House of Commons Hansard #89 of the 37th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was air.

Topics

Airline SafetyOral Question Period

2:50 p.m.

Canadian Alliance

James Moore Canadian Alliance Port Moody—Coquitlam—Port Coquitlam, BC

Mr. Speaker, reinforced cockpit doors, beefing up airport security and air marshals are all reforms being put in place by the United States, not just to deter terrorists, but to boost consumer confidence in flying.

Airline and airport security will be important factors, both in terms of deterring terrorists and encouraging people to get back into the skies. By not matching the security reforms in the United States, why is this government making flying in Canada less safe and putting Canadian carriers at a competitive disadvantage to U.S. carriers that will have these new security measures?

Airline SafetyOral Question Period

2:50 p.m.

Don Valley East Ontario

Liberal

David Collenette LiberalMinister of Transport

Mr. Speaker, I wonder why the hon. member continues to make inaccurate statements in the House of Commons.

The fact of the matter is that the measures to enhance security that we have put in place and that we are continuing to put in place are done in concert with the FAA in the United States. The one issue of contention is perhaps our reluctance to go the route of the Americans on air marshals.

The hon. member has stood in the House for 10 days straight. He has criticized the government on security measures which are not warranted by the facts, and it is not giving confidence to air travellers in this country.

Airline SafetyOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Canadian Alliance

James Moore Canadian Alliance Port Moody—Coquitlam—Port Coquitlam, BC

Mr. Speaker, if the security measures are so great, the transport minister might want to talk to his communications staff and change the website of his department which says they are just temporary.

If the security measures are so great and are to match with those of the United States, we might want to work in concert with them and have this transport minister stand up and do what is right.

Does the transport minister have any specifics, such as a detailed budget or a long term plan for improving our security at airports? If he does, would he table it and entrench it in law? Will he do that?

Airline SafetyOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Don Valley East Ontario

Liberal

David Collenette LiberalMinister of Transport

Mr. Speaker, we have the Aeronautics Act that we have used on many occasions over the last few weeks to enhance security regulations at Canadian airports.

I would ask the hon. member to look at the statements I have made, in the House of Commons, in scrums, on news shows and by being quoted accurately in the newspaper. If he reads them, then he will know that we do have a very strong security regime for airports and that we are improving it by the day.

MulticulturalismOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Liberal

John Harvard Liberal Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia, MB

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Canadian Heritage recently attended the fourth meeting of the International Network on Cultural Policy in Switzerland.

In light of the increased need for the respect of cultural diversity and the promotion of cultural tolerance, will the minister please tell the House what the international network meeting accomplished?

MulticulturalismOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Hamilton East Ontario

Liberal

Sheila Copps LiberalMinister of Canadian Heritage

Mr. Speaker, one of the messages that came out strongly from the International Network on Cultural Policy is that the recent tragic events call for a stronger commitment to work together on intercultural understanding.

There was an agreement reached on the main policy for the creation of an international instrument to safeguard the rights of states and governments to implement and promote cultural diversity. Canada has agreed to chair the study group which will result in a policy development at the next meeting in South Africa to ensure that culture is not put on the international trade table.

Foreign AffairsOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Canadian Alliance

Gurmant Grewal Canadian Alliance Surrey Central, BC

Mr. Speaker, earlier when President Chirac of France paid his respects to the victims in New York, Mayor Giuliani rearranged his schedule to show him around by helicopter and on foot.

Does the Prime Minister expect the House to believe that the man who rearranged his schedule to give President Chirac a two tour would tell the Prime Minister to stay away and not visit ground zero in New York?

Foreign AffairsOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Don Valley East Ontario

Liberal

David Collenette LiberalMinister of Transport

Mr. Speaker, I cannot believe, after the hon. Leader of the Opposition has welcomed the visit on Saturday, that a member of his caucus would make this kind of statement.

On Saturday Canada was united and the House of Commons was united in New York with the mayor of New York and our Prime Minister.

Foreign AffairsOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Canadian Alliance

Gurmant Grewal Canadian Alliance Surrey Central, BC

Mr. Speaker, the question was about the 18 day wait. The Prime Minister said that communication took place between Canadian officials and the mayor's office. He said that this was when he was told to stay away.

Could the Prime Minister please inform the House as to who contacted whom and what was said?

Foreign AffairsOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Ottawa South Ontario

Liberal

John Manley LiberalMinister of Foreign Affairs

Mr. Speaker, it is a rather petty issue, but evidently officials in my department did understand that visits were being discouraged and relayed that information to the Prime Minister's office.

As a result, we all know that the Prime Minister was able, with the leaders of the opposition parties, to get much closer to the scene, to witness it firsthand as opposed to, for example, President Chirac who had to fly over it in a helicopter. What we really want to remember is that 25 Canadians lie buried in that rubble. We should show a little respect for their memory.

Young OffendersOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Bloc

Michel Bellehumeur Bloc Berthier—Montcalm, QC

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Justice is building a larger consensus against her Bill C-7 on criminal justice for young persons.

After judges, lawyers, crown attorneys, members of the National Assembly and experts on young people, senators are now getting on board.

How many people will have to add their voices to those of the already large consensus that opposes the minister's bill before she will listen to reason and withdraw her legislation, to prevent irreparable damage to both the system and some of these young persons?

Young OffendersOral Question Period

3 p.m.

Edmonton West Alberta

Liberal

Anne McLellan LiberalMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

Mr. Speaker, as we well know, the vast majority of Canadians want reform of youth justice legislation in this country and that is what Bill C-7 does. In fact, the hon. member should be aware that in relation to Bill C-7, not only does it permit the province of Quebec to continue the approach it has taken, but in fact we are going to be providing all provinces and in particular the province of Quebec with more money by which to pursue their approach.

Mining IndustryOral Question Period

3 p.m.

Liberal

Guy St-Julien Liberal Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik, QC

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Natural Resources.

What is the federal government doing to support the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region as an area of excellence in the mining research sector?

Mining IndustryOral Question Period

3 p.m.

Wascana Saskatchewan

Liberal

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

Mr. Speaker, many departments are working to support the mining expertise that exists in the Abitibi. On this very day, Natural Resources Canada and Canada Economic Development are opening an international convention to review the results of research projects on iron deposits.

My department has invested over $2 million in our CanMet Val d'Or experimental mine for that project. Quebec, Canada and indeed the world can turn to the Abitibi region for world class expertise in the mining sector.

Presence in GalleryOral Question Period

October 1st, 2001 / 3 p.m.

The Speaker

I draw the attention of hon. members to the presence in the gallery of the Hon. Jane Purves, Minister of Education for the province of Nova Scotia.

Presence in GalleryOral Question Period

3 p.m.

Some hon. members

Hear, hear.

House of CommonsRoutine Proceedings

3 p.m.

The Speaker

I have the honour to lay upon the table a document that all hon. members have been waiting for, the Performance Report of the House of Commons Administration for the period April 2000 to March 2001.

Interparliamentary DelegationsRoutine Proceedings

3 p.m.

Liberal

Jean Augustine Liberal Etobicoke—Lakeshore, ON

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to the standing orders, I have the honour to present to the House the report from the Canadian Branch, Commonwealth Parliamentary Association concerning the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association visit to the U.K. from May 2 to 18, 2001.

Foreign Missions and International Organizations ActRoutine Proceedings

3:05 p.m.

Ottawa South Ontario

Liberal

John Manley LiberalMinister of Foreign Affairs

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-35, an act to amend the Foreign Missions and International Organizations Act.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:05 p.m.

Liberal

Peter Adams Liberal Peterborough, ON

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to present yet another petition from the people of our area who would like to see the VIA Rail service resumed between Toronto and Peterborough. They see this as improving the environment and strengthening the economy not only of Peterborough but also of the GTA. These people are particularly pleased with the interest the Minister of Transport has shown in the Ontario government's reinvestment in GO Transit.

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:05 p.m.

Liberal

Peter Adams Liberal Peterborough, ON

Mr. Speaker, I also have a petition from the people in the Peterborough area who would like to see the national institute devoted to kidney research include the word “kidney” in its title. They suggest this national institute be named the Kidney and Urinary Tract Diseases Institute.

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:05 p.m.

Liberal

Julian Reed Liberal Halton, ON

Mr. Speaker, 58 concerned constituents of the great riding of Halton have petitioned the House of Commons. They are calling on parliament to enact an immediate moratorium on the cosmetic use of chemical pesticides until such time as their use has been scientifically proven to be safe and the long term consequences of their application are known.

Questions on the Order PaperRoutine Proceedings

3:05 p.m.

Leeds—Grenville Ontario

Liberal

Joe Jordan LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister

Mr. Speaker, I ask that all questions be allowed to stand.

Questions on the Order PaperRoutine Proceedings

3:05 p.m.

The Speaker

Is that agreed?

Questions on the Order PaperRoutine Proceedings

3:05 p.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.