Thank you very much, Mr. Chair, and committee members.
The new Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development has been set up at a time of rapid change on the world stage in terms of economic and political powers. Canadian interests are truly global in nature and our government is actively standing up for them on an ongoing basis on every continent.
I welcome your questions today, but first I would like to point out a few of the challenges facing us and our approach to dealing with them.
One of the most urgent challenges, of course, is the terrible violence that we are seeing in Syria. The people of Canada have been very generous in helping those most in need, and we join other nations around the world in seeking a political solution to this conflict. I continue to be in close contact with our allies on the issue, and I note recent progress, however small, on getting both sides to the table under the Geneva II process. Both the political solution and, more importantly, the humanitarian effort will continue to be a focus of our department moving forward.
Neighbouring Syria, we also see some progress in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. I have been in close contact with my Israeli and Palestinian counterparts, as well as with U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, on this issue. I've also had dealings in recent days with Martin Indyk, his ambassador and special representative for the negotiations.
Canada has been generous in our support of a future Palestinian state. We want to see a secure, prosperous, and future Palestinian state, one that lives side by side with its Jewish neighbour. Just a few months back we announced $5 million in support for increased economic opportunities in the West Bank. This came out of an initiative that John Kerry had launched with $100 million in a short-term stimulus for the West Bank economy. In my talks with my colleague, Tony Blair, the Quartet Representative, he made clear that Canada's contributions were appreciated and Canada's voice in the region remained respected and strong.
Elsewhere in the region, Iran elected a new president this year, Hassan Rouhani. We note his change in tone, especially when it comes to Iran's nuclear ambitions. All of us who have long despaired about the Iranian regime want to believe that Iran is genuinely committed to positive change at home and in its foreign relations, but kind words, a smile, and a charm offensive are not a substitute for real action. Canada is determined to shed light on the human rights abuses in Iran and remind Iran of its international obligations.
We condemn abuses because doing so is a Canadian value. That is why we also denounce the forced marriage of young girls. Every year, 9.5 million girls, some of whom are only 8 or 9 years old, are forced into marriage. Forced marriage is essentially a form of violence against women.
The practice of early and forced marriage is abhorrent and indefensible. That's why Canada introduced the first ever stand-alone resolution on child, early, and forced marriage at the United Nations General Assembly. That is something that I think all Canadians can be proud of.
Some may wish to stir up old debates that have divided our country in the past, but this is not a partisan issue, it is a human issue. Our government wants Canada's voice to be heard, for it to be clear and for it to be unambiguously free of moral relativism, from the rights of women and girls to religious freedom, for which the Prime Minister was proud to launch the Office of Religious Freedom last year, to the decriminalization of homosexuality abroad. These aren't the values of conservatives, of social democrats, of liberals, of one province or another, but Canadian values that have been shaped by our national experience.
I spoke at the outset about the amalgamation of our department. It is taking place at a time of rapid change in the world. Canada must, more than ever, deploy its resources smartly and in common purpose. I am confident that the new department will bring a more integrated and effective approach to advancing Canadian values and Canadian interests. We must be ready to embrace change, to recognize these opportunities and to seize them as they arise.
All Canadians have a role to play, as do our parliamentarians. You will have an opportunity to make an invaluable contribution to this national effort, to this global fight.
For that, and the work of the committee, I want to thank all of you, in all parties. I look forward to hearing your comments and to taking your questions.