House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2000, with 51% of the vote.
Westray December 2nd, 1997
Mr. Speaker, I advise the member that an extensive review of the Canada Business Corporations Act, including responsibilities of officers and directors, has been ongoing now for a period of time.
I think the comments of the Westray inquiry yesterday will be important contributions to the overall review of the act. We are anticipating extensive reform of the act. I will take into consideration all recommendations at that time.
Auditor General's Report December 2nd, 1997
Mr. Speaker, not only does the leader of the NDP profoundly misunderstand the program. She does not recognize the fact that the Small Business Loans Act is currently helping 30,000 small businesses in Canada acquire access to capital, one of the fundamental concerns the small business community has brought to our attention.
Day after day the small business community is creating the very kinds of jobs the leader of the NDP claims to want. Why does she not wake up and realize that this is a program that works?
Trade December 1st, 1997
Mr. Speaker, the agreement on internal trade signed in 1994 was an important first step in eliminating and reducing the trade barriers. However, I have to say that the progress that we had hoped to see in chapters such as government procurement in the MASH sector, energy, agriculture and so on has been very slow in coming.
I would also like to point out that many of the changes we would like to see adopted in the internal trade agreement, changes that would, for example, cause all the rules to apply to all trade except where exceptions are taken, are ones we think should be implemented as soon as possible.
I hope provincial governments will share our enthusiasm.
Marine Industry December 1st, 1997
Mr. Speaker, it depends on what the hon. member exactly means.
If she means that we should have an equivalent to the U.S. style of protectionism in the Jones Act, I do not think she would find very general support for that. If she thinks we should have export sales support as does the U.S., my answer to her is that we do. If she asks me whether I think we should turn over subsidies to an industry to enable it to sell into international markets, I suggest to her that I do not agree with that.
Marine Industry December 1st, 1997
Mr. Speaker, this is not an accurate statement, since we already have a national policy in place. Depreciation rates for ships are very high. There are also programs in place to support ship sales and operations. Therefore, it is not true that there is no policy to support shipbuilding companies.
Canada Co-Operatives Act November 28th, 1997
moved:
Motion No. 2
That Bill C-5, in Clause 302, be amended by replacing, in the French version, paragraphs 302(24)(a) and (b) with the following:
“a) soit cinq ans après ce jour;
b) soit à tout moment, mais au plus tard dix ans, après ce jour, tel qu'il est mentionné dans les statuts de la coopérative.”
Questions On The Order Paper November 28th, 1997
According to Statistics Canada:
Unemployment rates by gender persons aged 18-25
Both Sexes—Men—Women 1992—16.6—19.4—13.6 1993—16.5—19.1—13.6 1994—15.3—17.0—13.4 1995—14.0—15.4—12.6 1996—14.3—15.4—13.0
Source: Labour Force Survey, Statistics Canada
Unemployment rates by gender persons aged 26-34
Both Sexes—Men—Women 1992—11.7—12.9—10.3 1993—11.6—12.2—10.8 1994—10.7—11.4— 9.8 1995— 9.7—10.0— 9.3 1996— 9.7—10.1— 9.3
Source: Labour Force Survey, Statistics Canada
The labour force survey, source of Canada's official unemployment estimates, does not include data on ethnic origin.
Drug Patents November 26th, 1997
Mr, Speaker, this is a very important question. The issue with respect to the regulations is simply to ensure the 20 year patent protection period afforded not just pharmaceutical products but all patents is neither more nor less than 20 years.
The industry committee heard evidence from some who said it caused an extension of the period and from others who said it was not effective in giving 20 year protection. Any changes we make will be intended simply and clearly to ensure that 20 years is it. No more, no less.
Drug Patents November 26th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, our position is clear, it was discussed on a number of occasions in this House. We will honour our international commitments, which means that we must respect the 20-year patent protection period.
Land Mines November 24th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, I solute the hon. member for Nepean—Carleton who came forward with this suggestion.
As a result I am pleased to advise the House that we will be hosting a Canadian de-mining showcase in Ottawa on December 3 and 4, concurrently with the signing of the Ottawa declaration.
The availability of technology is not only to give effect to the terms of the treaty in which Canada has played such an important role but to give availability of solutions to people whose lives have disrupted by the unfortunate consequence of land mines.