House of Commons Hansard #142 of the 37th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was budget.
Lyle Vanclief LiberalMinister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
Mr. Speaker, there is some connection between the terminal feedlot protocol and the country of origin labelling. I discussed that with Secretary Ann Venamen as recently as 6.15 yesterday afternoon.
I would also remind the member that the first thing that would have to be considered in this case is the disease risk. That will be number one and that risk assessment will be what dictates the results of that program.
Marcel Gagnon Bloc Champlain, QC
Mr. Speaker, the Fédération de l'âge du Québec has reported some troubling facts about HRDC officials' treatment of seniors trying to obtain information about how the guaranteed income supplement program works.
Will the minister tell us what measures she intends to take to end this situation, which has seniors who are entitled to the guaranteed income supplement complaining?
Jane Stewart LiberalMinister of Human Resources Development
Mr. Speaker, I applaud and recognize the hon. member's interest in this very important Canadian program. The guaranteed income supplement is there to help low income seniors with resource issues that they may be facing.
In support of ensuring that those who are eligible for the program indeed have access to it, starting in February we will begin a direct mailing campaign to seniors and will supply them with pre-filled application forms. It is expected that the majority of these seniors will simply have to sign and return the form to get the guaranteed income supplement.
Loyola Hearn Progressive Conservative St. John's West, NL
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Industry. Will the minister tell the House if Inco or any subsidiary company has applied for research and development funding to assist in the overall development of the Voisey's Bay project?
What is the status of the request, if there is one, and is the request for site specific funding? I refer to Argentia, Newfoundland.
Allan Rock LiberalMinister of Industry
Mr. Speaker, I can confirm that Technology Partnerships Canada has received an application for research and development in relation to this project.
That application is under consideration by officials. No decision has yet been made, but I will let the House and the hon. member know as soon as a decision has been made in respect to that. As to it being site specific I do not know, but I will find out and will let the member know when I do.
Roy Cullen Liberal Etobicoke North, ON
Mr. Speaker, much has been said about the economic slowdown. We hear stories every day about layoffs and people who are hard hit by a soft economy. Many Canadians are concerned about their jobs, their livelihoods and supporting their families.
Will the Minister of Human Resources Development tell the House whether there is good news on the horizon for Canadians, and whether there are any signs of an improvement in the economy?
Jane Stewart LiberalMinister of Human Resources Development
Indeed, Mr. Speaker, I am happy to inform the House that in January total employment in Canada grew by 76,000 jobs. This is the biggest monthly increase in jobs, in total employment, since 1994. Our unemployment rate is back on the decline, dropping to 7.9% in January.
What is most important about this is that it is the first time since August that there have been gains in full time employment as well as part time.
Rick Casson Canadian Alliance Lethbridge, AB
Mr. Speaker, in his previous response the minister was wrong. The studies on health issues have been produced and the minister has seen them. They conclude that any possible health threat is manageable.
It is strictly a lack of will by the minister and foot dragging by the CFIA that have produced this potentially disastrous situation.
Will the minister of agriculture be willing to accept the responsibility for killing our Canadian beef industry?
Lyle Vanclief LiberalMinister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
Mr. Speaker, I do not want to get into an argument here, but I have discussed as recently as this morning with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency the results of the risk assessment that has been made.
There are a number of cattle feedlots that would like to have a pilot project. That is being discussed, but I can tell the House that the Canadian Cattlemen's Association has very grave doubts about the extension of that program.
Stéphane Bergeron Bloc Verchères—Les Patriotes, QC
Mr. Speaker, last fall the United States International Trade Commission brought down a preliminary decision on the application of general safeguards in the steel sector, which has proven to be rather moderate for Canada despite NAFTA.
Given the fact that Canada is itself a victim of the excess world production and dumping of steel, can the Minister for International Trade reassure Canadian steel producers and tell us whether the government does indeed intend to implement, as requested by the parliamentary caucus on steel, the necessary provisions to protect our market against such unfair practices?
Pierre Pettigrew LiberalMinister for International Trade
Mr. Speaker, we are fully aware that there is a world-wide problem relating to steel, and that here in North America the industry is becoming more and more integrated. Canada has certainly done nothing for which it can be faulted on the U.S. market.
What I pointed out to Trade Secretary Evans last week is that Canada ought to be exempt from any American action as a partner under NAFTA.
Presence in GalleryOral Question Period
The Speaker
I draw the attention of hon. members to the presence in the gallery of the honourable Michael De Jong, Minister of Forests for the province of British Columbia.
John McCallum LiberalSecretary of State (International Financial Institutions)
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 83(1) I wish to table a notice of a ways and means motion to amend the Excise Tax Act, as well as explanatory notes, and I ask that an order of the day be designated for consideration of the motion.
Aileen Carroll LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Mr. Speaker, with leave of the House and pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), I would like to table, in both official languages, the annual report on exports of military equipment from Canada for 2000.
This is the 11th year that we have issued these reports. The measure was conceived as a way of encouraging greater international transparency about sales of military goods. Many other countries have since followed our example with their own reports, but I believe as yet that few of them provide the same standard of information as the Canadian reports.
Aileen Carroll LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to table under Standing Order 32(2), in both official languages, 31 treaties that entered into force for Canada in the year 2000.
Pursuant to recent practice, I am also tabling CD-ROMs that contain the electronic version of these treaties. These CD-ROMs allow us to reduce paper consumption and they greatly facilitate access to the treaties, through the Library of Parliament.
Government Response to PetitionsRoutine Proceedings
Barrie—Simcoe—Bradford Ontario
Liberal
Aileen Carroll LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8) I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's response to one petition.
Gurmant Grewal Canadian Alliance Surrey Central, BC
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the fifth report of the Standing Joint Committee on Scrutiny of Regulations. In accordance with Standing Order 109 of the House of Commons the committee requests the government to table a comprehensive response to the report.
Ralph Goodale LiberalLeader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, I move:
That the Special Committee on non-medical use of drugs be authorized to travel to and hold hearings in Toronto and Windsor from February 17, 2002 to February 22, 2002 in relation to its mandate and that the necessary staff accompany the committee.
(Motion agreed to)
Bev Desjarlais NDP Churchill, MB
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36 I have two petitions to present.
The first one is from people throughout the country who want to state their objection to Canada being involved with the U.S. national missile defence program. They call on Canada to stand behind the numerous treaties it has signed that would go against such a program. In other words, they want Canadian values for Canadians.
Bev Desjarlais NDP Churchill, MB
Mr. Speaker, the second petition, from people throughout Canada, is with regard to the proposed increase in hours of service for truck drivers. They are opposed to the increase in hours of service for truck drivers and want to make that point strongly to the Government of Canada.
Marlene Jennings Liberal Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine, QC
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour of tabling five petitions, including four on the cosmetic use of chemical pesticides. The petitioners are asking the government to immediately pass legislation that would impose a moratorium on the cosmetic use of chemical pesticides, until the safety of these products is proven and their long term consequences are known.
Marlene Jennings Liberal Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine, QC
Mr. Speaker, the fifth petition is similar to the one my colleague on the other side just tabled. It calls on parliament to declare that Canada objects to the national missile defence program of the United States and that Canada and parliament play a leadership role in banning nuclear weapons and missile flight tests.
Aileen Carroll LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Mr. Speaker, I ask that all questions be allowed to stand