House of Commons Hansard #75 of the 36th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was flag.

Topics

FirearmsOral Question Period

2:50 p.m.

The Speaker

Probably the hon. minister could do that at the end of question period.

Jeux De La FrancophonieOral Question Period

2:50 p.m.

Bloc

Daniel Turp Bloc Beauharnois—Salaberry, QC

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

In a letter dated March 12, the Quebec international relations minister and his municipal affairs colleague question the willingness of the federal government to include Quebec in any serious way in organizing the Jeux de la Francophonie. They contend that the federal government is in fact “placing Quebec before a fait accompli”.

How can the minister justify that, more than eight months after Ottawa-Hull won the games, the minister—

Jeux De La FrancophonieOral Question Period

2:50 p.m.

The Speaker

The Minister of Canadian Heritage.

Jeux De La FrancophonieOral Question Period

2:50 p.m.

Hamilton East Ontario

Liberal

Sheila Copps LiberalMinister of Canadian Heritage

Mr. Speaker, this shows the absolute gall of a minister who tried repeatedly to assure me, in writing, that the games were not coming to Canada, that they were not coming to Ottawa-Hull.

For him to claim to be highly interested in the games at this time is deplorable. This is a good example of how Bloc and PQ members play politics with Canadian francophones.

Multilateral Agreement On InvestmentOral Question Period

2:50 p.m.

NDP

John Solomon NDP Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre, SK

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Prime Minister.

The Saskatchewan government has called on the federal government to subject any future consensus draft on the MAI to a full impact analysis, including its impact on federalism; to involve the provinces and the public in its review; and to submit both the impact analysis and the draft treaty to full parliamentary debate before Canada moves to ratify any treaty.

Will the Prime Minister agree to the request from the Government of Saskatchewan for an impact analysis, a full parliamentary debate and a vote before the government endorses an MAI treaty?

Multilateral Agreement On InvestmentOral Question Period

2:50 p.m.

Halton Ontario

Liberal

Julian Reed LiberalParliamentary Secretary to Minister for International Trade

Mr. Speaker, holding hearings through the subcommittee is precisely the way an impact analysis is determined in the parliamentary process.

I would suggest to the hon. member that if he would participate in the work of the committee he would soon find out that is exactly what we do when we meet on a regular basis.

PensionsOral Question Period

March 17th, 1998 / 2:50 p.m.

Progressive Conservative

Scott Brison Progressive Conservative Kings—Hants, NS

Mr. Speaker, the CPP fund is predicted to grow from $6 billion to $26 billion by 2007. Raising the foreign content rule will increase investment returns on this fund and benefit all Canadians. Even the Conference Board of Canada feels that the foreign property rules will make Canadians poorer.

Why does the finance minister not trust his own investment board and give them the freedom to make investments with the greatest possible return for all Canadians?

PensionsOral Question Period

2:50 p.m.

LaSalle—Émard Québec

Liberal

Paul Martin LiberalMinister of Finance

Mr. Speaker, the other day when the hon. member asked his first question as finance critic I forgot to congratulate him. I would like to congratulate him now on his appointment and on his question.

The reason we are not prepared to move at the present time is that given the high level of Canadian borrowings we think there is reason to hold back on that decision. On the other hand, we are very open and it is one we will continue to monitor.

Organized CrimeOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Liberal

Lynn Myers Liberal Waterloo—Wellington, ON

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the solicitor general.

Police and prosecutors across Canada are receiving threats and are subjected to intimidation by motorcycle gang members. This affects not only those directly involved but their families as well.

What exactly is the federal government doing to protect our police and prosecutors from this kind of harassment?

Organized CrimeOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Fredericton New Brunswick

Liberal

Andy Scott LiberalSolicitor General of Canada

Mr. Speaker, the illegal activities of motorcycle gangs and organized crime generally are a serious concern to the government. By its definition organized crime transcends municipal, provincial or national boundaries. That is the reason we need to fight organized crime in an organized way.

Early in April I will be bringing together law enforcement agencies from all over Canada. We will recommit all our resources to dealing with this very serious challenge.

Young OffendersOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Reform

Paul Forseth Reform New Westminster—Coquitlam—Burnaby, BC

Mr. Speaker, there is fear among Canadians that without their knowledge a violent young offender may be living next door. This cloak of anonymity is not solving crime in Canada. I have never heard of a case where hiding names helps but I know of individuals who are dead because of it.

Does the Minister of Justice agree that the names of young offenders should be public to protect communities? Will she include this in legislation and not just in her musings to reporters in the media?

Young OffendersOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Edmonton West Alberta

Liberal

Anne McLellan LiberalMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

Mr. Speaker, as I have told the House before on numerous occasions, it is the government's intention to respond to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights report on youth justice. I will be filling that report in the coming weeks.

Multilateral Agreement On InvestmentOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Bloc

Maud Debien Bloc Laval East, QC

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Prime Minister.

The MAI is stirring people up everywhere in the world. For instance, the European Parliament passed a motion last week which called for parliamentarians to play a role in the negotiations.

When the Liberals were in opposition, they demanded a special debate in the House when NAFTA was being negotiated. Does the government commit today to doing the same before the MAI if and when an agreement is reached?

Multilateral Agreement On InvestmentOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Halton Ontario

Liberal

Julian Reed LiberalParliamentary Secretary to Minister for International Trade

Mr. Speaker, the process is simply that parliamentarians who are elected to the House have all the input it is possible to have to the negotiating team. The negotiating team listens to all the parties that participate on that committee.

I assure my hon. friend that with her participation on the committee her points of view and the points of view of her constituents will be passed—

Multilateral Agreement On InvestmentOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

The Speaker

The hon. member for Yukon.

Multilateral Agreement On InvestmentOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

NDP

Louise Hardy NDP Yukon, YT

Mr. Speaker, in November 1997 Yukon legislation called on the federal government to cease negotiations on the MAI.

Normally international trade agreements bind national governments alone but the MAI is different. It gives the ability to sue local governments.

Will the Prime Minister commit to the cross-country hearings that Saskatchewan, Yukon, P.E.I. and B.C. have asked for and table an analysis of local hiring and the impact on first nations, or will he end the negotiations?

Multilateral Agreement On InvestmentOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Halton Ontario

Liberal

Julian Reed LiberalParliamentary Secretary to Minister for International Trade

Mr. Speaker, through our committee we have already heard from every part of the country. We have heard expressions repeated on just about every issue of concern that there could possibly be over the MAI.

My hon. friend suggests that we should back out of negotiations, turn tail and run. Canada will stay in negotiations right to the very end. We will sign a deal only if it is a good deal for Canadians.

Canada Pension Plan Investment BoardOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Progressive Conservative

Scott Brison Progressive Conservative Kings—Hants, NS

Mr. Speaker, the other chamber is currently holding hearings on Bill C-2 and the appointment process to the CPP investment board. The appearance of non-political appointments to this investment board is paramount to the integrity of the board itself and to Canadians' trust and confidence that their money will be invested properly.

What steps has the Minister of Finance taken to ensure that the board will not simply become another pit of patronage for this government?

Canada Pension Plan Investment BoardOral Question Period

3 p.m.

LaSalle—Émard Québec

Liberal

Paul Martin LiberalMinister of Finance

Mr. Speaker, we certainly share the view as do the provinces, that confidence in the board is paramount. That is why we have set in place a process whereby the provinces and the federal government will put together a list of nominees from which the directors will be chosen.

I can assure the hon. member that each and every one of those nominees will be a person of the highest character, integrity and competence.

Presence In GalleryOral Question Period

3 p.m.

The Speaker

I draw the attention of hon. members to the presence in the gallery of Dr. Gonchigdorj, chairman of the State Great Hural of Mongolia, and other members of a parliamentary delegation from Mongolia.

Presence In GalleryOral Question Period

3 p.m.

Some hon. members

Hear, hear.

Points Of OrderOral Question Period

3 p.m.

Hamilton East Ontario

Liberal

Sheila Copps LiberalMinister of Canadian Heritage

Mr. Speaker, with respect to the allegations made by the hon. member of the Bloc Quebecois, I would like to table a letter from ACELF, the organization to which he has referred today, which reads as follows: “As for the quote in the newspaper article—we wish to dissociate ourselves from this false statement, and we apologize for having attributed certain intentions to the Minister of Canadian Heritage without justification”.

I would therefore like to table this letter which, in fact, confirms that the hon. member's statement is incorrect.

Points Of OrderOral Question Period

3 p.m.

Bloc

Michel Gauthier Bloc Roberval, QC

Mr. Speaker, following up on the minister's action, I request the unanimous consent of the House to table the letter from the president of the organization in question, which was the object of—

Points Of OrderOral Question Period

3 p.m.

The Speaker

Does the hon. member have unanimous consent?

Points Of OrderOral Question Period

3 p.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.