David Collenette

[Member for LaSalle—Émard, June 4th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I really am reluctant to get down to the level of reply that is required here, except to set the facts straight.

First, the former minister of finance has complied with all the regulations and all the required procedures by the ethics commissioner. The fact is that he is not involved in the day to day management of that particular company.

However, to set the record straight, that company was fined by the government for an infringement of the law. That is not a special favour.

[Member for LaSalle—Émard, June 4th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I intentionally resent the innuendo contained in the hon. member's question. It is disgusting.

The members of the transport committee, on all sides, including the one who is yelling at me, are hon. members and they have the right to voice their opinions on matters of national policy. This has nothing to do with other interests. This has everything to do with what is good for transportation in this country.

[Agriculture, June 4th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, contrary to what the Leader of the Opposition states, the government is seized with this particular issue. It cares about this issue. It cares about all those people whose lives have been disrupted, so much so that the Minister of Agriculture, this day, is in Alberta dealing with beef producers.

I can assure the House that the government will be very sensitive to any solution that brings fairness and equity to all those affected.

[Air Canada, June 3rd, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, we cannot prejudge the outcome of the restructuring efforts involving Air Canada, but there is no doubt that airports across the country have been suffering. That is why we are reviewing the leases that Transport Canada has with the major airports and we are reviewing our small airport policy. Hopefully in our deliberations we will be able to deal with some of the issues raised by the hon. member.

[Shipping, June 3rd, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I do not want to repeat my earlier answer, but I would invite the hon. member to discuss this with his colleagues at committee. I know the member for Hamilton West is quite anxious to have this kind of debate at the transport committee, and I would certainly look at their recommendations.

[Shipping, June 3rd, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, this is a very controversial issue because for a number of years pilots have been required on the St. Lawrence Seaway system. With new technologies, arguments have been made that we do not need pilots or do not need as many pilots.

Certainly in the area from Quebec City to the Gulf of St. Lawrence new technologies are obviating the need for pilots. However between Montreal and Quebec City the level of traffic is such that they probably should remain.

This is a matter of debate that I know the transport committee is interested in and I would look forward to any recommendations that come forward from that august--

[Agriculture, June 3rd, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, obviously the situation is very dire for the industry. The government certainly sympathizes with all those affected, and the Minister of Agriculture has made those views well known.

We are assessing the situation. We are certainly mindful of the damage that is being done and we do not preclude any action.

[Highway Infrastructure, May 28th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I am sure that all of these representations will be considered in due course.

[Highway Infrastructure, May 28th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to correct the earlier answer that I gave last week. This matter falls under the purview of my colleague, the Minister of Canadian Heritage.

[Drugs and Pharmaceuticals, May 14th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I certainly resent the unwarranted attack on the integrity of the Minister of Finance, a very distinguished minister in the government. I would like to assure hon. members that the Minister of Finance, in the conduct of his leadership campaign, as with the other leadership aspirants, is behaving in an entirely appropriate way.