Patrick Gagnon

[Justice, June 14th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I will take note of the inquiry made by the hon. member and I will assure myself that she is answered promptly.

[Regional Development, June 9th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to announce the most recent initiatives of the federal government in Eastern Quebec.

A few days ago, the Canadian and Quebec governments unveiled six projects totalling $2.7 billion. Moreover, this morning I announced that a project worth more than half a million dollars would be implemented in my riding.

Last June 2, the hon. member for Rimouski-Témiscouata made the following statement in the House regarding the Federal Office of Regional Development:

When I am told that there are only $2 million left for the Lower St. Lawrence, the Gaspé Peninsula and the Magdalen Islands, I say that the cupboard is bare.

In the last week, $3.2 million were invested in Eastern Quebec. The hon. member for Rimouski-Témiscouata should be more objective in her comments. It is no surprise that her party, her leader and her option are losing popularity in Quebec. It is time for the opposition to stop making slanderous statements.

[Battle Of Normandy, June 6th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, on this 50th anniversary of D-Day, I want to pay tribute to the veterans of World War II.

It reminds me of a trip I made not so long ago to Bernières-sur-Mer, in Europe, where I saw young people, unregistered people, non-francophones, non-anglophones, natives, people from every linguistic community in the country. I was struck by how young those Canadians were: between 17 and 20 years of age. Few of them were over 25. They were young Canadians. They fought together and I will tell you this: I am deeply touched by the fact that those young Canadians gave their lives to defend our democratic values, that they threw off the yoke of tyranny in Europe and that they did it for us, for their children and for their country.

[Government Contracts, June 2nd, 1994]

Madam Speaker, the member of Parliament for Laurentides has moved that the government table all contracts entered into by federal departments and agencies on a monthly basis.

According to the motion the purpose of this activity would be threefold: to keep taxpayers informed; to stimulate competitiveness; and to ensure government decisions are open and transparent. There is no doubt these are worthy goals. However, I would like to assure the member and the House that these concerns are already carefully and responsibly addressed by this government.

What the member is suggesting with this motion is the creation of another layer of bureaucracy. It would duplicate and overlap with currently existing services which disseminate the information being sought by the member. What the member and her party are calling for is a waste of taxpayers' money.

Obviously, administering the procurement process is an enormous task for the federal government. However, a number of systems enjoying an excellent cost effectiveness ratio are already in place at Public Works and Government Services Canada. These systems ensure that the Canadian public is served fairly and efficiently and is given unrestricted access to information concerning government procurement.

Therefore, there is no need to waste taxpayers' time, energy or money tabling reports on the procurement process, since this information is already available and readily accessible to the Canadian public.

The questions raised in the motion now before us for debate, namely access to information about contracts, competitiveness and the integrity of the procurement process, have and continue to be priorities of this government.

As one of the largest purchasers of goods and services and as a major administrator of real property holdings, Public Works and Government Services Canada ensures that basic information

enabling all companies in Canada to do business with the federal government is readily available to them.

One of the tools it uses is the Open Bidding Service. Also known as the OBS, this system is an electronic bulletin which posts information and provides everyone with an equal opportunity to bid on government procurement contracts. The OBS supplies information on contracts that will be opened shortly and on the documents businesses will need to have in order to submit bids. All Public Works and Government Services Canada construction or maintenance services contracts valued at $60,000 or more, as well as all other types of contracts of $25,000 or more are posted in the OBS. Each year, more than $5 billion in purchases are made through the OBS.

The OBS ensures that every person, regardless of where he or she lives in Canada, has access at the same time as everyone else to the same information and for the same price.

Public Works and Government Services Canada also publishes a printed journal entitled "Government Business Opportunities" which, like the OBS, lists all contract opportunities. This journal, which is published three times a week, also provides information as it becomes available.

This information is also available in the federal business bulletin and the R and D bulletin.

The federal business bulletin, which appears twice a week, gives a brief description of the contracts awarded across Canada. With about 100 editions of this publication produced every year, approximately 1,200 contracts awarded by the government are announced in this way. The document is available to anyone who asks to be put on the mailing list.

The R and D bulletin provides information on contracts in the science and technology field. On a monthly basis it provides up to date information on federally funded science and technology contracts that have been awarded.

In addition to providing information about contract opportunities with the federal government, OBS also gives advance notice of contracts to be awarded. These are notices of contracts that the government intends to award without tender, called sole source contracts. Advance notice is displayed in OBS to give companies an opportunity to challenge the government's decision to call on only one supplier. If another supplier proves that he can meet the requirements of a contract that is to be sole-sourced, a call for competitive bids will be issued. This is another effective way that the government uses to stimulate competition.

Besides providing all Canadians with information on opportunities to bid, the government also makes available to them information on contracts already awarded on a regular basis. Canadians thus have access to this information as soon as it is available, and not only once a month, as the hon. member proposes. The Open Bidding Service also offers a historic data base with which any Canadian can find out all competitive contracts announced since 1989.

Thus anyone in Canada can find out what companies obtained contracts by open bidding, for what good or service and when.

The Open Bidding Service was designed so that everyone could have easy access to information on current purchasing possibilities and on contracts already awarded by the government. This system meets all the requirements for access to information, competition and accountability.

Easy access to relevant and timely information is the key to ensuring the fairness and openness required for the purchasing process. Nevertheless, our government believes that suppliers must also have an appeal mechanism at their disposal if they think that the government has not kept its commitment to act fairly and openly.

The Canadian International Trade Tribunal is an independent body that gives suppliers quick recourse at low cost for contesting the awarding of contracts subject to the North American Free Trade Agreement.

If they win their case, they can receive compensation or be allowed to participate in a new bid. This is a mechanism to ensure the integrity and honesty of the purchasing process.

More generally, each department accounts for its activities and acquisitions to Parliament, and thus to suppliers, to the media and to all Canadians, through the Main Estimates and the Auditor General's Report, which are tabled annually.

The public sector is under constant scrutiny, Madam Speaker. Canadians demand not only that the government keep its expenditures and the cost of its services under control, but also that it show integrity.

With all the procedures already in place, there is no doubt that government contracting is open to all, that the process is equitable and that all related information is already available and accessible to all Canadians.

There are a number of problems with the motion before this House today. The mere fact of tabling in the House the information relating to all contracts awarded will not make this information more readily accessible to the Canadian public.

Up to date information on contracts awarded is currently available every day to any Canadian anywhere across Canada on the OBS. This information is very time sensitive for suppliers. With the information currently available and accessible, suppliers know right away whom to approach for example for subcontracting activities.

A monthly printout is not only a duplication of information already available but of very limited benefit to suppliers as it is only an historical record. The cost of producing monthly reports of this nature must also be taken into account. Given the volume of contracts let by the federal government every month this would be an extremely costly and time consuming activity. The tabling of monthly reports of contracts awarded is a duplication of efforts.

As the hon. member herself told this House, we must strive to eliminate duplication and overlap so as to reduce costs, save money and ensure efficiency.

This government is streamlining and eliminating waste. It is not the intention of this government to spend taxpayers' dollars reproducing reports which already exist and are an effective and proven means of accessing the same information.

On the very day that one Bloc member is calling for the reduction in duplication and overlap, another Bloc member is also calling for another layer which duplicates an existing program, creating once again administrative chaos. The Bloc cannot suck and blow at the same time.

This government's commitment to the integrity of the procurement process was made very clear with the recent release of new guidelines for public and open research and advertising contracts by the Minister of Public Works and Government Services. This announcement by the ministry clearly illustrates the commitment of the Prime Minister and this government to an open and fair process for the Canadian people.

Once again Canadians already have access to up to date information everywhere in Canada on the government procurement activities. Not only here is there no need for repackaging this information, but it would be a waste of effort and energy. The government strongly believes in the importance of the integrity of the procurement process. Canadians have the right to know how their government does business and who it does business with. They also require that their government not waste money.

[Supply, June 2nd, 1994]

Madam Speaker, members opposite speak about vocational training. In 1975 and 1970, more than 20 years ago, we had five or six vocational training programs at the high school in Bonaventure. Today, there are only a couple left.

Quebec withdrew from its commitment to vocational training. That should not be blamed on the Canadian government. A question was asked about the $250 or $300 million funding. This is a matter of harmonization, and of reaching an administrative agreement with Quebec. Negotiations are under way and I can tell you we are making good progress.

They talk about the high-speed train between Quebec City and Windsor. What would happen if Quebec became independent? Are we going to set up a border? Probably. You think everything will be easy, but there are hard and cold facts. Liberals want to concentrate on job creation and economic renewal. Quite honestly, sovereignty does not solve any of our real day-to-day problems.

[Supply, June 2nd, 1994]

Madam Speaker, like many Quebecers, I certainly do not agree with the motion as it is tabled by the opposition.

It is interesting that, just last week, the United Nations told the whole world that Canada is the number one country in terms of its quality of life.

For that reason, I find it curious that some, particularly opposition members, say that every measure taken by the government of Canada has been a failure. Let me tell you this: Since 1974, the Federal Office of Regional Development has invested over $1.6 billion. All kinds of agreements were concluded, including on tourism, forestry, fisheries and job stimulation. Over the last few months, there has even been talk of a dynamic federalism, because we rely a lot on measures taken in the past.

Madam Speaker, I must also tell you that over 80 per cent of the money invested in Quebec was transferred to that province through administrative agreements. We are there to stimulate the industry as a whole. We are there to help small businesses.

We did not waste any time since we took office. We launched the infrastructure program. We have allocated over $60 million through partnership projects with the province and the municipalities. This program was initially endorsed by the mayors of Quebec city and Montreal, and surely by several dozens if not hundreds more throughout the province.

There is a lot to do. All Canadians must make sacrifices, as well as the province and the municipalities, but we are there to stimulate employment.

As regards the environment, the hon. member for Malpeque and myself did not wait. We looked after the Irving Whale issue. There are members who take environmental issues seriously. The members opposite must know that the federal government has just announced a $100 million project for the St. Lawrence River, with a contribution of $60 million from the province of Quebec. This is a serious government which is concerned first by the employment situation, but also by the environment issue.

We can also talk about the Cod-Fisher Assistance Program. It is true that cod-fishers, not only in Quebec, but throughout Atlantic Canada, are going through a rough time. We have invested $1.9 billion, including $100 million in Quebec.

The weekly benefits these people receive have gone from $171 to $219. We are ready to invest significant amounts of money in the Gaspé Peninsula for job creation and economic recovery, by urging people to open small businesses, to take up aquaculture, to participate in some programs and to develop their entrepreneurial spirit. That is the role of the federal government, the role of the Government of Canada.

We can also talk about the Federal Office of Regional Development. The hon. member for Rimouski-Témiscouata said: "The federal did not invest in anything. I am looking, but I cannot see where it invested". I want to point out to her that there is a Federal Office of Regional Development in Rimouski. As a resident of the Gaspé area, I can tell you that Rimouski has received more than its share, compared to other regions in Eastern Quebec. The time has come to do something about this.

You know, we have invested in more than 1,000 small businesses in Eastern Quebec. Of course, we have invested in corporations which have become, with the help of the Government of Canada, multinational companies, like Canadair and de Havilland, and also Bombardier, a world-renowned Quebec company. We have invested in Noranda and in the mining industry.

The Government of Canada takes its responsibilities seriously. I can give you some more examples. I see here that the Corporation of the mining community of Bourlamaque, in Val-d'Or, has recently received $3 million in subsidies. Spielo, in Sainte-Anne-des-Monts, got $1 million, which is not an insignificant investment for a region hard hit by unemployment.

And this one is my favourites. You know that we firmly believe in education. Incidentally, I went in the beautiful constituency of Rimouski to hand out federal scholarships to young and promising students, to future leaders of Canadian society. I can tell you that we want our young to achieve excellence. At the Université du Québec, we invested more than $9 million in the Engineering Department building, because we believe in the scientific sector in Eastern Quebec. Sure, people will tell me that education comes under the provincial jurisdiction.

Here is a question for you, Madam Speaker: Why is it that several school boards in Quebec have a drop-out rate of 35 to 40 per cent? We know very well why. The answer is easy. Because it comes under provincial jurisdiction. But why has the province, which has had jurisdiction over education since 1867, been unable to correct this situation? And we know that 95 per cent of young people complete their studies in Korea, and 90 per cent in Japan. It is often said that students in some developing countries have a better completion rate than Quebec students. The Quebec government and the Opposition members should take their responsibilities.

By the way, the policy of the Bloc is obviously suicidal for Quebec. It does not address the real issues for Quebecers, that is job creation and protection. But I do not want to conclude with this. I want to tell you about the Town Corporation of Rivière-du-Loup, which recieved $1.3 million; the Forestville sawmill, $4.75 million. And that is not all.

I told you about the dryers in my beautiful constituency of Bonaventure-Îles-de-la-Madeleine, and we invested more than $4 million in the Outaouais region. In Forestville, there is a $1.1 million project funded by the federal government; and the Tadoussac Town Corporation got almost $775,000.

Maybe I should say a few words about the riding of Bonaventure. We invested over $300,000 last winter in surface grinders to help tourism. We invested $50,000 in studies for the museums. We invested $120,000 in the Youth Service Corps. We have already invested a lot of money, even though we have been in office for only six months, and we are about to invest several million more. We have a business plan and we are very serious about our job.

We have acted instead of preaching about sovereignty, independence and separation, about destroying the best country in the world, about getting a divorce-that was the word used by the hon. member for Rimouski-Témiscouata who, by the way, did not propose anything. It is easy to criticize. Admittedly, Canada may not be easy to govern, but it is a generous country. It is recognized internationally.

The Leader of the Opposition even went to see the Europeans and the Americans to ask them if they would recognize Quebec as a sovereign state. Essentially, they said: "We recognize Canada as a country".

In the business world, in the private sector, in real life, it is important to know with whom you are dealing. Canada has been known as a country for 125 years. It is a welcoming country, a country which sacrificed many of its sons and daughters in the First and Second World Wars. Canada has a very good credit rating. But some people do not realize that we have a lot of work to do and that we must do it together. They do not realize that those who would suffer the most as a result of the divorce proposed by the opposition would be the workers of Quebec. Everybody knows that. Ridiculous numbers are often thrown at us. Some people do not understand that we have an obligation towards all Quebecers and all Canadians. We have to take care of their future, but it is not by talking about separation and about

destroying this country as we know it that we will give a better life to Canadians, especially to Quebecers.

We know that only 5 per cent of Quebecers, opposition members included, believe that independence is the most pressing issue. I see that my time is running out, but we have many questions to solve and I think that we are going to solve them together. We are going to solve them among Canadians. But I find it totally unacceptable for the opposition to laugh at us when we say that we want to put Canadians back to work, particularly Quebecers, but they offer no alternative but sovereignty and wishful thinking.

I urge opposition members to look around them and maybe to co-operate with us in the search for solutions-which will certainly not include sovereignty-to put Quebecers back to work.

[Supply, June 2nd, 1994]

Madam Speaker, I found the speech of the hon. member for Rimouski-Témiscouata very interesting. However, she did not mention the private sector. She only mentioned the CBC, VIA Rail, the Film Festival, the NFB. She did not talk about private enterprises, but she mentioned one author, someone who argues that the state should be managed like a private company. We have seen the results with the Conservatives and some members of the Bloc. If she really wants to talk about job creation, she should give us some examples in the private sector.

I must also point out that the Federal Office of Regional Development is precisely located in the beautiful city of Rimouski. I believe that the hon. member will have the opportunity to talk with these people and to set up a real program of economic development instead of complaining to her colleagues, here in the House.

[Astraltech, June 2nd, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, the opposition may nor like this, but I would like to draw the attention of this House to the recent association of the governments of Canada and Quebec with Astraltech, to help this company carry out a major revamping of its facilities.

A total investment of $9.5 million will create 30 new jobs and keep 35 existing jobs in the Montreal region.

This project will help Astraltech, a world leader in the communications sector, to relocate its facilities and acquire high-tech equipment, while enhancing Montreal's reputation as the hub of the industry's production for foreign markets.

This project demonstrates the level of excellence that can be achieved when the private sector, the province and the Government of Canada get together to meet the challenge of keeping up with changing technologies. Another winner for Quebec.

[Young Offenders Act, May 24th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, today the South African Parliament opens. One of the first items on its agenda is the reform of the justice system to remove decades of prejudice and imbalance.

It is about time we did the same. Canada incarcerates offenders at a rate which is the third highest in the world. Canada incarcerates its aboriginal people at a rate which is three to four times higher than the population as a whole and at a rate which is twice the rate South Africa incarcerated blacks.

The right wing Reform Party is today asking Parliament to change the Young Offenders Act. The fact is 70 per cent of the offences committed by young offenders are only property offences but an amazing one-quarter of these youth who commit these property offences are sent to jail.

Unlike the right wingers opposite, our government is committed to putting justice back into the justice system.

[Infrastructures, May 10th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call the attention of the hon. members of this House to another action taken by our government to stimulate the Canadian economy.

Yesterday, in a joint announcement with the Quebec government, the Minister of National Heritage announced the extension of the Gaz Métropolitain natural gaz pipeline in five regions of Quebec.

The $34 million investment will be part of the Canada-Quebec deal signed under the infrastructure program, a program designed as a cornerstone of our commitment to put Canadians back to work immediately.

This announcement is solid proof that this program is working. The Gaz Métropolitain project will result in 1,820 jobs being created in the Lac-Saint-Jean, Abitibi, Mauricie-Bois-Francs, Laurentian and Estrie regions, which correspond to Bloc Quebecois ridings.

Furthermore, the Gaz Métropolitain pipeline extension will pump $125 million-