House of Commons Hansard #17 of the 35th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was provinces.
André Ouellet LiberalMinister of Foreign Affairs
Mr. Speaker, my seatmate understood the question very well. If he does represent Canada at this job conference I am sure he will be staying in Windsor.
Svend Robinson NDP Burnaby—Kingsway, BC
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Prime Minister. It is a question of great concern, not only to the people of Nova Scotia but to all Canadians concerning the establishment of a peacekeeping training centre at Canadian Forces Base Cornwallis.
The Prime Minister will recall the letter he wrote to the people of Cornwallis, and in particular Annapolis and Digby counties in which he strongly supported this peacekeeping training centre for both Canadian and non-Canadian troops.
When will the government act to meet its commitment to the people of Annapolis and Digby counties to establish a Canadian forces peacekeeping training centre in Cornwallis?
David Collenette LiberalMinister of National Defence and Minister of Veterans Affairs
Mr. Speaker, as the hon. member knows, we are reviewing all of the facilities that National Defence has and every aspect of the operations budget of the Department of National Defence in conformity with the promises outlined in the red book.
In the red book we talked about the establishment of peacekeeping centres, and that is actively under consideration. Canada takes second place to none in the world in the development of peacekeeping. We shall keep this in mind when we announce the changes to defence policy later this year and certainly with respect to expenditures over the next 60 days.
Yves Rocheleau Bloc Trois-Rivières, QC
Mr. Speaker, through the impetus given by the big American brewers, the United States are now trying to force the Canadian provinces to widely open their market to these brewers, despite the beer agreement that was signed by the two countries in August 1993. The Americans are questioning the imposition by the Quebec government of a minimum price on any beer sold in Quebec, when British Columbia and Ontario have already imposed such floor prices.
My question is for the Minister for International Trade. Could the minister tell us whether he supports the position taken by the Quebec government to impose a minimum price on beer sold on its territory with a view to reduce alcohol consumption by 20 per cent by the year 2000?
Roy MacLaren LiberalMinister for International Trade
Mr. Speaker, there is nothing in the memorandum of understanding between Canada and the United States on beer which prevents a GATT-consistent minimal price practice. It is that policy that we have supported in three cases, British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec.
Chuck Strahl Reform Fraser Valley East, BC
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Prime Minister.
The new chief executive officer of Petro-Canada is quoted as saying that there is no longer a public policy mandate for Petro-Canada.
Will the Prime Minister take this advice and sell Petro-Canada and apply the proceeds of the sale to the federal deficit?
Paul Martin LiberalMinister of Finance and Minister responsible for the Federal Office of Regional Development -Quebec
Mr. Speaker, as you know the previous government did sell off a portion of the Petro-Canada shares. The matter is obviously under advisement.
There is a question of market judgment and at the time when the situation is propitious, we will take the decision that is required.
Stephen Harper Reform Calgary West, AB
I rise on a point of order, Mr. Speaker. As a new member who perhaps is not clear on the rules, I would like to ask your judgment or guidance on a matter originating from Question Period.
We had today and we have had in the past situations where I have noticed ministers reading lengthy statements on government policy in reply to what I do not want to describe as leading questions from Liberal members but perhaps not the same kind
of probing questions that sometimes come from this side of the House.
In that we have provision in our rules, in our standing orders, for statements by ministers I am wondering whether that kind of matter would be best handled in that forum.
Points Of OrderOral Question Period
The Speaker
I am not sure that would constitute a point of order. I will look into that, but I am sure it would constitute a point of information.
Doug Peters LiberalSecretary of State (International Financial Institutions)
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 83(1), I wish to table a notice of a ways and means motion to amend the Excise Tax Act, and I ask that an order of the day be designated for consideration of this motion.
Peter Milliken LiberalParliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, I believe that the House will agree now to start debating Bill C-10 at second reading and then refer it to committee of the whole, before third and final reading, thus completing all the necessary stages before adjournment tonight. I believe you will find unanimous consent to proceed through all three stages.
Michel Gauthier Bloc Roberval, QC
Mr. Speaker, before agreeing to that request, I would like to point out that we had to wait until the very last minute to receive the request just made by the hon. member to proceed with this bill.
We are going to agree because of the interest we have in Western agriculture and because it is necessary to pass that legislation, but we object to being informed so late of a measure which disrupts the work schedule and upsets the planning of members who were to take part in the debate. However, we accept willingly on behalf of western farmers who really need our help.
Nelson Riis NDP Kamloops, BC
I rise on the same point, Mr. Speaker. My understanding is that my hon. friend is asking for unanimous consent to consider all stages this afternoon. Considering the immense importance of this legislation, it would be more appropriate to take it one step at a time.
At the moment, I would like to say that on behalf of my colleagues in the New Democratic Party, we would certainly give unanimous consent to proceed to second reading debate and then we will see how things transpire for the rest of the day.
Elwin Hermanson Reform Kindersley—Lloydminster, SK
Mr. Speaker, could we call for a vote on that on that matter to see if there is support in the House for that position?
Nelson Riis NDP Kamloops, BC
Could I seek from you, Mr. Speaker and the Chair, clarification as to just what it is you are seeking unanimous consent for? Is it to proceed through all stages of the bill at the moment or is it just simply to proceed to second reading of the bill?
Peter Milliken Liberal Kingston and the Islands, ON
Mr. Speaker, perhaps I can assist in the circumstances. I have heard the representations of the hon. member for Kamloops. I recognize that he may not wish to proceed with all stages today. He will want to see what happens.
I appreciate the comments of the hon. member for Roberval very much. I wonder if it would be possible to proceed with second reading now by unanimous consent with the motion to read that the bill be referred to a committee of the whole so that on conclusion of second reading the bill would be referred to a committee of the whole. If we are able to complete that on a timely basis we will seek unanimous consent to proceed to third reading. At least we can do second reading and committee stage today, the aim being that we would complete all stages by six o'clock if possible and see how the House progresses in the afternoon.
The unanimous consent that I would ask for now is that the bill be called for second reading debate and reference to a committee of the whole at the conclusion of that debate.
Business Of The HouseOral Question Period
The Speaker
Is there unanimous consent under these conditions?
West Coast Ports Operations Act, 1994Government Orders
Winnipeg South Centre Manitoba
Liberal
Lloyd Axworthy LiberalMinister of Human Resources Development and Minister of Western Economic Diversification
moved that Bill C-10, an act to provide for the maintenance of west coast ports operations, be read the second time and, by unanimous consent, referred to committee of the whole.
West Coast Ports Operations Act, 1994Government Orders
The Speaker
Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?
West Coast Ports Operations Act, 1994Government Orders
The Speaker
Accordingly, the bill stands referred to committee of the whole. Pursuant to Standing Order 100, I do now leave the chair for the House to go into committee of the whole.
Bill Blaikie NDP Winnipeg—Transcona, MB
Mr. Speaker, how can we be going into committee of the whole right now when we have second reading of the bill now?