Debates of May 12th, 2004

Rodger Cuzner Bras D'Or—Cape Breton, NS

Mr. Speaker, today in Sydney, Nova Scotia, the Government of Canada in partnership with the province of Nova Scotia, announced a project to clean up the Sydney tar ponds.

Years of study and consultation culminated today in announcing a plan that is supported by all sectors of the community.

My question is for the Minister of Public Works and Government Services. Now that the cleanup technologies have been identified and the necessary money peeled out, when can the people of Sydney expect to see the clean up begin?

Stephen Owen Minister of Public Works and Government Services

Mr. Speaker, I am most grateful to the member from Bras d'Or—Cape Breton for a substantive policy issue of great importance to the Canadian people, and particularly the people of Sydney and Cape Breton.

Today the Government of Canada, together with the Government of Nova Scotia, committed $400 million to the clean up of the Sydney tar ponds, as was reported on and pledged in the February Speech from the Throne.

The work will begin soon. I thank the member for Sydney—Victoria and the member for Bras d'Or—Cape Breton who both worked hard on behalf of their constituents leading to a 10 year clean up--

Joe Clark Calgary Centre, AB

Mr. Speaker, my question for the Prime Minister is about HIV-AIDS funding within Canada.

I commend his international initiatives, but he knows that HIV-AIDS is a major issue at home too. He knows that last year the Deputy Prime Minister said “it's important to at least double” domestic funding “on an annual basis”.

Will the Prime Minister honour the word of the Deputy Prime Minister and “at least double” domestic funding on HIV-AIDS?

David Anderson Minister of the Environment

Mr. Speaker, earlier in question period the member for Medicine Hat made reference to a document which he claims gives my views on a subject on which a large number of alliance Conservative members have given erroneous information over the last two days.

Given the fact that he stated such a document exists, I wonder whether he would be kind enough to table it.

Monte Solberg Medicine Hat, AB

Mr. Speaker, I would be happy to table a document called “Transportation and Climate Change: Options for Action”, a document that comes from the minister's department dated November 1999. In fact, it does state that tax increases required to achieve the targets would have to go from 54¢ a litre to $1.40. We are happy to table the document.

John Williams St. Albert, AB

Mr. Speaker, last night on national television I said that Mr. Pierre Tremblay worked for the member for Glengarry—Prescott—Russell when he was the minister of public works and government services. I now know that was factually incorrect and that Mr. Pierre Tremblay worked for Mr. Alfonso Gagliano when he was the minister but not for the member for Glengarry--Prescott--Russell.

I fully and completely withdraw the allegation that Mr. Tremblay worked for the member for Glengarry--Prescott--Russell when he was the minister of public works and government services and, unreservedly, apologize to the member for any hurt or embarrassment which I may have caused to him.

Don Boudria Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON

Mr. Speaker, I only want but a moment of the House's time to thank the committee chair, the hon. member for St. Albert, for the very courteous gesture that he has just demonstrated. I thank him very much for this act of generosity.

Joe Volpe for the Minister of Health

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-36, an act to prevent the introduction and spread of communicable diseases.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)