Debates of April 7th, 2003

Juno Awards

[Loyola Hearn, Progressive Conservative, St. John's West, NL]

Mr. Speaker, it is a woman's world. Last night many of the Juno Awards were won by Canadian women and they were certainly well deserved. However another event took place yesterday also. The winner of Popstars “The One” was selected and the one was Newfoundland and Labrador's own Christa Borden.

The competition started with 7,000 participants from all across the country that culminated last night with the winner being chosen. Christa's own statement is one of encouragement to all young Canadians. She said, “It doesn't matter where you come from. If you believe, you will achieve”.

We would like to congratulate all the participants and to Christa Borden, we say, “We are proud of you Christa, you kept us hanging on, but you are the one”.

Iraq

[Pierrette Venne, Bloc, Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC]

Mr. Speaker, commenting on the Spanish Prime Minister's decision to support the United States and Great Britain in their offensive against Iraq, a former Spanish member of Parliament said that Prime Minister José Maria Aznar had clearly seen where their interests lay. Here, the Liberal government appears to have forgotten where our interests lie.

The United States are our largest trading partners, receiving some 85% of our exports. As a result, any boycott of our goods in reprisal could prove disastrous to our economy. The government must not delay any longer in preparing an action plan to counter the antiCanadian movement that is beginning to build south of the border.

As President Bush has said so many times, “You are either with us or against us”. Forced to choose between the values preached by Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein and western freedoms and democracy, I have no hesitation whatsoever in siding with the coalition led by the United States.

Veterans Affairs

[Beth Phinney, Liberal, Hamilton Mountain, ON]

Mr. Speaker, on March 31 the hon. Minister of Veterans Affairs and Secretary of State, Science, Research and Development honoured 14 Canadian citizens with the Minister of Veterans Affairs commendation.

Frank Volterman, a constituent in my riding of Hamilton Mountain, was among those honoured. Mr. Volterman is a veteran of the Dieppe raid and has been cited for assisting veterans and their widows in applying for government benefits.

For more than 20 years, he has served on the board of directors of the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry. He has also designed commemorative flags in honour of the Hamilton veterans who had contributed to Canada's war effort in France and Holland. Mr. Volterman has devoted much of his life to the care and well-being of fellow veterans and to the remembrance of their contributions, sacrifices and achievements.

My congratulations go out to Mr. Frank Volterman and the other recipients of this well deserved commendation.

Queen's Jubilee Medal

[Diane Ablonczy, Canadian Alliance, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Mr. Speaker, on Friday, May 9, it will be my honour to present the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal to 10 very special Canadians.

These medals are awarded to citizens who exemplify the outstanding qualities that have helped make Canada the wonderful country it is today. Each of these recipients has demonstrated excellent and exceptional involvement in various areas of endeavour to the betterment of our communities.

The recipients are: Cliff Fryers, George Harrison, Marjorie Henman, Norman Howie, Thelma Howie, Jim Leung, Eric Lowther, Withold Mazura, Margaret Morain and Dr. Meredith Simon.

I am proud to publicly recognize the contribution of these outstanding citizens who are also models for those who have the responsibility of shaping Canada's future. On behalf of all Canadians, I congratulate and thank each one.

Iraq

[Stephen Harper, Canadian Alliance, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, let me quote the Prime Minister on the issue of Iraq: “...changing of regimes in different countries is not a policy that is desirable any time”, that was on March 18; “The question of changing regime is not a policy that is acceptable...”, March 25; “...we say that changing the regime is not the right policy...”, March 26.

Is opposition to regime change in Iraq still the position of the government?

[Bill Graham, Liberal, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, I think we have made it very clear in the House. We worked very hard to have an international organization that would deal with this situation in a way which would be in the best interests of the Americans, the British and the world community. We still strive to make sure that our international organizations are strong and are able to deal with these situations.

War has begun. Conflict has begun. We have also made it very clear that we wish our American allies and all those serving in Iraq a speedy end to this, with as few victims and as few casualties as possible.

[Stephen Harper, Canadian Alliance, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, I just read a series of statements from the Prime Minister saying that he was against regime change. I expected to get an answer to that.

The Prime Minister, as the minister states, has tabled a motion in the House saying that the government now supports the mission of the U.S.-led coalition. The coalition's stated goal is regime change in Iraq. Does the government support regime change in Iraq or does it not?

[Bill Graham, Liberal, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, the government, and I believe a large majority of the Canadian population, do not believe that regime change is something that we should engage in lightly in the international world without having the international approval of the United Nations Security Council which is designed by the world community to deal with such issues. That issue is past us.

Of course we wish our American allies a speedy end to this. Of course we wish them well in their endeavours. Of course we wish to not see them have casualties, and we wish, in the best interests of Iraq, that this be put to an end as quickly as possible.

[Stephen Harper, Canadian Alliance, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, I am sorry but I am going to ask for another clarification.

I have a series of quotes from the House of Commons of the Prime Minister saying that he was against regime change in Iraq. They were made only days ago. Is the foreign affairs minister now saying that the government supports regime change in Iraq? Yes or no.

[Bill Graham, Liberal, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, I quite understand the Leader of the Opposition's concern with regime change. It happens a lot over there so I quite understand why he might be nervous about that. However let us be very clear. For his protection, we hope they have a system there, like we want an international system that works so that this is won in the best interests of the peace and security of the world.

We wish our American allies well. We hope this ends quickly. We hope we will all come together for the benefit of the Iraqi people now that this has commenced.

[Jason Kenney, Canadian Alliance, Calgary Southeast, AB]

Mr. Speaker, that is a pathetic evasion.

When the member from Brampton visited Baghdad to express her admiration for Saddam's regime, she said that she did so with the Prime Minister's approval. When a Liberal member expressed her hatred for Americans, she said that the Prime Minister had not reprimanded her. The energy minister attacked the U.S. president and he still has not apologized.

Now the Alliance has put forward a motion expressing regret for these anti-American slurs but the Liberals will not support it.

Why is it that for the Liberals, good foreign relations means never having to say you're sorry?

[Bill Graham, Liberal, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister has made it very clear that we do not approve of comments which in any way attack the integrity of our American friends. They are our best friends. They are our allies. We work with them on millions of issues.

On one issue out of perhaps a million we have had a difference of opinion but is it a difference that divides us in terms of the long term policies that we should be pursuing? In the best interests of the world community, we will continue to have those differences but we will manage them in the sense of respect, admiration and friendship that joins our two countries.

[Jason Kenney, Canadian Alliance, Calgary Southeast, AB]

Mr. Speaker, if that line is true, then why has the Prime Minister not reprimanded his minister or the members from Mississauga and Brampton? Why has he not? Why is the government not supporting the motion we have to apologize on behalf of the House and to express its regret for the anti-American slurs coming from the government?

Instead of sending their ministers down to the United States to try to cover over the problem, why do the Liberals not take the high road and just apologize for the record of anti-American slurs coming from their own benches?

[Bill Graham, Liberal, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, I would sincerely hope that all members of the House would take the high road and seek not to antagonize other people and use partisan politics around this to benefit themselves and try to damage our country. They are seeking to damage our country with partisan shots, which are not appropriate and not even based on facts.

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

Mr. Speaker, Condoleeza Rice, Bush's national security advisor, stated that it would be only natural for the coalition involved in the war in Iraq to have the lead role in its reconstruction.

Since Canada is not officially a member of this coalition, could the Minister of Foreign Affairs tell us if the Deputy Prime Minister, currently in Washington, has been instructed to stress to the United States that it is vital for the UN to oversee the reconstruction of Iraq?

[Bill Graham, Liberal, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, the Deputy Prime Minister is in Washington to speak with Secretary Ridge about Canada-U.S. relations, specifically about how arrangements at the border are to be organized.

However, I can assure the House that, when I was in Brussels last week, I met Mr. Powell and foreign policy representatives from other countries. Everyone is seeking a balance between the presence of the coalition forces and the role of the international community.

Canada, naturally, will insist that the international community's role be as broad as possible.

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

Mr. Speaker, last week, it was the turn of the U.S. ambassador, Mr. Cellucci, to state that, before the conflict began, it was not clear that Canada would not be taking part in the war in Iraq without UN approval.

In fact, Canada's position is still ambiguous; it is not taking part in the war, but some of its soldiers are.

If the government will not pull these soldiers out, which would be consistent and logical, will it suit action to intent and at least clearly inform the Bush administration that the reconstruction of Iraq must be carried out under the auspices of the UN? Will it make this clear?

[Bill Graham, Liberal, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, the United States is very aware of the importance of the international community in rebuilding Iraq.

Mr. Powell said in Brussels on Thursday that the UN would play—to use his words—“a major role” in post-war Iraq. But what role remains to be determined.

The conflict must end first. The country must be secured before the next step is taken. Canada will be there to play a role, to assume its responsibilities in the reconstruction of Iraq within an international context.

[Francine Lalonde, Bloc, Mercier, QC]

Mr. Speaker, on Friday, the special rapporteur to the UN, Jean Zeigler, said that coalition forces were hampering the work of humanitarian organizations and that the situation bordered on a large-scale humanitarian catastrophe.

Will the government pressure the English-American coalition to open up corridors and secure areas to supply provisions, as representatives of some 20 international organizations have asked?

[Bill Graham, Liberal, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, we are very proud of the efforts made by Canadian NGOs. Our government promised humanitarian aid in Iraq. We will work with the United Nations. We will work with NGOs. We will work with any country to provide Canadian resources to the Iraqi people, whom we want to support in this difficult time.

[Francine Lalonde, Bloc, Mercier, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Jean Zeigler said that the coalition is hampering the work of humanitarian organizations. He also said that aid must be provided based on the principles of humanity, neutrality and impartiality, as required by the United Nations. This is not possible with combat troops.

Rather than brag about Canadian NGOs, would the minister please answer my question: will the government pressure the coalition to allow specialized civilian institutions and UN organizations to feed the people of Iraq, as should be the case?

[Susan Whelan, Liberal, Minister for International Cooperation]

Mr. Speaker, we are closely monitoring the situation on the ground. We are extremely concerned about the current situation in Iraq.

I was briefed this morning and I know UNICEF has successfully transported medical supplies and water purifiers. I also know that the WFP has been able to transport tonnes of wheat and flour into northern Iraq. We are closely monitoring the situation.

We recognize that some of the last steps are working with U.S. soldiers. We are working very closely to ensure that humanitarian assistance is getting to where it needs to go.

Canadian Forces

[Libby Davies, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the government's latest motion on the war is classic Liberal doublespeak. Only Liberals could ask Parliament to reaffirm non-participation while Canada is clearly participating. We have troops inside Iraq. Canadian ships are looking for Iraqi officials and escorting ships of war in the gulf. Canadians are serving on AWACS.

In light of all these facts, can the Prime Minister honestly say that Canada is not participating in Bush's illegal war?

[John McCallum, Liberal, Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, this perpetual NDP complaining, anti-Americanism does get on one's nerves after awhile.

The fact of the matter is that on this side of the House we take pride in our role in fighting shoulder to shoulder with the Americans against terrorism. We, unlike the NDP, are proud of the role that our ships play in leading a multinational coalition in the gulf against terrorism. We are proud of that and we do not apologize in the slightest.

[Libby Davies, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I am astounded to hear that the minister would think that somehow that is anti-American. The question here is what is Canada's position. Maybe the Liberals need a new clarity bill to clean up their own act.

The Liberals used to call Bush's war unjustified. Now they wish him well in his mission with no qualifiers at all. Even Tony Blair is saying that there is a limit and that the reconstruction of Iraq should be done under the UN. Yet the Liberal motion does not even mention the words “United Nations”.

If they cannot be clear on war, could they at least be clear on peace. Is Canada's position on reconstruction through the UN? Yes or no?