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.

Topics

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:35 p.m.

Liberal

Paul Szabo Liberal Mississauga South, ON

Mr. Speaker, I wish to present two petitions. The first one deals with the issue of stem cells.

The petitioners would like to draw to the attention of Parliament that Canadians support ethical stem cell research, which has already shown encouraging potential to provide the cures and therapies that Canadians need.

They also want to point out that non-embryonic stem cells, which are also known as adult stem cells, have also shown significant progress without the immune rejection or ethical problems associated with embryonic stem cells.

The petitioners therefore call upon Parliament to focus its legislative support on adult stem cell research to find those cures and therapies for Canadians.

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:35 p.m.

Liberal

Paul Szabo Liberal Mississauga South, ON

Mr. Speaker, the second petition is with regard to rural route mail couriers.

The petitioners would like to advise the House that rural route mail couriers often earn less than minimum wage and have working conditions which are very poor. They have not been allowed to collectively bargain, et cetera, and that the denial of basic rights helps Canada Post keep wages and working conditions at an unfair level with regard to these persons.

They therefore petition Parliament to repeal section 13(5) of the Canada Post Corporation Act.

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:35 p.m.

Canadian Alliance

Jay Hill Canadian Alliance Prince George—Peace River, BC

Mr. Speaker, like many members of Parliament, the constituents of Prince George—Peace River have been very busy over the summer. I have a number of petitions, but I will only be presenting the one today.

Well over 100 people from the cities of Dawson Creek and Fort Saint John, as well as the smaller communities of Pouce Coupe, Taylor, Farmington, Charlie Lake, Altona, Buick, Hudson Hope, and Rose Prairie in my beautiful riding have forwarded the following petition.

The petitioners believe that the federal firearms registry has obviously cost Canadian taxpayers well in excess of $1 billion. They wish to draw attention to the fact that six of Canada's provinces have refused to prosecute federal firearms registration law infractions under the Firearms Act .

They pray that Parliament pass legislation to wind up the federal firearms registry and reallocate spending to frontline policing and effective controls against the illegal weapons that are coming across our borders at airports and ports.

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:35 p.m.

Liberal

Peter Adams Liberal Peterborough, ON

Mr. Speaker, I rise to present a petition from farmers in the Peterborough and that general part of Ontario. The petitioners point out that the Canadian beef cattle, dairy, goat and sheep industries are in a state of crisis due to the bovine spongiform encephalopathy, BSE, problem. The whole industry is in a state of crisis.

The aids package to the industry is inadequate as it does not deal with the problems which the industry is facing. In fact there is an imminent collapse of key sectors of the rural economic community.

These citizens urge Parliament to develop a long term solution and economic relief that is fair and reflects the importance of these industries to Canada. They know that the ultimate long term solution is opening the border.

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:35 p.m.

Liberal

Peter Adams Liberal Peterborough, ON

Mr. Speaker, I have a petition from citizens of the Peterborough area who point out that the universal declaration of human rights has proclaimed that childhood is entitled to special care and assistance. Members of the National Council of the Catholic Women's League of Canada passed a resolution in support of a national strategy on child care. The Government of Canada they know has offered increased finances toward a national day care strategy in the February 2003 budget. They point out though that the implementation of improved child care over the next five years will meet many of the obstacles faced by children today.

The members of the Catholic Women's League of Canada request that Parliament give priority to accessible, quality child care for all children.

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:35 p.m.

NDP

Brian Masse NDP Windsor West, ON

Mr. Speaker, it is my honour to rise today and present a petition on behalf of the residents of Windsor West with specific reference to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency in the treatment of British products that are imported. They have been detained in Toronto because they do not have both official languages on the label although they are determined a specialty good.

There are actually approximately 1,000 people who petition that those goods be let into British stores in Canada and customers who want those goods.

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:40 p.m.

NDP

Brian Masse NDP Windsor West, ON

Mr. Speaker, the second petition I would like to present deals with the issue of marijuana. I have approximately 70 signatures from my constituency for the legalization of marijuana.

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:40 p.m.

NDP

Brian Masse NDP Windsor West, ON

Mr. Speaker, I have a third petition for same sex marriage, that marriage be restricted to being between one man and one woman. There are 27 signatures from my constituency on this petition.

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:40 p.m.

NDP

Brian Masse NDP Windsor West, ON

Mr. Speaker, my last petition is to enact legislation that will provide legal recognition and protection of Canadian children from fertilization to their birth. There are approximately 300 names on that petition.

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:40 p.m.

Canadian Alliance

James Lunney Canadian Alliance Nanaimo—Alberni, BC

Mr. Speaker, I have two petitions to present today. The first one originated in my riding. It contains about 500 signatures of citizens from Nanaimo, Lantzville, Parksville, Qualicum, Bowser, Coombs and Errington. The issue concerns animal cruelty. The petitioners are calling for harsher penalties for the prevention of cruelty to animals.

There have been increasing incidents of cruelty to animals not only in our area but across Canada. The petitioners point out that this cruelty to animals undermines Canadian values of compassion and that strong legislation preventing cruelty to animals should be implemented.

They call on Parliament to take this seriously. We have had some very nasty episodes of animal cruelty in our area.

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:40 p.m.

Canadian Alliance

James Lunney Canadian Alliance Nanaimo—Alberni, BC

Mr. Speaker, the second petition deals with the Food and Drugs Act. Petitioners are declaring that Canadians deserve freedom of choice in health care products and that herbs, dietary supplements and other traditional natural health products should be properly classified as food and not arbitrarily restricted as drugs. They state that the weight of modern scientific evidence confirms the mitigation and prevention of many diseases and disorders through the judicious use of natural health products.

The petitioners call upon Parliament to provide Canadians with greater access to natural health products and to restore freedom of choice in personal health care by enacting Bill C-420, an act to amend the Food and Drugs Act.

These petitioners come from across Canada, many from my own constituency of Nanaimo—Alberni. Others are from Salmon Arm, B.C., from Calgary, from Parry Sound and King in Ontario, from Sackville, Truro and Bible Hill in Nova Scotia, St. Andrews, New Brunswick and Montague, P.E.I. Across the country, Canadians are calling for these changes that would be implemented by Bill C-420. That is my private member's bill which will be up for a second hour of debate soon.

Questions on the Order PaperRoutine Proceedings

3:40 p.m.

Halifax West Nova Scotia

Liberal

Geoff Regan LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

Mr. Speaker, the following questions will be answered today: Nos. 36, 205, 206, 207, 214, 223, 231, 232, 234, 237 and 244.

Question No. 36Routine Proceedings

3:40 p.m.

Bloc

Richard Marceau Bloc Charlesbourg—Jacques-Cartier, QC

What, in detail, are all of the options being considered regarding the fate of the Quebec City office of the Meteorological Service of Canada (MSC) related to the process to centralize operations, and with respect to this process: ( a ) are there plans to close the office; ( b ) what other options are being considered and have they been studied according to their economic impact, and if so, what would this impact be; ( c ) what kind of consultations have there been with the people who would be affected and what conclusions have been drawn from these consultations; ( d ) how have MSC employees been consulted and what conclusions have been drawn from these consultations; ( e ) what was the whole decision-making process that led to this possible decision to centralize services; ( f ) what are the minister’s intentions with respect to the jobs that would be affected and what types of measures are being planned for those who would be affected (transfers, layoffs, retirement, etc.); ( g ) how much is expected to be saved by closing the Quebec City office of the MSC; ( h ) how much is expected to be saved by all of the other options under consideration; ( i ) when was the Minister of the Environment informed of the department’s intentions to consider closing the Quebec City office of the MSC; and ( j ) what would be the impact on the immediate transmission of meteorological data to the people of the region of Quebec City in general, and to the media in particular?

Question No. 36Routine Proceedings

3:40 p.m.

Victoria B.C.

Liberal

David Anderson LiberalMinister of the Environment

The Meteorological Service of Canada, MSC has a history stretching back over 130 years. By constantly adapting to keep pace with technological evolution, it has met the increasing needs of Canadians for weather information over that time period. It is a respected member of the World Meteorological Organization of the United Nations and a core-of-government service to Canadians.

Publicly funded national weather services such as the MSC provide meteorological services to citizens through a network of public and private sector organizations. In Canada, the MSC serves as the backbone of this national network. These national weather services develop and manage large-scale monitoring networks, satellite and telecommunications systems, certain critical science and modelling work, data management and communication and dissemination functions for which no other public, private or academic partner has the mandate, expertise or resources.

The $75 million investment announced on March 13 will allow the MSC to improve its services to all Canadians. With respect to the specific questions: (a) the MSC office in Quebec City is not closing. However, some staff will need to relocate.

With respect to (b), Environment Canada did not conduct city by city economic assessments. The department was seeking a configuration of weather forecasting offices across the country that would best serve all Canadians, including those currently served by the Quebec City forecasters. Many options were considered, including models for weather services that are used in other countries. The model of five forecasting centres is the model that best serves the unique Canadian situation, since the country has a vast geographic territory to serve and a limited population and resources to do it with.

With respect to (c), consultation with stakeholders is an ongoing exercise in the MSC. The information gathered in support of the announced direction was extensive. Farmers indicated that they want better forecasts on precipitation. Energy groups also expressed their need for better precipitation forecasts. Forest agencies noted their need for more weather data over Canada’s vast forests to better assess forest flammability and manage large forest fires. Several economic sectors across Canada depend heavily on the MSC for weather information. These include energy, forestry, agriculture, transportation, fisheries, construction and tourism which account for about $150 billion of the country’s GDP.

With respect to (d), discussions were held with employees across the country. Twenty-two workshops were held in Calgary, Charlottetown, Edmonton, Fredericton, Gander, Halifax, Kelowna, Montreal, the National Capital Region, Quebec City, Regina, Rimouski, Saskatoon, St. John’s, Thunder Bay, Toronto, Vancouver, Victoria, Whitehorse, Winnipeg and Yellowknife. In these workshops, the employees stated in particular that they wanted the MSC to be recognized as a science based organization with greater visibility in Canada and that there was a need for greater investment in technology to modernize the infrastructure. They added that they were not receiving the training they needed to stay abreast of new science and technology.

With respect to (e), the origins of the exercise can be traced back to 1997 when the MSC conducted an alternative service delivery study. The conclusions of this two year review indicated that changes had to be made in order to take advantage of the evolving sciences and to address employee concerns in areas such as training and development. Over the next few years, various options were discussed by management to address these needs in a sustainable manner for the next 10 to 20 years, including consideration of human resource rejuvenation, observing equipment re-capitalization, forecasting technology advances, research priorities, and developing user needs.

With respect to (f), since there is no downsizing, there will be jobs within MSC for all employees, though there will be a need to relocate some staff. This will not be an easy choice for some. A guarantee of a reasonable job offer will be provided to all affected employees. Over the next two years, managers will work with affected employees in identifying their options regarding redeployment opportunities within the MSC, Environment Canada or, if required, other federal departments. Every reasonable effort will be made to respond to employee concerns, needs and career aspirations. In this regard, affected employees will have access to services to support them through this process.

With respect to (g), the Quebec City office is not closing; the forecast function is being relocated. There will continue to be MSC staff in Quebec City.

With respect to (h), again, this is not and never was a downsizing exercise.

With respect to (i), the Quebec City office is not closing; the forecast function is being relocated. There will continue to be MSC staff in Quebec City.

With respect to (j), the people of the Quebec City region and the media will not see anything different from today. All the services and information to which they have become accustomed will continue to be provided uninterrupted. In fact, the quality of the products and services will improve.

The MSC will continue its tradition of excellence in service to the people of Quebec and indeed, all Canadians, 24 hours a day, every day of the year no matter where they live, and that this service will continue to improve. This can only be accomplished by the ongoing professional development of MSC employees, by the continued optimization of emerging technologies, by the expansion of partnerships with other government departments, academia and the private sector, and with the outreach to Canadians for an improved understanding of their needs and the MSC products related to these changes.

Question No. 205Routine Proceedings

September 15th, 2003 / 3:40 p.m.

Progressive Conservative

Loyola Hearn Progressive Conservative St. John's West, NL

With respect to the March 13, 2003 announcement by the Minister of the Environment concerning the decision to downgrade the service and responsibilities of the Gander weather office: ( a ) how many jobs will be lost as a result; ( b ) was the government of Newfoundland and Labrador notified of this decision prior to its implementation; and, ( c ) if so, when was the provincial government first notified that Environment Canada was thinking of downgrading the service of the Gander weather office?

Question No. 205Routine Proceedings

3:40 p.m.

Victoria B.C.

Liberal

David Anderson LiberalMinister of the Environment

The Meteorological Service of Canada MSC has a history stretching back over 130 years. By constantly adapting to keep pace with technological evolution, it has met the increasing needs of Canadians for weather information over that time period. It is a respected member of the World Meteorological Organization of the United Nations and a core of government service to Canadians.

Publicly funded national weather services such as the MSC provide meteorological services to citizens through a network of public and private sector organizations. In Canada, the MSC serves as the backbone of this national network. These national weather services develop and manage large scale monitoring networks, satellite and telecommunications systems, certain critical science and modelling work, data management and communication and dissemination functions for which no other public, private or academic partner has the mandate, expertise or resources.

The $75 million investment announced March 13, 2003 will allow the MSC to improve its services to all Canadians. We are not downsizing our organization, for we are keeping all of our staff, recruiting new staff and opening focused service offices, such as the one in Gander, to ensure that we are providing the needed products and services.

With respect to (a), no jobs will be lost. We are keeping all of our staff, though some employees will be relocated.

With respect to (b) and (c), the MSC operates a national program with offices distributed across the country in a manner which takes advantage of science and technology opportunities to guarantee the best service and products for all Canadians. The relocation of the forecasting functions currently in Gander is in response to such opportunities. Since the citizens of Newfoundland and Labrador will continue to receive their weather information and services with the quality to which they have become accustomed, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador was not notified of this decision prior to its announcement: it is an internal re-organization.

Question No. 206Routine Proceedings

3:40 p.m.

Progressive Conservative

Loyola Hearn Progressive Conservative St. John's West, NL

With respect to air travel in Canada, does the government intend to reduce the cost burden to Canadian travellers by reducing taxes and fees associated with air travel?

Question No. 206Routine Proceedings

3:40 p.m.

Halifax West Nova Scotia

Liberal

Geoff Regan LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

I am informed as follows:

Finance Canada

The air transportation industry is under pressure globally. The events of 9/11 exacerbated a weak air market caused by a slowdown in global growth. The war in Iraq and the SARS outbreak intensified these challenges.

In the budget presented to the House of Commons on February 18, 2003, the government reduced the air travellers security charge for air travel within Canada from $12 to $7 for one way travel and from $24 to $14 for round trip travel. This represents a reduction of more than 40 per cent that will benefit all domestic travellers in Canada.

To help the tourism industry, the government committed $20 million to promote Canada as a business and leisure travel destination. The federal government is also working with the tourism industry and provinces to promote Canada. The government continues to review carefully the policy underpinnings for a safe, reliable and viable air transportation industry for Canada.

I am informed by Transport Canadaas follows:

The government has taken, and continues to take, the necessary action to stabilize the industry in the long term interest of travellers and airlines alike. For example, after the events of September 11, 2001, the federal government created a fund to compensate carriers for revenues that were lost during the closure of Canada’s airspace. Later, a number of carriers received funds to reinforce cockpit doors to promote safety and security. Air carriers also continue to benefit from relief from insurance costs since the government is still providing coverage for war risk insurance.

Furthermore, in March 2003 the government introduced Bill C-27, the new Canada Airports Act, that will provide airlines with more input into fees charged by airports. The government is also undertaking a review of airport rents, since those rents directly affect the amount charged by airport operators to airlines using the airport.

The government is also assessing recommendations with respect to relief for the industry made recently by the Standing Committee on Transport.

Question No. 207Routine Proceedings

3:40 p.m.

Progressive Conservative

Loyola Hearn Progressive Conservative St. John's West, NL

With respect to the Minister of Revenue's statement in the House on February 10, 2003 in relation to GST fraud, that “...last year the work of the 5,000 auditors and 1,000 investigators resulted in an additional $850 million in GST revenue”, was the $850 million actually collected or just assessed, and if the latter is the case, what portion was actually collected and how much was written off?

Question No. 207Routine Proceedings

3:40 p.m.

Thornhill Ontario

Liberal

Elinor Caplan LiberalMinister of National Revenue

Through responsible enforcement, the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency CCRA continues to collect the vast majority of taxes assessed, including the additional $850 million in question.

In 2001–02, the CCRA collected over $300 billion in taxes. The amount written off was only 0.34% of the gross revenues or about $1 billion. This illustrates the exceptional work being performed by the CCRA when it comes to the collection of monies owed to the crown.

In addition, for GST alone in 2001–02, the CCRA collected more than $62 billion and wrote off only $190 million, representing a mere 0.31% of GST revenues.

Question No. 214Routine Proceedings

3:40 p.m.

Canadian Alliance

John Duncan Canadian Alliance Vancouver Island North, BC

From 1994 to the end of 2002: ( a ) what is the total number of Export Development Canada (EDC) loans that have been placed in the category of “allowance for losses on loans, loan commitments and guarantees”, or otherwise written off on an annual basis and later collected; and ( b ) what amount of money has been recovered for these written off loans by year?

Question No. 214Routine Proceedings

3:40 p.m.

Papineau—Saint-Denis Québec

Liberal

Pierre Pettigrew LiberalMinister for International Trade

In response to (a) EDC's General Allowance includes allowances for practically all loans and commitments on our books. We can advise that approximately 413 obligors are included in the total loans receivable for which we have provisioned for only in the event of a loss.

The amount of the allowance varies depending on the risk involved. For highly rated counterparties in OECD markets, the allowance will be very small. For loans with lower credit ratings, the allowance amount will be higher. This allowance represents amounts set aside to be used only in the event that there may be a loan loss.

Write offs as outlined in EDC's annual reports, 1998 to 2002--see page 79 of EDC'S current annual report are

2002 $194 million

2001 $191 million

2000 $105 million

1999 None

1998 None

1997 $18 million

1996 None

1995 None

In 2002 the allowances set aside per item (a) above totalled $4.5 billion and in addition, EDC'S total paid-in capital, retained earnings plus allowances, was $6.6 billion.

The write offs are very small in comparison to the size of EDC'S loan portfolio, $194 million v. $26 billion or .007% as at Dec. 31, 2002.

EDC has made profit in all but one year in almost 60 years of existence.

With respect to b) No recoveries to date on write offs.

Question No. 223Routine Proceedings

3:40 p.m.

Progressive Conservative

Bill Casey Progressive Conservative Cumberland—Colchester, NS

With respect to compensation related to the events of September 11th, 2001: ( a ) how much compensation did the government commit to deliver in total and broken down by province; ( b ) of the total amount that has been committed how much has been delivered to the provinces, in total and broken down by province; ( c ) if the funding has not been delivered in full what factors have held up the delivery of the compensation; and ( d ) what is the expected date of the delivery of the compensation in full to each province?

Question No. 223Routine Proceedings

3:40 p.m.

Hull—Aylmer Québec

Liberal

Marcel Proulx LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport

Transport Canada is basing its response on two assumptions, that the question was addressed to expenditures within provinces, and not to provincial governments specifically, and recognizing that the programs were not designed by province.

Given that the word “compensation” is very broad, Transport Canada advises as follows regarding grants in the FY 2001-02 to Canadian airlines and specialty air operators, as payments of financial assistance in respect to losses incurred due to the temporary closure of Canadian air space as determined by the Minister of Transport. The program existed only for FY 2001-02.

Further, a provincial breakdown of actual expenses must bear in mind that an entity may have operations across several provinces and territories, while the payments indicated below represent the HQ location.

Total funding identified: $ 158,500,000

Actual Expenses: $ 99,318,415

Alberta: $ 2,365,819

British Columbia: $ 5,143,928

Manitoba: $ 783,408

New Brunswick: $ 34,837

Newfoundland: $ 262,504

Northwest Territories: $ 595,913

Nova Scotia: $ 9,006,112

Ontario: $ 12, 606, 917

Quebec: $ 67,973,761

Saskatchewan: $ 416,890

Yukon Territory: $ 128,326

Question No. 231Routine Proceedings

3:40 p.m.

Canadian Alliance

James Lunney Canadian Alliance Nanaimo—Alberni, BC

With respect to the recreational and medical use of marijuana: ( a ) does Health Canada consider that smoking marijuana is harmful to health; ( b ) has Health Canada established estimates of public health impact of smoking marijuana, and if so, what are they; ( c ) since 2001, what measures has Health Canada taken to educate Canadians of the health consequences of smoking marijuana; ( d ) since 2001, what research has Health Canada conducted into public knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and behaviours; ( e ) since 2001, how much has Health Canada spent on (i) research, (ii) surveillance, (iii) mass media or public education and (iv) regulatory issues regarding medical marijuana; ( f ) for 2003-2004 what research and public education activities are planned by Health Canada; and ( g ) what information has Health Canada provided to the Minister of Justice, the Solicitor General or the Prime Minister for consideration in the proposed decriminalization of marijuana?