Denis Coderre

[Francophone Athletes, June 15th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, may I take this opportunity, since we are finishing today, to extend the best wishes of the Government of Canada to the Quebec and Canadian athletes who are going to represent us so well at the next Olympics.

I will be at the opening ceremonies. I have a memorandum of agreement and everything will be in both official languages.

[Francophone Athletes, June 15th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, I can understand the hon. member's frustration. Yesterday she was questioning my credibility and today she is looking for some for herself.

Clearly, in the past ten months, with all the concrete actions in which we have been involved, there is one thing I can say: ask any athlete, regardless of their coach, and they will say one thing for certain: we are “on the right track”.

[Olympic Games, June 14th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, the motion I am about to read is, in my view, an extremely important one, for it concerns the Olympic Games.

I move the following motion, with particular thanks to the member for Ahuntsic, who gave me a hand.

I move:

That this House recognize and support the resolution of the United Nations General Assembly adopted every two years since October 25, 1993, concerning the implementation of an Olympic truce, so as to inform all Canadians of the objectives and missions of an Olympic truce, which are to promote global peace and security and to pursue the Olympic Games in the spirit of fraternity and solidarity of ancient Greece.

(Motion agreed to)

[Francophone Athletes, June 14th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, in the ten months I have been the Secretary of State for Amateur Sport, I have taken part in over 100 events. The sports community knows that any increase in budget percentages comes from our sensitivity to their requests.

I totally reject what the hon. member has just said, and I would go further. I am the former deputy chair of the Standing Committee on Official Languages, the former vice-chair of the Sub-Committee on the Study of Sport in Canada and now the Secretary of State for Amateur Sport. The member need only ask around, ask anyone, and she will discover just who is serious about official languages.

[Francophone Athletes, June 14th, 2000]

If they could just listen, they will see. First off, I salute and thank the commissioner for the thoroughness of his study.

I would remind members that one reason the study was done was because I asked for it. Just yesterday, I met with representatives of the national federations and I can tell you that not only are we aware of this issue, but when they ask us to do something specific, I will talk about it.

First, there is a new funding framework in which accountability is all and official languages are part of the criteria. Second, we increased by 30%—

[Francophone Athletes, June 14th, 2000]

They are not interested in the answer, but all of Canada is. One thing is sure—

[Francophone Athletes, June 14th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, first off, I salute—

[Amateur Sport, June 12th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, according to procedure, the official languages commissioner will table her report on June 14.

I will wait for the report to be tabled so that I can examine its contents, as well as how it is received. I would also point out that I have not waited for questions from the member or anyone else, but have gone ahead and taken action in the last ten months.

Not only have we signed a formal agreement with the Canadian Olympic Association to respect and promote official languages, but I have met with all federations. On the ground, one thing is clear and that is that this government is serious about official languages.

[Canada Games, June 9th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin by thanking the hon. member for his question.

Obviously, the Canada Games are probably the most successful event. This is an event where there is full co-operation between the provincial and federal governments. The Government of Canada is already investing close to $4 million over two years on the games. We are also paying all athletes' costs.

Last week, I met with Minister Robichaud during our first Atlantic conference on a national sports policy. We agreed to sit down together here in Ottawa with the responsible minister from New Brunswick two weeks from now. The Canada Games will be held in Campbellton in 2003.

[Treaties Act, June 8th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. With all due respect for the hon. member for Lac-Saint-Jean, I do not think opposition members are the only ones who can consult the people.

As government members, our role when we meet with the people is to remind them that we are the government of the whole country and to express our viewpoint. We also consult the people.