Pierrette Venne

[Ice Storm Assistance, March 18th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the secretary of state responsible for the Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions Agency.

The federal program of assistance to victims of the ice storm, hastily announced by two ministers on February 13, is not working. We have learned that only 14 businesses out of 25,000 have received any assistance, and that 80% of those that applied for assistance have been turned down.

With such eloquent figures, will the minister admit that this program is inconsistent with the actual situation faced by businesses and that the criteria used must be completely reviewed as quickly as possible?

[Questions Passed As Orders For Return, March 17th, 1998]

Can the Privy Council itemize for the fiscal year 1995-96, ( a ) whom it has mandated to carry out research studies, ( b ) what subjects have been covered by these studies, and ( c ) what the cost was of carrying out each of the research contracts awarded?

Return tabled.

[Questions On The Order Paper, March 17th, 1998]

Can the Privy Council itemize for the fiscal year 1994-95 ( a ) who it has mandated to carry out research studies, ( b ) what subjects have been covered by these studies, and ( c ) what the cost was of carrying out each of the research contracts awarded?

[Questions On The Order Paper, March 17th, 1998]

Can the Privy Council itemize for the fiscal year 1996-97, ( a ) whom it has mandated to carry out research studies, ( b ) what subjects have been covered by these studies, and ( c ) what the cost was of carrying out each of the research contracts awarded?

[Questions On The Order Paper, March 17th, 1998]

Can the Privy Council itemize for the current fiscal year 1997-98, ( a ) whom it has mandated to carry out research studies, ( b ) what subjects have been covered by these studies, and ( c ) what the cost was of carrying out each of the research contracts awarded?

[Victoria Bridge, February 4th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Transport.

In order to avoid total closure of the Victoria Bridge in Montreal, which would penalize the 40,000 drivers who use it daily, can the Minister of Transport make a commitment today to take all the steps necessary to—

[Helicopters, February 3rd, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, part of the saga of the helicopters ended this past January 5, when the Minister of National Defence had the embarrassing task of revealing his government's choice to us: the Cormorant, a perfect clone of the Conservatives' EH-101.

Does the prime minister not acknowledge that it would be advantageous, for the next helicopter contract for replacements to the Sea Kings, for a House committee to be mandated to hold public hearings in order to ensure that the process is clear and transparent?

[Postal Services Continuation Act, 1997, December 2nd, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, I also think this special legislation is necessary, since it is patently clear that the two sides cannot and will not reach a agreement.

Many postal workers themselves are fed up with this drawn out dispute. Many of them welcome this legislation because, let us be honest, postal workers too are affected financially by this strike. They will also tell you that the union is asking for too much in the present economic context

In this regard, a recent article in Les Affaires stated that the issue in the postal dispute is the flexibility Canada Post must have to become competitive and not pass on unwarranted costs to its clients.

This article also quotes Gordon Ritchie, former deputy chief negotiator for NAFTA, as saying that the collective agreement of Canada Post employees is probably the least competitive and most ineffective, bar none, of its kind in North America.

Does the member for Abitibi agree with this statement by the former deputy chief negotiator for NAFTA?

[Postal Services Continuation Act, 1997, December 2nd, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, as the Reform member said, the postal strike does not just affect businesses and charities. It also affects the public.

My own little survey of residents in my riding was particularly revealing. Everyone I met, without exception, said they were unhappy with the strike dragging on.

I will vote in favour of this bill. Sovereignists are not all left wing, socialist and pro-labour. Our numbers include people like myself who think that there is still room for the diversity that characterized the Bloc Quebecois when it first started out.

I have a question for the member. Did he find the same concerns in his riding that I found in mine, setting aside businesses and charities, as I mentioned at the beginning? I am speaking about the public in general.

[Postal Services Continuation Act, 1997, December 2nd, 1997]

Madam Speaker, 30 seconds is a bit short. I rise today specially in this House to indicate my support for the government's bill to put an end to the postal strike. Now in its third week, this strike is going nowhere at the moment. In light of the impasse, action is imperative, since the post office is a public service vital to our economy.

I have no questions for the moment, since time is too short, but I will continue the debate later.