Brent St. Denis

[Independent Truckers, November 25th, 1999]

Madam Speaker, the future of all families in Cape Breton will be brighter as a result of the steps the government has taken to build a solid foundation for tomorrow.

Following the transfer of the responsibilities of the industrial development division of Devco to Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation in 1988, Devco's sole focus became coal mining. At about the same time, successive governments began mandating Devco to attain commercial viability. Unfortunately that goal was not attained.

The government has initiated a process to reshape the coal mining industry on Cape Breton island with the objective of maintaining up to 500 jobs in a commercial private sector coal mining business.

Bill C-11, the bill to provide Devco with the authority to sell its operations is now before the House. I would like to note that the member for Sydney—Victoria has indicated that there are some good things in the Devco divestiture bill.

Passage of this bill and the finalization of a sale will remove uncertainty about the future of coal mining in Cape Breton. Most important, finalization of a sale will also confirm the continuance of good solid coal mining jobs in a commercial private sector operation.

It is also important to look beyond coal mining. Since 1967 the federal government has provided over $500 million to diversify the Cape Breton economy, first through the industrial development division of Devco and beginning in 1988 through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation.

Today the government continues to invest about $20 million annually in economic development on Cape Breton through ACOA and ECBC. The goal is and will continue to be to diversify the Cape Breton economy beyond coal.

In addition to this, we have allocated another $68 million to fund sustainable economic development initiatives in Cape Breton. The province of Nova Scotia is providing an additional $12 million for the same purpose.

[The Environment, November 19th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for the question. The government is aware of how important the coal industry is to the economy of our country. Any technology which reduces greenhouse gas emissions in any way is good in terms of our Kyoto commitments.

Just this week the federal government announced funding to support a test project in Alberta that would see the testing of the storage of CO2 in deep Alberta coal seams. If this works out, not only will methane be released, which could be very useful, but it will help us to achieve our objectives.

The partners include the Government of Alberta, the United States, the United Kingdom and 15 private—

[Cape Breton Development Corporation Divestiture Authorization And Dissolution Act, November 15th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I listened carefully to the hon. member's comments and, as with others, I appreciate the passion and concern with which she expressed her views.

I would like to focus on a particular point. I am not sure if she was here when I made a comment earlier in the afternoon that in my own northern Ontario riding, with a history of mining, forestry and the natural resources sector in general, we have suffered the ups and downs which are typical unfortunately of mining, forestry, et cetera.

It has become obvious to me that local solutions end up being oftentimes the best solutions when communities face a challenge. I do not think that ideas from the nation's capital can be any better than the ideas that come from local communities.

I have used the example of Elliot Lake in my riding which suffered significant job losses a few years ago, numbering in the neighbourhood of 4,000 jobs to be more precise. Without wanting to compare communities, because I do not think that is fair, I can say that the degree of local leadership shown in that community and in the neighbouring communities proved to me that the best ideas, the most substantive and substantial ideas, come from the people themselves.

I would ask the hon. member to comment on whether she agrees that the local communities, their leaders and individual Cape Bretoners are the best people to decide on how to use some financial resources to find the best future for their communities and their families. Instead of simply ploughing seemingly endless amounts of money into the coal industry, after 30 years might it not be best to invest in the people themselves and their own creative ideas? I would ask her to comment on the importance of local leadership when it comes to investing in the future.

[Cape Breton Development Corporation Divestiture Authorization And Dissolution Act, November 15th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. With great respect, I think it is inappropriate to use terminology like that and to refer to the people of Cape Breton as children.

[Cape Breton Development Corporation Divestiture Authorization And Dissolution Act, November 15th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I believe the member for Fraser Valley was straying a bit, but I respect your ruling that his comments were relevant. I am sure there would not be very many members, if any, on this side of the House who would think they were.

Earlier on when he was a little more relevant in his comments he referred to the state of Georgia in the U.S. and the measures taken to spur individual creativity and investment. I suggest that his comments in that regard would best be given to the province of Nova Scotia because in his example that would be a state jurisdiction and in our system, the equivalent would be the province. I recommend that he pass those ideas on to the province.

The member's comments highlighted very graphically the difference between the left and the right and the further proof to my thesis that the Liberal government has found that right balance in the middle. The member would have us believe that total worship at the altar of free enterprise would answer all the problems of society. Those on the left would say that total devotion to socialism would answer all the problems of society. I say to the House and to the hon. member that it is the balance we have brought to government that has brought us closer to the right solution.

I will not claim and I do not think anybody can claim that any government is perfect, but I think one would have to go a long way to find a more balanced approach to governance than we have seen with this government.

[Cape Breton Development Corporation Divestiture Authorization And Dissolution Act, November 15th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I would ask for your judgment on whether the member's comments are relevant to the very important debate on Bill C-11.

[Cape Breton Development Corporation Divestiture Authorization And Dissolution Act, November 15th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, as with previous speakers, I listened carefully to the member for Sydney—Victoria who spoke passionately about the people and communities he represents. That is what we expect in the House and we appreciate that.

That being said, there was a certain element of exaggeration in his comments, although he did not exaggerate the importance of this issue to the communities and the miners. I come from a mining area myself. I live in Elliott Lake and I represent 60 communities, many of which have a history of mining. Some are still in mining today. Mining is important to our area.

It is important that a few things be clarified. One of the most important points is his reference to section 17(4). He was lamenting that Bill C-11 would delete all of section 17, including section 17(4), from the bill. He knows, as all members who are following the debate know, that will have no bearing whatsoever on the grievance. I will not comment on the grievance except to say that the grievance process will continue. The removal of section 17(4) will have no bearing whatsoever. The minister said as much in his speech.

As far as the economic development responsibilities of Devco, he knows that many years ago that responsibility was transferred to the Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation. He tried to make a good point but he failed on facts.

He mentioned Mr. Pearson who was the member for the riding I now represent. I am proud and honoured to represent the area that he represented. He made reference to a particular book which stated that the government at that time would not adhere to a rigid timetable.

Well, I hardly think that 30 years later suggests that a rigid timetable was in mind at that time.

I again emphasize that the government has found a balance between the views on the left and the views on the right of those who would say “let us look to the past as we go to the future” and those who would say “we should have closed the mines down 20 years ago”.

[Cape Breton Development Corporation Divestiture Authorization And Dissolution Act, November 15th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I listened carefully to the hon. member's comments, as well as the comments of his fellow Reformer.

The essential message coming from both members is actually the opposite of what we hear from the NDP, which is “Why were the coal mines not closed down 15 or 20 years ago?” There are those who would argue why we would even consider any option other than keeping the mines open. It proves again that a Liberal government is a government that can bring balance to the debate. We are seeing the two extremes and at the end of the day the position of this government will be seen as the right decision which will ensure that the future for Cape Bretoners is a diversified future which will rely on the creativity and the innate ability of Cape Bretoners.

There has been a dearth of ideas across the floor on what members of the opposition would do if they had the financial resources that are being made available in this case. What ideas would they bring forward to help diversify, prepare and assist the Cape Breton economy for the next century, indeed for the next millennium?

I would ask the hon. member to put aside his view of the history and give us his vision for the future. After all, this debate should be about the best ideas that can be put in place for Cape Breton. The panel has been asking for those ideas from the community. What ideas does the hon. member or his party have to ensure that the very best outcome possible can be found?

Before the member answers, I would advise him that in my riding of Algoma—Manitoulin in northern Ontario, the community of Elliot Lake suffered massive mine layoffs not too many years ago. Something like 4,000 jobs were lost in a community of roughly 16,000 people. I do not want to make comparisons as each situation is unique but if any Cape Bretoners asked me for some of the ideas that were attempted in Elliot Lake, I would be glad to share them.

I look forward to hearing from the member about any ideas he or his party might have to assist in moving the whole matter forward.

[The Environment, November 5th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, science-based innovation is a big part of the climate change solution. Canadians are world leaders in making things possible. This is why the federal government has created the technology early action measures or TEAM component of the climate change action fund.

Fifty-six million dollars of seed funding has already leveraged $433 million of investment, an incredible ratio of 9:1. Companies like Iogen Corporation, Stuart Energy Systems Inc., Powerbase Inc, Hydro-Québec, Arenda Aerospace, B.C. Gas International and many others have taken up the challenge.

There are many good news stories—

[Science And Technology, October 21st, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, Canada is celebrating National Science and Technology Week from October 15 to 24.

Canada has made a commitment to become the world's smartest natural resources steward, developer, user and exporter, the most high tech, the most environmentally friendly, the most socially responsible, the most competitive and productive.

During National Science and Technology Week, Natural Resources Canada opens its doors to the community to communicate the importance of the sustainable development of our energy, forest and mineral resources. Through public open houses and educational sessions for students, departmental staff provide an up close view of everything from rocks, minerals and mapping to forests and the insects that inhabit them, from metals and energy resources to GPS technology.

More and more Canadians look to science and technology to improve their lives and address important issues such as climate change.

I call on all members of the House to join with me to salute the men and women who help make Canada a world leader in science and technology.