Susan Whelan

[Africa, June 21st, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, we constantly and regularly audit internally and outside what goes on at CIDA on how our dollars are delivered. We ensure that our dollars are delivered to those people in need. We work with reputable international and Canadian organizations to make sure the dollars and the food go where they need to be and to the people who need them.

We are not working with the government of Zimbabwe right now. That is a well known fact. We are working with international organizations. We will be making a number of decisions in the coming days about how those dollars get to where they need to be.

[International Co-operation, June 19th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, the member for Hamilton Mountain is quite correct. We are deeply concerned about the worsening conditions in southern Africa.

Due to the urgent nature of this humanitarian crisis, Canada, through the Canadian International Development Agency, has pledged $34.2 million to provide much needed food, medicine and other assistance to the region.

This contribution will allow us to build on our history of providing assistance to countries in southern Africa and to help those in need.

[International Aid, June 10th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, Canada is concerned about the collapse of the Zeyzoun dam and we would like to extend our sympathies to the victims of this disaster.

We would also like to commend the government of Syria and the local Red Crescent Society for their prompt action in addressing the needs of the victims of this disaster.

Today I am announcing that Canada, through CIDA, will be contributing $50,000 to the International Federation of the Red Cross to support the efforts of providing basic food, shelter and other needs to the over 8,000 Syrians who were left homeless.

[Government Contracts, May 22nd, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, as I said yesterday and I will say it again today, no decision has been made to pay any additional amount of money to anybody. The Canadian company that was awarded the contract by Énergie du Mali had a bid that was 30% lower than any other company. That is why it received the contract. That is why it was paid in the first place.

[Government Contracts, May 22nd, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, quite clearly, as I said yesterday and I will say again today, this is a dispute between a Canadian company and the government of Mali. There has been no offer made from CIDA to pay any additional amount to anybody. There has been no decision taken to pay any additional amount of money.

[Government Contracts, May 21st, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I will be very clear. The contract and the money we have paid was paid through the government of Mali. The government of Mali entered into a contract with Transelec. If there is an outstanding claim, Transelec must resolve that with Energie du Mali which is the government agency that has the contract. If it finds there is a valid claim, then we will go through a third party to see whether or not there should be any additional payment.

Right now we have made no additional payment, have retracted no additional payment and have no intention of making an additional payment.

[Government Contracts, May 21st, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, clearly no decisions have been made for any additional payments. Very clearly, our contract is with the government of Mali and Transelec must resolve its dispute with the government of Mali. If they were to put forward a claim, then that would be done through a third party. Very clearly CIDA has made no decisions, has not retracted any decisions to make any additional payments.

[Government Contracts, May 21st, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, very clearly, as I have said already, our contract, our agreement, was with the government of Mali. We have fulfilled the terms of that contract and we have paid the government under the memorandum of understanding. That is where that situation is right now.

[Government Contracts, May 21st, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, the government has a contract with the government of Mali, which was a memorandum of understanding that we fulfill the terms under that contract and we have paid the terms and conditions under that contract.

[Africa, May 7th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, 500 African and Canadian partners met in Montreal to discuss critical issues regarding the new partnership for African development, or NEPAD. They discussed issues such as eradication of poverty in Africa, equal rights and status for women and men, health care, security, good governance and active participation in the world economy.

We all have roles and responsibilities to play within this new partnership. If we fail to take advantage of this at this moment in time and with this momentum, history will never forgive us.