Mr. Speaker, today marks a total of 10 years that Nobel Laureate, human rights activist and political leader Aung San Suu Kyi has endured house arrest in Burma and signals a renewed campaign to end the oppression and brutality.
Canadians are outraged that our money is helping to prop up the brutal Burmese regime. Despite our official government position against doing business in Burma, our CPP Investment Board still pours millions of dollars of our savings into Burma, just as it knowingly invests our money in tobacco deaths and the arms trade.
What must it feel like for Canadians from Burma to know that their money is buying the guns used to kill family and friends back home?
The CPP's new investment policy still only looks at the bottom line. There is no question of divestment unless profits plunge.
Canada has lost its way. There are plenty of profitable, ethical, green and human rights friendly investments to be made at home and abroad.
When will the Liberal government signal that not all Canadians have sold their ethics for profits and that our values should determine where our dollars are invested?