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.
Gérard Binet Liberal Frontenac—Mégantic, QC
Mr. Speaker, in recent years, the government has defended the safe use of chrysotile asbestos nationally and internationally.
In this regard, I would like to ask my colleague, the hon. Minister of Public Works and Government Services if he intends to promote the safe use of chrysotile asbestos in federal buildings?
Public Works and Government ServicesOral Question Period
Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel Québec
Liberal
Alfonso Gagliano LiberalMinister of Public Works and Government Services
Mr. Speaker, the government has recognized that today's asbestos products can be used perfectly safely.
As my hon. colleague mentioned, the government has defended the safe use of chrysotile asbestos nationally and internationally.
I have asked my officials to start work on a policy on the safe use of chrysotile asbestos in all federal buildings.
Lorne Nystrom NDP Regina—Qu'Appelle, SK
Mr. Speaker, the minister knows that President Bush has announced a comprehensive package of at least $60 billion to stimulate the American economy. This is money in addition to money already committed to the war on terrorism, disaster relief and to the airline industry.
The minister knows also that all four opposition parties are in agreement that we need a budget now, in the fall, before parliament.
Will there be a budget and, as we enter a recession around the globe, will the minister commit himself to a package of about $5 billion to $7 billion on infrastructure and jobs to stimulate the economy in areas such as rapid rail, housing, agriculture, the environment and training?
Paul Martin LiberalMinister of Finance
Mr. Speaker, I think it is important to deal with the basic premise of the hon. member's question.
If we take a look at what President Bush is talking about, the bulk of the money will go toward reconstruction in New York City and at the Pentagon, which is very important and which was a disaster from which we fortunately were spared.
If we look at the rest of the program, he is talking about accelerating his tax plan. We have already accelerated our tax plan and in our tax plan there is far greater stimulus than even that being promised by President Bush, or indeed the congress.
The third part of it is in fact what he will be doing for the unemployed Americans--
The EconomyOral Question Period
The Speaker
The hon. member for Sackville--Musquodoboit Valley--Eastern Shore.
Peter Stoffer NDP Sackville—Musquodoboit Valley—Eastern Shore, NS
Mr. Speaker, the only person the EI fund is working for is the Minister of Finance so he can divert the almost $40 billion into other expenditures and not to unemployed workers.
As a former airline employee, it saddens me to know that thousands of my colleagues are facing layoffs along with many other employees of other industries as well.
What the NDP is asking is for the minister to commit to the unanimous recommendation of the human resources development committee to reduce the number of eligible hours from 900 to 700 so that thousands of employees can have access to EI funds and so that thousands of small businesses can rely--
Employment InsuranceOral Question Period
The Speaker
The hon. Minister of Human Resources Development.
Jane Stewart LiberalMinister of Human Resources Development
Mr. Speaker, our monitoring assessment report indicates that the vast majority of Canadians who are eligible for employment insurance will have access to the program dollars.
We have made changes to ensure employment insurance is there for Canadians when they need it. For many, unfortunately, that time is now.
Peter MacKay Progressive Conservative Pictou—Antigonish—Guysborough, NS
Mr. Speaker, Canadians expect a certain level of competence from the head of our security forces.
The events of September 11 have certainly magnified the need for foreign intelligence gathering. The solicitor general confidently last month stated that we already operate abroad, yet CSIS only has overseas liaison officers. It does not engage in foreign espionage.
The solicitor general has once again muddled the facts and seems oblivious to his own department's responsibilities and capabilities.
Does the solicitor general know if a foreign spy service will be created and will new money be allocated from the treasury for its creation?
Lawrence MacAulay LiberalSolicitor General of Canada
Mr. Speaker, as my hon. colleague is well aware, the Minister of Finance has indicated quite clearly that whatever funding is required would be provided for security intelligence and the RCMP.
Also, as my hon. colleague must and should know, CSIS has the authority to collect information that affects security inside or outside the country.
Elsie Wayne Progressive Conservative Saint John, NB
Mr. Speaker, we have been informed that due to a shortage of spare parts at Cold Lake, Alberta, some CF-18 aircraft from 410 squadron were stripped of essential parts that are needed and used to keep the aircraft of 416 and 441 squadrons in the air.
How can the minister justify this type of mechanical cannibalism when we are having this horrible terrorist situation? When can we expect a new federal budget that will put money in the budget for the military and give it the resources it needs so we can play a full--
National DefenceOral Question Period
The Speaker
The hon. Minister of National Defence.
Art Eggleton LiberalMinister of National Defence
Mr. Speaker, we put $3 billion of additional money into defence. We have made it quite clear that we will provide the Canadian forces with the resources they need to be able to do the job.
With respect to the CF-18s, defence white paper 94 calls for between 40 and 60. We have 80 of them that are operational. We have additional ones that are not needed at this point in time. We use additional parts from time to time to make sure we get all the operational CF-18s ready to go when needed.
James Moore Canadian Alliance Port Moody—Coquitlam—Port Coquitlam, BC
Mr. Speaker, media reports indicate that there was an air marshal on Air Canada flight 792 which returned to Los Angeles under U.S. military jet escort last week. After an altercation between a belligerent passenger and a flight attendant, a witness stated that an air marshal wearing casual clothes walked from the front of the plane and took control of the situation.
My question is for the minister. Have any on duty Canadian law enforcement officers travelled in plain clothes on Canadian commercial flights since September 11 as air marshals?
David Collenette LiberalMinister of Transport
Mr. Speaker, at a time when we are trying to build confidence in air travel all the hon. member is doing is using speculative reports in the media to heighten attention. I say shame on him.
James Moore Canadian Alliance Port Moody—Coquitlam—Port Coquitlam, BC
Mr. Speaker, the minister is not building confidence in Canadians in flying if he does not answer simple questions about whether or not there are air marshals on planes. He should answer the question.
There is something else the government can do. If the government wants to show confidence in the commercial airline industry, here is a suggestion. Will the Prime Minister park his Challenger jet and fly commercial skies as other Canadians do as a sign of faith that security works?
David Collenette LiberalMinister of Transport
Mr. Speaker, I know the hon. member is new to the House, but it is a well accepted principle that the Prime Minister uses the executive fleet for security reasons, as advised by the RCMP.
Claude Bachand Bloc Saint-Jean, QC
Mr. Speaker, in the fight that they have begun against international terrorism, the Americans stated yesterday what they expect from their NATO partners, and Canada will have to make a contribution.
Can the Minister of National Defence confirm that he is about to take over from the Americans responsibility for the protection of North America's airspace under the NORAD agreements?
Art Eggleton LiberalMinister of National Defence
Mr. Speaker, there were eight requests. We can meet a number of them now or have been meeting a number of them. For example we have been enhancing intelligence sharing and co-operation. Again the American ambassador says that our intelligence sharing was very good, but since September 11 it has been extraordinary.
We could go on with a number of these where we are already meeting or are prepared to meet it. We are prepared to consider other ones that are on here as well. We are also dealing directly with the United States with respect to other capabilities we can offer.
Claude Bachand Bloc Saint-Jean, QC
Mr. Speaker, I remind the minister that I asked him a question on the protection of North America's airspace, not on intelligence sharing.
I have a second question for the minister. Will he provide Canada's F-18's to protect North America's airspace? It is also said that Canadian troops are about to take over from Americans troops on their observation mission in the Balkans.
Could the minister tell us about the costs generated by the protection of North America's airspace and the increased Canadian participation in the Balkans to relieve Americans troops?
Art Eggleton LiberalMinister of National Defence
Mr. Speaker, I have said many times over the past week or two that we put additional aircraft into the Norad system. We have done that right from the time it was requested by the United States.
With respect to the issue of backfilling on selected NATO assets in the Balkans or other places, that is being looked it. More detail is needed on it. We have made no decision in that regard.
Deepak Obhrai Canadian Alliance Calgary East, AB
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Finance. The minister has stated that he will seize the assets of those who raise funds for terrorist organizations.
Last year the minister was the guest of honour at a dinner sponsored by the front organization for the Tamil tigers. Will he now excuse himself from any decision regarding naming FACT as an organization which raises funds for terrorist organizations?
Lawrence MacAulay LiberalSolicitor General of Canada
Mr. Speaker, this question has been answered many times in the House. I think it is irresponsible for any member, particularly at this time, to try to link terrorism with ethnic communities. It is inappropriate.
Deepak Obhrai Canadian Alliance Calgary East, AB
Mr. Speaker, let me quote what the Minister of Immigration and Citizenship and the Attorney General of Canada said in a Supreme Court of Canada document:
—the Federation of Associations of Canadian Tamils (“FACT”) are examples of political and benevolent front organizations which support the LTTE--
That is what the government said. Will the Minister of Finance excuse himself when naming this organization as a terrorist organization?
Lawrence MacAulay LiberalSolicitor General of Canada
Mr. Speaker, I will not comment on any organization. It is truly unfortunate that my hon. colleague is linking organizations to the particular terrorism problem. Linking the two communities is inappropriate.