House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2006, with 43% of the vote.
Aerospace Industry November 1st, 2004
Mr. Speaker, I have been answering this over and over again. The aerospace industry is a Canadian industry. It does have concentrations in Quebec. It has concentrations in Ontario. It has concentrations in the Atlantic and in the west. We will ensure that we have a strong national aerospace industry.
Aerospace Industry November 1st, 2004
Mr. Speaker, the government clearly acknowledges the importance of the aerospace industry for Quebec, but it is also very important in Ontario and across Canada. There is a large portion of the aerospace industry in western Canada. There are 80,000 workers there.
In the weeks ahead we will be developing and coming forward with an aerospace policy for Canada.
Aerospace Industry November 1st, 2004
Mr. Speaker, during the election the government committed to develop an automotive strategy for Canada and we are doing the same with the aerospace industry. It will be a Canadian strategy.
We are moving with all dispatch. We have not missed a single deadline. We will continue to honour the timetables that are required to protect these important industries.
Aerospace Industry November 1st, 2004
Mr. Speaker, the short answer is, yes. The long answer is, we are consulting with the aerospace industry across Canada and we are moving to ensure that we have a strategy in place that will benefit the aerospace industry and all of Canada. It will not just be a Bombardier strategy. It will be a Canadian strategy and it will benefit workers across the country.
Bankruptcies October 29th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, the member will know that CCAA and Canadian insolvency and bankruptcy legislation comes under the Minister of Industry. We are focusing right now on a review of that legislation. It does form a very important part of our approach to transforming the economy going forward.
I am fully aware of the United Steelworkers' position paper. I have read it. It is very interesting. It puts a strong focus on workers' rights. We have to balance those rights against the rights of other creditors.
Industry October 29th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, in the event there is an application under the Investment Canada Act, there will be a full and complete review of any proposed deal.
Aerospace Industry October 29th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, I am working with my ministerial counterparts in the provinces of Quebec and Ontario, as well as the industry. We are working directly with Bombardier. We have not missed any deadlines. We will continue to ensure that we build a strong competitive aerospace industry in this country.
Aerospace Industry October 29th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, I am glad to hear that the hon. member does support going forward, on an accelerated basis, with an aerospace strategy for all of Canada. This is more than just Bombardier. It is about a whole industry, a whole sector, and we intend to ensure that the aerospace sector remains one of the leading sectors in the Canadian economy.
Industry October 29th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, I have a hunch that the Foreign Investment Review Act was repealed in 1985 and the act the hon. member is referring to is the Investment Canada Act.
This is all hypothetical. There are an infinite number of hypothetical questions about who might take over whom in Canada.
We will undertake to ensure that reviews are comprehensive. If the industry committee or other parliamentarians have views, we would be very happy to include those views where they are helpful to the cause of Canadians on this file.
Industry October 29th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, I am aware of the story. I read the story myself.
In the event, and it is hypothetical at this stage, that we do get an application by Minmetals to take over Noranda, we will review it from all perspectives.
We will ensure that the interests of Canada are protected, short term and long term, and that Canada's record of protecting and promoting human rights remains unassailable.