John Manley

[Shipbuilding Industry, March 24th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, the reality is that there have been over the last couple of years, in fact as recently as 1998, additional improvements to the measures that are available to assist shipbuilders. The Export Development Corporation has enhanced the benefits which it provides. In addition, we continue to have favourable tariff rules as well as rapid depreciation for ships that are built in Canada under the Income Tax Act.

However, in response to a request from the shipowners' association, it was my intention to meet with them—

[The Economy, March 24th, 1999]

That is bizarre, Mr. Speaker. In fact the report is not something we do not like. We want to make sure the facts are consistent. I know the hon. member does not want to let the facts stand in the way of some good political rhetoric, but I suggest to him that he review the daily from two days ago from Statistics Canada and take into account what they are saying about levels of productivity.

[The Economy, March 24th, 1999]

There is trouble with the facts over there, Mr. Speaker. I recommend that speech to the hon. member. It is still available on the website.

The member will see that we never did say that the standard of living was lower in Canada than in Mississippi. We were expressing concerns about the level of productivity in Canada compared to the U.S. In recent days we have had more favourable numbers from Statistics Canada than had previously been the case. It would be important for the hon. member to take those numbers into account and perhaps to help us all work together in order to make sure that our standard of living continues to increase.

[The Economy, March 24th, 1999]

There is a thought loose over there somewhere, Mr. Speaker.

Industry Canada is not independent. Stats Canada is independent and the numbers it released in the last couple of days indicate some information which should be encouraging for Canadians that our productivity performance has been better than was previously estimated.

I do not think anyone should lose sight of the fact that if we are to continue to increase our prosperity, if we are to build our standards of living, then we need to continue to focus on the things that will contribute to productivity.

That includes investment in research and development, learning—

[The Economy, March 24th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I am sure the hon. member is aware of the fact that the numbers released by Statistics Canada in the last few days have indicated that Canadian productivity has done better than had been previously estimated by Statistics Canada.

Consequently, whether Statistics Canada, an arm's length agency, or Industry Canada, a government department, when we are discussing these numbers it would be useful if we could agree on exactly what they are. It was for that reason it was suggested the paper should be written again in light of the current numbers from Statistics Canada.

[Bill C-54, March 23rd, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, we did work with the other provinces. After all, there was already a directive from the European Union that concerned us.

I think it is important that, in striving to be a leader in electronic commerce, Canada show it is capable of protecting the interests of individuals with respect to privacy.

We tried to work with Quebec officials, but our own officials waited in vain for six months and never got a reply from them.

[Bill C-54, March 23rd, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, several constitutional experts, including Jacques Frémont from the Université de Montréal, recognized the right of the federal government to get involved in the area of commerce. Our bill will complement the legislation that already exists in Quebec.

To be sure, the issue of privacy is very important to all Canadians. It is important in the context of electronic commerce, and is an international issue rather than a provincial one. We will protect the interests of all Canadians.

[Building Contracts, March 23rd, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, with respect to the Business Development Bank of Canada, I think it is quite clear. The member is welcome to look at the facts for himself if he wants. The process of reviewing a loan application was dealt with in the ordinary course of business. The request for access to information is of course subject to the provisions of the act which retain confidential commercial information.

However, if the member wants to go to the registry office he will discover that the Business Development Bank of Canada was not the only source of financing for this project. The fonds de solidarité and the caisse populaire put in money on a commercial basis. That is fundamentally the answer to the member's question.

[Bill C-54, March 22nd, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, the confusion is on the other side, because all Canadians want private information to be protected, and that is what we will do.

This bill truly complements the only existing provincial act, that is the legislation adopted in Quebec under the former government of Daniel Johnson, which we support.

[Foreign Investment, March 22nd, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, as I was quoted as saying over the weekend, the acquisition of Spar by MDA is saddening. However, it is important to point out that in the context of this deal the acquisition by MDA, previously by Orbital, has resulted in an increase in employment at MDA in Richmond, British Columbia. It has enabled it to compete effectively, in fact so well that it won the RADARSAT II contract which was open to bidding.

We are confident that in the long run the investment in the robotics division will continue to maintain Canadian leadership.