Jean Chrétien

[Taxation, October 9th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, if the financial situation of the Canadian government is better, it is because in recent years management in Ottawa has been better than that in Quebec.

[Taxation, October 9th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, in September 2000, we signed an agreement on health with the provinces, and then Premier Bouchard was very pleased with the offer made to him under the circumstances.

[Taxation, October 9th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I remember that, just a few years ago, the people in that party were advocating separation from Canada because it was bankrupt.

We have managed this country well since 1993. As a result, we have a budget that has been balanced for the past five years, and interest rates are low in Canada, which benefits all the provinces.

If the provincial governments feel they need more money, they have the same taxation powers as we do. We have substantially reduced the taxes of Quebeckers and other Canadians these past two years.

[Government Contracts, October 9th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, this is not a contract from the federal government. It is a contract by a private organization that has an independent board. The ethics counsellor is looking into this file and he can look at that.

However, if my information is right, I am pretty sure this organization is independent from the government. The centre has been operating since 1964, with members of the board who are very well known, like John Crosbie and Tom d'Aquino.

[International Criminal Court, October 8th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians were one of the main powers behind the creation of this international court. We hope that the court will fulfill the role that it must in the future for all countries.

Right now, the Americans do not want to recognize the court, but I think they should reconsider, do as other countries have done and give us the opportunity to have an international court to settle this type of conflict. I think that the treaty offers sufficient protection to the citizens of a country to allow everyone to safely sign it.

[Kyoto Protocol, October 8th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, that is exactly what we are doing at this time. We are talking with everybody. We think that it is possible in working together that we will have a plan that will meet the needs of Canada and at the same time respect our international obligation to do something about climate change.

I know why the opposition is opposed to that. The very member said a few months ago “I think if we oppose Kyoto it will help our fundraising”.

[Kyoto Protocol, October 8th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, Kyoto is being debated. We started after Rio talking about the question of climate change. It has been part of the public debate for more than 10 years. After Kyoto we had many discussions. People have raised it. We have been discussing it with the provinces and the private sector for years. There will be meetings with the private sector and the provincial governments in the weeks to come.

However there is a time when Parliament has to make a decision and it will be before the end of the year.

[Working Conditions, October 8th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, it seems to me that the hon. member is trying his wings as party leader. That is very good. Obviously, we cannot list every bill in the Speech from the Throne. Workers' safety is an issue that concerns the government. I am confident that, if legislation is required, it will be introduced in due course.

[Government Contracts, October 8th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, when I see the leader of the fifth party I know why he is there. The more one throws mud, the more ground one loses. He is losing ground every day.

[Government Contracts, October 8th, 2002]

No, I have not talked to him. If I had talked to him I would have said that I wanted the report yesterday.