House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2006, with 45% of the vote.
Cuba June 5th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, following along again in the same vein, since the extra-territorial nature of the Helms-Burton Act is contrary to international trade arrangements, can the Prime Minister tell us whether Canada has taken any steps to take this dispute before the World Trade Organization?
Cuba June 5th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, I thank the Prime Minister. Following along in the same vein, during the Prime Minister of France's visit to Quebec and Canada, which is scheduled for next week, does the Prime Minister intend to discuss the matter, in order to have it placed on the agenda of the next G-7 summit, which will take place at Lyon at the end of June?
Cuba June 5th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, the consequences of the American Helms-Burton Act, which has extra-territorial effect and is intended to strengthen the U.S. embargo against Cuba, are extremely serious, since Canada is Cuba's major economic partner. Yesterday, the countries of the Organization of American States reached an unanimous decision to present a draft resolution against this American legislation.
Given that Canada and Mexico are partners in both the OAS and NAFTA, and given that the Prime Minister is scheduled to be meeting with the President of Mexico in a few days, does the Prime Minister intend to make use of the economic and political clout the two countries wield with the U.S. and to propose to his counterpart a joint strategy in defence of this American legislation?
Research And Development June 4th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, may I come to the assistance of the minister with a very modest suggestion?
The former heritage minister had indicated that the flags and kites for Heritage Day would cost $7 million. Does the Minister of Natural Resources agree that Quebec needs federal R and D funding to generate employment far more than it needs flags or kites?
Research And Development June 4th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, the minister refers to a transition period, but we are very much aware of how an announcement like this one by the minister about the future of the project can undermine not only the motivation of those working on the research project, but also all of the tokamak project's longstanding relationships, particularly with Quebec businesses.
Can the minister commit today in this House to the federal government's not withdrawing from the tokamak project before finding the $7.2 million required for its survival somewhere else in the government's coffers?
Research And Development June 4th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, the Varennes tokamak research project has had an extremely positive impact to date on the Quebec economy.
Announcement that the federal funding of $7.2 million yearly will be pulled seriously compromises the very nature of this project and is liable to have negative consequences for Quebec, which is already at a clear disadvantage when it comes to federal R and D investment.
My question is for the Minister of Natural Resources. Last week, the minister promised to look into finding alternative sources of funding for this project within the federal administration. Can she tell us what steps she has taken to find the 7.2 million in funding for the Varennes project, so that its survival will not be threatened?
Manpower Training June 3rd, 1996
Mr. Speaker, I would like the minister to table this list, in any case. We would be interested in reading it, because we know there are a huge number of programs, which require our attention.
Would the minister tell us, by way of example, whether the proposed $315 million he announced this spring to help young people find jobs will be included in the negotiations between Ottawa and the provinces wanting it?
Manpower Training June 3rd, 1996
Mr. Speaker, I would ask the minister if he is prepared to table in this House a list of all the training programs the federal government currently administers that come under other departments and that will likely be under negotiation or discussion with the provincial governments.
Manpower Training June 3rd, 1996
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Human Resources Development made his proposal for reorganizing the manpower sector public last week.
Negotiations will be conducted with the provincial governments to reach agreements reflecting the aims of the various Canadian provinces. The minister also confirmed that a number of departments in the federal government are involved in the area of manpower training.
Could the minister confirm that the training programs administered by departments other than his own will be included in his negotiations with the provinces?
Manpower May 30th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, the minister has just confirmed that the federal government's plans depend on an agreement between the federal and the provincial governments.
Will the minister admit that, failing an agreement with a government, the Government of Quebec for instance, the new Employment Insurance Act will apply, which is more or less like saying that the minister has set all the conditions for a negotiation where he is holding all the cards? In reality this comes down to saying "Negotiate and reach agreement with me, or else I apply my legislation". That is the situation.