House of Commons Hansard #109 of the 36th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was taxes.

Topics

Gasoline PricesOral Question Period

2:50 p.m.

The Speaker

Order, please. The hon. member for Fredericton.

HealthOral Question Period

2:50 p.m.

Liberal

Andy Scott Liberal Fredericton, NB

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Health.

I understand that the minister will be making an important announcement later today regarding the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

Can the minister tell the House now how the CIHR will improve existing research in Canada and at the same time focus on new and emerging priority health research for all Canadians?

HealthOral Question Period

2:50 p.m.

Etobicoke Centre Ontario

Liberal

Allan Rock LiberalMinister of Health

Mr. Speaker, it will be my great pleasure on behalf of the Government of Canada to launch the Canadian Institutes of Health Research with a record breaking budget of almost $500 million a year.

The CIHR is a bold new initiative which will transform the way health research is carried on in this country.

At 4 o'clock I will introduce the president and the 19 members of the new governing council, individuals who are recognized around the world for their expertise and their contribution in the area of health research.

I am proud to be part of a government under the leadership of the Prime Minister who understands the importance of investing in knowledge to make sure the best and brightest remain in this country to the benefit of all Canadians.

National DefenceOral Question Period

2:50 p.m.

Reform

Art Hanger Reform Calgary Northeast, AB

Mr. Speaker, for seven years the government has watched while the combat capability of our armed forces went into decay.

First the government produced a white paper and then refused to fund the forces to fulfil their missions. Then it began to slash personnel levels to a point where they can no longer even function as a force because they have been overtasked. They had to sell off aircraft and they mothballed ships.

When will the minister acknowledge that the infusion of $2 billion over four years is not enough to stop the bleeding or avoid the eventual collapse of the Canadian armed forces?

National DefenceOral Question Period

2:50 p.m.

York Centre Ontario

Liberal

Art Eggleton LiberalMinister of National Defence

Mr. Speaker, that is nonsense. The Reform Party alias the Canadian Alliance came out with a new defence policy paper today, but it is hard to take it seriously when we consider that in the last election, those members were saying there should be $1 billion in further cuts to defence.

It is hard to take it seriously when that party on the one hand says we should cut, cut, cut our tax revenues and on the other hand it says we should spend, spend, spend. Where will the money come from? Canadian Alliance members should tell us that. One of their recommendations I find particularly meanspirited, because they are saying we should not try to get—

National DefenceOral Question Period

2:50 p.m.

Some hon. members

Oh, oh.

National DefenceOral Question Period

2:50 p.m.

The Speaker

Order, please. The hon. member for Rimouski—Mitis.

Canada DayOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Bloc

Suzanne Tremblay Bloc Rimouski—Mitis, QC

Mr. Speaker, the Bloc Quebecois has learned through access to information that the Canada Day budget for Quebec is $5 million, but we have never—

Canada DayOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Some hon. members

Hear, hear.

Canada DayOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Some hon. members

Oh, oh.

Canada DayOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

The Speaker

Order, please.

Canada DayOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Bloc

Suzanne Tremblay Bloc Rimouski—Mitis, QC

We have learned that this budget is $5 million, but we have never been able to find out what the budget was for other provinces.

If the total budget for Canada Day is not a state secret, could the minister tell the House what it is, since her answer will certainly be of interest to members from other provinces, including her own colleagues?

Canada DayOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Hamilton East Ontario

Liberal

Sheila Copps LiberalMinister of Canadian Heritage

Mr. Speaker, I am very happy that we can work together to organize celebrations for Canada's big birthday, as well as for Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day.

I read in the newspaper this week that the Government of Quebec has doubled its funding for the national holiday.

There is such a spirit of partnership that I myself received a cheque for $350 from Guy Bouthillier, the president of the Société Saint-Jean-Baptiste, in support of Canada Day. I thank Mr. Bouthillier.

Canada DayOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Some hon. members

Oh, oh.

Canada DayOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

The Speaker

Order, please.

Persons With DisabilitiesOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

NDP

Wendy Lill NDP Dartmouth, NS

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the minister responsible for Canadians with disabilities. Currently if any recipient of CPP disability does limited volunteer work for any community agency, there is no action taken by CPP because volunteering is recognized as a useful and necessary experience. But if a recipient receives any payment of any kind for his or her efforts, CPP is immediately cut off.

Can the minister tell the House why her ministry encourages those with disabilities to volunteer, but punishes them for trying to work?

Persons With DisabilitiesOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Brant Ontario

Liberal

Jane Stewart LiberalMinister of Human Resources Development

Mr. Speaker, I would remind the hon. member that the CPP disability pension is like a pension. It is a pension of last resort as if a person is retired. Having said that, it is extraordinarily important for us to work with Canadians with disabilities to find effective ways of ensuring that they can participate in the Canadian economy and that they can contribute to their country and to their own needs.

I recognize the work of the hon. member and those on the standing committee, the suggestions and recommendations they make to me and the improvements that this government is making in support of Canadians with disabilities.

National DefenceOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Progressive Conservative

David Price Progressive Conservative Compton—Stanstead, QC

Mr. Speaker, yesterday Hon. John Fraser's report on land forces reserves restructure was tabled. Now we wonder if it was irrelevant. In fact, Mr. Fraser wrote to the Minister of National Defence on March 30 asking just that. The new funding model of March 2 states a $30 million cut in reserve pay this year and next year a $30 million input in equipment and rerolling.

Can the minister tell the House how he could approve $60 million in cuts and new spending three months before the tabling of the report?

National DefenceOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

York Centre Ontario

Liberal

Art Eggleton LiberalMinister of National Defence

Mr. Speaker, the $30 million being referred to was in fact restored. There is nothing that is prejudicing the reserve restructuring. We want to revitalize the reserves. That is why I commissioned the report from Mr. Fraser and his team. I think he has come in with an excellent set of recommendations that will become the foundation for the revitalization program.

Presence In GalleryOral Question Period

3 p.m.

The Speaker

I draw the attention of hon. members to the presence in our gallery of two visitors today. The first is His Excellency Adalberto Rodriguez Giavarini, Minister of Foreign Relations, International Trade and Worship of the Argentine Republic.

Presence In GalleryOral Question Period

3 p.m.

Some hon. members

Hear, hear.

Presence In GalleryOral Question Period

3 p.m.

The Speaker

Second, I would like to draw the attention of hon. members to the presence in our gallery of Her Excellency Maria Eugenia Brizuela de Avila, Minister of Foreign Relations of the Republic of El Salvador.

Presence In GalleryOral Question Period

3 p.m.

Some hon. members

Hear, hear.

Presence In GalleryOral Question Period

3 p.m.

The Speaker

I see the government House leader is trying to seek the floor. Before he does so, two days ago the hon. opposition House leader raised a point of order. At that time the government House leader said, I believe, that the member for Pickering—Ajax—Uxbridge would be here in the House so that I could hear the other side.

I noticed that the member was here yesterday for the vote. I noticed that the member was here today. If he does not appear in the next very short while, I will make my decision without having heard from him. I will give it a few more minutes. In the meantime I will hear the point of order of the hon. government House leader.

Presence In GalleryOral Question Period

3:05 p.m.

Liberal

Don Boudria Liberal Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON

Mr. Speaker, on the point that you have just raised, I know colleagues are attempting to contact the member who has just left for a committee. Hopefully we can have the member rise briefly on a point of order to address the House.