Mr. Speaker, the situation in Kosovo has a number of repercussions for Canada as a NATO member. One is the human tragedy of thousands of individuals so brutally forced out of their homes in Kosovo.
I remind members that the refugees did not leave their homes voluntarily, and that most of them want to return. And we see their despair daily.
As members know, Canada responded to UNHCR's appeal and set up the necessary infrastructure to take in 5,000 Kosovar refugees. This action was necessary because of the risks to which the refugees were exposed. Hundreds of thousands of Kosovars were forced to leave the region and all of them wanted to take refuge in neighbouring countries.
This unprecedented wave of refugees massed at the borders represented a risk bordering on the unacceptable. These people had been forced out of their homes and had already endured great suffering. That is why Canada joined with other countries and undertook to offer these refugees a safe haven.
Last Friday, the high commissioner, Mrs. Ogata, thanked those countries that had responded to UNHCR's appeal, but indicated to the international community that the planned program would be only an emergency solution to the problem of protection.
Mrs. Ogata stated clearly the position of the organization she heads, and I quote:
The majority of people should remain in the region to permit repatriation with security when the situation allows. Some individuals' resettlement would be appropriate to deal with special needs and family reunification.
There will therefore be situations where individuals needing special protection in order to be reunited with their families will have to be resettled in third countries, this time on a permanent basis. Decisions will be taken with the co-operation of international organizations specialized in this sort of intervention.
Canada's legislation makes provision for such situations. Already, our staff are in the region, ready to accept applications. This aid is beginning in the former Yugoslavian republic of Macedonia, with our international partners, and is continuing in Canada, with our local partners.
The situation in Kosovo remains volatile, but it has now evolved to the point where the refugees can remain in the area in relative security. Many members heard our ambassador, Raphael Girard, tell Canadians yesterday about the satisfactory conditions in five of the six main refugee camps in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
Conditions in those camps are improving to the extent that Canadian purchased toys have been distributed to some children. Food, water and health supplies are arriving in part through the efforts of the men and women of the Canadian forces and Canadian NGOs. Shelters are being constructed and these refugees have the level of protection that was fundamental to the decision of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
The situation, I repeat, is in constant evolution. Canada will continue preparations and maintain a state of alert should the situation change in the days and weeks to come. In the event the UNHCR decides to proceed with an emergency evacuation we are ready. Canada has a proud humanitarian tradition. Canadians are compassionate people who have historically come to the aid of those in need.
Should emergency measures become necessary the UNHCR will be a key player in identifying persons who are in need of assistance, in deciding to which countries they should go and in providing the basic documents.
In addition to the UNHCR, the International Organization for Migration, the IOM, would play a key role in the registration and transportation of the refugees to Canada. Canada's capacity to respond to a major evacuation would be intimately tied to the structures that the UNHCR and the IOM are putting in place on the ground. I have every confidence that these organizations will succeed in their task.
Our partners at the Red Cross would play a critical role in any operation we might undertake. We must remember that many of these people are travelling from camps in which the Red Cross symbol appears on tents, trucks and food parcels. This recognizable symbol would be highly visible in the reception centres in Canada.
The Red Cross could also make its family messaging services available shortly to refugees through its international network. Red Cross officials assure me that they are ready to extend humanitarian services and that their personnel are standing at the ready. I am pleased to have the assistance of the Red Cross with its expertise in helping refugees from affected countries in Europe.
Our partnerships at various levels have been the key to success in this initiative. While the operation is led essentially by the Canadian government, the provinces have a crucial role to play, as is the case with many aspects of our refugee protection program.
We have daily contacts with provincial officials to solve issues of mutual interest and co-operation. I want to thank our provincial partners for their co-operation and for opening their doors to refugees.
I also want to thank the people in the communities around the military facilities that we are planning to use. They too have worked together and prepared to welcome refugees.
We are also continuing to work closely with NGOs whose expertise in the management of humanitarian crises is precious. Employees from my department have worked closely with employees from other federal departments who have shown dedication and flexibility in meeting the particular needs of refugees, while striving to improve the overall situation in Kosovo, and I want to thank them for that today.
I would be remiss if I did not mention the extraordinary generosity of Canadians, as our Prime Minister did earlier today. The toll-free line that we set up last week was flooded with calls. The offers of assistance that have been coming in steadily through this line since last Wednesday are simply extraordinary.
We have received more than 7,000 calls and 1,000 faxes. The assistance offered ranges from the large bedroom that the eldest daughter in a family is willing to make available to a family of refugees so they can sleep together to the free English lessons that a university student is willing to give.
This confirms my conviction that Canadians are compassionate people who are always willing to help those in need. Therefore, I want to thank all Canadians who have offered to help in so many different ways the refugees from Kosovo. We are sure that Canadians would open their arms and their hearts to make the refugees from Kosovo feel welcome in our country.
Canada is a caring society. Compassion is a strong element of our national character. The question of how best to respond to this crisis is one that we are answering at times as we go along. The situation is changing very quickly and could change again over the next few days, but I know that whatever happens in the coming days and weeks we have already witnessed a demonstration of Canada's humanitarian tradition in action within our home borders and in our homes.
I am satisfied that the Government of Canada and its many partners are ready to move quickly and effectively should the UNHCR renew its request to offer a safe haven to a large number of refugees. Furthermore, the UNHCR knows we are also ready to assist in individual cases of refugees who need protection in Canada. Our efforts are entirely consistent with the larger international effort in responding to the needs of refugees. As a Canadian I am proud that assistance has been offered to these people.