Brian Tobin

[Industry, November 30th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, the reality is that the member opposite lives in a little world of his own. The government members on the standing committee on industry are consulted regularly and closely with respect to the government's agenda, as are all members of the committee when I appear before the committee.

The member opposite may choose to be anti, may choose to be contra, may choose to support the view of members of his own party who believe, for example, that rural Canada has no place and no business in ever being on the Internet or ever having a computer, but that stone-age view does not resonate on this side of the House.

[Industry, November 30th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, certainly the government's position with respect to innovation is that we ought to work very closely with all sectors of the economy interested in innovation in Canada, such as universities, the various high tech or enabled sectors of Canada's economy.

Of course we want to work very closely with members of the standing committee, whose advice is always most useful and most appropriate.

[Patent Act, November 30th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member is raising in the House the advice given in the advisory panel's interim report which recommends that there not be the possibility under Canada's legal structure that will allow for the cloning of human beings. The government absolutely agrees.

[Internet, November 26th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, now we know why it is important to have more rural Canadians on the Internet. Even the Minister of Finance said it is an important priority for Canada.

[Internet, November 26th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, the OECD report on broadband access in OECD countries recognizes that Canada is second only to Korea in the deployment of broadband services and that competition between cable companies and telephone companies has been a key factor in accelerating that reality.

In fact Canada is a leader in the world, very much a tribute to the Minister of Foreign Affairs who began this process. I will continue down the productive road that he has charted for Canada with more services for more Canadians.

[Airline Industry, November 26th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, the approach of the government is to ensure that competition is able to thrive in Canada.

As I have said, the Competition Act is now before the Standing Committee on Industry. It may indeed be necessary to strengthen its provisions with respect to airlines in this country. That is a matter which, on the recommendation of the Minister of Transport, the government will consider in the days ahead.

[Airline Industry, November 26th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, the question the member raises is one which the government is concerned about and indeed, one which the Minister of Transport has spoken on in the last week. That is the question of ensuring that the Competition Act functions in such a way as to ensure that small carriers, regional carriers, are able to successfully compete in the regions and larger carriers, other than Air Canada, like WestJet are able to successfully compete.

The Competition Act is currently before the House. The government is considering whether or not further amendments are required to ensure the continuity of airline competition in Canada.

[Committees of the House, November 9th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 109 I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's response to the fifth report of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology, entitled “The Canadian Innovation Agenda for the 21st Century”.

Pursuant to the same standing order, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's response to the fourth report of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology, entitled “Transparency in the Information Age, the Lobbyists Registration Act in the 21st Century”.

[Shipbuilding Industry, November 8th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, the structured financing facility is now up and running with the new shipbuilding policy. It is a key element of the new program. It has been very well received by shipyards across the country.

I do not know why the member is saying that he is waiting to find out what is the policy. The policy was announced months ago. The structured financing facility is up and running. There has been a take up at yards all across Canada.

If the member were doing his job and paying attention to these announcements, he could communicate that information to his constituents.

[Industry Canada, November 6th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, the government is taking a serious look at the long term plan. The field of astronomy and astrophysics is a scientific success in Canada.

In fact Canada is among the top three nations in the world in the important field of science and astronomy. When we can do more of course we will do more. I await with bated breath the budget of the Minister of Finance.