Mr. Jamieson:

It is not our intention at the moment to introduce legislation. 1 repeat what I have said earlier, that I believe our present provisions will be effective, and I think the hon. member knows there is considerable difficulty being experienced in the U.S. with precisely this question of the form of legislation to be used. We will monitor the policy that was introduced last fall to see how effective it is, and after a reasonable period has elapsed, we will see what steps, if any, are necessary.

Hon. Donald C. Jamieson (Secretary of State for External Affairs):

While I am on my feet, may I just add to an answer which was given to the right hon. member for Prince Albert to tell him that in terms of Her Majesty's Jubilee I am delighted to inform him-and I know he will be pleased and the House will be pleased to know-that we have made arrangements for the RCMP musical ride team to accompany Her Majesty in the procession for the Jubilee celebrations in London.

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March 11, 1977

Oral Questions MANPOWER

Mr. Elmer M. MacKay (Central Nova):

My question is for the Minister of Manpower and Immigration. It is about a program in his department which I know concerns him as it concerns most areas of the country, namely the CES program which, because of bureaucratic impediments appears not to achieve the high hopes that were once held by his predecessor for its success. Can the minister tell us whether he has particular measures under way to cut through some of the red tape and present a better picture in terms of performance for this program?

Hon. Bud Cullen (Minister of Manpower and Immigration):

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his support for this program that was an initiative this government embarked upon in 1975. It still remains a very high priority with the government. In the hon. member's region or area there is a technical problem which we are working on and with which we will press ahead. This is a commitment to the area concerned and it remains a high priority. Within the limits of fiscal responsibility we intend to press ahead.

Mr. MacKay:

I am sure the minister is aware of the fact that a large proportion of the budget of CES in Nova Scotia- the approximate budget is slightly over $1 million-appears to be devoted to administrative costs and to topping up other programs. About $750,000 out of approximately $1 million appears not to be going for the primary purpose of producing jobs. Does the minister intend to look into the situation and to try to make the program more efficient in this respect?

Mr. Cullen:

When we have an excellent program and we can make it better, we most assuredly will look into it.

[ Translation]

Mr. Girard Laprise (Abitibi):

Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to the Minister of Regional Economic Expansion.

Since he has had recent talks with his Quebec counterpart, could he tell us now whether he has received a request for financial aid from the Quebec government for the construction of a road leading to mines north of LaSarre, mainly to the SELCO and AMOCO mines in that area?

Mr. Bob Brisco (Kootenay West):

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Regional Economic Expansion. In view of the fact that the General Development Agreement between British Columbia and DREE specifically spells out the northwest, the northeast and the Kootenays in British Columbia, and in view of the fact that there has not been any notification of any funding for the Kootenays, has the minister had recent discussions with the provincial government on funds specifically earmarked for the Kootenays in British Columbia under the GDA as spelled out?

Hon. Marcel Lessard (Minister of Regional Economic Expansion):

Mr. Speaker, no, I have not had any specific discussions about the Kootenays. Our discussions were about the whole province in light of the kind of assistance we might be able to put together to provide support for industrial activities in the remote parts of British Columbia. But this is still under discussion and I hope within a few months, if not weeks, we will be able to conclude our discussions and propose something to help that region in particular.

Mr. Brisco:

In view of the fact that the federal government has already spent more on MAGI and the cruiseship than has been spent on the entire province of British Columbia, and in view of the fact that the minister now says it will be several months before a decision can be made, is he not prepared to take departmental initiatives under the agreement and spend some money and make some progress under the DREE agreement in British Columbia?

Mr. Lessard:

Mr. Speaker, I do not accept the premises of the hon. member's question concerning MAGI, but as for the other part of his serious question, I am now considering the possibility of some intervention by my department, for lack of an agreement which I still hope to conclude with the British Columbia government. However should such an agreement fail to materialize, we will have to consider other means of giving a new impetus to the economic conditions in British Columbia.

Hon. Marcel Lessard (Minister of Regional Economic Expansion):

No, Mr. Speaker, I do not remember having discussed the matter in such terms as mentioned by the hon. member. It is possible that the proposal was made to Quebec officials, more particularly to OPDQ officials, but for the time being at least I do not think that specific requests were made to my department or myself.

Mr. Bruce Halliday (Oxford):

Mr. Speaker, in view of the absence of the Minister of National Health and Welfare, perhaps I could direct my question to his parliamentary secretary who, I think, will be knowledgeable about a matter which his department has had under review for some three or four years. Can he tell us why the minister and his department chose to be inconsistent with respect to the policy of banning

March 11, 1977

saccharin as compared to its policy on tobacco under which he chose to have an appropriate warning placed on the consumer package?