Debates of May 13th, 2004
House of Commons Hansard #54 of the 37th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was public.
Topics
- Government Response to Petitions
- Federal Law-Civil Law Harmonization Act
- Interparliamentary Delegations
- Committees of the House
- Standing Orders
- Committees of the House
- Petitions
- Questions Passed as Orders for Returns
- Question No. 79
- Question No. 85
- Supply
- Matagami
- Rights of the Unborn
- The Environment
- University of Prince Edward Island
- Canadian Railway Museum
- Samuel de Champlain
- Margaret Anna Lawson
- Member for Trois-Rivières
- Canadian Forces
- Member for Nanaimo--Cowichan
- Member for Davenport
- Justice
- Member for Rimouski—Neigette-et-la Mitis
- Member for Vancouver South--Burnaby
- Liberal Party of Canada
- Member for Ottawa--Orléans
- Government Policies
- Member for Laval Centre
- Member for Vancouver Kingsway
- Member for York Centre
- Gasoline Prices
- Electoral Boundaries
- Gasoline Prices
- Employment Insurance
- Shipbuilding
- Sponsorship Program
- Taxation
- Automobile Industry
- Gasoline Prices
- Agriculture
- Afghanistan
- Agriculture
- Quebec City Bridge
- Citizenship and Immigration
- Economic Development
- Agriculture
- Presence in the Gallery
- Business of the House
- Right Hon. Member for Calgary Centre
- Supply
- Message from the Senate
- Supply
- Income Tax Act
Afghanistan
Oral Question Period
2:55 p.m.
Toronto Centre—Rosedale
Ontario
Liberal
Bill Graham Minister of Foreign Affairs
Mr. Speaker, this question is now nearly a year old. We know very well that the Red Cross and other authorities have looked into what is going on in Guantanamo. Assurances have been given by the U.S. authorities that prisoners are being treated in accordance with international standards.
Agriculture
Oral Question Period
2:55 p.m.
Canadian Alliance
Charlie Penson Peace River, AB
Mr. Speaker, there have been some major developments in the agriculture trade negotiations which are breathing some new life into the Doha round. The European Union has signalled it is willing to eliminate its export agricultural subsidies. The U.S. has responded by showing flexibility in its export programs.
I would like to ask the minister, what is the Liberal government doing to get the Doha round back on track?
Agriculture
Oral Question Period
2:55 p.m.
Haldimand—Norfolk—Brant
Ontario
Liberal
Bob Speller Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
Mr. Speaker, presently the Minister of International Trade is over in Paris meeting with his counterparts to talk about the importance of the Canadian position. There are a number of issues within this trade round that are of concern to Canadian farmers, for instance, supply management. There is no question that the government is 100% behind Canadian supply managed farmers. I wonder whether or not the hon. member can actually say his party is.
Agriculture
Oral Question Period
2:55 p.m.
Canadian Alliance
Charlie Penson Peace River, AB
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of International Trade might be in Paris but he is not meeting with the EU, the U.S., Brazil, India and Australia that are meeting to try to get the Doha round back on track. Canadian inflexibility at the negotiating table has meant we have not been invited to these talks.
When is the Liberal government going to show the leadership required so that Canada is no longer excluded and left on the sidelines in the important negotiations on Doha?
Agriculture
Oral Question Period
3 p.m.
Haldimand—Norfolk—Brant
Ontario
Liberal
Bob Speller Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
Mr. Speaker, the hon. Minister of Finance spoke with them this morning.
The Government of Canada plays a very important role in these talks. We can join together countries in the G-8 with some of the developing countries. We can join them together and work with them in terms of putting forward a position which I think is very important to Canadian farmers and farm families.
I can assure the hon. member and all Canadians that the Government of Canada takes these talks very seriously. The Prime Minister has indicated that he wants to make sure that we put forward a very strong Canadian position on this issue.
Quebec City Bridge
Oral Question Period
3 p.m.
Liberal
Christian Jobin Lévis-Et-Chutes-De-La-Chaudière, QC
Mr. Speaker, the Quebec City bridge is part of Canada's national heritage. Under a tripartite agreement, the Canadian government, the Quebec government and Canadian National have committed to a major reconstruction project.
In 1997, they signed an agreement to rebuild the bridge. Now that there has been a significant cost over-run, I would like to hear the Minister of Transport tell this House what initiative he has taken to ensure that the parties to the agreement honour this commitment, given the cost over-run, particularly since Quebec City is celebrating its 400th anniversary in 2008.
Quebec City Bridge
Oral Question Period
3 p.m.
Stoney Creek
Ontario
Liberal
Tony Valeri Minister of Transport
Mr. Speaker, in 1997 a $60 million contribution agreement was signed by CN, Transport Canada and Quebec's ministry of transportation. It included major restorations and the painting of a steel structure.
As the hon. member has said, CN is anticipating a funding shortfall and there will be delays in completing the project on time. CN has not approached Transport Canada for additional funding. Should a request for funding be received, the department would evaluate that request and determine at that time how to respond.
Citizenship and Immigration
Oral Question Period
3 p.m.
Canadian Alliance
Bob Mills Red Deer, AB
Mr. Speaker, today the Supreme Court ruled it would not hear the appeal of John Schneeberger enabling him to stay in Canada.
Now that Schneeberger has lost all of his appeals, can the immigration minister advise Canadians and Schneeberger's victims when he will be deported from Canada?
Citizenship and Immigration
Oral Question Period
3 p.m.
Edmonton West
Alberta
Liberal
Anne McLellan Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
Mr. Speaker, as the hon. member knows, I cannot discuss any particular case. I do want to reassure the hon. member that there are provisions under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to remove permanent residents who have committed acts of serious criminality. The border service agency takes its responsibility seriously under the act and will do that which is required to protect the safety of Canadians.
Citizenship and Immigration
Oral Question Period
3 p.m.
Canadian Alliance
Bob Mills Red Deer, AB
Mr. Speaker, that is not the answer most Canadians right across the country want.
I have been doing talk shows all day and Canadians right across the country want that guy out of here now. I would like and answer. When is he going to be on a plane out of this country? It is not before the courts; do not hide behind that.
Citizenship and Immigration
Oral Question Period
3 p.m.
Edmonton West
Alberta
Liberal
Anne McLellan Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
In fact, Mr. Speaker, as I have said, I cannot speak to any particular case in relation to a specific removal or potential removal of any individual. However, as I have said, it is absolutely clear under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act that we have the power to remove permanent residents who have committed serious acts of criminality.
I can reassure the hon. member that the Canadian border service agency takes its responsibilities very seriously.
Economic Development
Oral Question Period
May 13th, 2004 / 3 p.m.
Bloc
Réal Ménard Hochelaga—Maisonneuve, QC
Mr. Speaker, in Montreal there are 10 community economic development corporations, known as CEDCs, each of which plays a coordinating role in its community. These corporations are important actors in industrial, economic, community and social development. CEDCs are thus a part of the Quebec model, which favours local development. Since the Canada-CEDC agreement expired March 2003, federal funding has been renewed three months at a time.
What is the minister waiting for before financing the CEDCs of Montreal on a permanent basis, as the stakeholders of Montreal are calling for?
Economic Development
Oral Question Period
3 p.m.
Westmount—Ville-Marie
Québec
Liberal
Lucienne Robillard Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec
Mr. Speaker, the CEDCs of Montreal are, of course, important partners in local economic development, particularly in Montreal's disadvantaged neighbourhoods. They have submitted their proposals to us. At present, they are engaged in negotiations with the officials in Economic Development Canada in order to reach an agreement. I hope that will happen soon.
Agriculture
Oral Question Period
3:05 p.m.
Liberal
Rose-Marie Ur Lambton—Kent—Middlesex, ON
Mr. Speaker, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency is currently reviewing comments it received on a proposed rule that could allow live honeybee imports into Canada from the United States.
Could the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food assure the House and all bee producers in Canada that foreign bee diseases and pests, along with Africanized bees, commonly known as killer bees, will not be permitted to enter Canada under this proposed rule?
Agriculture
Oral Question Period
3:05 p.m.
Haldimand—Norfolk—Brant
Ontario
Liberal
Bob Speller Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
Mr. Speaker, in fact I can give the hon. member the assurance that it will not be happening.
Based on a risk assessment, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has indicated that it is willing to have queen bees imported from the United States. The hon. member should know that there are differences of opinion between provinces on this issue. The hon. member may be aware that the provinces, if they wish, may be able to ban these bees coming into the country.
There was a review process put out by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. That date ended two days ago and it will be making a decision shortly.