Gasoline Pricing  Mr. Speaker, the government has increased fuel taxes by in excess of $900 million a year over the last five years. That government has done it, and I am asking it to reduce the increase a little so the trucking industry can survive, so that people can pay their wages and pay for their groceries.

Gasoline Pricing  Mr. Speaker, over the last year diesel fuel prices have doubled. As a result some truckers have been forced to leave their trucks at home and some are protesting up and down the highways of Canada. Meanwhile, the department has increased the tax on diesel fuel to over a $100 million increase per year.

Gasoline Prices  Mr. Speaker, on the contrary. The Department of Transport has gone from a zero surplus to a three thousand million dollar surplus in a very short time. At the same time, the trucking industry cannot even make ends meet because of high taxes. Again, will the minister reduce the taxes in the short term to help this troubled industry?

Gasoline Prices  Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Transport. Now that the Department of Transport is enjoying huge surpluses as a result of increased fuel tax revenues, will the minister reduce the fuel taxes on trucks, at least in the short term, to assist the trucking industry, which is fighting hard to make ends meet?

Questions On The Order Paper  With regard to the exchange of surplus land at Mirabel Airport for two property lots belonging to the town of Mirabel, for which the federal government's approval was announced by the Minister of Transport on November 22, 1999, what are the current market values of these three pieces of land?

Income Tax Act  Madam Speaker, I am certainly pleased to participate in this debate. As the last member said, I was directly involved in the car business for 18 years and probably another 5 years indirectly before that. I worked with mechanics for years and years. I feel very close to this proposal and totally support it.

Airports  Mr. Speaker, that is not an answer. With all due respect, I want an answer. This is the fourth time I have asked the question. I simply want to know why the Government of Canada reneged on a signed contract with the Halifax International Airport Authority. If the parliamentary secretary does not know, will he commit to report back to the House on why the agreement of August 27 was broken?

Airports  Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Transport. On August 27, 1998, the Department of Transport signed an agreement with the Halifax International Airport Authority which included the statement: “Transport Canada agrees to continue to be responsible for the pyritic slate runoff existing prior to the transfer date.”

National Highway Policy  Mr. Speaker, again we have switched Speakers. I welcome you back to the chair. I want to say how pleased and honoured I am to be sponsoring the last private member's motion of the century. It is even called Motion No. 102. Highway 102 goes through my riding, which is kind of coincidental.

National Highway Policy  Potholes, right. Potholes on the road to the millennium. The auditor general also agrees that it is the number one problem. He confirmed that it will take $17 billion to restore, not improve, our highway system to a standard that is acceptable. Two years ago, the minister laid out highway spending as his number one priority.

National Highway Policy  My proposal is very simple and it does involve the gasoline and diesel tax. It amounts to dedicating 15% of the gas and diesel oil tax to a highway funding pool. This pool would be available to the provinces on the condition that they match it dollar for dollar. In this way, it is user pay because the taxes are only paid for by the people who buy gas and diesel oil.

National Highway Policy  Yes. The report of the New Brunswick auditor general, Daryl Wilson, yesterday leaves little doubt that the former Liberal government painted itself into a corner with the Moncton to Fredericton and Moncton to Saint John toll highway deal by failing to explore several alternative options.

National Highway Policy  It was Dave Dingwall, and Ritchie Mann who was the minister of transportation in the province of Nova Scotia. They transferred these funds in a very inappropriate manner and the auditor general of Nova Scotia blew the whistle. The federal auditor general has also blown the whistle on toll highways.

National Highway Policy  moved: That, in the opinion of this House, the government should establish a National Highway Policy in partnership with the provinces to ensure the long term viability of our national highway system in light of the nature of our country, our geography and our culture which demands a consistent and uniform highway system.

Parliamentarians' Code Of Conduct  Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to rise on a question that I first raised on November 23. It was a general question about aircraft in the Department of National Defence. We talked about Hercules planes that could not get off the ground and could not make it from point A to point B.