Debates of May 29th, 2008

Foreign Affairs and International Trade--Main Estimates, 2008-09

[Josée Verner, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

Mr. Chair, I thank the member for his interest. As a minister from the Quebec City area, I am very much in favour of hosting all of these big international events in our region for many reasons.

The member was wondering if this was part of my portfolio, and the answer is no. I know that my colleague from Citizenship and Immigration is working very hard on this. She has had many opportunities to speak about this in the House. She has every intention of working diligently with the people from her department on this file.

[Paul Crête, Bloc, Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC]

Mr. Chair, I want to come back to Canada's most important international relationship, its relationship with the United States of America.

In recent years, the situation has been quite unusual: our close alignment with the Bush administration has been rather unacceptable. Now, the American government's conduct is—

[An hon. member]

Oh, oh!

[Paul Crête, Bloc, Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC]

Mr. Chair, I would appreciate it if the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development would listen when we are speaking. It is rather difficult to speak while he is shouting.

I would like to speak of our relations with the Americans. The security and prosperity partnership will be one of the areas where I will be able to definitely judge whether or not the Canadian government changes its attitude.

These negotiations are currently being conducted in private, in secret. There is no point in reaching any agreement among these three countries unless the citizens observe them. If not the agreements are pointless. We know that the issue of job losses in the United States is presently being linked to free trade even though this should not be the case. We have to deal with the perceptions and that will be accomplished by adopting a more open attitude.

Can the Minister of Foreign Affairs tell us if he is going to change his approach and drop the secrecy adopted at Montebello in particular? The government should have an open approach enabling citizens to be engaged in the negotiations. In this way, the relationship between Canada, the United States and Mexico will be centred on bettering the future of North America, particularly with respect to competition with the rest of the world, emerging countries and China in particular.

[David Emerson, Conservative, Vancouver Kingsway, BC]

Mr. Chair, the security prosperity initiative was started, as members know, by the previous Liberal government. I was actually part of it. It was a very good idea at the time. There was a recognition that trade relations across the Canada-U.S. border were increasingly defined by a number of very small regulatory anomalies and impediments.

The whole idea was to begin to address the thickening of the border. This government has actually pursued that vigorously and with greater focus. It has identified five areas where we think very meaningful progress can be made that should assist in dealing with that border-thickening problem.

[The Deputy Chair, Conservative, Royal Galipeau]

The next block of time belongs to the government. I recognize the hon. Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and to the Minister of International Cooperation.

[Deepak Obhrai, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and to the Minister of International Cooperation]

Mr. Chair, it is a great pleasure for me to rise in the House today to speak about Canada's engagement with Africa as well as our pursuit of opportunities in the emerging Asian markets.

Asia is a key focus of our efforts under our global commerce strategy. Our plan is to help Canadian businesses and investors benefit from everything the global economy has to offer.

Today, I would like to outline how our strategy is helping us pursue and build new opportunities in Asia. There is a staggering diversity of opportunity for our businesses and investors to succeed in the Asian markets, especially on the investment front.

Vietnam, for instance, is a growing and dynamic market for Canadian investors. In 2006, the stock of Canadian direct investment in Vietnam was $142 million, an almost 60% increase in one year, with more large projects planned, particularly in the natural resources sector.

To help continue forging these links, Canada is launching a new chapter in our bilateral investment relationship through the negotiation of a foreign investment protection and promotion agreement.

Our goal is a high quality agreement that will enhance the Canadian investment community and our bilateral commercial links with Vietnam.

Indonesia is another important investment destination, ranking fourth in Asia, with a stock of $3.12 billion worth of Canadian investment. Canadian and Indonesian officials have held two rounds of exploratory discussions so far toward a FIPA, and we plan to hold the first round of negotiations shortly.

Turning to Singapore, Canadian negotiators are continuing to push for a bilateral free trade agreement. As pointed out in our report, Singapore is a commercial business hub and springboard into Southeast Asian value chains.

Building more commercial links to Singapore through a free trade agreement, for example, would greatly enhance Canada's profile across the region and bring many benefits to Canadian businesses, particularly in the areas of investment and services.

China is another top priority of our commercial efforts. Over the years we have built a strong and sophisticated commercial relationship with China. Indeed, not long ago, both the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Natural Resources visited China to reinforce this.

A comprehensive market plan has been developed in cooperation with Canada's business community to continue making connections between Canadian expertise and Chinese demand in a number of sectors. We are planning to add more trade commissioners in China to give our businesses the support they need to outdo their competitors and capture opportunities in a number of key sectors.

Our global commerce strategy also places a key focus on driving more two-way investment between our countries.

Now, I would like to turn to India. Canada and India have long been partners on the world stage. As I observed during my visit to India earlier this year, Canada and India share common values of freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law. It is vital that Canada maintain a strong relationship with India, the world's largest democracy and an increasingly important international partner.

This partnership extends into the commercial realm where our nations have built a sophisticated business relationship that saw our two-way trade reach an all-time record high last year.

Like China, we have developed a targeted market plan for India that emphasizes opportunities in key sectors, including agriculture, oil and gas, electric power, aerospace, information and communications technology, infrastructure and service industries. Canada has a proven expertise in all of these areas and can help India as it continues its economic ascent. Two-way investment is another hallmark of the Canada-India relationship.

Last year, we concluded negotiations toward a Canada-India foreign promotion and protection agreement that will give investors in both countries the access and protection they need in each of our markets. At this point I would like to emphasize that it was the current Minister of Foreign Affairs who was instrumental in signing this agreement.

Since the signing of the Canada-India science and technology cooperation agreement in 2005, researchers from both countries have been working together to develop and commercialize tomorrow's technological breakthroughs. We also recognize the importance of a strong Canadian presence in the Indian marketplace.

We currently have commercial representation in five Indian cities and our Prime Minister recently announced the opening of two new trade offices in Hyderabad and Kolkata, formerly known as Calcutta, as well as additional commercial staff to our missions in Mumbai and New Delhi. An expanded presence in India will allow Canada to create even more commercial connections between our two nations and create wealth, prosperity and opportunity for both countries.

Finally, we cannot talk about our efforts in capturing more business in Asia without talking about the Asia-Pacific gateway and the corridor initiative. The initiative is a bold visionary project to boost our west coast transportation infrastructure capabilities and to create the premier gateway of choice between Asia and North America.

With our partners in the provinces and the private sector, we are making an unprecedented effort to boost our transportation and logistics systems and establish new links between North America and the Asian giants.

We are seeing solid progress with the recent opening of the new expanded Fairview Container Terminal at the port of Prince Rupert, giving it a significant advantage over key American ports. The gateway project is yet another example of Canada's commitment to our Asian partners and of our clear focus on creating two-way supply chains that will drive trade between our countries into the future.

I would now like to turn to Africa. I would like to talk about Canada's long history of dedicated commitment to Africa. Both in Canada and Africa, Canadians have worked for and with Africans to alleviate suffering and improve lives.

Today, many Canadians, and this includes a growing African diaspora, maintain this commitment. They are involved through family ties, churches, mosques, schools, and cultural and community organizations.

In spite of the often large negative impression the news headlines leave, Africa has made real progress compared with a decade ago with more reform-minded democratic leaders taking responsibility; more prudent economic management with GDP growth up and inflation down; fewer conflicts, six ended in the past 10 years; and more democratic elections, 45 elections in sub-Saharan Africa in the past five years, of which two-thirds were deemed free and fair.

However, social, economic and health challenges remain immense. Serious conflict and governance problems persist. The progress achieved is fragile and must be sustained.

The government has pursued a focused and principled approach in sub-Saharan Africa. Our values are those all Canadians cherish: freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law. Our interests comprise major aid commitments, growing trade and investments, and dealing with key regional security risks.

At this time I would also like to acknowledge the hard work the Minister of International Cooperation has done in promoting the Africa agenda where she has made a difference and she is fighting for effective aid delivery.

Canada is meeting its commitments to Africa. We are doubling annual aid to Africa from 2003-04 to 2008-09 to $2.1 billion. We will meet this objective.

Last December, the Minister of Finance announced a $1.3 billion contribution over three years to the World Bank's International Development Association. This represents a 25% increase in Canada's contribution. About half of these funds will go to Africa.

Last year the Minister of International Cooperation announced nearly $400 million for development in Africa. This includes our contribution to the African Development Bank.

Canada is already obtaining better results and making a difference, especially in countries where we have a long term, well established aid partnership. We continue to make progress in poverty reduction, health and education, democratic governance, and peace and security.

For example, Ghana is on track to halve extreme poverty by 2015, thereby meeting a key millennium development goal.

Earlier this year I visited Sudan where our government announced a new Canadian investment of up to $275 million in security, diplomacy and aid initiatives, as was just announced by the Minister of Foreign Affairs for our commitment to Sudan.

Canada has played a leadership role in supporting international efforts to establish sustainable peace and long term stability in Sudan. We remain committed to those goals. All parties continue to work toward building the culture of peace and stability throughout the country and to support sustained efforts to do so.

Since we are on topic of aid, let me say that we know we must also make our aid more effective and improve results. The government will do this by bringing more focus, more efficiency, and more accountability to our programs.

The government has focused attention on the regional dimension of these issues. We are helping Africans to build and strengthen their security architecture.

We support the African Union and other regional institutions, such as the Economic Community of West African States through capacity building and peace support programs and peacekeeping operations. This will enhance the ability of Africans to resolve conflict, improve regional stability and protect civilians.

In conclusion, Canada's global commerce strategy is squarely focused on capturing opportunities, both in the most exciting global market as well as working to ensure that Canada is there standing for Africa.

[The Deputy Chair, Conservative, Royal Galipeau]

The block of time allowed to the government was 15 minutes. There are now four and a half minutes left.

The hon. member for Saskatoon—Humboldt has the floor.

[Bradley Trost, Conservative, Saskatoon—Humboldt, SK]

Mr. Chair, I appreciated the parliamentary secretary's remarks. I would particularly like to return to his references to the continent of Africa.

As he rightfully noted, the continent has made some progress of which I think all people of the world are quite happy for. But there are still challenges and there are still difficulties involved in Africa.

There have been a number of conflicts and while some of them have successfully progressed, I think particularly of the situations in the Congo, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Burundi and the Ivory Coast. They have all progressed in a positive way, but there are other situations that continue to concern me and concern other Canadians who have an interest in the welfare of the people of Africa.

In particular, let me note a few of the countries and perhaps the parliamentary secretary can respond in each situation on what the government's response has been. I think particularly of the Sudan and the humanitarian situation there, the ongoing violence. I know the UN and the African Union are involved there.

There is the situation in northern Uganda with the fanatical Lord's Resistance Army still causing a major disruption.

In Somalia, again, there is still an ongoing problem internally with its long problems of political, humanitarian and other forms of unrest.

More recently, we have seen problems in Zimbabwe and Kenya. In Zimbabwe it has been with the current election turbulence and the economic collapse in the country. Kenya, long regarded as one of the pillars of Africa, has gone through an election situation that has been somewhat stressful. Hopefully, it has moved to a positive resolution.

I would appreciate the parliamentary secretary's response on what the government is doing to assist in these countries.

[Deepak Obhrai, Conservative, Calgary East, AB]

Mr. Chair, in reference to Sudan, the Minister of Foreign Affairs has listed what Canada was doing to help Sudan. However, both the former minister of foreign affairs and I travelled to Khartoum earlier this year and both of us saw firsthand the work that is needed to be done. I am very glad and proud of Canada's commitment which is working toward peace in Sudan.

In reference to the peace process in Uganda, during the visit by the former foreign affairs minister and myself, we met with the chief mediator of the northern Uganda peace process. The minister emphasized the need for the Lord's Resistance Army to sign and to begin implementing the final peace agreement without further delay. Canada has contributed $8 million, including $3.5 million toward the peace process.

Since 2006, Canada has provided over $19 million in support of humanitarian operations for Somalia, as well as $4.5 million in support of regional refugee operations.

Insofar Zimbabwe is concerned, the government and myself, the former minister and now the new Minister of Foreign Affairs, we have all stated quite clearly that we are concerned about Zimbabwe. We want to see peace brought quickly. We are calling for free and transparent elections in Zimbabwe. Canada's assistance to Zimbabwe during 2006-07 amounted to $11.6 million.

I visited Kenya during the month of March to emphasize Canada's support for the political settlement and encouraged parties to implement fully the provisions of the accord. I am happy to say that the accord is now working.

[The Deputy Chair, Conservative, Royal Galipeau]

There are about 50 seconds left to the government's block of time.

[Deepak Obhrai, Conservative, Calgary East, AB]

Mr. Chair, I would like to acknowledge once more the hard work the Minister of International Cooperation has done on the Africa file, as well as the Minister of Foreign Affairs. I want to give them credit for taking this file and moving it forward.

[The Deputy Chair, Conservative, Royal Galipeau]

The next block of time belongs to the official opposition. The hon. member for Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca has the floor.

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

Mr. Chair, I will be sharing my time with the very fine members of Parliament for Winnipeg South Centre and Etobicoke—Lakeshore.

My first question concerns the fact that the United States has been blocking efforts to negotiate an international ban on cluster munitions. I would simply like to ask the minister whether or not his government supports an international ban on the production and use of cluster munitions, yes or no?

[David Emerson, Conservative, Vancouver Kingsway, BC]

Mr. Chair, as the hon. member knows, Canada has been involved deeply in the Oslo process, culminating in a big negotiating session in Dublin. A text was arrived at that appears to be a balanced reasonable text. I think 103 countries were there. There was a lot of give and take from all sides. Clearly, we would all like to see more countries buying in.

[The Deputy Chair, Conservative, Royal Galipeau]

It is with regret that I must interrupt the hon. minister. The hon. member for Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca has the floor.

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

I will assume that is a yes, Mr. Chair.

The United Nations Department of Security and Safety has said that the area of control by the Taliban in Afghanistan is actually increasing rather than decreasing. Would the minister agree with that assessment?

[David Emerson, Conservative, Vancouver Kingsway, BC]

Mr. Chair, there are a number of different perspectives to take on security in Afghanistan. If we are talking about security in the eyes of, let us say, the United Nations or several civilians doing development work, we have one perspective on security. If we talk to the military, we have quite another. It is a very fluid situation.

Our approach at the moment is to make sure that our focus on security is around creating--

[The Deputy Chair, Conservative, Royal Galipeau]

The hon. member for Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca.

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

Mr. Chair, our troops are doing an extraordinary job in Kandahar. I have a simple question for the Minister of International Cooperation. Can she tell us how many schools and how many clinics CIDA has actually built and made operative in the last year in Kandahar?

[Bev Oda, Conservative, Durham, ON]

Mr. Chair, I can provide some facts. On the education part, in Kandahar specifically by supporting the government's education quality improvement project, EQUIP, the goal is to construct or rehabilitate 51 schools, 19 of which are under way presently.

Through the literacy program, there are 5,200 students attending literacy programs throughout Kandahar. With Save the Children and the Netherlands we are also supporting increased--

[The Deputy Chair, Conservative, Royal Galipeau]

It is with regret that I must interrupt the hon. minister. The hon. member for Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca in his third of the 15 minute block.

[Gary Goodyear, Conservative, Cambridge, ON]

On a point of order, Mr. Chair, my apologies for interrupting the procedures. I am completely aware of the rules, but clearly we are here to hear the facts from the ministers and I would ask for unanimous consent for the minister to finish her answer.

[The Deputy Chair, Conservative, Royal Galipeau]

I thank the hon. member for Cambridge for his good advice. I had already allowed the minister a multiple amount of time than it took for the question.

We seem to be rolling pretty well right now and I would just like to leave it at that for now, if we could. There is not a lot of time left to the hon. member, unless he wants to encroach on his successor's time.

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

I assume though, Mr. Chair, that that time was not taken out of the initial time.