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

Human Resources DevelopmentOral Question Period

2:20 p.m.

Reform

Diane Ablonczy Reform Calgary Nose Hill, AB

Mr. Speaker, those 10,000 pages did not even have dates on them. The minister again avoids answering a simple question.

We have an access request. The access request had a list of files that mysteriously were censored from the final audit. The appendix that listed those files was mysteriously censored from the access request. Why is this honest and forthcoming minister not giving information that Canadians are entitled to have?

Human Resources DevelopmentOral Question Period

2:20 p.m.

Brant Ontario

Liberal

Jane Stewart LiberalMinister of Human Resources Development

Mr. Speaker, again I must remind the hon. member that I do not determine what goes out under access to information. That is arm's length from the minister. I have no involvement in the information that is brought forward.

What can be provided is provided. Certainly the hon. member knows that there is also an appeals process. If she does not like what she got and thinks there should be more, there is a process that she can follow.

Parental LeaveOral Question Period

2:20 p.m.

Bloc

Gilles Duceppe Bloc Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, with his usual arrogance, the Prime Minister turned down Quebec's requests with respect to parental leave.

The man who has nothing to say about the scandals rocking his government was quick to reject any negotiations with Quebec, and said that all parental leave benefits would be the same across the board.

Why does the Prime Minister always take this confrontational approach where Quebec is involved, and why is he so quick to ignore the consensus in Quebec on such matters as parental leave?

Parental LeaveOral Question Period

2:20 p.m.

Saint-Maurice Québec

Liberal

Jean Chrétien LiberalPrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, a few years ago, we gave the Government of Quebec a chance to negotiate regarding this issue, and it decided that it was not appropriate to do so.

So the government made arrangements under the existing legislation, with the money collected by the federal government for employment insurance. Our last budget included a measure effective January 1, 2001, to extend parental leave throughout Canada from that date on, for one year.

I think that it is a very good program and that we intend to continue. We have already offered to negotiate and were turned down. So it was up to the provincial government—

Parental LeaveOral Question Period

2:20 p.m.

The Speaker

The leader of the Bloc Quebecois.

Parental LeaveOral Question Period

2:20 p.m.

Bloc

Gilles Duceppe Bloc Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC

Mr. Speaker, here we have one of the odd effects of the new “Canadian way” the Prime Minister has been bragging about during his travels abroad. This government's new vision is simple: it drags everyone down to the same level.

Does the Prime Minister realize that the message he is sending to families in Quebec is that nobody will have more than the lowest common denominator?

What he is saying to families in Quebec is that they should be happy with what Ottawa is offering, and that he will not let Quebec give Quebec families more, even if it is to the detriment of young parents. Is that his idea of compassion? Is that his third way?

Parental LeaveOral Question Period

2:20 p.m.

Saint-Maurice Québec

Liberal

Jean Chrétien LiberalPrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, the Government of Quebec is free to top this up, if it is very generous. I have nothing against that. They are starting from an excellent base, the federal program, and they can add to that.

This is what was done in the past with family allowances. There were federal family allowances and the provincial government decided to top them up. They can do the same again.

Parental LeaveOral Question Period

2:20 p.m.

Bloc

Caroline St-Hilaire Bloc Longueuil, QC

Mr. Speaker, the federal parental leave program allows people to draw 55% of their salary for 50 weeks, to a maximum of $39,000 in insurable earnings.

The Quebec program is far superior, as it offers a choice, is open to all, provides higher benefits and has a maximum of insurable earnings of $52,500.

In light of these undeniable advantages, has the Prime Minister not closed the door a bit too hastily, and does he not think that a bit of back-tracking would be in order? Ought he not to acknowledge that Quebec families will be penalized because of his stubbornness?

Parental LeaveOral Question Period

2:20 p.m.

Saint-Maurice Québec

Liberal

Jean Chrétien LiberalPrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, the Government of Quebec can give more, and deserves our applause. Nothing is stopping it.

We have a generous program that was set out in the budget of the Minister of Finance and was very well received. There was a broad consensus in Canada at that time. The Minister of Finance was applauded last February when he announced this program.

Parental LeaveOral Question Period

2:25 p.m.

Bloc

Caroline St-Hilaire Bloc Longueuil, QC

Mr. Speaker, what the Prime Minister seems not to understand is that, for more than two years, cuts to employment insurance have been penalizing young workers and women, who have trouble qualifying.

The program proposed by the federal government will be accessible only to those who qualify for employment insurance, and this will exclude many young families, whereas the Quebec plan will apply to everyone.

Is this not sufficient to make the Canadian government back off and show some openness?

Parental LeaveOral Question Period

2:25 p.m.

Saint-Maurice Québec

Liberal

Jean Chrétien LiberalPrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, if they want to be more generous, let them. We have a very good program, and when we wanted to discuss this matter before, they decided it was not appropriate.

Now that we have reached a decision and announced it publicly, here they are turning up with a new plan. They are late. It is not my fault. They had all the time in the world to negotiate and did not do so.

So if they have money to spare, all the better. I will applaud them, and my constituents of Saint-Maurice will be pleased to get money from both the federal government and the provincial government.

The EnvironmentOral Question Period

2:25 p.m.

NDP

Alexa McDonough NDP Halifax, NS

Mr. Speaker, I want to ask the Minister of the Environment what the government is doing about its environmental responsibilities.

In 1970 parliament passed the Canada Water Act. It requires that the government table an annual report on water quality. Yet four years in a row the government failed to do that. It has ignored the law.

I would like to ask the minister a very straight question. Why has the government refused to table the annual water quality report?

The EnvironmentOral Question Period

2:25 p.m.

Victoria B.C.

Liberal

David Anderson LiberalMinister of the Environment

Mr. Speaker, the water quality standards in Canada are set by a committee formed of the provinces, the territories and the federal government. Health Canada chairs that committee.

The standards that are set are for a number of potential pollutants. In the case of E. coli the tolerable figure is zero parts per million; in other words a total ban on the release of any water that might be affected by E. coli.

It is important to recognize that we do work with the provinces as closely as we can on water quality issues. We provide them with expertise and scientific materials, but the actual operation of the—

The EnvironmentOral Question Period

2:25 p.m.

The Speaker

The hon. leader of the New Democratic Party.

The EnvironmentOral Question Period

2:25 p.m.

NDP

Alexa McDonough NDP Halifax, NS

Mr. Speaker, we are still waiting to hear why the government has not tabled its annual report on water quality. No wonder David Schindler, one of the world's leading experts in water, condemns Canada's cavalier attitude to water and its lack of a national water strategy.

Yesterday the minister spoke about factory farms and their effect on water quality. Let me say we agree. That is why we tried to amend the Canadian Environmental Protection Act to include water waste from factory farms. The government defeated our amendments. Canadians want to know why the government watered down this legislation, putting at risk the safety of—

The EnvironmentOral Question Period

2:25 p.m.

The Speaker

The hon. Minister of the Environment.

The EnvironmentOral Question Period

2:25 p.m.

Victoria B.C.

Liberal

David Anderson LiberalMinister of the Environment

Mr. Speaker, it is customary in the House when legislation is being debated for all points of view to be put forward. If the hon. member was not here, or did not hear when she was here, perhaps there would be an explanation for why she does not know what was said when this legislation was debated.

If she is asking me to read out the debate in Hansard , it would take a few hours. She is really going to have to do a better job of posing questions on that if she intends to get precise answers in the 35 seconds that I am allowed to reply.

Airline IndustryOral Question Period

2:25 p.m.

Progressive Conservative

Bill Casey Progressive Conservative Cumberland—Colchester, NS

Mr. Speaker, the possibility of an Air Canada pilot strike is growing more likely every day. In fact, next week the pilots will be in a position to go on strike.

Now that Air Canada has 80% of the aviation industry, a strike would be totally devastating. What action is the government taking to address this situation and to be prepared for a potential strike?

Airline IndustryOral Question Period

2:25 p.m.

Whitby—Ajax Ontario

Liberal

Judi Longfield LiberalParliamentary Secretary to Minister of Labour

Mr. Speaker, we on this side of the House are taking appropriate action. We have appointed a federal mediator who is prepared to sit down with the parties at a moment's notice.

We on this side of the House believe in the collective bargaining process and want to see it come to a conclusion with both parties sitting down at the table.

Airline IndustryOral Question Period

2:25 p.m.

Progressive Conservative

Bill Casey Progressive Conservative Cumberland—Colchester, NS

Mr. Speaker, we know that the government got caught off guard with the airline merger situation. Then last year it got caught off guard with the native lobster fishery, even though there was lots of notice.

There is now a clear potential for a strike in Canada. Is the government prepared to call back the House in the event of a strike or is it prepared to make us sit extended hours to address the situation if there is a strike?

Airline IndustryOral Question Period

2:30 p.m.

Glengarry—Prescott—Russell Ontario

Liberal

Don Boudria LiberalLeader of the Government in the House of Commons

Mr. Speaker, this government will take its responsibilities, as it always does. Insofar as actions to be taken in a hypothetical situation, House leaders are consulted on a weekly basis, and sometimes even on a daily basis. The people of Canada can be assured that this government will, as it always does, fulfil its responsibilities.

Airline IndustryOral Question Period

2:30 p.m.

Reform

Val Meredith Reform South Surrey—White Rock—Langley, BC

Mr. Speaker, when Air Canada took over Canadian Airlines one of the biggest fears was that a strike might occur with this new airline and that it would cripple air travel in Canada. It now appears that we may reach that point next week as talks have broken down between Air Canada's pilots and management. The government said that it has appointed a mediator. I would assume that the mediator has always been in place.

What action is the government prepared to take to ensure that summer travellers in Canada have uninterrupted flights and that their travel will not be held hostage?

Airline IndustryOral Question Period

2:30 p.m.

Whitby—Ajax Ontario

Liberal

Judi Longfield LiberalParliamentary Secretary to Minister of Labour

Mr. Speaker, the mediator who is involved in this is very experienced and knows the file well. He is prepared to sit down at any time with both union and employer to resolve this issue.

We on this side of the House support the collective bargaining process. We feel very confident that this will be resolved to the benefit of all parties.

Airline IndustryOral Question Period

2:30 p.m.

Reform

Val Meredith Reform South Surrey—White Rock—Langley, BC

Mr. Speaker, Canadians who are trying to travel in the summer are not reassured by the government's position.

The competition commissioner called this new Air Canada an unregulated monopoly. The competition bureau recognizes that the only way to protect Canadians travellers in through real competition.

The government has the ability to make that happen. The cabinet can pass a regulation through an order in council upping the foreign ownership component to 49% and provide that competition. Is the government prepared to do that so Canadians are not held hostage?

Airline IndustryOral Question Period

2:30 p.m.

Thunder Bay—Atikokan Ontario

Liberal

Stan Dromisky LiberalParliamentary Secretary to Minister of Transport

Mr. Speaker, what this government is prepared to do is to adhere to the regulations and to the statutes in Bill C-26. We guarantee that the statements and conditions within that bill will be adhered to.

I am hopeful and positive that resolutions will take place to cater to the needs of the travelling public in the months ahead.