House of Commons Hansard #97 of the 36th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was competition.
Michel Guimond Bloc Beauport—Montmorency—Orléans, QC
Mr. Speaker, this is extraordinary. In describing the letters sent to employees by the presidents of the new companies as new information, does the minister realize that she is asking us to believe that only her own auditors did not have the letters everyone else did, the employers, the employees and even the Quebec parity committee?
Is this possible? Is it plausible to believe that only the auditors did not have the letters in hand?
Jane Stewart LiberalMinister of Human Resources Development
Mr. Speaker, what I can confirm is that this information was received by the department last Tuesday. It reviewed it and felt it was wise and appropriate to send it to the RCMP. The matter now rests there.
Reed Elley Reform Nanaimo—Cowichan, BC
Mr. Speaker, it appears that the government's spending practices are completely out of control. We have seen a lack of accountability in HRDC, EDC, Indian Affairs and Northern Development and now in Health Canada.
In the most recent Health Canada audit of the Indian and Inuit health contributions, it appears that $22 million has gone missing.
At a time when people on reserves are suffering through some of the worst health conditions in Canada, will the Minister of Health simply tell us where the money has gone?
Allan Rock LiberalMinister of Health
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member, of course, misreads the report, misunderstands the conclusion and misstates what really happened.
The facts are quite clear. The audit uncovered some areas of difficulty and remedial steps have been taken by managers to make sure they are put right. Every dollar is properly accounted for and we will ensure that it is spent in the public interest.
Reed Elley Reform Nanaimo—Cowichan, BC
Mr. Speaker, let me get a bit more specific here. These are very serious problems.
In one case close to my own riding, the Tsartlip Band could not account for 63% of its total health contributions of $177,000. Financial report conditions were not complied with. No monthly reports were submitted. On March 28 officials were to meet with the Tsartlip Band and discuss options for recovery of these missing funds.
The Tsartlip people, indeed all Canadians, simply want to know how the Minister of Health will get this money back.
Allan Rock LiberalMinister of Health
Mr. Speaker, in relation to each of the audits in question, including the one referred to by the hon. member, managers have taken remedial steps. We will ensure that all dollars are accounted for and are spent for the health benefit of those intended to receive the benefits.
Yvan Loubier Bloc Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot, QC
Mr. Speaker, the legislation the Minister of Finance proposes to implement in the banking system would have the effect of facilitating the take-over, even by foreigners, of banks with small and medium capital, such as the Banque Nationale and Banque Laurentienne.
Could the Minister of Finance explain to us why he has chosen to protect the major Canadian banks and not the small Quebec banks?
Jim Peterson LiberalSecretary of State (International Financial Institutions)
Mr. Speaker, the matter of bank ownership, Quebec banks in particular, is under the jurisdiction of the minister. As he has said in connection with all other bank mergers, acquisition is a matter of policy and of the well-being of all Canadians. When banks in a province like Quebec are involved, this is a matter involving the interests of Quebecers.
Yvan Loubier Bloc Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot, QC
Mr. Speaker, how can the secretary of state tell us the banking system is being reinforced, benefiting Quebecers in particular, when the acquisition of small and medium Quebec banks is possible, even by foreigners, while the major Canadian banks are protected?
Jim Peterson LiberalSecretary of State (International Financial Institutions)
Mr. Speaker, as I have just said, this is a matter that is under the jurisdiction of the minister. In reaching this decision, he is going to take into consideration the interests of Quebec consumers, small and medium businesses and shareholders.
Chuck Cadman Reform Surrey North, BC
Mr. Speaker, Canadians were stunned last week when Rose Cece and Mary Taylor, the killers of police officer William Hancox, were both incarcerated at Joliette. We know that the decision has since been reversed.
I want to ask the solicitor general what his corrections officials were thinking. Did they really think the two killers would have a positive influence on each other? Was any consideration given to the family of the victim?
Lawrence MacAulay LiberalSolicitor General of Canada
Mr. Speaker, first, I could never even begin to understand the pain that the family is going through.
On Friday when I was in Washington I called the director of Correctional Service Canada. I also instructed Correctional Service Canada to develop a policy to deal with offenders who commit serious violent crimes together.
Chuck Cadman Reform Surrey North, BC
Mr. Speaker, this pair of killers deprived a woman of the intimate relationship she enjoyed with her husband. They permanently removed a relationship between young children and their father. Their reward was that they were almost allowed to continue their own personal intimate relationship. Their vicious crime was just a little glitch along the way.
Why did it take the outrage of the victim's widow to point out the obvious?
Lawrence MacAulay LiberalSolicitor General of Canada
Mr. Speaker, as I indicated, this is a very serious situation. That is why I instructed Correctional Service Canada to make sure that the likes of this situation does not develop again.
Correctional Service CanadaOral Question Period
The Speaker
So that all members will understand, the hon. member for Longueuil will be asking her question using sign language.
Caroline St-Hilaire Bloc Longueuil, QC
Mr. Speaker, on May 5, 1999, the House of Commons unanimously passed a Bloc Quebecois motion recognizing the importance for the public and private sectors of providing deaf and hard of hearing persons with the tools required for them to take their place in an increasingly communications-oriented world.
My question is for the Minister of Canadian Heritage. Will she tell us what her government has done since this motion was passed one year ago?
Sheila Copps LiberalMinister of Canadian Heritage
Mr. Speaker, one very important tool that Canadians have for communication is the CBC.
I myself raised this issue with the CBC's president, with the goal of having subtitles available in all the corporation's French and English programming.
Joe Jordan Liberal Leeds—Grenville, ON
Mr. Speaker, due to the tireless efforts of the member for York North, EcoSummit 2000 starts today. This year the focus of the summit is water.
As water quality is an important question for all Canadians, can the Minister of the Environment inform the House of his strategy to address Canadians' concerns about this issue?
David Anderson LiberalMinister of the Environment
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to again join with the hon. member in congratulating the member for York North on the work he has done in establishing the EcoSummit. I would remind all members of the House that it is taking place this evening and tomorrow. There will be some very excellent speakers and panels. The Government of Canada and I am sure all members of the House share with her the desire to make sure that water policy in Canada is maintained at the highest possible standards.
Myron Thompson Reform Wild Rose, AB
Mr. Speaker, I have in my possession an independent consultant's report on the morale problems at Grierson prison in Edmonton. The report's first recommendation was to put an end to the inappropriate audio and video surveillance of the staff.
Has the solicitor general put a stop to the electronic bugging of the staff at this institution as recommended by this report?
Lawrence MacAulay LiberalSolicitor General of Canada
Mr. Speaker, the safety of the staff at Correctional Service Canada is the number one priority of Correctional Service Canada.
Myron Thompson Reform Wild Rose, AB
Mr. Speaker, this has nothing to do with their safety. This is an intrusion into their privacy. This report could easily apply to any institution in Canada. In this report the consultant criticizes the management style of the institution and remarks that it parallels the commissioner's management of CSC itself.
Does the solicitor general approve of management through intimidation and bullying to get its way with staff.
Lawrence MacAulay LiberalSolicitor General of Canada
Mr. Speaker, my hon. colleague would be well aware that there is no such thing happening with the staff of Correctional Service Canada. In fact, Correctional Service Canada wants to make sure that the staff have the greatest protection possible. The safety of the staff is the number one priority.
Judy Wasylycia-Leis NDP Winnipeg North Centre, MB
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the hurry up and wait health minister.
On bill 11 the health minister says that we should wait for the legislation, then wait for the amendments, then wait for third reading and then wait for the regulations. Now he says that we should wait for the implementation. The future of medicare is too important for that kind of dilly-dallying. The minister still has a chance to act. He can move before bill 11 is actually proclaimed.
Will the Minister of Health do that? Will he hurry up and do something for a change?
Allan Rock LiberalMinister of Health
Mr. Speaker, I suppose that is the philosophy of the NDP, hurry up and do something. It is a little shy on exactly what it is it will do before the proclamation of the act.
Canadians do not have to wait for this government's commitment to the five principles of the Canada Health Act. They do not have to wait to know that we will do what is necessary to make sure those principles are respected in Alberta and throughout the country.
As I made clear last week when I made my statement in the House, we will ensure that the principles of the Canada Health Act are respected throughout the country.