Debates of June 17th, 2002

Government Contracts

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

Mr. Speaker, the President of the Treasury Board is responsible for the overall financial probity of the government. Part of that system is the system of internal audits that are conducted by departments.

The difficulties with respect to sponsorships were in fact identified by the internal audit division of Public Works Canada, and it was the auditor general who described the work of the internal auditors of my department as excellent and courageous, obviously demonstrating that they did the job.

[Odina Desrochers, Bloc, Lotbinière—L'Érable, QC]

Mr. Speaker, when the Treasury Board, which is the agency responsible for controlling government expenditures, no longer controls anything, it means that the problem goes much deeper and that the situation is not just the result of an error, as claimed by the Prime Minister, but of an organized system.

Will the government recognize that when the Treasury Board condones such a situation, it is really time to launch an independent public inquiry?

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

Mr. Speaker, the Treasury Board Secretariat and the President of Treasury Board do not sanction mistakes, errors and wrongdoing. They establish the proper standards for financial probity within the Government of Canada. Whenever errors are discovered in the administration of public funds, the errors are corrected, as we have been demonstrating.

Furthermore, the President of Treasury Board has been asked by the Prime Minister to re-examine the whole system of financial management and governance with respect to advertising, sponsorships and polling to ensure that it is indeed strong.

Aboriginal Affairs

[Brian Pallister, Canadian Alliance, Portage—Lisgar, MB]

Mr. Speaker, the government's first nation governance act gives bands additional powers, the powers to make new laws, to fine up to $300,000 and to jail up to six months. In addition, councils will be able to appoint band enforcement officers authorized to search on reserve premises and seize evidence. Yet the act does not require that band councils be elected.

Is it not dangerous to give such enormous powers to unelected governments?

[Bob Nault, Liberal, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development]

Mr. Speaker, the member is referring to a bylaw enforcement officer. Any fines that would be arrived at by the council that put forward these fines based on bylaws, like traffic and things like that, obviously would be enforced by the police forces.

[Brian Pallister, Canadian Alliance, Portage—Lisgar, MB]

Mr. Speaker, these are considerable powers and, as we know from this government's actions, powers without accountability mechanisms are pretty dangerous.

The Canadian Alliance supports the creation of a national ombudsman to provide an outlet for grievances of aboriginal Canadians. The governance act could result in separate ombudsmen for each reserve, appointed by the band council.

An ombudsman by definition must be independent and above reproach. How can an ombudsman appointed by and accountable to only a band council be any more effective than an ethics counsellor appointed by and accountable to the Prime Minister?

[Bob Nault, Liberal, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development]

Mr. Speaker, I suggest to the member that he read the bill and not the general booklet that he has been reading the last few days.

The bill specifically says that it is an interest of the government, based on the information and advice we received from first nations citizens, to allow for a redress mechanism, preferably a redress mechanism that would include a number of first nations, not individual first nations, because it would be much more effective and efficient and deals with the issues of appeal.

Trade

[Charles Caccia, Liberal, Davenport, ON]

Mr. Speaker, apparently the Oregon forest giant Pope & Talbot opposes the release of certain documents. Consequently, a NAFTA tribunal has ruled that the Government of Canada cannot release documents requested by the public.

Could the Minister for International Trade inform the House as to when discussions on the interpretation of chapter 11 will conclude and whether the issue of secret tribunals and denial of public access to information is now included in these discussions?

[Pierre Pettigrew, Liberal, Minister for International Trade]

Mr. Speaker, my colleagues Zoellick, Derbez and I have instructed officials to examine the investment protection rules in chapter 11 and report back in the fall of 2002.

In terms of the Pope & Talbot tribunal's order for Canada to withhold information requested under the Canadian Access to Information Act, we are challenging the tribunal's ruling in the Federal Court of Canada. These are important public policy issues and this government is committed to promoting transparency in all areas, including the chapter 11 dispute settlement.

Agriculture

[Lynne Yelich, Canadian Alliance, Blackstrap, SK]

Mr. Speaker, the protectionist U.S. farm bill deliberately targets Canadian farmers. Expanding U.S. subsidies into pulse crops is just one example. Canadian grain and oilseed producers are hardest hit by the impact of rising foreign subsidies, yet this government has failed to bring forward a compensation package that would directly target their need.

My question is for the Prime Minister. Will any new agriculture funding announced by him be directly targeted toward grain and oilseed producers for trade injury compensation?

[Lyle Vanclief, Liberal, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member knows that we have taken a number of approaches to assist the agriculture and agrifood industry. We have been working on and continue to work on a long term agriculture policy framework. We know some work has to be done, some programming and support, to get to that program from here. I have also made it very clear that the benefits and challenges of trade are shared.

[Lynne Yelich, Canadian Alliance, Blackstrap, SK]

Mr. Speaker, the government is failing farm families. The Prime Minister has allowed his fight with the former finance minister to delay an anticipated farm announcement by almost a month. Now we see that the government has no intention of targeting help to the livelihoods that are being crushed by foreign subsidies. The government is leaving farmers alone to fight against the U.S. treasury.

Farmers from coast to coast have demanded a trade injury compensation program. Why does this government refuse to target compensation to farmers who are being directly hit by foreign subsidies?

[Lyle Vanclief, Liberal, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food]

Mr. Speaker, there are a number of programs to assist farmers in many different ways, including grain and oilseed producers, livestock producers and those who are affected by weather, markets and other activities by other countries. We will continue to support farmers. I can assure the hon. member we will do that soon.

La Soirée du hockey

[Benoît Sauvageau, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

Mr. Speaker, last week I asked the Minister of Canadian Heritage a question about Radio-Canada's decision to stop broadcasting La soirée du hockey on its French network. I asked her if she intended to file a complaint with the CRTC to get Radio-Canada to reverse its decision. The minister replied that she would do so if necessary.

Can the Minister of Canadian Heritage tell us whether she made a decision and did in fact file a complaint?

[Sheila Copps, Liberal, Minister of Canadian Heritage]

Mr. Speaker, last week I said that we must wait for the results of the report by the Standing Joint Committee on Official Languages.

I happen to know that the chair of the Standing Joint Committee on Official Languages is again going to request that Radio-Canada appear, and I am waiting for the report of the committee, which will look at this issue.

Human Resources Development

[Mark Eyking, Liberal, Sydney—Victoria, NS]

Mr. Speaker, Nova Scotia is a province that historically has thrived on major industries. We have proven time and time again that we can work hard and against all odds to succeed.

The province has faced many challenges in recent years. With the decline in our mining industry, it is sometimes difficult, especially for older workers, to find and keep new jobs.

Could the Minister of Human Resources Development tell the House that the Government of Canada is helping older workers in our great province of Nova Scotia?

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

Mr. Speaker, Canadians expect their different levels of government to work productively and efficiently together in support of their needs. That is why today I am very pleased to announce a strong partnership with the government of Nova Scotia directly in support of older workers in the province of Nova Scotia.

The Government of Canada will provide $733,000 for programs like the Cape Breton older worker adjustment service centres that will be opened in Sydney, North Sydney and in Glace Bay as well as the seasoned employee education and development skills centre in Halifax.

This is recognition that older workers have strong competencies and will and need to contribute to a continuing strong workforce.

G-8 Summit

[Myron Thompson, Canadian Alliance, Wild Rose, AB]

Mr. Speaker, Ottawa business owners are still waiting for compensation seven months after the government hosted G-20 in Ottawa. While these business people wait, the government is making the same promises for compensation in Alberta for the G-8.

Although the solicitor general's word is not worth much in Ottawa, will he finally see that these Ottawa business people are compensated and that any losses incurred in Alberta will be compensated without this kind of delay?

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Solicitor General of Canada]

Mr. Speaker, as I said a number of times to my hon. colleague, the Government of Canada will certainly assume its responsibilities as the host nation for the G-8. We have and will continue to pay for any compensation that is the federal government's responsibility.

Foreign Affairs

[Francine Lalonde, Bloc, Mercier, QC]

Mr. Speaker, we have learned that U.S. President George Bush has mandated the CIA to overthrow the President of Iraq. This body apparently has a green light to carry out secret operations and even to use force in order to capture Saddam Hussein. This secret plan would also enable the CIA to use all possible means, murder included, if Saddam Hussein decided to defend himself.

Can the minister of foreign affairs tell us whether the government sanctions the American government's approach to Iraq?

[Bill Graham, Liberal, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for her question. She knows, as do all other members of this House, that Canada has always been in favour of respecting international law and others. We make sure that everything done in the international arena is under UN auspices and respects international law and standards.

National Defence

[Peter Stoffer, NDP, Sackville—Musquodoboit Valley—Eastern Shore, NS]

Mr. Speaker, we now know that the continued delay of the Sea King procurement is because NH Industries, which is two-thirds owned by Eurocopter, has asked for the delay because it indeed cannot meet the requirements set forth by the split procurement process.

Coincidentally, Mr. David Miller, formerly of Eurocopter, is now a senior policy adviser of the Prime Minister.

My question is for the Deputy Prime Minister. Is David Miller, formerly of Eurocopter and now a member of the Prime Minister's policy advisory bureau, in any way, shape or form involved in the Sea King procurement process?

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

Mr. Speaker, my department and the Department of National Defence are trying to proceed with this matter as rapidly as possible.

The question with respect to Mr. Miller was raised many months ago when he was first employed in the Prime Minister's office. It was made abundantly clear at that time that Mr. Miller would have absolutely no role with respect to this matter.

Aboriginal Affairs

[Inky Mark, Canadian Alliance, Dauphin—Swan River, MB]

Mr. Speaker, the biggest criticism of Bill C-61 is over the consultation process. A Progressive Conservative government would have worked with all aboriginal people as a matter of public policy in a non-confrontational, balanced and interest based negotiation to come up with new legislation.

My question is for the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development. After spending $10 million on consultation, why is there so much opposition to Bill C-61 from the aboriginal leadership?

[Bob Nault, Liberal, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development]

Mr. Speaker, as you know, it is pretty obvious to any member of parliament who has been here more than two days that the Indian Act always brings out a lot of debate by the first nations leadership and that is a good thing. The reactions of leaders sometimes are predictable and sometimes are not.

The objective of consultation with first nations citizens is to get some good advice in the year 2002, and I look forward to the discussion of making first nations people successful in this century. We can do that if we work together and I am looking forward to the committee's work.