House of Commons Hansard #63 of the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was information.

Topics

7 p.m.

Liberal

Larry Bagnell Liberal Yukon, YT

Mr. Speaker, I do applaud the allowance for non-food essential items for Old Crow. However, the member said that there is stable funding of $60 million. In recent years, it has been $60 million a year. So $60 million is just carrying on the status quo.

The member also said the minister was before committee. That is true, but the minister did not outline all these changes and exactly how it is going to work. He did not outline that the individuals will have their personal orders cut off unless they get it from a registered retailer, and therefore they would not be able to go to the airport themselves and take their food, and that the retailer would have to ship it up.

I would like to ask the member a question. Many MPs have asked about transparency and how it is going to be shown that this is passed on to the people once the retailers get these big subsidies. How are the people going to know that this subsidy is passed on to them? If the member could answer that, people would feel a lot more comfortable about these changes.

7 p.m.

Conservative

John Duncan Conservative Vancouver Island North, BC

Mr. Speaker, I have precious little time to respond to the member for Yukon. These questions were addressed quite well. I think we were all impressed with Elizabeth Copland who is with the advisory board. The advisory board will consist of northerners who will be accountable and accessible to their communities. I expect a lot of feedback will come in that way.

One thing we have not talked about is that northerners asked that more country foods be now available for sale in stores with a subsidy. The new program will support and improve access to commercially-produced traditional foods. The government is helping to create a vibrant northern economy with safe, healthy and prosperous communities.

7 p.m.

Conservative

The Deputy Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer

The motion to adjourn the House is now deemed to have been adopted. Accordingly, this House stands adjourned until tomorrow at 2 p.m., pursuant to Standing Order 24.

(The House adjourned at 7:04 p.m.)