House of Commons Hansard #23 of the 37th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was endangered.
Pat O'Brien LiberalParliamentary Secretary to Minister for International Trade
Mr. Speaker, the Government of Canada is very interested in a free trade arrangement or free trade agreement with Costa Rica. Discussions are ongoing to achieve that type of arrangement. We feel that progress is being made.
Rick Casson Canadian Alliance Lethbridge, AB
Mr. Speaker, any agreement with Costa Rica will lay the foundation for future negotiations with other Central American countries and eventually the FTAA.
Will the government live up to a commitment it made to western Canadian beet producers when it was in western Canada last year that it will do nothing to destroy their industry? Will he stand here today and say that the government will not hurt the sugar industry in Canada?
Pat O'Brien LiberalParliamentary Secretary to Minister for International Trade
Mr. Speaker, I think it is quite self-evident that by pursuing a free trade agreement with Costa Rica the only interest the government has is in improving the trade relations of all parts of the economy of Canada with the country of Costa Rica.
Jocelyne Girard-Bujold Bloc Jonquière, QC
Mr. Speaker, following the transfer, in June, of the Canada jobs fund to Canada Economic Development, Quebec employers are still waiting to find out what amount of money will be allocated and what the criteria for government assistance will be.
It has been almost one year since the fund was transferred to Canada Economic Development. I am asking the secretary of state responsible for economic development to tell us where the money from that program is. What did he do with that money? When will he set the criteria?
Martin Cauchon LiberalMinister of National Revenue and Secretary of State (Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec)
Mr. Speaker, the answer to the first part of the question is that the funds have not yet been transferred to Canada Economic Development. They will be as of April.
Canada Economic Development takes initiatives to support the development of all regions of Quebec, under certain criteria that are closely monitored by Treasury Board. We work under a system of refundable contributions.
The funds that will be added to base A, that is the regular budget of Canada Economic Development, will be managed by the government so as to maximize regional development and job creation.
PrivilegeOral Question Period
The Speaker
The Chair has received notice of a question of privilege from the hon. leader of the Bloc Quebecois. I wonder whether it arises out of today's question period.
Gilles Duceppe Bloc Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC
It does, Mr. Speaker. During Oral Question Period, we occasionally exchange remarks with members on the opposite side of the House. I know you do not like our doing so, but we do talk directly to each other on occasion.
I commented to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, during the debate on the free trade area of the Americas, that in Canada there were two nations, the Canadian nation and the Quebec nation.
His reply: “There is but one country, one nation. The Quebec nation does not exist”. To this he added “You're crazy”.
It is unusual for the Minister of Foreign Affairs to adopt such an attitude toward members on this side of the House, and even some within his own party, I imagine.
I call upon him to withdraw his words. This is unacceptable language in parliament. I believe he should act as a respectful parliamentarian and withdraw what he said to me.
Don Boudria LiberalLeader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Foreign Affairs is unable to respond at this time—although I cannot remark on the presence or absence of a member—to the point raised by the leader of the Bloc Quebecois in the House of Commons. I promise that I will raise this with him.
I am convinced that the leader of the Bloc Quebecois will also wish to discuss with the hon. member for Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot the frequent comments he makes in similar circumstances.
Gilles Duceppe Bloc Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC
Mr. Speaker, I would ask the House leader to limit himself to what I asked. If accusations are to be made against the member on this side, let him make them.
Rather than spread innuendo, let him make specific charges and act rather than try to say “We will answer your question, but, as you know, it seems normal to say this sort of thing”. This is his attitude.
It is not easy, because a spirit of competition and invective prevails, but I think we must limit unacceptable excesses. I ask the House leader to stick to this case, to behave as a respectful parliamentarian and to not make insinuations without proof.
PrivilegeOral Question Period
The Speaker
The Chair will consider the situation described by the member for Laurier—Sainte-Marie and, if necessary, I will return to the House.
John Reynolds Canadian Alliance West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast, BC
Mr. Speaker, I would like to bring to your attention that the member for Waterloo—Wellington has been yelling things across the floor that are totally unparliamentary and unacceptable.
I understand that he is far enough away that it is very difficult for you to hear these remarks, but they are well heard on this side of the House. It is unacceptable. I would ask the Speaker to speak with him privately and tell him to resist the temptation of what he has been doing for the last few days.
Points Of OrderOral Question Period
The Speaker
The Chair will take the comments of the chief opposition whip under advisement.
Derek Lee LiberalParliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to table, in both official languages, a number of order in council appointments recently made by the government.
Pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 110(1) these are deemed referred to the appropriate standing committees, a list of which is attached.
Interparliamentary DelegationsRoutine Proceedings
Anjou—Rivière-Des-Prairies Québec
Liberal
Yvon Charbonneau LiberalParliamentary Secretary to Minister of Health
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 34(1), I have the honour to present to the House, in both official languages, the report of the 30th annual meeting of the Canadian group of the Canada-France Interparliamentary Association held from September 9 to September 16, 2000 in France.
Charles Caccia Liberal Davenport, ON
Mr. Speaker, it is a great honour to present to the House, in both official languages, the report of the Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association delegation which represented Canada at the preparatory meeting of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development at the Council of Europe in London, England from January 16 to January 20, 2001.
I am also honoured to present in both official languages, under Standing Order 34(1), the report of the Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association delegation which represented Canada at the Council of Europe parliamentary assemblies plenary session held in Strasbourg from January 20 to January 27, 2001.
Jim Pankiw Canadian Alliance Saskatoon—Humboldt, SK
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-286, an act to amend the Official Languages Act (provision of bilingual services).
Mr. Speaker, the purpose of the enactment is to redefine the criteria set out in the Official Languages Act so as to avoid unnecessary expense. In setting criteria for significant demand, the act states that 25% of the population of an area must speak an official language in order to warrant service in the language.
I would point out that in addition to restoring sanity to the language debate and to the language laws of our country, the amendment would end the current effort by the federal government to force the newly amalgamated city of Ottawa to be officially bilingual.
The amendment would result in a rational approach to bilingualism in which regions whose numbers did not warrant it would not incur unnecessary expense and unilingual Canadians would not be denied fair access to jobs in the public service.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Charles Caccia Liberal Davenport, ON
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-287, an act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (genetically modified food).
Mr. Speaker, the bill, as you have already indicated, would provide for a mandatory labelling system of all food ingredients that are or that contain a genetically modified organism.
The bill would require the genetic history of a food or food ingredient to be recorded and traced through all stages of distribution, manufacturing, packaging and sale. This requirement would ensure accurate labelling.
The precautionary approach adopted in the bill would allow the Minister of Health to monitor the presence of genetically modified foods in the Canadian food chain and to initiate research into the potential long term effects of the consumption of genetically modified foods on human health.
Finally, the bill would also enable food manufacturers and consumers to make an informed decision when purchasing products containing genetically modified material.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Peter MacKay Progressive Conservative Pictou—Antigonish—Guysborough, NS
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-288, an act to amend the Criminal Code (impaired driving causing death or injury).
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to introduce this private member's bill again which would enhance and assist police officers in their ongoing battle against impaired drivers on the highways. The enactment would in essence expand the investigative powers of police officers and give them the ability to automatically demand a breath or blood sample when an accident has occurred in which death or bodily harm was the result.
This private member's bill has broad support from groups like MADD and from individuals across the country, like the Murrays from Pictou county, Nova Scotia, and others, who want to see impaired driving in the country curtailed.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Kevin Sorenson Canadian Alliance Crowfoot, AB
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-289, an act to amend the Young Offenders Act (public safety).
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce my first private member's bill. The bill seeks to make the protection of society the first and guiding principle of the Young Offenders Act.
In the name of public safety, the bill allows for the publishing of all names of young violent offenders. It also seeks to change the minimum age of criminality from 12 to 10 years of age. It provides young people, who at this tender age get mixed up in crime, with the opportunity for guidance and rehabilitation that is necessary for them to get back on track.
In June 1997 the justice minister promised to make amending the Young Offenders Act a top priority. That was almost four years ago and nothing has been done. There have been a number of futile attempts but we are still saddled with what the minister, in her own words, calls “easily the most unpopular federal bill”.
I ask for all members to help with the bill for the sake of our children and grandchildren.
Young Offenders ActRoutine Proceedings
The Speaker
I know the House will appreciate that it is the hon. member's first bill, but he should know that a brief summary of the bill is all that is permitted on introduction. It is not an opportunity for a speech. I know the hon. member perhaps got away with a little more than he might on the second crack at it.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Derek Lee LiberalParliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, I ask that all questions be allowed to stand.
Questions On The Order PaperRoutine Proceedings
The Speaker
Is that agreed?
Derek Lee LiberalParliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, I ask that you call Notice of Motion for the Production of Papers No. P-3 in the name of the hon. member for Lakeland.
Motions For PapersRoutine Proceedings
The Speaker
I cannot recognize the hon. member for Lakeland. He is not dressed for speaking. I gather the hon. parliamentary secretary will call one of these notices of motions.