House of Commons Hansard #91 of the 36th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was park.

Topics

Grain TransportationOral Question Period

11:35 a.m.

Don Valley East Ontario

Liberal

David Collenette LiberalMinister of Transport

Mr. Speaker, the intention is to try to meet the deadlines for the crop year beginning August 1 and that will mean legislation brought into the House of Commons very shortly to deal with the issues raised in the Estey and Kroeger process, which have been the subject of many consultations across the country for the past two years.

Given the hon. member's enthusiasm for such changes toward a more competitive system, I hope that he and the members of his party will support that legislation expeditiously when it reaches the House.

Genetically Modified OrganismsOral Question Period

11:35 a.m.

Bloc

Hélène Alarie Bloc Louis-Hébert, QC

Mr. Speaker, either the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food is ill-informed about GMOs or he has his head in the sand.

On April 12, 2000, the European Parliament introduced mandatory labelling of foods with a GMO content of more than 1%. The legislation also covers foods containing food flavourings and additives made from GMOs.

Given that the European Union has the technology and the criteria for the mandatory labelling of GMOs, are we to conclude that the Canadian Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food is less competent and that he has no wish to take action?

Genetically Modified OrganismsOral Question Period

11:35 a.m.

Wascana Saskatchewan

Liberal

Ralph Goodale LiberalMinister of Natural Resources and Minister responsible for the Canadian Wheat Board

Mr. Speaker, the government believes that consumer information as it relates to biotechnology and food must be meaningful, credible and enforceable.

The European approach, to which the hon. member has referred on many occasions with apparent approval, is one that has the appearance of effectiveness, but in fact at the root of it the Europeans do not have the capacity to make their system meaningful, credible and enforceable. Therefore their approach is largely a mirage.

Genetically Modified OrganismsOral Question Period

11:35 a.m.

Bloc

Hélène Alarie Bloc Louis-Hébert, QC

Mr. Speaker, given that the Laboratoire d'environnement SM in Quebec and Genserve Laboratories in Saskatchewan can detect GMOs, does the minister realize that his explanations are devoid of logic and that he is losing all credibility on this issue?

Genetically Modified OrganismsOral Question Period

11:35 a.m.

Wascana Saskatchewan

Liberal

Ralph Goodale LiberalMinister of Natural Resources and Minister responsible for the Canadian Wheat Board

Mr. Speaker, the government is working very hard to ensure that all consumers in Canada have the information which they need.

First of all, we are investing in the science to ensure that it is first class. Second, we are investing in the regulatory system to ensure that Canadians can have confidence in the science. Third, we are engaging in a broad consultation with Canadians to get their input and their advice about how they want their system to be run.

Organized CrimeOral Question Period

11:40 a.m.

Reform

John Reynolds Reform West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast, BC

Mr. Speaker, Robert Fahlman, former RCMP criminal intelligence officer, said, “The Mounties were disappointed with CSIS stopping sidewinder ”. Robert Proulx, director of RCMP criminal intelligence, wrote the director of CSIS arguing that the original sidewinder report was altered, sometimes incorrectly, and in some cases some information was completely removed.

Is the solicitor general still standing by his story that sidewinder was not shut down, or is he saying that statements of RCMP officers are untrue?

Organized CrimeOral Question Period

11:40 a.m.

Cardigan P.E.I.

Liberal

Lawrence MacAulay LiberalSolicitor General of Canada

Mr. Speaker, I would like to clear up this subject once and for all. First, sidewinder was not an investigation, it was a study. Second, it was not shut down, it was completed. In fact the RCMP and CSIS both indicated it was an excellent report.

JusticeOral Question Period

11:40 a.m.

Reform

Chuck Cadman Reform Surrey North, BC

Mr. Speaker, two days ago a man got three and a half years in prison and an eight year driving ban for killing a man while impaired. Yesterday another drunk driver went home with a two year conditional sentence for killing Ellen Katarius, a single mother of four.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving has complained for years about conditional sentences for impaired driving causing death. Parliament is considering a maximum life sentence for the offence while the courts continue to impose conditional sentences.

What does the Minister of Justice have to say to four motherless children? Where is the justice in all of this?

JusticeOral Question Period

11:40 a.m.

Edmonton West Alberta

Liberal

Anne McLellan LiberalMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member knows the Supreme Court of Canada recently rendered a judgment that provides guidance to lower courts in relation to the use of conditional sentences. In addition, I know the hon. member is aware, since he is a member of the justice and human rights committee, that I have asked that committee to do a thorough review of the use of conditional sentences within this country. I look forward to receiving that report from the committee.

CinarOral Question Period

11:40 a.m.

Bloc

René Laurin Bloc Joliette, QC

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Canadian Heritage promised to get to the bottom of the CINAR affair. But the Minister of National Revenue is refusing to answer questions and, according to an RCMP officer, investigators' hands are tied, which was not contradicted by the RCMP yesterday.

Has the solicitor general received an internal investigation report from Revenue Canada on the basis of which he could decide whether or not to lay charges?

CinarOral Question Period

11:40 a.m.

Cardigan P.E.I.

Liberal

Lawrence MacAulay LiberalSolicitor General of Canada

Mr. Speaker, as I have said a number of times in the House, there is excellent co-operation between Revenue Canada and the RCMP. In fact, yesterday a media advisory was put out by the RCMP that there exists a strong co-operative relationship between the two organizations. I do not know how it could be much clearer.

ForestryOral Question Period

11:40 a.m.

Liberal

John Richardson Liberal Perth—Middlesex, ON

Mr. Speaker, next week is Forestry Week in Canada. I ask the Minister of Natural Resources, how is the government planning to recognize the important role that forestry plays in the lives of many Canadians in this country?

ForestryOral Question Period

11:40 a.m.

Wascana Saskatchewan

Liberal

Ralph Goodale LiberalMinister of Natural Resources and Minister responsible for the Canadian Wheat Board

Mr. Speaker, next week is indeed Forestry Week across Canada. Activities will be planned right across the country. We are kicking it off this afternoon on Parliament Hill. The Deputy Prime Minister and I will be planting Canada's new millennium tree within the precincts of parliament.

We will also be honouring five young Canadians who are the winners in an essay contest about the future of Canada's forests. They are Marie-Hélene Basque of Rouyn, Quebec; Alison Stacey of Vernon, British Columbia; Iva Veukin of Mississauga, Ontario; Jay Potter of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia; and Krysta Noseworthy of Cornerbrook, Newfoundland. I know all hon. members will want to join me in congratulating them.

JusticeOral Question Period

11:40 a.m.

Reform

Bill Gilmour Reform Nanaimo—Alberni, BC

Mr. Speaker, recently Stephen Truscott cleared his name on a wrongful murder conviction. During that inquiry the justice minister said that she takes allegations of wrongful conviction very seriously.

Two months ago the minister denied a new trial for Patrick Kelly, despite the fact that the key witness admitted she lied on the stand and one judge from the Ontario Court of Appeal called for a new trial for Kelly.

Given that the key witness lied on the stand, why did the minister choose to deny Patrick Kelly a new trial?

JusticeOral Question Period

11:45 a.m.

Edmonton West Alberta

Liberal

Anne McLellan LiberalMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

Mr. Speaker, as the hon. member is probably aware, my predecessor provided Mr. Kelly with a section 690 remedy in referring the case to the Ontario Court of Appeal. The Ontario Court of Appeal rendered its judgment some months ago.

I have reviewed that judgment as well as information and submissions made on behalf of Mr. Kelly. After a thorough review of that information and the judgment of the Ontario Court of Appeal, I concluded that there was no basis to seek a retrial or referral of Mr. Kelly's case to any other judicial body.

Immigration And Refugee BoardOral Question Period

11:45 a.m.

Reform

Philip Mayfield Reform Cariboo—Chilcotin, BC

Mr. Speaker, the 1993 Liberal red book stated “We will establish strict guidelines for merit in government appointments”. It is seven years later and nothing has happened, nothing has changed. Bill C-31 dictates that members of the Immigration and Refugee Board will continue to be appointed by the minister, that is, through patronage.

Will the minister explain to Canadians why she refuses to move to a system of open competition and merit in choosing members of the IRB? Why does she continue this disreputable system?

Immigration And Refugee BoardOral Question Period

11:45 a.m.

Edmonton West Alberta

Liberal

Anne McLellan LiberalMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

Mr. Speaker, let me say on behalf of my colleague the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration that we have every confidence in the quality and ability of those who are appointed to the IRB. I will take the opportunity to raise the concern that you have brought up today with my colleague upon her return.

Let me reiterate. We have every confidence in the ability and integrity of those who serve on the IRB.

Immigration And Refugee BoardOral Question Period

11:45 a.m.

The Speaker

I remind hon. members to please always address the Chair.

Newspaper IndustryOral Question Period

11:45 a.m.

NDP

Nelson Riis NDP Kamloops, BC

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

Earlier this week the Minister of Canadian Heritage announced a sweeping review of foreign ownership rules for newspapers. Later this week the Prime Minister's office informed the public that the minister's announcement had not been planned and assured Canadians that it was not the intention of the government to actually conduct a full review of the newspaper industry.

Who is speaking for the government, the Prime Minister or the minister? Is there a review actually taking place? Was the minister simply making it up? Who is in charge?

Newspaper IndustryOral Question Period

11:45 a.m.

Ottawa—Vanier Ontario

Liberal

Mauril Bélanger LiberalParliamentary Secretary to Minister of Canadian Heritage

Mr. Speaker, the government speaks with one voice. In this instance—

Newspaper IndustryOral Question Period

11:45 a.m.

Some hon. members

Oh, oh.

Newspaper IndustryOral Question Period

11:45 a.m.

Liberal

Mauril Bélanger Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON

Do you want an answer?

Newspaper IndustryOral Question Period

11:45 a.m.

An hon. member

It will be the first one we ever got.

Newspaper IndustryOral Question Period

11:45 a.m.

Liberal

Mauril Bélanger Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON

Mr. Speaker, in this instance—

Newspaper IndustryOral Question Period

11:45 a.m.

The Speaker

Order, please. I know the hon. member was addressing me and yes, I would like an answer.