Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Prime Minister. It concerns the llth international conference on AIDS, being hosted by Canada in Vancouver next month. Is the Prime Minister prepared to reconsider his decision not to attend this very important conference, particularly in view of the letter which his own colleague, the Minister of Health, sent to him on May 15 stating: "If you choose not to attend, Canadians and representatives from other countries will receive a signal that Canada is less than committed to fighting this disease"?
Will the Prime Minister listen to the Minister of Health, listen to Canadians who are fighting desperately against HIV and AIDS? Will the Prime Minister now agree to attend the conference and make a commitment to renew the national strategy on AIDS at the conference?