Mr. Bob Pennock (Etobicoke North):

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture. It is my understanding that today Agriculture Canada was going to announce if it would approve the trucking of excess garbage from Pearson Airport to another province for incineration. Every day 19 tonnes of excess garbage builds up at Pearson Airport. Can the Minister tell us whether permission was granted?

Since Hamilton has the capacity to deal with our waste because its incinerator is running at only 50 per cent capacity, can the Minister assure this House that something will be done to prevent Hamilton from holding the safety of this country for ransom by refusing to alleviate this serious, critical health condition?

Mr. Lee Clark (Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Agriculture):

Mr. Speaker, it is true that the airlines have requested permission of the Department of Agriculture to transport the garbage, both compacted and uncompacted, out of the area.

As you know, Mr. Speaker, it is the primary responsibility of the Department of Agriculture to ensure that garbage coming in from international flights is handled in such a way that we can ensure there is no danger of any disease being introduced into Canada which could be a threat to the Canadian agricultural community.

I am advised that the Department this afternoon has requested additional information from the airlines with respect to the proposal. If, indeed, that information is provided and is complete and there is a possibility of the garbage being moved out, and assurance that it will be moved out without any risk to the Canadian agricultural community, then a decision will be announced by the end of the week.

I might also note that the federal Minister of Agriculture, according to my understanding, does not have the power to compel the Hamilton community or any other community to accept that garbage. It may be, however, that Premier Peterson and his colleagues have that responsibility should they choose to exercise it.

Mr. Speaker:

As I mentioned, I will recognize the Hon. Minister for International Trade. I think the distinguished spokespersons from the other two Parties will also want to make some remarks. The Hon. Minister.

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External Affairs EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

Hon. John C. Crosbie (Minister for International Trade):

Mr. Speaker, as the Acting Secretary of State for External Affairs, I want to say on behalf of the Government and the people of Canada that we are deeply shocked by the news of the tragic death of the President of Pakistan, Zia-ul-Haq and others in an aircraft disaster this morning in Pakistan.

The Government extends its condolences to the people of Pakistan on this sad occasion. Our Prime Minister (Mr. Mulroney) has sent a message of condolence to the Acting President, Ghulam Ishaq Khan. President Zia has had a long and distinguished career in the service of his country. He was deeply committed to the social and economic development of the people of Pakistan and to bringing peace to that troubled area of the world. He will be long remembered for the leadership he provided in assisting the people of Afghanistan in their efforts to restore independence.

His loss comes at a critical time in the history of Pakistan. The Government and people of Canada hope that this tragedy will not affect the further restoration of democracy to Pakistan.

Hon. Bob Kaplan (York Centre):

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Official Opposition, I would like to join in the expression of condolence and sympathy on the death of President Zia of Pakistan.

President Zia was known not only for his commitment to his own country and to the establishment of a better life for the people of that country but also for his efforts on the international stage, particularly in that troubled area of the world in Afghanistan where his efforts contributed to the re-establishment of the independence of that country.

It is ironic that this tragedy occurred just at the end of the week of celebration of the independence of Pakistan. I was myself with the Minister of Finance (Mr. Wilson) in the City of Toronto where we celebrated the independence in City Hall Square, Toronto, in the presence of Mayor Art Eggleton. On that occasion the Minister and myself saw a wonderful demonstration of the loyalty to Canada and of the dedication to peace and security in Pakistan of the thousands and thousands of Torontonians and Canadians who have come to our country from Pakistan and who now make Canada their homeland.

On their behalf and on behalf of other Canadians and in particular of the Official Opposition, I extend our sympathy and condolence.

Mr. Bill Blaikie (Winnipeg-Birds Hill):

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the New Democratic Party, I would like to join with the Government in its regret at the news of the violent death of the President of Pakistan, President Zia, and others such as the U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan in the aircraft disaster this morning.

August 17, 1988

Tabling of Documents

We extend our condolences to the bereaved families involved and to the people of Pakistan. Our thoughts and prayers will be with them in the obviously difficult days which lie ahead. We share the hope, as the Minister himself said, that the road to full restoration of democracy in Pakistan will not be negatively affected by this event.

Mr. Jim Hawkes (Parliamentary Secretary to Deputy Prime Minister and President of the Privy Council):

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 106(8), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the Government's response to Petitions Nos. 332-4940 to 332-4956 inclusive.

[Editor's Note: See today's Votes and Proceedings.]

Hon. Tom Hockin (Minister of State (Finance)):

Mr. Speaker, on June 30, I announced in this place that the major banks had decided to act voluntarily to improve their service to customers. It is with great pleasure that I rise today to present an interim report from the Superintendent of Financial Institutions on the compliance of the six major banks with this policy.

Hon. Members will be pleased to note that the sincere efforts being made by financial institutions to enhance their service have also been affected in the last two months. In addition to eliminating certain charges, the banks are providing enhanced disclosure, notifications, and a complaints mechanism to customers. They are in fact acting in advance of the legislation that I have introduced for this purpose.

I would also like to point out that while trust companies have not been surveyed for this report, the major federally regulated trust companies are taking similar actions to those of the banks, and their compliance with the measures will be examined in short order.

Mr. W. Paul McCrossan (York-Scarborough):

Mr. Speaker, I introduced a Bill to force banks and other financial institutions to institute certain reforms, such as reducing certain charges, providing increased disclosure and providing an effective consumer complaint mechanism. Since my own surveys in the last week and discussions with all the banks have indicated that all six major banks are now fully in compliance with my Bill, I seek unanimous consent of the House to withdraw my Bill from the private members' list which is third in order of precedence.

Mr. Speaker:

The Hon. Member for York-Scarborough has risen seeking unanimous consent of the House to withdraw his Bill. The Hon. Member for Kamloops-Shuswap.

Mr. Nelson A. Riis (Kamloops-Shuswap):

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the request of the Hon. Member. I simply want to make the observation that I feel the initiative he took as a private Member actually put teeth into the committee report. While he might be convinced that the banks have indicated that they have backed off sufficiently, I must say that I reluctantly take his word. I do not have the kind of enthusiastic endorsement for that position as he might have. I have some suspicions that we still have some way to go.

He has requested that the Private Member's Bill be withdrawn, since he is the private Member who sponsored the Bill. We will certainly support his request.

Mr. Speaker:

The House has heard the request. Is there unanimous consent that the Bill be withdrawn?

Agreed.

Order discharged and Bill withdrawn.