Debates of Nov. 4th, 1997

Pearson Airport

[David Collenette, Liberal, Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, when the original announcement was made by my predecessor, it was always envisaged that there would be adjustments to that payment. That is what is reflected in the estimates.

[John Williams, Reform, St. Albert, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Transport this spring was quite categorical in saying that $60 million was all there would be to pay off the Pearson airport fiasco.

I again ask the minister, is it just another $97.6 million, or how much will we have to pay next year to cover this Liberal boondoggle?

[David Collenette, Liberal, Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, I think I answered the question initially.

The fact is that this was a rather complicated agreement, a complicated deal and not all of the costs were in at the time of the announcement.

Environment

[Rick Laliberte, NDP, Churchill River, SK]

Mr. Speaker, countries around the world began initiating energy efficiency measures after Rio, creating hundreds of thousands of jobs. Other countries have used higher standards and proactive regulations to increase employment and protect the environment at the same time, a win-win situation.

My question is for the Prime Minister. Since coming to power in 1993 what has this government done to increase energy efficiency and meet global commitments beyond a voluntary registry program and a weak federal building standards program?

[Ralph Goodale, Liberal, Minister of Natural Resources and Minister responsible for the Canadian Wheat Board]

Mr. Speaker, a variety of initiatives are under way. There are the self-starting initiatives that we are supporting and encouraging in the private sector, the strengthening of efficiency regulations, certain incentives to encourage greater energy efficiency in the use of renewables, the encouragement of co-generation projects, the promotion of science and technology, the fostering of a whole range of alternatives in terms of energy.

We believe that in properly dealing with the climate change challenge we can develop a truly win-win situation for Canada.

[Rick Laliberte, NDP, Churchill River, SK]

Mr. Speaker, protecting the environment and creating jobs are important to Canadians. The issue of climate change was even ratified by a great country like China.

Will the Minister of Finance commit today that after Kyoto he will establish a national commission consisting of an investment fund and asking leadership from governments and health, community and labour groups to recommend measures to maximize jobs and economic benefits for all Canadians?

[Ralph Goodale, Liberal, Minister of Natural Resources and Minister responsible for the Canadian Wheat Board]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. gentleman is quite right in saying that we have to enlist the involvement and the creativity of a broad cross-section of Canadians, indeed a broad cross-section of people around the world, to come to grips with the problem of climate change.

I know the hon. gentleman's motivation is sincere. I would encourage him to direct at least part of his enthusiasm for this issue to the province of Saskatchewan to encourage constructive solutions there too.

Fisheries

[Greg Thompson, Progressive Conservative, Charlotte, NB]

Mr. Speaker, Atlantic fishermen are being subjected to an unbearable number of fees: licence fees, inspection fees, wharfage fees and monitoring fees to name just a few. Some of these have gone from $30 to $7,000 in a single year.

My question is for the minister of fisheries. Is it the intent of the department to put these small fishermen out of business and will the minister review some of these owners' fees with an aim to providing some relief to the fishermen in Atlantic Canada?

[David Anderson, Liberal, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans]

Mr. Speaker, the answer to the direct question is no. The answer to the second part of the question is we are trying very hard to make sure we have a viable fishery in Atlantic Canada and indeed on the Pacific and Arctic coasts as well.

It is very important to recognize that as part of the viability some fishermen who have in fact quite substantial incomes pay a legitimate fee for the product that they use. For others who are smaller fishermen such as the ones referred to by the hon. member, we are constantly examining the fee impact. There is a three year study which will start next year on the impact of it.

[Greg Thompson, Progressive Conservative, Charlotte, NB]

Mr. Speaker, I am not sure the minister's response is going to offer much encouragement to the fishermen back home.

As we speak, fishermen are being subjected to electronic black box monitoring and on-board video surveillance. This is akin to the electronic bracelets worn by prisoners, but at least the prisoners had a fair trial before being subjected to this humiliating and patronizing process.

What are the limits of intrusiveness and again, will the minister review some of these costs and the purposes of some of these practices?

[David Anderson, Liberal, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans]

Mr. Speaker, one of the important factors both internationally and domestically with the fishing fleet is to get accurate information on the stocks that are being fished in particular with respect to bycatch and other destructive practices that may be taking place. It is therefore important to have information on catch.

Whether the black box the gentleman is talking about is in fact a two way radio which keeps the fishermen in touch with shore so they can report catch I am not sure. However where it is possible to use technology instead of having a human observer, generally speaking costs are saved and the fishermen are dramatically advantaged as a result.

Aboriginal Affairs

[Elinor Caplan, Liberal, Thornhill, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I have a question for the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development regarding the First Nations Land Management Act tabled in the last Parliament which did not address the concerns of aboriginal women. Married women living on reserve cannot get an order for a share in the matrimonial home and the land it is on and they cannot get an order for exclusive occupancy of that home when their marriage ends.

What is the minister doing to address the concerns and the rights of aboriginal women who want to protect their homes when their marriages end?

[Jane Stewart, Liberal, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development]

Mr. Speaker, the First Nations Land Management Act is an important initiative that could provide more control for First Nations over their lands. Concerns have been raised over the issue and the need for a process to manage matrimonial property. We take these concerns very seriously.

It would be my hope that we could find a solution out of court through positive discussions with all the parties. We certainly respect the right of the B.C. Native Women's Society to pursue its concerns through the courts.

Immigration

[Grant McNally, Reform, Dewdney—Alouette, BC]

Mr. Speaker, last week the immigration minister reappointed Stéphane Handfield to an $85,000 a year patronage plum with the IRB. Mr. Handfield was originally appointed to the IRB right out of law school but surprise, surprise, surprise. His mother just happens to be a key Liberal organizer and fundraiser.

Was it Handfield's years of experience in immigration law or was it his mother's long term service to the Liberal Party that won him his $85,000 a year patronage position? Canadians want to know.

[Lucienne Robillard, Liberal, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration]

Mr. Speaker, I can see that the hon. member from the Reform Party is not at all aware of the procedure for making appointments to the Immigration and Refugee Board.

There is a selection committee that assesses candidates and makes recommendations on appointments to the government. In this case, in accordance with the procedure, the selection committee recommended the person be reappointed because he was qualified.

Government Spending

[Suzanne Tremblay, Bloc, Rimouski—Mitis, QC]

Mr. Speaker, my question if for the Minister of Canadian Heritage.

Despite years of austerity and cuts, the propaganda budget for Canada Day and heritage celebrations has increased by 1,000% in two years.

Can the minister explain to us why she has served Quebec so well this time by giving it 56% of the Canada Day budget? Is it because Quebec is a distinct society, a unique society, or because it is sovereignist?

[Sheila Copps, Liberal, Minister of Canadian Heritage]

Mr. Speaker, first of all, I would like to thank the heritage critic for the Bloc Quebecois for her first question.

I will just point out to her that I recently read in La Presse , I think, that the budget for the Saint-Jean-Baptiste celebrations was higher than the Canada Day budget.

Environment

[Judy Wasylycia-Leis, NDP, Winnipeg North Centre, MB]

Mr. Speaker, the health care community in Canada, including the Canadian Medical Association, the Canadian Public Health Association and I might point out to members on my far right in the Reform Party, the Alberta Medical Association, all agree that global climate change presents serious health, environmental, economic and social risks.

To protect the health of Canadians and in support of health care professionals all across the country, will the Minister of Health support a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2005?

[Allan Rock, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, this government recognizes that health is indeed one of the considerations that should figure in the development of environmental policy. It is for that reason that my colleague the Minister of the Environment has engaged me along with all of our colleagues in cabinet and caucus in developing the government's position.

The hon. member can rest assured that when this government announces the position, it will reflect not only the best interests of Canada but health considerations as well.

Trade

[Scott Brison, Progressive Conservative, Kings—Hants, NS]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Prime Minister. When the current Minister for International Trade was Minister of the Environment, he mismanaged Bill C-29 resulting in the $350 million Ethyl Corporation lawsuit against the Canadian government. This is one of three lawsuits against the government under chapter 11 provisions of NAFTA.

MAI expands on the scope and definition of the investor provisions of NAFTA as well as geographically expanding it to 29 OECD countries. This exponentially increases the ability for foreign investors to sue the Canadian government—

[The Speaker]

The hon. member for Essex.

[Susan Whelan, Liberal, Essex, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians want to know that this government—

[The Speaker]

Excuse me, I did not see the parliamentary secretary rise. The hon. parliamentary secretary.

[Julian Reed, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Minister for International Trade]

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

One of the reasons for pursuing MAI is to strengthen Canada's position in world trade. We are going to go to the bargaining table in January and we will not back away and fight for those things that the hon. member is most concerned about. MAI has a great future, if we can get 29 countries together singing from the same hymn book.

Science And Technology

[Susan Whelan, Liberal, Essex, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians want to know that this government is building a modern, innovative economy. What steps has the Minister of Industry taken to encourage support for innovation and risk taking in the science and technology industry in Canada?