House of Commons Hansard #101 of the 37th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was security.
Pierre Paquette Bloc Joliette, QC
Mr. Speaker, the Minister for International Trade continues to say that there are no negotiations at the moment on softwood lumber.
However, the Americans have appointed a special negotiator, and the B.C. forestry minister is talking openly of negotiations.
A week away from the results of the anti-dumping investigation, which could still affect our softwood lumber industry, is it the minister's intention to invite all the players to reaffirm the consensus for a full return to free trade?
Pierre Pettigrew LiberalMinister for International Trade
Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for Joliette for the opportunity to inform the House that, as we speak, discussions are being held in Montreal. The Department of International Trade has co-ordinated discussions with the Americans for several months, and they have been going very well.
Last week, these discussions were held in Vancouver, with British Columbia. We are very grateful for the co-operation of the provincial governments, which are responsible for natural resources and forest management.
We appreciate the Americans' appointment of Marc Racicot of Montana, who is helping to bring the President of the United States himself into the loop, as the Prime Minister of Canada requested.
Robert Bertrand Liberal Pontiac—Gatineau—Labelle, QC
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the President of the Treasury Board.
We all know that more and more Canadians want to have online access to government information and services.
Therefore, could the minister tell us about the progress of the Government On-Line initiative?
Lucienne Robillard LiberalPresident of the Treasury Board and Minister responsible for Infrastructure
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to report that we are well on our way to fulfilling our commitment to provide online information and services by the year 2004.
We currently have 82 pathfinder projects in various departments, and much to the satisfaction of the public. If we have these projects, it is because Canadians are among the greatest users of the Internet.
This initiative will allow them, wherever they live, and at the time and in the language of their choice, to be in contact with our government and to have access to necessary services. This is a real improvement.
Werner Schmidt Canadian Alliance Kelowna, BC
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Finance. The Minister of Finance knows that we are in an economic downturn. He also knows that the people who suffer the most because of this are those who are at the lower income level.
Will the finance minister, in his budget, declare that the increase in the Canada pension plan will not take place in January 2002?
Paul Martin LiberalMinister of Finance
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member knows that any discussion of that kind would require negotiations and discussions with the provincial ministers of finance and it would require agreement with them on that line.
On the other hand, I am delighted the hon. member recognizes that it is the responsibility of governments to help low and medium income Canadians, those who absolutely suffer the most in times of downturn. I can assure the hon. member that they rest uppermost in the mind of this government.
Jane Stewart LiberalMinister of Human Resources Development
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 109, I am pleased to submit herewith two copies, in both official languages, of the government's response to the report of the Standing Committee on Human Resources Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities entitled “Beyond Bill C-2: A Review of Other Proposals to Reform Employment Insurance”, that was tabled in the House on Thursday, May 31.
Geoff Regan LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's response to six petitions.
Bill Graham Liberal Toronto Centre—Rosedale, ON
Mr. Speaker, I have the privilege, pursuant to Standing Order 34(1), to present to the House, in both official languages, the report of the Canadian delegation of the Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly held in Paris, France, July 6 to 9.
Committees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings
October 24th, 2001 / 3:05 p.m.
Parkdale—High Park Ontario
Liberal
Sarmite Bulte LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the first report of the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage.
Pursuant to its order of reference dated Friday, February 28, your committee has adopted Bill S-14, an act respecting Sir John A. Macdonald Day and Sir Wilfrid Laurier Day, and agreed on Thursday, October 18 to report it without amendments.
Andy Scott Liberal Fredericton, NB
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the fifth report of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108, your committee has considered the proposals for a miscellaneous statute law amendment act, 2001 and recommends that the following articles not be included in the act: 5, 7, 8, 38, 59, 75, 76, 77, 105 and 106, given that articles 33 and 34 have already been withdrawn by the responsible department.
Ovid Jackson Liberal Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound, ON
Mr. Speaker, as chair of the Standing Committee on Transport and Government Operations, I have the honour to report, in both official languages, with respect to an order of reference made on Thursday, October 4; Bill C-34, an act to establish the Transportation Appeal Tribunal of Canada and to make consequential amendments to other acts.
The committee has considered the bill and I report the bill back without amendments.
Rose-Marie Ur Liberal Lambton—Kent—Middlesex, ON
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, I am honoured to present a petition on behalf of constituents living in Grand Bend in the riding of Lambton--Kent--Middlesex who call upon parliament to protect the health of seniors and children and the environment by abandoning the disputed gas additive MMT.
The use of MMT in gasoline results in significantly higher smog producing hydrocarbon emissions and enhances global warming.
Pierre Paquette Bloc Joliette, QC
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present a petition in support of Bill C-287, which, unfortunately, has already been defeated in this House. The petitioners draw to the attention of parliamentarians the need for mandatory labelling of genetically modified foods.
Bill Matthews Liberal Burin—St. George's, NL
Mr. Speaker, I am presenting a petition on behalf of residents of Winterton, New Pearlican and Heart's Content, communities in the riding of Bonavista--Trinity--Conception in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The petitioners request the Government of Canada to reinstate 10 weeks of employment as the divisor for employment insurance instead of the current diviser of 14 weeks.
Howard Hilstrom Canadian Alliance Selkirk—Interlake, MB
Mr. Speaker, I have a petition from constituents and people across Canada regarding the U.S. national missile defence program. The petitioners feel that it is the first step toward deployment of the defence system in space. They petition the Government of Canada to declare that Canada objects to the national missile defence program of the United States.
Geoff Regan LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, would you be so kind as to call Starred Question No. 72. I ask that the question and answer to Question No. 72 be printed in Hansard as if read.
Guy St-Julien Liberal Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik, QC
With respect to the gold market and the Bank of Canada's activities in this area: ( a ) what is the average daily volume of transactions on the international gold markets; ( b ) since 1980, what have been the key elements of the Bank of Canada's policy on the sale of gold with respect to its international reserves; ( c ) since 1980, has the government's gold sales program proved advantageous for the government; and ( d ) if so, why?
John McCallum LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance
Mr. Speaker, with respect to (a), the daily turnover in the international gold market is approximately six to seven million ounces per day.
With respect to (b), Canada has had a clear and transparent policy since 1980 to sell gold at a gradual and controlled pace to reduce the proportion of gold held in our official international reserves in order to benefit Canadian taxpayers. Because gold is less liquid than many other assets and earns a low rate of return, this policy has increased the return on Canada’s reserve assets and increased their liquidity.
With respect to (c), yes, the gold sales program has been very profitable for the Government of Canada. Estimates show that, since the beginning of the gold sales program, the income on reserve assets has been more than U.S.$13 billion higher than if the gold stocks had been maintained.
With respect to (d), proceeds from Canada’s gold sales are used to purchase other foreign currency assets that yield higher returns. These higher returns benefit Canadian taxpayers.
Geoff Regan LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, if Question No. 42 could be made an order for return, the return would be tabled immediately.
Werner Schmidt Canadian Alliance Kelowna, BC
With regard to grants, contributions and/or loan guarantees made either by a Crown Corporation, a department and/or an agency of the government to Bombardier Inc., for each fiscal year since 1996, can the government specify: (a) how many such grants, contributions and/or loan guarantees were made; (b) the source and value of each grant, contribution and/or loan guarantee; (c) the date they were issued; (d) the reason or reasons such assistance was provided; and (e) the present status of the grant, contribution and/or loan guarantee (whether repaid, partially paid, or unpaid, including the value of the repayment)?
Return tabled.
Geoff Regan Liberal Halifax West, NS
I ask, Mr. Speaker, that the remaining questions be allowed to stand.