John Manley

[Nuclear Industry, November 1st, 1996]

The hon. member should realize that science and technology produces benefits for all Canadians by creating the research which then creates jobs in commercial applications.

Only recently, we made some very important investments in the Montreal area and elsewhere in Quebec. We invested non only in Canadair, which is very important, but also in Mitel, in Bromont, which is engaged in research or semiconductors. We have invested in biotechnology at the biotechnology institute of the National Research Ccentre in Montreal, to create a kind of incubator that will create jobs in this sector.

There is more to it than just saying: All right, you cut here, but if you did not find the money there, because we have limited funds, so we must establish certain priorities. The priorities in the Montreal area are the pharmaceutical industry, biotechnology and aerospace, and that is the kind of investment we made.

[Nuclear Industry, November 1st, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, I believe the lack of understanding comes from the other side of the House.

[Nuclear Industry, November 1st, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, first of all, I notice it is not the former science and technology critic asking this question, because he sent me a letter saying he agreed with the government's decision to shore up previous investments in Triumph.

A number of scientists at Quebec universities are doing their research at Triumph and also at CERN in Europe. This is a very important package.

Second, I am really surprised to hear the hon. member say that, as far as research and development is concerned, Tokamak is the most important research centre in Quebec. The hon. member is actually saying that all other research in sectors such as biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, aeronautics and aerospace are less important. And this in spite of the fact that we explained recently in the House that the only hi-tech sector where Canada has a trade surplus is the aerospace sector.

[Nuclear Industry, November 1st, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, as the Minister of Natural Resources has explained repeatedly in the House, it was decided that the priorities of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited would include not only research and development but also the sales of CANDU reactors.

I believe the hon. member is well aware that many Quebec companies benefit as a result of CANDU sales, and that is the priority of this organization.

[Bombardier, October 31st, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, first, I would like to thank the hon. member for his question because he gives me the opportunity to point out the important role that we think the private sector needs to play in helping this program to work well.

We put together a private sector advisory board which is helping us to review the parameters of the program in the most effective way. We are using the board to give us a foresight into the technologies we should be supporting. We are asking it to review in retrospect the allocation of funds so that it can give us advice on whether it thinks the effectiveness of the program is as great as it could be among sectors.

I will tell the member that we have been absolutely scrupulous in ensuring that in reviewing any specific application that are made through Technology Partnerships Canada that no member of that advisory council is consulted in the review of the application. This is done entirely by officials. It is based on the guidelines that were set out and made public when the program was announced. We know that the government is creating jobs not only in the immediate term, but into the next century.

[Bombardier, October 31st, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member keeps wanting to talk about this as a loan. I have explained to him a couple of times that we are not talking about a loan but an investment which in fact will be repaid out of royalties as aircraft are sold at Canadair.

I also want to point out to the member that this entire program is not only about science and technology or research and technology. It is also about creating jobs. Yes, these are jobs in Montreal but they support jobs across Canada.

When I flew out to British Columbia last week to give the first contribution under this program to Paprican it was to create jobs in British Columbia as well as in Montreal. When I was in Alberta last July to give money to TR Labs on a repayable basis to support wireless technologies it was to create jobs in Alberta. Where are the complaints from the hon. member about those job creation efforts?

[The Film Industry, October 31st, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, I shall certainly assume my responsibilities, and I will explain my decision when it is time to do so.

I would also like to point out that I agree with the hon. member on the importance of Canadian culture. I am pleased the Bloc is also in favour of protecting Canadian culture. I trust that they will work with us to create a country where we can all have a strong culture and develop an appreciation of our two cultures, French and English.

[The Film Industry, October 31st, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, as I explained to the hon. member for Rimouski-Témiscouata last week, it is impossible, under the Investment Canada Act, to discuss specifics while the issue is still before me.

[Bombardier, October 30th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, let me first of all assure the hon. member that in introducing this new program called technology partnerships Canada we are looking only at those companies where we see an investment in research and development bringing in products to the marketplace that will have success in the international markets.

That is the same attention that I will pay to prominent firms in his own riding that are applying under technology partnerships Canada.

Let us look for a second at the $87 million in assistance which, as I have told him, is fully repayable and compare it to his proposition of tax relief. If we take the $87 million and divide it among the 20 million individual tax filers in this country, roughly $4.40 would go to each taxpayer.

I will take the investment in Bombardier, the 2,700 jobs it will create and maintain, over the $4 to buy a hamburger for everyone else in Canada.

[Bombardier, October 30th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to explain to the hon. member, as I did to his colleague over the last couple of days, that the assistance that we have provided in the regional jet project is not a handout to business. It is not a handout to a corporation. It is an investment in research and development, fully repayable out of royalties on sales of aircraft.

This hon. member is the member of his party on the industry committee. I think he understands the importance of trying to develop industries within this country that can succeed.

I remind him that the only high technology sector in which Canada at this moment wins a trade surplus is the aerospace industry.

I remind him that every other country in the world with an important aerospace sector is involved in it by state ownership, by defence procurement or by other measures.

I remind him that as we invest in aerospace in Canada, we will be repaid with jobs and growth. If he wants to have his finance critic stand up and talk about jobs, then I suggest to him that he understand what it takes to create jobs.