Debates of Oct. 15th, 2001

National Security

[Claude Duplain, Liberal, Portneuf, QC]

Mr. Speaker, last week several ministers made statements on Canada's security.

Could the Minister of National Revenue elaborate on this issue and explain how the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency intends to contribute?

[Martin Cauchon, Liberal, Minister of National Revenue and Secretary of State (Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec)]

Mr. Speaker, as we know, customs play a leadership role in Canada's security.

We went ahead and we are implementing a reform project that will allow us to have a balanced approach using technology, but also relying more and much more effectively on human resources. In June, we announced that $12 million would be earmarked for additional technology and for the recruiting of new customs officers.

Last week, we also proceeded with a new $21 million plan to hire 130 new officers and buy new technology. All these measures will allow us to implement our reform, ensure a smart and dynamic border--

[The Speaker]

The hon. member for Winnipeg North Centre.

Terrorism

[Judy Wasylycia-Leis, NDP, Winnipeg North Centre, MB]

Mr. Speaker, every day the threat of bioterrorism becomes more real. There is a report just out of an anthrax scare at a post office in Toronto. Last week an incident in Winnipeg revealed serious shortcomings in our system. Just yesterday news from Calgary showed that it is taking days, not hours, to test for suspected anthrax.

What is the Minister of Health doing to ensure immediate turnaround of testing of suspicious substances and to have emergency response teams trained to deal with bioterrorism set up in every major centre in Canada?

[Allan Rock, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, Health Canada has been working closely with my colleagues in cabinet to adjust these objectives. We are building on the strength of the Centre for Emergency Preparedness and Response which was opened at Health Canada in July 2000.

We are focusing on strengthening our capacity for surveillance so we can find out early if something is going on out there and respond quickly. We are also strengthening the network of laboratories across the country, anchored of course by the world class facility in Winnipeg. We are stockpiling appropriate pharmaceutical products.

The government is working hard to make sure we are ready for anything that might happen here in Canada.

[Bill Blaikie, NDP, Winnipeg—Transcona, MB]

Mr. Speaker my question is either for the government House leader or perhaps the government whip in her capacity as a spokesperson for the Board of Internal Economy.

Members will no doubt be aware that this morning there was a letter opened in the office of U.S. Senate majority leader Tom Daschle in which there was anthrax. I am sure this confirms anxieties in the minds of many members about the safety of our staff and people here on the Hill. I wonder whether or not the government is considering measures with respect to increasing the security of staff here on the Hill with respect to the opening of mail, et cetera. Indeed, something may already have happened here but we do not know what it is exactly.

[Marlene Catterall, Liberal, Ottawa West—Nepean, ON]

Mr. Speaker, as the House leader for the New Democratic Party is well aware, increased security measures have been put in place on Parliament Hill to protect the safety not only of those working here and those of us in the House, but the public who come to visit here in great numbers every day.

With respect to the anthrax scare and the concerns about that, all mail is checked off site. However, there has been an incident since question period started. A section of the hall has been closed off. Appropriate action has been taken to determine what substance was involved. All measures are being taken to protect the safety of anybody in the building.

[André Bachand, Progressive Conservative, Richmond—Arthabaska, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Health stated last week that all we had to fear was fear itself.

But the fear of bioterrorism is mounting. The number of cases of anthrax is increasing. Today, it was the turn of the American Senate majority leader .

Are Canada's ministers prepared to deal with this real threat? Is there a real plan and will it be made public, or will people have to continue living in fear?

[Allan Rock, Liberal, Etobicoke Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, as I already indicated in response to another question here in the House of Commons, Health Canada is currently working closely with our provincial partners and with the network of resources available to Health Canada across the country.

We have also increased our inventory of pharmaceuticals. We have enhanced our capabilities for co-ordinating and communicating with other partners in the system and we are currently working to ensure that Canada is prepared to deal with threats.

[Deborah Grey, Canadian Alliance, Edmonton North, AB]

Mr. Speaker, regardless of and in spite of what the minister says in trying to reassure Canadians, his own health and rescue officials tell us that there is not enough medicine, equipment or facilities anywhere in Canada to protect or treat people in the event of an attack. The government must make sure ahead of time that every precaution, protocol and plan is in place ahead of time lest this occur.

When will the minister establish a 1-800 number to allay the fears of concerned Canadians?

[Allan Rock, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, it is difficult to tell from the member's question that her concern is allaying fears. I would say that Health Canada and other government organizations have through their websites and all other respects made information available to Canadians over these past many weeks.

I made it clear that we are working with provincial partners and medical officers of health. Chief medical officers met in Ontario last week to discuss responses and co-ordination. We have been working with provinces and municipalities to make sure that we can respond quickly to whatever may happen. That is the focus of our work.

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

Mr. Speaker, on September 17 the Minister of Transport dismissed our air marshals proposal as a radical suggestion. This weekend it was announced that CF-18 fighter jets have been stationed at CFB Trenton and are equipped to “shoot down a hijacked commercial airliner”.

Speaking for myself, I quite frankly would rather have an air marshal diffuse a hijacker than be shot down by a CF-18 Hornet.

If the minister is willing to put armed fighter jets in the skies to combat terrorists on commercial flights, what is wrong with putting air marshals on planes to prevent the hijacking in the first place?

[David Collenette, Liberal, Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, I am sure the hon. member heard my answer to the right hon. member for Calgary Centre. We said that was not a direction in which we wish to move. We wanted to improve security on the ground.

However one special case has arisen with respect to Air Canada being allowed back into Reagan national airport, which is why we made the announcement on Friday to permit the RCMP to go on those flights should Air Canada be permitted by the U.S. government.

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

Mr. Speaker, if Air Canada has requested it and the transport minister has the authority to do it, why is he not doing it?

The transport minister has constantly said that he believes in a seamless security regime in this country but he has now created a seam by putting armed RCMP officers only on flights to Washington, D.C.'s downtown airport.

Why is the minister not keeping his commitment to a seamless airport security regime by not putting air marshals on planes?

[David Collenette, Liberal, Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, I should remind the hon. member that the FAA has requested foreign airlines to re-enter the U.S. market but has made no request for them to have any armed personnel on board. The one exception would be for Air Canada, which is treated as a U.S. domestic airline under the open skies agreement, to go to Reagan national. That means Air Canada and other airlines are allowed to fly into the U.S. without armed personnel on board as are foreign carriers from overseas.

International Aid

[Diane Bourgeois, Bloc, Terrebonne—Blainville, QC]

Mr. Speaker, when it comes to humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, Canada is not living up to its claims, as our contribution is a mere $6 million.

Other countries with smaller populations have been considerably more generous. For example, Norway has given $81 million in Canadian; Sweden, $50 million; the Netherlands, $44 million; and France, $47 million.

Will Canada live up to its claims and announce additional humanitarian assistance to the Afghan population in the very near future?

[Maria Minna, Liberal, Minister for International Cooperation]

Mr. Speaker, Canada was the very first country to respond when the initial call came through and immediately announced $1 million. After discussions with people working on the ground, at the borders and the humanitarian specialists from my department, we increased the amount to $6 million. I had discussions with them again about three or four days ago. We are keeping in touch with all the organizations. We are monitoring the situation. I will increase the amount as soon as it is absolutely necessary.

[Diane Bourgeois, Bloc, Terrebonne—Blainville, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I do not believe the minister understood my question properly.

There are several aspects to Canada's action in the fight against terrorism, one very important one being the provision of humanitarian assistance to populations affected by this war.

Given that the Minister of National Defence has stated that he supports the United States all the way in their fight against terrorism, is the government prepared to go as far when it comes to the innocent victims of this war, and does it intend to fulfill its responsibilities and increase humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan?

[Maria Minna, Liberal, Minister for International Cooperation]

Mr. Speaker, I should point out to the hon. member that Canada has been working in Afghanistan for quite a long time. In fact over the last 10 years $150 million in assistance have been given to the Afghani people who already were being oppressed by the regime.

We just recently announced a $447 million conversion of debt to social programs for Pakistan, which was dealing with not only assisting the refugees within Pakistan but also its own situation. I am in contact with my officials on the ground, at the border and with other organizations and we will be increasing the amount.

Terrorism

[Diane Ablonczy, Canadian Alliance, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the sergeant-at-arms has just informed us that an envelope opened by a staff member in the journals branch in this building contained some type of substance that caused a rash on her arms. We know that in the U.S. there has been one death from anthrax and 11 others have tested positive. The U.S. government says that it has enough medicine to treat up to two million people but here in Canada, health and rescue professionals say that there is not enough medicine to save more than about 2,000 people from an attack.

Is this the health minister's idea of doing a good job for Canadians?

[Allan Rock, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, first, there is a plan in place for events just like the one described by the member. Authorities are available to take such a package away, test it, find out what it is and respond quickly. I am sure that will be done.

We have been stockpiling pharmaceutical products and we will continue to do that. Far more is required in terms of action. We also have to co-ordinate our efforts with local and provincial authorities. We have been doing that.

Two days after the September 11 attacks, Health Canada sent to health authorities across the country a description of what they should look for on the front lines in terms of surveillance. Health Canada is on the--

[The Speaker]

The hon. member for Calgary--Nose Hill.

[Diane Ablonczy, Canadian Alliance, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I know the minister is intending to do his best but the fact of the matter is that our own professionals in health and rescue are sounding the alarm and have been for some time. They are saying that we really do not have the resources to treat a serious biochemical attack. We all hope there will not be one and maybe there will not but we have to be prepared.

If we only have enough preparation to treat 2,000 people that is not enough. What will the minister be doing about it?

[Allan Rock, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, I responded by saying, and I repeat, that we have purchased more pharmaceutical products, and we are continuing to do that.

I fully agree with the member. We do need to be prepared. This was not number one on anyone's agenda before September 11 but now it is. Eighteen months before that, Health Canada opened a Centre for Emergency Preparedness and Response. We are becoming even more prepared by working with our provincial partners and by doing what is required to put in place the surveillance and the response capacity to deal with whatever might occur.

Organized Crime

[John McKay, Liberal, Scarborough East, ON]

Mr. Speaker, when the justice committee studied organized crime we learned that money laundering is the lifeblood of organized crime. Organized crime uses the latest in technology and all the advantages of the global economy to launder its ill-gotten gains.

Could the solicitor general tell the House what the government is doing to combat this scourge of money laundering and stop this flow of funds?