Debates of Oct. 19th, 2001

National Security

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

Mr. Speaker, as far as the customs system is concerned, we cannot work in the abstract; concrete action must be taken. This means co-operative action as well.

Once again, if by perimeter, international ports and airports are being referred to, I would like to point out, in connection with concrete actions, that last June we in customs announced a particular initiative in Montreal, with more funds and more resources devoted to technology.

If the hon. member kept abreast of policy developments, he would know that last week we also announced the allocation of additional resources and more technology for ports, airports and postal centres, as well as more funding for technology. We are very much taking a lead role.

Health

[Charles Hubbard, Liberal, Miramichi, NB]

Mr. Speaker, it has been said that sometimes our greatest fear is fear itself. Recently we have heard members of the opposition and some members of the media talking about bioterrorism.

Could the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health give us a statement on behalf of Health Canada on what it is doing to make sure Canadians are ready for any possible attack on bioterrorists?

[Jeannot Castonguay, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, I must say that I agree with the hon. member. We must look at the situation from a certain perspective. We must realize that there are threats, but we must remain calm and face the situation from a global perspective.

Yesterday, in order to improve the security and health of Canadians, the minister announced initiatives totalling close to $12 million, including close to $6 million to buy pharmaceutical products, close to $2.25 million to buy equipment for possible radio nuclear incidents, $2.12 million to improve a--

[The Deputy Speaker]

The hon. member for Cypress Hills--Grasslands.

Agriculture

[David Anderson, Canadian Alliance, Cypress Hills—Grasslands, SK]

Mr. Speaker, Canada's agriculture and food supply are easy targets for bioterrorism. So far the government's response to protect our food supply has been nothing. This is not good enough.

Last April, Dr. André Gravel, executive vice president of the CFIA stated that the threat of bioterrorism to our food supply is “a real threat and clearly a real possibility”.

Why has the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food taken no action to protect our food supply?

[Lyle Vanclief, Liberal, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food]

Mr. Speaker, the track record of the Canadian food safety in this country is second to none in the world. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency, along with the Solicitor General of Canada, the Minister of Health and other departments are being as diligent and vigilant as they possibly can in the food safety system. There is an emergency preparedness action plan in place if something takes place.

I can assure Canadian citizens that we will do all we can to make sure that our food continues to be safe.

[David Anderson, Canadian Alliance, Cypress Hills—Grasslands, SK]

Mr. Speaker, as my colleague from Esquimalt--Juan de Fuca pointed out, the government is talking and doing nothing. The lack of public response from the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food to the increased risk to our food supply is both appalling and dangerous.

Since September 11, the United States has announced an additional $350 million to keep its food supply safe. We have heard nothing on this front from the Liberals.

Why has the minister of agriculture failed to implement any new measures to protect Canada's agricultural industry and food supply?

[Lyle Vanclief, Liberal, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food]

Mr. Speaker, we are not talking about it because the measures are already there. We are not scaremongering Canadians as the opposition is. We have the systems in place and we are prepared. We will continue to do all we can to make sure that Canadian food continues to be the safest in the world.

Guaranteed Income Supplement

[Marcel Gagnon, Bloc, Champlain, QC]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Standing Committee on Human Resources Development studied the problem of senior citizens who are excluded from the Canada pension plan.

According to the figures provided by one expert who appeared before the committee, more than 380,000 Canadians would not receive the guaranteed income supplement, even though they are eligible. We are talking about millions of dollars that Human Resources Development Canada is literally stealing from the neediest members of our society.

Does the Minister of Human Resources Development intend to eliminate the 11 month period—

[The Deputy Speaker]

The hon. Minister of Human Resources Development.

[Jane Stewart, Liberal, Minister of Human Resources Development]

Mr. Speaker, the guaranteed income supplement is a very important part of the Canadian pension structure. Indeed, ensuring that Canadians who are eligible have access to that program is very important.

I believe there are better ways of communicating with Canadian seniors to ensure that those who have eligibility for the GIS have access to it. I recently wrote to my colleague, the Minister of National Revenue, to see if together we could come up with a more effective strategy.

Public Works

[Alan Tonks, Liberal, York South—Weston, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the parliament buildings are one of our most prized national treasures, are an essential part of the country's heritage and are in dire need of restoration.

Could the Minister of Public Works and Government Services inform the House on the government's plan for the parliamentary precinct?

[Paul Szabo, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Works and Government Services]

Mr. Speaker, the parliament buildings are the centre of our history, our democracy and our identity. That is why the government has developed and approved a long term vision plan for the parliamentary precinct. We are now proceeding with its implementation.

Earlier this week, the Minister of Public Works and Government Services announced the creation of an advisory committee to provide oversight and advice on the renovations. I am also pleased to announce that the hon. John Fraser, former speaker of the House of Commons, has accepted to chair this committee.

Canada Customs and Revenue Agency

[Myron Thompson, Canadian Alliance, Wild Rose, AB]

Mr. Speaker, what kind of message is the minister trying to give to our customs officers? They are being told to call the police if they are under physical threat. In many instances the nearest police are a lot further than a heartbeat away.

Will the minister start protecting Canadians, our borders and customs officers by giving them adequate tools to do their job?

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

Mr. Speaker, the customs organization is a very good, effective and efficient organization. Since September 11, it has been working hard to protect our country and to fulfill its dual mandate. As I said, over the last few months we have started to implement what we call officer power.

One more time, customs officers are not a police force. We have been working jointly over the past decade with police forces, such as the RCMP, and we will keep working with them. As well, we have to take into consideration the safety and security of our employees, which we are doing.

Highway Infrastructure

[Jocelyne Girard-Bujold, Bloc, Jonquière, QC]

Mr. Speaker, during the last election campaign, the Minister of Finance opened the door to a possible specific agreement with Quebec regarding the reconstruction of highway 175, for which Minister Chevrette has asked.

Yet, the Minister of Transport told the government of Quebec to include this work in the infrastructure program for highways.

What is the Minister of Transport waiting for to negotiate a specific agreement with Quebec on highway 175, and follow up on the comments made by his colleague, the Minister of Finance, during the election campaign?

[André Harvey, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, since May, the federal Minister of Transport has been holding money under the infrastructure program, waiting for Quebec's minister of transport to define his priorities.

Unfortunately, during the last election campaign, the PQ and the BQ were nervous and Quebec's minister of transport came and bandied around a bunch of figures. We have a program. The money is there. All we need to know are the province's priorities.

Health

[Bev Desjarlais, NDP, Churchill, MB]

Mr. Speaker, brand name drug companies should not be allowed to profit from terrorism. Nor should they be allowed to gouge Canadians. The need for anthrax medicine has the government realizing what it is like to be in the shoes of a senior citizen or the parent of a sick child as they try to pay for medicines that have increased 87% since 1990, increases directly related to drug patent changes.

Will the government finally admit that its support of the Tory initiated drug patent changes is jeopardizing the health of Canadians and our health care system?

[Herb Gray, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member has raised an important issue, but she should not try to mix this up with the basic issue that we have been talking about in question period today, which is what should we be doing and how should we be doing it to protect the health of Canadians against anthrax. That is the priority issue here.

What she is talking about deserves attention, but she should not mix up the two.

Infrastructure

[Loyola Hearn, Progressive Conservative, St. John's West, NL]

Mr. Speaker, a short while ago in the House, the Prime Minister mentioned he was considering advancing infrastructure funding to give a kick-start to our sagging economy.

The provinces, cities and towns will solidly support this as they are crying out for infrastructure improvements. I mention especially St. John's where we have severe water and sewer needs, and have been devastated by flooding from the recent tropical storm.

When can we expect to see the suggestion by the Prime Minister become a full commitment by the government?

[Alex Shepherd, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Treasury Board]

Mr. Speaker, we have a $6 billion infrastructure program in place now. This is entirely within the provincial determination of what projects the provinces want to set forward. I am sure the province of Newfoundland will be taking advantage of that program in due course.

Heritage Canada

[Mauril Bélanger, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

Mr. Speaker, amidst the anxiety and the uncertainly there is a group of Canadians looking with optimism to the future, trying to secure a major international event in Canada.

Would the Minister of Canadian Heritage tell us if there has been any progress in recent days with the Vancouver-Whistler bid for the 2010 Winter Olympics?

[Sheila Copps, Liberal, Minister of Canadian Heritage]

Mr. Speaker, it is so great to have a question about the future and about living and working together because one of the messages that we have to send out to the terrorists is that life will go on and we will work very hard.

We had a very constructive series of meetings this week in Ottawa with the Vancouver-Whistler team, the premier and members of his cabinet and members of the association. We will be out in Vancouver next week to continue those discussions.

We believe Vancouver-Whistler is the best bid and we hope that we will all be there in the most beautiful part of Canada in 2010.

Anti-terrorism Legislation

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

Mr. Speaker, on Monday when Bill C-36 was tabled in the House it was not the first time that the country heard about the legislation. Documents relating to Bill C-36 were leaked to the Toronto Star and the National Post .

Canada is at war. The Prime Minister says so. Parliament says so. President Bush says so. NATO says so. These are confidential, delicate matters and delicate information.

What is the justice minister doing to ensure that national security is preserved and these sorts of documents are never, ever leaked again?

[Don Boudria, Liberal, Minister of State and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, I responded to this issue on the floor of the House of Commons earlier this week and the hon. member knows that. The House unanimously passed a motion referring this issue to the parliamentary committee. Everyone is doing their absolute best in that regard to ensure that proper security is maintained, as well as proper respect for the rules of the House of Commons.

We have endeavoured to make officials available to the parliamentary committee, including the person in charge of security who also happens to be my deputy minister. He is willing to appear before the committee. The committee will do its work and we are looking forward to the report.