Debates of May 31st, 1995

Upper Nicola Band

[Nelson Riis, NDP, Kamloops, BC]

Mr. Speaker, my question is to the parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, regarding the same issue of the Upper Nicola Band.

The matter of grievance is definitely in the federal area of responsibility. A major confrontation is taking place. Nearly 200 First Nations people are on site this afternoon. There is bound to be violence on that blockade if action is not taken.

Will the parliamentary secretary ask the minister to involve himself personally, go out to the site and attempt to resolve these critical issues before violence occurs?

[Jack Iyerak Anawak, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development]

Mr. Speaker, I just responded to the previous question. I am sure we are all aware of the potential for an accident and that cooler heads should prevail on this issue. If requested the minister will be prepared to meet, but only if requested by the First Nations, the province and the others involved.

Fisheries

[Elsie Wayne, Progressive Conservative, Saint John, NB]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans.

As there is an upcoming NAFO meeting in Toronto, can the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans provide the House with any new information on the status of the enforcement and quota measures that were agreed to in April? Could he also tell us what Canada's position will be at this meeting?

[Brian Tobin, Liberal, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for her question and for her interest in the NAFO meeting in Toronto next week.

At this meeting all of the NAFO member states will consider the enforcement provisions contained within the Canada-EU enforcement agreement. It is our hope, indeed our desire, that the provisions contained in the agreement will be endorsed by members of NAFO.

I spoke as recently as yesterday to the ministers of fisheries from Norway and Iceland. My officials have spoken with representatives of other countries to ensure good strong support for these measures.

The current status of the agreement is that we have 100 per cent observer coverage working quite well offshore.

Employment

[Reg Alcock, Liberal, Winnipeg South, MB]

Mr. Speaker, there were two parts to the economic plan outlined in the red book. The first was to get our finances under control and the second was to stimulate job creation.

My question is for the Minister of Finance. We have been bold in setting targets for reducing the deficit to 3 per cent of GDP. Why is there no target for a reduction in the level of unemployment?

[Paul Martin, Liberal, Minister of Finance and Minister responsible for the Federal Office of Regional Development-Quebec]

Mr. Speaker, the member does not ask easy questions.

Canada, like many other countries, is undergoing a fundamental revolution in the job market. That is why the government is acting as it is with its reforms in employability by HRD, in research and development, in industry. It is why the access to capital for small business is so important.

All of these are in the area where one sets the climate for the private sector. Therefore the questions that arise are: Should government be setting targets in areas where it does not have at least as much control as it should over the public finances? What about the kinds of jobs, part time or full time? What about the problem of the working poor, which is almost as important? These are questions I believe have to be addressed within the context of the member's question.

The real answer is that no level of unemployment is acceptable.

Presence In Gallery

[The Speaker]

Colleagues, I wish to draw to your attention the presence in the gallery of Baroness Brigstocke, the Conservative whip of the House of Lords of Britain.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear.

Government Response To Petitions

[Peter Milliken, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to table, in both official languages and pursuant to Standing Order 36(8), the government's response to four petitions.

Committees Of The House

[Paul Zed, Liberal, Fundy Royal, NB]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 81(4), I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the sixth report of the Standing Committee on Industry concerning the order of reference dated Tuesday, February 28, 1995 relating to the main estimates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 1996.

[Rey D. Pagtakhan, Liberal, Winnipeg North, MB]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the first report of the Standing Committee on Human Rights and the Status of Disabled Persons.

The committee has considered vote 15 under justice in the main estimates ending the fiscal year March 31, 1996 and now reports the same.

[Jim Peterson, Liberal, Willowdale, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 17th report of the Standing Committee of Finance on votes 1, 5 and 10 under national revenue in the main estimates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 1996.

May I thank the members from all parties for their splendid co-operation and constructive suggestions in our report.

[Jim Abbott, Reform, Kootenay East, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. During the examination of the estimates of the Department of National Revenue, I pointed out department estimates on vote 1 were about $10 million higher than the amount specified in the federal budget submitted in February.

The transcript will show the motion that: "We approve the estimates in principle, reconciling them with the budget" was passed unanimously. The motion to reconcile was ruled out of order and is not reflected in the minutes being tabled today.

Because the department estimates of all departments are printed before the finance minister presents his budget, we have noted there will be discrepancies between ministry estimates and the finance minister's dollar allocation to these ministries.

The solution might include Your Honour recommending to the Minister of National Revenue that he submit a reconciliation, as unanimously requested by committee members. If this was taken as precedent, your ruling would take a giant step to putting the members in charge of expenditures of taxpayers' dollars.

In summary, as a standard procedure when there is a difference between estimates and the budget, a reconciliation should be tabled by the minister when department estimates are tabled by a standing committee.

[The Speaker]

The Chair is in an in between position here. It is not for the Chair to make specific suggestions, but I wonder if the hon. member might recommend that this request be made through the committee itself when bringing in its report.

Second, perhaps this question could be brought up later on when supply is discussed. However I do not believe it is the position or the prerogative of the Chair to intervene on this and I would decline to do so at this time.

[Ovid Jackson, Liberal, Bruce—Grey, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the third report of the Standing Committee on Health, pursuant to Standing Order 81(4) and 81(7), following consideration of the evidence heard over the past month from the Minister of Health and a number of her officials, as well as representatives from the Medical Research Council, the Patent Medicine Price Review Board and Hazardous Materials Information Review Commission.

We are pleased to report the votes for the main estimates for the year 1995-96.

[Richard Bélisle, Bloc, La Prairie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to table the eleventh report of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts.

Pursuant to the order of reference of Tuesday, February 28, 1995, our committee has considered the budgetary vote for the office of the auditor general in the main estimates and has agreed to issue a report. The public accounts committee has analyzed vote 35 under finance in the main estimates for the 1995-96 fiscal year and gives its unanimous consent.

[Peter Milliken, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present the 79th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs regarding the membership of the Standing Committee on the Environment and Sustainable Development. With leave of the House, I intend to move for concurrence in this report later this day.

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present the 80th report of the Standing Committee of Procedure and House Affairs. The committee considered Bill C-85, an act to amend the Members of Parliament Retiring Allowances Act and to provide for the continuation of a certain provision, and has agreed to report it without amendment.

I may say that due to the very persuasive testimony given by the President of the Treasury Board, the committee adopted every clause in the bill without amendment unanimously.

[Stephen Harper, Reform, Calgary West, AB]

Mr. Speaker, a point of order.

I bring to the attention of the House that unanimous agreement on Bill C-85 includes only the Liberal and Bloc Quebecois members. Reform members did not agree with the one-day fast tracking of Bill C-85, and refused to participate in the 12-minute clause by clause.

[George Proud, Liberal, Hillsborough, PE]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the second and third reports of the Standing Committee of National Defence and Veterans Affairs, concerning the main estimates for 1995-96.

[The Speaker]

Forgive me, were you presenting the second and third reports together?

[George Proud, Liberal, Hillsborough, PE]

Yes.

[Francis Leblanc, Liberal, Cape Breton Highlands—Canso, NS]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 10th report of the Standing Committee on Human Resources Development, regarding the information under the heading "Human Resources Development" in the main estimates for 1995-96.

The committee reviewed the main estimates and submits its report without amendment.

[Eleni Bakopanos, Liberal, Saint-Denis, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the sixth report of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration in relation to the main estimates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 1996.

Adm Agri-Industries Ltd. Operations Act

[Martin Cauchon, Liberal, Outremont, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I ask for unanimous consent to withdraw my private bill, Bill C-308.

This bill is similar to Bill C-313 which was debated in this House on May 19.

[The Deputy Speaker]

Is it agreed?