John Manley

[Science And Technology, March 14th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, indeed, a portion of the funds announced had already been allocated for business under the old DIPP program. It amounts to very little.

I think he will understand clearly that, under technology partnerships Canada and the projects we will support, the money committed to the business sector will not be spent for a long time. That is why businesses, particularly in Montreal, with experience in the aerospace and defence sectors, which have made use of the old DIPP program, firms such as Pratt & Whitney, Bombardier, Spar and CAE gave the new program a warm welcome.

I think both he and his colleague, who frequently asked questions on defence conversion, will be very happy with the creation of this partnership program-which is not funding, but a partnership-not only in the aerospace and defence sectors, but in the environmental technology sectors as well.

[Science And Technology, March 14th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, I do not know whether the hon. member saw this allegation in the Globe and Mail or whether he read a translation in another paper, but it is incorrect.

[Agreement 20 On Internal Trade Implementation Act, March 11th, 1996]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-19, an act to implement the agreement on internal trade.

Mr. Speaker, this bill is in the same form as Bill C-88 of the first session of the 35th Parliament at the time of prorogation. I therefore request that it be reinstated as provided in the special order adopted on March 4, 1996.

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

[Communications, March 11th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member knows the provisions of the Competition Act. If he has some information he wishes to disclose I know the director will want to investigate it.

He will also know that the director acts as an independent agent in investigating complaints that are made with respect to offences that may or may not have been committed under the Competition Act. I suggest that is the appropriate remedy.

[Crtc, March 11th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member is aware that appeals have been lodged with the governor in council with respect to decisions of the CRTC. When cabinet has dealt with those appeals he and the public will be notified.

[Research And Development, March 11th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, if the member has read the science and technology review he has a remarkable ability to read quickly because it is quite a thick document and was just made available to him this morning. I commend it to his reading. He may be surprised at what he finds there.

I ask myself who it is he has been talking to. Who is it out there who wants more tax loopholes when the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, the Canadian Advanced Technology Association, the Business Council on National Issues and the business organizations have all recognized that the kind of program we have designed is not a subsidy program. It is an investment program with repayable contributions to give Canadian firms the ability to compete on a level playing field with firms from across the world. This is where we are going to create jobs for the next century. This is where we are going to give Canadians the advantage they need.

[Research And Development, March 11th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, I was interested to hear the Reform Party advocating increased tax breaks and increased spending, but we will take that under advisement.

I am very happy the member raised the question of research and development. Today not only was the government able to release its science and technology strategy "Science and Technology for the 21st Century" but it also introduced the new program Technology Partnerships Canada. It will provide funding of $150 million next year, $200 million the following year and $250 million the year after, not in subsidies but in assistance to research and development. It is money for projects including environmental technologies and defence conversion. Again, these are red book check offs: defence conversion, environmental technologies, new funding for research and development. We are fulfilling our promises.

[Bankruptcy And Insolvency Act, March 4th, 1996]

moved for leave to introduce the bill entitled: "An act to amend the

Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act, the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act and the Income Tax Act".

(Motion deemed agreed to, bill read the first time and ordered to be printed.)

[Standards Council Of Canada Act, March 4th, 1996]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-4, an act to amend the Standards Council of Canada Act.

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

[Telecommunications, December 14th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, first let me thank the hon. member for her question. In fact she highlights the point that Canada has one of the most open and liberal telecommunications markets in the world.

Just last spring the vice-president of the United States stated that the U.S. was prepared to offer reciprocal treatment to countries with an open investment climate. For our part, we have allowed 20 per cent foreign control at the operating company level and 33.3 per cent at the holding company level. We are still awaiting reciprocity from the United States.

The member will know that international forum discussions are under way, leading to a general agreement on trade and services. I assure her that the government stands committed not only to open trade in telecommunication services but to ensuring that Canadian firms have as much access to the U.S. market as U.S. firms have enjoyed to the Canadian market.