Martin Cauchon

[Terrorism, September 17th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned, right after the tragic events, customs officers moved onto high alert.

Obviously, we put in place additional measures with a primary view to the safety of all Canadians.

We are now proceeding on a risk assessment basis. We are also assessing this risk jointly with U.S. customs officers.

We are fully aware that risk must be assessed on a regular basis so that there can also be a balanced approach vis-à-vis trade.

We will ensure that action will be taken to return as soon as possible to the most appropriate measures from a trade point of view.

[Terrorism, September 17th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, right after the tragic events customs moved to high alert. It means more examinations, more use of soft technology, and continued good co-operation with U.S. customs. We have exchanged some information, some intelligence, and we have been sharing the databank we have.

Customs is a question of risk assessment. About a year and half ago we tabled a new reform to ensure we have much better risk assessment.

As the Prime Minister has said on terrorism, it is a threat that faces all countries of the world. It means that we will have to keep working together in good co-operation.

[Revenue Canada, June 12th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, as we know, all the departments must comply with the Official Languages Act.

Of course, the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency provides services in both official languages, but mistakes can sometimes occur. If this is the case, I would ask people to contact the agency to correct the situation.

However this works both ways, because I personally once received a notice in English from Revenu Québec.

[Economic Development, June 11th, 2001]

This is what this government wants to do for all the regions.

[Economic Development, June 11th, 2001]

Since members opposite do not work at all for regional development, they are heckling so that people will not hear what I have to say.

But I will nonetheless say that this morning we announced, for the great region of the Outaouais, about 10 projects representing contributions in excess of $3 million to create over 400 jobs.

[Economic Development, June 11th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his excellent and important question.

Indeed, members on this side of the House do work hard to promote economic development in all the regions of Quebec, but also of Canada.

[Customs Act, June 8th, 2001]

moved that Bill S-23, an act to amend the Customs Act and to make related amendments to other acts, be read the first time.

(Motion agreed to and bill read the first time)

[National Revenue, June 8th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, first I to thank the hon. member for giving me advance notice of that question.

Of course I cannot comment on the specifics of that file because of subsection 24(1), but generally speaking I would like to say that those benefits obtained through WCB are indeed non-taxable. However that could affect as well other benefits like the income tested benefits.

We are responsible for the management of the Income Tax Act. Therefore, based on those conditions, we have to move ahead and apply the legislation. Those people have received an answer from the department.

[Employment Insurance, June 8th, 2001]

Tell us, while the member for Charlevoix was saying that seasonal work adjustment measures were possible, when the people on this side of the House work to increase work—

[Employment Insurance, June 8th, 2001]

We established an annual report, which the commission will table. This annual report will ensure that the law will continue to evolve. We believe in regional economic development.