Lawrence Cannon

[Airport Security, June 18th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, the fact is there is a recourse for an individual who happens to find himself or herself on that list. The hon. member knows that. He has hopefully read the regulations that govern this passenger protect program. There is a recourse there.

We have consulted with the civil liberty groups in the country. We have obtained the advice of the Information Commissioner. We have done our job and this list is there to protect Canadians.

[Airport Security, June 18th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, this list not only supports domestic air travel, but also international travel. First and foremost, the list's objective is to ensure that the vast majority of Canadians who, on a daily basis, take aircraft to go from one place to another will be able to do it in complete and total security.

This is another way that the government takes its job seriously and ensures that terrorist threats that exist will not impede our travel.

[Air Transport, June 18th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, the guidelines in making the determination of who is on the list are quite clear.

Let me recall for the members of the House what we are talking about. An individual has been involved in a terrorist group: he is on the list. An individual who has been convicted of one or more serious and life-threatening crimes against aviation security: he is on the list. A person who has been convicted of one or more serious and life-threatening offences against a passenger or crew members: that person is on the list.

The vast majority of Canadians are not on this list.

[Air Transport, June 18th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question. It gives me an opportunity to update the House about the protection that Canadian air travellers enjoy today.

Since this House adopted the anti-terrorism and national security legislation, the previous governments and our government have worked closely with stakeholders to put in place a measure to protect people who travel by air. Today, I am happy to announce that this measure is now in place.

[Infrastructure, June 15th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, the government has committed to a top up of new funds to help provinces, territories and municipalities across the country to go forward with new programs. These programs are administered in partnership with the provincial governments and the communities. Surely in this whole process, this project will be viewed.

Until such time as we have a new program in place, this is the program that is there. Everybody knows the parameters. When we are able to announce the project, we will look at it and if need be, will do so.

[Former Lieutenant Governor, June 15th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, my Bloc Québécois colleague is absolutely right with respect to expenditures. It is to be expected that we should be extremely vigilant about the expenditures of any member of the public service, even those in government. I would simply add that in the wake of the Auditor General's report, we are now going over various procedures to ensure that such situations do not recur. We should be meeting with the Government of Quebec and working with it on this issue.

[Former Lieutenant Governor, June 15th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for her question. As she knows, parliamentary committees are completely independent and may ask whomever they like to appear before them. I will leave it up to the committee to make such decisions.

[Marine Transportation, June 14th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my hon. colleague for his question.

He is right in saying that last week, I had the pleasure of meeting with the delegation from the Magdalen Islands, including, of course, Mayor Arseneau. We agreed to take a close look at the changes that have taken place in the years since the last study. We agreed to meet again to decide on a plan of action.

[Quebec's Former Lieutenant-Governor, June 13th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday in this House I had the opportunity to state that abuse is not only unacceptable, but it is also inexcusable. The government is committed to getting to the bottom of this and to being transparent.

This is why, in January, we asked the Auditor General to investigate. We will ask the RCMP to conduct an appropriate investigation, given the Auditor General's findings.

[Expenses of the Former Lieutenant Governor of Quebec, June 12th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, it was the government that asked the Auditor General of Canada to examine the expenses of the former Lieutenant-Governor of Quebec. We will work with the Government of Quebec to determine how best to respond to the two reports.