Debates of April 28th, 2006

John Baird President of the Treasury Board

Mr. Speaker, I can indicate to my friend from Ottawa that this government values the role of the public service.

Rumours and mischief and fearmongering have gone on with respect to the public service. Our budget will be tabled in this place on May 2 and I think public servants will welcome it, as will all Canadians. It will be a real change for Canada. It will allow Canadians to keep more of their hard-earned tax dollars, and that will be welcomed by all Canadians, especially our public servants.

Maria Minna Beaches—East York, ON

Mr. Speaker, conservative-minded groups are actively campaigning to have the Status of Women Canada program disbanded. Can the minister reassure the House that the government will take no such action and that no cuts will be made to the budget of this very important department?

Bev Oda Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women

Mr. Speaker, the member's question gives me the opportunity to indicate that this government recognizes the importance of women. They represent 50% of all Canadians. We will support them in their endeavours. The resources they require so they can fully participate in Canadian life will be assured.

Jacques Gourde Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board

As you know, Mr. Speaker, the Conservative Party went to bat for Canadian beef producers when the dispute with R-CALF first started. We are very pleased that R-CALF decided not to follow through with the appeal procedure. Finally, the Conservative government will continue to proudly defend the international interests of the Canadian beef industry.

Tony Martin Sault Ste. Marie, ON

Mr. Speaker, there is a crisis in agriculture in this country. One issue needing addressed is the proposed disposal of the federal hopper car fleet. The Farmer Rail Car Coalition states that farmers have been hosed for $47 million since 1992 for the maintenance of these cars.

Will the government release the report of February 2005 by the Commons Standing Committee on Transport before any decision is made on the disposal of these cars?

Lawrence Cannon Minister of Transport

Mr. Speaker, the Government of Canada is reviewing the hopper car file and has not yet decided whether to proceed with the transfer to the FRCC or pursue other options. A decision on releasing the agency's study on the maintenance costs is on hold pending the government's decision on the overall policy direction. One of the key considerations is the decision on the overall policy direction, the direction's impact on producers.

Robert Bouchard Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC

Mr. Speaker, the citizens of Saguenay—Lac Saint-Jean are reeling in uncertainty. To date, the federal government has announced only $262.5 million to expand Highway 175. However, during the election campaign, the Conservative candidates in the area reiterated the government's commitment to assume 50% of the total cost of the project, including cost overruns.

Can the Minister of Transport confirm that this promise will be kept in its entirety?

Lawrence Cannon Minister of Transport

Mr. Speaker, I will simply say that this government is currently reviewing this file, as well as many others. Not only are we reviewing them, but we are also resolving them. I saw the Quebec transport minister this morning and assured him that we will deal with a number of files that the previous government could not resolve. The Highway 175 file will certainly be a topic of future discussions with the Quebec government.

The Speaker Peter Milliken

I have the honour, pursuant to section 39 of the Access to Information Act, to lay upon the Table a special report of the Information Commissioner entitled “Response to the Government's Action Plan for Reform of the Access to Information Act”.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(h), this report is deemed to have been permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics.

Jason Kenney Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I wish to correct something I said in the course of question period in a question posed by the hon. member for Mississauga East—Cooksville. I said that a letter written by Mr. Gwyn Morgan was several years ago. In fact, I was mistaken; it was several months ago.

Further, I made reference to a document which I would like to seek unanimous consent to table, which is a letter dated December 17, 2005, written by Mr. Morgan to the Calgary Herald, where he says:

My speech clearly stated our country needs a strong immigration program, and that colour, race or religion have no place in the selection process.

The Speaker Peter Milliken

Does the hon. parliamentary secretary have the unanimous consent of the House to table the document?

Tom Lukiwski Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform

Mr. Speaker, I have the privilege to table, in both official languages, the report in the matter of arbitration between David C. Dingwall and the Attorney General of Canada.