Mr. Ken Epp (Elk Island, CPC)

Mr. Speaker, the throne speech said explicitly that the government would address the democratic deficit. I think it was called democratic renewal. If democracy does not include the election of candidates, than I do not know what democracy is. How does he square it?

Right Hon. Paul Martin (Prime Minister, Lib.)

Mr. Speaker, overwhelmingly across the country, take a look at the Liberal candidates. They have won their nominations in open fights, and we are very proud of the great diversity of the Canadian population that is represented.

If one wants to talk about needs for the democratic deficit, I suppose one could call in Ezra Levant. I am sure he would be prepared to give us some advice. Perhaps we should call in Grant Devine. He might like to give us some advice. How about that epitome of Alliance democracy, the whole case of Jim Hart?

Mrs. Judi Longfield (Whitby—Ajax, Lib.)

Mr. Speaker, as you know, students across the country are either in the throes of exams or will soon finish their school year, and we all know that they will be on the hunt for summer jobs. I know that the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development announced the start of a summer career--

Oh, oh.

Order, please. The hon. member for Whitby--Ajax has the floor and we will want to hear her question. If everybody keeps talking in the House instead of in the lobbies or out in the antechamber, it is impossible to hear, and the hon. member for Whitby--Ajax is entitled to be heard.

Mrs. Judi Longfield

Mr. Speaker, as I was saying, the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development announced the start of a summer career placement program a few months ago and the deadline for employers to sign up has come and gone.

Could the minister inform the House how many students we expect to benefit from this very important summer project?

Hon. Joseph Volpe (Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, Lib.)

Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to do that because every year, as the member knows, the summer career placement program has been extremely successful. It even helps those in Bloc ridings because they cannot help themselves.

However, every summer the Government of Canada puts forward some $90 million to help 50,000 students who are in secondary schools or post-secondary education and who are pursuing career related employment.

I am proud to say that this is just one element of the youth employment strategy which on a year to year basis engages some one million young men and women around the entire country, and we are proud of that kind of achievement.

Mr. Stephen Harper (Leader of the Opposition, CPC)

Mr. Speaker, earlier in question period the member for Okanagan--Coquihalla asked the Prime Minister about Earnscliffe's announcement of a new secretariat of the Government of Canada in Washington. The Prime Minister responded that he should have known about this because it was in the throne speech. Tell the Prime Minister it was not in the throne speech.

Has the Prime Minister had time to consult with Earnscliffe, and will he tell us that this announcement was in fact not in the throne speech?

Right Hon. Paul Martin (Prime Minister, Lib.)

Mr. Speaker, the throne speech dealt extensively with our relationship with the United States. It dealt extensively with the need for a more sophisticated relationship.

In the debate here in the House surrounding the Speech from the Throne there was extensive discussion about this item before and during the throne speech debate. It was also discussed outside the House. As a matter of fact, I think it was about a week ago that I made another major speech where I announced it again.

The problem may well be that not only has it been announced once, it has been announced a number of times. I hope, surely to heaven, it is getting through to the hon. member.

Mr. Stephen Harper (Leader of the Opposition, CPC)

Mr. Speaker, in all fairness the Prime Minister should simply have got up and admitted he was wrong and mistaken, instead of weaseling out of the truth once again. He obviously is not going to do that.

However, there is another question on Earnscliffe. The Prime Minister was asked if he would reveal the total amounts of contracts that had been funnelled to Earnscliffe under the government. Will he agree to do that?

Right Hon. Paul Martin (Prime Minister, Lib.)

Mr. Speaker, information such as that is obviously public knowledge and I am sure it will be made available. There is a way in which it should be done, and it will be done.

Ms. Christiane Gagnon (Québec, BQ)

Mr. Speaker, contrary to what the Minister of Canadian Heritage said yesterday—

Oh, oh.

Order, please. The hon. member for Québec. We must hear her question. There is too much noise today.

Ms. Christiane Gagnon

Mr. Speaker, contrary to what the Minister of Canadian Heritage said yesterday, the letter received by Ms. Gendron was signed by an official from Canadian Heritage. The minister responsible is indeed the Minister of Canadian Heritage and it is up to her to take action.

If the minister refuses to act, are we to understand that she favours the decision of her officials over protecting the rights and freedoms of Ms. Gendron, who is, after all, engaged in a legitimate political activity?

Hon. Hélène Scherrer (Minister of Canadian Heritage, Lib.)

Mr. Speaker, what I said yesterday and am repeating today, is that this is a matter that concerns departmental human resources and is between the employee and departmental human resources.

Oh, oh.

Ms. Suzanne Tremblay

That makes no sense.

Mr. Eugène Bellemare (Ottawa—Orléans, Lib.)

Mr. Speaker, it is clear that the future of our health care system—

Order, please. The hon. member for Québec has asked her question and received an answer. That is the end of that question for today. We cannot continue with all this noise.

If the hon. members wish to continue the discussion, and in particular I refer to the hon. member for Rimouski--Neigette-et-la Mitis, they can do so in the lobby.