Debates of May 27th, 2003

Health

[Anne McLellan, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, there is no mixed message. At the outset we indicated that we would be using different technologies. On the basis of pilot projects we would be sharing the results of those different technologies not only here at home but with the WHO and other countries.

If in fact it is discovered that one particular technology does not work as effectively for a reason than some others, we will ensure that the technology is replaced by another one which is less intrusive.

However, please let me clarify for the hon. member that we have no intention of removing the number of scanners we presently have at Pearson and Vancouver airports.

[Rob Merrifield, Canadian Alliance, Yellowhead, AB]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the minister failed to reassure Canadians that the appropriate screening measures were actually being fully implemented at Canadian airports. The WHO recommended mandatory interviews but exit screening is still voluntary. In fact, incoming screening is still voluntary.

Why has the minister failed to implement the mandatory measures recommended by the WHO?

[Anne McLellan, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, there are no mandatory measures recommended by the WHO.

I can reassure the hon. member and all members of the House that we are in daily communication with the WHO. It knows exactly what we are doing both in relation to screening inbound and outbound passengers. It knows exactly the schedule in relation to the ramp up of our procedures. As far as we know, the WHO is reassured that we are doing that which is necessary to protect the safety and health of Canadians.

The Economy

[Janko Peric, Liberal, Cambridge, ON]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Industry.

The traffic flow at the U.S. border is a major concern for the auto sector and other exporting sectors. Can the minister tell us what progress is being made to address this challenge?

[Allan Rock, Liberal, Minister of Industry]

Mr. Speaker, we were delighted to announce today that we will be investing, along with the government of the province of Ontario, $300 million to improve the Windsor-Detroit gateway which is essential to the economy of Canada and particularly to the economy of Ontario.

This money will be used to broaden access routes, to provide additional access routes, to overcome traffic difficulties that are already in place, and to advance discussions toward future developments that will ensure that this essential gateway remains open and functioning efficiently. This announcement has been well received by industry as well as by the community. It is a great day for Windsor and for Canada.

Government Contracts

[Gerry Ritz, Canadian Alliance, Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the minister said he was not going to defend the indefensible. Yet hiding behind a policeman on horseback must smell like politics as usual for that bunch over there. A former boss, Alfonso Gagliano, was spirited away to a safe house in Denmark. He disappeared.

How does the minister think he will ever get to the bottom of anything if the guy in charge never has to answer for the Liberal Party taking its share of that pyramid scheme?

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

Mr. Speaker, the attempts here to impugn the integrity of the RCMP are really quite reprehensible.

I say again that if there is anything wrong with any political donation, it will be rectified. The police will investigate anything that in its judgment merits its attention and then the proper consequences will follow. I have absolute confidence in the RCMP that it will do its job.

[Gerry Ritz, Canadian Alliance, Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK]

Mr. Speaker, the minister continues to claim that the RCMP is investigating the advertising firms for their wrongdoing and that is enough. The ad firms did not set up the scheme. All they did was launder the money for the Liberal Party.

Will the minister now admit that these kickbacks to the Liberal Party amount to benefiting from the proceeds of crime and give the money back?

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

Mr. Speaker, the hon. gentleman can make whatever allegations he wishes to make.

There are issues here that are being properly investigated by the proper authorities. Those are the authorities that carry the responsibility under our Constitution to deal with these issues.

I do not think, quite frankly, that an investigation conducted by the Alliance Party would get very far. However, I do believe that the RCMP will do its job. It will find out the source of the problem. It will prosecute and the truth will be known.

National Defence

[Pauline Picard, Bloc, Drummond, QC]

Mr. Speaker, in light of the Canadian Forces' careless and unfair handling of the matter, some Canadian Forces members have gone to the courts to seek justice. They are basing their claims on two reports from the Canadian Forces ombudsman and demanding that the Department of National Defence take the post-traumatic stress syndrome issue seriously.

Could the Minister of Defence tell us how the Canadian Forces reacted to the litigation and whether or not he will follow up on the CF members' claims?

[John McCallum, Liberal, Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, I cannot comment on specific cases when they are before the courts. However, I know for a fact that my predecessor worked long and hard on this issue concerning the health of Canadian Forces members.

Considerable resources have been expended. New facilities were opened across the country. This is a problem that my department takes extremely seriously.

Science and Technology

[Larry Bagnell, Liberal, Yukon, YT]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Secretary of State for Western Economic Diversification. What has western economic diversification done to support the development of the fuel cell sector in western Canada?

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh.

[The Speaker]

Order, please. We must be able to hear the Secretary of State. There are too many conversations going on. He has the floor.

[Stephen Owen, Liberal, Secretary of State (Western Economic Diversification) (Indian Affairs and Northern Development)]

Mr. Speaker, fuel cell technology has great potential to contribute to the diversification and the growth of the western Canadian economy.

Since 1990 Western Diversification Canada has invested $15 million in the development of this important industry, particularly through the development of Fuel Cells Canada at the University of British Columbia. This is a partnership between the British Columbia government, the federal government, research institutes, and small technology companies.

We have the opportunity through fuel cell technology to meet Kyoto standards, improve the health of Canadians, and develop a vibrant export industry of environmental technology.

Presence in Gallery

[The Speaker]

I would like to draw to the attention of hon. members to the presence in the gallery of Mr. Garth Webb, Veteran of the Second World War and President of the Juno Beach Centre Association.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear.

[The Speaker]

I would also like to draw to the attention of hon. members to the presence in the gallery of Mr. Vernon Short, the 2002 Recipient of the Centennial Flame Research Award.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear.

The House resumed from May 26, 2003, consideration of the motion.

Supply

[The Speaker]

It being 3:05 p.m., pursuant to order made Monday, May 26, 2003, the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the opposition motion of the hon. member for Kootenay--Columbia.

Call in the members.

(The House divided on the motion, which was agreed to on the following division:)

[The Speaker]

I declare the motion carried.

The House resumed consideration of the motion that Bill C-28, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on February 18, 2003, be read the third time and passed, and of the motion that the question be now put.

Budget Implementation Act, 2003

[The Speaker]

The House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the previous question at the third reading stage of Bill C-28.

(The House divided on the motion, which was agreed to on the following division:)

[The Speaker]

I declare the motion carried.

The House will therefore proceed to the vote on the third reading stage of Bill C-28.