House of Commons Hansard #26 of the 37th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was liberal.

Topics

Questions Passed as Orders for ReturnsRoutine Proceedings

3:50 p.m.

Sarnia—Lambton Ontario

Liberal

Roger Gallaway LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

Mr. Speaker, if Questions Nos. 3, 4, 8, 10, 12, 18, 19, 21, 25, 28, 29 and 31 could be made orders for return, these returns would be tabled immediately.

Questions Passed as Orders for ReturnsRoutine Proceedings

3:50 p.m.

The Speaker

Is it agreed?

Questions Passed as Orders for ReturnsRoutine Proceedings

3:50 p.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

Question No. 3Routine Proceedings

3:50 p.m.

Liberal

Guy St-Julien Liberal Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik, QC

Regarding the calculation of annual housing subsidies for the Cree of Eeyou Ischee—James Bay, Quebec, will the department: ( a ) review together with the Grand Council of the Cree, with full disclosure, and, if necessary, increase these subsidies; and ( b ) adjust payments for any arrears identified by the above-mentioned review?

Return tabled.

Question No. 4Routine Proceedings

3:50 p.m.

Liberal

Guy St-Julien Liberal Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik, QC

In view of the fact that the Assembly of First Nations has recently announced that it plans to assume responsibility for the Indian Housing Program, will the Minister commit: ( a ) not to transfer any part of the housing program until a proper and complete assessment of housing needs is carried out in all First Nations communities; ( b ) to increase, in the interim, the subsidies to First Nations communities and to the Cree of Eeyou Istchee—James Bay; and ( c ) to adjust the amount of the subsidy once the survey of needs is complete?

Return tabled.

Question No. 8Routine Proceedings

3:50 p.m.

Canadian Alliance

John Williams Canadian Alliance St. Albert, AB

With regard to performance pay for public servants in the Executive (EX) category and the Deputy Minister (DM) category in fiscal year 2002-2003: ( a ) for each department, agency or Crown corporation, how many employees received performance pay, broken down by EX category (e.g. EX-1, EX-2, etc.); ( b ) for each department, agency or Crown corporation, how many employees are there in each EX category; ( c ) for each department, agency or Crown corporation, how many employees received performance pay, broken down by DM category (i.e. DM-1, DM-2, etc.); ( d ) for each department, agency or Crown corporation, how many employees are there in each DM category; and ( e ) for each department, agency or Crown corporation, what was the total amount paid out in performance pay?

Return tabled.

Question No. 10Routine Proceedings

3:50 p.m.

Canadian Alliance

John Williams Canadian Alliance St. Albert, AB

With regard to the rubric “Losses of Public Property Due to an Offence or Other Illegal Act” for the Department of National Defence as listed on page 3.25 of Volume II, Part II of the Public Accounts of Canada 2002-2003, and the following cases of theft: i) 5,532 cases of “theft of military kit” totalling $208,538; ii) 1 case of “theft of transportation equipment” totalling $206; iii) 2 cases of “theft of machinery” totalling $7,195; iv) 8 cases of “theft of telecommunication equipment” totalling $4,297; v) 22 cases of “theft of electronic equipment” totalling $18,879; vi) 18 cases of “theft of technical equipment” totalling $32,863; vii) 4 cases of “theft of tools” totalling $4,898; viii) 5 cases of “theft of weapons” totalling $1,146; ix) 1,013 cases of “theft of military specific equipment” totalling $38,520; x) 33 cases of “theft of non-military specific equipment” totalling $14,762; ( a ) what was stolen in each individual case; ( b ) what was the value of each individual item; ( c ) where was the location of the theft; and ( d ) were there any charges laid in the case?

Return tabled.

Question No. 12Routine Proceedings

March 22nd, 2004 / 3:50 p.m.

Canadian Alliance

John M. Cummins Canadian Alliance Delta—South Richmond, BC

With regard to the use of the risk management of the antimalarial drug mefloquine by Health Canada and the Department of National Defence: ( a ) what antimalarial drugs have been administered to Canadian Forces personnel, giving the deployment and the number of personnel involved for each of the years 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003; ( b ) is the administration of antimalarial drug always recorded in each soldier’s medical record, (if not, indicate each time that its use was not recorded in each soldier’s medical record and why); ( c ) has any soldier ever complained that the fact he was taking an antimalarial drug was not recorded in his medical record or the manner in which it was recorded; ( d ) name the adverse events involving Canadian Forces personnel that have been reported by year and by deployment; ( e ) how does the Canadian Forces document anti-malaria prophylaxis; ( f ) how many Canadian Forces members deployed abroad have committed suicide in 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003 (i) during the mission, (ii) following the mission, (iii) of these how many had been at some time administered mefloquine; ( g ) what adverse events were reported to Health Canada in each of the years 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003; ( h ) name or describe each adverse event as recorded by Health Canada in each of the years 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003; ( i ) how many of each of these adverse events were recorded by Health Canada in each of the years 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003; and ( j ) which of the adverse events reported to Health Canada in each of the years 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003 involved persons who had been administered the drug while in the Canadian Forces?

Return tabled.

Question No. 18Routine Proceedings

3:50 p.m.

Canadian Alliance

James Rajotte Canadian Alliance Edmonton Southwest, AB

Since 2003, what grants, contributions, contracts, and/or loan guarantees made either through a crown corporation, department and/or agency of the government were received by the holdings of any the various versions of the “blind trust” of the Prime Minister, specifying the dollar amount, date made, reasons for funding/statement of work, and the present status of the grants, contribution and/or loan guarantee (whether repaid, partially repaid or unpaid) or in the case of the contract, whether the contract was fulfilled, and how it was tendered?

Return tabled.

Question No. 19Routine Proceedings

3:50 p.m.

Canadian Alliance

James Rajotte Canadian Alliance Edmonton Southwest, AB

Since 1993, what sub-contracts made either through a crown corporation, department and/or agency of the government were received by the holdings of any the various versions of the “blind trust” of the Prime Minister, specifying the dollar amount, date made, statement of work, whether the contract was fulfilled, and how it was tendered?

Return tabled.

Question No. 21Routine Proceedings

3:50 p.m.

Canadian Alliance

James Rajotte Canadian Alliance Edmonton Southwest, AB

Since 1993, and for each fiscal year since, with respect to advance tax rulings made by the government: ( a ) what departments make advance tax rulings; ( b ) which departments make policy on advance tax rulings; ( c ) what advance tax rulings were made as a result of a submission by the holdings of the “blind trust” of the Prime Minister; ( d ) what was the name of the company; ( e ) what was the value of the tax ruling; ( f ) did these ruling involve countries other than Canada; and ( g ) was there any correspondence between the Minister of Finance and/or anyone in his office concerning these rulings?

Return tabled.

Question No. 25Routine Proceedings

3:50 p.m.

NDP

Pat Martin NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB

Pertaining to the recusal process for the Prime Minister by the Ethics Counsellor and put into place December 12, 2003, considering the current activities of Canada Steamship Lines and its holdings, in what specific matters involving which companies and holdings is the Prime Minister required to recuse himself to prevent a perceived or actual conflict of interest as outlined in the Conflict of Interest and Post-Employment Code for Public Office Holders?

Return tabled.

Question No. 28Routine Proceedings

3:50 p.m.

Progressive Conservative

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

How many times did the Finance Minister correspond with the Big Six Banks, (BMO Financial Group, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, National Bank of Canada, Royal Bank of Canada Financial Group, Bank of Nova Scotia and Toronto Dominion Bank Financial Group) and/or the small business loans branch at Industry Canada related to the Small Business Loans Act program, between 1997 to 2002, and of these exchanges, how many were related to individual loans, what companies were involved, and what was the value of each loan, its purpose, and its date?

Return tabled.

Question No. 29Routine Proceedings

3:50 p.m.

Progressive Conservative

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

How many times did the Finance Minister correspond with the Export Development Corporation between 1997 to 2002, and of these exchanges, how many were related to individual loans, what companies were involved, and what was the value of each loan, its purpose and its date?

Return tabled.

Question No. 31Routine Proceedings

3:50 p.m.

Progressive Conservative

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

How many times did the Finance Minister correspond with the Business Development Bank of Canada between 1997 to 2002, and of these exchanges, how many were related to individual loans, what companies were involved, and what was the value of each loan, its purpose and its date?

Return tabled.

Starred QuestionsRoutine Proceedings

3:50 p.m.

Sarnia—Lambton Ontario

Liberal

Roger Gallaway LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

Mr. Speaker, would you be so kind as to call Starred Questions Nos. 1, 2, 5, 32 and 33. I ask that the answers to Questions Nos. 1, 2, 5, 32 and 33 be printed in Hansard as if read.

Starred QuestionsRoutine Proceedings

3:50 p.m.

The Speaker

Is it agreed?

Starred QuestionsRoutine Proceedings

3:50 p.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

*Question No. 1Routine Proceedings

3:50 p.m.

Liberal

Guy St-Julien Liberal Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik, QC

Further to the filing by the Cree of Eeyou Istchee—James Bay, Quebec, under the dispute resolution provision of their 1995 Agreement with the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs for the ongoing subsidization of the cost of operating the Cree local governments under the Cree/Naskapi of Quebec Act, of a request to have a panel created to adjudicate the renewal of the terms of the agreement, when will the minister appoint his nominee to this panel?

*Question No. 1Routine Proceedings

3:50 p.m.

Parry Sound—Muskoka Ontario

Liberal

Andy Mitchell LiberalMinister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development

Mr. Jim McCarthy has been appointed as Canada’s representative. Furthermore, the parties have agreed to appoint Justice Réjean Paul as the third panel member and its chair. Justice Paul intends to have an initial meeting with the parties in late March 2004. This panel must review the Cree complaint and submit recommendations to each party, pursuant to the provisions of the 1995 agreement between Canada and the James Bay Cree.

*Question No. 2Routine Proceedings

3:50 p.m.

Liberal

Guy St-Julien Liberal Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik, QC

With regard to the 1995 agreement with the Cree of Eeyou Istchee—James Bay, Quebec on operations and maintenance funding: ( a ) when will the minister honour his undertakings regarding the implementation of this agreement; ( b ) what measures does the minister intend to take to satisfy the financial obligations set forth in the agreement?

*Question No. 2Routine Proceedings

3:50 p.m.

Parry Sound—Muskoka Ontario

Liberal

Andy Mitchell LiberalMinister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development

The 1995 agreement with the Cree provided that Canada would allocate annual subsidies for operation of the Cree local governments under the Cree-Naskapi of Québec Act and this has been done since 1995 according to the agreement provisions. This agreement expired in 2001 but Canada has continued to provide the annual subsidies according to the terms of that agreement. Renewing the agreement was delayed in the last few years due to other negotiations and the extent of the new financial demands from the Cree, but the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development will make this renewal a priority during 2004-2005.

*Question No. 5Routine Proceedings

3:50 p.m.

Progressive Conservative

Bill Casey Progressive Conservative Cumberland—Colchester, NS

With respect to the transit of HMCS Victoria from the Atlantic to the Pacific and the reports of heat-related problems: ( a ) why did the engine room experience such high temperatures; ( b ) was the high temperature in the engine room related to environmental conditions; ( c ) was the submarine on the surface or was it submerged during these extreme heat readings in the engine room; ( d ) are the heat-related issues a fleet-wide problem; ( e ) was the crew of HMCS Victoria ever in danger because of these high engine room temperatures; ( f ) what additional cooling equipment is required to allow the Victoria-class submarine to operate in tropical waters; and ( g ) what is the estimated cost to rectify extreme heat build-up in the engine rooms of the Victoria class submarines so that they can operate in warmer climates?

*Question No. 5Routine Proceedings

3:50 p.m.

Nepean—Carleton Ontario

Liberal

David Pratt LiberalMinister of National Defence

The answer is as follows: a) The engine room in the Victoria class submarines contains large diesel engines that operate, when required, in a confined space that receives minimal cooling air. Like all the machinery rooms in Canadian warships operating under tropical conditions, the peak temperatures were uncomfortable. Submarines pose the greatest challenge in this regard, since, by design, they do not have regular access to outside air. For this reason, along with most modern machinery spaces, the Victoria class submarines have an automated engine room and the need for the continuous presence of engine room operators is limited.

b) This was the Canadian Navy’s first experience of operating a Victoria class submarine under tropical conditions. The data collected to date suggests that the environmental conditions, tropical or temperate, do not significantly influence the engine room temperature since the majority of outside air introduced to the space is devoted to supporting combustion in the diesel engines. Thus, the cooling and heating effects of outside air is limited.

c) The highest temperatures were recorded in the tropical environment immediately after the diesel engines were stopped and the submarine dived to its operational depth. The peak temperatures were also recorded in the highest part of the compartment adjacent to the hot engine exhaust manifold.

d) The temperatures experienced within the engine room in tropical conditions are not unique to the Victoria class submarines. They are consistent with temperature levels experienced in many diesel-electric submarine engine rooms.

e) Safety of the crew was of paramount importance for the commanding officer and crew exposure to the engine room temperatures was managed by the submarine’s physician assistant. There were no heat stress related injuries during the transit.

f) The transit demonstrated that, although at times uncomfortable, the Victoria class submarines can safely operate in a tropical environment. The Navy will continue to examine options for improving localized equipment cooling, air conditioning, and living conditions within the submarines as future deployments may include operations in tropical areas of the world.

g) Since the engine room is automated, it is not a priority for major modifications to reduce the temperature under either temperate or tropical conditions. Options for improving the comfort in the accommodation spaces and operating stations are currently being considered. Working conditions in the engine room will be monitored and the crew’s exposure to high temperatures will be managed in the same manner applied to many of our Canadian Forces members serving around the globe under similar conditions.

*Question No. 32Routine Proceedings

3:50 p.m.

Progressive Conservative

Bill Casey Progressive Conservative Cumberland—Colchester, NS

With regard to the refit that HMCS Preserver is currently undergoing: ( a ) how long will it take to complete the refit; ( b ) when do the Canadian Armed Forces expect HMCS Preserver to begin operations again; ( c ) what is the total cost for the repainting, valve work, mechanical inspections and other associated work; and ( d ) does the government plan to replace all of Canada’s logistic re-supply vessels and, if so, what is the expected cost to taxpayers?