House of Commons Hansard #49 of the 37th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was elections.

Topics

The EnvironmentOral Question Period

2:50 p.m.

The Speaker

The hon. member for Portage—Lisgar.

The EnvironmentOral Question Period

2:50 p.m.

Canadian Alliance

Brian Pallister Canadian Alliance Portage—Lisgar, MB

Mr. Speaker, during the election campaign the industry minister said that if St. John's votes Liberal they might just get their harbour cleaned up. They did not and it is not.

He also:

The infrastructure program was not the place to get the money for a cleanup.

That totally contradicts what the environment minister claims. That totally contradicts what he said to the House, and that is pretty embarrassing.

When will these two ministers stop playing blind man's bluff with the people of the country and get on with cleaning up Canada's dirtiest harbour?

The EnvironmentOral Question Period

2:50 p.m.

Victoria B.C.

Liberal

David Anderson LiberalMinister of the Environment

Mr. Speaker, the very first infrastructure program announced some years ago was for cleaning up the problems with respect to the Fraser River. The Prime Minister attended to it. It was $206 million in British Columbia, joint federal-provincial-municipal.

The infrastructure program was available from the very first for such cleanup proposals. I would simply say to the hon. member that he has once again said things about a colleague of mine which are false.

Free Trade Area Of The AmericasOral Question Period

2:50 p.m.

Bloc

Stéphan Tremblay Bloc Lac-Saint-Jean—Saguenay, QC

Mr. Speaker, during the summit of the Americas, the President of Mexico, Vicente Fox, proposed the creation of a fund to alleviate socioeconomic inequalities between the citizens of FTAA countries, somewhat like the fund set up by the European Union to help less fortunate countries.

Does the federal government intend to support this initiative by President Fox and will it help implement it?

Free Trade Area Of The AmericasOral Question Period

2:50 p.m.

Papineau—Saint-Denis Québec

Liberal

Pierre Pettigrew LiberalMinister for International Trade

Mr. Speaker, the suggestion made by President Fox was the topic of some discussions, but was not clearly specified.

There are several approached to supporting certain economies at a time when we are becoming part of a free trade area of the Americas.

For example, we made a strong commitment to smaller economies that we would help them strengthen their capacity to integrate into and to fully benefit from the free trade area of the Americas.

Free Trade Area Of The AmericasOral Question Period

2:50 p.m.

Bloc

Stéphan Tremblay Bloc Lac-Saint-Jean—Saguenay, QC

Mr. Speaker, given Canada's privileged position, does the government intend to assume some leadership in the setting up of that fund by trying, for instance, to convince its American partner to take part in it?

Free Trade Area Of The AmericasOral Question Period

2:50 p.m.

Papineau—Saint-Denis Québec

Liberal

Pierre Pettigrew LiberalMinister for International Trade

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member for Lac-Saint-Jean is right when he refers to Canada's privileged position in the Americas.

As was evident both in Buenos Aires and in the discussions on the democracy clause, Canada has an extraordinary voice in diplomacy, because it is a voice that is balanced and respected. Its credibility with Central and South American countries has allowed us to make huge progress in our hemisphere.

These countries now truly appreciate our commitment. So, the hon. member for Lac-Saint-Jean is right about Canada enjoying a privileged position.

ImmigrationOral Question Period

2:50 p.m.

Canadian Alliance

Lynne Yelich Canadian Alliance Blackstrap, SK

Mr. Speaker, today a known member of a terrorist organization who is not even supposed to be in Canada is walking free on the streets of southern Ontario.

For $20,000 and a curfew, Mr. Rat Naval is living at home with his wife without any plan to deport him. Why has the government failed to protect Canadians by immediately deporting this man?

ImmigrationOral Question Period

2:50 p.m.

Thornhill Ontario

Liberal

Elinor Caplan LiberalMinister of Citizenship and Immigration

Mr. Speaker, first I would say to the member opposite that we do not conduct trials by newspaper, that there is a process of law, and that when my department argues for detention of individuals who may pose a risk on the basis of either criminality or terrorist activity we argue for detention. However those decisions are made by independent adjudicators.

While I cannot comment on individual cases, which might prejudice outcome, I can say to all members of the House that I do not always agree with the decisions of independent adjudicators.

ImmigrationOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Canadian Alliance

Lynne Yelich Canadian Alliance Blackstrap, SK

Mr. Speaker, the RCMP in sworn testimony, and I have it here if the minister wishes to see it, states:

Rat Naval is a murderer, a terrorist, and a gang member. He has lied to enter Canada, caused a disturbance to prevent his deportation from Canada and now has been released to walk the streets of Canada.

I ask again: Why is the minister refusing to deport this man?

ImmigrationOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Thornhill Ontario

Liberal

Elinor Caplan LiberalMinister of Citizenship and Immigration

Mr. Speaker, I reject absolutely the premise of the member's question. I am bound by the rule of law and do everything within the context of the rule of law to carry out my responsibilities.

The decision on detention is reviewed by an independent adjudicator. On a case by case basis the arguments are made. I will not and cannot do anything that would prejudice the outcome of the decision, but I will say to her, as I have said, I do not always agree with the decisions made by independent adjudicators.

Francophonie GamesOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Liberal

Serge Marcil Liberal Beauharnois—Salaberry, QC

Mr. Speaker, will the minister responsible for the IVth Games of La Francophonie in Ottawa-Hull give his reaction to the comments by Minister Facal to the effect that Quebec was not consulted in connection with previous games, and that Quebec is completely absent with respect to the vision for the upcoming games?

Francophonie GamesOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Glengarry—Prescott—Russell Ontario

Liberal

Don Boudria LiberalLeader of the Government in the House of Commons

Mr. Speaker, let me set the facts straight.

In connection with the three previous Games of La Francophonie, Quebec supported and signed the agreement between Canada, Canada-Quebec and Canada-New Brunswick. These are the terms in La Francophonie as used by Lucien Bouchard, the “sherpa” who coined them in 1987.

This agreement reflects Canada's status as a member nation of La Francophonie, and the status of Quebec and of New Brunswick as participating governments.

What we are going to do, with the co-operation—

Francophonie GamesOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

The Speaker

The hon. member for Lanark—Carleton.

InfrastructureOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Canadian Alliance

Scott Reid Canadian Alliance Lanark—Carleton, ON

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to draw attention to the ongoing status of highway 7. This is the most direct route between Ottawa and Toronto. It is also the natural gateway for the explosive growth of Kanata into Lanark county.

Highway 7 should be a divided four lane highway. The province is seeking to expand this and other highways into four lanes. The mayor of Carleton Place has worked tirelessly for this expansion, but it is nearly impossible for a cash strapped province when the federal government will not contribute any revenues from the excise tax on petroleum. This tax is being paid by motorists who use highway 7. Why is the government—

InfrastructureOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

The Speaker

The hon. Minister of Transport.

InfrastructureOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Don Valley East Ontario

Liberal

David Collenette LiberalMinister of Transport

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member should know that the province of Ontario certainly has the resources to make the kind of repairs and expansion the hon. member desires. There is a $600 million program. We are hopeful that more money will be put in at the next budget to assist the provinces with their highway needs.

For nearly 80 years the federal government has used its spending power to be involved in highway upgrades across the country. I think the program we have in place is a good one.

InfrastructureOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Canadian Alliance

Scott Reid Canadian Alliance Lanark—Carleton, ON

Mr. Speaker, they got zero in British Columbia last year. In the past few years 11 fatal accidents have occurred on parts of the highway passing through Lanark county. Three have occurred in Frontenac county and still more have occurred on the stretch that passes through rural Ottawa. Companies have refused to locate in Carleton Place because of the dangers and the delays caused by this killer stretch of road.

The federal governments promise during the last election to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on highways and bridges east of the Ottawa River has those of us living to the west wondering how many more deaths, how much more economic damage before the government—

InfrastructureOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

The Speaker

The hon. Minister of Transport.

InfrastructureOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Don Valley East Ontario

Liberal

David Collenette LiberalMinister of Transport

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member refers to zero in British Columbia. I am not sure exactly of the context of those remarks.

If he is talking about highway funding there has been an allocation announced for all 10 provinces of $600 million. That will go a long way to meeting highway needs in Canada.

Official LanguagesOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Bloc

Christiane Gagnon Bloc Québec, QC

Mr. Speaker, last Sunday evening, the flight to the Magdalen Islands by Air Nova, a subsidiary of Air Canada, was re-routed to Halifax because of poor weather conditions.

In addition to the inconvenience, the passengers, most of them from the Magdalen Islands, were served in English only by the Air Canada crew. This is unacceptable.

Will the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs ensure personally that the act is respected, so that Air Canada and its subsidiaries provide quality French services to their clients at all times? This is no laughing matter.

Official LanguagesOral Question Period

3 p.m.

Don Valley East Ontario

Liberal

David Collenette LiberalMinister of Transport

Mr. Speaker, obviously Air Canada is obligated to comply with the Official Languages Act.

If the hon. member has a specific case to present, I am prepared to speak with the president of Air Canada to improve the situation. There is no excuse for Air Canada not providing services in both official languages.

Income Tax ReturnsOral Question Period

3 p.m.

Liberal

Gérard Binet Liberal Frontenac—Mégantic, QC

Mr. Speaker, most Canadians have until midnight, on Monday April 30, 2001 to file their income tax returns.

What options does the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency offer to Canadians to simplify this process?

Income Tax ReturnsOral Question Period

3 p.m.

Outremont Québec

Liberal

Martin Cauchon LiberalMinister of National Revenue and Secretary of State (Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec)

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my honourable colleague for this very important question.

As hon. members are aware, Revenue has changed from a department to an agency. With all the changes to the workings of government, we want to continue to serve the public well.

I would like to inform hon. members that there are, of course, various ways of filing income tax returns: by mail, by telephone, and by Internet as well.

I would also like to inform the House that 13.5 million returns have already been received, 5.7 million electronically.

HealthOral Question Period

April 26th, 2001 / 3 p.m.

Progressive Conservative

Bill Casey Progressive Conservative Cumberland—Colchester, NS

Mr. Speaker, I just sent over a newspaper article to the Minister of Health that reads “Hepatitis `C' victim dying in red tape”. There is a quote that says:

I firmly believe we will all be dead by the time this goes through unless a miracle happens.

That quote is by Charles McLean who contracted hep C through a blood transfusion while undergoing prostate surgery in 1987. He is a class 5 victim. He was approved for $125,000. A year later he still has not received a cent and has lost his health, his career and his money.

I would like the minister to tell us today that he will take whatever action is necessary—