Debates of April 20th, 2007

International Aid

[Paul Dewar, NDP, Ottawa Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the world's worst humanitarian crisis is in Darfur where we are watching a genocide in slow motion with documented cases of ethnic murder, assault, rape and human dislocation.

This week we were given a window of opportunity for which we have been waiting four years: an agreement between the United Nations-African Union and the Government of Sudan that would allow the deployment of up to 3,000 UN troops, police officers, civilian staff and equipment to Darfur.

What additional contributions will the government make to support this vitally important mission?

[Peter MacKay, Conservative, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member knows well that Canada has been very active, in fact one of the most active countries in terms of our contribution to date. We will continue to look for ways to add further support to the AMIS mission. He knows as well that Canada was active as far as the seeking of the fragile peace agreement necessary for all of this humanitarian aid effort to continue.

He knows that Canada has always been a very generous nation. Our CIDA officials, our diplomatic officials, our military officials as far as training, and all contributions to Sudan will continue.

[Paul Dewar, NDP, Ottawa Centre, ON]

With due respect, Mr. Speaker, this is simply not good enough. We need additional support. We have all been bystanders in the horror that is Darfur.

The UN will need up to six months to get the peacekeepers in place in Darfur. We must start now.

In the words of Churchill, “It is no use saying we are doing our best. We have got to succeed in doing what is necessary”.

Will the minister do what is necessary immediately to fill the need in Darfur to protect civilians now? The time is now, not--

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

The hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs.

[Peter MacKay, Conservative, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency]

Mr. Speaker, I do not in any way mean to diminish the hon. member's passion for this but Canada has not been a bystander. Canada has been very active with respect to the humanitarian crisis in the Sudan. We have been active in every way possible.

The problem is of course that the government of al-Bashir, the Government of Sudan, has been very resistant to international aid and very resistant to the United Nations mission having its full impact on the humanitarian crisis there.

Having said that, Canada will continue to participate in every way possible and continue to look for ways to make our values, our principles and our humanitarian aid take effect for the long-suffering people of Darfur.

[Keith Martin, Liberal, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I gather from the hon. minister's responses that the government has not made a contribution to this mission that is coming up. The minister speaks about the past.

On behalf of all Canadians, I would like to ask the hon. minister a very simple question. We can contribute 60 military personnel who are desperately needed right now for the African Union mission in Darfur. Is he willing to authorize that or will we simply send the tanks that the hon. Minister of National Defence wants to send some years in the future?

[Peter MacKay, Conservative, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency]

Mr. Speaker, I know the member opposite is sincere. His sarcasm is not lost on anyone when he makes these types of statements.

He knows full well that Canada has made significant contributions in the past and that we will continue to do so.

I am not going to give the member a 30 second recitation of everything that has already happened and everything that will happen in the future. His position would be much more sincere if he would cooperate and bring forward meaningful solutions as opposed to just his rhetoric that he throws around daily.

Afghanistan

[David Sweet, Conservative, Ancaster—Dundas—Flamborough—Westdale, ON]

Mr. Speaker, last week the Minister of International Cooperation and her parliamentary secretary, the member for Macleod, were in Afghanistan. They announced close to $20 million for new projects that will help the most vulnerable people of Afghanistan, women and children. They were also able to visit ongoing projects both in Kabul and Kandahar.

Could the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Cooperation tell the House the results they saw in Afghanistan and how our contribution makes a big difference for the Afghan people?

[Ted Menzies, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade and Minister of International Cooperation]

Mr. Speaker, we were able to see the results of projects that the Minister of International Cooperation had announced during her first visit to Afghanistan in October. We met with several women's groups and women's entrepreneurs, benefiting from microfinanced programs. We saw the pride they take in being able to control their own destinies.

Most of all, we were able to go outside the wire from Kandahar and visit a community development council. There are over 16,000 of these councils, working democratically to rebuild their country. They want our help and we can provide our help.

Canadian Wheat Board

[Wayne Easter, Liberal, Malpeque, PE]

Mr. Speaker, after receiving only 13.8% in its discredited barley plebiscite, the government has been attempting to sell something it calls a barley clearinghouse to replace the single desk of the Canadian Wheat Board. However, for attending invitation only meetings to sell this proposal, farmers are paid $100 in cash just to show up.

Why has the government had to use Canadian taxpayer money, in $100 bills, to coerce farmers to even listen to the government's proposed alternative to the Wheat Board?

[Christian Paradis, Conservative, Secretary of State (Agriculture)]

Mr. Speaker, the plebiscite process we used was verified by an independent firm, and it was conducted very seriously.

Canada's new government believes that western grain farmers should have the freedom to choose how they market their grain while preserving a strong, viable Wheat Board for those who wish to use it. Sixty-two per cent of barley growers have asked for choice, and we are listening. Our department remains committed to doing everything necessary to make this happen.

Status of Women

[Nicole Demers, Bloc, Laval, QC]

Mr. Speaker, since 1993, thousands of female nurses from the Philippines have come to Canada under the live-in caregiver program to take care of seniors, disabled persons and children.

These women have very few nursing tasks. They have become cheap domestic helpers for people who have the financial wherewithal, and they are losing their qualifications.

How can the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women allow her own government to perpetuate this injustice towards thousands of women, if women are so important to her?

[Diane Finley, Conservative, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration]

Mr. Speaker, these sorts of situations are obviously of great concern to us. When we bring people to this country, they come here with the expectation of full and equal employment. That is what we demand of the employers. This is why we work with our partners right across the country to try to ensure that those situations do exist to protect these people.

Presence in Gallery

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

I draw the attention of hon. members to the presence in the gallery of the Hon. Alejandro Ferreiro, Minister of Economic and Development of Chile.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear!

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

[Peter Van Loan, Conservative, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order to remind all members that tomorrow is the occasion of Her Majesty the Queen's 81st birthday. I am sure all members of the House would like to join in wishing her best wishes on her birthday.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear!

Aboriginal Affairs

[Brian Jean, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, under the provisions of Standing Order 32(2), I have the honour, and it is a personal honour, to table in both official languages, copies of the report entitled “On-Reserve Matrimonial Real Property: Report of the Ministerial Representative”.

Procedure and House Affairs

[Gary Goodyear, Conservative, Cambridge, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I have today the honour to present, in both official languages, the 43rd report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, regarding the membership of committees of the House.

If the House gives its consent, I intend to move concurrence in the 43rd report later this day.

Contraventions Act

[Keith Martin, Liberal, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca, BC]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-431, An Act to amend the Contraventions Act and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (marihuana).

Mr. Speaker, it is with great honour and partial disappointment that I introduce this bill today. The bill calls for the decriminalization of the simple possession of marijuana. I say disappointed because this should have happened before.

The purpose of the bill is to allow casual users to possess small amounts of marijuana. Marijuana possession would still be illegal, but the person would be fined similar to receiving a traffic ticket, instead of having to go through courts if they are caught through simple possession.

I hope the money saved from this could then be used for prevention, treatment and education for children, so they will not take up marijuana and other illegal drugs and resources for rehabilitation. This will also severe the tie between the casual user and the organized crime gangs that are responsible for grow operations, which are the primary vector of funding for organized crime.

I hope this private member's will also allow us to open up a rational debate on drug policy in Canada, a debate that our police, the public, health care workers and all Canadians need for the sake of our children and all Canadians and for the sake of our safety, security and health.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

Seniors' Day Act

[Peter Stoffer, NDP, Sackville—Eastern Shore, NS]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-432, An Act respecting a Seniors’ Day.

Mr. Speaker, it is not often that I get to rise to thank my mother for this great idea. She is in beautiful Richmond, British Columbia. At the tender age of 84, I thought it would be nice, on behalf of her and all seniors, to have a special day in recognition of their contribution to Canadian society.

This bill would give recognition on the first Sunday in February in perpetuity to all seniors, especially those seniors who served in our Canadian Forces and those who looked after our veterans.

We think this bill could pass very quickly. We would seek unanimous consent to quickly pass what I think is one of the finest pieces of legislation in the House of Commons.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

Procedure and House Affairs

[Gary Goodyear, Conservative, Cambridge, ON]

Mr. Speaker, if the House gives its consent, I move that the 43rd report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs introduced earlier this day concerning the membership of committees of the House now be concurred in.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

Is that agreed?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[Gary Goodyear, Conservative, Cambridge, ON]

(Motion agreed to)