Martin Cauchon

[Canadian Institutes Of Health Research Act, November 23rd, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, when there is a reference to the notion that 16 % of research and development funds go to Quebec—

[Canadian Institutes Of Health Research Act, November 23rd, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I think this is necessary.

When it is said that 16 % of research and development funds go to Quebec, this is absolutely false. The percentage—

[Canadian Institutes Of Health Research Act, November 23rd, 1999]

If the members opposite will let me continue, I would like to talk about biotechnology.

Biotechnology, in Montreal essentially, was established with the assistance, the indefeasible support of the Canadian government and of my colleague in industry, especially through the creation of the biotechnology research institute, which gave a lift to biotechnology in Montreal.

The greatest number of researchers in the field of biotechnology in the world may be found connected with the BRI.

In the space sector, the Canadian space agency, which is in the greater Montreal area, is also a source of pride for the people of Quebec and our government.

On the subject of aeronautics, through technology partnerships Canada, my colleague at the Department of Industry intervened with Pratt and Whitney, Bombardier and CAE, and others. And those people over there will tell us we are not supporting development in Quebec. We are doing a lot and will continue to do so.

[Canadian Institutes Of Health Research Act, November 23rd, 1999]

Moreover, I would like to come back to—

[Canadian Institutes Of Health Research Act, November 23rd, 1999]

I hear them shouting on the other side, which obviously means it hurts.

My colleague the Minister of Industry rightfully reminded me a few moments ago that one of the best research and development tools we have in Canada is the tax credit, which is administered by my department, Revenue Canada. This tax credit represents about $1.4 billion for the Canadian economy as a whole, and a good part of that money is invested in Quebec.

[Canadian Institutes Of Health Research Act, November 23rd, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I will take a few minutes to explain, not in great detail but in general, what the Government of Canada is doing to contribute to the development of the province of Quebec, particularly of the Montreal region, with regard to research and development.

I would like to say that my colleague the Minister of Industry and myself were somewhat taken aback by the comments made by the opposition, particularly by the Bloc Quebecois, but I think this is part of a normal pattern whereby these members try to suggest to the people of Quebec that the federal government is not doing anything positive. Of course, they do not want people to see what we are really doing because it certainly does not serve their cause. What they want is to break up the country.

[Ways And Means, November 5th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 83(1), I have the honour to lay upon the Table a notice of ways and means motion to amend the Excise Act and the Income Tax Act, along with explanatory notes.

I ask that you designate an order of the day for the consideration of the motion.

[Supply, November 4th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I think my ten minute speech showed the benefits and the need to address globalization and the various export markets.

Obviously there were enormous positive effects, a source of particular pride to us, since we also played a lead role in some of the free trade agreements signed by our government, with which hon. members are very familiar.

What is also very important, in my opinion, is that when we took over the government in 1993, our economic sector was having a particularly hard time competing internationally, because the fiscal position of the country left something to be desired, as a result of the actions of the previous government.

We started by putting our fiscal house in order, which brought a breath of fresh air into private business, and prosperity is possible today because we have a responsible government.

[Supply, November 4th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, since time is short, I will say that I am sure that, even in the 1980s, when the free trade agreements were being discussed, Wilfrid Laurier could rest in peace, because my party has always been faithful to its original tenets, which were established by Wilfrid Laurier himself. This goes back to 1910, 1911.

Basically, what we did in the 1980s was to bring out various points of view in order to clarify the agreement. Further clarification would have been needed to avoid certain problems of interpretation that we have today and that would not exist if people had listened to us in the 1980s.

[Supply, November 4th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, when we talk about the brand new economy in the global marketplace of course it has to take place within a framework. We all know that the framework set by all countries involved in the global economy is the World Trade Organization.

WTO, which was previously GATT, the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, was established, as those who are very much aware of the situation know, a long time ago. It is a long process but it is a long process that shows to the population and the world as a whole that when countries are working together they can establish rules and parameters which ensure that corporations are able to compete against each other and that there are rules which have to be respected and from which every country can benefit.

As far as WTO is concerned, it is an ongoing process which will continue in Seattle shortly.