House of Commons Hansard #106 of the 37th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was chair.
Val Meredith Canadian Alliance South Surrey—White Rock—Langley, BC
Mr. Speaker, in 1998 the Canadian Alliance warned the President of the Treasury Board that the universal classification standard would cost millions of dollars and would be a complete failure. Twelve years and $200 million was wasted trying to update a 40 year old classification system to manage 168,000 public servants. This program has now been scrapped.
Why did the President of the Treasury Board waste that $200 million?
Lucienne Robillard LiberalPresident of the Treasury Board
Mr. Speaker, job classification in the public service truly is an issue we must examine closely in order to modernize it, as part of our human resources management efforts.
In May of last year, in fact, I announced that we would be using a completely different approach, one that is more realistic and more closely attuned to the labour market.
It is true that the departments have put a lot of effort into classification. I hope that with the new approach we will be able to achieve a modern classification system for our public servants.
Val Meredith Canadian Alliance South Surrey—White Rock—Langley, BC
Mr. Speaker, the Auditor General reported that the Department of Citizenship and Immigration is allowing people into Canada with certain diseases, with a requirement for medical assessment or medical surveillance. Not only does the department not know whether refugee claimants report for medical assessment, there is no method of reporting to that individual or provincial health authorities until the end of the claim process, which can be several years.
Why does the minister fail to monitor the potential transmission of diseases that threaten the health of Canadians?
Denis Coderre LiberalMinister of Citizenship and Immigration
Mr. Speaker, it is important to choose one's words with great care.
First, all refugees claimants must undergo medical screening. When active TB is detected, that individual is immediately referred. We are fully implementing the action plan with Health Canada. We are taking the necessary steps.
I think that there is room for improvement as far as communication is concerned, and we are working on this. But, with regard to health, we are taking the necessary steps.
Alex Shepherd Liberal Durham, ON
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Natural Resources.
The ITER project is an opportunity to bring world class energy science to Canada. Over $12 billion worth of investment, much of it foreign, would bring significant opportunities for Canada and Clarington in my riding. We have many ITER supporters with us here today.
Can the minister update the House on how the government is proceeding with this very crucial science project?
Herb Dhaliwal LiberalMinister of Natural Resources
Mr. Speaker, first of all I want to congratulate the member for Durham and the Liberal members who have worked so hard on this file and also ITER Canada, a private sector group which has been working very hard to make sure that we work toward attracting one of the largest science projects in this country.
As a result of the good work of the Liberals, the government put up $3 million to support them and their proposal. They have come back to us because they are competing with Europe and Japan and would like a larger investment. I am consulting with my colleagues in the caucus and my cabinet colleagues as to what we can do from here on in. It is a very big decision and we--
Natural ResourcesOral Question Period
The Speaker
The right hon. member for Calgary Centre.
Joe Clark Progressive Conservative Calgary Centre, AB
Mr. Speaker, in the Auberge Grand-Mère case the Prime Minister first denied any intervention, then admitted he called the president of a crown corporation on behalf of Yvon Duhaime.
Now it is clear there was a second call about a second hotel which has never been investigated or explained. That call was on behalf of the Auberge des Gouverneurs and Mr. Pierre Thibault who has just pled guilty to fraud.
Will the minister confirm that on February 20, 1997 the Prime Minister telephoned the then president of the BDC to intervene on behalf of Pierre Thibault and the Auberge des Gouverneurs?
Allan Rock LiberalMinister of Industry
Mr. Speaker, the member makes reference to events that have been looked into and investigated. Questions have been asked and answered. There is nothing new in what he is raising.
Joe Clark Progressive Conservative Calgary Centre, AB
Mr. Speaker, the confidentiality clause in the charter of client rights of the Business Development Bank states:
All information regarding [clients and their business] is strictly confidential, except when disclosure is permitted by law or approved by [the client] in writing.
The Prime Minister's executive assistant, Denise Tremblay, was present during the consideration by the BDC of at least two loan applications, one for the Auberge Grand-Mère, a second to the Auberge des Gouverneurs.
On whose authority was a personal representative of the Prime Minister present during those confidential discussions of loan applications by the Business Development Bank?
Allan Rock LiberalMinister of Industry
Mr. Speaker, these matters have long since been looked into. The relevant facts are on the record. It should be well known to the member.
Alexa McDonough NDP Halifax, NS
Mr. Speaker, the death toll in the Congo crisis is staggering, already 3.5 million worse than the Rwandan genocide. The government's response is 200 military personnel maybe and 20 observers possibly. Canada chairs Shirbrig, the standing high-readiness brigade created to prevent future Rwandas.
Will the government live up to its leadership responsibilities? Will it commit Canada to a meaningful peacekeeping role in Congo?
Aileen Carroll LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Mr. Speaker, the Canadian government has made a concrete contribution in the form of political and financial support. We have a peace envoy who has been working diligently with other members of the international community to resolve this issue.
The Prime Minister has acknowledged here and publicly that Canada will indeed support France within the United Nations ambit in sending some contribution on a peacekeeping mission. However, it is necessary that the Security Council resolution first be worked out with regard to logistics and impact.
Peter Stoffer NDP Sackville—Musquodoboit Valley—Eastern Shore, NS
Mr. Speaker, now that the WTO has ruled in Canada's favour, we on this side of the House are asking the federal government to do three things.
Will the government now go down to the United States and grab the Americans by the throat and have bilateral talks that are binding so that we can once and for all protect the interests of forestry communities, their workers and families to keep the Atlantic softwood lumber exemption and also to retain and collect the billion dollars that the Americans have ripped off Canada producers?
Will the government now show some teeth and protect the workers of this country and show the Americans we mean business and have binding lateral negotiations that have long term effects on both--
Softwood LumberOral Question Period
The Speaker
The hon. Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for International Trade.
Murray Calder LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister for International Trade
Mr. Speaker, as the member has said, it appears that the WTO has ruled that the imposition by the U.S. of the 18.79% countervailing duty violates its WTO obligations. Once finalized, we fully expect the United States to implement the panel report.
The decision strengthens our hand as we try to achieve a durable resolution to this dispute. Until we receive that durable resolution, Canada will continue to pursue its challenges of the U.S. duty action.
Diane Ablonczy Canadian Alliance Calgary Nose Hill, AB
Mr. Speaker, the Federal Court of Appeal has just slammed the door on the immigration minister. He was trying to appeal the verdict that he misled the House and was unfair to more than 100,000 immigrants. Instead of respecting the verdict, the minister said yesterday that he will simply ignore it.
Why is the minister telling tens of thousands of immigrants that they will have to force his hand with costly lawsuits before he will treat them fairly?
Denis Coderre LiberalMinister of Citizenship and Immigration
Mr. Speaker, first, it is clear that the Federal Court decided not to hear the appeal because we had already taken steps to resolve these 102 cases.
That said, Trial Justice Kelen was quite clear in saying that the government was entitled to impose regulations. We have been quite generous and flexible to ensure that everything is being done fairly. That is what we are going to do.
Diane Ablonczy Canadian Alliance Calgary Nose Hill, AB
Mr. Speaker, it is not true that this is over. New lawsuits on behalf of immigrant applicants are already piling up. Trying to oppose them will cost a bundle, especially when the courts have already ruled against the minister. He is determined to dip into the public purse for additional millions in legal costs he could easily avoid simply by treating immigrants fairly.
How much is the minister's stubborn pride going to cost Canadian taxpayers?
Denis Coderre LiberalMinister of Citizenship and Immigration
Mr. Speaker, let me remind the population what we mean when we are talking about generosity and flexibility.
First, we gave an extra nine months to all of those individuals to treat their cases. Second, we gave them the opportunity for a refund. Out of 60,000 only 413 said they would accept that refund. Third, we gave an extra five points which means that in their cases with the new rules they will not need 75 points but will need 70 points. What does the member call that, generosity, flexibility, common sense? We have the right to decide what kind of immigration we want to put in place and that is what we are doing.
Louis Plamondon Bloc Bas-Richelieu—Nicolet—Bécancour, QC
Mr. Speaker, Quebec beef producers are asking why they are having to bear the brunt of a ban on their exports to the U.S. when there has been not a single case of mad cow disease found in Quebec. Yet the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's ban on American poultry with Newcastle disease was limited to just four U.S. states.
Can the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food explain to us why he accepts the principle of regionalization in connection with diseased American poultry but not Quebec beef?
Lyle Vanclief LiberalMinister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
Mr. Speaker, there is a significant difference between Newcastle disease in poultry and BSE. We are looking to find the cause of BSE in the one cow that was found in Canada. With Newcastle disease it is easier. We know the cause. We can isolate the cause of Newcastle disease and we can regionalize it because the cause is known. That process is recognized as well by the Office International des Epizooties.
Louis Plamondon Bloc Bas-Richelieu—Nicolet—Bécancour, QC
Mr. Speaker, we are just inches away from having mad cow disease waved as a symbol of Canadian unity.
I am asking the minister to show some responsibility and acknowledge that, with regionalization, only the affected region would be covered by the ban, which would prevent needlessly penalizing the entire beef industry across Canada.
Lyle Vanclief LiberalMinister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
Mr. Speaker, the Office International des Epizooties does not have a provision for regionalizing BSE. It has not been successfully done in any country in the world. There is no precedent on that.
As I said yesterday, the beef industry is very much integrated in Canada. Cattle have originated in every province in Canada and as well, Canadian cattle are in the United States. This is a much different situation than the one referred to as Newcastle disease in poultry and therefore has to be treated in a different way.
Rob Merrifield Canadian Alliance Yellowhead, AB
Mr. Speaker, Health Canada officials said yesterday that a screening of incoming and outgoing passengers is necessary so that the WHO will be assured that we are doing our job. The health minister is now saying that thermal screeners are too invasive.
The day after the health minister said that she is increasing screening, she is now saying that she will pull thermal screeners from the airports. Why the mixed message?