Debates of Feb. 10th, 2000

Human Resources Development

[Michel Gauthier, Bloc, Roberval, QC]

Mr. Speaker, on the subject of specific projects, the Prime Minister, like the minister, like the government, never hesitates to cite specific examples in the ridings of opposition members.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear.

[Michel Gauthier, Bloc, Roberval, QC]

When we want answers, it is too specific. We do not take that, Mr. Speaker.

She must know what is going on in her department. She will tell us why she told this House it did not happen when it did in dozens of cases, not in just one, in dozens.

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh.

[Herb Gray, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, if the hon. member wants details on this specific case, I will try to help him.

I have in hand a letter that says “I fully support the project submitted”. And it is signed by Roger Pomerleau, a former Bloc Quebecois member.

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh.

[Maurice Vellacott, Reform, Wanuskewin, SK]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday we discovered that TJF lists are being altered and manipulated.

The Somalia scandal proved that this government cannot be trusted to protect against the destruction of important documents. The HRD minister and her officials who were responsible for this billion dollar bungle are still in custody of all that relevant data.

What measures is the minister putting in place to ensure that this does not become Somalia II?

[Jane Stewart, Liberal, Minister of Human Resources Development]

Mr. Speaker, I reject the premise of the hon. member's question.

I want to recognize that it is the Reform Party that says that my department, the Department of Human Resources Development Canada, is the best department in responding to access to information requests.

[Maurice Vellacott, Reform, Wanuskewin, SK]

Mr. Speaker, to see the smirks of Liberal members opposite over the last couple of days about a billion dollar absconding of Canadian tax dollars is enough to make me puke.

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh.

[The Speaker]

I think we are ratcheting up the rhetoric. I would ask members to please cool it down, and I would ask the hon. member to please go into his question now.

[Maurice Vellacott, Reform, Wanuskewin, SK]

This minister is in a position to destroy or alter the documents that could cost her her job. Under any other circumstance, people under investigation lose their access to that potentially damning evidence. She has tried to cover up this billion dollar bungle for months now—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh.

[The Speaker]

The question, right now.

[Maurice Vellacott, Reform, Wanuskewin, SK]

Why should we trust this minister to guard the documents that could seal her very fate?

[Jane Stewart, Liberal, Minister of Human Resources Development]

Mr. Speaker, over the course of the day there are issues about information and lists and all kinds of things. What I would like to ask the hon. member to do, if he wants particular and specific information, is to let us know what it is he wants. Put it on the order paper. Initiate an access to information request.

When people just say “give us information” it is very difficult for me to satisfy their wishes when I am not sure what they specifically want.

[Gilles Duceppe, Bloc, Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, panicked as they are, the members opposite are trying to shift the responsibility to those who sponsored the projects. The responsibility lies with those who administer them. She is the one responsible.

She makes statements here in the House on her honour, invoking her ministerial accountability. We have given several examples that contradict what she said on December 16, and I quote:

No moneys flowed until the appropriate approvals were in place.

That is what she said. She can laugh and be smug all she wants, but if she has an ounce of pride left, she should resign.

[Jane Stewart, Liberal, Minister of Human Resources Development]

Mr. Speaker, I would only ask that the hon. member and others in his party go back a few questions in Hansard and they will see that the response was made to a particular project that was raised, if I am not mistaken, perhaps by their opposition.

My response was to that particular project, and I say again in that case that no moneys were transmitted until the appropriate approvals were in hand.

Conference Of Women In The Francophonie

[Carolyn Bennett, Liberal, St. Paul's, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Canada was represented at the first conference of women in the Francophonie in Luxembourg. Could the Secretary of State responsible for Francophonie tell us what commitments were made at this initial meeting?

[Ronald J. Duhamel, Liberal, Secretary of State (Western Economic Diversification) (Francophonie)]

Mr. Speaker, I took part, along with my colleague, the Secretary of State for the Status of Women, and our partners from Quebec and New Brunswick.

Canada undertook to step up its efforts to promote democratization, human rights and equality of the sexes. Canada also undertook to eliminate the obstacles to women's advancement, such as violence and limited access to political positions.

Canada is a leader in this area. It intends to continue to exercise that leadership.

Human Resources Development

[Gary Lunn, Reform, Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC]

Mr. Speaker, it is no wonder that HRDC is in such a sad state. The Prime Minister set the standard in his own riding. He announced grants before they were even approved. They did not even exist. They did not even have applications.

The captain of the ship sets the standard for its crew. It is painfully obvious that the mess we are in today started in Shawinigan at the orders of the Prime Minister. Is that why he is so desperate to keep his first mate, the minister, afloat?

[Herb Gray, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister, the Liberal caucus and the government believe the Minister of Human Resources Development is doing an outstanding job and should continue with her duties.

I hope, Mr. Speaker, that you will notice something very interesting. The Reform Party has completely abandoned any questions on the audit report. They are trying to raise questions about something that was satisfactorily answered before Christmas. It shows the bankruptcy, the emptiness of the Reformers' attack, because they have admitted that when it comes to the audit report what the Minister of Human Resources Development has said is totally—

[The Speaker]

The hon. member for Saanich—Gulf Islands

[Gary Lunn, Reform, Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC]

I am glad you think the minister is doing a great job because you are the only one.

[The Speaker]

Order, please. All remarks should be directed through the Chair.