Mr. Bob Wenman (Fraser Valley West):

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Communications. In response to a letter, the minister stated that it is only sensible for the CRTC to impose some sort of limit on the number of foreign signals which are allowed into the Canadian market. Therefore, does the minister support the stated policy of the CRTC of limiting Canadian cablevision systems to the distribution of a maximum of three commercial stations not licensed to serve Canada?

Hon. Jeanne Sauve (Minister of Communications):

Mr. Speaker, I agree with that policy of the CRTC. It is designed to allow Canadians to view Canadian programs and to encourage the Canadian broadcasting industry to produce those programs. The hon. member is suggesting by his question that he would like to see Canada submerged in American programs to a degree that there would not be a Canadian broadcasting industry any more. I am surprised at that kind of a question coming from the hon. member.

Mr. Wenman:

Mr. Speaker, I am surprised about the minister's inference from what I have said. Obviously, she did not understand the intent of my question.

March 7, 1979

Oral Questions

In view of the reality of earth stations and the technology which indicates that in a few years earth stations will be a viable option for the private receiver, why does the minister talk in terms of limiting the freedom of choice of Canadians, instead of saying that through technology Canadians should be able to make their own choice of stations throughout the world via satellite? Why does the minister not support the expanded freedom of choice of Canadians and respect their right to do so?

Mrs. Sauve:

Mr. Speaker, I am afraid the hon. member does not quite understand how the satellite system operates. One has to program a Canadian satellite with the signals one wants people to be able to receive. Even when there is an individual receiving station, that station just cannot be simply beamed anywhere. There are international agreements which preclude allowing an earth station to be beamed on just anybody's satellite.

We decided 10 or 12 years ago to go into the space industry precisely because we wanted to maintain a sovereignty in the field of communications. If one has one's own satellite, then it can be programmed to allow for the distribution of signals, which new earth station policy will allow to be done more effectively and more flexibly.

[ Translation]

Mr. Gilles Caouette (Temiscamingue):

Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to the Minister of State (Fitness and Amateur Sport). In January I sent her a letter asking that her department provide financial help for team "C" of the Canadian Alpine Ski Association. As these athletes are not chosen on the basis of the money they can bring to or collect for the association but on the basis of their skiing talents, is the minister prepared to reconsider her decision and provide the $35,000 needed to make up the deficit of the Canadian Alpine Ski Association?

Hon. Iona Campagnolo (Minister of State (Fitness and Amateur Sport)):

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member knows very well that the sport governing body is supreme in our system. The Canadian Alpine Ski Association underestimated the amount it would need for this year's program. There has been some $720,000 spent on skiing by my department this year, of which $325,000 was for Alpine skiing: $63,000 in the world cup, $147,000 in competition, and $115,000 in training.

I presume the hon. member is referring to two people, the Pratt family of the "C" pool of skiers who have been asked to provide some funds to the sport governing body to assist with the "A" pool training program. They would be refunded at the end of this year.

The hon. member's motion under Standing Order 43 stated that this was a result of Loto Canada profits. Somehow or other he must have forgotten that 82.5 per cent of the profits of Loto Canada go to defray the Olympic debt until the end of 1979. There will be funds up to $24 million for sport, starting in 1980; that is, if people do not listen to the Leader of the Opposition.

Hear, hear!

[ Translation]

Mr. Caouette (Temiscamingue):

Mr. Speaker, I have a supplementary question. As I said, since the young members of team "C" are not chosen on the basis of their family's or their own wealth, does the minister think it is normal that they should be the ones to finance the benefit of the Canadian Alpine Ski Association?

Mrs. Campagnolo:

Mr. Speaker, that is a decision of their sport governing body, and this government does not interfere in the decisions of sport governing bodies in these matters.

Mr. Roch La Salle (Joliette):

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources and concerns the current negotiations with the Laprade plant in Quebec. Last summer, when the Quebec Liberal caucus met in Mont-Gabriel, a brief on the Laprade plant was presented to the Prime Minister. This brief expressed complete disgust with the Canadian government's attitude because, after having virtually imposed a settlement on the province, the government had, with little or no consultations, revised its position. Could the minister tell us, in light of his consultations with his provincial counterpart, what kind of arrangement he is working on or getting ready to announce?

Hon. Alastair Gillespie (Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources and Minister of State for Science and Technology):

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Finance and I met very recently with two Quebec ministers, the minister of finance and the minister of energy. At that meeting it was quite clear that the province of Quebec is prepared to negotiate an extension of the completion date for the Laprade heavy water plant. That was made clear in the discussions and I believe subsequently by comments the Quebec minister of energy made publicly.

As to the other energy projects which might be undertaken with the assistance of the federal government, that is a matter presently under discussion.

March 7, 1979

Mr. La Salle:

Mr. Speaker, I have a supplementary question for the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister will surely remember that the brief warned him to avoid making the present Quebec government solely responsible for this difficult situation since things had begun to deteriorate long before the PQ came to power. Having read this brief, can the Prime Minister tell us' if he has advised his ministers to co-operate more closely on the major problems of Quebec?

Right Hon. P. E. Trudeau (Prime Minister):

Mr. Speaker, I did not hear the hon. member's initial question and I am not very familiar with the brief mentioned. He will probably wish to send me a copy. I think, however, that the people of Quebec have repeatedly indicated which party they feel can best look after their interests, and it is not his party.

Oral Questions

Mr. F. A. Philbrook (Halton):

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Employment and Immigration. Recently, the summer student job centres opened up in the Peel and Halton regions and 1 understand they are already off to a very strong start. I should like to ask the minister if this indicates another improved year for summer student jobs in general right across the country-