House of Commons Hansard #109 of the 37th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was wto.
Mark Eyking Liberal Sydney—Victoria, NS
Mr. Speaker, Canadian farmers are watching anxiously as ministers from around the world gather in Doha this week in an attempt to launch a new round of negotiations at the WTO.
They have seen export subsidies in other countries drive down the price they are receiving for the crops they grow. Could the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food outline for the House Canada's objectives for agriculture during the upcoming WTO meeting in Doha?
Larry McCormick LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
Mr. Speaker, Canadian farmers deserve the best. Global agricultural trade reform is a priority for Canada as it is for many of our trading partners.
As a leading trading nation, Canada has a vital interest in further strengthening the international rules that govern agricultural trade. We want to achieve fundamental reforms in the area of market access, domestic support, export compliance and export competition.
That is why, for this fourth WTO ministerial meeting in Doha, Canada is calling on the WTO members to agree to the launch of a broader round of trade negotiations. This would enable the achievement of a more ambitious and far reaching--
Myron Thompson Canadian Alliance Wild Rose, AB
Mr. Speaker, we know that the mayor of Quebec City is still waiting to be reimbursed for hosting major international summits. Quebec is owed $6 million in security and related costs while Windsor was just paid $4 million for hosting the Organization of American States over a year and a half ago.
Will the finance minister issue a substantial downpayment to Calgary, Canmore and Banff in advance of the G-8 summit in Kananaskis?
Lawrence MacAulay LiberalSolicitor General of Canada
Mr. Speaker, as I said to my hon. colleague, we are dealing with the city of Calgary, we are dealing with the Calgary police and we will fulfil our commitment to this conference.
Myron Thompson Canadian Alliance Wild Rose, AB
Mr. Speaker, we do not know when that will be. We know that in Quebec City the budget for the summit of the Americas was $65 million. The actual cost was more than $300 million.
The challenges associated with the G-8 summit in Kananaskis extend far beyond what they were in Quebec City.
Is the finance minister prepared to budget sufficient funds now, or will he leave Calgary and Canmore holding the bag?
Lawrence MacAulay LiberalSolicitor General of Canada
Mr. Speaker, I can assure my hon. colleague that the government has, as always, fulfilled its commitments to all of these conferences.
We will work with all provincial and municipal police forces to make sure we are able to hold these conferences and show terrorists that we can operate in this country.
Christiane Gagnon Bloc Québec, QC
Mr. Speaker, last week, François Picard, the publisher of the newspaper Atout Micro condemned the behaviour of a subcontractor of Heritage Canada, who demanded the names of his subscribers and their credit card number as proof of the accuracy of his production run for subsidy purposes.
Could the Minister of Canadian Heritage tell us whether this is a common practice and whether she approves of such a practice?
Sheila Copps LiberalMinister of Canadian Heritage
Mr. Speaker, I find it normal that a check be conducted when someone is getting federal subsidies. This is normal.
Bryon Wilfert Liberal Oak Ridges, ON
Mr. Speaker, Canada believes that the WTO growth and development round will address the objectives and concerns of developing countries. Canada, along with other WTO members, has been working hard to demonstrate to developing countries that the new round will assist their development efforts.
I would ask the Minister for International Trade, what specific steps or proposals is the government prepared to make with regard to this round?
Pierre Pettigrew LiberalMinister for International Trade
Mr. Speaker, indeed Canada has been very active, along with our Quad partners, in efforts to accommodate the developing countries. We want them to be in a position to benefit fully from their partnership in the WTO. There needs to be some capacity building there.
We need to make sure that they can get the full benefits of their membership. We need to do further work on implementation measures. We need to give them some better market access. We need to make sure that we do agricultural reform trade because that is what the south needs. We want these countries fully engaged in the WTO.
Rick Borotsik Progressive Conservative Brandon—Souris, MB
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister today has raised the ante with respect to trade with the United States. Today in response to a question on softwood lumber he said that there would be a linkage between oil and gas exports and softwood lumber. He said that.
When he has his weekly meetings with the president of the United States does he tell the president that there will be no future sales of oil and gas unless the softwood lumber industry is resolved?
Jean Chrétien LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, that is really stretching it. I will just say that we want good trade relations with the Americans on every aspect of trade.
We signed a free trade agreement with them some years ago that has been good for Canada, that has been good for the United States and that has been good for Mexico.
We want the same thing, but it has to be reciprocal. That is what I tell them all the time.
Bill Blaikie NDP Winnipeg—Transcona, MB
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Finance. It has to do with the polls that show that there is considerable support for spending on infrastructure and other things that are needed in this country.
I wonder whether the Minister of Finance, and it probably would not be the first time he has listened to a poll in his life, would indicate to the House that he is open to stimulating the economy in that way and making sure that a lot of the environmental, social and transportation infrastructure and other things that need to be done in the country get done through his budget.
Paul Martin LiberalMinister of Finance
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member is one budget behind. As he knows, in the last budget we brought in an extensive program in environmental infrastructure, in road infrastructure and in housing. The fact is that a number of these programs, because of delays in provinces, have not gone ahead as quickly as we would like.
We are certainly prepared. The minister in charge of the treasury board has said that she would accelerate all these programs, as has the minister of energy who is responsible for climate change. I can assure the hon. member that we are prepared to proceed with these as quickly as possible.
Diane Bourgeois Bloc Terrebonne—Blainville, QC
Mr. Speaker, last week marked the first anniversary of the World March of Women. This march, which took place in 158 countries around the world, set forth demands to improve living conditions for women, including women in Quebec and Canada.
Could the Secretary of State for the Status of Women give us an update today on what steps and action the government has taken to respond to the World March of Women demands?
Hedy Fry LiberalSecretary of State (Multiculturalism) (Status of Women)
Mr. Speaker, I am really glad the hon. member asked that question. We have taken a great number of steps to deal with issues such as violence against women and issues such as poverty. I can only point to the child tax benefit as one very important initiative that we have taken to deal with the issue of poor families and their children.
We have dealt with the issue of homelessness. We have helped to set up shelters and transition homes so that women who are facing violence can have somewhere to go in order to feel safe.
My colleague, the Minister of Human Resource Development, has worked with skill--
Presence in GalleryOral Question Period
The Speaker
I draw to the attention of hon. members the presence in the gallery of His Excellency John Agyekum Kufuor, President of the Republic of Ghana.
Presence in GalleryOral Question Period
The Speaker
I also draw to the attention of hon. members the presence in the gallery of the Gerhard Herzberg Canada Gold Medal for Science and Engineering winner, Professor David Schindler.
Also with us, the winners of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council Award of Excellence, Dr. Donald Mackay and Dr. Richard Puddephatt.
These three eminent researchers are accompanied by the 2001 winners of the NSERC Steacie Fellowships, the Howard Alper Postdoctoral Prize and the Doctoral Prizes.
Presence in GalleryOral Question Period
The Speaker
I invite all hon. members to join this group at a reception in room 216 at 3.15 p.m.
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 four petitions.
Brent St. Denis Liberal Algoma—Manitoulin, ON
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-409, an act respecting a national day of remembrance of the Battle of Vimy Ridge.
Mr. Speaker, I am honoured, especially as we commemorate veterans week, to rise today to introduce a private member's bill which, if enacted by parliament, would create a special day each year on April 9 to recognize Vimy Ridge day. This would honour the memory of this great World War I battle of April 9, 1917, which is considered by many to be a turning point for our country and the beginning of Canada's march to nationhood.
For the first time Canadians from coast to coast fought under a Canadian commander. Their heroism and valour in that battle is legendary. In many ways it represents all great Canadian battles.
I wish to thank Bob Manuel of Elliot Lake for his support and the Dominion Command of the legion for its very strong letter of support.
I wish to emphasize that the bill would not create a holiday. It would simply create a day of recognition and asks that the Peace Tower flag be raised to half mast.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Kevin Sorenson Canadian Alliance Crowfoot, AB
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-410, an act to amend the Income Tax Act (exemptions for volunteers).
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce my private member's bill which, if enacted, will amend the Income Tax Act to increase the tax exemption available to volunteer ambulance technicians, volunteer firefighters and persons who assist in the search or rescue of individuals.
The bill is a result of a meeting with many of the volunteer firefighters from my riding and municipal councils who have been attempting to change Revenue Canada's tax provisions to increase the tax free rate from $1,000 to $2,500. In recognition of the sacrifice of time and potential injury of these necessary emergency volunteers, I urge members on all sides of the House to support this private member's bill.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)