House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2000, with 39% of the vote.
Genetically Modified Organisms May 14th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, let us make it very clear that there has never been any proof of anyone getting sick from eating any type of GMO food.
Safety is our number one concern. We have the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and our products are well received around the world from all provinces, including Quebec.
Genetically Modified Organisms May 14th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, we are consulting with stakeholders and interested parties. We have had the Royal Society of expert panellists. They have made the report and of course we are studying it to see whether it would be possible to do this and how we would do it.
We want to be accountable for all our people and all our processes.
Health May 11th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, I certainly agree with the hon. member that it is extremely important for our federal government to remain vigilant in our efforts to keep Canada free of foot and mouth disease. We have all seen on television how this disease has ravaged the livestock industry in the European Union and around the world.
Our government has launched a public awareness campaign to engage the support and the co-operation of all Canadians, particularly the travelling public, in this very important effort. Our campaign includes an announcement that will air on television, a video to be shown on international airlines and a brochure to educate people. We ask for the co-operation of all Canadians on this very important issue.
Farm Credit Corporation Act April 30th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, I have a short question for my colleague who is a very valued member of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food. The member is from Saskatchewan and I respect her knowledge of the situation in her province.
The member talked about her party not being in favour of extending the Farm Credit Corporation moneys beyond the producer. I encourage her to ask her neighbours and colleagues if they feel the same way. When we offer money to the agri-food companies and expand markets, we are able to move the grain beyond the farm gate. They have done a great job of diversifying, but there are many crops grown today in Saskatchewan which we could market better.
I would ask the member to support the legislation. I look forward to her amendments if she is making any. Would she ask some of her neighbours at home how they feel? I have heard from people in Saskatchewan who are in favour of the legislation.
Resource Industries April 24th, 2001
Does the member think she voted for him?
Resource Industries April 24th, 2001
Mr. Chairman, this could be an interesting format. I am thinking about a certain hour that is called QP when quite often we wish we had the chance to ask questions, even of our own ministers and even of the opposition. Perhaps down the road it will be the opposition that is not sure about this format.
I have a question for the member, who represents one of the most beautiful parts of our country, and all parts are great. I want to clarify this. He may not have time before he addresses another subject. I admire ad hoc groups of all MPs for the coastal parts of B.C. Our daughter is working and going to school there, and I do want to include the comment that there are some CAP sites in some very remote areas. I know there is a need for more.
My colleague mentioned that this ad hoc group from the B.C. coast includes all the federal and provincial members. I want to clarify this. Does the ad hoc group include the Minister of the Environment, who I know is very passionate about not just the environment but coastal B.C.?
I have no props, but I am sure that in the future when we talk about our great resources in Canada we will perhaps focus even more on H2O.
Resource Industries April 24th, 2001
Mr. Chairman, this is certainly an interesting format. About a year or so ago, along with colleagues from both sides of the House, I was fortunate to attend a rural economic development conference in Magog, Quebec. It was a great success. It was open to all of us. About 500 Canadians from sea to sea to sea, from rural and remote communities, attended that conference.
This the first time in the history of the House that we have had a minister for rural Canada. I want to recognize that. Will there be more of these conferences? It was a great learning experience. I learned a lot as I am sure a lot of other people did.
I encourage all colleagues to come to the next one. Has the final report of that conference been published yet?
Agriculture April 6th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, let me be perfectly clear. At no time did the minister tell the producers of P.E.I. not to grow potatoes. The minister encouraged producers to make sure of their market before they grew more potatoes.
In fact, the minister continues to work hard, along with his officials, to develop further markets across Canada for our producers of potatoes in P.E.I. He should check the facts.
Health April 6th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, we have had a plan and it is in place. It is ready in case of any emergency at all. We are ready.
Besides the plan, we have videos that are being shown on all Air Canada flights. We have points of information at all the international airports. We are handing out literature in five languages on all incoming airplanes. We have staff working along with the Customs and Revenue Agency interviewing people who come from offshore. We are there and we have had this plan available for years.
Health April 6th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, we were very glad to have the CFIA at committee yesterday morning, along with the armed forces and one of the veterinarians from Kingston who was overseas to look at the situation firsthand.
We have many people from across Canada co-operating with the CFIA, the RCMP and the police. A plan has been in place and the plan is being updated and added to daily.
The CFIA had a rehearsal, an emergency preparedness planned with Mexico, the United States and Canada last November. We are doing everything possible.