Sergio Marchi

[Trade, February 17th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, obviously the NDP is very confused. What I said to the member is that our first preference for Canadian culture would be that it be off the MAI table. In fact a number of countries would agree with us. Failing that we would take a country specific exemption.

What the hon. lady does not understand is that for Canadian culture the exact same thing is going to be applied. If you have a country specific exemption or if the issue is off the table it means that for Canadian culture MAI will have no impact.

[Asbestos, February 12th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, the government has worked very hard and very seriously on the asbestos issue. We want to submit the case to the WTO at the right time.

The French government has now promised to send a representative next month. At the same time, the Government of Great Britain has also promised a consultation process. As an initial position, we think that a negotiated agreement is very advantageous for workers as an alternative possibility.

[Trade, February 12th, 1998]

Yes, you are.

[Trade, February 12th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, we said very clearly at the outset of the negotiations at the MAI that we would prefer a complete carve out for culture, that it should not be on the table. If it is going to be on the table we have said that we are going to move for an exemption. If there is no exemption, there is no signature to the MAI.

The only party in this Parliament that does not want an exemption for culture is the Reform Party of Canada.

[Multilateral Agreement On Investment, February 12th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, in four months one would think he would have prepared those two questions better or at least finished the second question.

I am not sure what the member's complaint is. We have engaged the Canadian public in a national debate. We want more debate and more information. The question that should be asked is what is the Reform Party doing. How many briefings has he had across the country? As opposition critic, has he triggered a national debate in this House? Has the Reform Party used opposition day motions? No, it has not. It is its own insecurity that motivates the two pathetic questions in the last four months.

[Multilateral Agreement On Investment, February 12th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, we welcome the member's second question in four months. If that is to be a sign of interest then clearly the questions about where people stand on trade, on investment and on job creation are pointed at the Reform Party.

The member will know that as soon as I became trade minister I wanted to engage in greater debate, not hide it. It was I who requested the committee to look into the MAI. It was the committee that made a report. We sent more information to the members of Parliament and engaged NGOs.

[Multilateral Investment Agreement, February 11th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, that was indeed one of the recommendations included in the report. As the hon. member knows, the government has about 150 days to respond to that report. It is certainly our intention, given the discussion and the debate on the MAI, that we will be responding to that report in full before then.

I do not think it would be appropriate to try to pick one recommendation at a time. We would rather do it once, do it comprehensively and do it right.

[Trade, February 11th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, to whom does he think a parliamentary committee reports? The committee reported. We will be responding to that. We are asking and answering questions in this House. The first question in four months was asked by the Reform Party. Obviously you have been agitated for the last number of days. We are not afraid to answer.

As I said, we are encouraging more debate. We do not want Canadians not knowing what is in the MAI because trade and investment works for this country. It does not undermine the economy.

[Trade, February 11th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I find it ironic. It was this government that asked that the MAI be studied by a parliamentary committee which the hon. member is part of. We have given more information to members of Parliament. We have conducted round tables across the country. I have no problems debating with him anytime, any place, anywhere.

[Multilateral Agreement On Investment, February 11th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member gets up and beats his chest. It is probably his first question in over three months. Then he has the audacity to say where this government stands.

This government needs no lectures on trade and investment from that party and we have never be afraid of talking to the people about the MAI, opening up the process, inviting members of Parliament to participate in a committee.

I do not think that is doing things behind closed doors. I am surprised the member is taking that position.