House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2000, with 51% of the vote.
Canada Foundation For Innovation December 9th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, I hope the hon. member will not tear off her clothes.
This is yet another example of the Quebec government's bickering. The PQ is trying to prevent Quebec researchers from doing innovative work in their province. The federal government has a tradition of subsidizing research and development in universities and research centres. We now have the most important foundation—
Division No. 64 December 9th, 1997
moved that the bill be read the third time and passed.
Division No. 63 December 9th, 1997
moved that the bill be concurred in.
Banks December 5th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, I think this member is hopelessly confused about the variety of issues that he is trying to put on the table here.
In fact, I am sure if he is really concerned about those issues he will support the government's agenda to make Canada the most connected nation in the world. He will support the idea of making connectedness available in every rural, remote community in Canada by the end of next year. He will support the idea of ensuring that access to the information highway is available at the cheapest rates possible to all Canadians.
This is part of obtaining the kinds of information that are vital to every Canadian of whatever income class to function in the new economy.
Banks December 5th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, I am afraid the hon. member is a little bit confused about the value of competition in our society.
He expresses concern about bank service charges. What does he want to do in his usual socialist way? He wants to intervene. He wants to nationalize the banks. I guess an NDP run bank would have lower service charges. I do not know.
I think competition is the way to drive down service charges. We are making sure that Canadians can easily and directly compare all the offerings that are there in banks so that they can find the ones that provide the best and cheapest service for them. That is how to drive down service charges.
Banks December 4th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, first, we believe that the most effective way to ensure that all charges that are rendered to consumers are lowest is by having the best level of competition and the best level of awareness among consumers.
Therefore I am very pleased to indicate to the member that within the next couple of weeks we will make available a service charge calculator free of charge on our website, Strategis, that will enable consumers to compare the charges levied against them by a variety of financial institutions and see in a very transparent and rapid way where the best services charges can be obtained.
Research And Development December 3rd, 1997
Mr. Speaker, I am sorry the hon. member puts his own country down to that extent. Even today at the Westin Hotel in Ottawa we are seeing a demonstration of Canadian technology which is world leading in removing mines from dangerous places across the world.
We are leading the world in space exploration. We are leading the world in regional aircraft. We are leading the world in environmental technology, in particular in relation to water. We are leading the world again and again. As we go forward from here with the commitment that the government has, together with the private sector and our universities, we will lead the world.
Research And Development December 3rd, 1997
Mr. Speaker, the question regarding Canada's innovation gap is a very important one and I thank the member for raising it.
We all agree that greater emphasis needs to be put on encouraging performance of research and development, in particular in the private sector. That is why we created the Canada Foundation for Innovation. That is why we renewed the networks of centres of excellence and made that a permanent program. That is why we promised in the red book an increased amount of funding for IRAP, and that is why as we move forward from here, we will continue to protect intellectual property, a key component in ensuring that research is done in the private sector.
Research And Development December 3rd, 1997
Mr. Speaker, I would like to point out that the foundation is a body independent of the government. The majority of its members are not appointed by the government.
However, I think I can assure the member that the foundation will be very proud to make known to all Canadians the successes that will undoubtedly flow from investments in research and development at Canadian universities and research hospitals.
Research And Development December 3rd, 1997
Mr. Speaker, I think the establishment of the Canada Foundation for Innovation is the single most important initiative of the federal government's research and development program in the last 20 years or so.
I should also point out to the hon. member that the board members have already met. They appointed directors and so did the government. They are now ready to begin their work, less than 10 months after the announcement was made in the budget.