House of Commons Hansard #102 of the 37th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was billion.
Allan Rock LiberalMinister of Industry
Mr. Speaker, I reject the allegations of the member. They are absolutely without foundation.
If the man in question has done something wrong, he will have to answer for that before the courts. In the meantime, the member should not make unfounded allegations about motivation or conduct on this side of the House.
Michel Guimond Bloc Beauport—Montmorency—Côte-De- Beaupré—Île-D'Orléans, QC
Mr. Speaker, the Minister for International Trade stated in the House that this situation must be resolved once and for all, and the Bloc Quebecois is keeping a close eye on him to see that it is. Very soon, the WTO should be making another ruling, and everyone believes that it will be in Canada's favour.
Will the minister admit that he could undermine his position during negotiations with the Americans by refusing to wait for the WTO's final decision and by settling the matter with the Americans based on a position considered unacceptable by the softwood lumber industry?
Pierre Pettigrew LiberalMinister for International Trade
Mr. Speaker, we have full confidence that the anticipated decision to be handed down on May 20 will be in Canada's favour. We have long known that forestry systems in Canada fully comply with Canada's international obligations.
However, there is a consensus throughout Canada that, backed by a favourable decision from the WTO, we could establish a constructive dialogue with the Americans so as to avoid in the future the kind of situation we have been experiencing for the past 25 years. That is our government's objective.
Michel Guimond Bloc Beauport—Montmorency—Côte-De- Beaupré—Île-D'Orléans, QC
Mr. Speaker, we have talked with representatives of this industry, and they recognize that loan guarantees could help them make it to the end of this process. The workers are telling us that changes to employment insurance could also help them.
Why is the minister waiting to implement phase two of his plan?
Herb Dhaliwal LiberalMinister of Natural Resources
Mr. Speaker, the government is very much aware of the challenge that the forestry industry is facing. In fact, that is why we put together a package with the Minister of Human Resources Development, with the Minister of Industry and myself of $350 million to support workers, to find new markets, to invest in research and development and support employees and community adjustments.
We are monitoring the situation closely. If more support is needed, we have made a commitment that we will be there to support the forestry industry and the employees. We are monitoring it and we will be watching it very closely.
Leon Benoit Canadian Alliance Lakeland, AB
Mr. Speaker, Afghanistan is becoming an increasingly dangerous place for international troops, including unarmed Canadian troops. In fact just a few weeks ago, two American soldiers were killed in the area around Kabul and yesterday two Norwegian troops, peacekeepers in fact, were shot.
I would like to ask the minister, with the safety of Canadian troops in mind, has he completed the paperwork which will allow Canadian troops in Afghanistan to carry weapons to protect themselves?
John McCallum LiberalMinister of National Defence
Mr. Speaker, first, as I have said a number of times, the chief of defence staff has said this was a normal situation and there were no security concerns. However, in direct response to the member's question, yes, the Canadian soldiers are now carrying arms.
Leon Benoit Canadian Alliance Lakeland, AB
Mr. Speaker, the government has a terrible track record when it comes to ensuring that our troops are properly equipped. The last time it sent Canadian soldiers to Afghanistan it failed to provide proper uniforms. This time it failed to provide what was necessary to allow them to carry weapons. This sort of neglect endangers our troops, worries their families and shatters morale.
Why did we have to pressure the minister for weeks to get him to do the paperwork necessary to allow Canadian soldiers to carry weapons to protect themselves?
John McCallum LiberalMinister of National Defence
Mr. Speaker, I quoted the chief of defence staff on this mission and really the member knows he is talking utter nonsense. However, I am pleased to hear he is acknowledging that Afghanistan is an unstable place. When we initially announced the decision to send our soldiers there, he denigrated this as some sort of second tier mission because he wanted our soldiers to go to Iraq. I am glad to understand that he does treat this as a difficult and dangerous mission but one for which our forces will be exceedingly well equipped.
Michel Gauthier Bloc Roberval, QC
Mr. Speaker, last week we asked the Prime Minister to grant the House a day of debate on the space shield.
He answered, “Use your opposition days”. So, tomorrow, during the Bloc Quebecois' opposition day, we will be discussing the space shield. There is one problem that needs to be sorted out, however. The motion is not votable, unless the Prime Minister and the government give their consent.
My question is the following: will the government grant us this privilege of voting on the space shield at the end of the day?
Don Boudria LiberalMinister of State and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, the rules of the House are very clear with respect to opposition days. There are 21 opposition days. Fourteen of them are votable, seven are not. The votable days are votable; those that are not—you guessed it—are not.
Michel Gauthier Bloc Roberval, QC
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister of Canada rose in the House and said, “One way to discuss it is to use an opposition day”, and so we asked for consent—something that is done on a regular basis. We give consent every day in this House to make things easier. So how are we supposed to interpret the government's refusal other than to figure that they are divided internally between the member for LaSalle—Émard, the Minister of Canadian Heritage and several other members, and that they do not want anyone to know about these divisions that are having such a terrible effect on them?
Jean Chrétien LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, there will be a debate and everyone will have the opportunity to express themselves. If there are members of my party who want there to be negotiations, they can say so. I have never forbidden anyone from expressing themselves.
If the opposition holds a vote on this, when they are able to hold a vote, the members will vote on it. However, in the meantime, we will discuss it in caucus. Now, it has been decided that we can even discuss the matter here in the House. That is what is meant by permission to discuss a problem before the government makes a decision.
Deborah Grey Canadian Alliance Edmonton North, AB
Mr. Speaker, in order to avoid political embarrassment, the Prime Minister and the government have diluted the necessary requirements for companies bidding to replace our aging Sea Kings. Oddly enough, these new requirements would favour anyone but Cormorant, whose EH-101 contract the Prime Minister cancelled in 1993.
The government is pursuing a policy of lowest cost at the expense of best value, all to save the Prime Minister's political face. What makes him think this policy is going to fly?
Jean Chrétien LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, I just wanted to intervene here. Those people are always complaining that we are spending too much money. The minute that we try to have what is needed at the best cost, no, they would like to have the Cadillac model rather than have what is needed. They just want us to spend more money. I am surprised. The opposition is asking us to spend more, spend more, spend more.
Deborah Grey Canadian Alliance Edmonton North, AB
Mr. Speaker, we are not necessarily saying to spend more, we are saying to spend smarter and it is time the government noticed it.
The government has scaled back the chopper requirements regarding lift and endurance in hot weather. The former project director of the maritime helicopter project has stated that lower standards could mean a significant risk to a safe and credible operation.
These choppers should have been replaced years ago. The Prime Minister knows it, but he deliberately prevented it. He has sacrificed the safety of our Sea King troops for the last 10 years. What is more important, his pride or their protection?
Jean Chrétien LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, I am happy to take this question because the President of the United States is taking the same type of helicopter to go from Washington to Camp David. So, we are putting at risk the safety of the Canadian soldiers and the Americans are probably putting the safety of the president at very grave risk in using that helicopter.
Joe Jordan Liberal Leeds—Grenville, ON
Mr. Speaker, in budget 2000 the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy was charged with the development of environment and sustainable development indicators which could be used in future budget papers together with key economic indicators. Yesterday the round table released its report and is recommending the development of new indicators to monitor things like fresh water, air quality and greenhouse gas emissions.
Can the Minister of the Environment inform the House if he supports these recommendations and will he raise this issue with his colleagues in cabinet?
David Anderson LiberalMinister of the Environment
Mr. Speaker, this is a very important step forward in our national program of integrating environmental considerations into key economic decisions. The three recommendations are very important, a small set of key indicators investing in a Canadian information system for the environment and investing in the development of natural capital accounts.
I would like to thank the hon. member for Leeds—Grenville for his Motion No. 385 which has focused attention on this issue. It has been very helpful.
Bev Desjarlais NDP Churchill, MB
Mr. Speaker, WestJet is shutting down its service to Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie, making these communities the latest victims of the Liberal government's failed airline policy. The airline industry was indeed troubled long before September 11 and SARS. The Liberals' privatization of airports and Nav Canada, plus the new government security tax have imposed severe fees on airlines, fees that have been passed on to passengers and have hurt the industry.
The NDP and even the transport committee have called on the government to eliminate these fees. How many more communities have to lose their service before the government listens?
David Collenette LiberalMinister of Transport
Mr. Speaker, as I have said a number of times, these matters are under review by the Minister of Finance and by the Ministry of Transport. We are very concerned about the state of the airline industry in Canada. However, I do not think the hon. member should mislead, even inadvertently, members of the House. We have to look at all of the external factors. The fact is that Canadian airlines are not alone in having these challenges.
Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB
Mr. Speaker, since the crab crisis has not been settled, despite the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans' statement on Monday, 1,800 processing plant workers are still waiting for some support from the Liberal government, which seems to be unaware of their desperate straits. The provinces of New Brunswick and Quebec should not have to be the only ones to shoulder the responsibility for financial assistance for these plant workers.
Is the Minister of Human Resources Development prepared to meet with representatives of the plant workers in these provinces in order to create an emergency program to help out these people who have been hit so hard by this crisis, which her own government has brought about?
Jane Stewart LiberalMinister of Human Resources Development
Mr. Speaker, every single year the government transfers $90 million to the province of New Brunswick through the labour market development agreement to ensure that workers have access to jobs and long term opportunities. The government of New Brunswick has these moneys. It is using them in circumstances such as this one with the crab fishery. We continue to be there to support them and the communities as they work through this cyclical challenge.
Loyola Hearn Progressive Conservative St. John's West, NL
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans is well aware by now of the upset in Newfoundland and Labrador about his recent decision. He is also well aware of the ultimatum given to him by his Liberal colleagues from the province. In light of that, will the minister tell the House how he plans to sweeten the offer to the province and is he reconsidering opening at least part of the fishery he recently closed down?
Robert Thibault LiberalMinister of Fisheries and Oceans
Mr. Speaker, as the member will know, a decision like that is not taken lightly. It is taken after consultation, after consideration and after looking at all the scientific evidence. The decision cannot be reconsidered because the information has not changed.
As far as the assistance to those communities, the government takes it very seriously. We announced in April a short term package. We announced consultations for long term measures. We continue to look at any way we can to work with all partners concerned to assist those communities in very difficult circumstances.