House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2000, with 51% of the vote.
Credit Cards May 27th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, I wish to thank the hon. member for his question because this is a very important issue. Actually, interest rates on credit cards in the retail sector are governed by provincial regulations. This is nevertheless an important issue which I have discussed, in writing, with the president of the Retail Council of Canada. It is very important that we find a way to bring down the interest rates on retail store credit cards as well as those issued by banks.
Eh-101 Helicopter Contract May 27th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, if members would ask questions that deserved answers they would get answers.
The point is simply that there are contractual relations the Government of Canada entered into with contracting parties. That is simple. Those contracts are being resolved now through a process of negotiation and discussion. The Prime Minister made very clear that there would be no compensation beyond that provided for in contracts.
We are interested in protecting in this matter the interest of the taxpayers of Canada. They are the people who sent us here. That is what we should be doing.
Eh-101 Helicopter Contract May 27th, 1994
Regrettably, Mr. Speaker, the previous government made a bad decision when it agreed to negotiate contracts to purchase the helicopters. In keeping with the promises we made during the election campaign and with our conviction that this course of action was best for Canada, this government had no choice but to cancel these contracts.
The people of Canada voted for us, understanding that we were going to cancel the contracts. It is unfortunate that some will lose as a result of that. In the final analysis this decision was made for the right reasons and done on the basis of the support of the people of Canada.
Avcorp Industries May 26th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, yes, we did make commitments about defence conversion and we are honouring those commitments.
What is very confusing about the Bloc members' position is that they seem to think the taxpayer of Canada is prepared to sit and write cheques to companies in order to help them succeed.
We are prepared to sit down with management of the companies and help them find strategic approaches to their marketplace. We are prepared to work with them to find ways in which they can find new products and new solutions to their problems. However if the hon. member's idea is that there is some kind of deep pocket out there that can put money into companies then he did not read the red book. We talked about cutting subsidies to business and that is what we stand for.
Avcorp Industries May 26th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, I believe that the government made it perfectly clear, when it announced the cancellation of the helicopter contract, that there would be no compensation for the companies involved, except for contracts between the government and those companies.
It was quite clear and the Leader of the Opposition should try to understand there was no offer of compensation outside the contracts. The contracts are being settled by the process of negotiation and perhaps legal proceedings.
On the broader issue of defence conversion, we have discussed that in this House many times. There are many elements to a defence conversion policy.
The government has a program which is intended to aid companies in converting from defence to civilian or dual use purposes. The program is known as DIPP.
Since November, when this government came into office, we have agreed to 41 proposals under DIPP, 39 of which came from companies converting to civilian production or dual use purposes.
Interprovincial Trade May 26th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, the member for Edmonton East raises a very important issue which I think most Canadians find quite astonishing, that while Canada has entered into international trade agreements it has failed to find a way to reduce interprovincial trade barriers which in some ways would not be permitted in our relations with other countries.
I am pleased to advise the House that progress is being made. A great deal of effort is being put into this project by ministers who are members of the committee of ministers on internal trade, ministers from all provinces and the territories, as we work toward the June 30 deadline.
Given the commitment that is being made on the part of all provinces, there is a very good prospect it will succeed in having a broad based and worthwhile framework agreement together with comprehensive chapters in a number of areas, a number of sectors, which will provide a good base for continuing progress in this issue.
Frankly I find the spirit of co-operation from all provinces very encouraging, although I must say I worry about retaliatory action being taken by Ontario in light of the results of the Stanley Cup playoff game the other night.
Defence Industry Conversion May 24th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, in all honesty I believe $160 million a year which DIPP currently has is adequate to support a program of defence conversion.
I would like to point out as well to the hon. member that since this government was elected we have approved 41 DIPP applications. Of those, 39 were for civilian or dual use purposes. This in effect demonstrates that a defence conversion program is operating.
It is time the hon. member recognized the important contribution DIPP is making to firms across Canada, particularly in Quebec. Pratt & Whitney, Canadair and others have benefited in great measure by this government's program.
Defence Industry Conversion May 24th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, I wish to congratulate my hon. colleague on his article published in La Presse last week. At least he paid attention to the debates we had in this place the week before the recess.
It must be made very clear here that the Bloquists' understanding is that defence conversion requires massive subsidies to be paid to companies which also have shareholders and managers responsible for finding ways of succeeding. That is essential to helping us understand where they are coming from.
We will support defence conversion and DIPP is doing that. We also recognize the important role shareholders and company managers have in ensuring the success of their own enterprises. That is part of the system and it is part of defence conversion.
Information Highway May 5th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, the question is a very good one.
I am sure the member is aware that the advisory council on the information highway has its first meeting today. In the booklet we produced on Canada's information highway with the announcement of the advisory council, we set out our objectives, including competition, jobs, accessibility and affordability for all Canadians.
Those fundamental principles and objectives are the ones that we are seeking to define. The means by which we achieve them over the course of the deliberations of the council during the next few weeks and months will define our view of the policies that should be pursued. We will be seeking the input of members of the House as well as the broader Canadian community about the impact of the regulatory environment in which we are going to operate.
It is a very important file, one on which the government will act with great care and with great interest in what the hon. member has to say to us about it.
Supply May 5th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, I am afraid I could not answer that question off the top of my head but I will certainly undertake to get that information to the hon. member as quickly as possible.