House of Commons Hansard #115 of the 35th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was heritage.

Topics

CrtcOral Question Period

2:35 p.m.

Laval West Québec

Liberal

Michel Dupuy LiberalMinister of Canadian Heritage

Mr. Speaker, no I will not.

Communications Security EstablishmentOral Question Period

2:35 p.m.

Bloc

François Langlois Bloc Bellechasse, QC

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Prime Minister. None of the government ministers was able to confirm that no spying was done on members of the Quebec government and on the Quebec sovereignty movement. Their ignorance is probably due to the fact that the Communications Security Establishment reports directly to the Prime Minister and to him alone.

Can the Prime Minister assure us that members of the Quebec government and the sovereignty movement were not spied on by the CSE?

Communications Security EstablishmentOral Question Period

2:35 p.m.

Saint-Maurice Québec

Liberal

Jean Chrétien LiberalPrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, the Privacy Commissioner conducted an investigation to determine if there had been any wrongdoing and he reported to the government that nothing wrong was done. The commissioner is still investigating the matter. He has a duty to tell us if this organization illegally monitored the conversations of Canadian citizens or spied on them.

As far as I know, it was not done and I say to the House that I do not want this to be done because we do not need this in a democratic society.

The commissioner will submit his report. I did not appoint him; he has been in that job for a very long time. I think that he is a competent man, and I am sure that if there has been abuse in this area, he will notify me and I will act accordingly. So far, I have seen no evidence that anyone was spied on illegally in Canada, at least since I have been Prime Minister.

Communications Security EstablishmentOral Question Period

2:40 p.m.

Bloc

François Langlois Bloc Bellechasse, QC

Mr. Speaker, how can the Prime Minister claim that his government has nothing to hide when his Minister of Defence refuses to release any information on the CSE's mandate, activities and budget, and even refuses to give the name of its director, even though it appears in the government telephone directory?

Communications Security EstablishmentOral Question Period

2:40 p.m.

Saint-Maurice Québec

Liberal

Jean Chrétien LiberalPrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, if the name appears in the telephone directory, it is not hard for Canadians to find out who he is, it is no secret.

BilingualismOral Question Period

October 27th, 1994 / 2:40 p.m.

Liberal

Martin Cauchon Liberal Outremont, QC

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of National Defence.

Everyone here knows how important it is to make the Royal Military College in Kingston bilingual.

Can the minister tell us what he intends to do to really make this college bilingual and then to have this principle of bilingualism respected and maintained?

BilingualismOral Question Period

2:40 p.m.

Don Valley East Ontario

Liberal

David Collenette LiberalMinister of National Defence and Minister of Veterans Affairs

Mr. Speaker, I wish to thank my colleague for his question. It is a legitimate one. I must reassure him of the importance I myself attach to this subject, especially making the Canadian Forces bilingual, including the Royal Military College in Kingston.

I would like to inform the House that I have appointed a special committee to review and monitor the bilingualization of the Royal Military College in Kingston, with three top-flight members, including the former commander, General Émond, the former principal, Roch Carrier, Dr. Paule Leduc of the Privy Council, and myself as chair. This committee will make recommendations on all the aspects raised by the hon. member.

CrtcOral Question Period

2:40 p.m.

Reform

Randy White Reform Fraser Valley West, BC

Mr. Speaker, I do not think the Prime Minister looked carefully enough. In support of his application to the CRTC is a letter from the Greek National Bank. I will just quote from that letter.

"Any services extended towards Mr. Daniilidis will be greatly appreciated". This letter also comments on how honest and capable the applicant is.

Now this same Greek National Bank is listed as a contributor to the campaign of the Minister of Canadian Heritage.

CrtcOral Question Period

2:40 p.m.

Some hon. members

Oh, oh.

CrtcOral Question Period

2:40 p.m.

Reform

Randy White Reform Fraser Valley West, BC

I would like to ask the Minister of Canadian Heritage whether he maintains that this entire affair is still above board?

CrtcOral Question Period

2:40 p.m.

Laval West Québec

Liberal

Michel Dupuy LiberalMinister of Canadian Heritage

Yes, Mr. Speaker.

CrtcOral Question Period

2:40 p.m.

Reform

Randy White Reform Fraser Valley West, BC

Mr. Speaker, the answer was so short I must have missed it. I presume he said yes.

In an intervention letter complaining that the same type of application was turned down only four months previously, there were serious allegations of impropriety on the part of the applicant, specifically that he failed to report under oath his complete holdings in a communications company when he declared bankruptcy in July 1992.

Could the minister explain how this applicant, who he supports, cleared his name from the bankruptcy file in only one year and surfaced as a major shareholder of a new company?

CrtcOral Question Period

2:40 p.m.

The Speaker

My colleagues, I am not sure that the thrust of the question deals with the responsibility. The question should be directed to the administrative responsibility that this minister holds. I rule that question to be out of order.

Communications Security EstablishmentOral Question Period

2:45 p.m.

Bloc

Michel Bellehumeur Bloc Berthier—Montcalm, QC

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Prime Minister.

The latest events concerning the Communications Security Establishment have highlighted the lack of external control over the activities of this federal spy agency. It is completely unacceptable that the CSE, with nearly 2,000 civilian and military employees and an annual budget of over $200 million, is not subject to any external control.

In a democratic society like ours, how can the Prime Minister accept spending over $200 million a year on espionage activities without making CSE officials accountable to the public?

Communications Security EstablishmentOral Question Period

2:45 p.m.

Saint-Maurice Québec

Liberal

Jean Chrétien LiberalPrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of National Defence is answerable to the House for such questions.

Earlier, I answered the question of whether Canadian citizens are subject to illegal espionage. The Privacy Commissioner is investigating. A report a few years ago said that they were not. I hope that the same positive report will come out of this investigation. As for the structure of this commission, it answers to the House through the Minister of National Defence, who must defend his budget estimates before the House of Commons.

Communications Security EstablishmentOral Question Period

2:45 p.m.

Bloc

Michel Bellehumeur Bloc Berthier—Montcalm, QC

Mr. Speaker, perhaps the Prime Minister should reread some answers which his minister gave on this subject.

I shall ask my second question. How can the Prime Minister refuse to set up a real external control mechanism for the CSE's activities, when the Liberal Party in opposition barely five years ago demanded just such a system to control the CSE?

Communications Security EstablishmentOral Question Period

2:45 p.m.

Saint-Maurice Québec

Liberal

Jean Chrétien LiberalPrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, we are looking into this situation now. It is something that has come up recently. The minister said that it was possible, but people must also understand that this kind of activity concerns what goes on outside our country, and helps to ensure that terrorist acts do not occur in our society; various governments throughout the world exchange information so that all societies in the world can protect one another.

I think that we must do so in a reasonable manner, in co-operation with the other levels of government. If there were a way to find an acceptable control mechanism, I would really like to do so. For now, I do not have the solution, but if I can find it, I will be pleased to submit it to the House of Commons.

CrtcOral Question Period

2:45 p.m.

Reform

Ken Epp Reform Elk Island, AB

Mr. Speaker, the words honesty, openness and integrity appeared in the red book in the last federal campaign, as they did in the Reform Party's blue book for three years longer. We are trying desperately to encourage this government to walk the talk.

I would like to read from the ethics principles that are in place: "Public office holders should not step out of their official roles to assist private entities or persons in their dealings with the government where this would result in preferential treatment to any person".

My question for the Prime Minister is does he believe that in the case of the subject today with the Minister of Canadian Heritage this principle is being violated?

CrtcOral Question Period

2:45 p.m.

Saint-Maurice Québec

Liberal

Jean Chrétien LiberalPrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, I have clearly explained what happened many times to the House. I came to the conclusion that the minister sent a letter as a member of Parliament. When it was interpreted by some people to be a recommendation, he explained clearly to all concerned that was not his intention. He corrected himself

without any pressure from anybody when he realized that his letter had caused some confusion.

CrtcOral Question Period

2:45 p.m.

Reform

Ken Epp Reform Elk Island, AB

Mr. Speaker, I have no choice but to interpret that answer as meaning that the Prime Minister does not believe the principle was violated.

Could we then ask the Prime Minister, in order to bring some level of confidence to the people of this country that things are going right, that the ethics counsellor should now be asked to conduct a full and open investigation, making the results public in this House as well as to all Canadians? Will the Prime Minister undertake to give the ethics counsellor that authority today?

CrtcOral Question Period

2:45 p.m.

Saint-Maurice Québec

Liberal

Jean Chrétien LiberalPrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, the ethics counsellor has informed me that he is satisfied with the conclusion I have come to at this time. I do not know what else is needed at this time. He has reported to me, as it is his responsibility, and I have reported that to the House of Commons.

TourismOral Question Period

2:50 p.m.

Liberal

Bonnie Brown Liberal Oakville—Milton, ON

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Industry.

Yesterday in Vancouver in a speech to the Tourism Association of Canada the Prime Minister announced the creation of the Canadian Tourism Commission and a substantial increase in funding to promote tourism.

Will the minister tell this House what these initiatives mean for job creation and economic growth in my riding and across the country?

TourismOral Question Period

2:50 p.m.

Ottawa South Ontario

Liberal

John Manley LiberalMinister of Industry

Mr. Speaker, I think it is important that we in the House focus not just on the importance of tourism but on the effect it has on job creation throughout Canada.

This announcement means that the federal government is back in the business of selling Canada as the world's best tourism destination. It means jobs for Canadians. It means improvement in our current account balance and even the editorial writers at the Financial Post today said: ``The federal government needs not only to spend less, it needs to spend smarter. An example of smarter spending is Ottawa's decision this week to bolster its support for the tourism industry''.

Registered Retirement Savings PlansOral Question Period

2:50 p.m.

Bloc

Yvan Loubier Bloc Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot, QC

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Prime Minister. In spite of the election promise made by the Prime Minister not to increase taxes, the Minister of Finance, through irresponsible statements, and particularly since yesterday, lets the uncertainty persist regarding the possibility that RRSPs will be taxed. Yet, all agree that such a measure would be irresponsible, despicable as well as a step backward.

Will the Prime Minister eliminate the uncertainty that prevails by pledging not to tax RRSPs?

Registered Retirement Savings PlansOral Question Period

2:50 p.m.

Saint-Maurice Québec

Liberal

Jean Chrétien LiberalPrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Finance is doing something that has never been done previously, before a budget is tabled. He is holding vast consultations with Canadians. Everything is subject to review. There may be people who favour that option. I do not know. Once this consultation exercise is completed, the minister will have all the necessary information to prepare a budget with a very clear objective: To create jobs and to reduce the deficit.