Mr. Pepin:
Madam Speaker, the Crowsnest Pass is a problem which has been with us since 1897.
The problem is you guys.
Oh, oh!
Mr. Pepin:
It became statutory in 1925. My information, substantiated by some conversations I have had, is that the mood of western Canada is changing with respect to the Crowsnest.
It is not.
Mr. Pepin:
I am planning now to get fully involved in the subject, to consult extensively in the coming weeks and devise a general strategy to cope with this particular issue.
Oral Questions ENERGY
Hon. Bud Cullen (Sarnia):
Madam Speaker, I have a question for the Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources. Given the fact that the Alberta government has been less than happy with the fact that Petrosar produces residual fuel as a byproduct of its operation, and also Suncor and other operations in eastern Canada, given the pressure that has been brought to bear by the federal government requiring these companies to do something about this particular problem, and given the fact that Petrosar and Suncor announced today an expenditure of some $500 million to upgrade their facilities, will the minister now be able to get from the Alberta government a commitment giving these operations security of supply of feedstock?
Hon. Marc Lalonde (Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources):
Madam Speaker, first of all I should like to thank the officials of the two refineries concerned in Sarnia and also Ultramar in St. Romuald, near Quebec City, for their co-operation with the government when we made very strong representations to them encouraging them to upgrade the oil that was going through the refineries, so as to have a much more efficient use of oil in our energy strategy.
As far as the question raised by the hon. member is concerned, 1 should like to advise him that I have discussed this matter twice already with my colleague from Alberta, and that the Alberta government welcomed the developments I have announced today. Also, I want to assure the hon. member that I have raised with the minister for Alberta the question of the supply to Petrosar in particular, and I was assured again at my meeting early this week that there will be no discrimination against Petrosar.
If Petrosar cannot get supply directly, it can be assured at least that there will be nothing to prevent any person or company supplied with oil by Alberta from reselling to Petrosar. So there is an assurance that no measures will be taken to discriminate against Petrosar in its supply.
Mr. Walter McLean (Waterloo):
Madam Speaker, I am my party's spokesperson on matters relevant to the status of women.
Hear, hear!
Mr. McLean:
But I want to assure the House that my concerns are broader than that.
Oh, oh!
May 15, 1980
Oral Questions
Mr. McLean:
1 have had a lifelong commitment to helping people, and it is in that context that I want to ask the Minister of Employment and Immigration about his job-creation plans. Women, young people and natives are the people who are most often unemployed in this country. Would the minister tell us how many jobs he intends to create for women, for young people and for natives? Could he tell us whether the numbers he will be using are targets that he will try to achieve, or will they be firm commitments in quotas which he will meet and which he hopes to exceed?
Hon. Lloyd Axworthy (Minister of Employment and Immigration):
Madam Speaker, I should like to begin by complimenting the hon. member on the very important responsibilities he has. As one who shares those responsibilities on the government side, I would say that it is one of the most important tasks of members of this House to ensure that women receive proper, fair and equal opportunities in the work force.
Mrs. Begin:
Hear, hear!
Mr. Axworthy:
In saying that, I would want to point out to the hon. member that he should recognize we are not, in the job programs we intend to announce, exclusively attacking the program in that respect, because there are already in place a number of programs available for those very groups about which he spoke.
Don't make a speech.