Debates of March 22nd, 2000

Supply

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[Some hon. members]

No.

[John Solomon, NDP, Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre, SK]

Mr. Speaker, I see the chair of the Liberal transport committee has refused to allow me to present the New Democratic Party's position on the motion. That is unfortunate because we have always tried to co-operate with the Liberal Party but I guess we will have an opportunity to get even down the road.

The motion before us is very important. I understand why the Liberals are unhappy about the motion. In my view and that of millions of Canadians, they have been negligent in terms of a national transportation system. They have been negligent in everybody's books not only in highway construction, rail transportation, air transportation and marine transportation, but in many other areas as well. They have been negligent because they have allowed the system to collapse. We are the only country of the 28 countries in the OECD that does not have a national highways program.

Before continuing, I again ask for unanimous consent to finish my 10 minute speech before the bells ring.

[The Deputy Speaker]

Does the hon. member have the unanimous consent of the House to extend the time beyond 5.15 p.m.?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[Some hon. members]

No.

[An hon. member]

He was not in his seat.

[The Deputy Speaker]

It does not matter. I hear noes. There is no consent.

[Stan Keyes, Liberal, Hamilton West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. To clarify, the hon. member does know I am sure that following the votes, the hon. member does have the opportunity to continue his speech.

[The Deputy Speaker]

I do not think it is a point of order but rather a point of debate.

[John Solomon, NDP, Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre, SK]

Mr. Speaker, the transportation system in the country has collapsed because of Liberal policies.

[Bob Kilger, Liberal, Stormont—Dundas, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. The member from the New Democratic Party is a very experienced parliamentarian. Usually we have discussions among the parties. The debate will continue after the votes. It is not a case that the member will not have an opportunity to speak. I understand that the debate will go on for hours after the votes.

[The Deputy Speaker]

I think the points have been made. The difficulty is that the hon. member for Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre has only five minutes and is losing time. I do not want to take away any more.

[John Solomon, NDP, Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre, SK]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to know how much time I have left.

[The Deputy Speaker]

About two minutes.

[John Solomon, NDP, Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre, SK]

Out of how much, Mr. Speaker?

[The Deputy Speaker]

Out of 20 minutes.

[John Solomon, NDP, Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre, SK]

Mr. Speaker, I have not had a chance to speak.

[The Deputy Speaker]

The hon. member will have 15 minutes remaining after the votes, assuming we get back to this in accordance with the order adopted earlier this day.

[John Solomon, NDP, Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre, SK]

Thank you very much for your generosity, Mr. Speaker.

The NDP supports the motion's call for collaboration between all levels of government and the private sector. These groups must work together to make sure our national transportation infrastructure serves the public interest and meets the needs of the private sector for economic development and job creation.

The federal government must in partnership with provincial governments invest in highways to facilitate the movement of people and goods. If the government allows the deterioration of our highways to continue, the human and economic costs will continue to rise at record levels.

Energy prices have been soaring to record levels day after day. The Liberals have refused to put together an action plan to defend the Canadian economy from the OPEC oil cartel. I have asked repeatedly in the House of Commons for an action plan by the Prime Minister to deal with the issue, to defend our economy. The American president, the president of the land of free enterprise and capitalism, has struck a 17 point plan to defend his country and the Liberal goons across the way have refused to do that with respect to defending the Canadian economy.

We are looking for a conservation plan. We are looking for a regulation plan for energy prices. We are looking for a plan to help truckers, small business people, and to help low income people pay for home heating fuel.

What we have seen is a lack of action, a lack of backbone and a lack of will because the Liberal Party is supported by the energy companies in terms of their political contributions. What they are doing is sucking up to the oil companies and continuing to support their policies of gouging Canadian consumers and businesses.

[The Deputy Speaker]

It being 5.15 p.m., and this being the final supply day in the period ending March 31, 2000, it is my duty to interrupt the proceedings and put forthwith every question necessary to dispose of the business of supply.

Supplementary Estimates (B), 1999-2000

[Lucienne Robillard, Liberal, President of the Treasury Board and Minister responsible for Infrastructure]

moved:

Motion No. 1

That Vote 10b, in the amount of $5,165,881, under HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT—Human Resources Investment and Insurance, in Supplementary Estimates (B) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2000, be concurred in.

[The Deputy Speaker]

Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[Some hon. members]

No.