House of Commons Hansard #122 of the 37th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was information.
Julian Reed Liberal Halton, ON
Mr. Speaker, the National Pollutant Release Inventory is a tool that allows Canadians to find local environmental information by simply entering a postal code, a facility name or a particular substance. The Minister of the Environment recently announced further additions to the list of substances that industry will be required to report in this public registry.
Could the parliamentary secretary tell the House what impact the announcement will have on the health and safety of Canadians?
Karen Redman LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Environment
Mr. Speaker, the recent announcement by the Minister of the Environment includes the fact that industries across Canada will indeed be expanding their reporting next year on the emissions of key smog and acid rain pollutants. The announcement is part of our 10 year strategy for cleaner air in Canada.
The minister is using the powers under the 1999 Canadian Environmental Protection Act to track and control the substance and the toxins that cause the most harm to the health of Canadians. The National Pollutant Release Inventory helps track our progress as we react to the release of substances that are most harmful to Canadians.
Val Meredith Canadian Alliance South Surrey—White Rock—Langley, BC
Mr. Speaker, former senior PMO official, Peter Donolo, forwarded a letter to members of parliament last night from Air Canada's banker, BMO Nesbitt Burns, concerning potential amendments to the Competition Act. The letter is nothing more than an attempt to threaten parliament. The fact that Air Canada views an attempt to strengthen anti-competitive legislation as an attack on its airline speaks volumes about its business practices.
Will the minister confirm that the government will make legislation in the best interests of all Canadians, not just--
Peter Stoffer NDP Sackville—Musquodoboit Valley—Eastern Shore, NS
Mr. Speaker, postal workers in my riding are concerned about the threat of anthrax coming in from U.S. mail. We understand that the U.S. mail comes into Canada from 11 sorting points within the United States.
My question is for the parliamentary secretary to the minister of public works. Can he assure the House and all Canadians that all the mail coming in from the United States is clearly tested for anthrax and that any test results that have been done have been given to CUPW and also to Canada Post?
Paul Szabo LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Works and Government Services
Mr. Speaker, Canada Post has worked closely with its unions to ensure the safety of the employees.
In this particular case which occurred on October 29, the mail was held to ensure the safety of the employees. Once the mail was considered safe after consultations with Health Canada and with others, it was returned for delivery. Employees in this case who still had safety concerns were offered work elsewhere. They refused and therefore were laid off. They will be put back into the rotation once they decide to come back to work.
I want to assure the House and all Canadians that no mail or parcels in Canada have had anthrax.
Monique Guay Bloc Laurentides, QC
Mr. Speaker, recently, the Minister for International Cooperation told us that even before September 11, the Canadian government was helping Afghani women reintegrate their place into society.
Could the minister explain how that help was provided, considering that the Taliban were in charge at the time, and can she also tell us how, in Afghanistan's new political context, Canada intends to increase its efforts to rehabilitate Afghani women?
Marlene Jennings LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister for International Cooperation
Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member opposite for her question.
I am very pleased to say that, indeed, Canada has a relationship with Afghanistan that spans several years. So far, we have contributed $150 million in aid to that country, plus an additional $16 million since the September 11 events.
The money given to Afghanistan as international assistance was not paid to the Taliban, but to NGOs working with women—
Kevin Sorenson Canadian Alliance Crowfoot, AB
Mr. Speaker, unanimously the Ontario legislature passed a motion yesterday denouncing Correctional Service Canada's decision to transfer cop killer Clinton Suzack from one medium security penitentiary to another. The solicitor general and his parliamentary secretary have both insultingly defended CSC's decision despite the repeated demands from Ontario's 13,000 police officers for justice in the name of their fallen colleague Joe MacDonald.
Will the solicitor general right this wrong? Will he send Suzack back to maximum security?
Lawrence MacAulay LiberalSolicitor General of Canada
Mr. Speaker, as I have said many times, when individuals are arrested in this country, they are placed in an institution and evaluated as to whether they should be in maximum, medium or minimum.
In this situation the individual was in one institution. The decision was made by Correctional Service Canada after evaluation to transfer him to another institution.
Mauril Bélanger Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON
Mr. Speaker, I wish to raise a question of privilege. During oral question period, I had the opportunity to ask a question. While I was doing so, some Bloc Quebecois members took it upon themselves to suggest to me, if I can put it that way, to speak French.
If Bloc Quebecois members choose to speak French exclusively, it is their choice and I respect it. Similarly, I hope they will respect my decision to reflect the linguistic reality of the constituency that I represent. I am asking that they stop harassing me when I address this House in either one of the two official languages of the country.
PrivilegeOral Question Period
The Speaker
All hon. members are well aware that they can address the House in either official language. At least in this case the language used is not unparliamentary.
Mac Harb Liberal Ottawa Centre, ON
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 13th report of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade.
Also, in accordance with its order of reference of Tuesday, November 20, the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade is happy to present its 14th report to the House of Commons on Bill C-41, an act to amend the Canadian Commercial Corporation Act. The committee agreed on Thursday, November 29, to report it without amendment.
Questions on the Order PaperRoutine Proceedings
Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine Québec
Liberal
Marlene Jennings LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister for International Cooperation
Mr. Speaker, Question No. 79 will be answered today.
Bill Casey Progressive Conservative Cumberland—Colchester, NS
With regard to the Sydney Tar Ponds environmental cleanup, can the government identify which federal departments have provided funding, and for each department involved advise: ( a ) how much funding was provided; ( b ) when the funding was provided; ( c ) who received the funding or will be receiving the funding; and ( d ) what is the specific purpose of the funding?
Geoff Regan LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
I am informed by Environment Canada, Health Canada and the Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation as follows:
Environment Canada and Health Canada
Environment Canada and Health Canada are the federal departments that have contributed funding toward the Sydney tar ponds and former coke ovens cleanup. The answers below pertain to both departments.
(a) Environment Canada and Health Canada contributed jointly to a cabinet submission to secure $37.9 million in federal funds, part of a three year $62 million cost share agreement among the federal, provincial and municipal governments. Environment Canada is the custodian of these funds.
(b) The funding, announced in May 1999, was to be spread over the three years of the cost share agreement.
(c) Recipients of the funding were the Nova Scotia department of transportation and public works, the Cape Breton Regional Municipality CBRM, and the joint action group JAG, through the CBRM.
(d) The purpose of the funding was to support the administration and operation of JAG through the JAG secretariat to complete the required environmental and health evaluation and assessment work on issues associated with the Muggah Creek watershed and to undertake initial remediation projects, all through contracts with private sector companies.
Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation
In 1997 Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation provided $522,180.22 under the Canada--Nova Scotia infrastructure works program to the Cape Breton regional municipality for the construction of an interceptor sewer, phase I, in the Muggah Creek, the Sydney tar ponds.
Question No. 79Routine Proceedings
The Speaker
The question enumerated by the hon. parliamentary secretary has been answered.
Marlene Jennings Liberal Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine, QC
Mr. Speaker, I ask that the remaining questions be allowed to stand.
The House resumed consideration of the motion that Bill C-44, an act to amend the Aeronautics Act, be read the second time and referred to a committee.
Aeronautics ActGovernment Orders
The Speaker
When we broke before question period the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport had the floor, on questions and comments.
Does the hon. parliamentary secretary wish to finish his comments?
André Harvey LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport
Mr. Speaker, my comments were in response to my colleague from the New Democratic Party. Thank you, there is no need. I will allow debate to resume.
