House of Commons Hansard #108 of the 35th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was firearms.

Topics

Krever InquiryOral Question Period

2:40 p.m.

Hamilton East Ontario

Liberal

Sheila Copps LiberalDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of Canadian Heritage

Mr. Speaker, the answer to that question is the same answer that was given yesterday.

Chemical Product IndustryOral Question Period

2:40 p.m.

Bloc

Jean-Guy Chrétien Bloc Frontenac, QC

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

The government is about to expand, under the framework of a federal agency, current pest management regulatory services. It will take this opportunity to have the chemical product industry pay for part of the costs of this monitoring activity.

Will the minister confirm that, as regards its agency project, the Canadian government wants to recover 60 per cent of the costs from the chemical product industry, while the American government only imposes a 15 per cent recovery cost for the same services?

Chemical Product IndustryOral Question Period

2:40 p.m.

Regina—Wascana Saskatchewan

Liberal

Ralph Goodale LiberalMinister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

Mr. Speaker, I presume the question refers to the Pest Management Regulatory Agency which is under the jurisdiction of the Minister of Health.

On the minister's behalf I want to assure the hon. gentleman that the government has been in very close dialogue with all of the stakeholders that may be potentially affected by the new Pest Management Regulatory Agency. Every effort is being made to incorporate their very helpful advice into the administration of the agency to make sure that it can be operated on the most economical basis possible. Provision is being made for an economic stakeholders advisory committee so that those stakeholders who will be affected by this regulatory system can have ongoing input into the future. The objective is to make this system efficient so that the cost savings can accrue back to the industry which would be subject to that regulation.

Chemical Product IndustryOral Question Period

2:40 p.m.

Bloc

Jean-Guy Chrétien Bloc Frontenac, QC

Mr. Speaker, there will be a problem. Given this gap of 45 per cent, will the minister agree that imposing such high recovery costs will make it more costly for companies to develop their products in Canada and that, consequently, these companies will pass on the bill to farmers, who will also become less competitive, unless they buy directly from the United States?

Chemical Product IndustryOral Question Period

2:40 p.m.

Regina—Wascana Saskatchewan

Liberal

Ralph Goodale LiberalMinister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

Mr. Speaker, the hon. gentleman is touching upon an issue that he, this government and I regard to be very important.

That is the harmonization of our regulatory systems in relation to our trading partners around the world, and of course in the North American context most particularly with the United States and Mexico.

When I say harmonization, I want to make the point very clear that we are not in any way talking about lowering Canadian standards. Our standards are the best in the world. We will continue to ensure that Canada's food system is the safest and highest quality in the world.

There are ways in which we can make savings through harmonization. I would advise that those discussions with our NAFTA partners are already under way and are already making progress. We are developing a pilot project for the joint review of applications for new products in the future.

EmploymentOral Question Period

2:45 p.m.

Liberal

Dianne Brushett Liberal Cumberland—Colchester, NS

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

In Canada today firms led by women are creating jobs at four times the rate of all other firms. In Atlantic Canada the number of women owned businesses employing five or more people has increased from 16 to 28 per cent in less than six years.

Can the minister explain why women are having this extraordinary success as entrepreneurs? What is the government doing to enhance this opportunity for job creation?

EmploymentOral Question Period

2:45 p.m.

Ottawa South Ontario

Liberal

John Manley LiberalMinister of Industry

Mr. Speaker, I do not know whether we can identify any inherent strengths in the female gender that make them successful as entrepreneurs but I can say that the statistics are correct.

Women have demonstrated extraordinary success as entrepreneurs. They are appearing as entrepreneurs and are starting businesses in record numbers. As recently as this past January, Statistics Canada reported that the percentage of women who are members of Canada's entrepreneurial class has increased significantly. At the same time 11 per cent of Canadian employed women are now self-employed as entrepreneurs.

We have tried to overcome some of the obstacles that continue to inhibit the ability of women to succeed as entrepreneurs largely through mentoring programs, assistance programs, ACOA, the Business Development Bank of Canada and western economic diversification. These are attempts to give women the tools they need to create jobs for themselves and others and they have proven they can succeed at it.

Krever InquiryOral Question Period

2:45 p.m.

Reform

Grant Hill Reform Macleod, AB

Mr. Speaker, back to Krever.

Former prime ministers can divulge information with their permission. This is an issue of Canadian health and safety. There is no one in this government who can hide from the fact that the information is important and necessary.

Once again, if the Deputy Prime Minister will not seek this permission, will she tell the House of Commons why not?

Krever InquiryOral Question Period

2:45 p.m.

Hamilton East Ontario

Liberal

Sheila Copps LiberalDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of Canadian Heritage

Mr. Speaker, section 39 of the Canada Evidence Act makes it quite clear that it is the responsibility of every government to protect cabinet confidences. The only time that has ever been referred back is when a minister has been charged with a criminal offence.

Krever InquiryOral Question Period

2:45 p.m.

Reform

Grant Hill Reform Macleod, AB

Mr. Speaker, this is criminal. It is nonsense. Nonsense.

The health and safety of Canadians is paramount. No excuse will allow the government to escape from this issue. One of my campaign workers got hepatitis C from a tooth transfusion. She deserves the plain, straight answer from Krever. We want that answer and we will not rest until those documents are tabled.

Krever InquiryOral Question Period

2:45 p.m.

Hamilton East Ontario

Liberal

Sheila Copps LiberalDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of Canadian Heritage

Mr. Speaker, I think every Canadian is anxiously awaiting the results of the Krever commission.

I would hope that all Canadians, including the members of the opposition, understand that the government has absolutely no interest in protecting the government of Brian Mulroney. This government however does respect the fact that under section 39 of the Canada Evidence Act previous cabinets do have the right to cabinet confidentiality. The only time that right under section 39 has been set aside has been in the specific case of a minister who is facing criminal charges.

Tran Trieu QuanOral Question Period

2:50 p.m.

Bloc

Philippe Paré Bloc Louis-Hébert, QC

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Last week, during a meeting with government representatives, the group seeking the release of Tran Trieu Quan was informed by officials that the government no longer knew what to do in this case, and that the special adviser to the Minister of Foreign Affairs

who had been given responsibility for Tran Trieu Quan's case no longer worked for the minister.

Will the minister tell us whether this information is correct and, if so, will he tell us whether the position will eventually be filled, and who in his department is in charge of the Tran Trieu Quan file in the meantime?

Tran Trieu QuanOral Question Period

2:50 p.m.

Winnipeg South Centre Manitoba

Liberal

Lloyd Axworthy LiberalMinister of Foreign Affairs

Mr. Speaker, we certainly share the member's concern about Mr. Tran's situation. But as the member knows, we have worked very hard at making representations to the Vietnamese government.

Just recently, for example, my colleague, the Minister for International Cooperation, attended a meeting in Vietnam. He had several meetings, in person, with ministers in that government, and asked that pressure be brought to bear on the government. At the same time, the consular service of the Department of Foreign Affairs are ensuring that all conditions are being respected by the government in Mr. Tran's case. And we will continue to do everything necessary to ensure that Mr. Tran's rights are respected.

Tran Trieu QuanOral Question Period

2:50 p.m.

Bloc

Philippe Paré Bloc Louis-Hébert, QC

Mr. Speaker, I would like to come back to my original question.

Officials are telling us that the department no longer knows what to do. We have also been told that the special adviser no longer works for the department. Is anyone in the department still working on behalf of Tran Trieu Quan?

Tran Trieu QuanOral Question Period

2:50 p.m.

Winnipeg South Centre Manitoba

Liberal

Lloyd Axworthy LiberalMinister of Foreign Affairs

Mr. Speaker, I would point out that the ministers of this department are working directly in this case. The Minister for International Cooperation, this minister, the former Minister of International Cooperation, myself, the ambassador in Vietnam and members of our consular service are all directly engaged in ensuring that the rights of Mr. Tran are respected.

We are continuing to make all representations that we can, but we are dealing with a country that has its own rules, its own laws and is sovereign. All we can do is make every effort possible for them to change their position, which we will continue to do. We cannot force them to do it but we will continue to do everything in our power to make that happen.

I have one specific example. When I was in Ukraine a month ago, I made specific representations to that government to ensure that it would provide direct evidence dealing with the case of Mr. Morgan who is an alleged accomplice in this case. We are establishing a worldwide net to try to come to grips with ways in which we can assist Mr. Tran in his very serious circumstances.

Krever InquiryOral Question Period

2:50 p.m.

Reform

Deborah Grey Reform Beaver River, AB

Mr. Speaker, in August 1984 John Turner was the Prime Minister of this country. He came forward with draft legislation on tainted blood.

The Deputy Prime Minister has said time and time again that she wants nothing to do with Mulroney. We are not asking her to get involved with Mulroney. He came in in September 1984.

What we are asking is not for the Deputy Prime Minister to divulge any secret cabinet information. All we are asking the Deputy Prime Minister and the government to do is to ask permission of former prime ministers. Will she ask for their permission to go ahead with this information?

Krever InquiryOral Question Period

2:50 p.m.

Hamilton East Ontario

Liberal

Sheila Copps LiberalDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of Canadian Heritage

Mr. Speaker, the documents that were certified as cabinet confidences do not include any documents from the government of John Turner.

Krever InquiryOral Question Period

2:50 p.m.

Reform

Deborah Grey Reform Beaver River, AB

Mr. Speaker, something here is starting to smell of a cover-up and we will get to the bottom of this for the people who have lost their lives.

It is one thing to talk glibly, that there is no problem here whatsoever. However, if the Deputy Prime Minister and the government are serious about getting to the bottom of this issue and letting the Krever inquiry get to its work, will she commit to simply asking former prime ministers, which is within her right and her obligation, for their permission to allow these documents and information to be released? Yes or no?

Krever InquiryOral Question Period

2:50 p.m.

Hamilton East Ontario

Liberal

Sheila Copps LiberalDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of Canadian Heritage

Mr. Speaker, section 39 of the Canada Evidence Act requires the Prime Minister to respect cabinet confidentiality. There is however nothing preventing the commission itself from inquiring upon anyone it would like to subpoena to have testify.

Candu ReactorsOral Question Period

November 27th, 1996 / 2:55 p.m.

Liberal

Robert Bertrand Liberal Pontiac—Gatineau—Labelle, QC

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister's efforts during Team Canada's Asian trip in 1994 have finally enabled Canada to sell two Candu nuclear reactors to China.

Would the Secretary of State responsible for the Federal Office of Regional Development-Quebec tell us what economic benefits Quebec can expect from the signing of this major contract?

Candu ReactorsOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Outremont Québec

Liberal

Martin Cauchon LiberalSecretary of State (Federal Office of Regional Development-Quebec)

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his excellent question.

We have indeed announced the sale of two Candu reactors to China. This is excellent news, because the contract is worth $4 billion. Canada's share in the financing, in other words, its financial contribution, is $1.5 billion. This means economic benefits worth $275 million for the Province of Quebec. In terms of job creation, it means 8,000 person years. The two reactors will take some six and a half years to build-a substantial contribution to the economy.

This announcement is proof of the Government of Canada's ability to help businesses export and develop new markets, an important consideration in this time of globalization. It also shows that the Canadian government is bringing jobs home, which is vital.

Security OfficersOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Bloc

Bernard St-Laurent Bloc Manicouagan, QC

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

On October 24, Bradson Mercantile Inc. locked out its 365 security officers and immediately replaced them with scabs. The security officers employed by Bradson are assigned to supply protection at several sites in the Ottawa-Carleton region.

Does the minister think it is acceptable that approximately 273 scabs provide protection at 32 federal government buildings in the Ottawa-Carleton region, including 2 at Elections Canada, 20 at the Museum of Nature and no fewer than 50 at Statistics Canada?

Security OfficersOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Sudbury Ontario

Liberal

Diane Marleau LiberalMinister of Public Works and Government Services

Mr. Speaker, the company has a contractual obligation to provide continuous protection, and that is what it is doing.

Citizenship And ImmigrationOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Reform

Leon Benoit Reform Vegreville, AB

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the minister of immigration.

The review of the immigration centre has clearly hurt the people of Vegreville by unfairly tarnishing their reputation. This $42,000 government commissioned study should never have been done. This issue should have been dealt with quickly and decisively by competent management.

Will the minister simply apologize for the damage done by her department and show some concern and consideration for the people of Vegreville?

Citizenship And ImmigrationOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Saint-Henri—Westmount Québec

Liberal

Lucienne Robillard LiberalMinister of Citizenship and Immigration

Mr. Speaker, I stated previously in this House that the study conducted at the centre in Vegreville was on the operations of the centre, not on the community of Vegreville per se, particularly since the study showed problems at the centre. The people of Vegreville themselves are not being judged.

The mayor of Vegreville himself, who took the time to read the report, concluded it was an internal review of the operations at the centre.