Claude Drouin

[Calgary Declaration, May 27th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, last week, we learned that unemployment has gone up in Quebec. Instead of trying to find concrete solutions, the PQ government has decided to set up a parliamentary commission on the Calgary declaration, a document in which it does not even want to believe.

In this morning's edition of La Presse , an editorial writer says: “There is in fact a direct link between the two events. Politics is killing the economy in Quebec. We will not succeed in lowering the unemployment rate, in efficiently fighting poverty and in giving back to the state enough financial leeway as long as we continue to bleed ourselves dry over this political debate, which is getting us nowhere”.

I leave it up to Quebeckers to make up their own minds about the PQ decisions, which go squarely against their own interests and seem to be unanimously supported by Bloc Quebecois members.

[Rail Transportation, May 7th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, the consortium that includes Bombardier has just made a proposal to the governments of Canada, Ontario and Quebec in order to complete studies for the construction of a high speed train between Quebec City and Windsor.

Could the Minister of Transport tell us whether this proposal will be included in his review of passenger train services in Canada?

[Sport Fishing, May 7th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I take this opportunity to tell you about another excellent government initiative.

On May 2, the secretary of state responsible for Canada Economic Development announced a $1.4 million program, in co-operation with the Quebec government, for the voluntary buyback of the last commercial salmon fishing licences on the Lower North Shore. The federal government will contribute $700,000 under that program.

With this initiative, the Canadian and Quebec governments are following up on their commitment to the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization to limit interception fishing as much as possible, so as to reduce its impact on migration corridors.

This initiative will also promote the development of sport fishing which, according to estimates, will generate annual economic benefits of about $2 million in the Lower North Shore region.

This shows once again that Canada is a country that works, contrary to what some may think, to their own detriment.

[Francophone Information Highway, April 29th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Canadian Heritage.

What is the minister doing to assist with the development of a francophone information highway across Canada?

[Lévis Shipyard, April 1st, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, an important decision has been made by the Canadian government on the issue of the shipyard in Lévis.

The dry docks in Lauzon are being sold to Davie Industries Inc. as part of the government's strategy to transfer assets to the private sector, which is in a better position to manage such facilities.

In this case, the facilities include the land, two dry docks and all the systems required to operate them. The Canadian government will pay $20 million to cover the costs of urgent repairs and the forecast net operating cost.

Members should note also that the repairs will have a direct impact on job creation in this community. Payments for the dry dock repairs will be made according to the terms and conditions negotiated with Davie Industries, and the company is required to operate the facilities for the next ten years.

This is a step in the right direction to boost the economy in the city of Lévis and the Chaudière-Appalaches region.

[Technological Development, March 26th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to share with this House an excellent government initiative to promote the growth of the small business sector in eastern Quebec and on the North Shore.

Indeed, on March 3, the hon. secretary of state responsible for Canada Economic Development announced a $529,500 contribution to the corporation providing support for technological development. This assistance is designed mainly to support small businesses in eastern Quebec and on the North Shore, which hire science and engineering students from Université du Québec in Rimouski.

This is phase II of a project to promote the development of innovation and technology in the small business sector by facilitating the integration of future graduates into small and medium size businesses in these two regions.

Our government is especially proud of having been associated with this initiative from the start. This is a promising project, which is focused on youth and will have a positive effect on the growth of small and medium size businesses in eastern Quebec and the North Shore for the benefit of all of Canada.

[Responsible Government, March 11th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Canadian Heritage.

Today marks an important milestone in the history of Canada. On March 11, 1848, the first cabinet of the responsible government of the time was sworn in in the Province of Canada, now Ontario and Quebec. It was the achievement of a coalition involving Louis Hippolyte Lafontaine and Robert Baldwin.

What is the government doing to mark this most important milestone in the history of Canada, which may serve as a rallying point for all Canadians?

[Agriculture, March 9th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Agriculture.

Last Thursday, the Government of Quebec announced that it had reached an agreement with the Government of Canada on a program to compensate full time farmers. The Government of Quebec is ignoring part time farmers.

Does the Government of Canada not feel that part time farmers should receive fair treatment?

[Former Bc Mine Workers, February 24th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the Canadian government announced an assistance program for former workers of the BC mine in Black Lake in the Thetford Mines region.

The targeted wage subsidy program being used is funded entirely by the Government of Canada, at a cost of $1,750,000. The government will pay all employers interested in hiring laid-off workers up to 60% of their wages, with no ceiling.

In the past, a number of former workers of the Davie shipyards in the riding of Lévis took advantage of this program. It enabled them to return to the work force and renew their pride in contributing to economic growth.

The Government of Canada is not just sensitive to the situation of workers who lose their jobs, but is working hard to find solutions that will restore pride and quality of life to Canadians experiencing difficulty on both an economic and a human level.

In closing, I would like to wish the former workers of the BC mine all the best.

[Assistance To Ice Storm Victims, February 19th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Human Resources Development.

Our government has already provided substantial financial assistance to individuals and businesses affected by the ice storm. There are, however, others who are not eligible for assistance but who wish to contribute to the reconstruction.

Can our government tell us whether any special measures will be contemplated to assist people who do not meet the criteria but wish to help?