Claude Drouin

[Fisheries, May 15th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, if the hon. member had paid proper attention to the reply, he would have understood that we have put $14 million immediately into short term measures, and $600 million has been transferred from the Government of Canada to the Province of Quebec.

The present provincial government has understood the importance of working together to help the people of the region who are experiencing difficulties. And long term measures will be forthcoming. That is what we are going to do. I congratulate the Government of Quebec, which has understood the importance of working with us.

[Fisheries, May 15th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to say how pleased I am to see the cooperation of the Government of Quebec which, with the $600 million we are transferring for manpower training, is giving support to the regions experiencing these problems.

At the same time, we have announced $14 million in short term measures and immediate consultation for long term measures we should be announcing next fall. I am certain that we can, with the people in the communities and the Government of Quebec, find solutions for the people in these regions.

[Softwood Lumber, May 9th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I want to say that we have implemented measures to the tune of $361 million. Of the $110 million for communities, $22 million is available now. Of this, the Saguenay—Lac-Saint-Jean region is to get $3.5 million, and another $2 million will go to the Consortium de recherche sur la forêt boréale for research on the black spruce.

These are concrete measures. This is phase one, and we will continue to support the workers in the regions.

[Fisheries, May 9th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I just mentioned a minute ago that we are making $14 million available immediately. I suggest that the hon. member who made a proposal to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans last night ask people who have projects to contact the Sept-Îles office for assistance. This has not happened yet. We assure them of our full cooperation because, like them, we are committed to finding solutions.

[Fisheries, May 9th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I find it unfortunate that the member only listened to a part of the answer. There is $14 million available now for short-term measures. What we have said is that there will be long-term measures. We must not forget that $600 million has been transferred to Quebec for labour training. We are working with the government, which is looking for solutions to help the people in the region, and that is what we are going to do.

[Fisheries, May 9th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend my colleague, who is doing a wonderful job to help people in his riding and the region and for everything he has been doing. We announced short-term measures totalling $14 million to assist these people. We immediately began consultations on long-term measures. Next fall, we will be making announcements to help people who depend on the fishery.

[Fisheries, May 8th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I want to remind members of the Bloc Quebecois that we have already announced $14 million for short-term measures and we are in consultations regarding long-term measures that we would like to announce in the fall.

In addition, we will be working together with the municipalities, plant workers, fishers and the community to find long-term development solutions and to diversify the region's economy.

[Softwood Lumber, May 8th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I can tell the House that we have a professional public service, working in good faith on behalf of the entire population and in cooperation with the government and with the hon. members on this side of the House.

There already have been 53 projects accepted and steps have been taken. Of these, 11 have been implemented and we shall continue working to help the people in the regions as we have always done.

[Softwood Lumber, May 8th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, the program we established was intended to help communities, since we could not help businesses. We do not want to be accused by the Americans of subsidizing business, which is one of the points of contention in the present dispute.

Still, for a particular case like that, I will have a look at it with our Lac-Saint-Jean—Saguenay office and see what we can do. I will come back with an answer to this.

[Fisheries, May 8th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, there are some things hon. members must realize. First, there is no surplus in the EI fund. Second, we are transferring $600 million for manpower training to Quebec, and will be working in collaboration with the new government, which is greatly concerned with supporting employers and employees in these regions. The $14 million we will be injecting into short-term measures will be enhanced by consultations with a view to establishing long-term measures. We are going to be working with fishers, ship's crews and plant workers in order to provide assistance.