Ralph Goodale

[Budget Implementation Act, 2003, May 14th, 2003]

moved that Bill C-28, an act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on February 18, 2003, be read the third time and passed.

[Canadian Wheat Board, May 13th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, there is nothing at all on the public record to support the allegation that the hon. gentleman has just made. The fact of the matter is that this House created a new governance system for the Canadian Wheat Board. The old system of appointed commissioners is gone. There is a modern, corporate style board of directors, 15 in total, 10 of whom are directly elected by farmers themselves.

The opposition would like to replace the judgment of farmers with the political judgment of the Alliance Party. I would rather rely on farmers.

[Canadian Wheat Board, May 13th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I did in fact refer the matter, which was raised by one of the directors of the Canadian Wheat Board, to the board of directors of the board as well as its legal counsel. I asked them to inquire into the matter to see if there was anything to the allegations. I have certainly not been advised to this date that there was anything to substantiate the allegations.

It is after all a matter of the management of the Canadian Wheat Board, which by law is vested in the hands of the directors.

[National Defence, May 13th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, as I have indicated in the House before, since last year, both the Minister of National Defence and I have been working very hard to ensure that this procurement proceeds in the proper manner. The first step was taken last December by the Minister of National Defence in the re-bundling process.

I would point out that the chief of defence staff also said that it was in fact “just the way to go” in regard to the re-bundling. I think the advice of the chief of defence staff is good advice to follow.

[National Defence, May 13th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, many people are offering many different opinions about helicopters. Mr. Hession has his view, but then so does the chief of defence staff who has indicated that the 1999 statement of requirements had the full support of military leadership. He said that all of the helicopters in the competition were very fine candidates.

We are trying to be very precise in our requirements and in the process to ensure that both the military and the taxpayer can be properly satisfied.

[Public Works, May 2nd, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, at the moment I am not aware of all the legal nuances that might be involved here, but I can certainly assure the hon. member that I will inquire into it and obviously try to get the very best results that we possible can for his constituents.

[Public Works, May 2nd, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I will most certainly consult with my predecessor and determine the best way to live up to the spirit of his commitment.

[National Defence, May 2nd, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister gave certain responsibilities to the Minister of National Defence and to me on exactly the same day last year. We have been pursuing our responsibilities in this regard with a great deal of care.

We are determined to avoid the litigation mess that the hon. gentleman has referred to, and to ensure that this contract is fulfilled at the fastest possible moment to the satisfaction of both the military and the taxpayer.

[National Defence, May 2nd, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I can absolutely assure the hon. member that the Minister of National Defence and I are very determined to follow every proper step through this procurement process. We will determine at the end of the day that the military gets what it needs in terms of this helicopter and that the taxpayer gets the very best possible value.

[National Defence, May 2nd, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I have absolutely no knowledge whatsoever of the allegation that the hon. gentleman is making but I would assure him that this Saskatchewan boy will do his very best job to deliver for the people of Canada.