James Rajotte

[Technology Partnerships Canada, May 2nd, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, two recent technology partnerships Canada grants were given to companies in order to create, and I quote the Industry Canada press release, “high quality jobs”. Since they have received these grants both companies, Westport and March Networks, have cut jobs, not increased them.

Can the minister explain how technology partnerships Canada is promoting quality and value added when, despite millions of dollars in grants, it is not even creating jobs but cutting jobs?

[Industry, April 29th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, the results of this study should be known to the minister because it was he himself who asked the committee to study it. He should be prepared to be as bold as all the industry colleagues who recommended that.

The telecommunications and broadcasting industries are very supportive of this report. The government and the cabinet are the only groups that are divided and delaying on this issue, so my question for the Prime Minister is simple. Who in the cabinet is responsible for this issue, the industry minister or the heritage minister?

[Industry, April 29th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology recommended to entirely remove the foreign ownership restrictions on telecommunications and broadcasting distribution companies.

There has been much discussion about this issue in the media, particularly with a certain leadership race underway. The Minister of Industry failed to endorse these recommendations yesterday, so I am wondering if after 24 hours of reflection he endorses these recommendations by the industry committee or does not.

[Canada-U.S. Relations, April 7th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, this is the party on this side of the House that has expressed the majority of Canadian support for our American and British allies.

The tourism industry, the auto sector, the aerospace sector and others have all warned about the hard dollar cost of the Liberal mismanagement of the Canada-U.S. relationship.

Does the Prime Minister not fear that a good deal of his own legacy will now be rewritten in the history books as a complete mismanagement of Canada-U.S. relations?

[Canada-U.S. Relations, April 7th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, three-quarters of Canadian business leaders are worried about anti-American comments made by government members. Yet we learned on the weekend that the Prime Minister took the time in the last caucus to joke about the Canada--U.S. relationship saying that it was not at its worst level in history.

I wonder if the Prime Minister could tell us how bad our relationship with the United States has to get before he starts understanding the consequences of his own actions?

[Petitions, March 31st, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, it is my pleasure and duty today to present, on behalf of many constituents of Edmonton Southwest and the surrounding area, a petition of great concern to them about the creation and use of child pornography.

The people who signed this petition call upon Parliament to protect our children by taking all necessary steps to ensure that all materials which promote or glorify pedophilia involving children are outlawed.

It is my pleasure to present this petition.

[Canada-U.S. Relations, March 31st, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, Canadian exporters are now facing a possible second stop and a possible 24 hour advance notice at the crossing. The cost of Liberal indiscretion and inaction could be insurmountable in terms of the costs to our trade and our jobs.

Has the Minister of Industry been contacted by any exporters or by any industries concerning the negative effects on trade of the current Canada-U.S. relationship and what specific actions he is taking to address their concerns?

[Canada-U.S. Relations, March 31st, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, the United States is considering setting up a second checkpoint at the Canada-U.S. border. The passage of goods between our two borders is currently under strain. These economic uncertainties have been compounded by the anti-American sentiments coming from the Liberal government.

Will the Government of Canada be applying for an exemption to this proposed second checkpoint at the border? Yes or no?

[Budget Implementation Act, 2003, March 27th, 2003]

He was talking about Great Britain and Tony Blair, Paul. Wake up.

[Canada-U.S. Relations, March 26th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, any so-called comments that the Prime Minister made actually had no effect because the Minister of Natural Resources said it on the very same day. Obviously he has no control over his own caucus or he does not actually mean what he is saying here in the House today.

The fact is the government's anti-Americanism has created a diplomatic mess that has put our trade and our security at risk. Eighty-six per cent of our exports go to the U.S. and 23% of the U.S. exports come to us. Clearly we as a nation are more dependent on U.S. goodwill than it is on our goodwill.

Why is the Prime Minister putting our jobs and our security at risk by tolerating anti-Americanism in his cabinet and in his caucus?