John Manley

[Communications, November 20th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, this is a very good question. I know the member will be aware that Canada currently has the lowest telephone rates in the world both for local and long distance service.

She will also know that we have moved to ensure that basic service is made available. We have asked the CRTC to ensure that is the case and that it is increasing telephone service across Canada.

Canadians will have access not just to basic telephone service but to the very best services the new technologies have to offer as well, as we become the most connected nation in the world.

[Drug Patents, November 20th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, it was rather clear, I think. We undertook to respect our commitments under international treaties, including with the World Trade Organization and also NAFTA.

We also received a report from a House committee suggesting that we review the regulations. We are proceeding with this, but we will be maintaining the 20-year period for patent protection.

[Small Business Loans Act, November 20th, 1997]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-21, an act to amend the Small Business Loans Act.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

[Competition Act, November 20th, 1997]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-20, an act to amend the Competition Act and to make consequential and related amendments to other acts.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

[Drug Patents, November 19th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, the aim of the regulations was to give 20 years of protection to drug patents and not to extend or lessen the protection. Any changes to the regulations will be to—

[Drug Patents, November 19th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, I said earlier and I confirm that we will honour our international commitments. We will, in other words, honour the 20 year period patents are protected.

[Pharmaceuticals, November 19th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, I am surprised the question is in order, but I think it is important to note that what has the NDP inflamed is really only a very small portion of the total costs of health care in the country, namely the differential that may exist between patented medicines and non-patented medicines.

They obviously have no interest in respecting intellectual property. Nor are they making any arguments based upon the laws that stand, the regulations as they exist. Nor have they made any practical, lawful suggestions to us that we could—

[Pharmaceuticals, November 19th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, the drug patent policy is a controversial one. It was reviewed by a committee of the House of Commons during the past winter.

The purpose of the policy, from our point of view, is quite simple. We will respect our international commitments under the WTO to give 20 year patent protection for intellectual property, not just for drugs but for all intellectual property.

We will try to endeavour to ensure that the moment the patent protection ends mechanisms will be in place to ensure that alternative drugs are there.

[Shipbuilding, November 17th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, as I assured the member privately, if she sent me information we would look at it carefully. I do need to tell her, however, that special tax breaks are a form of subsidy.

[Technologies Partnerships Canada, November 17th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, TPC is anything but a handout. It is a risk sharing investment that the government makes to support the development of new technology and products that are sold and exported throughout the world.

So far, the $491 million that the Government of Canada has committed in TPC investments has leveraged $2.17 billion in private sector investments, generating up to $52 billion in sales of Canadian goods and has created or maintained over 11,500 jobs in the Canadian economy.