Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring to the attention of the House the plight facing children in war torn regions across the world, specifically in Bosnia.
Last week I attended an international conference on genocide in Bosnia-Hercegovina. One of the impressions from this meeting is how much some European nations are doing for the children and some women at risk, and how comparatively little Canada is doing. The most recent numbers I have been able to obtain indicate that Canada is only taking a mere few dozen children for temporary safe haven. For a society as generous and caring as ours I find it hard to believe that we have not done more.
As well, I want to invite all concerned members of this House to speak up on this issue and to consider forming a coalition to find ways of bringing together federal and provincial governments, private corporations and community groups in a joint effort to do what is right.
History will judge us harshly if we stand aside and allow an entire generation to be sacrificed.