Debates of May 20th, 2005

Peter Adams Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development

Mr. Speaker, through the foreign credentials recognition program, we are working with the provinces, the territories, regulators, sector councils, professional associations and others to improve the recognition of work experience, credentials and skills obtained overseas.

We have committed $68 million already to improve foreign credentials recognition. Significant progress is being made, especially in the areas of health care for nurses and physicians, as well as in engineering.

Daryl Kramp Prince Edward—Hastings, ON

Mr. Speaker, the First Nations Technical Institute in my riding is one of Canada's leading colleges in its field. However, its very survival is seriously threatened by a cutback in the government's funding. Layoffs are taking place as we speak. Students in multi-year programs are being left on the streets and this shining star in aboriginal education is on the verge of collapse and closure.

Will the Minister of Indian Affairs commit today to fully, and I do mean fully, restore the first nations funding in Tyendinaga?

Lloyd St. Amand Brant, ON

Mr. Speaker, my question is also for the Minister of State for Northern Development.

On April 19, 2004 aboriginal leaders met with federal ministers and parliamentarians, including the Prime Minister, to discuss how we could work together to improve the lives of aboriginal people.

The government said it was committed to changing the way we deal with aboriginal people. What action has the government taken since the round table toward meaningful change for aboriginal Canadians?

Randy Kamp Dewdney—Alouette, BC

Mr. Speaker, when the fisheries committee tabled its report on the disastrous 2004 sockeye salmon fishery, it included, along with its 12 unanimous recommendations, a request for a response within 60 days. It did so because of the concern that some serious problems needed to be corrected before the 2005 season.

Those 60 days expire tomorrow. Will the minister tell us today if he is going to continue to ignore us or is he going to implement our recommendations?

Geoff Regan Minister of Fisheries and Oceans

Mr. Speaker, I have indicated previously that I appreciated the work of the committee and its report. I reviewed it and we will table a response in due course.

Randy Kamp Dewdney—Alouette, BC

Mr. Speaker, we can only wish that the government would work as hard to ensure the survival of Pacific salmon as it does to its own survival.

Our report and the post-season review of Justice Williams highlighted the fact that there was a serious problem with enforcement and called for increased enforcement efforts. However, an internal DFO document reveals that there is a plan to reduce the number of fisheries officers in the Pacific region, so we are very concerned about the future of this resource.

Why is the minister continuing to refuse to fix the problem and make a real commitment to enforcement on the Fraser River?

Geoff Regan Minister of Fisheries and Oceans

Mr. Speaker, my hon. colleague knows that what he is saying is not actually accurate. That is not how it will work. He knows, for example, that we are focusing efforts on the Fraser River. We will not be focusing as much perhaps on dealing with cottagers and their docks or with farmers and their culverts. We do want to focus on the important issues of the Fraser River fishery, for example.

Marcel Gagnon Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC

Mr. Speaker, once again, the interests of Quebec are not being served. Over the past 12 years, seniors have been denied money to which they are entitled. This government brags about the money it is allocating for seniors in its budget, and yet, it still refuses to reimburse the 68,000 seniors who have been deprived the guaranteed income supplement.

How can the Prime Minister throw billions of dollars about, here, there and everywhere when he owes so much money to seniors?

Françoise Boivin Gatineau, QC

Mr. Speaker, people are increasingly surprised to see the Bloc Québécois insist on opposing Bill C-9, which will facilitate access to federal funding to help regions suffering economic difficulties.

Can the minister explain how the Bloc Québécois' systematic obstruction might harm the economic development of the regions of Quebec?