Herb Dhaliwal

[Customs, October 1st, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, I know the Reform Party often has trouble with the facts, as we have seen in the House quite often.

I can assure the House that our customs people are professional, committed and do an excellent job of protecting our borders. In fact, some of the new technology we have helps us to do our job in an excellent way. We have effected a tremendous amount of drug seizures crossing the border. We will continue to do an excellent job.

On this matter, unless the member has some facts to put on the table he should not rely on reports and allegations which are not true.

[Revenue Canada, October 1st, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, if the hon. member has anything substantial rather than rhetoric and cheap political points she is trying to make she should table it in the House right now instead of making these types of accusations which are incorrect and not true.

[Revenue Canada, October 1st, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, I want to assure the hon. member and the House that Revenue Canada staff provides no preferential treatment to Federal Express over any other carrier involved in the departmental courier program.

Under the department's collective agreement with our unions employees are entitled once in their career to apply for unpaid personal needs leave. They are reminded also of the conflict of interest guidelines should they choose to take outside employment during this unpaid leave.

[Taxation, September 29th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, we are proud of the work we have done in the disabled community.

The solicitor general was involved in a one year task force which made recommendations to the government. If we look at the last budget we have made substantial commitments and this finance minister in his last financial budget made a commitment of over $300 million for the disabled community.

We are proud of what we have done for the disabled community and we will continue it. It surprised a few on that side of the House. The members of the Reform did not support those items—

[Taxation, September 29th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. member for his question. I would also like to inform the member that I could not comment on any specific cases. I have had representations from the member which I will look at.

I also want to ensure the member that we have a fairness code in Revenue Canada and we are committed to the fairness code. We abide by that code as well.

I can assure the member that this minister will take those representations and look at the matter. I can also assure him there is an Income Tax Act and we are supposed to follow that. I as minister will ensure we do that for all Canadians so that we have fairness—

[Responsible Drinking Campaign, April 21st, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, we have with us in the gallery today the national finalists in the Stand Up, Speak Out, and Be Heard program sponsored by Canada's brewers.

The program asked young Canadians to submit ideas and concepts for an ad campaign designed to promote awareness of the importance of responsible drinking.

I would like to congratulate my constituent, Brad Swaile of Vancouver; Scott Robertson of Yellowknife; Brian Brintell of Brighton, Ontario; Justin Antippa of Trois-Rivières; and Anthony Slade of Timberlea, Nova Scotia.

More than 5,000 young Canadians from across the country sent in videos, computer animation, short stories, poetry, music and posters. Their efforts are a testament to the creativity of Canada's youth.

I praise all the young participants who contributed to the responsible drinking campaign. I recognize the brewing industry for sponsoring this important initiative.

[Ballard Power Systems, April 15th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, the government has spoken about investing in future industries. Last November the Prime Minister visited one of those industries, Ballard Power Systems. The government has invested $30 million in that company which is looking into new types of energy resources.

The government is going in the right direction because yesterday German transportation giant, Daimler-Benz, the maker of Mercedes Benz, and Ballard Power jointly announced three deals worth a total of $508 million to develop Ballard's fuel cell

technology which can power energy efficient vehicles without combustion.

It is clear that B.C. is leading Canada in the development of clean energy resources. We welcome Ballard Power's growing influence in the research and development of new forms of transportation.

We recognize that it will be a good investment in future jobs that will be created in the next century.

[Immigration, April 7th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share with my colleagues some good news about recent agreements between the province of British Columbia and the federal government.

Last month both parties settled the residency requirement dispute. British Columbia will be refunded $26.6 million in transfer payments. In the spirit of co-operation the province will abolish its three-month residency requirement.

The agreement will alleviate fiscal pressures placed on B.C. resulting from the arrival of numerous Canadians from other provinces across Canada. In addition B.C. will receive a total increase of $67.2 million in immigration settlement funding over the next three years in recognition of the province's substantial immigration settlement costs.

These two initiatives are evidence of the strength of the partnership between B.C. and Ottawa and the fact the federal government is responsive to the needs of British Columbians.

[Immigration Act, March 21st, 1997]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-394, an act to amend the Immigration Act (dependent sons and daughters).

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed.)

[Income Tax Act, March 21st, 1997]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-393, an act to amend the Income Tax Act (business limit).

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed.)