Lost his last election, in 2006, with 38% of the vote.
Foreign Affairs October 19th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, it is clear that the Bloc leader is totally out of touch with the real concerns of Quebeckers. What the Bloc wants is hard-core independence. The much promised association, the link they used to talk about, is a thing of the past. We are back to the 19th century.
I would suggest that the Bloc leader's spies be assigned to find out what the real priorities of Quebeckers are.
Foreign Affairs October 19th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, it is my mandate at present, given the foreign policy statement, to improve our consultation of and cooperation with the provincial governments, which admittedly have a growing interest in international affairs.
We did a remarkable job of facilitating Premier Charest's work in China and Mexico. Quebec has been part of every Canadian delegation that it has asked to join. I ensured this when I had the opportunity, as Minister of International Trade, to take part in negotiations at the WTO.
Based on our current best practices, we are certainly prepared to do even more to ensure that our fellow citizens are well served throughout the world.
Foreign Affairs October 19th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague very much for today's question since this gives me the opportunity to celebrate an extraordinary event. The governments of Quebec and Canada have, for many years, worked together and succeeded in having UNESCO adopt a Canadian version of a treaty on cultural diversity. Canada's voice was clear, coherent and enriched by, in particular, Quebec's minister of culture, who was not, therefore, denied a voice. On the contrary, our Canadian voice was enriched by Quebec's minister of culture.
South Asia Earthquake October 17th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, within hours of this tragedy I convened an interdepartmental task force, including CIDA, defence, immigration and, of course, foreign affairs. We quickly announced a $20 million contribution, including 21 tonnes of blankets and two helicopters. We established a fund to match the private donations. We waived immigration processing fees. Over the past weekend we deployed DART.
Our timely and targeted response has been acknowledged by the international community and the government of Pakistan.
Summit of the Americas October 7th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, the 4th Summit of the Americas is a wonderful opportunity for Canada.
We will work with our partners in the region to promote democracy, equality and prosperity in our hemisphere. We want to put emphasis on our best practices on good governance, the Free Trade Area of the Americas, democracy in Haiti, sustainable development, aboriginal issues, contributions to civil society and public-private partnerships for development.
This is an excellent opportunity for Canada to promote these important values.
Taxation October 7th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, currently, my mandate is to implement the international policy statement that we tabled in this Parliament on April 19. We were very clear in that statement. The Prime Minister of Canada, my colleague and myself must ensure that the partners of our country, namely the provinces and Quebec, are fully represented under our foreign policy and through our presence at the international level.
Next week, we will pursue the same objective, under the theme of cultural diversity. The Minister of Canadian Heritage succeeded, with Quebec's support, in having the Canadian text adopted by 53 of the 54 UNESCO members.
Taxation October 7th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, this afternoon, the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and myself will be meeting with our counterparts from the Quebec government.
I am surprised to hear the Bloc member claim that I would refuse to consult the provinces. I have been a member of Parliament and a minister of this government for 10 years. I am the minister who transferred manpower training to the Quebec government. I negotiated the national child benefit. I was the Minister of International Trade. Moreover, I have always included the ministers from the Quebec government and from the other provinces who took part in negotiations. My colleague, the Minister of Canadian Heritage has also been doing that.
Foreign Affairs October 5th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, Iran has not lived up to its international human rights obligations and has not conformed to the past UN resolutions. This is why I am announcing today in the House that for the third year in a row Canada will present a resolution at the United Nations regarding the deplorable human rights record of Iran. Such a resolution will send a strong message to Iranian authorities regarding the urgent need to address the human rights situation now prevailing in Iran.
Foreign Affairs October 3rd, 2005
Mr. Speaker, we do not need legislation for our government to consult civil society. We are constantly consulting civil society in Quebec and throughout Canada. I did so when I was Minister of International Trade and my colleague continues to do so. My colleague at Canadian Heritage does so as well. We are constantly consulting civil society. This government's access is also direct, not just indirect. These consultations will continue because it is very important for Canada's voice in the world to be well informed.
Foreign Affairs October 3rd, 2005
Mr. Speaker, Parliament voted on this bill without any constraints. Parliament has spoken.
I have said many times that what the Bloc Québécois wanted was harmful and I have said that Canada will continue to have one voice. The Bloc said all sorts of things to other parliamentarians. What I am saying is that, truth be told, the bill that Parliament rejected gave veto power to the provinces and would have sometimes prevented us from moving forward when certain negotiations need to move quickly. The Bloc has once again shown us that it does not have what it takes, and I—