Debates of June 11th, 2001

National Defence

[Claude Bachand, Bloc, Saint-Jean, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the health problems experienced by our military have changed as the nature of the conflicts in which they participate has changed.

The way war is waged has changed from what it was 50 years ago, and the concept of what constitutes a veteran must be adapted to fit today's reality.

What then is the government waiting for before reviewing the definitions and eligibility criteria for veteran status, so that these military personnel may be provided with the care and benefits to which they are fully entitled?

[Ronald J. Duhamel, Liberal, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Secretary of State (Western Economic Diversification) (Francophonie)]

Mr. Speaker, my department has had concerns about these personnel. It continues to examine the situation, and we are going to go still further in order to ensure them of the best possible treatment.

It is absolutely false to claim that the Canadian government is not concerned about all these people. It is absolutely false to claim that we are not there for them, and will not be doing anything further for them.

Access To Information

[Carol Skelton, Canadian Alliance, Saskatoon—Rosetown—Biggar, SK]

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Human Resources Development said last week “the decisions made on access to information are at arm's length from my office”. Yet we have learned that in her own corporate sector a special committee has been established to vet the approval of all access to information requests by the official opposition to gain access to information on a file.

Why does the minister claim the process is at arm's length when it obviously is not?

[Jane Stewart, Liberal, Minister of Human Resources Development]

Mr. Speaker, the access to information process is under the direction and the authority of the deputy minister.

The hon. member makes reference to a special committee that the deputy minister put together because, and it is no surprise to the House, my department has had an increase in requests for access to information. The deputy wanted a committee of associate deputies in place to collect the information from the field to provide as much information as can be provided in a timely fashion. That is the process.

[Carol Skelton, Canadian Alliance, Saskatoon—Rosetown—Biggar, SK]

Mr. Speaker, requests for documents pertaining to Canada jobs fund grants in the Prime Minister's riding, the Auberge Grand-Mère and Placeteco, have gone unanswered for months. In the case of the Placeteco file, the access to information office sent it to the HRDC corporate sector on April 6 for approval, but two months later we have heard nothing.

Why is the minister breaking the law to delay information pertaining to the Prime Minister's riding, and are the Placeteco documents in the minister's office?

[Jane Stewart, Liberal, Minister of Human Resources Development]

Mr. Speaker, if the hon. member has specific concerns about particular requests, there is an appeal process and I would ask her to use that process. However let me say that traditionally my department has had a very good record in responding to requests for information.

I say again that there has been a significant increase in the numbers of requests but the department, under the authority of the deputy minister, is doing its best to get as much information out as it can and in a timely fashion.

The Environment

[Carolyn Parrish, Liberal, Mississauga Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, harmful emissions from the growing number of vehicles in Mississauga and other cities across Canada are causing great concern.

Could the Minister of Natural Resources tell the House what our government is doing to aggressively combat this growing problem?

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

Mr. Speaker, this morning the Minister of the Environment, the Minister of Transport and I participated in an announcement in Toronto about several Government of Canada initiatives totalling well over $100 million and directed toward the very issue the hon. member was referring to.

Specifically, for my part, we announced $16 million for motor vehicle fuel efficiency initiatives and $23 million for the Canadian Transportation Fuel Cell Alliance. On the fuel cell alliance, we expect that market in the world to add up to more than $100 billion worth of potential for Canadians over the next two decades.

Health

[James Lunney, Canadian Alliance, Nanaimo—Alberni, BC]

Mr. Speaker, a disturbing story this weekend has Canadians alarmed. A whole host of noxious substances, including known carcinogens, are found and routinely used in pesticides.

These formulants have been considered non-active ingredients and therefore are not listed on the packaging. Such residues may remain and be consumed in food products. The list includes formaldehyde, also used in embalming, and methyl chloride, also used as paint stripper.

Why are these toxic compounds not listed on the packaging? If they are truly non-active, why are they permitted at all?

[Allan Rock, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, I share that concern and that is why, when we responded to the environment committee's report last year on pesticide regulation, we agreed with the recommendation that those formulants should be either taken out of the products or listed on the packages. We will introduce legislation in due course that will do just that.

[James Lunney, Canadian Alliance, Nanaimo—Alberni, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the Pest Management Regulatory Agency of Health Canada actively denied knowledge of the facts until confronted with the evidence.

There seems to be a culture of cover-up in the government, in the PMO, in national defence and now in the health ministry. Last month the cover-up was mercury in tuna and swordfish. Now, dangerous substances in the residues of pesticides may well be consumed in food.

What other toxic substances are Canadians consuming that the health minister does not think we need to know about?

[Allan Rock, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, games aside, we hope that the parties opposite will support the legislation when we bring it before the House. It will be intended to strengthen the regulatory capacity of government to make sure that Canadians know what products are being used to control pests and to make sure that food products are as safe as they can be.

Fisheries

[Suzanne Tremblay, Bloc, Rimouski-Neigette-Et-La Mitis, QC]

Mr. Speaker, traditionally, Quebec has been able to fish 95% of the turbot quota. The Minister of Fisheries and Oceans reduced the quota to 88% so as to give the rest to Newfoundland. On May 31, the minister told fishermen to limit themselves to three-quarters of their quota.

Are we to understand that the minister is preparing to announce a new distribution of quotas between Quebec and Newfoundland, once again to the detriment of Quebec? Are we to understand that this unjust, cynical and arrogant government will again wait until the end of the session to make the announcement?

[Lawrence O'Brien, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Fisheries and Oceans]

Mr. Speaker, the question from the hon. member has to do with the turbot in the gulf.

I will say that the minister has instituted a committee. The committee has reported to the minister. We have a majority report and the decision on that will be forthcoming in a few days.

Economic Development

[Claude Duplain, Liberal, Portneuf, QC]

Mr. Speaker, while Bloc Quebecois members insist on engaging in petty politics for show, Liberal members from Quebec are at work.

Since it is important that the Government of Canada promote long term economic development in Quebec's regions, my question is for the Secretary of State responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec.

What is the government doing to support small and medium sized businesses in terms of innovation and market development, particularly in the Outaouais region?

[Martin Cauchon, Liberal, Minister of National Revenue and Secretary of State (Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec)]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his excellent and important question.

Indeed, members on this side of the House do work hard to promote economic development in all the regions of Quebec, but also of Canada.

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh.

[Martin Cauchon, Liberal, Outremont, QC]

Since members opposite do not work at all for regional development, they are heckling so that people will not hear what I have to say.

But I will nonetheless say that this morning we announced, for the great region of the Outaouais, about 10 projects representing contributions in excess of $3 million to create over 400 jobs.

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh.

[Martin Cauchon, Liberal, Outremont, QC]

This is what this government wants to do for all the regions.

Public Service Employees

[Monique Guay, Bloc, Laurentides, QC]

Mr. Speaker, public service employees want the government to stop treating them like second class citizens. MPs, senior managers, judges, members of the RCMP and military personnel have received large salary increases.

Why does the minister not send a clear message to her employees by promising in this House not to apply a double standard?

[Lucienne Robillard, Liberal, President of the Treasury Board and Minister responsible for Infrastructure]

Mr. Speaker, we always strive to ensure that our employees are paid fairly, based on market conditions. We are currently at the bargaining tables. Fortunately, we have signed agreements with certain groups and we hope, through collective bargaining, to arrive at a settlement for all our employees.

Members Of Parliament

[The Deputy Speaker]

I have the honour to lay upon the table a document entitled “Individual Members' Expenditures for the Fiscal Year 2000-01”.

Order In Council Appointments

[Derek Lee, Liberal, Parliamentary 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.

Government Response To Petitions

[Derek Lee, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Pursuant to Standing Order 36(8), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's response to 26 petitions.