Ralph Goodale

[Canadian Wheat Board, May 4th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased that a preliminary finding today by the U.S. department of commerce is very much in Canada's favour.

In the so-called R-Calf case, the DOC found no grounds to justify a countervailing duty on Canadian beef cattle exports. It reaffirmed that our NISA program is not countervailable and, for the seventh consecutive time in this decade, it vindicated the grain trading policies of the Canadian Wheat Board.

The Government of Canada will continue to work with our farm organizations and the provinces to ensure that this preliminary finding is confirmed in a final ruling later this year.

[Questions On The Order Paper, May 3rd, 1999]

On March 29, 1999, the Cape Breton Development Corporation, DEVCO, advertised nationally its requirement for financial advisory services in respect to the sale of its assets. The closing date for proposals was April 27, 1999. It is expected that Devco will engage a financial advisor in early May. At that time, the financial advisor will begin preparation of an information package for prospective purchasers. Private sector interest in Devco's assets will only be known after the information package is available and bids have been received.

[Devco, April 29th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, the terms that we have put forward in the human resources package with respect to Devco fully meets all of the requirements of the collective agreements that are in place with Devco's unions.

Recognizing that there are some anomalies whenever we have to draw a line in terms of pension or other benefits, we have also added to our package a severance package which is $30 million larger than the bare requirements the collective agreement would require.

Accordingly, we believe we have a package that meets—

[Devco, April 29th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, at this very early stage of development, in terms of the concept that the hon. member has referred to, it is difficult to provide any definitive answers because the idea is so novel and really in its infancy.

With respect to the economic development package in Cape Breton and the privatization proposals for the Prince mine, we have said that we would be more than happy to consider every alternative.

[Devco, April 29th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, our whole effort with respect to Devco is intended to be favourable to the people of Cape Breton and, in particular, the miners at Devco.

We have, through the various agencies of the Government of Canada, put together not only the Devco package but also the programming of Human Resources Development Canada and ACOA. The package amounts to $550 million which we hope will ease the transition in what we all agree is a very difficult problem.

[Devco, April 27th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, the numbers with respect to those who may qualify for a pension are in the order of 340 in terms of the new proposal that we have on the table. That is in addition to about 137 under existing old pension provisions, and 650 will qualify for severance arrangements that work out to about $70,000 per person on average.

In addition, there may be some future job opportunities with respect to environmental remediation and we would obviously look at that as an important economic diversification opportunity for Cape Breton.

[Devco, April 27th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, as I have listed on a number of occasions in the House, the government through a variety of means has put together a package that totals something in the order of $550 million to address a variety of issues in relation to Devco.

We understand very clearly that this is a very difficult circumstance for the people in Cape Breton. We are pursuing all possible means to ease those circumstances.

If there are some specific proposals that are worthy of consideration in respect of the continuation of medical benefits, I would be very interested in hearing the details of any proposal. I will do my best—

[Questions On The Order Paper, April 27th, 1999]

The proceeds from the Canadian National, CN, settlement were distributed through the Canadian Wheat Board, CWB, accounts. The total costs of bringing the complaint was $2.7 million. A portion of this was legal fees. The settlement also included rate related benefits accruing to farmers in 1997-1998 and for the life of the agreement. Due to the confidential nature of the agreement, the value of the CN settlement was not publicly disclosed. The amount per permit book will vary depending on participation in the pool accounts.

The Canadian Pacific, CP, settlement is valued at $15 million. The proceeds will be paid to the CWB in 1999 and 2000 and then distributed to farmers through the pool accounts. The legal fees for the court case with CP were taken into account in arriving at the settlement amount. The amount per permit book will vary depending on participation in the pool accounts.

Question No. 223—

[Questions On The Order Paper, April 27th, 1999]

A total of 61 meetings were held across the prairies to provide an opportunity for the Canadian Wheat Board to consult with farmers on grain transportation issues. The total costs of holding these meetings have not been finalized. Expenses for hall rentals and advertising will amount to about $40,000, and there will be additional costs related to travel.

Question No. 220—

[Canadian Wheat Board, April 26th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, in my capacity as minister responsible for the Canadian Wheat Board I have to advise the hon. gentleman that I am not aware of any recent development that he may have referred to in his question.

He and I have had the opportunity to discuss the particulars of this matter. He has asked for further information. I have undertaken to try to provide that information to him; however, at this stage I am not in a position to do so.