Douglas Young

[Agriculture, June 10th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, the last thing the Minister of Transport would want to do is to mislead the western grain farmers. We understand the importance of programs that assist western farmers in the production and the transportation of grain.

What I did say is that we are also aware of the changes that will have to be implemented with respect to the role that Transport Canada plays in the payment of direct subsidies to railroads. That is what we said and that is what we are going to have to address.

I do want to say, with all respect to my hon. colleague, that in the area of providing support and being very sensitive to the needs of the western grain farmers, the Minister of Transport always gives way to the very capable Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.

[Air Canada, June 9th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, of course if the senior people at Air Canada and Canadian Airlines International wish to discuss matters of mutual interest that is entirely within their prerogative. With respect to it being transparent, that again would be something they would have to decide on the basis of their commercial interests.

I do want to indicate that any decisions with respect to the allocation of routes is always looked at meticulously. We hope it will always be done in the best interests of both our national airlines and the Canadian public in general.

[Air Canada, June 9th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, no.

[Ships Under Foreign Flags, June 9th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I have great consternation at being described as a swashbuckler so I thought I would find some rationale for it.

In any event I want to repeat my undertaking to the hon. member that I will look into the question of the registry of the two ships he has referred to. I will look specifically at when those ships were registered under the Bahamian flag because obviously they have both been in operation for a significant amount of time. I would want to see that the Bloc Quebecois, and especially the Leader of the Opposition, is consistent in its approach as to foreign flagging of vessels in Canada.

[Ships Under Foreign Flags, June 9th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, having listened to my hon. friend put his question, I now understand his rhetoric a little bit better. Obviously he did his research in the Bahamas and they have great rum there.

[Ships Under Foreign Flags, June 9th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his question. It is certainly something that should be looked into. I want to assure the hon. member that I will check today exactly when these two ships were transferred, because we know that Marine Atlantic has been in business for a long time and that the Bluenose in particular has been plying the waters of the Atlantic region for quite a while.

I promise to get back to the hon. member as soon as possible to let him know when it happened. Of course, we will also examine the relevant policy.

[Western Grain Transportation, June 9th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I am sensitive enough about the situation in the west as it relates to the Crow that I do not have to read my questions as the hon. member just did.

I want to make it very clear that when we dealt with the question of what was going to take place on July 1 next year, we were very careful in stating that the Department of Transport recognized we had to change the way these subsidies were being paid, taking into account our international agreements.

I know the hon. member's background very well. If the hon. member is not familiar with what the implications of the international trading agreements are on how we are going to have to administer these kinds of programs, then he needs to do a little bit more homework and get caught up on what he was doing 15 years ago when he thought he knew something about agriculture.

[Western Grain Transportation, June 9th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, just to make sure the hon. member understands what was said yesterday, I indicated, as Minister of Transport, and as the budget document did, that we were looking at reducing subsidies from the Department of Transport for various forms of transportation.

I also clearly indicated that the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and others have been involved in the consultative process that has been described by the minister today with a view as to how we can continue to support the farm community in Canada.

It is prudent, in view of our international trading agreements, to make sure we give a clear signal that changes will be made on how the WGTA is paid.

[Double Hulled Ships, June 8th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member knows very well that international agreements on ships plying Canadian waters and those anywhere else on earth allow 15 years to comply with international regulations.

[Social Housing, June 8th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I am sure that all members of the House recognize just how difficult it is for individuals and families with very limited means to be able to provide adequate housing for themselves and their families.

That is why, although we made a commitment to retain some $120 million in expenditures in the social housing program, ministers of all provinces including the minister responsible for the Government of Canada are meeting in Bathurst, New Brunswick today trying to find solutions to these very difficult problems facing Canadians at a time when we have very restricted resources.