Debates of April 30th, 2003

Gasoline Prices

[Allan Rock, Liberal, Minister of Industry]

Mr. Speaker, the Government of Quebec has already created an energy board to monitor the retail price situation and ensure that consumers are protected. I suggest that the hon. member express his concerns to the government in a position to act, that is, the Government of Quebec.

Fisheries

[Andy Burton, Canadian Alliance, Skeena, BC]

Mr. Speaker, some aboriginal people and others on the west coast have suggested that a commercial seal harvest in that area would be good for them, good for their communities, good for the economy, and good for the fish stocks.

If the minister believes that the impact of seals on fish stocks is part of the problem on the east coast, then why is he so blind to the seal predation problem on the west coast? What is the hang-up?

[Robert Thibault, Liberal, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans]

Mr. Speaker, the member opposite has approached me with representatives, people from his community interested in the commercial harvest of seals. I have not put aside that possibility. We will consider any possible commercial harvest of marine resources where they are sustainable and where there are commercial advantages.

[Gary Lunn, Canadian Alliance, Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC]

Mr. Speaker, imagine that, they are still studying it. Yesterday the minister of fisheries admitted he has no real plan for the recovery of the Atlantic cod, yet what does he want to do? Another study. He wants to spend $6 million to try to find out what seals eat. Guess what? Seals eat fish. Even his own DFO scientists will tell him that each seal eats one tonne of fish each year.

Does the minister believe that seals are part of the problem? If so, why in the world would he spend even a penny, never mind $6 million, to find out the obvious?

[Robert Thibault, Liberal, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans]

Mr. Speaker, the member will know that we outlined a comprehensive plan for the rebuilding of these stocks, including $6 million to outline and study the predator-prey relationship between seals and cod, and to delineate some seal exclusion zones in critical areas for the reproduction and growth of cod stocks.

Port of Churchill

[John Harvard, Liberal, Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia, MB]

Mr. Speaker, the Port of Churchill in northern Manitoba is one of Canada's most important inland ports and plays an important role in economic development and tourism activities in that region. The port experienced a very difficult year last year.

Could the minister responsible for the province of Manitoba indicate what the Government of Canada is doing to ensure the economic future of the Port of Churchill?

[Rey D. Pagtakhan, Liberal, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Secretary of State (Science]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to inform the House that the Government of Canada, in partnership with the Government of Manitoba, at noon today has offered $2.2 million toward the economic sustainability of the Port of Churchill and the Hudson Bay railway: $1.8 million for needed infrastructure improvements and $400,000 for enhanced marketing strategies. I thank the Secretary of State for Western Diversification for his prompt response. The Port of Churchill is vital to the economy of Manitoba.

Health

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

Mr. Speaker, West Nile virus is the next medical threat to face Canadians. We know that West Nile virus in the blood system can kill. It already has in Ontario.

The minister has promised a screening test by July 1. Will that test be available for all blood across Canada by July 1? How effective will it be?

[Anne McLellan, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, certainly we hope that the test will be effective. We have been working with those who are developing these tests to ensure that upon receipt of the application, which is not within our control, it will be dealt with immediately. In fact, we have every confidence that as long as the application is received in a timely fashion the test will be available for blood screening on July 1.

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

Mr. Speaker, the SARS virus has exposed the dangers we face when a government fails to prepare. We have known for more than a year that West Nile virus will be a problem this summer. What specific steps has the minister taken to deal with the possibility that a blood screening test for West Nile virus will not be ready by July 1?

[Anne McLellan, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, with Canadian Blood Services officials a few weeks ago we discussed this issue. I asked about the effectiveness of the test. In their opinion the test will be effective. We will have it. If we receive the application in time it will be available by July 1. I then asked what happens if that is not the case. They in fact have put in place additional measures and further measures that anticipate the fact that if for some reason as of July 1 that test is not available, they will have fallback precautions.

National Defence

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

Mr. Speaker, in connection with the missile defence shield issue, the member for LaSalle—Émard has criticized the Canadian government's indecision and lack of leadership. As usual, the Prime Minister is just sitting back and letting things take their course.

Could the Prime Minister break with his usual wait and see attitude and announce his intentions in connection with the missile defence shield?

[Bill Graham, Liberal, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, this government's priority has always been to ensure the protection of Canada and Canadians. We are, of course, prepared to discuss anything related to that protection with anyone.

The idea of the missile defence shield is out there, and we are going to consider whether it is appropriate to examine the possibility of holding discussions with our American colleagues in the spirit of ensuring the protection of the North American continent. This is how we have always dealt with this matter with our American friends.

Fisheries

[Shawn Murphy, Liberal, Hillsborough, PE]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans. The fourth national fisheries awards and the Roméo LeBlanc medal presentation will take place this evening in the Parliament Buildings. The former Governor General, the Right Hon. Roméo LeBlanc, and the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans will attend the ceremonies hosted by Senator Comeau, the chair of the fisheries committee in the other place.

These awards recognize the positive contributions of Canadian fishermen for putting in place the Canadian code of conduct for responsible fishing operations. Could the minister elaborate on the importance of this award to fishermen in particular and to Canadians in general?

[Robert Thibault, Liberal, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for Hillsborough for his question. This is the fourth year that those involved in the fishery have come together to celebrate the hard work of some remarkable Canadians who are committed to making Canadian fishing practices the best in the world. I believe it is important to point out that the award winners come from fishing regions across Canada, and they are selected by their peers, a tribute, Mr. Speaker, that I am sure you will appreciate.

I believe that in light of the recent difficult news in the fishery sector the timing could not be better to highlight the efforts that the fishing industry itself is making to promote a strong, ethical stewardship for the future.

Business of the House

[The Speaker]

It is my duty pursuant to Standing Order 81(14) to inform the House that the motion to be considered tomorrow during the consideration of the business of supply is as follows:

That this House recognize the urgency of amending the Canada Labour Code to ban the use of strike breakers.

This motion, standing in the name of the hon. member for Laurentides, is not votable.

Copies of the motion are available at the table.

Points of Order

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

Mr. Speaker, toward the end of question period the member for Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia asked a question with regard to ports. He asked the question of the minister in charge of Manitoba. Then the Minister of Veterans Affairs got up and answered the question. Is this a new precedent for the House?

In the past when the opposition has asked a question of the political minister of a province, it has been refused in regard to asking the question. It was allowed to happen today and I just want to make sure that same opportunity will be available in the future to all opposition members.

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

Mr. Speaker, I apologize for the incident in question. Obviously the question should have been answered by the Minister of Transport or possibly the minister responsible for western economic diversification had the question been posed that way, because of course there would have been a relationship in that regard. As I indicate, in the past I certainly have personally reprimanded colleagues on the other side of the House for asking questions this way.

[The Speaker]

There was so much noise in the chamber the Chair could not hear the question that the hon. member for Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia was putting. I am sorry I missed the reference to the fact that this was being put to a minister responsible. Had I heard it, the Chair might have intervened in the circumstances, but I know that the government House leader exercises due diligence in respect of questions that are put by his colleagues. I suspect that with proper attention to this there will not be a repeat of that kind of mistake, at least one wishes. We will see what happens with that one and I will review the matter and if necessary get back to the House.

[Joe Clark, Progressive Conservative, Calgary Centre, AB]

Mr. Speaker, with regret I rise to draw your attention again to language that I believe should not be permitted in the House. Perhaps, Sir, because of your acceptance of language from the Minister of Health two days ago that accused me of fabricating, inventing or concocting evidence, I am interested in how widely the door has been opened.

I draw your attention, Sir, to two exchanges that stand on the pages of Hansard from last night. The first is at page 5609. I quote:

Hon. Gerry Byrne (Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency), Lib.): Mr. Speaker, I will begin by saying that this is an extremely difficult issue with which everyone is involved.

Mr. Lawrence O'Brien: Did you hear what he said to me? He told me to f-off.

An hon. member: I did not.

Mr. Lawrence O'Brien: Yes you did.

Then at--

[The Speaker]

I hesitate to interrupt the right hon. member, but I know he will not want to use members' names. He can go with the constituency name, which is quite satisfactory. One cannot do indirectly what one is not allowed to do directly. That means members cannot read names into the record when the title of the person or the name of the constituency will do. I am hearing the right hon. member, but I wish he would refrain from bandying names about, as they say.

[Joe Clark, Progressive Conservative, Calgary Centre, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I will take it as your ruling that to read and quote from Hansard is to bandy about. On page 5618, the member of Parliament for Labrador stated:

I am absolutely furious and devastated at what I have witnessed over the last 24 hours in bringing forward the plight here to DFO, the PMO and everybody else. To hear the kind of insults that were slurred at me tonight by the Minister of Fisheries is unreal. I just asked the Minister of Fisheries tonight that if he were from Labrador would he have made that decision. I do not want to repeat in public what he said back to me.

Mr. Speaker, I was here with Mr. Trudeau when he uttered words that were passed off as fuddle duddle. Again last night members of the House who were defending the legitimate interests of the people of Atlantic Canada were subjected to abuse, apparently by a minister of the Crown. What is more troubling is that once again the Chair did not intervene to preserve the dignity of the House and the rights of the members, no matter what their views or where they sit, to represent their constituents, free from insults and from intimidation.

No doubt the leader of the government will wring his hands with unctuous regret in his response, but I think, Sir, that the House last night saw the true face of the government, and the fact that the Chair did not intervene is a source of real regret to me and, I would hope, Sir, to you.

[Gerry Byrne, Liberal, Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency)]

Mr. Speaker, I was speaking at the time the leader of the fifth party was referring to statements that were made.

This is a very dignified place. This was a very straightforward and productive debate that was held last night. While yes, at times, as a participant in that debate I can attest that emotions did sometimes flare, and there was discussion both behind the curtains and among members opposite and members on this bench, I would remind not only those listening to this conversation or discussion right now but those who are producing Hansard , as well as those who may have been watching on television, that seals were often a significant component of the discussion last night. While there may have been some miscommunication or misinterpretation, I would simply say we should remember that both official languages were being spoken in the House at the point in time. If we were to translate “seal”, maybe that might allow for what the misinterpretation might have been.

[The Speaker]

I am quite prepared to hear points of order, but I warn hon. members that it sounds as though this might be a resumption of the debate, which we are not of course prepared to have.

[Loyola Hearn, Progressive Conservative, St. John's West, NL]

Mr. Speaker, I would not have inserted myself into this discussion on the point of order except for the insertion by the member for Humber—St. Barbe—Baie Verte.

I was in the chamber last night. I was here when the member for Labrador came in at the end of the speech by the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans. Heatedly, he made a remark to the minister, having just come back from his own riding, and we all know what is happening in areas such as his. The minister turned around and made some remark to him, at which time the member for Labrador yelled quite loudly and profusely, as is recorded in Hansard , what the minister said to him. It was not a French remark about a seal. It was a comment. A follow-up occurred later, which I will not get into.

But, Mr. Speaker, the insertion by the member for Humber—St. Barbe—Baie Verte is not a fact at all. What is in Hansard is what you have to deal with.