Julian Reed

[Water Exports, October 1st, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for that question.

Water is of prime importance to this country. Canada stands opposed to bulk water exports. We are in the process of completing consultations with every province and we should have that done very soon. We will be laying out a comprehensive strategy on the issue this fall.

[International Trade, June 4th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for her very insightful question.

I would point out that at the opening plenary of the World Trade Organization two weeks ago last Monday the minister made a speech in which the keynote thrust was to let the light shine on the WTO. Two days later I had the honour of speaking at the closing plenary and the thrust of my speech was to let the light shine on the World Trade Organization.

[National Hockey League, May 14th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I had the honour of answering that question yesterday and I will repeat the answer today. I extend congratulations to the Reform Party for finally waking up and realizing that hockey is important to Canadians.

I would also point out to my hon. friend that a committee is holding hearings at the present time. We expect its report in the fall and we will look at absolutely every submission with due diligence.

[National Hockey League, May 13th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I am most impressed with the Preston come lately approach of the Reform Party. It has taken quite a while for the Reform Party to realize that this is a genuine concern of Canadian people.

We welcome all the submissions to the committee being chaired by the hon. member for Broadview—Greenwood who is doing a noble job. We will continue to examine each and every one of them and we await his report.

[Mackenzie-Papineau Battalion, May 12th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, economic isolationists all over the world are opposed to agreements like the MAI. There are those who believe that one can build a wall around the country and operate its economic system within that wall and in so doing bring prosperity, good health and happiness to all its people.

That was tried at the beginning of 1917 in the Soviet Union. At the point of the collapse of that regime, the financial state was so severe that the country is still in the throes of going through a serious catharsis in terms of recovery.

Canada has learned in recent years that our economy is certainly dependent on international interaction and international trade. Forty per cent of the jobs created in this country are created because Canada exports. Agreements are absolutely essential.

We learned a long time ago that Canada works best if there are rules. We are not a large country that can simply operate in the jungle. We have investors in other countries who are small businessmen. They cannot go over there with batteries of lawyers to engage in litigation. It is much more satisfactory if we have the rules set up and we understand where we are going. As a result Canada is prospering.

Canada will continue to prosper as long as we continue to reach out and interact with all nations of the world.

[Mackenzie-Papineau Battalion, May 12th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, the government is committed to job creation and economic growth and it is making considerable progress on that front. Evident from a steadily declining unemployment rate, we intend to see this downward trend continue. The EI premium rate must ensure that there is sufficient revenue each business cycle to pay EI costs at relatively stable rates.

The current surplus makes prudent provision against rate hikes in the event of unforeseen economic and global changes. It also allows the government to address unemployment where it is most severe. For example, similar in concept to the 1997 and 1998 new hires program, the 1998 budget gives employers who hire more young Canadians in 1999 and 2000 an EI premium holiday.

We must also remember that just three years ago the federal government's deficit was $42 billion. At that time the government looked at all aspects of the fiscal situation and there is no denying that EI surpluses played a role in restoring fiscal health. This was not done in isolation, however, and complemented other difficult decisions.

EI premium rates have been declining since 1994. This year's decrease from $2.90 to $2.70 will save Canadians $1.4 billion in 1998 and premiums will continue to decline as the fiscal situation permits.

[Trade, May 12th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I commend my hon. colleague for keeping the government fully aware of the importance of this issue.

On May 7 the government met with the stakeholders in the softwood lumber issue. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the recent reversal of the U.S. customs service proposal to reclassify drilled studs.

We will be commenting on the proposal by May 15 and we intend to pursue the matter vigorously.

[Sugar Quotas, May 12th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I would welcome a suggestion from my hon. friend to improve the situation we presently have. We have worked very hard to make this agreement on the re-export program beneficial to Canada.

[Sugar Quotas, May 12th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, we always regret the closing of an industry. I also should point out that Canada has taken steps in recent years to make sure that there is a viable industry in this country. I am sure my hon. friend will understand the terms of the re-export program and the fact that Canada would lose sugar producing industries to a greater extent if we did not have it.

[International Business Development Program, May 11th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2) I am honoured to table, in both official languages, achievements of the international business development program for 1997 and 1998.