John Manley

[Electronic Highway, April 25th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I am very glad that we finally have a question on the electronic highway. On the advisory committee set up a week ago are people who will inform us about all aspects of the electronic highway.

We have representatives from all regions of the country. We have representatives from all of the different types of users as well as those who will be designing and providing material for the eventual construction of the information highway.

I am looking forward to the work that this committee will do and the assistance it will provide the government in building the regulatory and policy framework in which the electronic highway will operate.

[Consumer Affairs, April 19th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member not only for his question but also for raising this issue in the House of Commons at this time.

It is a very important concern not just of our department and of the Bureau of Competition Policy but it should be a matter of concern for all Canadians.

As he mentions senior citizens particularly have been victimized by fraudulent telemarketing activities. For that reason the Bureau of Competition Policy which is responsible for enforcing laws respecting misleading advertising has included a flyer with the old age security cheques. This notice warns senior citizens of the danger of telephone fraud and of making the appropriate inquiries when telephone calls are received.

Also the Bureau of Competition Policy in co-operation with the RCMP and provincial police forces will be increasing enforcement activities to see that the laws on the books are appropriately enforced.

[Publishing, April 18th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, the member seems to have trouble understanding my answer.

The spokesperson was misunderstood by the journalist. There was no such meeting, and there were no discussions between myself, the Minister of Heritage and the Minister of Finance. It never happened.

[Publishing, April 18th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I have seen the article the member refers to. I wish to state categorically that I personally had never discussed the Ginn matter with the Minister of Finance until today when I saw the article. I wished to confirm to him that my assistant was misquoted in the article. No such discussion ever occurred.

[Pearson International Airport Agreement Act, April 13th, 1994]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-22, an act respecting certain agreements concerning the redevelopment and operation of terminals 1 and 2 at Lester B. Pearson International Airport.

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

[Government Expenditures, April 13th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I get to be Acting Minister of Transport as well today so I get another one of these questions. I frankly do not understand the idea that the Reform Party has of asking open-ended questions.

If the member has some specific suggestions about where he would like to reduce spending in the transportation sector I can assure him that my colleague, the Minister of Transport, will be happy to undertake to review his suggestions. I can give the undertaking with all assurance that his considerations will be given to the hon. member.

[Government Expenditures, April 13th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, let me say to the hon. member that I am sure he is aware the budget making process is one that is under the direction of the Minister of Finance. If a further budget is to be presented it will be up to the Minister of Finance to do it.

However let me say as well that the budget we are directing in Industry Canada is very much targeted at those sectors of the economy in which we expect to see the greatest economic growth. The key to reducing our deficit is not just to cut expenditures but is to see growth in the economy. That is the objective of the government.

[Mil Davie Shipbuilding, April 12th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I would certainly agree with the hon. member that it would be wrong to put off important decisions for partisan reasons.

I would point out to him however it is important that a large decision involving a lot of the taxpayers' money must be made for the right reasons. It will not be subject to this kind of pressure in order to make a decision which would prove to be the wrong one.

[Mil Davie Shipbuilding, April 12th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, it is clear with respect to both of the projects the hon. member mentioned that it is important for the government as the steward of the taxpayers' money to make decisions that are fundamentally in the best interests of the taxpayers ultimately.

With respect to the project of replacing the Lucy Maud Montgomery I know my colleague the Minister of Transport is giving active consideration to what his department's needs are with respect to that ferry. The decision will be taken in due course. As to where the contract will be let, that will need to be done on a commercial basis.

[Oerlikon Aerospace, April 12th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I think that Oerlikon shareholders also want to take action rather quickly. First, the company needs to address this issue. Secondly, governments may also help Oerlikon, but not necessarily by granting subsidies. Oerlikon needs to have a commercially-sound business plan. This will be the key to its success and to the success of other firms.