Debates of May 29th, 2002

Government Contracts

[Michel Gauthier, Bloc, Roberval, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the contract awarded to Robert-Guy Scully through Lafleur Communications for a series on Maurice “Rocket” Richard is being investigated by the police. We know that a new $2 million contract has been awarded to Robert-Guy Scully for a series on innovation and entrepreneurship.

Given the fact that Scully has had serious difficulties relating to the funding of the Heritage Minutes and that his series on the Rocket is under police investigation, would the minister of public works not find it advisable to suspend the contract for the Innovation and Entrepreneurship series until such time as the police investigation is over, as he has announced will be done in the case of the communications firms under investigation?

[Ralph Goodale, Liberal, Minister of Public Works and Government Services]

Mr. Speaker, I will take the hon. gentleman's question as a representation. I will review the file and see if there is any information in the hands of the Department of Public Works and Government Services that would in any way raise other questions, as has been suggested in the question, that would need to be followed up. If so, I will follow them up.

International Cooperation

[Bernard Patry, Liberal, Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Minister for International Cooperation is in Africa at this time, attending the annual assembly of the African Development Bank in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Can the minister's parliamentary secretary explain to us the commitments made in the past few days by our government in connection with the urgent problems of African development, for example in the areas of agriculture, health and nutrition, good governance and equality of the sexes?

[Marlene Jennings, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for International Cooperation]

Mr. Speaker, today in Ethiopia the Minister for International Cooperation announced $93 million for some very important initiatives in Africa.

For instance, $74.5 million will go to the African Development Bank for loans to the poorest African countries. Another $10.5 million is earmarked for farmers and shepherds, and $7.95 million to foster good governance and equality between the sexes.

This government continues in its determination to address urgent development problems in Africa.

Foreign Affairs

[Gurmant Grewal, Canadian Alliance, Surrey Central, BC]

Mr. Speaker, to ease tension between India and Pakistan, world leaders are playing a role in preventive diplomacy but the Canadian government is sidelined. That is not surprising given the inconsistent and haphazard foreign policies of the government.

In 1996, the Prime Minister led a team Canada mission to India. In 1998, the Liberals unwisely imposed sanctions against both India and Pakistan in a knee-jerk reaction to their nuclear tests. In 2001, the government decided to lift the sanctions.

Given its erratic policy, does the Liberal government have any influence left in the region?

[Bill Graham, Liberal, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, I wish the hon. member had been with me when I was with the Prime Minister at the NATO meeting in Rome yesterday. If he thinks we have no influence in the world, he should travel with us. In every country I have had the privilege to go to people have asked us for the help of Canada precisely because we do have a consistent foreign policy.

The consistency in that policy is balance, tolerance, respect for others and a wish to help them end the violence between themselves when they are not able to do so, and we are proud of that record.

Presence in Gallery

[The Speaker]

I wish to draw to the attention of hon. members the presence in the gallery of Dr. Nguyen Dinh Loc, Minister of Justice of Vietnam.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear.

[The Speaker]

Order, please. Due to the problems caused by the loss of air conditioning in the Chamber and potential damage to the audio systems, I have authorized that the speakers at members' desks be turned off.

Members are therefore invited to use their earpieces to monitor the debate.

I know things will be much quieter for the rest of the afternoon anyway, but I thought members would want to have that bit of information.

Business of the House

[Don Boudria, Liberal, Minister of State and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, on a similar train of thought, there has been consultation among House leaders on the following motion, which I would like to offer to the House, in view of the unfortunate incidents that occurred earlier this day. I believe you will find unanimous consent. I move:

That, for the remainder of this day and while the mechanical difficulties persist, whichever terminates earlier, the Speaker may relax the usual standards of dress for members present in the House provided that they do not hold the floor.

Of course, Mr. Speaker, provided that they do meet with the Speaker's concurrence, otherwise it goes without saying.

[The Speaker]

The House has heard the terms of the motion. Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

(Motion agreed to)

[An hon. member]

Don't let it go too far, Mr. Speaker.

[The Speaker]

We will all follow the advice of the hon. member for Edmonton North and make sure it does not go too far.

Government Response to Petitions

[Geoff Regan, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8) I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's response to two petitions.

Committees of the House

[Bernard Patry, Liberal, Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 20th report of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade.

This report contains corrections to the 19

th

report of the committee on the World Trade Organization, tabled on May 9 2002.

[Ovid Jackson, Liberal, Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 10th report of the Standing Committee on Transport and Government Operations with regard to the estimates for 2002-03.

[Joe Jordan, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present the 60th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs regarding the membership of the legislative committee on Bill C-55, an act to amend certain acts of Canada and to enact measures for implementing the biological and toxin weapons convention, in order to enhance public safety.

I also have the honour to present the 61st report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs regarding the membership of the Standing Committee on Transport. If the House gives its consent I intend to move concurrence in the 61st report later this day.

Supreme Court Act

[Maurice Vellacott, Canadian Alliance, Saskatoon—Wanuskewin, SK]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-466, an act to amend the Supreme Court Act (appointment of judges).

Mr. Speaker, the bill deals with the all important matter of judicial accountability. It deals only with the appointments to the Supreme Court of Canada. It would require parliament to review and approve the Prime Minister's proposed appointees for the country's top court.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

Corrections and Conditional Release Act

[Maurice Vellacott, Canadian Alliance, Saskatoon—Wanuskewin, SK]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-467, an act to amend the Corrections and Conditional Release Act and the Criminal Code (truth in sentencing).

Mr. Speaker, the bill provides for truth in sentencing. It would require people who have been found guilty of a second or a subsequent indictable offence to serve a greater amount of their sentences than is currently necessary before qualifying for conditional release.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

Criminal Code

[Maurice Vellacott, Canadian Alliance, Saskatoon—Wanuskewin, SK]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-468, an act to amend the Criminal Code (impaired driving).

Mr. Speaker, the bill is very straightforward. It deals with impaired driving. It would increase the penalties against people found guilty of a second or subsequent offence of impaired driving or of failing to provide a blood or breath sample.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

Private Members' Business

[John Reynolds, Canadian Alliance, West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast, BC]

Mr. Speaker, there have been consultations and I believe you would find unanimous consent of the House for the following motion:

That Motion No. 388 in the order of precedence be withdrawn and replaced with Motion No. 387, both of these motions standing in the name of the member for Saskatoon--Wanuskewin.

[The Speaker]

The House has heard the terms of the motion. Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

(Motion agreed to)

Committees of the House

[Joe Jordan, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I move that the 61st report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, presented to the House earlier this day, be concurred in.

(Motion agreed to)