Mr. Speaker, if the member had listened to the answer I gave earlier, he would know that I said the Kyoto protocol would be ratified before the end of the year.
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The environment November 26th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, if the member had listened to the answer I gave earlier, he would know that I said the Kyoto protocol would be ratified before the end of the year.
The environment November 26th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, we have had dozens and dozens of meetings with officials and ministers since the Kyoto agreement trying to make progress. It was always postponement, postponement and postponement. The time has come and it is between now and the end of the year.
The environment November 26th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, what we want to do in proceeding with Kyoto is to give certainty to the sector. What the opposition is doing is trying to drag its feet and maintain uncertainty for years and years to come.
The fact is that we have decided to proceed. As far as the provinces and the private sector, to focus on the issues, the provinces have put 12 conditions in a communication to us. I reported to the Premier of New Brunswick that nine of them were acceptable, two others could be improved upon and there might be one that would be a serious problem.
Canada-U.S. Relations November 26th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, I repeat that the director of communications, in what was a private discussion with a journalist, was defending the President of the United States. The hon. member was not there. He is very smart to know what happened there when the only people who know about what was discussed are the director of communications and the other reporter who, under his ethics rules, decided that he would not talk about a private conversation. That is not the standard that is acceptable to every press reporter.
Canada-U.S. Relations November 26th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, she was, in the discussion she was having privately with the reporter, defending the President of the United States. That was the statement that she was making at that time. She explained that herself on Friday in the letter that was read in the House of Commons.
Canada-U.S. Relations November 26th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, on Friday I gave an explanation that was the story that the director of communications had told me. She came back over the weekend and because of the controversy, told me yesterday that she did not want to carry on with her duties. I have refused her resignation but she does not want to carry on. It is with great regret that she is going because for four years she has been a very hardworking, efficient director of communications and has done a very good job for Canada.
Government Contracts November 19th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, the minister clearly said that he did not get involved in this issue and I have no intention of asking for his resignation.
Health November 19th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, we are waiting to see what the Romanow report will say. We are waiting for that study.
Mr. Romanow was appointed at the suggestion of the provincial premiers. I was pleased to agree to appoint him to that position. I am sure that he will provide us with a very comprehensive report and we will see what we can do to meet the needs of all Canadians, within the financial limits of our government and of all the other governments.
Health November 19th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, I can reply on behalf of the minister, who is not here. I think that the federal government itself has such an important responsibility regarding health with first nations and the territories, that it is the fourth largest provider of health care services in the country. We want to work with the provinces, and this is what we are doing.
We are waiting for the report by a former premier on health services. We intend to meet with provincial premiers to discuss this report in early 2003.
Iraq November 19th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, I am very disappointed that the hon. leader of the NDP is not complimenting the government because we were among the first countries to tell the Americans that they could not go there without the support of a resolution of the Security Council. We have worked very hard on that. I am sure that with this resolution we have a better chance of not having a war because every country wants Saddam Hussein to respect the United Nations so there will be no need at all for a war there.