Debates of April 24th, 1998

Highways

[David Collenette, Liberal, Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, the commitment was made before the hon. member drew the valuable options to our attention with respect to highways and the construction of highways in New Brunswick. As a result we now have to look at that particular agreement to see that it does reflect the concerns the member raised. This does not mitigate the points the member made earlier, but we will certainly look at it before any money is sent.

As the member knows, the money is only paid once the work is done. There is still time to realize the objectives he has raised in the House.

Aboriginal Affairs

[Nancy Karetak-Lindell, Liberal, Nunavut, NU]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Secretary of State for Western Economic Diversification.

The Government of Canada has pledged to break the cycle of economic underdevelopment in the aboriginal community. What is being done in western Canada to enhance and encourage the economic development and growth of aboriginal communities?

[Ronald J. Duhamel, Liberal, Secretary of State (Science]

Mr. Speaker, there are 100 points of service in western Canada serving all western Canadians. Among them there are seven community futures development programs that are exclusively for aboriginal communities.

Just a couple of weeks ago there was a $950,000 investment to the Aboriginal Council of Winnipeg to develop entrepreneurship among the aboriginal and Metis peoples.

Just recently there was $5 million for the Saskatchewan Indian Federated College for infrastructure for a college of their own to develop their human resource base.

Aboriginal peoples play a very important role in the economic development of western Canada. What is good for the aboriginal peoples of western Canada is good for western Canadians and is good for Canada.

Taxation

[Dick Harris, Reform, Prince George—Bulkley Valley, BC]

Mr. Speaker, someone should tell the Liberals where the province of B.C. is. I did not hear that mentioned.

As Canadians are filling out their tax forms this year, they are reliving the nightmare of the high tax levels in this country while the government continues to dream up new spending programs.

While Canadian families are spending about $4,000 less now because they do not have it since this government took over, why do they have to have tax nightmares while the Liberal government is dreaming up new spending programs?

[Marcel Massé, Liberal, President of the Treasury Board and Minister responsible for Infrastructure]

Mr. Speaker, if there is one government in the last 50 years that should be congratulated for its results and in particular for reducing the deficit in the country, it is ours.

As announced in the last budget, the government has indicated it would reduce taxes for 14 million Canadians. This is what was done in the last budget. More than 400,000 Canadians have been taken off the tax rolls completely. This is what this government has done for Canadian taxpayers.

The government has also indicated in the budget that over the next few years it would continue to reduce taxes.

Burma

[Monique Guay, Bloc, Laurentides, QC]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Minister for International Co-operation said she would be prepared to restore the programs to provide assistance to Myanmar.

However, Canada's ambassador to this country recently stated that Burma was one of the worst Asian countries for human rights violations and a major heroin exporter as well. He added that changing the existing system would be a protracted effort.

Does the government support the position of its minister, who is thereby condoning one of the worst dictatorships in Asia?

[Don Boudria, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, the facts as reported by the hon. member opposite are incorrect.

The Minister for International Co-operation has made it very clear on many occasions in this House that we would all want to be able to do more to help the people of Myanmar, or Burma, but we cannot do anything until conditions improve.

I hope we can count on the support of the hon. member opposite when conditions do improve—which will not be anytime soon, as we all know—to help these unfortunate people who are in dire need of help.

Department Of Fisheries And Oceans

[Angela Vautour, NDP, Beauséjour—Petitcodiac, NB]

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

I just learned that three curing plants have been visited by armed Fisheries and Oceans officials. The owners of these plants were treated like criminals. What is criminal in this issue is for Fisheries and Oceans not to let herring fishers finish their fishing season last spring.

We have had it with being treated this way. We have had it with being harassed. Enough is enough. There is no work in our region. The time has come to get off our backs.

Why does this government continue to attack our coastal communities while ignoring the criminal activities of large foreign vessels? People in my region want to know what is going on.

[David Collenette, Liberal, Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, I am somewhat amazed at the charges made by the hon. member. I am sure that my colleague will be equally amazed. If the member has some substantive information on these allegations, she should provide that to the minister so he can respond very quickly.

Environment

[John Herron, Progressive Conservative, Fundy Royal, NB]

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

This government has not learned from its make it up as you go strategy for Kyoto and climate change. The environment minister announced that a key component of her post Kyoto strategy would be rewarding industries for early action.

Why did the government fail to provide a tangible sign that it was serious when it tabled its budget in February? We saw no serious tax incentives for research and development on energy efficiency and renewable sources of energy. The government spoke about the need for early action. Canadians would be happy with any action from the government.

[Gerry Byrne, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Natural Resources]

Mr. Speaker, what the hon. member has effectively given me the opportunity to do is to point out that Canada is indeed very committed to providing solutions to this global problem. We will be participating with all Canadian stakeholders in a made in Canada solution.

I point out that in the February budget we did introduce measures which will provide solutions in terms of research and development. We will be working with industry, other governments, provincial governments, environmental stakeholders and all Canadians to come up with a made in Canada solution. We will be active.

Electronic Commerce

[Susan Whelan, Liberal, Essex, ON]

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

Consumers across Canada are shopping on the Internet or doing their banking from their homes. Canadians want to know what initiatives the government has taken to ensure that they are protected as consumers when they engage in electronic commerce?

[John Manley, Liberal, Minister of Industry]

Mr. Speaker, the government recognizes the enormous potential that there is in electronic commerce. We expect to see its usage increased dramatically over the next few years. We are intent upon making Canada a world leader in its use and in building the proper legal framework for electronic commerce.

Earlier today I addressed a group of consumers and business representatives at a consumer round table on electronic commerce. We are committed to bringing forward legislation as required to deal with consumer protection issues and other issues that concern consumers on electronic commerce, including the protection of privacy, cryptography and other issues that are of importance.

Disaster Relief

[Jay Hill, Reform, Prince George—Peace River, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the ice storm was in January. In February the minister of agriculture unilaterally created a $50 million special program for Quebec part time farmers ineligible under current disaster relief criteria. Last month he announced a similar $20 million for Ontario farmers, much needed quick action. However, for Peace River farmers devastated by two years of excessive moisture, there has been no help.

The Alberta agriculture minister wrote to the minister on April 1. He is still waiting for a response. Why is this minister stonewalling western farmers—

[The Deputy Speaker]

Order. The hon. Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.

[Lyle Vanclief, Liberal, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food]

Mr. Speaker, there is no double standard. The assistance put in place by this government for part time farmers in Quebec and Ontario was to make sure they got the same coverage as the disaster funding assistance agreement provided to full time farmers.

The farmers in Peace River are covered for all those things that are insurable, as were farmers in the Quebec and Ontario regions. They have been treated exactly the same for coverage as the farmers in the other areas.

Seniors Benefit

[Maurice Dumas, Bloc, Argenteuil—Papineau, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the current old age income security program has always been based on the principle of universality.

Yet, the proposed new seniors benefit is to be based on family income, which would deprive many women of their pensions.

What is the government waiting to make changes to its proposed reform, so that all women get the equal treatment to which they are entitled?

[Marcel Massé, Liberal, President of the Treasury Board and Minister responsible for Infrastructure]

Mr. Speaker, the seniors benefit being implemented by the government gives special consideration to the situation of women in particular.

Indeed, the proposed reforms will ensure the sustainability of the seniors benefit program and will allow it to become even more generous for those who will need it in the years to come, particularly women. Our proposed amendments will help those who have the greatest need for that benefit, and will make the system—

[The Deputy Speaker]

I am sorry to interrupt to hon. minister, but Oral Question Period is over.

Business Of The House

[Don Boudria, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, I believe you would find unanimous consent to the following motion.

I move:

That on Tuesday, April 28, 1998, at the ordinary time of daily adjournment, no proceedings pursuant to Standing Order 38 shall take place, but a minister of the crown shall propose a motion “That this House take note of the intention of the Government of Canada to renew its participation in the NATO-led stabilization force, SFOR, in Bosnia beyond June 20, 1998 in order to maintain a safe environment for reconstruction and reconciliation and a lasting peace for the people of Bosnia-Herzogovina”; and

That during the consideration of this said motion, the first spokesperson for each party may speak for no more than twenty minutes, other members may speak for no more than ten minutes, no quorum calls, requests for unanimous consent for any purpose or dilatory motion shall be received by the Chair and, when no member wishes to speak, the House shall adjourn to the next sitting day.

[Jay Hill, Reform, Prince George—Peace River, BC]

Mr. Speaker, to clear up any misunderstanding, could the government House leader clarify that this will take place after the votes that are scheduled for Tuesday.

[Don Boudria, Liberal, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

Mr. Speaker, not only after the votes, because after the votes there is also private members' hour, but after the conclusion of private members' hour; in other words, as the motion indicates, at the ordinary time of daily adjournment which is immediately following the end of private members' hour, which will be delayed by the time of the votes. In other words, it will take place around 7.00 p.m.

[The Deputy Speaker]

Does the hon. government House leader have the unanimous consent of the House to propose this motion?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Deputy Speaker]

The House has heard the terms of the motion. Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?