House of Commons Hansard #73 of the 35th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was communities.

Topics

The EconomyOral Question Period

11:45 a.m.

The Speaker

These are difficult questions we are getting today.

FisheriesOral Question Period

11:45 a.m.

Reform

John Cummins Reform Delta, BC

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans. It was good to see the minister on TV this morning talking tough in Washington about American overfishing of Canadian salmon on the west coast.

Could the minister explain why this tough talk to the Americans has not been matched with a commitment to tough enforcement of Canada's conservation regulations on the west coast?

FisheriesOral Question Period

11:45 a.m.

Victoria B.C.

Liberal

David Anderson LiberalMinister of National Revenue

Mr. Speaker, the question of the hon. member allows us all to appreciate the work being done in Washington by the minister who is attempting to get Pacific salmon negotiations back on track after many months of American stalling.

With respect to conservation measures on the west coast they are at a very substantial level. There has been no decrease of any material amount. If the member wishes to be more precise in his very broad and sweeping statement-I do not think it is a question-the minister or myself would be happy to try to answer it. However I would like to have the actual information on which he is basing his question.

FisheriesOral Question Period

11:50 a.m.

Reform

John Cummins Reform Delta, BC

Mr. Speaker, there have been severe reductions in the government's commitment to aerial surveillance on the west coast, to the coastal patrolmen's service, and to DFO's enforcement budget.

When will the government accept its responsibility for enforcement and put it at the head of DFO's list of priorities?

FisheriesOral Question Period

11:50 a.m.

Victoria B.C.

Liberal

David Anderson LiberalMinister of National Revenue

Mr. Speaker, with respect to DFO conservation officers, the number of fisheries officers has been erroneously reported as being cut down to 85 by a colleague of the hon. member. In fact there are 153.

These fisheries officers are now specializing in enforcement, while previously they did a great number of other tasks with respect to habitat protection, stock assessment and other such matters. Thirty-three positions have been switched specifically to stock assessments, habitat protection and other such things, while 153 positions remain as enforcement and are specializing in enforcement. There has been no change whatsoever in overall numbers.

Perhaps he and his colleague, the member from Esquimalt who seems to believe the numbers have gone down to 85, would like to check further to find out how in fact they made their error, because in fact errors they have made.

Eh-101 Helicopter ContractOral Question Period

11:50 a.m.

Bloc

Réal Ménard Bloc Hochelaga—Maisonneuve, QC

Mr. Speaker, yesterday in the House, the Minister of Industry stated that only the prime contractors associated with the EH-101 helicopter contract would be compensated. As everyone knows, the government has yet to provide any compensation.

Does the Minister of Industry realize that, aside from the prime contractors involved, several other companies had made commitments under this contract and that they, along with the prime contractors, have yet to be compensated for the cancellation of this deal? Is the minister aware of this situation?

Eh-101 Helicopter ContractOral Question Period

11:50 a.m.

Ottawa South Ontario

Liberal

John Manley LiberalMinister of Industry

Regrettably, Mr. Speaker, the previous government made a bad decision when it agreed to negotiate contracts to purchase the helicopters. In keeping with the promises we made during the election campaign and with our conviction that this course of action was best for Canada, this government had no choice but to cancel these contracts.

The people of Canada voted for us, understanding that we were going to cancel the contracts. It is unfortunate that some will lose as a result of that. In the final analysis this decision was made for the right reasons and done on the basis of the support of the people of Canada.

Eh-101 Helicopter ContractOral Question Period

11:50 a.m.

Bloc

Réal Ménard Bloc Hochelaga—Maisonneuve, QC

Mr. Speaker, only with your indulgence could the minister not answer my question. Perhaps he will redeem himself by answering my supplementary question.

How can the Minister of Industry justify awarding compensation only to prime contractors, for the most part foreign companies, when right here in Canada and in Quebec, many sub-contractors do not have sufficient funds to convert to civilian production? How does he explain this?

Eh-101 Helicopter ContractOral Question Period

11:50 a.m.

Ottawa South Ontario

Liberal

John Manley LiberalMinister of Industry

Mr. Speaker, if members would ask questions that deserved answers they would get answers.

The point is simply that there are contractual relations the Government of Canada entered into with contracting parties. That is simple. Those contracts are being resolved now through a process of negotiation and discussion. The Prime Minister made very clear that there would be no compensation beyond that provided for in contracts.

We are interested in protecting in this matter the interest of the taxpayers of Canada. They are the people who sent us here. That is what we should be doing.

HealthOral Question Period

11:50 a.m.

Reform

Diane Ablonczy Reform Calgary North, AB

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the very busy Minister of Health.

Every day ambulance workers and firefighters risk their lives for Canadians. They also risk exposure to infectious diseases

from the people they rescue. When this happens they want to be notified so that they and their families can seek quick treatment.

A workshop was set up to establish a process to give emergency workers this vital information but now the minister's department says the workshop will not be going ahead, even though all stakeholders have agreed that things could be worked out quickly. My question is why.

HealthOral Question Period

11:50 a.m.

The Speaker

And don't say because.

HealthOral Question Period

11:55 a.m.

Sault Ste. Marie Ontario

Liberal

Ron Irwin LiberalMinister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development

Mr. Speaker, I am getting to enjoy health better than aboriginal affairs.

I have just been advised that it has not been cancelled. It has been postponed. I hope that advice is accurate.

HealthOral Question Period

11:55 a.m.

Reform

Diane Ablonczy Reform Calgary North, AB

Mr. Speaker, my question is still why, but perhaps to help the Minister of Health I could advise her we have learned that the real reason the meeting has been cancelled is pressure from interest groups.

Could the Minister of Health tell the House why she is not willing or someone is not willing to move vigorously to protect the lives and health of emergency workers and their families?

HealthOral Question Period

11:55 a.m.

Sault Ste. Marie Ontario

Liberal

Ron Irwin LiberalMinister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development

Mr. Speaker, this is even fresher than the last information. I am advised it has been postponed because there has not been agreement on the agenda. It is going to take place once the agenda is agreed on.

I am sure that will satisfy the hon. member's question. I will bring it to the attention of the Minister of Health when she returns.

Air SafetyOral Question Period

11:55 a.m.

Liberal

John Harvard Liberal Winnipeg—St. James, MB

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport. It has to do with the sudden and totally unexpected absence from work of air traffic controllers at the Winnipeg International Airport located in my riding.

Apparently as many as 38 air traffic controllers called in sick en masse this morning, leaving behind a small staff to serve an area all the way from Thunder Bay, Ontario, to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

What is the government doing to assure the safety of air travellers in that area?

Air SafetyOral Question Period

11:55 a.m.

London East Ontario

Liberal

Joe Fontana LiberalParliamentary Secretary to Minister of Transport

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for bringing this matter to the attention of the House. I take this opportunity on behalf of the Minister of Transport to assure the House and, more important, the travelling public that the systems are in place to handle all air traffic completely safely. It may be slower but it will be safe.

I also advise that the transport management is in contact with CATCA which will be meeting with the union tomorrow morning. The union is trying to be helpful in getting the controllers back to work.

I should also point out to the House that the severity of such unwarranted job action must be looked into, in the fullest extent of the collective agreement.

Credit CardsOral Question Period

11:55 a.m.

Bloc

René Laurin Bloc Joliette, QC

Mr. Speaker, over the past 12 years, retail stores have ignored the recommendations made by three separate parliamentary committees regarding credit card user fees and continue to charge interest rates as high as 28.8 per cent on the outstanding balance of their card statements.

Does the Minister of Industry intend to act swiftly to protect the interests of consumers in the face of this unacceptable practice on the part of retail stores, which is leaving some consumers in a state of chronic indebtedness?

Credit CardsOral Question Period

11:55 a.m.

Ottawa South Ontario

Liberal

John Manley LiberalMinister of Industry

Mr. Speaker, I wish to thank the hon. member for his question because this is a very important issue. Actually, interest rates on credit cards in the retail sector are governed by provincial regulations. This is nevertheless an important issue which I have discussed, in writing, with the president of the Retail Council of Canada. It is very important that we find a way to bring down the interest rates on retail store credit cards as well as those issued by banks.

Credit CardsOral Question Period

11:55 a.m.

Bloc

René Laurin Bloc Joliette, QC

Mr. Speaker, since a conspiracy seems to exist among retail stores to maintain similarly outrageous interest rates on their credit cards, does the minister intend to hold an inquiry to determine whether these practices constitute an offence under section 45 of the Competition Act concerning anticompetitive practices?

Credit CardsOral Question Period

11:55 a.m.

Ottawa South Ontario

Liberal

John Manley LiberalMinister of Industry

Mr. Speaker, I should draw to the attention of the hon. member the fact that a private member's bill on this matter is before the House. I think it is coming up for debate shortly and I am sure he will want to participate in that debate.

On the matter of the level of the rates and whether there is action to be considered by the director of investigations and research under the Competition Act, this is a matter on which I would be prepared to seek the advice of the director. If there are facts that warrant an investigation, I am sure he will take that appropriate action and we will be pleased to advise the member accordingly.

Amateur SportOral Question Period

Noon

Reform

Jan Brown Reform Calgary Southeast, AB

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Canadian Heritage who is responsible for amateur sport.

Recently the minister received a report on the funding of amateur sport which recommended the elimination of funding for 19 different sports. The minister acknowledged that having received the report, he was not prepared to make any further decisions until the report was examined. Then yesterday, the minister announced that two of the 19 sports so identified for funding cuts, biathlon and freestyle skiing, would not have their funding cut.

Can the minister inform the House what specific criteria were used to decide which sports would have their funding maintained and which would have it cut?

Amateur SportOral Question Period

Noon

Mississauga East Ontario

Liberal

Albina Guarnieri LiberalParliamentary Secretary to Minister of Canadian Heritage

The hon. member is aware that the minister is currently reviewing the Best report, which is far from government policy.

The minister did make assurances that all sports will be given due consideration. The hon. member may wish to wait until the comprehensive review is done before issuing further criticisms of the announcement.

Amateur SportOral Question Period

Noon

Reform

Jan Brown Reform Calgary Southeast, AB

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to hear there is certainly an intended review by all parliamentarians.

Will the minister table the report in the House and then refer it to the standing committee? Then there can be a very thorough and public review of that report in order to find out the specific criteria that were in place for those funding cuts.

Amateur SportOral Question Period

Noon

Mississauga East Ontario

Liberal

Albina Guarnieri LiberalParliamentary Secretary to Minister of Canadian Heritage

Mr. Speaker, I will certainly be happy to relay the member's request to the minister.

Perhaps it should be the Reform's sport to race to conclusions without the ball.

Association Canadienne-Française De L'OntarioOral Question Period

May 27th, 1994 / noon

Bloc

Gaston Péloquin Bloc Brome—Missisquoi, QC

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Acting Prime Minister. This week, we were told that neither the Prime Minister nor any other member of the Cabinet thought it would be a good idea to accept the invitation extended by the Association canadienne-française de l'Ontario and attend its annual convention.

How can the Acting Prime Minister explain the fact that Cabinet members decided to decline this invitation?