Debates of Sept. 29th, 2006

Darfur

[Irwin Cotler, Liberal, Mount Royal, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the genocide by attrition in Darfur is being accelerated. It is painful, almost incredulous, that such words even need to be said. But we are beyond words.

The following urgent action must be taken:

First, a UN mandated peacekeeping force must be deployed as quickly as possible.

Second, the international community must reinforce and fund an expanded African Union mission until the UN boots are on the ground.

Third, the no fly zone already established by the UN Security Council must be enforced once and for all, so that the indiscriminate bombing and burning of villages comes to an end.

Fourth, UN sanctions against Sudanese violators must be enforced.

Fifth, Sudanese officials responsible for international atrocities must be brought to justice.

Sixth, secured humanitarian access and aid is desperately required.

Finally, an urgent summit of world leaders from the UN, the African Union, the European Union and NATO needs to be convened to implement a save Darfur action plan.

Some 400,000 have already died and 3.5 million are on humanitarian life support. When will we act?

Tobique—Mactaquac

[Mike Allen, Conservative, Tobique—Mactaquac, NB]

Mr. Speaker, over the past three months while away from this place I had the opportunity to reconnect with the important things in an MP's life, those being the people and communities we represent.

There were many significant community events over the past few months in my riding of Tobique—Mactaquac: the 100th anniversary of Fraser Sawmills in Plaster Rock, the 150th anniversary of the Town of Woodstock, and the 200th anniversary of the Coburn Family Farm on Keswick Ridge.

All of these events are excellent examples of just how vibrant and prosperous our communities are.

I am proud of the people, businesses and communities in my riding. It is a privilege for me to have the opportunity to represent them every day and to speak on their behalf.

Southwest Montreal

[Thierry St-Cyr, Bloc, Jeanne-Le Ber, QC]

Mr. Speaker, alarm bells are sounding in southwest Montreal because an initiative based in the area I represent will never see the light of day thanks to this government's ideological and economic stubbornness.

Canada Post's old mail sorting facility in Little Burgundy was to be the site of an urban development project that would have promoted the preservation of the area's heritage, a variety of housing types and the creation of a major economic centre.

For nearly 150 years, this land along the Lachine Canal has been public property. Now this government plans to let the Canada Post Corporation sell the land to the highest bidder.

On behalf of the residents of southwest Montreal, I would like to add my voice to those of the Regroupement économique et social du Sud-Ouest, Bâtir son quartier and the Little Burgundy Coalition in asking the Minister of Transport to enable the Canada Lands Company to acquire the property.

National Forest Week

[Christian Paradis, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday marked the start of National Forest Week celebrations. This week is an opportunity for Canadians to think about the vital role forests play in our lives. This year's theme is “Canada's natural resources: connected to our people and our land”.

I would also like to draw hon. members' attention to the tabling in Parliament of the annual report entitled “The State of Canada's Forests”, which contains exhaustive, current information on the state of our forests and the forestry sector and their contribution to Canada's economy and environment and Canadians' quality of life.

Canada's forests, which form part of our natural resources, make a major contribution to our quality of life, both in their natural state and through forest products and the jobs forests generate.

Together, we will certainly continue to improve our use of this valuable resource, in order to boost our economy, create jobs and protect the environment. In the meantime, we invite everyone to take advantage of National Forest Week to get out and appreciate the beauty of our Canadian forests.

Freedom's Fury

[Andrew Telegdi, Liberal, Kitchener—Waterloo, ON]

Mr. Speaker, tonight at the National Gallery of Canada is the Canadian premiere of Freedom's Fury, a historical documentary in tribute to the 50th anniversary of the Hungarian revolution. It is the work of the brother and sister writing and directing team of Colin Keith Gray and Megan Raney Aarons.

In late November 1956, the water polo teams from Hungary and the Soviet Union met in an Olympic semi-final match. Just weeks before, the Hungarian people had engaged in the first popular revolution ever staged against Soviet power. The match, called “the bloodiest game in Olympic history”, signalled the end of Hungary's brush with freedom.

“It was far more than just a sporting event”, Ervin Zador of the 1956 Hungarian Olympic Team notes. “It was a battle for the spirit, for our freedom, for democracy. We won at the Olympics, we lost in the streets”.

Congratulations to Colin and Megan for a film well done.

Afghanistan

[Russ Hiebert, Conservative, South Surrey—White Rock—Cloverdale, BC]

Mr. Speaker, today two great university rivals will be united for one cause, the support of our troops.

Students from the University of Ottawa and Carleton University have taken the initiative to demonstrate their appreciation for the work of our soldiers in Afghanistan.

In the first game of their season, the softball teams from both schools have agreed to wear uniforms incorporating the colour red to show support for our troops.

The softball game is taking place here tonight at Brewer Park at 7 p.m. The public is also encouraged to wear red.

This event is particularly special for one team, as a Carleton University coach will be deployed to Afghanistan in the coming weeks. He will be working there as a civilian employee in support of our troops.

I would like to commend the students of both universities for their patriotism and leadership. I encourage everyone to attend this event.

Government Programs

[Judy Wasylycia-Leis, NDP, Winnipeg North, MB]

Mr. Speaker, over the past decade, the people of Winnipeg North have had to pull together in the face of abandonment by the Liberals who cut housing renewal programs, job search kiosks, front line tax offices, employment insurance for part time working mothers, and core funding for women's programs.

Now, along come the Conservatives taking away what little we have left that actually helps build a vibrant, local economy, and helps people find security and dignity in the face of all odds.

Shame on the Conservatives for taking away the very essence of community self-help: summer career placement jobs, literacy training, crime prevention initiatives, aboriginal supports and women's programs.

Governments can be guilty of many sins, but the most unconscionable, the absolutely unforgiveable, is a government that takes away the very tools that lead to renewed communities and productive lives.

As the Winnipeg Free Press says today, “But what kind of ideology opposes literacy and regards money spent in the battle against illiteracy as 'fat'?”

Shame on the Conservatives.

Literacy

[Rodger Cuzner, Liberal, Cape Breton—Canso, NS]

Mr. Speaker, an informed and caring government understands that it holds a responsibility to unlock the full potential of the citizens it represents, but in the case of Canadians who struggle with literacy skills, this government has in fact closed the door and thrown away the key.

Years of progress have been made in this area, progress that has been obtained through the efforts of committed staff and community volunteers supported by past federal governments. Now they find themselves in jeopardy because of the recent round of harsh and unnecessary cuts.

My wife Lynn is an adult educator, and what inspires and motivates her each day are the stories of students who have seized the opportunity to improve their literacy skills and further advance their education and in turn enhance their quality of life.

These devastating cuts made by an uninformed government that believes literacy initiatives are a waste of money clearly shows that Canadians with literacy challenges just do not matter.

Volunteerism

[Nicole Demers, Bloc, Laval, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the President of the Treasury Board announced on Monday that the Canada volunteerism initiative was being cut. This program recognized volunteer activity.

We should remind the minister that three million seniors do five billion hours of volunteer work each year, the equivalent of more than 2.5 million full time jobs. The contribution made by these people is worth $60 billion to the economy.

Yet the government is cutting this program, which allowed seniors to feel valued, to remain active in society and, most importantly, to support the social economy. Instead of paying the $3.2 billion to seniors entitled to retroactive guaranteed income supplement payments, this government is doing nothing to give justice to the people who built Quebec and Canada.

Seniors are being trampled on by this government, which is constantly lashing out at the most vulnerable. Yet they are an important part of society.

Canadian Wheat Board

[Tina Keeper, Liberal, Churchill, MB]

Mr. Speaker, this Conservative government has set out to shut down the port of Churchill by means of more bad Conservative decision making. I am referring to its plan to destroy the Canadian Wheat Board by allowing a dual marketing system to come into effect.

The Wheat Board is the single largest user of the port of Churchill and the town's economy will be absolutely ruined if the board is compromised. The Canadian Wheat Board uses the port of Churchill because it provides the maximum return to producers located in north and central Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

With the loss of the rail traffic, towns, aboriginal communities and jobs along the Bayline railway will be hit hard as well. Weakening the Wheat Board will weaken the economy of this region.

The government rather than dictating policy should allow farmers to decide their future.

Michal Gutowski

[Rick Norlock, Conservative, Northumberland—Quinte West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, today I join with the Polish Canadian community in mourning the passing of General Michal Gutowski, a remarkable individual who has contributed greatly to both his birth country of Poland and his adopted country of Canada.

During the second world war General Gutowski served with distinction in the Normandy campaign. He was decorated for this valour by the Polish, French and American governments.

When he arrived in Canada in 1948, he began a long relationship with the Canadian Olympic Equestrian Team. Most notably, he was the team's trainer when it won the gold medal at the Olympic Games in Mexico City in 1968.

After the death of his wife, General Gutowski returned to Poland, where he recently passed away at the age of 95. He was put to final rest in Warsaw with full military honours in a state funeral. He will be greatly missed by all.

I ask that all members of Parliament join with me in recognizing this remarkable Canadian and his significant contributions to our country.

Véronique Rivest

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Bloc Québécois, I am delighted to congratulate Véronique Rivest, of Gatineau, who was awarded the distinction of best sommelier in Canada by the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers.

Ms. Rivest won the award on September 16, 2006, at the Institut du Tourisme et d'Hôtellerie du Québec, in Montreal, which hosted the first edition of Canada’s best sommelier competition. She will represent Canada at the world’s best sommelier competition in Barcelona, Spain, in March 2007. Ms. Rivest also won the title of best sommelier in Quebec in May of this year.

We wish Gatineau's Véronique Rivest the best of luck at the international competition; we would love to see her win this prestigious award.

Afghanistan

[Ralph Goodale, Liberal, Wascana, SK]

Mr. Speaker, President Karzai says that no “success” is possible in Afghanistan if the NATO mission is exclusively military. Diplomacy, development and reconstruction are essential “to winning the hearts and minds” of the Afghan people.

Yesterday, a senior Canadian officer in Kandahar, Lieutenant Colonel Hetherington, confirmed that nothing much has been accomplished and Canadian forces have been shifted away from reconstruction into military operations.

When was the decision made to change the original nature of this mission?

[Jason Kenney, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I reject the premise of the House leader's question. The nature of the mission has not changed. The mission in which Canadian troops, diplomats and aid workers are currently engaged is precisely the mission to which my hon. friend's cabinet committed Canada in Afghanistan.

It is a mission under the aegis of a United Nations mandate, operationally being performed by NATO in the 36 country coalition. It is this government that has enhanced the development and diplomatic elements of the mission by nearly doubling our aid commitment and doubling our diplomat--

[The Deputy Speaker, NDP, Bill Blaikie]

The hon. member for Wascana.

[Ralph Goodale, Liberal, Wascana, SK]

Mr. Speaker, Afghan officials in Kandahar have a different view of the situation. They say that the pace of reconstruction work in the Kandahar region has been “very slow” since Canadians took over from Americans about a year ago.

Our military officers are now saying that the pace will accelerate because they acknowledge that nothing much has happened over the course of the last year. In fact, personnel have been shifted away from the reconstruction work.

Specifically, what is the plan for developmental work in the Kandahar region and what specific goals--

[The Deputy Speaker, NDP, Bill Blaikie]

The hon. Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister.

[Jason Kenney, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, it is hardly a news flash that development work in Kandahar province is being hindered by violence committed by the Taliban and its allied forces seeking to destabilize the democratically elected government of Afghanistan and the UN-NATO mission to provide security and development in that country.

The hon. member has asked what exactly are we doing. The previous Liberal government's plan had our aid commitment to Afghanistan going from $100 million down to $40 million a year by 2008-09. This government has increased--

[The Deputy Speaker, NDP, Bill Blaikie]

I am sorry, the member's time has expired. The hon. member for Wascana.

[Ralph Goodale, Liberal, Wascana, SK]

Mr. Speaker, the government has clearly failed to maintain the original principles of the Afghan mission. Personnel have been secretly shifted away from development and reconstruction. Progress on these fronts has all but disappeared in the Kandahar region.

Parliament and Canadians have not been kept informed. The required rotational support, except for two or three NATO countries, has not been forthcoming.

The President of Pakistan trivializes the loss of Canadian lives and the government remains silent.

When will we get a concrete remedial plan to get this mission back on track?

[Jason Kenney, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, our officials, in terms of international development, have done tremendous work under very trying circumstances in the region.

Among other things, we have conducted, in terms of the PRT in that province, over 500 patrols with local authorities. Our engineers have removed more than 400 pieces of explosive ordinance. We have donated diverse resources, including medical supplies and police equipment, to help with reconstruction. We have nearly doubled the aid commitment in Afghanistan over the next several years from what was committed by the previous government.

Summit of la Francophonie

[Marlene Jennings, Liberal, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Gilles Bernier, the father of the Minister of Industry, has been rewarded by the minority Conservative government for lending them his son. Indeed, we learned this morning that the elder Mr. Bernier is roaming the streets of Bucharest with the Prime Minister, on taxpayers' hard-earned dollars.

Will the Prime Minister close the government travel agency, which seems to serve only ministers' fathers?

[Jason Kenney, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I believe the hon. member knows very well that Gilles Bernier, a former MP, is in Bucharest as an organizer for the Forum francophone des affaires, a non-governmental organization. He is there as a sherpa or guide for that organization.

Perhaps the hon. member does not like to see NGOs involved in la Francophonie, but we, the government, encourage NGOs to take part in international affairs.

[Marlene Jennings, Liberal, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine, QC]

Mr. Speaker, after campaigning by promising to be as pure as the driven snow, the stains are adding up on the government's shirt. We know the government paid for Gilles Bernier's trip, and the organization he supposedly represents is penniless.

When Gilles Bernier returns from Romania, will the Minister of Industry be waiting at the airport to ask his father to pay back Canadian taxpayers?

[Jason Kenney, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to know if the member opposite believes that NGOs should not be involved in aiding the Canadian government in aiding international multilateral organizations in their important work.

On this side of the House, we believe that la Francophonie is an important international institution. Those Canadian NGOs that support its work should also be supported by this government, and Mr. Bernier is doing important work in that respect in Romania.