Hon. David Collenette (Minister of Transport, Lib.)

Mr. Speaker, in the answer I gave earlier, the fact is that the government is not interested in a cash bailout of Air Canada. We have said that we would be prepared to help in the restructuring process, if necessary.

Mr. Michel Guimond (Beauport—Montmorency—Côte-de-Beaupré—Île-d'Orléans, BQ)

Mr. Speaker, the Commissioner of Official Languages says that all bilingual positions must be filled by people who are bilingual, rather than by unilingual anglophones who promise to learn the other language within two years of being hired.

Does the President of the Treasury Board intend to adopt the Official Language Commissioner's recommendation, and does she intend to recruit only individuals who are already bilingual at the time of hiring, instead of asking unilingual anglophone public servants to become bilingual within two years? This would be much easier.

Hon. Lucienne Robillard (President of the Treasury Board, Lib.)

Mr. Speaker, the Official Languages Commissioner also said that, to implement such a policy, the government must be able to provide all public servants with access to fair, very open and very transparent language training, which is not currently the case.

So, a much more gradual approach will be considered. Our preference will be for public servants to be able to learn a second official language early in their career and for this to be included in their career plan, instead of deferring training until they are appointed to a bilingual position.

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

Mr. Speaker, since March 18, in other words in the last two weeks, the Cuban government has arrested approximately 72 Cuban dissidents in almost every province in that country.

Can the Secretary of State for Latin America, Africa and Francophonie, explain to the House what is Canada's position on those arrests?

Hon. Denis Paradis (Secretary of State (Latin America and Africa) (Francophonie), Lib.)

Mr. Speaker, Canada is raising serious concerns with the Cuban authorities regarding the recent crackdown on several dissidents.

We believe that engagement is the real way to promote Canadian values and share our perspective on economic, social and political issues with Cuba. Canada has and will continue to have frank and honest discussions with Cuba regarding human rights concerns.

Mr. Garry Breitkreuz (Yorkton—Melville, Canadian Alliance)

Mr. Speaker, last Tuesday the justice minister tried to keep Parliament in the dark again when he told the House that the firearms program would cost $113 million next year.

On Thursday, the justice minister's report on plans and priorities tabled in the House said the expenditures for the next fiscal year could actually be as high as $128 million.

Why did the minister give the House the lower number? Did he not know what was in his own report?

Hon. Wayne Easter (Solicitor General of Canada, Lib.)

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member knows full well that the $15 million that is talked about over and above the $113 million that is outlined in the main estimates is a contingent liability flagged in the report on plans and priorities that is due to the alternate service delivery contractor. He has indicated that is the scope of the work necessary to complete the first phase of the contract that could exceed the budget provisions.

Mr. Louis Plamondon (Bas-Richelieu—Nicolet—Bécancour, BQ)

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

The minister stubbornly insists on implementing his net income stabilization program, which is angering farmers throughout Canada and Quebec.

With less than 24 hours before the federal-provincial agricultural safety net programs expire, will the minister show good faith and indicate his understanding of the agricultural situation by delaying implementation of the strategic framework he is currently proposing?

Hon. Lyle Vanclief (Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Lib.)

Mr. Speaker, the agriculture policy framework is the result of concerns raised by opposition members in the House, the government and the industry that the government needed to have a long term program for Canadian farmers for the production of food. Farmers can now plan rather than, on an ad hoc basis each year, not know whether the money would come or what the amount would be if it did come.

The government put that in place last June. We have been working with the industry and the provinces. We will continue to do so because farmers deserve it and the money will be there for them.

I have the honour to lay upon the table the report of the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada on the administration of the Bonavista--Trinity--Conception, Calgary Southwest, Gander--Grand Falls, Saint Boniface, Saint-Léonard--Saint-Michel, Verdun—Saint-Henri—Saint-Paul—Pointe Saint-Charles, and Windsor West by-elections held on May 13, 2002, and Berthier--Montcalm and Lac-Saint-Jean--Saguenay by elections held on December 9, 2002.

This report is deemed to have been permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs.

I also have the honour to lay upon the table the 2002 Canadian Human Rights Tribunal annual report.

Mr. Geoff Regan (Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, Lib.)

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8) I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's response to five petitions.

Mr. James Moore (Port Moody—Coquitlam—Port Coquitlam, Canadian Alliance)

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-424, an act to amend the Criminal Code (consecutive sentences).

Mr. Speaker, this bill is in response to the Inderjit Singh Reyat case, where somebody who was convicted of a violent crime did not receive consecutive sentencing, but rather received concurrent sentencing for being involved in the deaths of a number of people.

This bill calls for the changing of concurrent sentencing to consecutive sentencing for those who commit violent crimes, so that those who do commit violent crimes will be held accountable under law.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

Mr. Paul Szabo

Mr. Speaker, last week the House dealt with Bill C-13 at report stage. This morning I have asked for a copy of the bill, as amended, and understand that Bill C-13 is not to be reprinted. Notwithstanding that there were seven or eight motions to amend, I would ask for the unanimous consent of the House that Bill C-13 be reprinted so that members could understand what they are speaking to at third reading stage, which is scheduled to start this week.

Is there unanimous consent?

Agreed.

No.

Ms. Christiane Gagnon (Québec, BQ)

Mr. Speaker, in the aftermath of the many demonstrations which have taken place in Quebec, denouncing the Government of Canada for its reluctance to get involved in any way in the war in Iraq, I have a petition to present.

I am presenting a petition signed by 1,011 persons, calling on the Canadian government to ask the United Nations to remove the harsh economic sanctions imposed on Iraq, because these sanctions are contrary to the interest of the Iraqi people and even constitute a crime against humanity.

Will we ever know how many Iraqis have died because of these sanctions?

Ms. Christiane Gagnon (Québec, BQ)

Mr. Speaker, I have a second petition to present to the House, concerning Lornécia Jeune Sylvain and Érilus Sylvain, two people originally from Haiti, who are requesting the intervention of the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration.

Since 1999, the Sylvains have been receiving training at Lis-moi tout Limoilou, a literacy organization, which shows their desire to become part of Quebec society.

It would be difficult for them to return to their home country, since they no longer have any family there.

The 3,537 persons who signed this petition have done so to show their support, and to request that the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration intervene.

The Sylvains have shown courage and determination in integrating into Quebec society. I have had the honour of meeting them, and I want these people to be able to live in Quebec.

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

Mr. Speaker, today I am presenting a petition on behalf of the people of Canada, in particular from the Stittsville, Braeside and Arnprior area, asking that Parliament recognize that the Canadian Emergency Preparedness College is essential to training Canadians for emergency situations; that the facility should stay in Arnprior; and that the government should upgrade the facilities in order to provide the necessary training to Canadians.