House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2006, with 43% of the vote.
Aerospace Industry October 15th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, we are not going to be railroaded into making an urgent decision. We are working with Bombardier. We will make a timely decision and we will ensure that the Government of Canada is there to provide the appropriate support for Bombardier, for the aerospace industry and for all of Canada.
Aerospace Industry October 15th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, we are developing an aeronautical strategy and aerospace strategy for all of Canada which will include Bombardier. We are having discussions. We are pushing ahead on an urgent basis. It is a critical industry for Canada, with over $21 billion in revenue and nearly 80,000 jobs, and we intend to make sure that it is the most competitive industry possible going forward.
Noranda Inc. October 14th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, we do not at this time have an application to review under the Investment Canada Act. When we do, we will review whether that acquisition of a Canadian company is in the interests of Canadians, whether it generates net benefits to Canadians and whether it is consistent with the industrial and economic policies of Canada.
Textile Industry October 13th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, to meet the needs of the apparel and textiles industries, the government launched in 2003 a three year $33 million Canadian apparel and textile industries program, and provided $10.9 million to enhance Canada Border Services Agency efforts against the illegal transshipment of textile and apparel products into Canada.
At that time the government also created the joint government-industry working group on textiles and apparel to examine the longer term issues affecting the competitiveness of these two industries.
Noranda Inc. October 13th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, no, I will not make that commitment. The government has an unassailable record of human rights. We will defend it against anyone.
The Investment Canada Act requires that we review foreign acquisitions of Canadian companies according to whether it creates net benefits for Canada. We will do that.
Shipbuilding Industry October 8th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, Industry Canada is in fact reviewing the shipbuilding industry. We are having discussions with representatives of the shipbuilding industry. We are having discussions with the union movement.
The B.C. Ferry Corporation and its emanations is an independent company as the member knows. The federal government does not have any place in directing a private company as to where it should be acquiring its ships, but we will be pursuing this as it goes forward.
Aerospace Industry October 8th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, the technology partnership program is under review. It is part of an overall program review in the Government of Canada. We will ensure that the programs that are necessary to create a competitive aerospace industry are in fact in place.
Aerospace Industry October 8th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, I have been meeting with members of the aerospace industry in Canada. I have been meeting with the union leadership. I am having discussions with provincial governments. We are accelerating the development of an aerospace strategy for Canada that would include, of course, dealing with Bombardier issues, but it would be broader and it would extend to the aerospace industry across the country.
Industry October 7th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. member for asking me that question because it gives me the opportunity to thank for the first time the people of my constituency for allowing me to be here.
The hon. member also knows that foreign investments in Canada, foreign acquisitions, are reviewed by the Minister of Industry. We will continue to do that. The Government of Canada has an unassailable record of human rights. We will continue to have an--