The Public Works Construction Act

Highlights of the Debates - Part 3

June 26, 1934

 

Mr. R.B.Hanson (York-Sunbury, Liberal):

 

“I take it that the spirit behind this bill is the relief of unemployment in Canada, and to that extent, I think that we are all in agreement (…) I agree with what the ex-Minister of Public Works has said with respect to the this system being an improvement over the dole system”.

 

“(…) Consideration should be given to several factors. First of all, provision should be made in the contracts that wherever available and other things being equal, local labour should be employed. Second, wherever available and other things being equal, local materials should be employed. (…) There is a third consideration (…) one, two or three large contracting firms, such as I could name, should not be allowed to come in and get monopoly of these contracts, gene under the tender system”.

 

Hon. Fernand Rinfret (St. James, Liberal):

 

“That will not solve the unemployment problem” It will alleviate it to a certain extent (…) there will still be thousands of families who will not benefit from them”.

 

I wish to congratulate (…) the Minister of Public Works and the administration upon having after 4 years of dilatory tactics, adopted the principle and policy (…) we have been advocating.”