Alfonso Gagliano

[Questions On The Order Paper, February 1st, 1999]

Payments are not paid directly to the region of Ottawa-Carleton.

As per the federal Municipal Grants Act, payments in lieu of taxes, PILT, are paid to the body who collects a real property tax pursuant to an act of the legislature of a province. In this situation, the area municipalities within the ROC are the collectors of real property tax, the grant is therefore paid to these municipalities and not the regional government. The payments to the area municipalities located in the ROC are as follows:

1997—1998 (Est.) City of Ottawa—$80,200,000—$86,000,000 City of Nepean—$3,242,000—$3,600,000 City of Gloucester—$7,250,000—$7,300,000 City of Kanata—$110,000—$120,000 Goulbourn Twp—$129,000—$140,000 Cumberland Twp—$1,000—$1,000 Osgoode Twp—$4,600—$5,000 Rideau Twp—$17,900—$19,000 West Carleton Twp—$28,800—$31,000 Total—$90,983,300—$97,216,000

The 1998 estimate takes into consideration the latest changes to the Ontario tax reform concerning the cap of 10% on all commercial and industrial properties.

[Property Tax, February 1st, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I have just announced changes in the way the Government of Canada will calculate its 1998 payment in lieu of taxes to Ontario representing a fair and equitable solution to assist local municipalities.

Under the new procedure the Government of Canada will pay as much as 43% more to Ontario municipalities than it did in 1997. In total federal payments to Ontario municipalities will be $35 million more than they were in 1997.

This approach we believe is fair and equitable and will help municipalities and municipal taxpayers to balance their situation.

I would like to thank my colleagues of the capital region in helping me solve—

[Canada Post, December 8th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, in the past two months, Canada Post met with over 600 franchise operators, amended its commission plan and on December 1 implemented its new amended plan. Franchise operators that have $200,000 or $300,000 worth of sales are not losing any money. Those above $300,000 receive an annual fee of $25,000 that they never received before. Canada Post believes that is a good plan. Let us give it time to work and we will see what happens.

[Parliament Buildings Renovations, December 7th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, first of all, for clarity concerning the figures, what the auditor general said was that, if all the plans currently on the table were approved, we may be looking at a total cost of $1.4 billion. We are not there yet.

The auditor general asked for a long term plan. In September, I asked my officials to develop a long term plan. The auditor general has been asking for one since 1992, and he asked for one again in the report he released last week.

On Tuesday, I announced the creation—

[Parliament Hill, December 7th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, first, the member should know that all parties sit on the board of internal economy, which is chaired by the Speaker, and that board is consulted on every expenditure concerning buildings on Parliament Hill.

I did not say that the auditor general was wrong. I said that I had to deal with reality and could only comment on figures and projects that have been approved. The hon. member can use his imagination and say everything that he says, but the auditor general asked for a long term plan and that is what we are working on. The auditor general asked for an advisory committee and I announced that there will be an advisory committee.

[Corruption Of Foreign Public Officials Act, December 7th, 1998]

moved that Bill S-21, an act respecting the corruption of foreign public officials and the implementation of the convention on combating bribery of foreign public officials in international business transactions and to make related amendments to other acts, be read the second time and referred to a committee.

[Parliament Hill, December 4th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I am taking full responsibility for my department every day. The work plan that has been approved is within budget.

We are looking at the complete long term plan. When that long term plan and the budget are approved I will announce it. The member does not know what he is talking about. He does not even know how this place works.

[Parliament Hill, December 4th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I do not know exactly what the hon. member is referring to. Maybe he should be more clear. I did not blame any public servant. My officials are doing a very good job in my department.

We are preparing a long term plan. I did not ruin anybody's career. Perhaps, if the member wants to be more specific, I can answer.

[Nunavut Act, December 4th, 1998]

moved that the bill be read the third time and passed.

[Nunavut Act, December 4th, 1998]

moved that the bill be concurred in.