Mr. Speaker, as the next millennium approaches time is running out for the Treasury Board and for the federal government.
The year 2000 computer bug is poised to create major problems for Canadians on January 1, 2000, yet the government is sleepwalking toward disaster.
We know that just 584 days from now Canadians will face a challenge. The potential for disaster is startling. Planes may not be able to fly. Heart monitors and health care systems may fail. Hydro grids might shut down. Yet Treasury Board refuses to take action to ensure that all computers are Y2K compliant.
Not only is public safety at risk but Canadians may also lose vital services such as CPP cheques and passport records. The assistant deputy minister for the year 2000 has even said the government will have to write cheques by hand if it is not ready.
The failure of the Treasury Board to answer the call threatens the safety and security of Canadians as we enter the next millennium. It is time for the government to stop sleepwalking and wake up.