David Dingwall

[Public Works, February 7th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the hon. member for his question. It is a question that probably should have been directed to the previous administration when this incident occurred.

I want to assure the hon. member that after the error was detected it was rectified within a two-week period at a cost of $150,000. I have given clear instructions to my staff at Public Works and Government Services Canada that that kind of behaviour will not be tolerated.

In essence we have asked for a review and if necessary, disciplinary action will be taken.

[Social Security System, February 2nd, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I have listened attentively to my colleague in his remarks. He went on at some length with regard to his high regard, and compliment him, for the family. Perhaps he would take a moment or two and explain to the House the definition of family to the hon. member but more important to the party which he represents.

Second, while he is on his feet if he would indicate to the House the role that he believes the state should play in facilitating and assisting the family. I refer specifically to the role of the Government of Canada.

[Social Security System, February 2nd, 1994]

Question, Mr. Speaker.

[Social Housing, February 2nd, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for her question.

The hon. member must recognize that the responsibility for social housing is not just with the federal government. We have committed $100 million to RRAP over two years. We have also committed the savings under the direct lending program which is approximately $120 million for a four-year period to go to social housing. In addition, the Government of Canada is committed to the $2 billion that we have directly involved in maintaining the existing stock in social housing across this country.

The hon. member knows that the Government of Canada, like all other governments, has a limited fiscal capacity. Within that fiscal capacity we will do our best to try to obtain additional funds in order to address the important concerns she raises.

[Public Works, February 1st, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his question. It is a subject matter of great concern to him as well as my colleague, the hon. member for Ottawa Centre, who has raised it with me on several occasions.

I should indicate to the hon. member that my department is charged with the responsibility of developing the accommodation needs of the various departments of the Government of Canada. As a result of the restructuring a new balance must be redrawn.

However I wish to assure the hon. member that no decisions have been reached. It is preliminary evaluation of the existing available space. No decisions will be made until such time as there are wide consultations with hon. members, the Minister of Industry and the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs.

[Postal Service, January 31st, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I believe the hon. member is being sincere in his representations, but I wish to inform him that members on this side of the House, particularly those who represent rural ridings, have been working diligently with me, as the minister responsible, to ensure that rural post offices do not close and that we find other ways to enhance their viability in the different communities across the country.

[Postal Service, January 31st, 1994]

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

He knows that in November I placed a moratorium on post office closings and not one post office across this country has been closed since.

I want to tell the hon. member that we are reviewing the situation. Discussions are taking place. I hope to be in a position within a matter of weeks to come back to the House and share an affirmative decision with members present.

[Government Expenditure, January 31st, 1994]

That was a low blow.

[Government Expenditure, January 31st, 1994]

The first time in the Canadian Parliament.

[Social Housing, January 28th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member is quite correct.

I had discussions with the minister of housing in the province of Quebec regarding the possibility of consummating a deal between the Government of Canada and the province of Quebec so that we may be able to piggy-back, if you will, some moneys we have to facilitate greater investments in that province and get a better bang for the dollar both provincially and federally.

My discussions with the minister, Mr. Ryan, are continuing and I hope to be able to have something in the very near future that will contribute to that objective.