Ralph Goodale

[Agriculture, December 4th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, the minister's objective is obviously to make the most definitive announcement at the earliest possible date. He and his cabinet colleagues are working very much in that direction.

I would also note that one of the points clearly made by Premier Romanow when he campaigned against former Premier Devine in Saskatchewan was that in dealing with agricultural programs, especially disaster programs, it was important to avoid the ad hockery and the chicanery of Mulroney and Devine. We intend to follow that same pattern.

[Agriculture, December 4th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, more specifically Canada and the United States reaffirmed their commitment as contained in the international trade agreement to ensure that all necessary measures were taken to meet the obligations contained in the agreement, including their observance by state and provincial governments.

The United States has an obligation to ensure that its citizens obey the law.

[Agriculture, December 4th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to confirm today that we have signed an understanding with the Americans. It is a good result from the Canadian perspective.

There are no quantitative limitations, no caps, on Canadian exports. There is no new audit of Canadian grain marketing systems. It is agreed that all sanitary issues at our border will be resolved on the basis of sound science and sound science alone. There will be no political interference.

We have built in insulation against U.S. trade harassment possibilities, either self-initiated by the administration or provoked by individual states. We want to diffuse the border tensions and facilitate—

[Tobacco Act, November 25th, 1998]

moved that Bill C-42, an act to amend the Tobacco Act, be read the third time and passed.

[Motions For Papers, November 25th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, once again I would move that this item be transferred for debate.

[Motions For Papers, November 25th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I move that this item be transferred for debate.

[Motions For Papers, November 25th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, once again I would move that Motion P-37 be transferred for debate.

[Motions For Papers, November 25th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I move that the matter just referred to be transferred for debate.

[Canadian Mining Industry, November 24th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, the mining industry contributes $26 billion to the Canadian economy every year. It accounts for 16% of our trade exports. It adds $7 billion to Canada's positive trade balance. It generates 368,000 Canadian jobs. It is the lifeblood of 128 communities, especially in rural, remote, northern and aboriginal areas, and it is very much a sophisticated high tech industry that leads the world in sustainable development.

[Canadian Wheat Board, November 17th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food expressly amended Bill C-4 to specify that CWB directors will be elected by producers. That was supported by all parties and by all major farm organizations.

The word “producer” is a defined term in the act. It includes actual producers and those who are interested parties legally entitled to share in a portion of an actual producer's crop. This latter category obviously, in some cases, includes those who are administering the estates of interested parties. It is up to farmers themselves to ensure that the information shown in CWB records is accurate and up to date.