Mr. Speaker, I am interested that the opposition member thinks that the only intellectuals and people who can research are Liberals, because a lot of the money goes to research. It outlines the terms that we need to find out how we can reforest better and how we can use the forests that have been devastated by the pine beetle.

We are working with the provinces on this plan and with the industry in public consultations. It is one of our biggest projects. We have been working on this since 1913, so this is not a new issue.

International AidOral Question Period

11:50 a.m.

Bloc

Roger Clavet Bloc Louis-Hébert, QC

Mr. Speaker, as we observe China's reluctance to recognize human rights, the Minister of International Cooperation announced yesterday that China would be among the 25 to 30 countries targeted by Canada's international aid program.

How can the minister justify such a decision when we all know that China's record on human rights and governance, according to a number of observers, at the very least, leaves—

International AidOral Question Period

11:50 a.m.

The Speaker

The hon. Minister of International Cooperation.

International AidOral Question Period

11:50 a.m.

Barrie Ontario

Liberal

Aileen Carroll LiberalMinister of International Cooperation

Mr. Speaker, that is exactly why I am giving aid to the Chinese government.

I have explained again and again that if we want to engage China in a manner that makes China the kind of force in the world we want it to be, we need to provide the kind of programming that assists China to improve its human rights record.

I have made it clear in the House that we do not give aid to the government directly. We give it to Canadian associations, like the Canadian Bar. We are busy engaging China because we want China to experience freedom of speech and not muzzle freedom of speech, like that group is going to do this weekend.

International AidOral Question Period

11:50 a.m.

Bloc

Roger Clavet Bloc Louis-Hébert, QC

Mr. Speaker, while the minister was making her announcement yesterday, the Chinese government was announcing a foreign trade surplus of $5 billion. It is rather surprising that the minister continues to consider China a developing country while its economy skyrockets and it threatens thousands of jobs.

Will the minister acknowledge that if she wants changes in the aid program to make it more productive, there might be better choices of targets for her aid, perhaps in Africa or elsewhere in Asia?

International AidOral Question Period

11:55 a.m.

Barrie Ontario

Liberal

Aileen Carroll LiberalMinister of International Cooperation

Mr. Speaker, under the new focus and coherence of the Canadian International Development Agency, we will indeed be moving forward to assist countries in Africa and Asia, as the hon. member has mentioned.

One of our key focuses is governance. One of the best things Canada brings to the table is the ability to assist countries like China move forward on human rights, on governance, on a rules based society. That is the way we assist countries like China to create a system whereby they do in fact meet the needs of their people in the same manner that we do it here in Canada.

I do not see the difficulty with--

International AidOral Question Period

11:55 a.m.

The Speaker

The hon. member for New Westminster—Coquitlam.

TransportOral Question Period

11:55 a.m.

Conservative

Paul Forseth Conservative New Westminster—Coquitlam, BC

Mr. Speaker, the government has been aware for some time now about the lack of regional fairness for western ports. Fraser port is the second largest port in Canada, yet it unfairly has to pay for river dredging, as compared to eastern ports.

It is a regional economic issue, but it is also a public safety and flood prevention issue. Both the Minister of Transport and the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans have been briefed but there is still no action.

When will the government end the economic disparity of Fraser port for Canada's access to the Pacific Rim?

TransportOral Question Period

11:55 a.m.

Outremont Québec

Liberal

Jean Lapierre LiberalMinister of Transport

Mr. Speaker, this question has been with us for a while. We are discussing it with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to try to find a solution.

Effectively this is a question of fairness. I know the arguments have been brought forward. We are trying to find a solution. Maybe there will be the prospect of a solution in the amendment that we are going to bring to the Canada Marine Act that would give much more freedom to the ports of Vancouver and Fraser.

TransportOral Question Period

11:55 a.m.

Conservative

Paul Forseth Conservative New Westminster—Coquitlam, BC

Mr. Speaker, not only is Fraser port a unique situation that requires national treatment, the river dumps tons of sand into Georgia Strait. The river does it naturally, but if a dredger helps it a little, Ottawa taxes it, placing Fraser River Port Authority at a further economic disadvantage.

Will the government stop taxing the river and recognize the foreign trade benefit for the country rather than just a tax benefit for Ottawa?

TransportOral Question Period

11:55 a.m.

Outremont Québec

Liberal

Jean Lapierre LiberalMinister of Transport

Mr. Speaker, indeed we recognize the great potential of B.C. ports. That is where there is such great development these days. The demand is so great. That is why the B.C. caucus is behind the port facilities of B.C. We want to move on those issues to make sure the Pacific gateway gets moving and we get more trade and more activity at the port.

We are all on the same page in that respect. The B.C. caucus is pushing very hard and it will get results.

Status of WomenOral Question Period

11:55 a.m.

Liberal

Mario Silva Liberal Davenport, ON

Mr. Speaker, nations across the world have just marked International Women's Day, yet women in every region of the world continue to be oppressed and discriminated against. This past week has given us various examples of this oppression and discrimination. Women are struggling the world over for equality and justice.

I would ask the Minister of Foreign Affairs what action he has taken to demonstrate internationally Canada's commitment to equality and justice for women in every corner of the world.

Status of WomenOral Question Period

11:55 a.m.

Papineau Québec

Liberal

Pierre Pettigrew LiberalMinister of Foreign Affairs

Mr. Speaker, Canada has indeed built a strong tradition in the promotion and protection of women's rights. These commitments are at the very heart of our foreign policy.

We are working with foreign governments in civil society toward achieving equality and justice through capacity building among other things.

Next week I will be at the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. For the 11th year we will bring forward a resolution on the elimination of violence against women, an issue for which we advocate very strongly.

Government AppointmentsOral Question Period

11:55 a.m.

Conservative

Joe Preston Conservative Elgin—Middlesex—London, ON

Mr. Speaker, we have a new meaning for CPP. Apparently it stands for the crony protection plan.

In his new report the President of the Treasury Board has misled taxpayers by further reducing the standards for reappointments to crown corporations. The minister removed a commitment he made to Canadians a year ago that reappointments to crown corporations were to be reviewed by a parliamentary committee.

Is the minister just trying to make it easier for his Liberal cronies to keep their patronage jobs?

Government AppointmentsOral Question Period

11:55 a.m.

Winnipeg South Manitoba

Liberal

Reg Alcock LiberalPresident of the Treasury Board and Minister responsible for the Canadian Wheat Board

Mr. Speaker, it does seem to be foolish Friday.

If the member would take five minutes to read the report to look at all the recommendations that were made, he would see that we put in place the most comprehensive improvement to the governance of crown corporations in 20 years. Parliamentary committees are involved for the first time. They will approve members who are put forward for appointment, or they will examine members who are put forward for appointment.

I am not certain what the member is concerned about.

Government AppointmentsOral Question Period

Noon

Conservative

Daryl Kramp Conservative Prince Edward—Hastings, ON

Mr. Speaker, this week the Prime Minister's list of broken promises increased again.

The Prime Minister promised to make government appointments more transparent. However, this week the Commons environment committee rejected former Liberal candidate Glen Murray as the head of an advisory board.

I am concerned that this decision will be simply ignored, much as previous votes in the House have been ignored.

My question is simple. Will the Prime Minister honour the decision of the committee and simply reject Mr. Murray's appointment?

Government AppointmentsOral Question Period

Noon

Saint-Laurent—Cartierville Québec

Liberal

Stéphane Dion LiberalMinister of the Environment

Mr. Speaker, surely my colleague is not speaking of this very qualified Canadian who was a city councillor for eight years and the mayor of Winnipeg. He was the chair of the big city mayors caucus and has been an important part of the new deal for cities which led to more urban transit. He has been an active member of the International Conference of Mayors and a leader of the Creative Cities Movement. He created the green plan for the city of Winnipeg and the green pricing for Winnipeg procurement.

Surely it is not this individual about whom the member is speaking.

Air TransportationOral Question Period

Noon

Bloc

Carole Lavallée Bloc Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC

Mr. Speaker, we have just learned that Jetsgo has ceased operations. This means 1,200 jobs are threatened, and thousands of ticket holders may lose their money.

What does the government intend to do to help these ticket holders faced with losing their money and the employees faced with losing their jobs?

Air TransportationOral Question Period

Noon

Outremont Québec

Liberal

Jean Lapierre LiberalMinister of Transport

Mr. Speaker, I have always known that the Bloc was slow, but for the hon. member to have just heard— Jetsgo made the announcement at midnight, last night that it was ceasing operations. The company also requested a court hearing today to to seek protection under the law.

Air TransportationOral Question Period

Noon

Some hon. members

Oh, oh!

Air TransportationOral Question Period

Noon

Liberal

Jean Lapierre Liberal Outremont, QC

In the meantime, for those more interested in the passengers than in heckling, I will tell the hon. member that alternatives are now being offered to them by other companies, including Air Canada, WestJet, CanJet and VIA Rail. All the companies have pulled together to lend a hand. I am told that the number of aircraft has been increased, as well as—

Air TransportationOral Question Period

Noon

The Speaker

The hon. member for Glengarry—Prescott—Russell.

Emergency PreparednessOral Question Period

Noon

Liberal

Don Boudria Liberal Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans.

In light of the tragic Indian Ocean tsunami not that long ago, Canadians are very aware of the need for vigilance in monitoring this kind of natural disaster.

What is the government doing for the development of an east coast tsunami monitoring system?

Emergency PreparednessOral Question Period

Noon

Halifax West Nova Scotia

Liberal

Geoff Regan LiberalMinister of Fisheries and Oceans

Mr. Speaker, building on our successful Pacific coast experience, we are working with our international partners, especially the U.S., to develop an east coast tsunami warning system for North America. We are also working with our counterparts in Europe.

Preliminary work is already under way. We are working to get this in place as quickly as possible.