Jean Chrétien

[Seagram, April 27th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, when I spoke in the House yesterday on this matter I said I did not participate in any discussion in committee or in cabinet. When the decision was made I was not there. I have absolutely no conflict of interest.

It is true that somebody who is earning his living working for the corporation in question is my son-in-law. This is why I

abstained in the discussion even though it had no conflict of interest at all. I know some people want to attack me but I have been standing proudly in the House for 32 years. Everyone can look at my record.

It just so happens there is a lot of controversy in Canada because there is not enough competition. We had complaints in December because there was an exemption to make sure there would be no competition. My colleagues in the cabinet, without my presence, using the laws of Canada, have made a ruling which is clear. Everybody who wants to can apply for a licence and it will be reviewed under Canadian law. I will not intervene.

However, I will not go down to the level of people who do not have the decency to realize that a Prime Minister of Canada has the right to have his daughter well married.

[Translation]

[Seagram, April 27th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, a decision will be made when there is an application. I do not know if we are faced with an application but with any investment made in Canada from foreign interests trying to buy Canadian concerns there is a review process. The review will be there. There will be a decision and that is it. That is the law of the land and the law will be respected.

[Seagram, April 27th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, the Bronfman Group's investment proposal will come before the government and will be evaluated in accordance with the laws of the country and we will see what will happen. The appropriate minister and commission will examine the case and make a decision. The government will then decide whether or not to approve the deal.

Many businessmen, citizens and opposition members speak to the minister every day, under all sorts of circumstances. That is normal. Because, before making a decision-

[Seagram, April 27th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, Investment Canada will review this investment proposal like it would any other. The Minister of Canadian Heritage is not responsible for this issue, the Minister of Industry is, I believe.

[Telecommunications, April 26th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, the legislation allows cabinet some say concerning the CRTC's decisions. In the circumstances, cabinet has reviewed the situation and made a decision which will be made public later this afternoon.

[Telecommunications, April 26th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Industry answered this question yesterday.

[Telecommunications, April 26th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I must say I have no interest in the matter and did not participate in any discussions on the subject. I did not discuss it with anyone, including the ministers. That is my answer. I have nothing further to add.

[Telecommunications, April 26th, 1995]

If they have any accusations to make, let them make them. However, I can inform the House that, in this particular case, although I have no personal interest in the matter, in order to avoid laying myself open to criticism, I did not take part in any discussions and, when the time came to discuss this matter in cabinet, I abstained, and the acting Prime Minister presided over the rest of the meeting.

[Telecommunications, April 26th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I think the opposition leader's strategy is highly improper because-

[Francophones In Kingston, April 25th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, we said at the time that the situation in Kingston would get straightened out and that a high school would be built.

Decisions were made in this regard and, according to the information available to us, there is no problem at this time. A piece of land has been agreed on but the school must be built. It cannot be done in just one week, it will take some time. However, all the administrative problems have been solved thanks to the close co-operation among the federal, provincial and municipal governments.