Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Deputy Prime Minister.
Tonight, the Prime Minister will begin a long trip at the head of a Canadian delegation that will take him to China, in particular. We know how important respect for human rights is and the leadership role which Canada has always assumed in this regard. Last week, the Prime Minister admitted in Vancouver that he did not intend to raise the issue publicly.
How can the Prime Minister believe that timid action behind closed doors can significantly improve the human rights situation in China?