It is impossible.
House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 1997, with 37% of the vote.
National Organ Donor Day Act December 12th, 1996
It is impossible.
Radio Canada International December 9th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member never ceases to amaze me. The Reform Party wants to privatize the CBC. We have just approved $800 million for the CBC budget, a measure which the Reform Party voted against. We have a $200 million production fund which the Reform Party voted against.
The Reform Party wants to privatize the CBC. It wants to play politics with it.
Radio Canada International December 9th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, I am quite amazed at the question posed by the hon. member. On March 28 the hon. member for Kootenay East said that
the Minister of Canadian Heritage had picked the pocket of the CBC by supporting Radio Canada International and giving it finances.
I would say that he is picking and choosing himself.
An Act To Revoke The Conviction Of Louis David Riel December 5th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, as the hon. Minister of Human Resources Development and the hon. Minister of Health have indicated on many occasions, the Government of Canada is extremely concerned about the challenges facing low income families with children.
Poverty exacts an unacceptable toll on children. It often means that their physical needs for food, shelter and clothing are not met. It can result in their cognitive development being delayed compared with children in families with adequate incomes and it has long term costs for our country.
Poor children have poor health outcomes. They reach lower educational levels. They live in riskier environments and engage in riskier behaviours.
The hon. member for The Battlefords-Meadow Lake is calling for immediate action for children, but this action is already under way. The Prime Minister, along with other first ministers, has agreed that child poverty is a priority. The government is working with the provinces, including Saskatchewan, to identify ways to prevent and reduce child poverty.
To this end, a federal-provincial ministerial council on social policy renewal, co-chaired by the Minister of Human Resources Development, recently met and agreed to closely examine options for a national child benefit. A federal-provincial working group is meeting on an ongoing basis.
In addition, many provinces have demonstrated a commitment to fulfilling their responsibilities for children. British Columbia has just restructured its children's benefits and Quebec has announced its intention to refine its system. New Brunswick raised the issue in its recently delivered speech from the throne and Saskatchewan has announced its intention to introduce a provincial child benefit.
The Government of Canada is already providing important help to low income families and it is working toward finding solutions to the complex problems poverty presents. For example, the government now spends over $5 billion on child tax benefits that are paid to over three million Canadian families and has also doubled the working income supplement provided to low income families.
In addition, the government announced in its 1996 budget a child support strategy that will protect the interests of children and ensure parents live up to their responsibilities for child support in a manner that is fair and consistent.
Questions On The Order Paper November 22nd, 1996
Within their total allocation of $60 million to the Pacific Marine Heritage Legacy, PMHL, over five years, the governments of Canada and British Columbia have not specified precise expenditures for each fiscal year. Instead, priorities for land acquisition are being determined on an ongoing basis as lands that meet PMHL selection criteria become available on a willing seller-willing buyer basis. Similarly, the proportion of those lands that lie north or south of Active Pass and their relative priority for acquisition can fluctuate depending on factors that include the potential contribution of available lands to the protected area objectives of the PMHL, their ability to meet or exceed land selection criteria, and cost. Some of these private lands are north of Active Pass, including some that because of their priority interest are under active but confidential consideration with land owners. Land acquisition expenditures in 1995-96 totalled $10.75 million.
Question No. 86-
Trent-Severn Waterway October 28th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, last March the minister committed that both the Trent-Severn waterway and the Rideau canal would undertake a comprehensive consultation with the stakeholders in regard to commercial water lot fees over the summer months.
The input from these consultations has resulted in a significant change in the original fee proposal and the results of these consultations will be made public very shortly.
The minister shares the member's concern for the marina operators and the minister has asked for clarification from the Ontario government with regard to the appraisal services branch.
Computers For Schools October 22nd, 1996
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in this House today to mark the first national computers for schools day.
This initiative, which brings together volunteers, companies and governments, will provide surplus computer equipment and software to public schools and libraries across Canada. Through this unique program, Canadian schoolchildren will be able to develop the skills necessary to meet job market requirements.
There is a fly in the ointment, however, regarding this program to equip schools with computers: Quebec schoolchildren will not be able to take advantage of the program, as the PQ government has refused to take part in it. Faced with the prospect of $700 million in cuts in the area of education, how can the Government of Quebec afford not to join in this partnership, thereby depriving young Quebecers of a privileged access to computer resources?
Return To Canada Of Karim Noah October 1st, 1996
Mr. Speaker, I am quite familiar with my hon. colleague's concerns about French schooling in Laurier, Manitoba.
It is essential that French-speaking children be provided with suitable accommodation and access to the necessary services to get a good education. Discussions were held between the Franco-Manitoban school division and the Turtle River school board to find a mutually acceptable solution for this year.
The parties reached an agreement providing for portables to be installed on the grounds of the Laurier school and for francophone students to have access to the school's washrooms, gymnasium and library.
All those concerned realize this is only a temporary solution. We urge the Manitoba Minister of Education to look into the case so she can respond to the needs of the francophone community in Laurier. We are convinced that the problem will be settled to the satisfaction of all concerned.
I would point out that this government has made a firm commitment to official language communities and will continue to support them. We have an agreement with Manitoba,which provides for assistance in observing section 23 of the Charter and putting in place structures for school administration. We also have an agreement with the province for the provision of provincial services in French.
The federal government also supports many projects which the community feels are important to its development. For instance, a federal contribution of $1.5 million was made towards the construction of le Centre du patrimoine franco-manitobain.
We also concluded an agreement worth $10.2 million over a period of five years with the francophone community to help with its development.
All these interventions reflect the federal government's firm commitment to a flourishing Franco-Manitoban community.
Parliament Hill September 30th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for the question. It gives me an opportunity to inform this House and all Canadians that the article in question was entirely inaccurate.
The flag was lowered to half mast at the memorial services yesterday. The Deputy Prime Minister was informed of the concerns of the Canadian Police Association on Friday and at that time immediately asked her officials to ensure that the flag was lowered to half mast. It is truly unfortunate that the news reports failed to report this fact.
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation September 20th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for his question because it gives me a chance to underline that there are some positive things there.
Although the CBC is undergoing some streamlining and reductions, other departments are doing likewise. I should point out that although we have had some reductions, there is still $800 million to be allotted to the CBC in our budget. There is a production fund of $200 million that it will able to tap and it is going to a completely 100 per cent Canadian programming.