Canada report

By JIM FOX

© St. Petersburg Times,
published October 29, 2001

Federal budget due in December

The Canadian government will outline plans to deal with a weakening economy and soaring security costs in a federal budget in December.

"What we want to do is to provide the Canadian people with a full accounting," Finance Minister Paul Martin said.

The document is expected to focus on new security spending as a result of the terrorist attacks in the United States and to address public concerns over confidence in the government and the faltering economy.

The government wants to continue with previous commitments for $100-billion in tax cuts and $21-billion in added health care spending while not running a deficit.

That might result in delays on other promises, including a plan to spend $1-billion to bring high-speed Internet service to every community by 2004.

Some Liberals are calling for the government to temporarily withdraw the 7 percent federal Goods and Services Tax to boost consumer spending.

Bayer agrees to U.S. Cipro price

There's been a battle between pharmaceutical giant Bayer Inc. and the Canadian government over the making of the antianthrax drug Cipro.

Now, Bayer says it will charge Health Canada the same reduced price for Cipro that it agreed on with the U.S. government, about 95 cents U.S. a tablet.

Health Minister Allan Rock had been critical of Bayer over the price and a patent right dispute for the antibiotic.

Bayer threatened a patent lawsuit after the Canadian government ordered a generic copy of Cipro from Toronto-based Apotex.

Rock relented and gave the business to Bayer, but said the company had indicated earlier that it was unable to meet the demand. No cases have been found in Canada.

News in brief

Mountie Commissioner Giuliano Zaccardelli told the Commons the proposed antiterrorist bill will give police the tools needed to fight an elusive threat and ensure safety in the country. A committee is holding hearings into the bill that toughens jail sentences for convicted terrorists, cracks down on terrorist fundraising and expands police powers.

Canada's underlying support for a multicultural society based on immigration remains firm, says Governor-General Adrienne Clarkson. Canada is seen as a "beacon of light" for a troubled world, she said while dismissing reports of heightened concern over immigrants and policies. A proposed immigration bill would provide quicker security screening of applicants and streamline the process for deporting anyone found to be a threat.

Facts and figures

The Canadian dollar remains near record lows at 63.54 cents U.S., while the U.S. dollar returns $1.5738 Canadian before bank exchange fees.

With a three-quarter percent cut, the Bank of Canada interest rate is 2.75 percent. The prime-lending rate dropped to 4.5 percent.

Stock markets advanced, with the Toronto 300 Index at 6,943 points. The Canadian Venture Exchange was 2,945 points.

Lotto 6-49: (Wednesday) 4, 12, 21, 26, 43 and 46; bonus 16. (Oct. 20) 9, 10, 22, 38, 43 and 44; bonus 20.

Regional briefs

Unions and community groups are rallying in British Columbia against any plans by the new Liberal government to cut public service jobs. Cuts between 20 and 50 percent are being considered as the government attempts to reduce costs and balance the budget within three years.

A much-delayed extension of the Montreal subway north into suburban Laval is finally moving ahead. The project, expected to cost $345-million, has been in the works for 10 years and should be completed in 2006.

Possible contenders to succeed retiring Ontario Premier Mike Harris include former finance minister Ernie Eves and John Tory, head of Rogers Cable, a Conservative strategist. Eves left politics this year to take a job with a Swiss investment bank. A leadership convention is expected within six months.

The New Brunswick government has opened a long-awaited section of highway linking Fredericton and Moncton. The twin bridge is a major link in the four-lane highway and cuts 30 minutes travel time between the two cities.

The naval frigate HMCS Vancouver returned to port in Victoria, British Columbia, for a brief break before sailing off to participate in the U.S.-led fight against terrorism. Canada has sent 2,000 Armed Forces members to join the battle.

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