House of Commons Hansard #119 of the 37th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was corporation.
Brian Pallister Canadian Alliance Portage—Lisgar, MB
Mr. Speaker, over the last three years the minister's answer for everything has been this $50 million six point plan, yet the mismanagement seems to continue. The six point plan is in danger of becoming a pointless sham.
Could the minister provide an estimate to the House of how many more such cases of blatant taxpayer abuse will be coming forward from HRDC?
Jane Stewart LiberalMinister of Human Resources Development
Mr. Speaker, in fact I am very happy with the implementation of our new control plan work around grants and contributions.
Let us be clear here. What we are talking about is individual wrongdoing, employees who have chosen to thwart the system and to cheat the system.
We are working with the RCMP and the police on their investigation. They have asked us not to share full details of the investigations because we want to ensure that it comes to the most appropriate conclusion.
Suzanne Tremblay Bloc Rimouski-Neigette-Et-La Mitis, QC
Mr. Speaker, statistics from the CLC and the FTQ confirm what we are seeing every day in the field: fewer than 40% of workers benefit from employment insurance.
After 40 years of political life, how can the Prime Minister feel comfortable retiring after plunging thousands of families into poverty by denying more than 60% of workers access to employment insurance?
Jane Stewart LiberalMinister of Human Resources Development
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member makes reference to a CLC document. In its calculations, it is counting individuals for whom the employment insurance system is not designed, employees that have never been employed, those who have not paid premiums, those who were in school or who were formerly self-employed.
As I have said on a number of occasions in the House, the monitoring and assessment report clearly indicates that close to 90% of those for whom the program is designed would be eligible should they need employment insurance benefits.
Suzanne Tremblay Bloc Rimouski-Neigette-Et-La Mitis, QC
Mr. Speaker, the transitional measures for the Lower St. Lawrence and the North Shore will end on October 11. This means that, at that time, thousands more unemployed workers will be unable to qualify for employment insurance.
Given the conditions brought about by the softwood lumber crisis and the decline in tourism, among others, is the minister prepared to extend these transitional measures on which hundreds of families in the Lower St. Lawrence, North Shore and Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean regions depend for their survival?
Jane Stewart LiberalMinister of Human Resources Development
Mr. Speaker, I am glad the hon. member recognizes the work this government has undertaken in support of seasonal workers in this particular area of the country as well as in New Brunswick.
We have seen, as a result of these transitional measures, communities coming together to create and diversify their economies to provide new employment for those who need it. I am glad these transitional measures have worked, as well as other programs we have put in place to expand the seasons in the forestry industry, in the fishery and in tourism.
Jay Hill Canadian Alliance Prince George—Peace River, BC
Mr. Speaker, two years ago the Liberal government committed us to the war on terror, yet our armed forces still face chronic underfunding for troops and equipment.
The Canadian Alliance would immediately begin to increase the number of personnel from 53,000 to 80,000 to combat the stress that our troops silently endure due to frequent operational rotations.
Why do the Liberals care so little about the mental health of our troops that two years after we declared war on terrorism we still have less personnel available than when the Liberals took power 10 years ago?
John McCallum LiberalMinister of National Defence
Mr. Speaker, first let me congratulate the hon. member for his elevation to the position of defence critic, although I must say I will miss the back and forth I enjoyed with his predecessor, the member for Lakeland.
In response to his question, the government, in the last budget, had a 7% increase in its baseline budget at a time when many NATO countries have experienced cuts in their defence budgets. The government has maintained a very strong commitment to the military. We are embarked on a crucially important mission in Afghanistan where we represent 40% of the ISAF forces, and I am very proud of that contribution.
Jay Hill Canadian Alliance Prince George—Peace River, BC
Mr. Speaker, today the highly respected British military publication Jane's Defence Weekly delivered a scathing indictment of the Liberal government's attack on our nation's armed forces, but we know who the real culprit is. As finance minister, it was the member for LaSalle--Émard who slashed $20 billion from Canadian Forces' budgets.
He wrote the cheque for posh new Challenger jets for the cabinet while our military continues to try to keep 40 year old Sea Kings and Hercules in the air. Is this what our military can expect once he achieves leadership?
John McCallum LiberalMinister of National Defence
Mr. Speaker, I have already mentioned the $800 million base increase in the last budget, but in previous budgets in recent years as well there has been $5 billion added to the budget under the previous finance minister. I might also mention that life is a balance between on the one hand respecting the families and the members of the Canadian Forces and on the other hand stepping up to the plate to do what is right. The Afghanistan mission is important and it is right, and at the same time we are taking great care of the Canadian Forces and their families.
Réal Ménard Bloc Hochelaga—Maisonneuve, QC
Mr. Speaker, the Montreal Grand Prix is at risk, and the difficulty in finding a middle ground is making it increasingly unlikely that this event will be held in 2004.
What does the government intend to do, short of amending the Tobacco Act, to keep the Grand Prix, an event which generates an estimated $80 million in economic and tourist benefits, in Montreal?
Anne McLellan LiberalMinister of Health
Mr. Speaker, we have said throughout this episode that Health Canada has no intention of changing our law, which in fact is a very effective law in relation to tobacco reduction. In fact, recently over the summer I had the opportunity to sign, on behalf of this country and all Canadians, the global convention on tobacco reduction. I can inform the House that indeed we are viewed as a world leader in relation to dealing with a habit that kills approximately 42,000 Canadians every year.
Réal Ménard Bloc Hochelaga—Maisonneuve, QC
Mr. Speaker, the government did not hesitate to shamelessly squander tens of millions of dollars in the sponsorship scandal.
Given how important the Grand Prix is, did the government consider setting up a transitional fund for a maximum of two years to allow this event to take place and bring Canadian regulations in line with those in force in the European Union?
Martin Cauchon LiberalMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Mr. Speaker, I would simply like to remind the House that, basically where the Tobacco Act is concerned, recognizing precisely the economic benefits involved, this government has already granted a seven year postponement in implementing the legislation.
As for the creation of a special fund, which means using public funds, I just want to tell this House that this option has also been ruled out by this government.
Roy H. Bailey Canadian Alliance Souris—Moose Mountain, SK
Mr. Speaker, over the summer the Minister of Veterans Affairs created two classes of veterans' widows: those who receive the veterans independence program and those who were cut off. Veterans' widows lobbied the minister that these benefits be ongoing, but instead of that, the only ones now receiving the veterans independence program as part of their pension are those whose husbands died in the last year. Why will the minister not treat these veterans' widows equally and give benefits to the past recipients of the VIP?
Rey D. Pagtakhan LiberalMinister of Veterans Affairs and Secretary of State (Science
Mr. Speaker, we wish that we could have done it. The reality is we were to address equally five other urgent veterans' priorities. The fiscal situation will only allow us to address the six urgent veterans' priorities following consultation with the three major veterans' organizations. By doing it this way, it is effective on the day we announce it, and we made the announcement, so we could not make it retroactive. However, we will assist any spouse, who may be needing services, eligible for provincial programs, to the best the department can do.
Roy H. Bailey Canadian Alliance Souris—Moose Mountain, SK
Mr. Speaker, today I sent a letter to nearly 1,000 veterans' widows who say they cannot afford to live on their paltry pensions. They do not deserve being cut off the VIP. I have told them to write to the minister and to their MPs. They are responsible for explaining to these widows why some will get the pension benefits and others will not.
How can the minister stand by this decision to deny worthy veterans' widows the VI portion of their pensions?
Rey D. Pagtakhan LiberalMinister of Veterans Affairs and Secretary of State (Science
Mr. Speaker, as the member will appreciate, there are many urgent issues. For example, we would like to extend benefits to dependent children of members of the forces killed in the line of duty. We would like to enhance compensation for prisoners of war. We would like to extend benefits to other veterans. We would like to extend benefits for overseas veterans. We could not do everything at the same time. At this time we have done our best, and I think from now on and into the future the spouses will be eligible for the veterans independence program.
Guy St-Julien Liberal Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik, QC
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister for International Trade. What actions will be taken so that the independent remanufacturers of Quebec can export the bulk of their products without paying duties?
Murray Calder LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister for International Trade
Mr. Speaker, first of all, NAFTA and WTO rulings ruled that U.S. duties are unjustifiable and Canadian industry should not be subject to these measures. U.S. and Canadian negotiators worked out a draft agreement that provided free access for most exports, including the independent remanufacturers. The U.S. industry's response is unreasonable demands. We have won an important WTO ruling that the U.S. did not treat remanufacturers appropriately in its investigations, and we are also pursuing remanufacturers' interests in the U.S. administrative review of the duties.
Rick Borotsik Progressive Conservative Brandon—Souris, MB
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister shortchanged the province of Quebec during the ice storm, he abandoned Ontario during the SARS crisis, he disappeared during the blackout, and he has yet to offer a workable assistance package to Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta cattle producers. It seems the Prime Minister's broken promises are moving west.
Recently he promised federal assistance to the fire-scarred regions of British Columbia. When can the good people of B.C. expect the Prime Minister to break that promise?
John McCallum LiberalMinister of National Defence
Mr. Speaker, I think Canadians can take pride in the back-breaking work done by up to 2,000 Canadian soldiers in fighting the fires in British Columbia. The federal government has an excellent relationship with the premier of that province and with the minister, Rich Coleman, both of whom expressed great appreciation for our work. We have already undertaken to provide financial assistance to British Columbia and we are working with that province to bring that about.
Bill Casey Progressive Conservative Cumberland—Colchester, NS
Mr. Speaker, the fire victims in British Columbia should not hold out a lot of hope because the people in Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick have not been paid yet for their contribution made during the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack. Nova Scotia has not been paid for the floods of 1999, and the victims of this year's floods in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia have been subjected to a series of conditions that just do not make any sense.
When will the minister pay these overdue accounts to the provinces and when will he change the ridiculous rules imposed on the victims?
John McCallum LiberalMinister of National Defence
Mr. Speaker, we have received a request for assistance from the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador related to the flood in Badger. We are in touch with Newfoundland and Labrador officials and we are working with them to determine which components of those expenditures will be eligible for federal assistance under the DFAA program.
Dick Proctor NDP Palliser, SK
Mr. Speaker, the mad cow crisis continues to threaten the livelihood of tens of thousands of farmers, ranchers and packing house workers throughout Canada. The federal response has been half-hearted at best. The BSE recovery program ended last month but the hurt and devastation remain, especially for the smaller operator. Cattle on pasture when the borders first closed are returning to barns and feedlots, with higher maintenance costs.
Would the Prime Minister please inform the beef industry what his government is going to do and when, before we witness the utter devastation of the Canadian beef industry?