My colleagues, I know we get a little bit excited in question period, but I am having a tough time even hearing the answers. I would ask you please to keep it down a bit.

Mr. Bernard Bigras (Rosemont, BQ)

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of the Environment.

After environmental groups, the Canadian environmental ambassador and the Government of Quebec condemned the Regina accord on greenhouse gas emissions, we have learned this morning that a number of industrialized countries have reached a consensus at Tokyo to stabilize their greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2005, not 2010, as set out in the Regina accord.

Is the Minister of the Environment prepared to revisit the Regina accord in order to endorse this compromise position?

The Minister of the Environment.

Hon. Christine Stewart (Minister of the Environment, Lib.)

Mr. Speaker, I said last week that the agreement that we reached in Regina was a good consensus, but it was not the definitive time line and target of the federal government.

We will make our announcement about our target before Kyoto, but at the moment we are continuing to negotiate not only with developed nations, but developing nations as well around this very serious issue to try to make sure that we have a consensus when we go to Kyoto.

Mr. Denis Coderre (Bourassa, Lib.)

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Revenue.

Canadian taxpayers are concerned about the confidentiality of their tax files after what happened in Quebec City last week. If taxpayers are to have faith in the taxation system, we must ensure the confidentiality of the information provided beyond a shadow of doubt.

Can the parliamentary secretary assure this House and all Canadians that the information provided by taxpayers is kept confidential at Revenue Canada?

Mrs. Sue Barnes (Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of National Revenue, Lib.)

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his question.

Absolutely. Client confidentiality, whether it is an individual or a corporation, is the cornerstone of our system of taxation in this country. It is voluntary compliance and we would take seriously any efforts to access information. This is a serious matter and I would like to clearly state that Revenue Canada is well aware of this obligation and that recent press reports do not involve the department.

Mr. Bill Gilmour (Nanaimo—Alberni, Ref.)

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister said last Thursday that he does not feel bound by the November 12 federal-provincial agreement to stabilize emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2010.

It is the provinces that have to deal with the emissions. It is the provinces that will take the economic hit after the Kyoto agreement.

Why did the Prime Minister waste the time of the provinces when he had a different timetable in mind all along?

Hon. Christine Stewart (Minister of the Environment, Lib.)

Mr. Speaker, the federal government and the provinces recognize that climate change is a serious and real issue that must be addressed, but they also recognize the many opportunities associated with this.

This morning I signed an agreement for the federal government with ENMAX and Vision Quest in Alberta. Our federal department will be buying green power through wind power created in Alberta. Why cannot the Reform Party understand the opportunities associated with climate change?

Mr. Bill Gilmour (Nanaimo—Alberni, Ref.)

Mr. Speaker, speaking of wind power, we are getting an awful lot of it from the other side.

We are a week away from the signing of the treaty in Kyoto and Canada is the only G-7 country that has not put its position forward because of the government's fumbling. The provinces have agreed to emission levels at 1990 standards by 2010. Now the Prime Minister is saying 2007.

With the Kyoto signing only days away, will the minister tell the House, tell Canadians, what is the plan and how it will be implemented?

Hon. Christine Stewart (Minister of the Environment, Lib.)

Mr. Speaker, all the hot air gases in the Chamber come from the Reform Party on this issue.

This morning Petro-Canada, based in Calgary, and the Ottawa biotechnology company, Iogen, signed a landmark deal to produce pollution free motor fuels from converted agricultural and wood waste.

This issue represents many opportunities for Canada, Canadian business, industry and individuals. When will the Reform Party understand the issue is serious and attached to many important economic opportunities?

Mr. Pat Martin (Winnipeg Centre, NDP)

Mr. Speaker, when the Liberals were in opposition they wrote a report that said Canada Post should not pay income tax and should only generate enough profits to pay for its operating costs and to improve services to Canadians.

Today the Liberal government is demanding that Canada Post pay dividends of $294 million over five years and $131 million in income tax. This strike could be settled today if the government withdrew its unreasonable demand for profits.

Will the minister of government services direct Canada Post to return to the table without the demand for dividends that is the root cause of this strike?

Hon. Alfonso Gagliano (Minister of Public Works and Government Services, Lib.)

Mr. Speaker, Canada Post has been at the table from the beginning and continues to be at the table. It has a mandate to negotiate and we believe in a negotiated settlement.

In terms of the other part of the question, the member should know that in 1996 Canada Post's mandate was reviewed. There was a one year study. There was a report that looked at all the possibilities of how the corporation should be run and what were the financial implications.

The government took the report, answered the report and gave a new mandate to Canada Post. I am sure with the negotiated settlement that mandate can be achieved.

Mr. Pat Martin (Winnipeg Centre, NDP)

Mr. Speaker, Canada Post is not supposed to be a cash cow to be milked by the federal government. The government's demand for profits and dividends from Canada Post has all the earmarks of getting the corporation ready for the auction block. It is like fattening up a calf before bringing it to market.

Will the minister of public works withdraw the demand for dividends from Canada Post and assure the House today that the government will never sell off and privatize this valuable asset?

Hon. Alfonso Gagliano (Minister of Public Works and Government Services, Lib.)

Mr. Speaker, I do not know how many times I have to say it in French and English. We do not want to privatize Canada Post Corporation. We want Canada Post to continue to deliver the mail. It is a good corporation in the global economy.

The hon. member should do as much business as we do outside Canada. Canada Post has to make a profit so it can renew its equipment and invest in modern technology.

We want to look at the future, not at the past like the New Democrats.

Mr. Scott Brison (Kings—Hants, PC)

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Foreign Affairs has warned APEC of irrelevancy if it does not expand its scope to include human rights and environmental issues.

Canada's EDC is backing the Three Gorges project with $172 million worth of Canadian taxpayers money, when the World Bank, CIDA and the U.S. Ex-Im Bank will not back the Three Gorges project based on environmental and human rights concerns.

Based on his own criteria stated at APEC, does the Minister of Foreign Affairs feel that Canada's foreign policy with Asia has become irrelevant?

Hon. Lloyd Axworthy (Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lib.)

Mr. Speaker, at the APEC ministerial meeting this past week a couple of important steps were taken.

First, it was agreed by all ministers that questions dealing with the consequences of economic change and trade liberalization impacts upon labour markets would be a matter for consideration under the human resource working group of ministers. That would involve a combination of labour and management consultations to ensure we are able to examine the full consequences.

Second, the ministers also decided to sponsor support of a ministerial meeting on women's issues which will be held in the Philippines next year.

Mr. David Pratt (Nepean—Carleton, Lib.)

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Industry.

In early December nations from more than 100 countries will come to Ottawa to sign the treaty banning anti-personnel mines. Recently I contacted the minister to suggest that the government spearhead an effort to exhibit Canada's leading edge land mine clearing technology at this conference.

Could the minister advise the House what progress has been made by his department on this suggestion?

Hon. John Manley (Minister of Industry, Lib.)

Mr. Speaker, I solute the hon. member for Nepean—Carleton who came forward with this suggestion.

As a result I am pleased to advise the House that we will be hosting a Canadian de-mining showcase in Ottawa on December 3 and 4, concurrently with the signing of the Ottawa declaration.

The availability of technology is not only to give effect to the terms of the treaty in which Canada has played such an important role but to give availability of solutions to people whose lives have disrupted by the unfortunate consequence of land mines.

Mr. Scott Brison (Kings—Hants, PC)

Mr. Speaker, last week I informed the House that the president of EDC, Export Development Corporation, Ian Gillespie, told the foreign affairs committee that EDC is reluctant to sign the code of ethics championed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

How can Canadian corporations be asked to sign this code of ethics when Canadian crown agencies will not play by the same rules? Will the Minister for International Trade restore relevancy to Canada's foreign policy by ensuring that EDC signs the code of ethics of the Minister of Foreign Affairs?

Mr. Julian Reed (Parliamentary Secretary to Minister for International Trade, Lib.)

Mr. Speaker, the Economic Development Corporation must subscribe to the policies of the federal government which de facto make it subscribe to a code of ethics set down by the government.

The code of ethics described there is for businesses that are not signed on and it is voluntary.