Mr. Rae:

It is the same advice the governor has been giving for a long time, and both of the old-line parties have been following it. I would like to ask the president directly-

Oh, oh!

God forbid!

Mr. Rae:

I would like to ask the Prime Minister directly to give the House a clear statement on whether it is the policy of the Government of Canada to restrict credit and cause a recession. If it is, how does he square the circle this time? How does he square that with a statement in the House last week that it is the intention of his government to get the economy working again? How can he do that and have the highest interest rates in Canada's history at the same time?

Mr. Clark:

Mr. Speaker, it is the policy of this government to avoid recession in this country, to restore confidence in this country, and to get enough confidence in the economic policies of the Government of Canada that we can begin to move the country toward a reduction in interest rates, a reduction in inflation and a general sense of confidence in not only the strength of the Canadian economy but in the determination of the Government of Canada to deal directly with the tough problems this government inherited from the former government.

Hear, hear!

Mr. Fabien Roy (Beauce):

Mr. Speaker, last October 10, I asked a question of the right hon. Prime Minister concerning the policy followed by the previous government, which was to allow Crown corporations to subscribe generous amounts to the Pro-Canada committee. I should like to ask-

Question!

Mr. Roy (Beauce):

I understand the nervousness shown by the official opposition about the question. Mr. Speaker, I should like to ask the Prime Minister, who had said then that he would examine the matter and report back to the House, whether he is now ready to inform the House of the decision taken by his government on this matter?

Right Hon. Joe Clark (Prime Minister):

Yes, Mr. Speaker. It is the position of the Canadian government that a Crown corporation should not subscribe to a campaign pertaining to a referendum in the province of Quebec. We are now preparing-

Guidelines!

October 25, 1979

Oral Questions

Mr. Clark:

No, not guidelines, but criteria and perhaps also some changes to be brought to the Canadian legislation. 1 have already written a letter to the presidents of two Crown corporations, namely Air Canada and the CN, to explain to them the position of the Canadian government.

Mr. Fabien Roy (Beauce):

Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask a supplementary question. Considering that the Prime Minister is referring to a letter he sent to two presidents of Crown corporations, I want to ask him whether he would agree to table a copy of that letter before the house. 1 would also like to know whether specific directives have been given with relation to a drive to raise funds in the name of other corporations.

Right Hon. Joe Clark (Prime Minister):

Mr. Speaker, 1 do not have those letters with me today, but I will probably have them tomorrow and I will table them. I should add that no specific directives have been given to the other public servants referred to by the hon. member.

Hon. J. Gilles Lamontagne (Langelier):

Mr. Speaker, 1 have a question for the minister responsible for the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

The government seems intent in cutting off its nose to spite its face. On one hand it is raising the bank rate, and thus mortgage rates, to unprecedented levels, and then threatening legal action and a tough policy for people who default on their mortgages, on the other. Does the government seriously propose to take people to court for mortgage defaults caused by its own high interest rate policy?

Hon. Elmer M. MacKay (Minister of Regional Economic Expansion):

Mr. Speaker, 1 want to assure the hon. member that this minister does not wish to be unduly harsh on anyone, particularly if part of the cause is high interest rates. On the other hand, it would appear that there were some unfortunate conditions and policies which have placed CMHC in the position where to fail to enforce ordinary legal remedies would not be in the best interests of the taxpayers of this country.