Mr. Pierre Paquette (Joliette, BQ)

Mr. Speaker, in his budget the Minister of Finance announced his intention to retroactively change the provisions of the Excise Tax Act with regard to school transportation.

Even worse, the minister could establish a new rate for school boards despite all the court decisions handed down since December 21, 2001.

Does the minister agree that his proposed change will completely set aside judgments in the school boards' favour on the issue of GST rebates for school transportation?

Hon. Maurizio Bevilacqua (Secretary of State (International Financial Institutions), Lib.)

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member would know that on December 21, 2001, in response to a Federal Court of Appeal decision the government announced a proposed GST amendment to clarify that the provision of student transportation services would continue to be an exempt activity for which school boards would be entitled to a 68% rebate of tax and not a 100% input tax credit.

Mr. Pierre Paquette (Joliette, BQ)

Mr. Speaker, is the minister aware that this retroactive measure is an extremely serious infringement of the rule of law and the authority of a judgment, which probably constitutes a precedent in the Canadian parliamentary system?

Hon. Maurizio Bevilacqua (Secretary of State (International Financial Institutions), Lib.)

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member should know that if the school boards were only entitled to a 68% tax rebate, they would obviously not be entitled to 100%. This is in keeping with the announcement that reaffirms the long standing policy that the GST has applied since the inception of the tax. The government's policy intent has not changed in this particular instance.

Mr. Scott Reid (Lanark—Carleton, Canadian Alliance)

Mr. Speaker, in recent years Canadian farmers have been plagued by floods, drought, grasshoppers, the U.S. congress, and a Liberal government that just does not care.

Now the minister, with his new APF program, is expecting farmers to provide an initial deposit of $3 billion to ensure adequate coverage.

My question is simple this, where does the minister expect that cash strapped Canadian farmers will get this money?

Hon. Herb Dhaliwal (Minister of Natural Resources, Lib.)

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food announced a program worth $5.3 billion to help farmers across this country.

This is the amount of money we have provided to support farmers. The Alliance Party members said that farmers should not be provided with support and that they should not be subsidized. They should stand up and congratulate the good work that the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food has been doing for many years.

Mrs. Cheryl Gallant (Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, Canadian Alliance)

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food is trying to apply a one size fits all approach when he designed the APF for the entire agricultural industry. This will not address the different problems faced by the various regions in Canada. The gradual removal of federal money from the companion programs will leave farmers with ineffective coverage.

Does the minister think it is fair to withdraw money from programs that are already working for farmers?

Hon. Herb Dhaliwal (Minister of Natural Resources, Lib.)

Mr. Speaker, we are not withdrawing programs. In fact, we have a new framework to improve the programs. We are having a transition period to move from the current programs to the better, more improved programs to provide better protection. The transition period will be over the next three years. The hon. member should take that into consideration when she asks her question.

Mr. John Harvard (Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia, Lib.)

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Veterans Affairs.

In 1917 Canada defined itself as a nation at the Battle of Vimy Ridge. Today, the Canadian national Vimy memorial is in bad need of repair.

Can the minister please tell the House today what the government is doing to address this issue?

Mr. Ivan Grose (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs, Lib.)

Mr. Speaker, Vimy Ridge is one of Canada's most important historic sites, honouring the Canadians who lost their lives at this important battle during the first world war.

I am pleased to inform the House that the Minister of Veterans Affairs and Minister of Public Works and Government Services recently announced the awarding of a contract for $1.8 million for architectural and engineering services for the restoration of the Vimy memorial. This is part of the battlefield memorial restoration project which also includes the restoration and rehabilitation of 12 other first world war battlefield memorials and sites.

If I might add something I heard at the Canadian Defence Association yesterday, our soldiers went up that hill--

The hon. member for Windsor--St. Clair.

Mr. Joe Comartin (Windsor—St. Clair, NDP)

Mr. Speaker, we continue to hear of numerous incidents of racial profiling at our borders and airports.

Last year the Minister of Foreign Affairs told Canadians that he had assurances from Colin Powell and the U.S. attorney general that the practice of systemic racial profiling would end. Well, it has not. There was a recent incident at the Toronto airport where both a customs officer and his supervisor told a Canadian citizen that dual citizens of specific countries had to be registered, that it was the law, and that he had to comply.

I ask the government, will it impose and order a travel advisory--

The hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Hon. Bill Graham (Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lib.)

Mr. Speaker, I certainly would hesitate to order a travel advisory based on a single very unfortunate incident. These are matters which we have constantly brought to the attention of the American authorities.

I have been assured by the ambassador and by Secretary Powell himself that profiling of the nature that is described in the hon. member's question is not being practised by the United States authorities, but that there are other circumstances which they may choose to consider when making a decision whether to admit someone into the United States. This matter can be raised with them, but we will obviously work with the United States to remove this type of--

The hon. member for Palliser.

Mr. Dick Proctor (Palliser, NDP)

Mr. Speaker, there is still no accountability in the latest health accord and public funds continue to pay for the privatization of health care. Indeed, on page 37 of this year's income tax guide, expenses can now be claimed for staying in a licensed private hospital.

Will the acting prime minister explain why, instead of dedicating all of the $1.5 billion on diagnostic equipment like CAT scans and MRIs, federal taxpayers will almost certainly end up buying more icemakers, floor scrubbers, delivery trucks, sewing machines and lawnmowers for certain provinces?

Hon. Stéphane Dion (President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Lib.)

Mr. Speaker, in the last agreement with the provinces, it was agreed that we would have rules of accountability that would be much stronger than in the past. We are very confident that at the end of the day the great announcement that we have equipment will be good for all Canadians.

Mr. Bill Casey (Cumberland—Colchester, PC)

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Solicitor General confirmed that the RCMP had conducted an investigation which related to the treason charges against the leader of the opposition in Zimbabwe. These charges could result in the death penalty. The Solicitor General also confirmed that the information had been given to the Department of Foreign Affairs, but he did not confirm that this crucial information had been sent to Zimbabwe.

Will the Solicitor General commit to send this information to the defence counsel in Zimbabwe like he would if this trial was in Canada?

Hon. Bill Graham (Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lib.)

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member should know, and I checked with the department this morning, that these materials were given to our department some time this month. On February 20 they were forwarded to our high commission in Zimbabwe for transfer to the defence counsel for the accused. We have provided to the accused all information which we can possibly do under Canadian law. We have forwarded it to them.

We certainly sympathize with the prosecution. We do not agree with that prosecution and will do everything we can to help the defence of the leader of the opposition in Zimbabwe.

Mr. Loyola Hearn (St. John's West, PC)

Mr. Speaker, recent news reports reveal that the tax evasion office of Revenue Quebec is preparing to launch an investigation into an alleged discount scheme involving generic drug companies and the province's pharmacists. Those same reports reveal that such practices, which may well be keeping drug prices unnecessarily high, might be going on across Canada.

Will the Minister of National Revenue tell the House whether her department is aware of the issue and is she contemplating following Quebec's lead and launching her own investigation?