Ralph Goodale

[Government Contracts, October 10th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, contrary to what the hon. gentleman has just said, the project in question does indeed fall subject to the rules of the NAFTA and the WTO. Industry participation, according to the rules of the trade agreement, were sought by a letter of interest.

The RFP was published on the Merx system from September 4, 2002 to the closing date of November 4, 2002. Proposals were received. The proposal from Lockheed Martin was judged to be the best of those proposals at the best price. It was indeed adjudicated by an independent third party.

[Income Tax Act, October 8th, 2003]

moved that the bill be concurred in.

[Agriculture, October 6th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, the initial payment at August 1 of every year is set in relation to the level of world prices at the time. As the crop year unfolds and as the marketing season progresses, if the market conditions improve then it is possible for the Canadian Wheat Board to recommend increases, which the government ultimately responds to.

Recommendations have been made by the Canadian Wheat Board and they will be given very careful attention, bearing in mind the needs of farmers and the fiscal responsibility of the government.

[Canadian Wheat Board, September 26th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. gentleman clearly does not know the rules that apply to the Canadian Wheat Board, the accounting practices of the Wheat Board, the manner in which one crop year is brought to an end, and how the marketing of a new crop year is undertaken. All of that is clearly within the rules that are established under the Canadian Wheat Board Act and the regulations.

In terms of the day-to-day administration, that is the responsibility of the duly elected directors of the Canadian Wheat Board.

[Canadian Wheat Board, September 26th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, obviously the accounting work for the last crop year is not yet completed. When that accounting work is completed, all of the information will be made public in the normal manner.

[Government Contracts, September 25th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, all deputy ministers and departmental heads responsible for this matter are conducting the appropriate investigations. I have every confidence that they will indeed take the proper decisions to ensure that the appropriate consequences flow where they should.

[Government Contracts, September 25th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, both the Minister of National Defence and I are concerned about this matter. When issues came to the attention of the other bidders in the process, they took the proper steps before the CITT. When particular allegations were drawn to my attention, I had my department investigate them thoroughly and on the basis of that, the whole process was re-tendered to protect the public interest.

[National Defence, September 25th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member is quite wrong. The Minister of National Defence puts the highest priority of all upon the safety and security of Canadians generally, the Canadian military in particular, and he does not put their lives at risk.

[National Defence, September 25th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, the government takes the safety of our people extremely seriously and we will not put them at undue risk. We have not and we will not allow our personnel to fly in unsafe aircraft.

The Hercules are in fact considered one of the most reliable and versatile transport planes in the world. They are the workhorse of the Canadian air transport fleet and the Canadian Forces are examining options to enhance the availability of Hercules transport.

[Grants and Contributions, September 24th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition clearly does not know how to read the estimates. The funding listed for Communication Canada is for our fairs and exhibits program, the regionalization services of Communication Canada and citizen information services of Information Canada,

For the information of the opposition, the budget for the sponsorship program has been cut by $5 million.