House of Commons Hansard #60 of the 40th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was labour.
Lawrence Cannon ConservativeMinister of Foreign Affairs
Mr. Speaker, the Government of Canada shall respect the will expressed by the majority of MPs in this House.
Denis Coderre Liberal Bourassa, QC
Mr. Speaker, the situation in Pakistan is too important for the government to waffle on arms issues, especially when we know this will have consequences for the lives of our own soldiers in Afghanistan and in the whole area, including India.
I have a simple question for the Minister of National Defence. Does the Conservative government plan to lift the ban on arms sales to Pakistan, yes or no?
Lawrence Cannon ConservativeMinister of Foreign Affairs
Mr. Speaker, Canada is determined to support the Government of Afghanistan in building a strong, democratic society and nation.
Moreover, my colleague, the Minister of National Defence, was recently in Pakistan in connection with the military training assistance program, which provides training for senior officers in the Pakistani army.
Clearly, a stable and secure Pakistan, especially in the long term, is important to the stability of this region.
Denis Coderre Liberal Bourassa, QC
Let me try in English, Mr. Speaker. The defence minister stated last week that Pakistan was the most dangerous country in the world. During his trip to Islamabad, he also said that the Conservative government was now contemplating lifting the ban on arms sales to Pakistan. His foreign affairs colleague quashes him by asserting that there is no plan to allow military exports to resume. Why did the defence minister make that comment then?
Lawrence Cannon ConservativeMinister of Foreign Affairs
Mr. Speaker, my friend from the opposition always sees problems and there is no problem here. My colleague, the Minister of National Defence, was there to admit Pakistan as a member of the military training assistance program, which will allow Pakistan's senior army officers access to Canadian military training courses.
A secure and safe Pakistan is important for the long-term regional stability and we will continue to pursue that objective.
Bob Rae Liberal Toronto Centre, ON
Mr. Speaker, last week the United Nations secretary general visited Sri Lanka and visited the largest camp in the country. The camps now contain somewhere between 250,000 and 300,000 Tamils.
It would appear now that the government of Sri Lanka has taken a decision to exclude any international observation of what is taking place in those camps. Could the minister tell us what Canada's plan is to deal with that truly disgraceful situation?
Lawrence Cannon ConservativeMinister of Foreign Affairs
Mr. Speaker, I am sure it is welcome news for all of our colleagues in the House that there is an end to hostilities in Sri Lanka, which has endured over two decades. I have spoken with the American secretary of state. We have called on the government of Sri Lanka to give the United Nations and other international humanitarian agencies immediate access to affected populations. Equally we call upon the government of Sri Lanka to move forward immediately with the president's promise to launch a political process that is inclusive of all communities in Sri Lanka.
Bob Rae Liberal Toronto Centre, ON
Mr. Speaker, it is precisely because it would appear that the president of Sri Lanka has rejected those appeals and those calls that I am asking the minister what Canada is going to do now.
Bob Rae Liberal Toronto Centre, ON
We have to deal with a serious situation that is affecting the very lives of close to 300,000 people. There may be some members on the other side who want to make partisan comments, but I am not one of those who will return.
I simply want to ask the minister this. What plan does Canada have to lead the rest of the world in an effort to ensure that there is in fact international observation and there are efforts to find a political solution?
Lawrence Cannon ConservativeMinister of Foreign Affairs
Mr. Speaker, the hon. minister knows very well from the beginning of this—
The Speaker Liberal Peter Milliken
Order, please. The Minister of Foreign Affairs has the floor. We will need to have some order so his response can be heard.
Lawrence Cannon Conservative Pontiac, QC
The former premier of Ontario, there we go.
Putting that aside, Mr. Speaker, we know full well that this government has been working in lockstep with our allies and like-minded countries to ensure that, first, we bring an end to the violence taking place, but at the same time that we are able to act and help those people who have been displaced.
My colleague, the Minister of International Cooperation, has been extremely active on that file. She has gone there. The people know that. She knows that we are working closely with the government of Sri Lanka to—
Cheryl Gallant Conservative Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of National Defence has just returned from Afghanistan where he visited our mission in Kandahar province. Could he give us a first-hand report on how the mission is going and what progress he saw?
Peter MacKay ConservativeMinister of National Defence and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway
Mr. Speaker, I did have the real privilege to see the work that is being done in Afghanistan by our military, our officials from CIDA and the Department of Foreign Affairs and the tremendous contribution and commitment that is being demonstrated by Canadians. I was briefed on a successful operation by the Afghan National Army in co-operation with Canadian troops. It showcased their steady progress in defending the country under the positive Canadian mentoring happening there.
I also visited the HMCS Winnipeg and its crew, which are actively fighting piracy off the coast of Africa.
Whether it is our navy in the gulf, our army or air force fighting terrorism in Afghanistan, Canadians have one team of which they can be proud, the courageous, committed Canadian Forces.
Judy Wasylycia-Leis NDP Winnipeg North, MB
Mr. Speaker, 18 months ago, the government was faced with a 20-day shutdown of isotope production and said that we had to put aside nuclear safety in the interest of patient safety.
Now, faced with a shutdown that will last at least a month, maybe many months, the government is saying “ration” the isotopes.
How do we ration cancer treatment and cancer detection? Why has the government done nothing for 18 months to prevent this? Where is the plan today to ensure that patients have access to the medical imaging they need and deserve?
Lisa Raitt ConservativeMinister of Natural Resources
Mr. Speaker, in December 2008, the government set out a five point plan in a statement to deal with contingencies associated with a shortage of medical isotopes. We followed up on all of those and, in fact, have put all those into place.
In terms of the use of the medical isotopes, I will answer the question of the member for Winnipeg North with a quote from Dr. Thomas Perry, a past B.C. NDP provincial cabinet minister and a professor at the University of British Columbia. who said, “I've been struggling to think of a nuclear medicine procedure that cannot be achieved by another medium, another technique”.
There are other ways to deal with it and we are--
Glenn Thibeault NDP Sudbury, ON
Mr. Speaker, the half measures announced by the government will do nothing to stop Canadians from being fleeced by credit card companies. There is nothing to limit interest rates and nothing to stop the outrageous fees.
Last month the House passed the New Democrats plan to stop credit card gouging, including limiting interest rates and stopping abusive fees. Increasing the font size on credit card contracts does not help Canadian families hurting right now.
Why will the government not actually do what is right and protect Canadians?
Vic Toews ConservativePresident of the Treasury Board
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the Minister of Finance for bringing forward the regulations that have been applauded by the Consumers' Association of Canada.
The Consumers' Association of Canada said, “All of the things that the finance minister has done are actually just what we asked for overall. I've got to congratulate him”.
We have the critics who want big government and we have the banks on the other side that want big corporations. When the Consumers' Association says that we are on the right path, I think we have struck the right balance.
