Debates of May 18th, 2012

The Acting Speaker Bruce Stanton

Order, please. The hon. member for Ottawa Centre has the floor. I would ask hon. members to keep conversations low.

The hon. member for Ottawa Centre.

Paul Dewar Ottawa Centre, ON

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister will be facing additional challenges at the G8 meeting this weekend. Food security is at the top of the agenda. Instead of taking action on hunger and food and security issues, Conservative cabinet ministers launched a blistering attack this week on the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food. How can the Prime Minister expect to have any credibility on the international stage when his cabinet ministers attack UN representatives?

Deepak Obhrai Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs

Mr. Speaker, talking about flip-flop, those members should look at what they did in the Libya mission.

As a world traveller, I can tell members that the countries this fellow should have been visiting are India, China, D.R.C., Bangladesh, Pakistan and Indonesia, where 60% of the world's hungry live. Canada is the second-largest contributor to the World Food Programme to feed the hungry, at $300 million. Therefore it is an insult to Canadians and their tax dollars that this fellow came over here to waste the dollars they have contributed by giving $5 million over—

The Acting Speaker Bruce Stanton

The hon. member for Ancaster—Dundas—Flamborough—Westdale.

David Sweet Ancaster—Dundas—Flamborough—Westdale, ON

Mr. Speaker, despite a litany of calls from the international community for al-Assad to halt the violence and abide by special envoy Kofi Annan's six point ceasefire plan, the senseless killings continue. Just last week, Syrian forces fired upon onlookers at a funeral. These abhorrent acts drew strong international condemnation.

Would the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs please update this House on the latest actions Canada has taken?

Deepak Obhrai Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs

Mr. Speaker, al-Assad continues to blatantly disregard the international community while innocent people suffer.

Today Canada is implementing additional measures, which include sanctions prohibiting the export of certain goods to Syria, against Syria's state-run radio and television, the government-owned General Organization of Tobacco and the petroleum exporter, and against three individuals closely associated with the regime.

Our government will stand with the Syrian people and support their demand for freedom, dignity and a brighter future.

Kevin Lamoureux Winnipeg North, MB

Mr. Speaker, Canadians truly care about what is happening in Ukraine. Over 1.3 million Canadians are of Ukrainian heritage. They are concerned about a fair democratic system, human rights and the rule of law in Ukraine.

Canada will play a role in sending observers, we know that. Last time we sent 1,500. We anticipate in the future we are going to continue to support observers.

What more is the government prepared to do? Think in terms of the potential of a free trade agreement between Ukraine and Canada. Think in terms of the international meetings like—

The Acting Speaker Bruce Stanton

The hon. Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Deepak Obhrai Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs

Mr. Speaker, the Government of Canada always supports free and fair elections in Ukraine. Because of our strong commitment to Ukraine, Canada will accommodate a request for election observers.

Yes, we are concerned about the recent events that have taken place in Ukraine, most specifically the imprisonment of the former prime minister.

Let me say this: Canada will continue to stand with the Ukrainian people to help them achieve their democracy.

Maxime Bernier Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism)

Mr. Speaker, all Canadians know that we have a plan to ensure that Canada becomes more prosperous and even more free: the economic action plan that we tabled recently.

Unlike the NDP members opposite, we are not trying to pit one region of Canada against another. We are working with all Canadians to ensure that there are jobs available for everyone.

We are doing this while—it is important to point out—managing the deficit and ensuring that we return to a balanced budget as soon as possible so that we can continue to decrease taxes for Canadian workers.

Parm Gill Brampton—Springdale, ON

Mr. Speaker, Algeria has undertaken political reforms in recent months. On May 10, Algeria held its legislative election, where 42% of Algerians exercised their democratic rights. Canada is very encouraged by this high level of participation of the people of Algeria.

Can the Minister of State of Foreign Affairs for the Americas and Consular Affairs please share with this House an update on this election?

Diane Ablonczy Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas and Consular Affairs)

Mr. Speaker, we are pleased with independent reports indicating that the elections appear to have been free and fair, and with no reports of violence. I especially note that 30% of the newly elected Algerian parliament are women.

Canada is also very encouraged by the recent political reforms that have taken place in Algeria. We support the new government as it continues on this positive path. Canada's foreign policy is based on supporting and promoting across the globe the principles of freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law.