Martin Cauchon

[Taxation, December 5th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, we all know that there is a tax credit that exists. We all know as well that based on Canadian legislation, there was a 15% withholding with regard to the non-resident actors on their contracts with Canadian producers.

We have been discussing that problem over the past decade. The government has had the courage to solve the problem. In consultation with CCRA and the finance department, we changed the legislation. Today there is a withholding of 23% on a contract. We are proud of what we are doing.

[Canada-U.S. Relations, December 4th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, I really do not know where the hon. member was over the past few months.

We announced last year, last June and a few weeks ago more human resources for the customs organization. This will take place at the beginning of next year.

At the same time, along with my colleagues, the solicitor general and the Minister of Transport, we have announced more technology for airports and international seaports.

We are moving in the right direction. As I said earlier, for commercial shipments we will announce shortly what we--

[Canada Customs and Revenue Agency, December 4th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, in her report, the auditor general said that when she had a look at the customs action plan we were indeed going in the right direction.

Speaking about the customs officers who have been working hard since September 11, of course I believe we should thank all the Canadian customs officers who have been working hard to protect our society.

Speaking about technology, Nexus is fantastic technology. The customs self assessment, which we will announce shortly, is fantastic technology as well. The Canpass at airports, which we would like to announce shortly, is fantastic technology. We are moving ahead in the right direction.

[Canada Customs and Revenue Agency, December 4th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, the decision taken by the United States to put national guards at the border is, as far as I am concerned, normal considering the fact that on the Canadian side we have more customs officers by far.

Let us take, for example, the fact that we have more than 2,000 customs officers on our side. The Americans have something like 1,000. Therefore, to give those customs officers, who have been working hard since September 11, a hand is just normal.

Having said that, we on this side of the House have said that we want to make sure that we keep the border open to trade and that we use more technology to proceed with a much better risk assessment. Indeed, this is what we will do. I have been talking with the secretary treasurer, as have my colleagues. It is going well. We will—

[Economic Development, December 3rd, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his question. This is an excellent question on a very important issue, namely the economic development of all the regions of Quebec.

On November 22, I had the opportunity to add a new component to our main program called “Idées PME”.

Today, I would like to announce a $30 million sub-component called “Essai-expérimentation”, which is designed specifically for all resource regions and based on natural resources.

Once again, our objective is to have flexible programs to meet the public's needs and those identified here. We want to create jobs and we will continue to do so.

[Border Agreements, December 3rd, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, the agreement that will be officially signed this afternoon is an agreement among various agencies. It essentially seeks to address the issue of our shared border.

In the past, we have signed similar agreements, including the accord on our shared border signed by the President and the Prime Minister in 1996. Let us not forget that over 80% of our exports go to the United States, and that less than 25% of U.S. exports come to Canada. We will continue to work with the United States to ensure that, indeed, our special relationship can continue. We must ensure that the skies—

[Border Agreement, December 3rd, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, I would merely point out that co-operation between the United States and Canada right now is exceptional.

The agreement signed this morning involving certain agencies mirrors what has been done with respect to customs. Obviously, all this comes under the broader authority of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Governor Ridge of the United States.

I would also simply like to say that what we are striving for is to keep the border open through a greater reliance on technology in order to ensure that we better meet our dual mandate. That is essentially what we are attempting to do.

[Revenue Canada, November 28th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, we all know that from time to time Revenue Canada reviews some of the big accounts. We are perfectly aware of the situation and the sensitivity of the issue. We are looking into the integrity of the self-assessment regime that we have in place under the Income Tax Act. We are doing our work in the best manner we can.

We do understand that it is a very sensitive issue. I repeat that the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency is one of the best organizations in the world.

[Water Contamination, November 26th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, as regards the issue of the beaches sector of Sept-Îles, I had the opportunity to meet with citizens and to talk with the mayor.

I know that the provincial government has done its share. I also know that a solution was implemented not too long ago by Transport Canada. We are keeping an eye on this issue and we are also continuing to support the region's economic development.

I am taking this opportunity to say that we recently announced a specific initiative for the North Shore that will bring close to $10 million in investments to help small and medium size businesses and people on the North Shore position themselves.

This is what our government has done.

[GM Plant in Boisbriand, November 26th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, first off, I would simply like to say that I find the remarks by the head of the union with respect to our government rather offensive.

This government was the first to support the GM Boisbriand team, as talk of closing the plant began. We set up a committee we helped financially so that representations could be made in Detroit to showcase the quality of the technology and of the manpower.

The Minister of Industry visited Detroit on several occasions to point out the merits of the Quebec industry, and we will continue to do so. However, they are not prepared to acknowledge that on this side—