Mr. Speaker, quite the contrary. Last year's report by the official languages commissioner shows steady improvement in the use of French in French-speaking groups and in offices serving Canadians in both official languages.
House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 1997, with 54% of the vote.
Bilingualism November 5th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, quite the contrary. Last year's report by the official languages commissioner shows steady improvement in the use of French in French-speaking groups and in offices serving Canadians in both official languages.
Computer Systems November 3rd, 1997
Mr. Speaker, let me read into the record part of the auditor general's report where he states his views on the matter. It reads as follows:
The Secretariat has been actively raising awareness of Year 2000 across government. The interdepartmental working group set up and chaired by its project office has provided a forum for discussing views and exchanging experiences in Year 2000 work. Through its surveys, the working group, and other interdepartmental committees involving heads of information technology and deputy ministers, the Secretariat has played a meaningful role in co-ordinating—
Computer Systems November 3rd, 1997
Mr. Speaker, the problems my hon. colleagues refer to are real problems that concern us too. That is why, once again, we have a group of experts at the data centre in charge of monitoring developments, who are currently following every lead received from the private sector and the public sector in other countries on how to deal with the problem created by the advent of the year 2000.
I can assure my colleague that we are taking all necessary steps to deal with this problem.
Computer Systems November 3rd, 1997
Mr. Speaker, we are in contact with the auditor general on this matter. He mentioned it in his latest report.
When I made my comments on the report to the auditor general, I indicated that we would consider the matter urgent. We are ensuring that all departments do likewise. We have set up a steering committee that will ensure the proper measures are taken in time.
Computer Systems November 3rd, 1997
Mr. Speaker, we are very aware of the problem the arrival of the year 2000 represents for our computer systems.
I have already provided the House with certain details on the action we have taken, the groups looking at the situation— department by department—and the sorts of problems we are facing. We are doing what we have to so we can, among other things, issue cheques and we are continuing to do what we have to do in the various departments to come to terms with this eventuality.
Pay Equity October 31st, 1997
Mr. Speaker, this question has been addressed quite a number of times. I think the position of the government is well known.
The government has increased its offer by $500 million in the last eight months. We have demonstrated time and again that we would like to have a negotiated settlement as soon as possible.
Computer Systems October 24th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for his question.
He is quite right. Programming computers for the year 2000 is a major problem. We have talked with the auditor general. Numerous working groups have been set up in various departments to examine the very matter to which he is referring. No government can give a complete guarantee, but I can tell him that we are now working very seriously to find solutions to the problem and to avoid negative consequences to the greatest extent possible.
Supplementary Estimates (A) October 23rd, 1997
moved:
That Supplementary Estimates (A), for the fiscal year ending March 31, 1998 laid upon the table on October 23, 1997, be referred to the several standing committees of the House in accordance with the detailed allocation attached.
(1) To the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development
—Indian Affairs and Northern Development, Votes la, 5a, 15a, L20a, L25a, 35a, 40a and 50a
(2) To the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food
—Agriculture and Agri-Food, Votes 1a, 5a, 10a and 11a
(3) To the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage
—Canadian Heritage, Votes 1a, 5a, 10a, L21, 30a, 35a, 45a, 70a, 80a, 90a, 110a, 125a and 130a
(4) To the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration
—Citizenship and Immigration, Votes la and 10a
(5) To the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development
—Environment, Votes 1a, 5a, 10a and 15a
(6) To the Standing Committee on Finance
—Finance, Votes 1a, 15a and 40a —National Revenue, Vote 1a
(7) To the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans
—Fisheries and Oceans, Votes 1a, 5a and 10a
(8) To the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade
—Foreign Affairs, Votes 1a, 5a, 10a, 20a, 25a and 45a
(9) To the Standing Committee on Health
—Health, Votes 1a, 10a, 15a and 30a
(10) To the Standing Committee on Human Resources Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities
—Human Resources Development, Votes 1a, 5a, 10a, 15a, 20a and 35a
(11) To the Standing Committee on Industry
—Industry, Votes 1a, 5a, 20a, 25a, 30a, 35a, 55a, 60a, 65a, 70a, 75a, 80a, 85a, 95a, 110a, 115a and 120a
(12) To the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights
—Justice, Votes 1a, 5a, 10a, 30a, 33a, 40a and 45a —Solicitor General, Votes 1a, 5a, 10a, 15a, 25a, 30a, 45a and 50a
(13) To the Standing Committee on National Defence and Veterans Affairs
—National Defence, Votes 1a, 5a, and 10a —Veterans Affairs, Votes 1a and 10a
(14) To the Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Government Operations
—Canadian Heritage, Vote 135a —Natural Resources, Votes 1a and 10a —Parliament, Vote 1a —Privy Council, Votes 1a and 5a —Public Works and Government Services, Votes 1a, 5a, 15a, 20a and 31a —Treasury Board, Votes 1a and 10a
(15) To the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs
—Parliament, Vote 5a
(16) To the Standing Committee on Transport
—Transport, Votes 1a, 5a, 10a and 31a
(17) To the Standing Committee on Library of Parliament
—Parliament, Vote 10a
(18) To the Standing Joint Committee on Official Languages
—Privy Council, Vote 25a
(Motion agreed to)
Supplementary Estimates (A) October 23rd, 1997
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing orders 81(5) and 81(6) I wish to move a motion concerning the referral of the estimates to the standing committees of the House.
There is a lengthy list associated with the motion and if it is agreeable to the House, I would ask that the list be printed in Hansard as if it had been read.
Credit Cards October 21st, 1997
Mr. Speaker, the auditor general has looked at this matter and has indicated that no significant amount of waste has been recorded or found by his study. Notwithstanding this, we have had discussions with the auditor general and we have put into place the necessary measures to ensure that in the future waste is minimized.