1. Does the government intend to build a post office at St. Gervais, Bellechasse County and, if so

(a) what is the estimated cost of that construction

(b) when will the work start?

2. Is the Minister of Agriculture in a position to say that financial measures will be taken to guarantee industrial milk producers a minimum price of $5.50 per hundred pounds of milk for the next fiscal year?

Hon. Donald S. Macdonald (President of the Privy Council):

I am informed by the Depart-ters of Public Works and Agriculture as follows: 1. Yes, (a) a contract has been awarded for $26,200, (b) immediately.

2. No.

Why was the recommendation made by the Atlantic Development Board for assistance for the Nova Scotia Co-operative Abattoir refused by Treasury Board and what was the amount of the recommended assistance and what was the purpose of the proposed assistance?

Hon. Donald S. Macdonald (President of the Privy Council):

I am informed by Treasury

October 9, 1968

Board and the Department of Forestry and Rural Development as follows:

When the request for assistance to the Nova Scotia Co-operative Abattoir was considered tlie Treasury Board decided that it could not approve assistance at that time pending the outcome of the review of the whole question of assistance to individual firms by the minister responsible for regional development.

The amount of the requested assistance was $770,000, of which $270,000 was for capital expenditure to improve and enlarge the physical capacity of the plant and $550,000 was for working capital to enable the cooperative to gain greater flexibility in arranging its inventories and to reduce its reliance on heavy bank borrowings.

1. Referring to the answer to Question 524 of the last Session (Hansard, page 4171-2), has any decision now been taken regarding the transfer of the Rockcliffe Aerodrome from the jurisdiction of the Department of National Defence to the Department of Transport?

2. If so, what is that decision?

3. If the decision is not to transfer the Aerodrome, what are the plans for its future use?

4. What plan does the government have for the establishment of a secondary or satellite airport in the National Capital Region?

Hon. Donald S. Macdonald (President of the Privy Council):

I am informed by the Departments of Transport and National Defence as follows: 1. Yes.

2. The decision is that the Department of Transport will not take over the operation and maintenance of the Rockcliffe aerodrome.

3. All scheduled service flying has been discontinued at CFB Rockcliffe airport. Future disposition of the land which comprises the aerodrome is under study.

4. There are no firm plans at the present time for a satellite airport in the national capital region as the traffic at Ottawa international airport has not reached the point where such action is necessary. However, the Department of Transport is watching developments in air traffic in the national capital region and will recommend the development of a satellite airport when the need arises.

Questions

1. What is the total strength of Canadian Forces personnel stationed in each of the four Atlantic Provinces-Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick?

2. What defence establishments are located in these Provinces?

3. What is the total strength of Canadian Forces personnel for each of the other six provinces, the Yukon and the Northwest Territories?

Mr. D. W. Groos (Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of National Defence):

1. As of

30 June, 1968: Newfoundland: 424; Prince Edward Island: 1,353; Nova Scotia: 13,865; New Brunswick: 6,121.

2. It is not departmental policy to make

public lists of all defence establishments in each province giving precise locations. However, the following is a list of major bases and stations: Newfoundland: CFS St. John's, CFS Gander; CFS Goose Bay; Prince Edward Island: CFB Summerside; Nova Scotia: CFB Greenwood; CFB Halifax; CFB Shearwater; CFB Cornwallis; CFS Mill Cove; CFS Shelburne; CFS Barrington; CFS Sydney; New Brunswick: CFB Gagetown; CFB

Chatham; CFB Moncton; CFS Coverdale.

3. Quebec, 9,734; Ontario, 28,769; Manitoba, 6,729; Saskatchewan, 1,683; Alberta, 6,746; British Columbia, 8,583; Yukon, 171; Northwest Territories, 298.

What is the total amount of expenditure by the federal government in the last five calendar years on urban renewal studies relating to (a) slum clearance (b) urban transportation (c) housing?

Hon. Paul Hellyer (Minister of Transport):

Pursuant to the National Housing Act, the federal government, during the five year period January 1, 1963, to December 31, 1967, approved contributions totalling $2,069,000 to provinces and municipalities for urban renewal studies including special studies relating to social aspects and housing rehabilitation in urban renewal areas. Expenditures during this same period, relating to these approvals amounted to $1,048,000. In addition, since the amendments to the National Housing Act in June, 1964, contributions under section 23A toward the preparation of urban renewal schemes were approved in the amount of $1,840,000. Expenditures relating to these approvals amounted to $832,000.

October 9, 1968

Questions

Contributions toward urban transportation studies under the National Housing Act were approved in the amount of $30,000 of which $23,000 had been expended as at December 31, 1967.

Urban renewal studies and the preparation of urban renewal schemes include elements of slum clearance, urban transportation and housing. The costs of these elements are not separately identifiable.

1. Has the percentage of net profits with respect to sales of the Polymer Corporation Limited been dropping and, if so, what steps does the government, the Board of Directors and the management intend to take to prevent the situation from worsening?

2. Has the Board of Directors already considered, is it considering or will it consider establishing a subsidiary or production division in Quebec?

3. Has the Corporation considered directing its production more toward the manufacture of plastic products?

Hon. Donald C. Jamieson (Minister of Defence Production):

Insofar as Polymer

Corporation Limited is concerned: 1. Polymer Corporation's net income for 1967 as a percentage of net sales was below the level achieved in previous years and resulted from the continued rise in the cost of doing business and the decline in world prices for most of the Company's products. The management has intensified its efforts to improve productivity and reduce costs with very satisfactory results to date.

2. The capacity of the Company's existing Canadian operations is sufficient for its current needs and the Company, therefore, does not have any current plans to establish a subsidiary or production division in the province of Quebec. However, it is continually seeking attractive opportunities for further expansion and growth in Canada.

3. The Company now produces ABS resins and polystyrene, which represent only a small proportion of its total output, and is interested in strengthening its position in the plastics field.

1. When does the government intend to reconstitute and amend the legislation pertaining to the Farm Improvement Loan Act?

2. Will the Act be broadened to serve a broader sector of the Agricultural Industry?

3. What will be the new rate of interest on farm improvement loans?

Mr. H. E. Gray (Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Finance):

1. Appropriate

amending legislation received first reading on October 3, 1968.

2. The measure now before the house would, in addition to making the interest rate prescribable by orders in council, increase the maximum loan amount, broaden the loan purposes to include the purchase of additional land, add credit unions, caisses populaires, trust, loan and life insurance companies as eligible lenders, and make a number of other improvements to this credit facility which serves the farming sector.

3. This rate has not yet been determined. It will be established when the amending legislation has been passed.