No, Mr. Speaker.
House of Commons Hansard #38 of the 36th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was environment.
House of Commons Hansard #38 of the 36th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was environment.
Suzanne Tremblay Bloc Rimouski—Mitis, QC
Mr. Speaker, the minister already admitted in this House that she was even prepared to break the law to protect her country. Is that not precisely what she did?
Sheila Copps LiberalMinister of Canadian Heritage
Mr. Speaker, I never said that. Speaking of breaking the law, I think that, with the tax scandal they are facing, if I were in the Bloc Quebecois or the Parti Quebecois, I would not talk about people breaking the law.
Deborah Grey Reform Edmonton North, AB
Mr. Speaker, the Indian affairs minister talks about modernizing social programs on reserves. She talks all the time about the partnerships programs she is involved in, but I think there is a problem with partnerships in her own department. In fact her officials have not even clued her in to the surprise report she found out about today.
I want the minister to stand in her place to tell us when she learned about the report.
Jane Stewart LiberalMinister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
Mr. Speaker, we have been reviewing the recommendations of the royal commission. As the new minister I have been coming to understand the roles and responsibilities of my ministry. It is absolutely clear to me that changing and modernizing the support we provide to aboriginal people must occur.
In my view we could look to the provinces that have found new and modern ways to provide social assistance, income support and real training initiatives for Canadians. We must do the same for our aboriginal people.
Deborah Grey Reform Edmonton North, AB
Mr. Speaker, it is just more rhetoric that has gone on for a generation about the whole department. The question was when did she find out about this report. That is very important to the modernizing and partnership she talked about. The problem will not go away.
She cannot write more memos, commission more studies and look into more committees on this issue. Canadians want to know when we will ever be able to solve the problem on reserves. When did she find out about this damning report of her own department?
Jane Stewart LiberalMinister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
Mr. Speaker, if the hon. member would care to look into things and really understand what is happening in first nations communities, she would find indeed—
Aboriginal AffairsOral Question Period
The Speaker
Important questions are being asked and important answers are being given. I would ask all hon. members to refrain from heckling so we can hear what is being said on both sides.
Jane Stewart Liberal Brant, ON
My point is that there are other ways of receiving information. It has become clear to me that first nations are making changes to support their people and to provide not only income support but new strategies for connecting aboriginal people to the economic levers of the country.
We all have a role to play in that regard. I would ask the opposition to consider that and join us in partnership.
Hélène Alarie Bloc Louis-Hébert, QC
Mr. Speaker, the Standing Committee on Industry extensively reviewed the drug patents issue and recommended in its April report that the 20-year life of patents remain unchanged. However, we know that there are tensions within the cabinet on this issue.
My question is directed to the Minister of Industry. Can the government indicate if its position is the one taken by the Minister of Health, who is in favour of easing the rules, or the one taken by the Minister of Industry, who is comfortable with the 20-year period?
John Manley LiberalMinister of Industry
Mr. Speaker, our position is clear, it was discussed on a number of occasions in this House. We will honour our international commitments, which means that we must respect the 20-year patent protection period.
Hélène Alarie Bloc Louis-Hébert, QC
Mr. Speaker, can the government give us the assurance that, whether or not the link regulations are amended, the actual life of patents will not be affected in any way?
John Manley LiberalMinister of Industry
Mr, Speaker, this is a very important question. The issue with respect to the regulations is simply to ensure the 20 year patent protection period afforded not just pharmaceutical products but all patents is neither more nor less than 20 years.
The industry committee heard evidence from some who said it caused an extension of the period and from others who said it was not effective in giving 20 year protection. Any changes we make will be intended simply and clearly to ensure that 20 years is it. No more, no less.
Aboriginal AffairsOral Question Period
November 26th, 1997 / 2:35 p.m.
Calgary Southwest Alberta
Reform
Preston Manning ReformLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, we are not satisfied with the answer from the minister of Indian affairs.
The department has received report after report on fiscal mismanagement within the department but nothing happens. We want to know precisely when the minister received this indictment of her department so we can judge how long it has taken her to act. When did she receive this report?
Jane Stewart LiberalMinister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
Mr. Speaker, it was the department that commissioned this report in response to the auditor general's requirements. We do not stop working while we are waiting for reports. We understand we have a responsibility to make change and do it effectively.
I ask hon. members to look at communities across the country that are modernizing their approaches and providing new ways of modern transparent governance to make life better for aboriginal people. We all have a responsibility in this regard. I would ask them to understand how things have been changing, to get on the wave and to join us.
Preston Manning ReformLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, it is ordinary aboriginal people we are thinking about. These people have seen study after study after study to take $6 billion from the top of that department—
Preston Manning Reform Calgary Southwest, AB
Mr. Speaker, when did the minister become aware of the report which is a damning indictment of her ability to finance aboriginal social assistance?
Jane Stewart LiberalMinister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
Mr. Speaker, let me use an example. Maybe this will help.
I travelled to the Alexander first nation which is north of Edmonton in the member's community. There we have a new relationship with the fiscal transfer. The leaders in that community have changed their whole provision of social assistance. Where they had 100 people receiving income support, through modern strategies there are now only 11.
The changes are happening. We just have to speed them up, modernize them and work together.
Réal Ménard Bloc Hochelaga—Maisonneuve, QC
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Public Works and Government Services.
It has already been two years since the federal government announced its intention to withdraw from social housing and transfer full responsibility for that area to the provinces, along with the related budgets. Since then, negotiations with Quebec have been dragging on.
Since Quebec is home to 29% of those living in inadequate housing in Canada, and since it is far from getting its fair share of federal funds, will the minister pledge to make up, once negotiations are completed, for this traditional shortfall, which represents, for those living in inadequate housing—
Social HousingOral Question Period
The Speaker
The Minister of Public Works and Government Services.
Alfonso Gagliano LiberalMinister of Public Works and Government Services
Mr. Speaker, the government is negotiating with all the provinces and territories regarding the transfer of social housing, to avoid duplication. Some provinces have already signed an agreement, while others, including Quebec, which the member referred to, are still negotiating.
We have to look at the global picture. The hon. member says Quebec did not get its fair share. I can tell him that under the Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program, the RRAP, Quebec is getting over 32%.
