Mr. Bawden:
Would it not be possible for the federal authorities to make known their regulations and decide at a later time how the royalties or proceeds would be divided?
Mr. Trudeau:
Mr. Speaker, I would certainly consider that, but I hope that we would not be accused then by any Tories opposite that these were tactics of confrontation. However, I thank the hon. member for suggesting that.
Mr. Leonel Beaudoin (Richmond):
Mr. Speaker, I should like to put a question to the Prime Minister.
Does he know that at the present time pork, egg, beef and milk producers are losing money and also that we are now seeing many more auctions than ever before in our history, because farmers are auctioneering to discharge their debts? Could the Prime Minister tell us whether it is government policy to let things go on as they are now so that in few years Canada will have to import all its food?
Mr. Speaker:
The minister might attempt to reply briefly to the question, but it seemed to me to be more a speech than a question.
Right Hon. P. E. Trudeau (Prime Minister):
I thought that the question was put to the Minister of Agriculture.
Mr. Speaker:
The question was indeed directed to the Minister of Agriculture.
Hon. E. F. Whelan (Minister of Agriculture):
Mr. Speaker, I was not sure whether the hon. member's question was addressed to me or to the Prime Minister. All I want to say is that the record shows that the government does care.
May 2, 1974
Oral Questions FISHERIES
Mr. Charles E. Haliburton (South Western Nova):
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Fisheries. Has the Canadian government yet taken a position with regard to what quota for haddock will be sought for the Atlantic area at the upcoming ICNAF meetings?
Hon. Jack Davis (Minister of Fisheries):
Mr. Speaker, Canada's position in respect of these negotiations is currently being developed in close consultation with the industry and fishermen; and the negotiations will take place in about a month's time.
Mr. Walter C. Carter (St. John's West):
Mr. Speaker, may I direct a supplementary question to the Minister of Fisheries. Can the minister tell the house what action he intends to take with respect to the recommendation presented to the Standing Committee on Fisheries yesterday by the United Fishermen and Allied Workers' Union and also with respect to the resolution adopted by the standing committee having to do with the taking of unilateral action by Canada to protect our marine resources?
Hon. Jack Davis (Minister of Fisheries):
Mr. Speaker, Canada has never taken unilateral action when there was a possibility of resolving differences with other countries through negotiation.
Mr. Speaker:
Order, please. We have reached the end of the question period. Perhaps with the co-operation of the hon. member for St. John's West we might have time for two or three quick questions without supplementaries.
Mr. Derek Blackburn (Brant):
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Manpower and Immigration. If there are only four or five community employment programs planned so far for the next couple of years, how many people will be involved in those four or five programs, how many will be employed, and what is the funding?
Hon. Robert K. Andras (Minister of Manpower and Immigration):
Mr. Speaker, discussion of the community employment program has been taking place between the federal ministers, myself and the Minister of National Health and Welfare, and provincial welfare ministers. At the last meeting on February 20 it was agreed that we would begin to develop and explore through negotiation between the provinces and ourselves 10 to 20 pilot projects for this fall and winter spread across the country, which would then give us a basis for expansion, if it were
thought desirable, into a formal program next year. I do not know where the hon. member got his information about four or five programs. We are not in any position to indicate what the funding will be-