Mr. Speaker, I think the hon. member knows that we try not to divulge commercially private information. He and Canadians should know that over 80% of Technology Partnerships' programs and initiatives go to the small business sector in this country.
House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2006, with 43% of the vote.
Technology Partnerships Canada November 15th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, I think the hon. member knows that we try not to divulge commercially private information. He and Canadians should know that over 80% of Technology Partnerships' programs and initiatives go to the small business sector in this country.
Technology Partnerships Canada November 15th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, I think the hon. member knows that there are a lot of cases out there where we invest in companies in order to protect Canadian jobs and the suppliers to these companies continue to thrive.
Does every single investment that we make succeed? No, of course it does not. That will never be the case. It is not the case for banks and it will not be the case for Technology Partnerships Canada.
We have to take more risks. We have to take risks that the private sector would not take.
Technology Partnerships Canada November 15th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, I think the hon. member should know that Technology Partnerships Canada is a program that was set up to provide funding for technology which would not take place if it were up to the banks and the financial institutions of this country. It is designed to step in where there are benefits to the public that are well in excess of the benefits to the private company. It is a good program. It takes a long time for any of those repayments to occur but the benefits are very strong for the economy.
Automobile Industry November 2nd, 2004
Mr. Speaker, I have never heard so much hogwash in all my life.
The government is developing a strategy for the Canadian automotive sector that will be the most dynamic strategy we have had in Canada for 50 years. The 80,000 workers in the automotive industry will still be there in 10 years. The number will actually grow.
Automobile Industry November 2nd, 2004
Mr. Speaker, I am meeting with the CAPC committee tomorrow. We will be discussing their report, discussing their recommendations.
Over the next couple of weeks we will be putting together the final touches on an automotive industry strategy for all of Canada.
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.