Geoff Regan

[Fisheries Act, May 20th, 2005]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-52, an act to amend the Fisheries Act (terms and conditions of permissions, leases and licences).

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

[Privilege, May 20th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, I think you will find that the hon. member, after I responded to a question, suggested that there was an agent inside the House and he was referring to me. It was entirely inappropriate. He was not referring to someone outside the House. He was referring to someone inside the House.

[Canada Revenue Agency, May 20th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians enjoy one of the lowest postal rates in the industrialized world, because Canada Post operates as efficiently as possible.

Canada Post's postal network has changed significantly in recent years, throughout the country. With the improvements made to mail processing operations in Quebec, Canada Post will be able to maintain or improve service to the clientele of the region involved. Collective agreements will be honoured, and the operational changes will not result in lost jobs.

[Fisheries, May 20th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, my hon. colleague knows that what he is saying is not actually accurate. That is not how it will work. He knows, for example, that we are focusing efforts on the Fraser River. We will not be focusing as much perhaps on dealing with cottagers and their docks or with farmers and their culverts. We do want to focus on the important issues of the Fraser River fishery, for example.

[Fisheries, May 20th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, I have indicated previously that I appreciated the work of the committee and its report. I reviewed it and we will table a response in due course.

[Natural Resources, May 20th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, the offshore accord provides Nova Scotians and Newfoundlanders and Labradorians with all the revenues from their offshore resources. Last night we took an important step toward making this a reality.

As the Prime Minister said, we must move forward now in a spirit of cooperation. I urge all parties to ensure speedy passage of the budget, which includes the accord. The people of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador deserve nothing less.

[Canada Post, May 20th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, I am not an auditor, and neither is my hon. colleague. But I know that it takes time. I think that auditors have to put in a great deal of effort in completing their work.

[Canada Post, May 20th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, as has been said before in the House, the Canada Revenue Agency is in the process of conducting an audit on the office of the president of Canada Post. The agency will perform its duties and, as it would with any taxpayer, will take necessary steps and actions, if required, to ensure there is compliance with the law.

[Maher Arar Inquiry, May 18th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member knows full well what has happened and why it is my responsibility to answer questions in relation to this matter. He also knows that we have a responsibility to balance the important interests in this matter, the interest in openness, the interest in a full and complete inquiry and the interests of protecting Canada in terms of national security or international relations and the security and safety of police work.

[Maher Arar Inquiry, May 18th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, the government is committed to a full and public inquiry while balancing the need for national security or international relations and the safety and security of police investigations.

This is a very important inquiry. I will not comment on the actual testimony before the commission, but it is important to let it do its work.