Debates of Feb. 22nd, 2001

Taxation

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

Mr. Speaker, the hon. gentleman should know that the Government of Canada is already making very substantial investments in energy efficiency, renewable energy alternatives and alternative forms of energy.

We are a major investor in the fuel cell technology, for example. We are a major investor in green power procurement, including in the province of the hon. gentleman from Regina—Qu'Appelle. We are a major investor in the ethanol industry. Our objective there is to triple Canadian capacity for producing ethanol.

Renewables, alternatives, energy efficiency, all of those are priorities for the Government of Canada. In that direction we are prepared to invest $1.1 billion over the next five years.

Lumber Industry

[Bill Casey, Progressive Conservative, Cumberland—Colchester, NS]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister for International Trade. Yesterday I quoted from a letter signed by four Atlantic premiers, asking that the government renew the softwood lumber agreement and especially the maritime accord.

The national chief of the Assembly of First Nations has now said that a new softwood agreement could be very beneficial for all. Major industries want a renewed agreement, but everybody is baffled because the government has not given any indication of its position.

My question is simple. Is the government attempting to renew the softwood lumber agreement. Yes or no.

[Pierre Pettigrew, Liberal, Minister for International Trade]

Mr. Speaker, indeed I will be meeting on Monday with my counterpart, Bob Zoellick, the new United States trade representative. Of course softwood lumber will be a very important issue that we will raise.

I have had the opportunity of spending last week in China with the premiers of most of our provinces. I have had several discussions on softwood lumber issues with all provincial premiers. I have met a lot of people from industry. We are trying to reflect the consensus that exists in the country.

It is a difficult file, but we are all moving together on this particular front. I am looking forward to the discussion on Monday with Bob Zoellick.

The Economy

[Scott Brison, Progressive Conservative, Kings—Hants, NS]

Mr. Speaker, the October economic statement does not take into account red book three promises. Nor does it take into account the throne speech commitments. The estimated price tag for these commitments is approximately $2 billion.

Why will the finance minister not bring in a new budget to authorize these commitments, or is it that the Liberals have no intention of keeping their red book promises yet again?

[Paul Martin, Liberal, Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member ought to know that in the October statement we did provide the context for the red book spending. It has all been accounted for.

If I might simply add to that, given the importance of the House of Commons finance committee in terms of what is happening, the ups and downs of the global economy, I would like to congratulate the member for Kings—Hants on his appointment as vice-chairman of the finance committee. I am sure he will bring his valuable experience to bear on the issues of the day.

Correctional Service Canada

[Chuck Cadman, Canadian Alliance, Surrey North, BC]

Mr. Speaker, three families of murder victims are visiting with us today. They question the government's failure to properly incarcerate the murderers of their loved ones. The government appears more concerned with improving the comfort level of killers than it does with meaningful denunciation of their crimes.

How is it that individuals, only months after receiving a life sentence for brutal murders, are transferred to medium and even minimum security institutions? Has the solicitor general even bothered to consider the impact that these decisions have on the families of the victims. If he has, what will he do about it?

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Solicitor General of Canada]

Mr. Speaker, this is a very difficult situation, in particular for the families. I am pleased to report that the commissioner has informed me that she will be revising the policy of Correctional Service Canada so that offenders convicted of first and second degree murder will serve a mandatory term of at least two years in a maximum security institution.

[Chuck Cadman, Canadian Alliance, Surrey North, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the minister for his answer. It is about time we got some action on this file. How long will it take to implement it?

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Solicitor General of Canada]

Mr. Speaker, this is a very serious situation. We have families here that are hurting. It is not a place to play politics.

The fact of the matter is that I have great sympathy for the families, I certainly do. I care, as most every member in the House does. The fact of the matter is Correctional Service Canada has reacted. I do not run Correctional Service Canada, but it will be implemented very shortly.

Iraq

[Francine Lalonde, Bloc, Mercier, QC]

Mr. Speaker, six days after the heavy Anglo-American bombing of Iraq, with a new and worrying incident just occurring, world opinion is becoming clear.

All of the European countries, Russia and China oppose it. The Arab countries are edgy. Canada alone has supported the bombing without reservation.

Is Canada prepared to review its support for military solutions in order to work actively toward a diplomatic solution?

[Denis Paradis, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, we think it important that Canada support the preservation of the no fly zone in Iraq for the protection of the Kurds and the Shiites. This is why Canada supported the bombing of military installations near the demarcation line.

[Francine Lalonde, Bloc, Mercier, QC]

Mr. Speaker, many countries are saying that these exclusion zones are illegal. They were not decreed by the UN to serve as areas for bombing at leisure.

The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade unanimously passed a motion to have the non-military embargo lifted and diplomatic solutions sought. Why does Canada continue to be drawn into a policy that impoverishes the people of Iraq, causes the death of thousands of children and, in the end, strengthens Saddam Hussein?

[Denis Paradis, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, it is important to maintain this no fly zone in order—and I repeat—to protect the Kurdish and Shiite populations. It is important to protect these people.

We can see how Saddam Hussein treats his people. As they die of starvation, he continues to build homes and castles. Canada must take the stand it is taking today and has taken in the past.

Coast Guard

[Joe Peschisolido, Canadian Alliance, Richmond, BC]

Mr. Speaker, last Friday the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans disbanded the Sea Island dive team. He stated it was based on expert recommendations.

Yet in 1999, Ms. Lynn Peters, an HRDC technical inspector, did an audit and praised the diving team as an exemplary diving team. This year on January 26 the coast guard's own independent auditor, Darrel Skaalrud, praised the diving team for its expertise and for its skill. Why then did the minister disband this diving team?

[Herb Dhaliwal, Liberal, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans]

Mr. Speaker, I want to welcome the hon. member for Richmond. I am a constituent of his so I will watch him closely.

With regard to search and rescue, I announced last year $115 million to enhance our search and rescue. The Alliance Party voted against that in the last federal election. It was because of the government that we were able to invest $14 million in state of the art hovercraft so we could take action.

With regard to the specific case, the hon. member knows that I have asked for a full review so that we could—

[The Speaker]

The hon. member for Richmond.

[Joe Peschisolido, Canadian Alliance, Richmond, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the minister speaks of a review, yet in the meantime lives are at risk.

Sadly a life was taken last week, as the minister knows. In the meantime will the minister today commit to the immediate reinstatement of the diving team so that no longer will a life be lost?

[Herb Dhaliwal, Liberal, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans]

Mr. Speaker, I think the hon. member should make sure that all the facts are there so we can review them. I think it is irresponsible for the hon. member not to look at the facts and move toward sleazy political points on the back of a family that is very hurt at this time. It is shameful for the member to stand without knowing all the facts.

The Environment

[Rick Laliberte, Liberal, Churchill River, SK]

Mr. Speaker, on a cold day like today we are able to observe the various emissions that are released into the atmosphere from our vehicles, industries and other sources. This makes us aware of the potential impact they have on our health. Therefore, it is appropriate to think about air quality and our responsibilities.

On Monday the Minister of the Environment announced a major federal initiative to accelerate action on clean air. How will this help our country?

[David Anderson, Liberal, Minister of the Environment]

Mr. Speaker, on Monday I announced a $120 million program spread over four years. This package includes strong action on vehicles and fuels that will reduce emissions, for example, of nitrous oxide by 90% on regular passenger vehicles, 77% on light trucks, and on SUVs and other similar vehicles, over a 95% reduction in such emissions.

In addition, there will be off road engine changes affecting power saws, quad tracks, lawnmowers and other small motors, which I might add are the cause of 20%.

Lumber Industry

[Philip Mayfield, Canadian Alliance, Cariboo—Chilcotin, BC]

Mr. Speaker, softwood lumber is Canada's largest net export. A U.S. coalition is trying to reduce market access for Canadian lumber by encouraging all U.S. producers to petition their government for tariffs on Canadian lumber imports.

A new United States law allows these companies a no risk profit by having the duties paid by Canadian companies passed on to them. This will give our U.S. competitors a huge advantage over Canadian companies.

What action is this minister taking to stop this gross violation of the trade agreements between our two countries?

[Pierre Pettigrew, Liberal, Minister for International Trade]

Mr. Speaker, indeed softwood lumber issues are always very complex and are extremely important. It is a top issue for our government. It will be the top issue that I will be raising with the new United States trade representative on Monday.

Indeed, as we all know, we are going toward free trade. This is what we want. No one in the country wants the sort of quota agreement that we had in the last five years. Now the matter is how we will live the transition toward free trade. We want to live it as well as possible as a united country. We will discuss it on Monday in Washington.

[Philip Mayfield, Canadian Alliance, Cariboo—Chilcotin, BC]

Mr. Speaker, this is a serious question, too serious for long discussions and negotiations.

Under this protectionist law American producers will share the duties collected. They are being told it costs nothing to petition but there are huge rewards if they win this tariff ruling.

This petition is an immediate provocation that will have serious consequences on our lumber industry. Even the WTO cannot take immediate action in this crisis. The WTO is a long term solution, and the minister is talking about discussion. What action is he taking to respond to this provocation now?

[Pierre Pettigrew, Liberal, Minister for International Trade]

Mr. Speaker, I have indicated quite clearly, I thought, in my answer that I will be raising the particular legislation with the United States trade representative on Monday. This is the way we deal with complex issues with the United States.

I am confident that we will be able to have a constructive dialogue on one of our most important exports to the United States. I want to reassure our colleagues from Atlantic Canada that we will take into account the point of view of every region on that very complex file.

[Pierre Paquette, Bloc, Joliette, QC]

Mr. Speaker, still on the softwood lumber issue, the Minister for International Trade, who will be meeting with the U.S. commerce secretary, Mr. Zoellick, just referred to a consensus.

Could the minister assure us that this consensus is about restoring free trade for softwood lumber, as he said in the House and as the Prime Minister confirmed to the House a few weeks ago?