the PQ, which announces the same news four times.

What I would like to say today in the House is that when the hon. member for Bonaventure--Gaspé--Îles-de-la-Madeleine--Pabok made the announcement, it was conditional on approval by the backers. This was recently given and I confirmed it yesterday in the House.

That is why we announced it. We give you the real news: $2.2 million.

Jean-Yves Roy Matapédia—Matane, QC

Mr. Speaker, in light of what we have just heard from the member for Beauce—

Jean-Yves Roy Matapédia—Matane, QC

Mr. Speaker, what hurts the Gaspé is the government making the same announcement two and even three times, rather than announcing a real program to develop the wind industry in the region.

What is the government waiting for to show as much interest in the wind industry in the Gaspé as it has shown in oil in Newfoundland?

Claude Drouin Secretary of State (Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec)

Mr. Speaker, does the hon. member want us to announce it a third time? No. Seriously, we will continue to do so.

If we receive applications for other projects, we will analyze them as we have always done. We will show that we are looking out for the development of the regions, as we did with the Gaspesia mill, as we did with the aluminum technologies centre.

These are projects which we have supported in the regions and which we will continue to support because Economic Development Canada is looking out for the development of the regions.

Carol Skelton Saskatoon—Rosetown—Biggar, SK

Mr. Speaker, a dark cloud still hangs over the government because of its poor handling of recent ethical questions. Mixing of partisan activity and public business by the finance minister and the industry minister is wrong. Canadians need more accountability.

Will the Prime Minister create an independent ethics counsellor who reports to parliament right now?

Jean Chrétien Prime Minister

Mr. Speaker, at the request of the committee, the ethics counsellor has appeared in front of the committee many times in a year. He already reports regularly to the House of Commons.

I do not understand why they have problems. If I ask for his advice he gives me advice. If the hon. member wants to ask him for advice he will give her advice because that is his role.

If people want to know what he is doing, he appears before the committee and has not refused to debate any issue in front of the committee of the House of Commons.

Carol Skelton Saskatoon—Rosetown—Biggar, SK

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister has broken his promise to Canadians. Seventy percent of Canadians think the government is corrupt.

The Prime Minister's ethics coach does not have the tools to do his job. Why will the Prime Minister not keep his promise? It is time to create an ethics counsellor who reports to parliament and not just to the Prime Minister. What is the hold up?

Jean Chrétien Prime Minister

Mr. Speaker, I am sorry to inform the hon. member but she was included in that survey because it stated that all politicians were like that.

It is because of the irresponsibility that we see in the House of Commons that they are painting themselves in the corner.