John Manley

[Federal Investments, October 28th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, the Bloc Quebecois is making a somewhat selective use of data. The fact is we just announced a number of federal investment initiatives in Quebec, and particularly in Montreal.

These include an investment announced last week in the aeronautical industry; an investment in the Mitel plant, located in Bromont; an investment in the biotechnology institute, at the

national research centre, and the maintaining of the space agency, among others.

Given that almost 41 per cent of tax credits for research and development are claimed in Quebec, these sectors are well supported by the federal government.

[Bankruptcy And Insolvency Act, October 21st, 1996]

moved that the bill, as amended, be concurred in.

[Tourism, October 8th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, the member represents one of the finest tourism destinations in Ontario.

The member will know what a fine example the Canadian Tourism Commission is of partnership between the federal and provincial governments, the private sector and the tourism industry. It has led year over year to a $1 billion reduction in the tourism account deficit; a 13 per cent increase in international tourism receipts; and an almost 2 per cent increase in employment in the tourism sector.

Tourism is big business and this government is seeing it grow even further.

[The Aerospace Industry, October 3rd, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, if the hon. member had reviewed Montreal's economic situation, he would know that it is those sectors relying on the political framework, and the industry sectors supported by the government of Canada that do well, namely the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, telecommunication and aerospace industries.

By contrast, the sectors that depend on the government of Quebec are doing very badly.

[The Aerospace Industry, October 3rd, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for mentioning that federal support to Quebec's aerospace industry has been very significant.

Indeed, it is the Government of Canada that established technology centres in the Montreal region. It is also the Government of Canada that set up the base on which was built the industry in Montreal. And now, we are committed to continue supporting Montreal's technology sector.

[Defence Industry Conversion, September 26th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, the projects supported by Technology Partnerships Canada will soon be announced.

The hon. member is well aware that, through its programs, the federal government provided support to the development, particularly in the Montreal region, of companies such as Bombardier, Pratt & Whitney, and CAE. We are currently witnessing Canada's success in Montreal.

[Telecommunications, September 25th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, the answer is in the question, in that it is primarily an issue for the CRTC, which deals with services provided in Canada's rural areas and urban centres.

As I just said, it is necessary to have a very competitive system, because it is not easy for us to find investments, including in rural areas of Quebec, without a telecommunications system that can face the U.S. competition.

We must accept the fact that technology is changing, and so are the ways of delivering telephone services.

The time has come for Canada to make changes, while keeping in mind the need to provide a universal service to all Canadians.

[Telecommunications, September 25th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, as a matter of principle, this telecommunication service should be available to all Canadians, wherever they live in Canada.

As the hon. member knows, it is also necessary to have a very competitive telecommunications system, so that we can attract investments to create other opportunities for Canadians.

[Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, June 20th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, the Senate banking committee provided the government with a number of recommendations with respect to the functioning of the government's banks as well as the regional development agencies. I will be responding very fully to that report on behalf of the government in the Senate committee in the coming weeks.

I would like to say to the hon. member as clearly as possible that the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and the other regional development agencies continue to play an important role in this government's plan to assist small and medium size enterprises in the regions of the country to acquire the capital and the technology they need to build jobs and growth for people in their regions.

It is not my intention nor my plan in any way to collapse the agencies into Industry Canada or into the banks, but rather to use them as real economic tools to build jobs and growth for Canada.

[Research And Development, June 20th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, I do not have enough time to list all the federal government's substantial investments, which are very important for the future of Quebec, and for the future of research and development throughout Canada.

Today, another Canadian astronaut working for the Canadian Space Agency in Saint-Hubert, Quebec, was launched into space.

Last month, a Canadian astronaut from Quebec, Marc Garneau, who also works for the Canadian Space Agency in Saint-Hubert, Quebec, was launched into space for the second time. We continue to invest in federal laboratories in Quebec, in the area of biotechnology in particular.