Debates of Sept. 17th, 2001

Terrorism

[Jacques Saada, Liberal, Brossard—La Prairie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, after the horrors of last Tuesday, I wish to tell the victims' families on behalf of all of the people of Brossard--La Prairie that we share their sorrow.

If the terrorists have lost sight of the fact that the word “islam” comes from the word “salam”, which means peace, we must not forget it. There is too frequently confusion between Islam, a religion of peace, and Islamic fundamentalism, a political dogma to which the Muslims themselves are the first to fall victim, moreover.

We have only to think of the assassination of former Egyptian President and Nobel peace prize winner Anwar Sadat.

Let us remember that Islamic fundamentalists are murdering tens of thousands of other Muslims in Algeria.

The effects of this malaise on the community are being felt not only by Muslims but by all Canadians, regardless of religion.

The arson attack on the Hamilton Hindu Temple and the threats against schoolchildren are examples of this.

I wish to speak out strongly against these acts of intolerance. Each of these acts, each rift between us, constitutes a victory for terrorism. Let us not be our own enemies.

All of my constituents prefer to call upon the best Canadians have to offer: tolerance and mutual respect.

[Joe Clark, Progressive Conservative, Calgary Centre, AB]

Mr. Speaker, last Tuesday's tragic events profoundly touched the hearts of people around the world. All our lives have been turned upside down.

We wish to express our most sincere condolences and our deepest sorrow to the relatives and friends of the victims, in the United States and in Canada.

The courage and determination of the Canadian and American people during this tragedy sends a very strong message, that while terrorists can destroy lives and buildings they cannot destroy democracy or our freedom.

Canada is the United States' closest neighbour and ally. We welcomed diverted planes into our airports. Canadians opened their own hearts and homes to those stranded by this cruel and brutal attack.

Now is the time for us to stand solidly with the people of the United States. Parliamentarians should follow the example of the Canadian people who without any hesitation came to the aid of their American neighbours. We are with them fully in our determination to eliminate the scourge of terrorism from the world.

On behalf of the Progressive Conservative Democratic Representative coalition in parliament, I extend our heartfelt condolences to all who have lost families and friends in this brutal tragedy.

[Geoff Regan, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

Mr. Speaker, what happened last week in New York was an unspeakable act of cowardice and evil. It is understandable and natural that we all feel grief and anger over Tuesday's assaults on our neighbours to the south. These were vicious attacks on innocent people.

However let us not give into the temptation of blaming entire groups for the actions of a select few. Let us reserve our wrath for the guilty. To direct our anger at innocent people, particularly based on their religion or ethnicity, would be the worst possible response.

Let us not allow terrorism to win. Let us not give in to fear and hate. Let us remember the openness that makes us vulnerable is also the freedom that makes us great. There will be steps that we must take to increase our security, but we must also be extremely cautious so as to preserve our liberty.

[Stockwell Day, Canadian Alliance, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, the top priority for any government is the safety and security of its citizens. In 1997 the government's intelligence working group reviewed the possibility of bringing in comprehensive anti-terrorism legislation such as exists in the United States and in the United Kingdom. However the government said at that time that the need for such a scheme could not be established.

Will the Prime Minister tell Canadians today whether he now believes that the need for comprehensive anti-terrorism legislation in Canada has now indeed been established?

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, as I said previously, this is a problem that is faced by all nations of the world. We all have to work together to make sure that terrorism is fought everywhere in the world, including Canada. We will do all that is needed to make sure that this disease will not spread in Canada.

As I said this morning, there are some pieces of legislation already before the House of Commons. Members of committees will have occasion to look at legislation and make recommendations. We will listen to the members of parliament to see what is needed.

We have to do that in such a way that we will not destroy the values that are so dear to the Canadian people.

[Stockwell Day, Canadian Alliance, Okanagan—Coquihalla, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the anti-terrorist legislation in England and in the United States allow for the identification and expulsion of certain terrorist groups. That is not the case in Canada.

In fact, the solicitor general said in this House on February 22, and I quote: “in this country CSIS does not indicate who it is watching and who it is not watching”.

Could the Prime Minister assure this House that new anti-terrorist legislation will allow for the identification of some of these groups and a complete ban on their operations in Canada?

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, we must also not fall into a trap and say that a bill passed in the House of Commons will solve all the problems.

The Leader of the Opposition likes to talk about the anti-terrorist legislation that exists in the United States, but this legislation did not prevent the September 11 tragedy last week.

[Stockwell Day, Canadian Alliance, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, we have already indicated that we want to support the government as far as we can. We need the clarity to do that. In facing the international threat of terrorism, security abroad is as important as security at home.

Will the Prime Minister assure the House today that if the United States correctly identifies the sponsors of terrorism and engages in armed conflict, Canada will stand with the United States and our NATO allies and provide, if necessary, Canadian military forces? Canadians need to know, our allies need to know and the cowardly perpetrators of terrorist acts also need to know the answer.

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, we said the day after the attack that it was a war against terrorism. We voted at NATO with our allies to say that if one member is attacked we are all attacked and we will stand by what we said.

At this moment we are in communication with other governments and everyone is analyzing the situation, as they are doing in the United States. We will be participating with the Americans and our allies to make sure that we defeat terrorism.

[Brian Pallister, Canadian Alliance, Portage—Lisgar, MB]

Mr. Speaker, Canada's standing in the world depends on its ability to deliver on its commitments. If the United States asks the NATO alliance to participate in military action against those who perpetrated these horrendous acts, I think Canadians deserve to know if our NATO allies can rely on Canada to answer the call, yes or no.

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, we voted yes in Brussels last week.

[Brian Pallister, Canadian Alliance, Portage—Lisgar, MB]

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Foreign Affairs says we must review all security related issues. He says we are at war with terrorism and he is right.

The Prime Minister has argued today and on the past weekend against changing our nation's approaches to security issues. Could the Prime Minister explain to the House the blatant contradiction between the minister's position and his own?

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I think the statement made by the hon. member is wrong. What the Minister of Foreign Affairs said and what I say both represent the policies of the government.

[Gilles Duceppe, Bloc, Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, when they targeted the United States, the terrorists targeted all democratic countries.

We must collectively assume our responsibilities, fight terrorism and defend democracy.

As the House of Commons is directly involved where democracy is concerned, will the Prime Minister promise that the government will not undertake any significant actions without consulting the members first?

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, before we reach a final decision with our allies, we will do as we have done in the past.

Always, before troops have been deployed, we have consulted the House of Commons, and we will do so this time as well.

[Gilles Duceppe, Bloc, Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the House was consulted after the decision had been made or without a vote.

I ask the Prime Minister if they could do a little more, ensure that all parliamentarians exercise their responsibility, and have the House vote on the government's proposal when the time comes to make a commitment, even a military one.

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, the House of Commons is consulted. The House of Commons speaks. The members of all parties may have their say, and a consensus is expressed at that point.

This is the procedure that has always been followed. I do not see why we should change it under the circumstances, but we will see. If it needs changing, we will change it.

[Michel Gauthier, Bloc, Roberval, QC]

Mr. Speaker, while I agree fully with the viewpoint expressed in the government motion with respect to the defence of freedom and democracy, and the desire to bring to justice those who have breached these fundamental values by their terrorist acts, the response to these acts must not be based on intolerance and revenge.

Will the Prime Minister provide us with some reassurance that there is no question of Canada giving carte blanche to anyone when it joins in the international response to acts of terrorism?

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, Canada will assume its responsibilities. There is no question of giving carte blanche to anyone.

NATO accords provide that parties must be consulted before giving their consent. In their statements on the weekend, the Americans themselves spoke about the co-operation and consultations now taking place between all levels of government.

[Michel Gauthier, Bloc, Roberval, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the decisions taken by the government with respect to increased anti-terrorist security measures must not get in the way of our civil liberties.

Does the Prime Minister agree that implementing safety measures that could jeopardize or interfere with our civil liberties would be to play into the hands of terrorists, who would thus have attained their goal after all? Can the Prime Minister reassure us about the introduction of such measures?

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, this is what I said in my speech this morning. Terrorists must not be allowed to win by forcing us to abandon our fundamental freedoms.

[Alexa McDonough, NDP, Halifax, NS]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Prime Minister. Lloyd Axworthy, the Prime Minister's friend and former external affairs minister, has called for world leaders to make sense, not war. He says that the G-8 response to terrorism to date has been more rhetoric than action.

Could the Prime Minister tell us specifically what Canada will do to ensure that the United Nations plays a critical role in the global solution against terrorism?

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, every country is involved with this problem in all parts of the world. Necessarily, they are all members of the United Nations. The United Nations will probably take some initiatives. We will support any initiative that can be adopted, hopefully unanimously, in the House of Commons to make sure that terrorism is really the concern of every nation in the world.

[Alexa McDonough, NDP, Halifax, NS]

Mr. Speaker, last week's terrorist atrocities in the U.S. were surely a crime against humanity. The Statute of Rome must be amended to ensure that terrorism is defined as a specific crime against humanity and that terrorists are tried before the International Criminal Court.

Will the Prime Minister assure the House that Canada will lead the way in fighting terrorism through multilateral democratic institutions such as the International Criminal Court?

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, speaking of the Statute of Rome, Canada has been a leading force to develop this new system of international justice that has been quite effective so far in the Netherlands at this time, where criminals of war in the Balkans are facing international justice.

If there is a need to amend the treaty, Canada will always be a participant, because at the beginning of this system Canada was one of the initiators.