Debates of Oct. 21st, 2003

Ralph Goodale Minister of Public Works and Government Services

Mr. Speaker, a procurement process is underway in pursuit of the replacement helicopter. It is our objective to get a vehicle that satisfies the military requirements, that can be achieved at a good value from the taxpayers' point of view, and that, in fact, can be on hand as rapidly as possible.

Joe Comartin Windsor—St. Clair, ON

Mr. Speaker, I have a bit of a Kyoto update. This federal government is paying $15 million to burn eucalyptus trees in Brazil. At the same time, the Ontario Liberals are backing off their election commitment to convert coal-fired plants in Ontario to natural gas.

When will the government show some leadership by investing in the conservation and conversion of these coal-fired plants to natural gas in Ontario, rather than burn eucalyptus trees in Brazil?

David Anderson Minister of the Environment

Mr. Speaker, with respect to the coal-fired plants in Ontario, we are looking forward to working with the new government of Ontario which has committed 2007 as the year when coal-fired plants will be phased out.

We think it is a very progressive step. It is in line with our agreement with the United States that I signed with my American counterpart a year ago and we are looking forward to speedy progress in this program.

Judy Wasylycia-Leis Winnipeg North Centre, MB

Mr. Speaker, one would think that 74 years after being declared persons, women would be enjoying full equality. Not so.

The recent United Nations report shows Canada is way behind in the elimination of discrimination. We are even losing ground under this government. Today, advisory councils on the status of women gather in Ottawa calling for a plan to pursue equality issues.

I ask the government, what happened to the government that once had the courage to create a Royal Commission on the Status of Women that did make a difference? What mechanism does the government offer today's women? Where is its equality agenda?

Jean Augustine Secretary of State (Multiculturalism) (Status of Women)

Mr. Speaker, the government is committed to women's equality.

When we made a presentation to the United Nations committee earlier this year, it acknowledged the progress that Canada was making in this area, but it said that much more needed to be done.

We are conscious of what that “much more” is, and we are working very steadily on an agenda for gender equality. We are working with our provincial partners and with organizations so that we can proceed on progress for women.

Leon Benoit Lakeland, AB

Mr. Speaker, this whole Bombardier Challenger jet deal has blown up. Everyone over there is running for cover. Even the new Liberal leader is trying to avoid responsibility.

When he was finance minister, did the new Liberal leader sign the cheque for the Challenger jets?

John Manley Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance

Mr. Speaker, I do not know who he thinks is running for cover.

We have built, in Canada, one of the largest aviation industries in the world. I do not care where the Prime Minister, the Minister of Industry or the Deputy Prime Minister fly, but they should be in a Canadian-made plane, the best in the world for its price and we are proud of it.

Leon Benoit Lakeland, AB

Mr. Speaker, that is all fine, but Canada already had four perfectly good Canadian-built Challenger jets and we did not need any more.

This whole deal stinks. A $100 million deal is untendered and cleaning out the bank account at the end of the fiscal year.

Why did the former finance minister, the new Liberal leader, approve this deal?

John Manley Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance

I get it, Mr. Speaker, old ones are okay but new ones are not.

John Manley Ottawa South, ON

Let us just speculate on the--

John Manley Ottawa South, ON

Mr. Speaker, the fact that we use the best Canadian technology is something that Canadians ought to expect of us. The fact that we acquired them in a year when we had an $8.7 billion fiscal surplus demonstrated our prudence.

We do not sell our technology by showcasing the old stuff. We sell it by showcasing our best and newest.

Jean-Yves Roy Matapédia—Matane, QC

Mr. Speaker, the Quebec minister responsible for the Gaspé region is asking the federal government to carry out a study on the impact of the Belledune project on the aquatic fauna of the area.

Why does the federal government continue to refuse to assume its responsibilities under section 35 of the Fisheries Act, particularly now that the Government of Quebec has added its voice to that of the Bloc Quebecois and of all the people in the region?