House of Commons Hansard #107 of the 37th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was employees.

Topics

HealthOral Question Period

2:25 p.m.

Edmonton West Alberta

Liberal

Anne McLellan LiberalMinister of Health

Mr. Speaker, as I have said over and over again, we have ramped up our screening procedures at the airports. The hon. member has concentrated on scanners at Vancouver and Pearson airports. In fact, we have instituted a pilot project in relation to scanners at both of those airports.

We have put more quarantine officers in airports. We have ensured that those coming into and leaving the country have information about the symptoms of SARS, especially for those coming into the country. We ensure that they not only provide us with travel locator information, but in fact they are required to respond to a series of questions. If in fact people answer any of those questions in the positive, they are then further screened by--

HealthOral Question Period

2:25 p.m.

The Speaker

The hon. member for Yellowhead.

HealthOral Question Period

2:25 p.m.

Canadian Alliance

Rob Merrifield Canadian Alliance Yellowhead, AB

Mr. Speaker, the measures at the airport are still voluntary in and out. The WHO recommended interviews of all outgoing passengers. Passengers are flying out of Pearson right now without being questioned.

Very simply, how could the government possibly risk even one more case of SARS being spread outside the country?

HealthOral Question Period

2:25 p.m.

Edmonton West Alberta

Liberal

Anne McLellan LiberalMinister of Health

Mr. Speaker, we are concerned. Unlike the opposition that apparently is only concerned about export, we are actually concerned about the health of Canadians. Therefore, we are just as concerned about the possibility of importation of cases from affected areas.

Let me reassure the hon. member that we are screening in relation to both outbound and inbound passengers. We make a risk assessment on a daily basis. We are in constant communication with the WHO. We are ramping up our screening procedures as quickly as possible.

Softwood LumberOral Question Period

2:25 p.m.

Bloc

Gilles Duceppe Bloc Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC

Mr. Speaker, since the softwood lumber crisis began, some 50 companies have been affected in Quebec, and 9,000 workers have been temporarily or permanently laid off. The worst is yet to come, since the U.S. industry is already talking about imposing other sanctions, despite the WTO's decision.

The president of the Quebec Forest Industry Council, Jacques Gauvin, wonders if there will be anyone left standing at the end of this conflict.

Will the government finally come to the realization that loan guarantees must be given and employment insurance benefits must be improved so as to allow businesses and the industry to survive these difficulties?

Softwood LumberOral Question Period

2:25 p.m.

Vancouver South—Burnaby B.C.

Liberal

Herb Dhaliwal LiberalMinister of Natural Resources

Mr. Speaker, as I have indicated to the hon. member and to the House on a number of occasions, we are monitoring the industry closely. We are very concerned with the layoffs that have happened.

We looked at a variety of programs. We introduced phase one. We will continue looking. If the hon. member has some constructive ideas, I am sure that I and my colleagues would be pleased to look at ideas he wants to bring forward.

However, he should also recognize the good work that has been done already in community adjustment, in research and development, in developing new markets and also in supporting employees in the softwood lumber industry right across the country.

Softwood LumberOral Question Period

2:25 p.m.

Bloc

Gilles Duceppe Bloc Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC

Mr. Speaker, a solution was suggested a long time ago. In the meantime, at the Béarn sawmill in Témiscamingue alone, 300 workers will be laid off on Saturday as a result of the softwood lumber crisis.

The hon. member for LaSalle—Émard, during a visit to this riding, stated that the government should take steps to help them with a phase two, once the WTO's final decision had been handed down. But that makes no sense. Steps should be taken before then. Because the danger is that no one will make it to the final decision. Victory is certain, but the sawmills will be closed. The victors will be no more.

Will the government act, today? This situation calls for immediate action.

Softwood LumberOral Question Period

2:30 p.m.

Beauce Québec

Liberal

Claude Drouin LiberalSecretary of State (Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec)

Mr. Speaker, as my hon. colleague mentioned, of the approximately $350 million announced, $110 million from Industry Canada will help communities; Quebec, for which I am responsible, will get a share.

Some 80 projects have been proposed to help diversify and support economic development in the region. Of these, 17 projects have already been approved for $1.2 million. We will continue to support the regions as we have since the beginning, when the measures were announced.

Softwood LumberOral Question Period

2:30 p.m.

Bloc

Paul Crête Bloc Kamouraska—Rivière-Du-Loup—Témiscouata—Les Basques, QC

Mr. Speaker, while industries and workers are asking for an aid package to continue doing what they are good at, the minister is introducing a plan to diversify the economy. The industry and workers are asking for an aid package so that they can carry on, not quit.

Does the minister realize that everything he has proposed so far sends a message that we are abandoning the industry to the Americans rather than helping the workers survive the crisis so that they may still be there to celebrate the victory?

Softwood LumberOral Question Period

2:30 p.m.

Vancouver South—Burnaby B.C.

Liberal

Herb Dhaliwal LiberalMinister of Natural Resources

Mr. Speaker, in fact that is exactly what we have been doing. We have been sending a very strong message to the Americans that this is the number one priority for us as a country. We want it resolved. The Minister for International Trade has made that a priority.

We also have programs to support workers. The very things we have been doing have been to support workers. We can outline all of those. For those members, $350 million does not mean anything. It means a lot to the communities that are involved. It means a lot for the workers out there. That means we still have to monitor. If we need to do more, we will.

Softwood LumberOral Question Period

2:30 p.m.

Bloc

Paul Crête Bloc Kamouraska—Rivière-Du-Loup—Témiscouata—Les Basques, QC

Mr. Speaker, the reality is that the list of affected mills continues to grow. More than 450 jobs are on the line in Chibougamau, 300 in Béarn in Témiscamingue, and 450 at the Coopérative Laterrière.

Should the message to the Americans not be that the minister will be announcing the second phase of his aid package very shortly?

Softwood LumberOral Question Period

2:30 p.m.

Vancouver South—Burnaby B.C.

Liberal

Herb Dhaliwal LiberalMinister of Natural Resources

Mr. Speaker, I am very aware of some of the issues. I worked in a sawmill as a student. I know how much it means to the small communities. I know what it means to Canadians across the country. That is why we have $110 million and proposals now and we are working with the local communities to see how we can diversify, as well as having training programs.

We have been there. We are working to support them. We will continue to do that. If the opposition members have some ideas, instead of being bombastic and throwing their hands in the air, they should put constructive ideas forward so we can look at them.

Softwood LumberOral Question Period

2:30 p.m.

Progressive Conservative

Bill Casey Progressive Conservative Cumberland—Colchester, NS

Mr. Speaker, sitting on a desk in Washington right now is a proposal entitled “Softwood Lumber: Proposal for an Interim Measure”.

If this offer is accepted by the Americans, it will end the Atlantic Canadian exclusion from the countervailing and will drag Atlantic Canada into a quota system that it has not been in since 1986. It will sabotage Atlantic Canada and the successful effort by the Maritime Lumber Bureau to gain and keep this important exemption.

Will the government simply contact Washington and retract this offer?

Softwood LumberOral Question Period

2:30 p.m.

Dufferin—Peel—Wellington—Grey Ontario

Liberal

Murray Calder LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister for International Trade

Mr. Speaker, the proposal was developed based on extensive discussions with the industry by the chief negotiator.

We have been hearing from the industry across the country, including the Maritimes, on how they want to put an end to the anti-dumping measures. The industry has asked us to explore an acceptable solution that would allow for policy reform and stabilize the situation with regard to the lumber markets in the United States.

Softwood LumberOral Question Period

2:30 p.m.

Progressive Conservative

Bill Casey Progressive Conservative Cumberland—Colchester, NS

Mr. Speaker, I do not believe that answer. The government is selling out Atlantic Canada. It is sabotaging years and years of good work. It is pitting region against region, industry against industry with the stupid proposal it has on the table.

The Liberals say in the House that they support the Atlantic exemption, but in Washington right now is an offer to do away with it. Again, I ask the government to retract this offer and retract it now.

Softwood LumberOral Question Period

2:30 p.m.

Dufferin—Peel—Wellington—Grey Ontario

Liberal

Murray Calder LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister for International Trade

Mr. Speaker, the chief negotiator submitted this proposal to evaluate if there was a basis for negotiations that would eliminate the anti-dumping duties.

As I have said to the member across the way, we will only agree to a solution that is in the best interests of the Canadian industry.

The EconomyOral Question Period

2:35 p.m.

NDP

Libby Davies NDP Vancouver East, BC

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Deputy Prime Minister.

Yesterday the Prime Minister gave new meaning to pie in the sky with his bragfest on Canada's performance compared to others. Of course what he did not say is that other G-8 countries build affordable housing, fund public transit and help when a crisis hits.

I am curious to know, when the Prime Minister lands at the G-8, will he be bragging about how he has actually stiffed Canadian cities?

The EconomyOral Question Period

2:35 p.m.

Ottawa South Ontario

Liberal

John Manley LiberalDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance

Mr. Speaker, I am sure on reflection the hon. member will want to join with other Canadians in celebrating the fact that over the last five years Canada has led the G-7 in economic growth and in average employment growth.

Year after year we are improving our productivity rates. We are improving the well-being of Canadian families. We are doing it at the same time as we are reducing taxes and improving services to Canadians. That is a record to brag about.

The EconomyOral Question Period

2:35 p.m.

NDP

Libby Davies NDP Vancouver East, BC

Mr. Speaker, I can see that the Deputy Prime Minister is following his leader with more pie in the sky, because the reality is that when mad cow disease or SARS hits the U.S. or any other G-8 country, we see their governments go right into action.

That is not the case here in Canada. There is not a penny for the hurting hospitality workers in Toronto, nor for the meat workers in Alberta or Saskatchewan.

I wonder, will the Prime Minister be bragging about that at the G-8, or has he already forgotten these people in his quest for international glory?

The EconomyOral Question Period

2:35 p.m.

Ottawa South Ontario

Liberal

John Manley LiberalDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance

Mr. Speaker, there is no question that the NDP has never been faint of heart in finding ways to spend additional money.

I do want to assure the hon. member, as she may have forgotten, that the safety net programs that exist, including employment insurance and other support programs that apply in both of the situations she has described, are there and fully available to workers and those affected in the industry.

We have been prepared for events like that and we are responding in the appropriate way.

JusticeOral Question Period

2:35 p.m.

Canadian Alliance

Vic Toews Canadian Alliance Provencher, MB

Mr. Speaker, according to Canada's frontline police officers, the new marijuana law will encourage drug trafficking among young people by implementing lower penalties and fewer consequences for drug use and possession.

How can young people believe the minister's claims that drugs are harmful when he is making it easier for them to use them? Why is the minister implementing a national drug strategy that tells Canadian youth it is okay to use drugs?

JusticeOral Question Period

2:35 p.m.

Outremont Québec

Liberal

Martin Cauchon LiberalMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

Mr. Speaker, the member knows very well that we have always dealt with young offenders differently. That is why we have implemented Bill C-7.

The choice that we have is to keep proceeding with the existing legislation where the young essentially receive a verbal warning, or put legislation in place that will enable us to enforce it and impose a fine. A $100 fine for a kid is pretty much, I believe.

JusticeOral Question Period

2:35 p.m.

Canadian Alliance

Vic Toews Canadian Alliance Provencher, MB

Mr. Speaker, the question is the message that is being sent to our youth. That minister is speaking out of both sides of his mouth.

While justice department lawyers are telling the Supreme Court of Canada that this drug is harmful, the minister's bill is telling the youth that drugs are okay. It is the government's responsibility to protect young people from harm, not to encourage it.

How can we expect the youth of this country to understand the dangers of drug use when the Minister of Justice is unwilling to send a clear message in a national drug strategy of the problems with drugs?

JusticeOral Question Period

2:35 p.m.

Outremont Québec

Liberal

Martin Cauchon LiberalMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

Mr. Speaker, I just do not understand that comment and that position.

What we have seen over the past few years, with the existing legislation, is an increase in the use of cannabis among our population. It is not the message we want to send. We want ensure that people realize the use of cannabis is illegal. We want to ensure we put in place a piece of legislation that we can enforce in society. At the same time, we are renewing the national drug strategy. It is $245 million and it will be invested in training, education, and above that, notices will be sent to the parents as well in order to--

JusticeOral Question Period

2:40 p.m.

The Speaker

The hon. member for Lac-Saint-Jean--Saguenay.