Debates of April 20th, 2007

Peter Van Loan Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform

Mr. Speaker, racism and all forms of discrimination are completely unacceptable. I am sure all members of this House can agree on that.

André Bellavance Richmond—Arthabaska, QC

Mr. Speaker, the government claims to defend the interests of cash crop producers in Quebec. At their annual general meeting, however, the Secretary of State for Agriculture was very vague and refused to commit to the solutions the producers themselves have come up with.

Can the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food explain how his strategy, which is based solely on subsidizing the biofuels industry, can help cash crop producers out of the crisis they are in and protect them against other countries' direct subsidies?

Christian Paradis Secretary of State (Agriculture)

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question. As he said, this government is engaging in a dialogue with producers. Incredible announcements have been made. I am talking about $1 billion: $400 million to be paid directly to farmers to help increase small crops and $600 million to set up a savings account that will provide predictable funding, something producers have long been calling for. That is delivering the goods.

André Bellavance Richmond—Arthabaska, QC

Mr. Speaker, federal funding has to be flexible to be effective. Does the secretary not agree that the solution lies in funding the companion programs put in place by Quebec and the provinces, which would better address the needs of each crop, by region, a principle supported not only by the Fédération des producteurs de cultures commerciales du Québec, but by the Union des producteurs agricoles du Québec and the Canadian Federation of Agriculture? We are still waiting for him to deliver the goods.

Christian Paradis Secretary of State (Agriculture)

Mr. Speaker, as my friend is aware, the provincial, territorial and federal agriculture ministers met last week. I can tell you one thing: the $600 million savings account in which the federal government is investing has been very well received by the provinces. That is flexibility. That is meeting the needs of farmers across Canada.

Keith Martin Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca, BC

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the United Nations held a very important meeting seeking hard contributions to a United Nations-African Union mission to Darfur.

Countries as diverse as Egypt, the United States and others are willing to put hard assets on the ground for this mission.

My question is for the Minister of Foreign Affairs. At the UN meeting yesterday, what specifically did Canada contribute to the mission in Darfur to stop the genocide in that beleaguered part of Sudan?

Peter MacKay Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

Mr. Speaker, I want to compliment the member opposite for his ongoing and persistent interest in pursuit of all means and manner to end the violence for the people in Darfur. I know this is an issue in which he is very familiar.

Canada has made contributions and will continue to do so in real concrete fashion. We have contributed greatly in terms of the heavy lift capacity necessary to the transport of all means of humanitarian aid. We have as well contributed significantly to the training that is in place.

The member knows that the transition is now happening between African Union forces and UN forces, and Canada will be there.

Guy Lauzon Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, ON

Mr. Speaker, the Canadian dairy industry is facing serious challenges and is concerned about the increasing use of milk protein concentrates that are being imported.

On February 9 the minister announced that the government initiated negotiations under article 28 of GATT at the WTO to restrict imports of these concentrates.

Last Friday, the member for Malpeque issued a press release on milk protein concentrates saying that we are stalling on helping farmers and that we have yet to launch a process officially.

Would the Secretary of State for Agriculture tell the House what action has been taken?

Christian Paradis Secretary of State (Agriculture)

Mr. Speaker, as always, the member for Malpeque has his facts wrong. In fact, while he was sending out press releases, I was announcing to the Quebec dairy producers that our government had completed our article 28 notification to the WTO.

However, that is okay because farmers know that when it comes to defending supply management, the Liberals offer them press releases while the Conservatives deliver the goods and take real action.

Paul Dewar Ottawa Centre, ON

Mr. Speaker, the world's worst humanitarian crisis is in Darfur where we are watching a genocide in slow motion with documented cases of ethnic murder, assault, rape and human dislocation.

This week we were given a window of opportunity for which we have been waiting four years: an agreement between the United Nations-African Union and the Government of Sudan that would allow the deployment of up to 3,000 UN troops, police officers, civilian staff and equipment to Darfur.

What additional contributions will the government make to support this vitally important mission?

Peter MacKay Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member knows well that Canada has been very active, in fact one of the most active countries in terms of our contribution to date. We will continue to look for ways to add further support to the AMIS mission. He knows as well that Canada was active as far as the seeking of the fragile peace agreement necessary for all of this humanitarian aid effort to continue.

He knows that Canada has always been a very generous nation. Our CIDA officials, our diplomatic officials, our military officials as far as training, and all contributions to Sudan will continue.

Paul Dewar Ottawa Centre, ON

With due respect, Mr. Speaker, this is simply not good enough. We need additional support. We have all been bystanders in the horror that is Darfur.

The UN will need up to six months to get the peacekeepers in place in Darfur. We must start now.

In the words of Churchill, “It is no use saying we are doing our best. We have got to succeed in doing what is necessary”.

Will the minister do what is necessary immediately to fill the need in Darfur to protect civilians now? The time is now, not--

The Speaker Peter Milliken

The hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Peter MacKay Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

Mr. Speaker, I do not in any way mean to diminish the hon. member's passion for this but Canada has not been a bystander. Canada has been very active with respect to the humanitarian crisis in the Sudan. We have been active in every way possible.

The problem is of course that the government of al-Bashir, the Government of Sudan, has been very resistant to international aid and very resistant to the United Nations mission having its full impact on the humanitarian crisis there.

Having said that, Canada will continue to participate in every way possible and continue to look for ways to make our values, our principles and our humanitarian aid take effect for the long-suffering people of Darfur.