House of Commons Hansard #46 of the 37th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was aboriginal.
Tony Valeri LiberalMinister of Transport
Mr. Speaker, my expectation is that Air Canada will meet its obligations under the Air Canada Public Participation Act, as well as any other applicable legislation.
All Canadian carriers, including Jetsgo, WestJet and Air Canada, are obliged by regulations to provide passengers with information in both official languages as to the safety procedures and what to do in the event of an emergency situation.
Jay Hill Canadian Alliance Prince George—Peace River, BC
Mr. Speaker, over a month ago when the minister appeared before the Standing Committee on National Defence and Veterans Affairs, I specifically asked him about the deplorable conditions of many homes on our Canadian Forces bases across Canada, and about the ever increasing rent his government charges the families. I am still waiting for an answer.
Over 80% of the private married quarters were built pre-1960s and still contain toxic substances such as asbestos and lead. Rather than continuing its decade of neglect of our military families, why will the government not commit the necessary funding to improve their homes?
David Pratt LiberalMinister of National Defence
Mr. Speaker, the government remains committed to a good quality of life for members of the Canadian Forces. We have taken some significant steps to improve the housing for members of the Canadian Forces.
Since 1998 for instance, the government has spent something in the order of $400 million to improve the housing stock of members of the forces. As well, over the next three years we expect to spend another $120 million. Those houses that are deemed to be substandard are taken off the market as quickly as possible.
Jay Hill Canadian Alliance Prince George—Peace River, BC
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister has stated repeatedly that he will not deploy our troops overseas without proper equipment, yet he was the one who reluctantly agreed to replace some of the buildings that he himself slashed from past Canadian Forces budgets.
What about addressing the basic needs of the unfortunate families left behind living in substandard, unsafe houses? They are living in those houses today. The houses are not off the market. Those families are living in them now.
When will the government commit the necessary money to address the current needs of our military families?
David Pratt LiberalMinister of National Defence
Mr. Speaker, as I have already indicated, the government has made substantial investments and will continue to make substantial investments in terms of the housing stock at Canadian Forces bases.
I should say as well that as part of the plan, in terms of the $120 million that we are going to be spending over the next number of years, there will be approximately 190 units on nine bases dealt with this summer.
Paul Crête Bloc Kamouraska—Rivière-Du-Loup—Témiscouata—Les Basques, QC
Mr. Speaker, two weeks ago, the Minister of National Defence refused to confirm that three joint support ships would be built in Canada, and his colleague at Industry Canada was no more forthcoming during her visit to the shipyard in Lauzon last Friday.
Will the government make a commitment to having these ships built in Canada, and in Lauzon in particular, to ensure the survival of the shipbuilding industry, as the stakeholders in the industry have been asking it to do?
David Pratt LiberalMinister of National Defence
Mr. Speaker, the government has indicated and I have indicated in the past in connection with the announcement on the joint support ships that we are committed to building these ships in Canada if a competitive environment exists.
Having said that, I think that all of us are very interested in seeing what sort of proposals may come forward from the shipbuilding industry in Canada. It is an exciting time for the shipbuilding industry. I would say as well that it is an exciting time for the navy, because these ships are going to be providing a transformational capability for the Canadian navy.
Sophia Leung Liberal Vancouver Kingsway, BC
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of State for the Status of Women and Multiculturalism.
This month is Asian Heritage Month which we observe every year. According to Statistics Canada, we have around a 10% population of Asian descent in Canada. Indeed Asians have enriched our diversity. How has the Government of Canada chosen to recognize Asian Heritage Month this month?
Jean Augustine LiberalMinister of State (Multiculturalism and Status of Women)
Mr. Speaker, I want to compliment the member for her interest in helping us to ensure that we recognize Asian Heritage Month.
Through Asian Heritage Month and its many activities, which can be found on the Canadian Heritage website, we are saying to members of the community that there are opportunities to get deeper inside the Asian heritage and Asian culture, which is part of our multicultural heritage. We are making a huge contribution to every aspect of life in Canada when we celebrate with members of the Asian community.
Joe Clark Progressive Conservative Calgary Centre, AB
Mr. Speaker, I have a question for the Deputy Prime Minister that is supplemental to those put by the member for Medicine Hat.
The Auditor General has automatic access to the books of government agencies and departments. She is denied automatic access to so-called arm's length corporations like Health Infoway, Innovation Canada, Genome Canada and others.
Why the double standard? Why does the government not fight the democratic deficit by giving the Auditor General automatic access to those entities which she seeks?
Anne McLellan LiberalDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
Mr. Speaker, I would hope that the hon. member knows that those institutions that have been established do incredible work across this country. I would like to give him one example.
Last Thursday I had the opportunity to be in Edmonton, Alberta with the capital health authority, with the premier of the province of Alberta and many other health care professionals. What we saw there was Health Infoway dollars at work. This will be the first health authority in the country to develop an integrated electronic patient record.
That is how we transform the health care system. That is a good expenditure of taxpayer dollars.
Joe Comartin NDP Windsor—St. Clair, ON
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Natural Resources indicated last week that the RCMP was investigating allegations against Atomic Energy of Canada and its agents regarding bribes and kickbacks in its attempt to obtain a contract to construct Candu reactors in Bulgaria.
Could the government confirm that the RCMP is in fact investigating this matter, and whether any steps have been made to encourage the whistleblower to come forward by ensuring that person will not suffer penalties for so doing?
André Harvey LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources
Absolutely, Mr. Speaker.
Carol Skelton Canadian Alliance Saskatoon—Rosetown—Biggar, SK
Mr. Speaker, the exploitation and abuse of children in the sex trade is a growing global problem. The government has failed to deal with the Canadian problem in the past 11 years.
When will the government deal with this and protect our children from this horrendous abuse?
Irwin Cotler LiberalMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Mr. Speaker, as soon as the opposition allows us to pass the legislation.
Richard Marceau Bloc Charlesbourg—Jacques-Cartier, QC
Mr. Speaker, we know that the Minister of Justice received the RCMP report on the CINAR production company on December 23, 2003. We know it is the responsibility of the Attorney General of Quebec or of Canada to initiate legal proceedings based on charges filed under the Criminal Code or a particular federal statute, in this case the Copyright Act.
Can the Minister of Justice tell us whether legal proceedings will soon begin in the CINAR case?
Irwin Cotler LiberalMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Mr. Speaker, I cannot comment on any case and I have no knowledge of this specific case.
Peter Stoffer NDP Sackville—Musquodoboit Valley—Eastern Shore, NS
Mr. Speaker, when it comes to shipbuilding, the government completely ignores the interests of all of Canada.
With the recent announcement of the naval vessel replacement program, all the opposition has asked for is that the government commit over $2 billion worth of taxpayers' money to Canadian shipyards to build Canadian ships using the Canadian industry and Canadian workers.
Why is it so difficult for the government to say yes to the Canadian industry and Canadian workers?
David Pratt LiberalMinister of National Defence
Mr. Speaker, let me say once again that the government is committed to having the ships built in Canada if a competitive environment exists. I would suggest to the hon. member that with respect to this project, which as I indicated earlier is a very important project for the navy, that he have a bit more faith with respect to the Canadian industry and Canadian workers to be able to do the job.
Roger Gallaway LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8), I am pleased to table, in both official languages, the government's response to 16 petitions.
Bob Mills Canadian Alliance Red Deer, AB
Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to present a petition from my constituency.
The petitioners call upon Parliament to enact legislation creating a new system of grants aimed at reducing financial barriers to individuals so that Canadian colleges and universities receive sufficient resources to maintain a system of post-secondary education that is financially accessible to all qualified persons.
Anita Neville Liberal Winnipeg South Centre, MB
Mr. Speaker, I have the pleasure today to present a petition on behalf of the United Church of Canada's Beads of Hope Campaign.
The petition contains approximately 3,000 signatures requesting that the Parliament of Canada act on the HIV-AIDS pandemic. Those signatures represent part of the total of approximately 40,000 signatures that the Beads of Hope Campaign has received so far in support of this campaign.
Judy Wasylycia-Leis NDP Winnipeg North Centre, MB
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to table yet another petition based on concerns around the lack of labels on alcohol beverage containers warning of the dangers of fetal alcohol syndrome.
The petitioners point out that Parliament gave almost unanimous support for this matter back in April 2001. All this time has passed and yet there has been no action on the part of the government. The petitioners call upon Parliament to put pressure on the government to carry out the wishes of Parliament and the people of Canada.
Roger Gallaway LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, I ask that all questions be allowed to stand.