Rail Strike  Madam Speaker, on the same point of order I would like to make it clear that the NDP gives its consent to this. I urge the Bloc to reconsider its position.

Rail Strike  Madam Speaker, on a point of order. I would like to make it clear that in view of the changes made by the government to the legislation in committee last night in response to suggestions I made during question period yesterday, the NDP would like to go on record as giving unanimous consent this morning to the request by the government.

Access To Information  It is not ACOA's money to take away, even if the finance minister has asked ACOA to make cuts to its own budget. In fact an editorial in an Atlantic Canadian paper put the minister's actions in very clear light. It said: "If your father gave you $30 for your brother, you would have no right to keep $10 for yourself because your father also asked you to cut back on your own spending". The same is true of ACOA and the minister responsible for ACOA.

Access To Information  We have learned to listen to the people of Canada and act upon what we have heard. We have a message and the message is loud and clear: We are to be frugal stewards with taxpayers' money. We are not to receive anything more in the way of benefits than the ordinary taxpayer. And we are not ever to assume that we are above the law.

Rail Strike  Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I want to make it clear that while there is opposition on the opposition side of the House to the motion, it comes from the Bloc Quebecois and the NDP and not the Reform Party.

Natural Resources  Speaker, let me assure the hon. member yet again that we are looking at all aspects of this move. I make one thing absolutely clear. We will rationalize and we will amalgamate the facilities of the GSC in British Columbia.

Seal Hunt  The measures he is asking for have already been undertaken for sometime now by the government. It is clear not only in North American but around the world that the number one conservation issue before Canadians and before people who care about sustainable harvest and development is the question of turbot.

Rail Transport  It says that, at most bargaining tables, union demands did not receive any consideration, even though it is clear that these demands are serious and have merit. My question to the Prime Minister is this: Why is the government so intent on rejecting at all cost the official opposition's offer to settle the rail dispute very quickly while respecting the rights of workers, who could not be heard?

Rail Strike  Speaker, Canada's economic recovery is being threatened by a nationwide rail shutdown. We believe in the process of collective bargaining, however it is clear the negotiations have not worked. Since Monday our government has worked diligently to get the trains moving again, only to be opposed by the official opposition party which is playing self-interested political games which have harmed our national economy.

Communications Security Establishment  Obviously the government would consider appropriate means to strengthen oversight for the CSE if a clear need were demonstrated. CSE is an integral part of the foreign intelligence sector I have described and plays a crucial role in that sector. What it does not do, as the Minister of National Defence and the Prime Minister have already assured the House, is target Canadians.

Supply  That probably brought about much higher expenses than what should have been. The solution probably lies in better defined jurisdictions. It should be clear who is responsible for an area, who will have the power to levy taxes and who will have the spending power. Someone should have the authority to sign international treaties, on networks like TV5 for example, in order that we may be sure the money is really spent on production and not on some competition which is not always appropriate and which causes useless expenditures and squandering.

Supply  There is nothing preventing private broadcasters from creating more Canadian programming. However, particularly on English television, which he chooses to highlight, it is clear they can make a lot more money, according to the rules of the marketplace which they follow, by importing American sitcoms and simply rebroadcasting them.

Taxation  Speaker, there were two newspaper reports on that meeting, one of which was the indication the member is referring to. The other newspaper report citing the mayor made it very clear the government is not reviewing that decision. It is the second newspaper report that is accurate.

Gun Control  In his view is the anti-smuggling initiative working when a publicity seeking, U.S. based environmental extremist admits to having an illegally smuggled, prohibited weapon in his possession when he clears customs and the weapon remains in his possession one week later? Could he explain to law-abiding Canadians who will be required to register guns what the use of registration is if this environmentalist can walk around with absolute impugnity?

Government Appointments  With all of this baggage, why did the Prime Minister appoint Mr. Fowler without first holding a public inquiry to clear the air?