Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to have an opportunity to follow up on a question I originally asked in this House on November 1 last and then followed up with a further question on November 16. These questions related to the visit of the Prime Minister and a group of cabinet ministers, including the Secretary of State for Asia-Pacific and others, to China and to Asia.
At that time I raised concerns, in particular on November 16, with respect to the issue of Canada's support and particularly that of the Prime Minister for the Three Gorges dam in China. I am appalled that the government would support such a project which would have an enormously destructive impact not only environmentally on China, but also on its people. This project would involve displacement of over one million Chinese from the Yangtze river area.
When the Liberals were in opposition they took a very different position. The Secretary of State for Latin America and Africa said: "While I realize the building of this dam would provide Canada with substantial business opportunities, is it worth the cost? The dam will impoverish and dislocate millions".
In addition I would note that any opposition to this dam was ruthlessly suppressed in China. The authors of a 1989 book called Yangtze Yangtze , a group of distinguished Chinese officials with scientific and technical degrees, had their book banned. One of them was jailed and fired from her job and others were taken into custody.
It is appalling, as I said, that this government would support this. I am pleased that the premier of the province of British Columbia has indicated that the province of British Columbia would not participate in any way in the contracts for Three Gorges.
I also want to take this opportunity during the time of the United Nations commission on human rights to urge the Government of Canada to support in the strongest possible terms the resolution which is coming before the commission with respect to China. I would note that resolution in its draft form includes a specific reference to Tibet as well and the concerns around the very serious human rights violations in Tibet. I hope that there will not be any attempt to water down that resolution and to refuse to make reference to Tibet.
Finally, I want to note that human rights concerns continue to be a matter of great priority. I was disappointed that the Prime Minister apparently only paid lip service to these concerns during his visit to China. The premier of Nova Scotia did not even notice that he had made reference to it. Afterwards he was reminded that perhaps he had. We saw in December of last year the fact that Chinese courts have handed down terms of imprisonment of up to 20 years, terms of 20, 17, and 15 years for non-violent peaceful Chinese dissidents. This is totally unacceptable.
I expect our government to speak out. I expect our government to speak out as well with respect to the issue of East Timor at the United Nations commission on human rights and to support a strong resolution on this issue.
I welcome an assurance from the Secretary of State for Asia-Pacific that this government will come to its senses and will withdraw its support for Three Gorges and for the sale of Candu reactors.
