Debates of Nov. 26th, 2001

Terrorism

[Rick Casson, Canadian Alliance, Lethbridge, AB]

Mr. Speaker, any disruption in the flow of energy during the winter in North America could be catastrophic. We all know that. There is a lot of talk from the opposite side but we want to know what the concrete plans are for our energy sector to keep the energy flowing during the winter months in North America.

[Ralph Goodale, Liberal, Minister of Natural Resources and Minister responsible for the Canadian Wheat Board]

Mr. Speaker, I am sure the hon. gentleman would not want me to detail here the specifics of a security plan where it might well be read by any terrorist with malevolent intentions.

I do want to assure the hon. gentleman that the government, in consultation with provincial governments, with the RCMP and with CSIS pursues every threat or perceived threat to our transportation of energy infrastructure. We are taking all steps necessary to make sure that infrastructure is protected to the maximum extent of the capacity of humans.

Agriculture

[Bob Speller, Liberal, Haldimand—Norfolk—Brant, ON]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.

Canada's international grain customers are growing more and more particular about the quality of the products that they purchase. Could the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food tell the House specifically what the government is doing to help Canada's grain industry respond to these pressures and to sell Canadian grain around the world?

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

Mr. Speaker, the government continues to support our grains industry a number of different ways. This morning I announced $1.2 million to the Canadian Seed Institute so it can work with the producers and the marketers of Canadian grain in order to meet the needs and requirements of both domestic and international clientele through such measures as identity preservation so that we can explore and expand on existing markets and find new ones.

Internet

[Charlie Penson, Canadian Alliance, Peace River, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the industry minister does not seem to have many supporters for his pet $1 billion broadband project. Now even the OECD says that competition is the best way to achieve high speed Internet development in Canada.

The industry minister says he is not interested in Internet regulation until next year. Why is it then he is so intent on spending public money now instead of getting the regulations right?

[Brian Tobin, Liberal, Minister of Industry]

Mr. Speaker, the OECD report on broadband access in OECD countries recognizes that Canada is second only to Korea in the deployment of broadband services and that competition between cable companies and telephone companies has been a key factor in accelerating that reality.

In fact Canada is a leader in the world, very much a tribute to the Minister of Foreign Affairs who began this process. I will continue down the productive road that he has charted for Canada with more services for more Canadians.

[Charlie Penson, Canadian Alliance, Peace River, AB]

Mr. Speaker, it appears the Internet has worked pretty well for the Minister of Industry. It seems that a handful of his supporters used a special program to stuff the ballot box used in the Globe and Mail survey. Within 24 hours, two computers were used to flood an online Liberal leadership poll to look like the industry minister was a popular candidate.

The minister's ambition is clouding his judgment. Will he stand down his campaign in the interest of Canadians?

[Brian Tobin, Liberal, Minister of Industry]

Mr. Speaker, now we know why it is important to have more rural Canadians on the Internet. Even the Minister of Finance said it is an important priority for Canada.

GM Plant in Boisbriand

[Diane Bourgeois, Bloc, Terrebonne—Blainville, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the GM employees' union recognizes that Premier Landry and his government have worked to save the plant and are still trying to come up with a solution. On the other hand, the union is criticizing the federal government and the immobility of the Prime Minister.

Following the visit by the Minister of National Revenue and Secretary of State responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec to senior officials of GM in Chicago in September, has the federal government not simply thrown in the towel and decided to do nothing to save the Boisbriand plant?

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

Mr. Speaker, first off, I would simply like to say that I find the remarks by the head of the union with respect to our government rather offensive.

This government was the first to support the GM Boisbriand team, as talk of closing the plant began. We set up a committee we helped financially so that representations could be made in Detroit to showcase the quality of the technology and of the manpower.

The Minister of Industry visited Detroit on several occasions to point out the merits of the Quebec industry, and we will continue to do so. However, they are not prepared to acknowledge that on this side—

[The Speaker]

The hon. member for Portneuf.

International Year of the Volunteer

[Claude Duplain, Liberal, Portneuf, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the United Nations proclaimed 2001 the International Year of the Volunteer.

Could the Minister of Human Resources Development tell the House what the government is doing to recognize the hard work of volunteers?

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

Mr. Speaker, I am sure all hon. members would congratulate, and expect the Government of Canada to recognize, Canadians who give of their time and energy in support of fellow citizens. In that context, today I was pleased to launch the Thérèse Casgrain Volunteer Award in memory of a woman who dedicated her whole life to enhancing the social fabric of Canada. Every year two Canadians will be recognized for their lifetime contribution through volunteering.

I have sent information kits to all members of parliament hoping they will take it home and I encourage nominations for this prestigious award.

National Defence

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

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of National Defence.

It has been brought to our attention that the water filtration system of the HMCS Preserver , the supply vessel that is in the Arabian Sea, is not working. Our men have no water to drink. They cannot bathe or shower. The only one who can use any water is the person who is handling food.

What steps is the minister taking to correct this situation or is he going to bring those men and women back here to Canada?

[Art Eggleton, Liberal, Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, there was a temporary problem with the water system. It has been fixed and they now have lots of water.

Afghanistan

[Bill Blaikie, NDP, Winnipeg—Transcona, MB]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Foreign Affairs. He will know of the concern of many Canadians, and for that matter people around the world, for the conditions that women suffered under the Taliban.

Could the minister tell us what Canada is doing to ensure in the reconstruction of Afghanistan, post-Taliban, that the women of Afghanistan will have a place at the table and justice for them will be assured in the new Afghanistan?

[John Manley, Liberal, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, I find myself for the second time today agreeing with an opposition member. He raises a very important issue of the rights of women, which we know were abused horribly under the Taliban regime and frankly were not a lot better before that.

We have met this week with representatives of the Canadian Afghan community. Many of those same concerns were raised. We are ensuring that they are raised directly with Ambassador Brahimi, who the member will know is co-ordinating the meeting that starts tomorrow among groups of Afghanis in Bonn to begin the planning for the post-Taliban Afghanistan.

The issue the hon. member raises is one which Canada will continue to raise at every possible opportunity.

Water Contamination

[Ghislain Fournier, Bloc, Manicouagan, QC]

Mr. Speaker, three years ago, the Minister of Transport promised municipal authorities in Sept-Îles that he would personally take care of the issue of the beaches sector of Sept-Îles and come up with a permanent solution to the municipality's drinking water problem.

How much longer will residents of Sept-Îles have to put up with the inconveniences resulting from the pollution of the drinking water in the beaches sector by the federal Department of Transport, considering that there is no doubt as to the department's responsibility?

When will justice be done for the residents of Sept-Îles?

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

Mr. Speaker, as regards the issue of the beaches sector of Sept-Îles, I had the opportunity to meet with citizens and to talk with the mayor.

I know that the provincial government has done its share. I also know that a solution was implemented not too long ago by Transport Canada. We are keeping an eye on this issue and we are also continuing to support the region's economic development.

I am taking this opportunity to say that we recently announced a specific initiative for the North Shore that will bring close to $10 million in investments to help small and medium size businesses and people on the North Shore position themselves.

This is what our government has done.

Presence in Gallery

[The Speaker]

I draw the attention of hon. members to the presence in the gallery of Mark E. Souder, Member of the United States Congress, Fourth District Indiana.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear.

Government Response to Petitions

[Geoff Regan, Liberal, Parliamentary 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 three petitions.

Committees of the House

[Maurizio Bevilacqua, Liberal, Vaughan—King—Aurora, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present the tenth report of the Standing Committee on Finance, in both official languages, entitled “Securing our Future”. The report is the result of the committee prebudget consultation process.

I want to thank the thousands of Canadians who gave their very valuable input and provided their insights to committee members. The quality of their presentations reflects the seriousness with which they take this exercise. At the same time I want to thank the members of the committee for their continued dedication, contribution and support. Finally, I want to express my gratitude to the staff of the committee for their exceptional work.

The ultimate goal of these consultations was to present a plan to deal with the immediate concerns such as national security but also to ensure that conditions are set for the prosperity of this and future generations. The committee's recommendations address the present while staying focused on the future.

Points of Order

[Peter MacKay, Progressive Conservative, Pictou—Antigonish—Guysborough, NS]

Mr. Speaker, earlier today I called the attention of the Chair to the lack of public availability of the evidence adduced at the justice committee regarding Bill C-36. I note now with interest that the House website is in fact carrying the evidence of the justice minister given on November 20. Obviously the minister is in favour of the bill and we are glad to see that evidence is now there even after the cut-off time for the filing of amendments.

However, the evidence of many of the meetings where witnesses were critical of the content of the bill is still not published. It is highly unusual, I would suggest, that evidence is transcribed and published out of chronological order. On what authority is the evidence of these opponents or critics of the bill being withheld from the Canadian public?

We know that the government is pressing the House to expedite the bill, but why is precedence being given to witnesses who were in favour of the bill over those who are critical of the bill? Why are the normal practices being interfered with? Will the government not recognize that it is pushing the system beyond capacity and we need more time to consider Bill C-36?

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

Mr. Speaker, I do not want to prolong this point, but there are two elements involved here. First, obviously the government does not screen out how the work of the committee clerks and staff is done, how the Chair or the occupants of the table do their work nor any of the people who work for them. To suggest that these people are subjected to political pressure and to suggest that these people operate under the directive of the government actually undermines the authority under which they operate, namely yours, Mr. Speaker. That is not an appropriate expression of fact.

I do believe that the accusations against either the Chair or the staff working for the Chair should be withdrawn. I do not believe that the Speaker or his staff are anything less than totally objective. That is certainly my position and I believe the position of, I would have said, everyone but hopefully almost everyone who is in the House of Commons. Nothing else than that would be appropriate.