Mr. Speaker, on this account I have to go by hearsay.
This government was not in office and therefore we cannot give information which we ourselves do not have. I have of course retraced the statements which are to me, as I said, hearsay.
House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 1993, with 46% of the vote.
Ginn Publishing March 21st, 1994
Mr. Speaker, on this account I have to go by hearsay.
This government was not in office and therefore we cannot give information which we ourselves do not have. I have of course retraced the statements which are to me, as I said, hearsay.
Publishing Industry March 21st, 1994
Mr. Speaker, I am very happy to see that the hon. member has started to read English-language newspapers. They do not necessarily cover all that goes on in the minister's office. After reading and studying the advice, I came to the conclusions I stated on several occasions in this House. I think I cannot tell him much more than the truth.
Publishing Industry March 21st, 1994
Mr. Speaker, I see that the favourite soap opera of the hon. member for Rimouski-Témiscouata is also watched by her colleagues. But soap operas are works of fiction and not fact.
I gave the facts to this House. I said that I had read and studied the recommendations made by the Department of Justice and I think that the decision that was made was explained and understood; the hon. member only has to read Hansard to know where we stand.
I hasten to say that the alternative would have been to use taxpayers' money to finance questionable legal proceedings. I prefer to see this money support the publishing industry I deeply care about.
Hockey Canada March 18th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, as minister responsible for amateur sports I may be in a better position than the Deputy Prime Minister to answer the question.
It will be appreciated that the matter is the subject of court action and therefore it is inappropriate to comment on it. Quite apart from the court action, I would say that some money has been provided under the Canadian Heritage program to Hockey
Canada. There is no evidence that any of that money could have been misallocated and therefore cause a source of concern.
Publishing Industry March 17th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, I am sure the question put by the hon. member of Rimouski-Témiscouata was intended to scare me.
I will continue in English as she used the other official language.
I take note of the information that was provided by someone and I am going to look into it.
The CIDC, according to the information I have, and I have checked, was determined to sell Ginn for reasons which I have considered and which appear to me to be legitimate reasons.
Publishing Industry March 10th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, I believe that is not quite what I said. I said that I did not see the contract, since it was an oral one and naturally could not be seen. I said that these oral exchanges leave traces.
I can reassure our colleague. Yes, I saw the opinion that was issued. So I answered her question and I can assure her: I saw the opinion that was issued.
Publishing Industry March 10th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, it is not customary in this House to make accusations against people whom one names. I would not want to either make an accusation or name names, but there are dates. The date is 1992. And I believe that I said that the ministerial responsibility must be borne by those who held the portfolios in question in 1992.
Of course, this is a complicated and sensitive issue. I have already expressed my opinion on this subject. I think that some decisions were made. We had to follow up on those decisions. That is what we did, to the benefit of the publishing industry in Canada.
Questions On The Order Paper March 10th, 1994
The government's intention is to install an automated security system at Fort Battleford national historic site. The system will be installed in five historic buildings, as well as the maintenance shop, administration office, visitor reception centre and storage garage by March 31, 1994.
The rationale for the conversion is to effect an annual saving of approximately $51,000, as follows:
An electronic security system was approved for Fort Battleford national historic site in the 1989 management plan.
Once the security system was approved for implementation, the site's two security staff were redeployed to the visitor activities department with no loss of salary.
The Corps of Commissionaires was contracted through a master standing offer to provide security services on an interim basis until completion of the installation of the electronic security system.
The average annual operation and maintenance (O & M) costs from April 1, 1990 until March 31, 1994 for the standing offer with the Corps of Commissionaires are $58,019 per year.
One time installation costs for an automated security system are estimated at $60,000. Annual O & M cost based on existing system are estimated at $5,000 per annum (maximum).
A saving of approximately $51,000 will be realized annually, beginning April 1, 1994. In one year, installation costs will be recovered. Savings can be redirected as per the approved management plan.
The highest criteria imposed on installation proposals were utilized: all hardware had to be CSA (Canadian Standards Association) or ULC (Underwriters Laboratories of Canada) approved; must meet the approval of the Dominion Fire Commissioner and Labour Canada; only systems presently installed in several businesses and government offices across the country are being entertained as viable; generally similar systems have been used successfully at other National Historic Sites.
Publishing Industry March 9th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, to answer that question, I think I would have to go check the history of this issue. It is almost ancient history by now. Under the previous government, there was a policy that the leader of the opposition must be familiar with, the Baie Comeau policy, requesting from American concerns acquiring Canadian book publishing companies that they make sure that these remain under Canadian control.
At the time, it was understood-and deals were made under this policy-that if a policy change occurred, then purchases made by the Canadian government under this policy would be cancelled, and the property sold back to the American owner. That is the Baie Comeau policy.
Later on, the Conservative government decided to change its policy and, therefore, fulfilled the commitments it had made. That government has now moved to the other side of this House, and we are delighted about that, but we have inherited contractual obligations that we have to fulfil.
Publishing Industry March 9th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, I think that those responsible are the officials who closed the deal with my full support as well as the support of my colleague, the Minister of Industry who is responsible for Investment Canada.
I explained the situation a couple of days ago. This sale resulted from contractual commitments, which have been confirmed by the highest legal authorities in Canada. We simply fulfilled these commitments.
We have been able to negotiate with the American buyers a series of commitments which will foster the publication and distribution of books in Canada.