House of Commons photoWon her last election, in 1997, with 46% of the vote.
Haiti June 13th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, I can only reiterate what I said the last time I was asked this question. Canada is committed to trying to make sure that sanctions are enforced and that they have their total possible effect before any other action is taken. Canada is not contemplating or supporting at this time any other action except the support of total sanctions. For that reason we are cancelling our commercial flights into Haiti and strengthening our commercial sanctions against Haitians at this time.
Situation In Haiti June 13th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, Canada is committed as a I said before to strenghthening existing sanctions against Haiti including an increase to commercial sanctions in terms of the freezing of bank accounts against Haiti. It is our view that sanctions have to be given a full opportunity to be effective.
I just returned from a meeting of the Organization of American States in Belem, Brazil last week and it was also the view of the majority of the states of the hemisphere that sanctions should be given as much support as possible at this time in order that there could be a peaceful resolution to the difficulties in Haiti and that President Aristide can be returned to his rightful place as president of Haiti.
Situation In Haiti June 13th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, it is a fact that 2,400 to 2,500 people in Haiti are Canadians citizens, many of whom, however, have dual Canadian-Haitian citizenship.
We are in day to day contact with Air Canada to make sure that all those people who so desire will leave Haiti. Air Canada today did not send a flight into Haiti as intended because of threats against the airlines. Every effort is being made to make sure that there are at least two additional flights to get Canadian citizens out of Haiti.
Situation In Haiti June 13th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, I am happy to reply to this question from the opposition.
Canada has agreed to do its utmost to reinforce sanctions against Haiti at this time, including the cessation of commercial flights into Haiti. Commercial flights on the part of Air Canada are to cease by June 25. We are doing what we can to make sure that all Canadians who are in Haiti do leave Haiti. We have given advice to Canadians in Haiti that they ought to leave.
South African Election May 26th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, yesterday I had the pleasure of tabling in the House the report of the official delegation of observers to the elections in South Africa, a very historic event. I have said and I repeat to the House today that elections are just the first but very critical step for South Africa on the road to democracy.
I am very pleased to announce to the House today that cabinet has made the decision that South Africa is now fully eligible for official development assistance. Through this process we will be looking to see how we can continue to help South Africa grow on the road to democracy.
Today I have pulled together a group of Canadians who have been very involved in South Africa up to now. This symposium of non-government organizations, media, business people and officials from government is trying to find out in particular how we can use official development assistance to help South Africa in its ongoing process of democratic development.
Rwanda May 25th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, I would like to address a few words today on the subject of Rwanda.
The massacres that have engulfed Rwanda since April 6 have already cost the lives of hundreds of thousands of children, women and men, while millions of others are streaming out of the area or country in terror.
The needs of displaced families and those stranded in their urban homes are increasing as time goes on. Fresh food is not readily available. Stocks of medical supplies are rapidly being depleted. And the lack of clean water is complicating an already explosive situation.
Sanitation and lack of access to clean water have been the most serious problems facing displaced people in urban areas in Rwanda and has also been a threat to the refugees in camps in Burundi and Tanzania.
Health problems are also escalating, mainly respiratory infections, diarrhea and malaria, which have been traditional ailments in refugee camps.
Shortly after the Rwandan conflict broke out Canada assumed a leadership role. First of all, Canada's Department of National Defence operates the only relief flights going into Kigali. Second, CIDA has promptly responded to appeals by the Red Cross and international non-government organizations for emergency aid to assist those in desperate need.
Canadian aid amounting to $4 million has already flowed into Rwanda through emergency organizations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders.
In addition to this the UN peacekeeping forces in Rwanda are currently under the direction of a Canadian, Major-General Romeo Dallaire, who has requested and obtained an increase in UN troops and an enlarged mandate in order to protect humanitarian operations.
Canada pressed the Security Council of the United Nations in order to have the UN more actively engaged in a search for a resolution of this disastrous conflict.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs has taken the initiative of asking for a special session of the UN Human Rights Commission. At this very moment this special session is addressing the situation in Rwanda on an urgent basis.
After consultation with Canadian NGOs last week I am pleased to announce today on behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs that Canada will contribute $7.606 million in supplementary humanitarian assistance to the victims of this terrible conflict in Rwanda. This new contribution will be allocated as follows: $4.856 million, representing 64 per cent of the envelope, will go to nine Canadian non-governmental organizations operating in Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda and Zaire; the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies will receive $750,000 in Uganda and Tanzania; and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees will receive $2 million for its activities in Tanzania.
These CIDA funds will help fulfill basic needs like drinking water, sanitation, shelter and health care. Our aid workers and military personnel are doing their very best to maintain a lifeline to the victims of this tragedy. Canada is determined to continue to support their efforts through the UN system, the Red Cross movement and Canadian non governmental organizations operating in the region.
I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to those many Canadians who are part of the aid agencies, non-governmental organizations and peacekeeping forces in this region of Africa. Let us not forget that these women and men risk their lives every day in order to relieve the suffering of a truly tortured people.
I would also like to give recognition on behalf of the Government of Canada to those countries that have most generously welcomed the growing numbers of refugees that stream across their borders every day.
In conclusion, I want to join all Canadians in praying that the many efforts currently undertaken by the international community will lead to resolution of the conflict in Rwanda and that a peaceful dialogue will assume its place.
South African Elections May 25th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, in April I had the privilege of leading the Canadian delegation to the elections in South Africa, that historic moment in time. It is my pleasure today to table, in both official languages, the report of that delegation's experience in South Africa.
Haiti May 25th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, the government has always stated it is open to having all manner of public dialogue on foreign policy. At this moment we are going through, with the assistance of the committee, a complete review of foreign policy. This does not preclude a discussion about how our peacekeeping efforts can be improved.
Having been involved as a country in peacekeeping missions all over the world and with scarcer resources today, we are very interested in the Canadian view of how we can be more effective and efficient in our peacekeeping role.
Haiti May 25th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to have the opportunity to respond to this question on sanctions in Haiti. Canada is doing everything it can to make sure sanctions stick.
We were part of a UN mission that explored the Dominican Republic border in the last few days. We will be making a démarche to the Dominican Republic, insisting it does everything it can to stop up the gaps in the sanctions net that exist at this time.
Petitions April 15th, 1994
Madam Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, it is my pleasure to present a petition on behalf of various constituents of mine.
The petitioners are asking the government to make amendments to the Divorce Act to ensure that they have access to their grandchildren. Furthermore an amendment to the Divorce Act would give the grandparent who is granted access to a child the right to make inquiries and to be given information as to the health, education and welfare of the child.