Bob Mills

[Rwanda, May 25th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, the Rwanda situation has opened the eyes of many across the world to the incredible obstacles that the international community must face in the days to come.

The civil war in Rwanda is certainly of incredible concern to Canada. Our leadership role in international relief demonstrates our deep concern for the peoples of the world.

Unfortunately we have witnessed the civil war become ten times worse in only the last few weeks. The estimated casualties have ranged from 500,000 dead, 500,000 wounded and two million refugees. The largest refugee camp in the world now exists in Tanzania where over 300,000 refugees are taking shelter from the massacres in Rwanda.

The inability of the factions in Rwandan society to settle their differences and establish effective government is no longer an issue facing Rwanda alone, nor is it an issue solely for Africa. Rather, it is an issue for the international community and we must step up and face it.

To some degree we have done this. Nearly every major world relief organization is operating either in Rwanda or in the neighbouring countries in order to assist the hundreds of thousands of refugees fleeing from this area.

We have great respect for the individuals from all over the world who are there doing what they can to make a difference in this war torn place.

We also hold in high esteem Canadians who operate the only flights going into Kigali. I can accurately say that we are all proud of the role Canada plays in relieving international tensions and handling international traumas.

The position of CIDA on the forefront of this situation is highly respected and appreciated by many in the international community. A comprehensive understanding of the role Canada is playing requires the study of our goals and methods in this region.

It is clear that we all desire to see a country that could be united with political and economic stability.

We must play a role in foreign countries. However, we must make the decision making process much more transparent. We cannot operate in an ad hoc arrangement and Canadians are demanding accountability when it comes to our decisions on programs like this, particularly with regard to aid.

It is hard for me to really understand what is happening in Rwanda, as I was fortunate enough to visit this country; a rich country in terms of its natural scenery, its wild animals and, yes, its people. I will always remember those market scenes of people smiling and happy, trading their goods, everybody with a baby on their back. It is difficult to understand how that could change. I guess it really demonstrates how fragile all democracies or all types of situations are.

In summary, I would applaud the statements that the secretary of state made. However, I would ask that we always remember the accountability. We must provide the criteria so that the people of Canada understand what we are doing in such aid projects as this.

[Haiti, May 25th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, we recognize the great job that our peacekeepers and foreign missions are doing. However Canadians need some criteria to go on before we get involved in further actions on an ad hoc basis.

Could the Prime Minister or the minister please tell us if they are prepared to work in conjunction with the foreign affairs committee to develop such a set of criteria for future actions or accelerated actions in places like Haiti?

[Haiti, May 25th, 1994]

Can the Prime Minister comment on the substantive action that he plans to take to ensure strict compliance with the international embargo on the part of the Dominican Republic?

[Haiti, May 25th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Prime Minister.

The UN economic sanctions and embargo on Haiti have been in effect since only May 21 but already we have seen an inability to enforce the embargo with gasoline and diesel fuel now crossing the border easily from the Dominican Republic.

On May 10 the Minister of Foreign Affairs told the House that he had every reason to believe that the Dominican Republic was going to co-operate and adhere to the UN sanctions. I pointed out to the minister at that time-

[National Revenue, May 11th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, my supplementary question is for the Minister of Finance.

According to officials in the department of international trade and the U.S. treasury department, the Liberal government's change in the enforcement of the OTC violates article 1402 of the FTA as well as articles 1102 and 2103:4 of the NAFTA.

In light of the international agreements, will the minister now consider amending the Income Tax Act so that the overseas tax credit does not violate Canada's international obligations?

[National Revenue, May 11th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of National Revenue.

Contrary to what the minister has previously said, there has indeed been a change in overseas tax credit policy enforcement. Nonetheless, on Friday the minister of revenue stated that the Liberal government was committed to living by the strict letter of the law.

What steps has the government taken to ensure that Revenue Canada's dogmatic application of the OTC does not violate the NAFTA and the FTA thus putting Canada at the risk of U.S. retaliation?

[Haiti, May 10th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, it is to be hoped that can happen. It has not in the past.

We have had a great many debates on international peacekeeping in this place. Can the Minister of Foreign Affairs explain the specific criteria that he will now utilize to determine whether Canada should provide peacekeepers especially to a place like Haiti? How does the safety of our peacekeepers factor into this decision?

[Haiti, May 10th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Minister of Foreign Affairs in consultation with the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations discussed the reconstituted UN peacekeeping mission to Haiti.

Trade sanctions have not worked in the past partly because of the uncontrolled border between Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Can the minister inform the House whether Canada will send peacekeepers to either the Haitian border to enforce UN trade sanctions or to uphold democracy after Mr. Aristide returns to power?

[National Revenue, May 6th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, that is a very hard answer or non-answer to take.

While jobs have been lost, while investment has been lost and now because the department is going back to 1991, people are actually going to lose their homes. It is very difficult to understand why the minister cannot explain his policy. I would ask him to examine this again and come back to the House with an answer.

[National Revenue, May 6th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of National Revenue.

Recently we learned that the overseas tax credit, a tax initiative for Canadians working abroad, is not applicable to Canadians who work for foreign based companies. This tax credit allowed foreign companies to hire qualified Canadians, thus providing us with jobs and foreign income that was spent in Canada.

Could the minister explain why he did not grant an exemption to foreign companies already receiving the credit so that they could maintain foreign income, Canadian jobs, and that the revenue and jobs would not be lost?