House of Commons Hansard #44 of the 37th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was program.
Jeannot Castonguay Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB
It is clear that in deciding whether or not to ban the term “light” from cigarette packages, we will have to make sure that the decision is not made in isolation but in a global context to reflect the overall complexity of this issue. This is what we will do.
Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB
Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the leader of the Liberal Party of New Brunswick moved a motion in the Legislative Assembly to compel the federal government to respect the commitment of the Minister of Labour, responsible for New Brunswick, regarding highways 11 and 17. The motion received the unanimous support of all parties. The minister promised an additional $90 million, but she now says that this is not new money.
Can the Minister of Transport indicate if the federal government will honour its initial commitment and provide the additional $90 million for highways 11 and 17, and bring closure to this matter, which is becoming increasingly—
David Collenette LiberalMinister of Transport
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member asked this very same question yesterday and I gave an answer. In case the answer was not clear I would direct his attention to Hansard and perhaps he will be edified.
John Herron Progressive Conservative Fundy Royal, NB
Mr. Speaker, earlier in question period I gave notice to the transport minister concerning the closure of the Oshawa marina due to an adjacent contaminated site. Residents of the marina, moreover the municipal government, are distraught by the closure. The Oshawa MP will not even meet with council on the matter and relations have broken down with the port authority.
Would the minister commit to having his officials meet with council and other stakeholders in Oshawa to seek and facilitate a solution to this acrimonious situation?
David Collenette LiberalMinister of Transport
Mr. Speaker, I have discussed this matter a number of times with the mayor of Oshawa, Nancy Diamond. She understands the federal government' s position.
The Oshawa Harbour Commission has jurisdiction over these lands and has come to the decision that the contamination is such that it is unsafe to continue the marina operation. It is hoped that the matter can be resolved over the winter months with the restoration of marina services next year.
This issue is proceeding in a normal way and I have hope that the marina will once again be open.
Elsie Wayne Progressive Conservative Saint John, NB
Mr. Speaker, the Deputy Prime Minister has stated that he did not believe the retired generals who called for increased defence funding.
Last month the minister himself stated that we needed to put more money into the military. He said that Canada cannot sit at the G-8 table and go to the bathroom when the bill comes. The defence committee, the defence minister and the officers of the armed forces have all said we need more money.
What happened in the past month to make the minister flip-flop and why is he going back to the bathroom to hide?
John Manley LiberalDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance
Mr. Speaker, it was my privilege as foreign minister to see members of the Canadian Forces in action on the ground in various parts of the world. In every case I was proud of them, their capability, and their skill at what they were going. I am sick and tired of listening to people like that member get up and rip them to pieces.
Either this is an excellent organization that deserves increased funding or it is as bad as she and others on that side say it is, in which case maybe it should have less money.
Vic Toews Canadian Alliance Provencher, MB
Mr. Speaker, the proposed sex offender registry is a puff of wind in a tornado of crime. It exempts all currently convicted sex offenders while future convicts are provided the tools to tie up the courts and frustrate the police. Canadians want a registry where convicted sexual predators are automatically registered.
Will the minister promise Canadians today that registration for convicted sex offenders will be automatic?
Wayne Easter LiberalSolicitor General of Canada
Mr. Speaker, as a former provincial attorney general the member should know that the previous crimes of criminals are in the CPIC system. They are there so police can find information rapidly. The sexual offender registry will be an addendum to the CPIC system. It will give the police the tools to investigate quickly and prevent future crimes.
The member should be congratulating us. As a former attorney general I believe he was one of the ones who wanted it.
Vic Toews Canadian Alliance Provencher, MB
Mr. Speaker, the Solicitor General thinks that the charter only protects the rights of criminals and that is why he brought in this faulty registry. What about victims? Instead of zero tolerance for sexual predators the Liberal minister has shown zero respect for the victims of crime?
Why will the minister not stand up and say that he will automatically register sexual predators?
Wayne Easter LiberalSolicitor General of Canada
Mr. Speaker, as opposed to members in the opposition, this Solicitor General in this government believes in the rights of all Canadians. That is why we established the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Maybe the opposition critic does not believe in the rehabilitation of people who have done something wrong in society, went to prison as a result, and did their time. Maybe he does not believe they should have the right to exercise their full human potential. I do, and we will do the right thing here.
Christiane Gagnon Bloc Québec, QC
Mr. Speaker, the Journalistic Standards and Practices of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation are clear. They stipulate, and I quote:
The CBC must not only be impartial, it must also project an image of impartiality.
In this context, how does the Deputy Prime Minister justify the fact that Claude Beauchamp, anchor of the RDI program Capital actions , is on the Board of Governors of the very federalist Canadian Unity Council?
Sarmite Bulte LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member knows, being a member of the heritage committee, the role that the CBC plays in this country. The committee has been studying, for almost two years now, the role of the broadcasting industry and looking at renewing the act.
If the member is concerned, as we prepare our report, may I suggest that she bring those things to the committee so it can be tabled in the House where we can all look at it.
Christiane Gagnon Bloc Québec, QC
Mr. Speaker, that is not the issue. Not only must the CBC be impartial, but so must its employees.
The Journalistic Standards and Practices of the Crown corporation stipulate that hiring persons identified with political parties or pressure groups may only be authorized if the person concerned has refrained from public activity in the party or group for at least two years.
As Claude Beauchamp is on the Board of Governors of the Canadian Unity Council, will the Deputy Prime Minister finally denounce the CBC for failing to comply with the rules that stipulate—
Canadian Broadcasting CorporationOral Question Period
The Speaker
The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage.
Sarmite Bulte LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage
Mr. Speaker, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, which I have said time and time again in the House of Commons, is an independent agency of the crown.
We will not influence the hiring of people. We do not get involved in union negotiations nor contracts. The CBC is independent from the government, and rightly so. It is our national broadcaster. It is not a nation owned broadcaster, so I do not understand the member's concern.
Rick Casson Canadian Alliance Lethbridge, AB
Mr. Speaker, the government has done nothing to address the situation many of our farm families are facing as result of this year's record drought and disastrous growing conditions.
And now a lack of will by the government to deal with harmful trade policies and an inefficient transportation system has further compounded an already critical situation.
Why has the minister abandoned his commitment to support all sectors of the industry by allowing the importing of butter oil sugar blends and allowing domestic policies that are hindering the flow of grain?
Lyle Vanclief LiberalMinister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
Mr. Speaker, the concern of the dairy industry with regard to butter oil sugar blends has been taken before the CITT here in Canada. The government did that. The CITT ruled on that and, of course, as the government does, we will abide by the ruling of the CITT.
Rick Casson Canadian Alliance Lethbridge, AB
Mr. Speaker, the dairy industry is very upset with that ruling. As a matter of fact, it is having a rally next week to protest what the government is doing. Grain producers are also unable to ship the grain, what little they have left.
Why will the agriculture minister and the trade minister not get up off their collective sacks of unsold agricultural products and go to bat for Canadian farmers and solve these issues?
Lyle Vanclief LiberalMinister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
Mr. Speaker, the Minister for International Trade and I are constantly working with, not only our industry here but with other countries around the world in order to improve the international rules through the World Trade Organization and our membership in the Cairns Group as well.
In conjunction with the industry, we put together a very strong negotiating position, which is supported by the industry across the country, to take to the WTO to support and work with them on their behalf.
Mauril Bélanger Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Secretary of State for Amateur Sport.
We all agree, or at least should all agree, that it is perfectly legitimate for our athletes to be proud of the province or region they come from.
Will the secretary of state tell the House how he plans to ensure that national sports organizations respect this freedom of expression for our athletes?
Paul Devillers LiberalSecretary of State (Amateur Sport) and Deputy Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, earlier today, I required that Sport Canada forward the following statement to all national sports organizations:
Pursuant to the principles of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the position of Sport Canada is that sports organizations receiving funding from the government must not prohibit athletes who so desire from carrying the Canadian flag or the flag of a province or territory at a sports event, nor should it punish them for doing so.
The purpose of this statement is not to prevent organizers of international sports events from establishing rules and protocols that must be followed—
SportsOral Question Period
The Speaker
The hon. member for Kamloops, Thompson and Highland Valleys.
Betty Hinton Canadian Alliance Kamloops, Thompson And Highland Valleys, BC
Mr. Speaker, let me get something straight before I begin. The Canadian Alliance forced the government to register sex offenders. It did not do it on its own and it is doing it wrong. The justice minister is right. He is transparent. On this side of the House, we can see right through him.
My question is for the Minister of Veterans Affairs.
Mr. Trotter and two other veterans have yet to see their cheques. When will these honourable men receive the $20,000 that the minister promised them?