Debates of Oct. 23rd, 2001

Canadian Economy

[Pauline Picard, Bloc, Drummond, QC]

Mr. Speaker, like many Quebecers, I am wondering what the Minister of Finance is waiting for to make his action plan public, when whole sectors of our economy have been affected by the terrorist attacks that took place in the United States and by the economic downturn prior to September 11.

On numerous occasions, we asked the Minister of Finance about his plans to boost the economy. While the problems are real and tangible, the minister's comments have been sketchy and inconsistent.

It is not as though he lacks the means to restore economic growth and create jobs, because in a worst case scenario, he has at his disposal a surplus of $13 billion between now and March 31, 2002.

The Bloc Quebecois is only asking him to use 5 of the $13 billion that he has to provide oxygen to the economy. It is imperative that the Liberal government end its silence and reveal to parliamentarians its strategic plan to put an end to the economic downturn.

Infrastructure Program

[Claude Duplain, Liberal, Portneuf, QC]

Mr. Speaker, it has been one year since the Canada-Quebec Infrastructure Agreement was signed.

Municipalities throughout Quebec anxiously awaited the start of the program, and they have been eager to respond to it.

For example, in Portneuf alone, there have been 34 projects, 14 of which are a part of the first component: green municipal infrastructure (drinking water and wastewater). At a time when the economy needs a boost and drinking water and wastewater problems are critical; considering that in the riding of Portneuf, the Government of Quebec has not yet made any applications to have component 1 projects approved by the federal government; and given that there are some families who do not have access to drinking water, action is required.

For this reason, I urge all stakeholders to work together in order to remedy this situation, which need not exist, and which is depriving Quebecers of the benefits of this program.

We may think of vast expanses of water, but in my riding, there are families that simply want a glass of water.

Toby Banks-Rosser

[Peter Goldring, Canadian Alliance, Edmonton Centre-East, AB]

Mr. Speaker, today a fellow parliamentarian mourns the loss of a loved one. As colleagues and friends, Senator Tommy Banks from Edmonton needs our thoughtful wishes today.

Tommy's daughter, Toby Banks-Rosser, gave her voice in song on radio, on television and in the theatre. Music and song run deep in the Banks family tree. When faced with the sadness of another's despair we naturally turn to our own families for compare.

If any of us were to have one of our daughters slip away long before their time, the pain would be too great to bear alone. We as colleagues and friends are limited to words, words of sorrow and words sympathy but sincere words from friends who want to share the pain.

Tommy and his family are not alone in their grief. They are in our thoughts and in our prayers today.

Infrastructure Program

[Bernard Patry, Liberal, Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to point out that a year ago the Government of Canada and the government of Quebec signed an agreement on infrastructure projects.

Given the economic downturn affecting the country at the moment and given that one way to stimulate the economy is to undertake infrastructure projects in traditional areas or in the area of the environment; and

Given that, in my riding of Pierrefonds--Dollard, no application has yet received provincial approval, I ask all those involved to be diligent in the matter.

Health

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

Mr. Speaker, in trying to explain this past week's drug purchasing fiasco, the health minister has referred to the many versions of events.

Canadians are used to many versions of Liberal drug patent policy. Before being elected in 1993 they were vehemently opposed to the Mulroney drug patent extension and vowed to reverse it. The post-election version, however, saw them extending it.

Then there was the new version in 1997 election and the promise of a national drug plan. Then there was the version that ended up as Bill S-17 extending patent protection again.

It is no wonder the health minister got confused last week. He did not remember which version he was on. The NDP version of what needs to happen is that instead of having a contest between the Liberals, the Alliance, the Bloc and the Tories as to who worships property rights more than public health and who is better friends with the drug industry, the law in question should be changed.

If September 11 has changed everything, perhaps it is time to change our drug patent law.

Quebec-Cree Agreement

[Richard Marceau, Bloc, Charlesbourg—Jacques-Cartier, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Bloc Quebecois is delighted to highlight today the historic agreement reached between the government of Quebec and the Cree. This agreement establishes a new relationship, nation to nation.

The grand chief of the Grand Council of the Crees, Ted Moses, said “With this agreement, a new relationship will be established between Quebec and the Cree. This relationship will be built on trust and mutual respect. Some may think that this relationship is impossible. We will prove them wrong”.

Through this agreement, based on dialogue, all legal proceedings instituted by the Cree against the government of Quebec are dropped. Those involving the federal government, however, remain in effect.

This strengthening of the Cree's economic control over their future, this enhanced dialogue, obvious mutual respect and more modern partnership between the Cree nation and the Quebec nation point the way to the future.

Infrastructure Program

[Gérard Binet, Liberal, Frontenac—Mégantic, QC]

Mr. Speaker, improving and creating new infrastructures helps to improve the quality of life in our communities.

As part of its commitment to maintaining Canada's economic growth and the quality of life of Canadians, the Government of Canada, in partnership with the provincial government, has renewed the Canada-Quebec Infrastructure Works Agreement.

More than 45 applications for funding under this program have been made in the Frontenac--Mégantic region. We certainly hope the government of Quebec will forward these applications to the federal government as soon as possible so that action can be taken this year.

Retail Industry

[Elsie Wayne, Progressive Conservative, Saint John, NB]

Mr. Speaker, this week the chambers of commerce across Canada are celebrating the success in retail business in Canada.

The retail sector in Canada is big business. There are 1.7 million Canadians working in retail. Retailers sell over one quarter of a trillion dollars of goods every year. That is more than $9,000 for every man, woman and child in the country.

The retail sector is the very fabric of our national economy. At a time when Canadians are feeling less certain about events related to September 11 we must ensure that we reach out and support this important sector.

I salute the retailers of every community from the one store towns to the corporate businesses of our large cities. I would like to provide a warm welcome to the members of the Retail Council of Canada who are with us in the House today for its special “Retail Connects with Ottawa Day”.

Small Business Week

[Gurbax Malhi, Liberal, Bramalea—Gore—Malton—Springdale, ON]

Mr. Speaker, this week is Small Business Week in Canada. Small Business Week runs from October 21 to October 27 and the theme this year is “The Power of Innovation Driving Small Business Growth”.

Small Business Week is organized by the Business Development Bank of Canada in co-operation with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. It is an annual event held in all parts of Canada with the support of national and local sponsors.

It pays tribute to the talents and achievements of the owners of small and medium size businesses and gives them an opportunity to network with those interested in small business and dedicated to its development.

Agriculture

[Garry Breitkreuz, Canadian Alliance, Yorkton—Melville, SK]

Mr. Speaker, the minister of agriculture gives the impression to many Canadians that he is dealing responsibly with the farm crisis and the drought experienced this summer.

Nothing could be further from the truth. He has stood in the House and told farmers that there are programs available to them, but he neglects to mention that they do not work and are not properly funded.

For example, the minister says that crop insurance should soften the effects of the drought, but the province of Saskatchewan has requested $200 million to cover the shortfall for this year. The minister responds to these desperate needs saying that he is waiting to see how the programs work.

Farmers cannot wait. There should be the biggest payout in years, yet these programs are not even covering their input costs. CFIP and AIDA do not help those farmers who need them most.

The minister talks about his programs but it is all hot air. They do not work and are not properly funded. We have already had enough hot air on the prairies with the drought this summer. We need some action now.

Health

[Stockwell Day, Canadian Alliance, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, on Sunday the Minister of Health on his involvement in the illegal drug scandal said “Health Canada officials did, on my direction. I told them to get these drugs”. Those are the minister's words.

He directed his officials to break the law. He cannot even argue that he broke the law to achieve some greater public good because the drugs were readily available to Canadians without the government breaking the law.

In a time of war against terrorism the public must have confidence in the government officials in whom they trust their health and safety.

Does the Prime Minister believe that the Minister of Health's law breaking is building the confidence that we need among Canadians? Does he really believe that?

[Allan Rock, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, the member is talking nonsense. My direction to Health Canada was to stockpile the drugs we need to protect the security of Canadians. I did not direct it to make that contract with Apotex or any other specific firm. This time last week we could not ensure access by Canadians to the drugs they needed. Today we can.

Last Wednesday, on two occasions, Bayer Canada said it could not supply us with the drugs we needed. My officials, in good faith, went elsewhere to get those drugs. They made a mistake by not following the process but they did it in good faith, and I stand with them.

I will stand with any official who acts to protect the safety of Canadians.

[Stockwell Day, Canadian Alliance, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, anyone can make a mistake, but consider the cost to the taxpayer of the minister's ongoing carelessness.

The tainted blood scandal; we have no idea what that has cost. The Mulroney Airbus witch hunt; $10 million. The Pearson airport breach of contract, under his watch; $600 million. The escalating costs of the firearm registry fiasco; half a billion dollars and climbing. Now there is his illegal drug deal. He has individually cost taxpayers over $1 billion.

[Allan Rock, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, the member is not in any position to talk about costing taxpayers to settle court cases.

The bottom line for us is to make sure that the health of Canadians health is protected, and that is exactly what we did. If big drug companies want to play shell games with us, we will not stand for it. We will do what is required to get the drugs in hand to protect the health of Canadians.

[Stockwell Day, Canadian Alliance, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, the fear of anthrax, the threat of bioterrorism and the health and safety of the public are much too important to be left in the hands of this incompetent minister while a war is going on.

With the public's confidence at an all time low, I have but one question for the minister: Will he resign, yes or no?

[Allan Rock, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, I want to tell that member and everyone in the House that I am going to continue to aggressively protect the health of Canadians and do what is required to make sure we have what is needed.

Last Wednesday, Bayer told us it could not respond to our request for Cipro, which was a drug that in my judgment we needed to have. Health officials took steps to make sure we got that drug. I stand with my health officials.

Shell games by drug companies will not be tolerated. They are not good enough for us on this side of the House. We will do what is required to protect Canadians.

[Grant Hill, Canadian Alliance, Macleod, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the awarding of the anti-anthrax drug Cipro would be understandable to every Canadian if in fact there was an emergency. However, the minister, by his own words, said that there was no emergency, that there was no anthrax in Canada and that they had some Cipro on the shelf for that emergency.

Will the minister accept the principle of ministerial responsibility and be responsible for his department.? Yes or no.

[Allan Rock, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, my responsibility is to make sure that the health security of Canadians is protected. I proudly accept responsibility for Health Canada. My officials worked in good faith, doing the best they could in their judgment to achieve protection for the health of Canadians.

On the subject of anthrax, it is an unlikely threat in Canada but, in my judgment, we had to have the drug. When Bayer told us twice it could not give it to us, Health Canada officials did what was required, in their judgment, to make sure we had what we needed.

The House can be assured that we will continue to do what is needed to protect Canadians.

[Grant Hill, Canadian Alliance, Macleod, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the minister's actions have cost the taxpayer millions. I am reminded of the Airbus fiasco. I am reminded of the hepatitis C fiasco. Now we have the Cipro blunder.

Once again, will the minister accept the principle of ministerial responsibility and recognize that his mistakes are costly to the Canadian taxpayer? Yes or no.

[Allan Rock, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, my responsibility is clear: it is for the health and security of Canadians. That is the responsibility I am concerned with, not the political games that people on the other side of the House want to play.

What would that member have said if an anthrax need had arisen and Health Canada was not in a position to respond with the medications that were required? We will make absolutely certain that we have what we need to protect the health of Canadians.

Anti-terrorism Legislation

[Gilles Duceppe, Bloc, Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday in the House the Minister of Justice stated that she would await committee recommendations before taking a decision on the sunset clauses.

In committee afterward, however, the minister declared her opposition to such clauses, referring to the impact these would have on police investigations, a false argument which puts police professionalism in a bad light.

How can the Minister of Justice show open-mindedness in the House and then the opposite in committee? Is it because the government is quite simply opposed to the idea of adding sunset clauses to anti-terrorism legislation?

[Anne McLellan, Liberal, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada]

Mr. Speaker, I have been absolutely clear on the point that the government has included a three year review. That is our preferred mechanism.

However, I have also indicated that in the House and the Senate committees there are hard-working members of those committees who think that other review mechanisms may be as appropriate or, in some cases, even more appropriate. I am certainly willing to hear their advice and recommendations, and the evidence on which they would make such suggestions.

[Gilles Duceppe, Bloc, Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the minister has said that the police could not do their job properly.

Yet the U.S. and France have included such a clause in their anti-terrorism bills.

Are we to conclude from her statements in committee that the French and American police will not do their jobs properly because their governments have included sunset clauses?

[Anne McLellan, Liberal, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada]

Mr. Speaker, it is premature to determine how the United States law enforcement authorities or government authorities deal with sunset clauses that in essence are being discussed by congress at this time and are being agreed to.

I come back to the fact that the government believes that the three year review process is the appropriate process. However, we are open. The Prime Minister, myself and others are open to the fact that if either the House committee or the Senate committee can offer advice and recommendations to assist us in our important work, we are more that willing to listen.

[Michel Bellehumeur, Bloc, Berthier—Montcalm, QC]

Mr. Speaker, after the privacy commissioner and the information commissioner, now we have Mr. Claude Bisson, of the Communications Security Establishment, a former chief justice of the Quebec appeal court, telling the government that the bill gives it exorbitant powers.

The more the experts analyze this bill, the more they fear the potential use of these powers.

Does the minister, who also has an obligation to protect individual rights, not feel she has a duty to state clearly that this bill must include sunset clauses?