House of Commons Hansard #92 of the 37th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was leader.
Yolande Thibeault Liberal Saint-Lambert, QC
Mr. Speaker, on September 11, Canada joined with 33 other member countries of the Organization of American States to adopt the inter-American democratic charter in Lima, Peru.
Will the Secretary of State for Latin America and Africa tell the House how the adoption of this charter will back up Canada's efforts to promote democracy in the Americas?
David Kilgour LiberalSecretary of State (Latin America and Africa)
Mr. Speaker, this charter will enable us to protect and preserve democracy throughout the hemisphere. It will also enhance the ability of the OAS to combat threats to democracies.
The U.S. secretary of state himself witnessed a vicious attack on his own democracy. He is aware of the importance of the charter and decided to remain in Lima to ensure that it was adopted.
Dave Chatters Canadian Alliance Athabasca, AB
Mr. Speaker, Canada is vulnerable to a terrorist strike on our energy infrastructure. The Minister of Natural Resources says that our power facilities and distribution network are secure.
In reality, Canada's energy network includes hundreds of thousands of kilometres of vulnerable natural gas and power lines in the most remote areas of the country. What has the minister done to assure Canadians our energy infrastructure is secure?
Ralph Goodale LiberalMinister of Natural Resources
Mr. Speaker, quite literally within just a few moments after the unfortunate events on the morning of September 11, Canadian regulatory agencies swung into extraordinary action.
Both the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission and the National Energy Board have taken the appropriate steps in consultation with the RCMP and CSIS to make sure that security is on a heightened basis.
They are continuing their dialogue with all the security authorities and with the office of critical infrastructure under the Department of National Defence to make sure that our critical infrastructure is indeed secure.
Dave Chatters Canadian Alliance Athabasca, AB
Mr. Speaker, the government talks a great deal about providing increased security measures for our energy infrastructure. Yet it has been unable to give Canadians one example. Real leadership would provide action, not just empty rhetoric.
How can Canadians believe the government is doing anything to protect our energy infrastructure? What specific action has the government taken to protect our energy infrastructure?
Ralph Goodale LiberalMinister of Natural Resources
Mr. Speaker, in addition to the things I mentioned earlier, I should also point out that our officials and authorities have been in touch with the International Energy Agency, the International Atomic Energy Agency and the government of the United States of America.
I have personally spoken with Secretary Abraham to make sure that all actions are co-ordinated nationally and internationally. I am sure the hon. gentleman would not want me to detail security arrangements on the floor of the House of Commons for any terrorist to read.
Mario Laframboise Bloc Argenteuil—Papineau—Mirabel, QC
Mr. Speaker, according to some sources, the Minister of Transport contacted ONEX to try to involve it in a possible plan to bail out Air Canada.
Could the minister confirm this and tell us whether or not he contacted ONEX with this in mind?
David Price Liberal Compton—Stanstead, QC
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the chair of the Standing Committee on National Defence and Veterans Affairs. There has been some concern expressed that the standing committees of the House may not be sufficiently involved in a response to the terrible events of September 11.
Could the chair of the defence committee advise as to what the committee has done or intends to do to provide input into the response to the terrorist attacks on the United States?
David Pratt Liberal Nepean—Carleton, ON
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to inform the House that last Tuesday the defence committee unanimously adopted a motion to produce a report on Canada's operational readiness as it relates to counterterrorism.
The committee will hear from a wide range of witnesses in such areas as special forces, intelligence gathering, emergency preparedness and the defence against nuclear, biological and chemical attacks.
The report will form part of the prebudget deliberations. Our first witness this afternoon will be the hon. Minister of National Defence. I will take this opportunity to thank all members of the committee.
Stéphan Tremblay Bloc Lac-Saint-Jean—Saguenay, QC
Mr. Speaker, this week, the World Bank said that developing countries would be hard hit by the aftermath of the events on September 11. It is estimated that approximately 10 million more people will sink into poverty next year and that another 20,000 to 40,000 children will die as a result of the deteriorating situation.
Does the government plan to substantially increase CIDA's budget in response to this new information and thus combat one of the breeding grounds for terrorism, which is poverty?
Maria Minna LiberalMinister for International Cooperation
Mr. Speaker, we have announced $6 million for relief in the area. I am constantly in touch with our team on the ground to assess the situation. We have just recently converted $447 million of debt to social programs for Pakistan which will be about $16 million a year.
Of course we are monitoring it on a daily basis. We will be increasing our funding as the need arises. I am in contact with my officials on the ground at all times.
Diane Ablonczy Canadian Alliance Calgary Nose Hill, AB
Mr. Speaker, I notice the health minister's spin doctors were very busy yesterday after it was revealed that he is not even a full member of the new cabinet security committee, and he says there are 165 field hospitals ready to go.
Since there are not enough doctors and nurses to staff our existing hospitals, from where will these emergency hospitals get staff?
David Collenette LiberalMinister of Transport
Mr. Speaker, I will have to take the hon. member's question as notice and bring it to the attention of my colleague, the Minister of Health.
Presence in GalleryOral Question Period
The Speaker
I draw the attention of hon. members to the presence in the gallery of His Excellency Vasyl Rohoviy, Vice-Prime Minister of Ukraine.
Don Boudria LiberalMinister of State and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, there have been consultations earlier today regarding the debate under Standing Order 52. However I have not circulated the motion because events have been evolving quite quickly. I invite other House leaders to follow attentively to ensure we are doing exactly what was agreed to. I seek unanimous consent to move the following motion. I move:
That, notwithstanding any Standing Order, Special Order or usual practice, during the present sitting:
The debate ordered for this day, pursuant to Standing Order 52, shall commence immediately and, when no Member rises to speak thereon, or after three hours, whichever is earlier, the House shall adjourn to the next sitting day, and that the debate take place in committee of the whole provided that the Speaker may act as chair from time to time;
The first representative from each party may speak for no more than ten minutes, with a five minute question and comment period, and no subsequent member may speak for more than ten minutes;
The Chair shall not receive any dilatory motions, quorum calls or requests for unanimous consent;
When no member wishes to speak or after three hours, whichever is earlier, the committee shall rise and the House shall adjourn.
Business of the HouseOral Question Period
The Speaker
Does the hon. government House leader have unanimous consent of the House to move the motion?
Svend Robinson NDP Burnaby—Douglas, BC
Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I take it there will be adjournment proceedings immediately upon adjournment as is the practice traditionally. Is that the case?
Don Boudria Liberal Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON
Mr. Speaker, immediately after the business statement we will be proceeding to the adjournment debate, that is the debate under Standing Order 52.
Svend Robinson NDP Burnaby—Douglas, BC
Mr. Speaker, regarding what we traditionally refer to as the late show, will there be adjournment proceedings at the conclusion of the emergency debate or not?
Business of the HouseOral Question Period
The Speaker
Is there unanimous consent for the government House leader to proceed with his motion?